The Finger Lakes region has been shaped by water in more ways than one.

From glaciers carving the lakes in the Pleistocene Age to the canal systems that once linked local farms and towns to the wider world, water has always been a major force in the area.

It’s no surprise we still see traditions that once traveled these same waterways—by boat, lake, and sea.

Cribbage, a game with strong maritime roots, was a sailor’s favorite—compact, easy to pack, and a mix of strategy and luck that made the time pass quickly.

I first learned cribbage working on the waterfront in Portland, Oregon, and it’s stuck with me ever since.

Jeney and I even used to hang out at a cribbage bar in Seattle (shout out to Last Drop Bottle Shop), where regulars ran small tournaments and you could always find someone up for a game.

So, now I’m curious…

🍻Happy Hour Tomorrow

The countdown is on—this Thursday (tomorrow) is the inaugural Finger Lakes Effect member Happy Hour. Grab your ticket and come have a drink with your neighbors. Hope to see you there!

P.S. First 10 folks can use this code to get $5 off their ticket: EARLYMEETUP

 🎟️ Get a ticket before they’re gone 🎟️ 

TRAIL OF THE WEEK: Italy Hill

📅 EVENTS

Wednesday

• Trivia Night @ Liquid State (Ithaca) - 7pm, groups of 2 or more - grab some Silo Food Truck chicken while you’re there.

• Trivia @ Mustang Pub (Penn Yan) - Trivia in Penn Yan - get some grub, drinks, and test your wits.

• Trivia @ Lucky Hare Owego (Owego) - Trivia time in Owego with tasty beers and more.

• How Did We Get Here? (Auburn) - Artist and physicist Werner Sun blends science and creativity in his thought-provoking work—on display now at both the Schweinfurth Art Center and the Cayuga Museum of History & Art. Also available Thursday & Friday.

Thursday

• Osprey Eco-Cruise (Ithaca) - Set sail on a 1.5-hour Osprey Eco-Cruise—offered Thursday through Sunday—from May to August, blending fun and hands-on exploration of local aquatic habitats for kids and adults alike.

• Science & Suds @ Hopshire (Freeville) - Curious about how ChatGPT and other AI tools actually work? Join Ithaca College’s Prof. Venkata Govindarajan on May 15 for a clear, one-hour dive into the inner workings and real-world implications of large language models while having a cool beverage or two.

• 200 Years: Seneca Lake & Erie Canal Waterways (Montour Falls) - Explore the fascinating history of Schuyler County’s canal era at the Brick Tavern Museum, from the rise of steamboats to the ambitious waterway connections that once made Seneca Lake a global gateway. Also available Friday.

• Register for June 28th Horseshoe Tournament (Bath) - Sign up for the 2nd Annual Horseshoe Tournament in Bath, NY on June 28—entry includes a shot at the trophy and a chicken BBQ dinner, with shoes provided or BYO. Registration ends June 20th.

• Yappy Hour (Corning) - Raise a glass for shelter pups at Spring Yappy Hour—join the fun at Iron Flamingo Brewery in Corning with great beer, food, raffles, and furry friends, all to support the Chemung County SPCA!

Friday

• Annual Native Plant Sale (Marcellus) - Celebrate native plants and local growers at Baltimore Woods’ annual Spring Plant Sale, May 16–17, with food, raffles, expert advice, and a vibrant variety of garden-ready finds.

• Live Music @ Steuben Brewing (Hammondsport) - Madelyn Rose playing live at Steuben from 5 pm — 8 pm.

• Food Truck Battle (Syracuse) - The largest gathering of food trucks in CNY history is back - now for 2 days with 50+ local trucks and live music! Friday from 4-10pm & Saturday from 11-10pm.

• New Planets Live @ South Hill Cider (Ithaca) - Catch the Golden Hour Music Series with New Planets on stage—an electrifying blend of genre-defying dance music from some of Ithaca’s most creative musical forces; doors at 4:30, music 5:30–8:30pm.

• Coffee with Friends: Fun & Adventure on the River (Elmira) - Kick off paddling season with laughs and river wisdom at a morning talk by Chemung River Friends co-founder Jim Pfiffer—Saturday at 9am in Elmira, with coffee, breakfast, and great stories included.

• Farm Dinner Series (Dundee) - Savor a four-course farm-to-table dinner where Chef Michael Dean blends global flavors with French technique—an intimate evening of fresh, seasonal cuisine for $65, with optional wine pairing available.

Saturday

• Thom B Trail Run (Dryden) - Celebrate spring on the trails at the Thom B trail race—choose your adventure with 8.5, 17, or 26.2 miles of rolling, well-marked forest paths perfect for first-timers and seasoned runners alike.

• Warblers & Wine (Branchport) - Spend a spring morning birdwatching with expert guide Alyssa Johnson at Hunt Country Vineyards—then unwind with a guided wine tasting and a picnic overlooking the beautiful landscape.

• Rootstock FLX Youth Festival (Ithaca) - Celebrate youth creativity at the 5th Annual Rootstock Festival on May 17 in Ithaca—featuring live music, dance, and over two dozen youth-led businesses, all free and family-friendly on the Commons.

• Behind The Scenes Tour Of Rose Hill Mansion (Geneva) - Go beyond the velvet ropes with a Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Rose Hill Mansion—offered twice a month, this special experience takes you into rarely seen spaces like the basement and rooftop belvedere.

• International Festival & Classic Euro Car Celebration (Canandaigua) - Enjoy global flavors, classic cars, and live cultural performances at the Canandaigua International Festival—featuring a Main Street cruise, music, food, games, and prizes all in the historic downtown.

