With the summer solstice just behind us, I’m reminding myself to make the most of the long summer days.
That means grabbing fresh strawberries, getting out for hikes before it’s too hot, checking out some new places, and just soaking it all in.
I’m looking forward to this Thursday. Dinner Club is taking place in Geneva with 42+ soon-to-be friends. Didn’t sign up for this one in time? Join us in July or August - details here.
🍷 THE VOTES ARE IN! 🍷
I asked, and you answered. Hundreds of votes came in for your favorite wineries around Seneca. Here's what you picked, and what you had to say, about your favorite places to spend an afternoon.
Your Top 10
And several of you had some great things to say about Seneca wineries:
Fox Run
"Fox Run is arguably the best overall Winery in the Finger Lakes. World class wines, the ambience, food and grounds are incredible."
Boundary Breaks
"Boundary Breaks has incredible views, amazing owners & staff, and of course wonderful wines!"
"Boundary Breaks is my happy place! 🍷 Cheers!"
Ravines
"Ravines - all about the quality of the wine. Pairings offered to club members a true delight."
Damiani
"I have been a wine club member at Damiani for several years because I love their dry reds. The tasting room staff is amazing and always makes us feel special!"
Boundary Breaks, Three Brothers & Lakewood
"Boundary Breaks for view and ambience, Three Brothers for variety (beer, wine, cider, slushies), and Lakewood is welcoming, people friendly."
Plenty more wineries got your votes. In alphabetical order:
Anthony Road, Apollo's Praise, Atwater, Barnstormer, Belhurst, Billsboro, Bravery, Chateau Lafayette Reneau, Earle Estates, Either Oar, Flatt Rock, Forge Cellars, Fulkerson, Hillick & Hobbs, Idol Ridge, Kemmeter, Lacey Magruder, Lamoreaux Landing, Leidenfrost, Magnus Ridge, Miles, Prejean, Red Newt, Red Tail Ridge, Ryan William Vineyard, Sawmill Creek, Scout, Shalestone, Shaw, Silver Springs, Silver Thread, Standing Stone, Tabora, Toast, Torrey Ridge, Ventosa, Wagner, Zugibe.
🥬 A JUICY LETTUCE? 🥬
With summer in full swing and gardens growing, I couldn’t stop thinking about this crazy green that Jason at Farm To Feast introduced me to.
If you haven’t come across ice plant before, it’s an interesting (and delicious) one for the taste buds.
It stays fresh for longer than a lot of greens. The taste is different too, tangy and slightly salty taste but feels refreshing thanks to all the water it holds.
It’s been grown more widely over the past decades, though it has been used by humans for a long time. Many sources point to what is now South Africa as a possible origin.
If you see some, grab it and give it a shot on its own, work it into a salad, or toss it into your next cook.
🔆 BECOME A CONTRIBUTOR 🔆
I appreciate all the support from this great group!
Becoming a one-time (or recurring) contributor means helping to keep the Finger Lakes Effect going so we can have more fun, build more connections, and not have each edition filled with ads.
Thanks - Adam
The Bulletin
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FLX Postcard Pack - With the release of the FLX Trail game, there’s a set of 4 unique postcards from around the Finger Lakes based on photographs I’ve taken. Get a set of 4 and share your love of the Finger Lakes.
Tortoise & Hare Trail Run - Join the Finger Lakes Runners Club at the Tortoise & Hare Trail Race at Buttermilk Falls State Park. The roughly 6.5-mile course is a great introduction to trail running (and to local trails), and the falls are a spectacular natural attraction.
Dinner Club - Come join us for a tasty meal at a table with 5 others from the area. Meet some new friends, enjoy a meal out, and hang around for the after-dinner secret meetup with everyone from all tables. Details here.
🔔 UPDATES 🔔
Sunrise: 5:29 AM
Moonrise: 4:16 PM
Air Quality: 32 Good
Sunset: 8:47 PM
Moonset: 2:05 AM
Property: 25 acres with a little hunting cabin?
📅 EVENTS 📅
Top Picks
Ithaca Reggae Fest @ Stewart Park (Ithaca - Fri-Sun)
Hairspray (1988) @ Smith Opera House (Geneva - Sunday)
Wednesday, June 24
2026 Mill Park Music Series @ Mill Park (Newfield) – Enjoy a free community concert featuring Penny Royal in Newfield's scenic village park.
ASPCA Fundraising @ ASPCA Community Outreach (Ithaca) – Support animal welfare efforts by learning about and contributing to ongoing ASPCA fundraising initiatives.
Guided Evening Paddle: Fitch's Bridge to Grove Street Boat Launch @ Grove Street Boat Launch (Elmira) – Paddle the Chemung River with an experienced guide and enjoy a scenic evening on the water.
Come and See Me in the Good Light @ Smith Opera House (Geneva) – A moving documentary celebrating love, resilience, and partnership in the face of life's challenges.
Fun Home @ Hangar Theatre (Ithaca) – A powerful musical exploring family, identity, and self-discovery through Alison Bechdel’s acclaimed memoir.
Thursday, June 25
World Championship Soccer Match Watch Party - Turkey vs. USA @ The Regent Lounge (Ithaca) – Catch the Turkey vs. USA match with craft cocktails, tasty bites, and fellow fans.
TCPL Tours: Museum of the Earth (Ithaca) – Explore fascinating exhibits and uncover surprising stories during a guided museum tour for adults.
Three Bears Flower Pots Concert @ Three Bears Ovid (Ovid) – Enjoy an evening of live country music outdoors with local favorites The Flower Pots.
Sun, Salt & Sail: Swashbuckling Wines for Modern Adventurers @ New York Kitchen (Canandaigua) – Explore legendary fortified wines through tastings, stories, and thoughtfully paired culinary bites.
Drag Me to Prom: An All-Eras Dance Party @ Smith Opera House (Geneva) – Celebrate Pride with drag performances, dancing, and hit music spanning every generation.
Mihali @ Lincoln Hill Farms (Canandaigua) – A high-energy outdoor concert featuring Mihali with special guests Mike Powell & The Echosound.
Benny and the