• Corvette: Thunder In The Glen (Watkins Glen) - Celebrate 72 years of America’s Sports Car at Corvette Thunder in the Glen, May 17–18—two days of Corvette history, lakefront festivities, and trackside thrills honoring Harley Earl’s legacy in Watkins Glen.

• Yoga In The Pines (Naples) - Reconnect with nature and yourself during a 90-minute outdoor yoga and meditation session beneath the red pines at Cumming Nature Center, guided by Lynne Boucher of Yoga Revolution.

• Cousins Maine Lobster: Food Truck (Geneva) - Enjoy wine and a wild-caught Maine lobster on a roll at Three Brothers Winery.

• Ready To Drink Cocktails Release Party (Seneca Falls) - Get ready to taste four brand new ready-to-drink canned cocktails all made with fresh ingredients and inspired by local Finger Lakes activities

• May Overnight Family Adventure (Mumford) - Spend a magical night at GCV&M with games, crafts, a lantern-lit village tour, campfire stories, and more—an unforgettable overnight adventure for the whole family.

Sunday

• Hungry Pug @ Steuben Brewing (Hammondsport) - Tacos, freshly made salsa, and tres leches cakes.

• Tunes On The Tasting Room Terrace (Canandaigua) - Catch Dave Turner live on Sunday, May 18 for a special Tunes on the Tasting Room Terrace—a genre-spanning, loop-powered set from 1–4PM paired with great vibes and NY State beverages.

• Latin Dance Night @ Stonebend (Newfield) - Join Clara and the Guapea Latin Dance School for beginner friendly lessons and an evening of dance at Stonebend Farm. Get a beer and some delicious food before kicking up your heels.

• Lilac Run (Rochester) - Celebrate the final day of the Lilac Festival with the 46th annual Ford Lilac Run on May 18—run or walk the 5K, 10K, or both in the Double Dash (plus the Timbits Trot!), and earn sweet perks like a pint glass and custom medal.

Got an event we should feature in the Finger Lakes Effect? Click the button below and add your event details!

The Bulletin

Want to spread the word about your business, a project, a volunteer opportunity, or just give a shout-out to over 1,451 friends in the Finger Lakes?

Hopshire brewery is a great stop outside of Ithaca for a beer or two. If the weather is good, enjoy the sprawling outdoors, and take advantage of the local meats and cheeses available in the cooler!

La Monarka is worth tracking down - check their Facebook page and find out where they’ll be this weekend. Enjoy some quesabirria tacos, nachos, and a whole lot more.

Forks On The Road: Eats & Drinks

Finger Lakes Cider House: Bold Ciders, Backyard Views, and Farm-Fresh BBQ Worth the Drive

Other highlights included fluffy cornbread with sweet butter, smoky baked beans, crunchy slaw, chunky potato salad, and a deeply flavorful organic turkey chorizo link. Every ingredient is thoughtfully curated, with most sourced directly from Finger Lakes farms — including their own.

The Cider Club adds even more magic. Membership brings access to small-batch releases, wild-fermented blends, and exclusive events — all backed by a deep commitment to sustainability and flavor. It’s not just a subscription — it’s an invitation to be part of something grounded, local, and deeply intentional.

With welcoming staff, room to stretch out, and a killer view from the hillside farm, Finger Lakes Cider House is one of the region’s brightest stars — cider, food, and community all in one glass (and plate).

Jeney - The Forkin’ Local

🌠 Meteor Showers 2025

Did you miss the full eclipse last year and want to make sure you aren’t left out of any meteorological fun in 2025? Check out this handy reference for meteor showers in 2025!

Ready For Your New Pet? 🐱🐶

Meet Ursula!

Ursula is a 1 year, 4 month old, domestic shorthair mix. Ursula was adopted as a tiny kitten but her original owner passed away and needs a new home.

Need a furry friend? Check out adoptable pets here (Auburn), here (Syracuse), or here (Ithaca) and set up a visit at the closest SPCA. But act fast—word on the street is that animals rarely last more than a week or two before finding homes.

Cider & Cheese? Yes, Please!

Last Thursday I was able to pop over to Moosewood in the Ithaca downtown area for the NY Cider event: Terroir & Texture - a delicious mashup of cheeses and local ciders.

If you see another event like this, I highly suggest checking it out. It was comfortable, relaxed, and filled with knowledgeable people happy to share their experience.

The ciders were very good - a couple highlights of mine were the Redbyrd Hard Kombucha, the New York Cider Co’s Moses Snook, and the Finger Lakes Cider House brought the good stuff as always.

Rachael Freier, local cheesemonger, was delivering the textured goods in the form of curated cheese plates with several additional blocks nearby.

For those of you that haven’t had cider in a long time, I recommend giving it a shot - until a couple years ago it had been…15+ years for myself and I just remembered the super sweet versions that were all that I experienced - things have certainly progressed and there’s something for everyone.

Shout Out 📢

Lots of upcoming races, as mentioned in the events above. If you’d like to join some upcoming races and support a non-profit running club, the Finger Lakes Running Club has many options in the coming months, including:

• Thom B Trail Run

• Twilight 5K

• Tortoise & Hare 10K

• Finger Lakes 50s

Quick Note From Adam

The Finger Lakes Effect is just me (Adam), Jeney, and our cat—who, it turns out, isn’t great at finding events...

I want your help to keep finding the best events in the Finger Lakes. So, if you’re putting on, or come across one that we should all be aware of, use one of these 3 options to share it:

🥇 BEST WAY: tagging or DMing on Instagram @fingerlakeseffect

🥈 GOOD WAY: using the event submission form

🥉 PRETTY GOOD WAY: shooting me an email with the details

Thanks!

Adam Moody

Finger Lakes Effect

P.S. The Finger Lakes Effect will be evolving as it goes - if you have an idea for the style, look, or topics, hit reply and let me know.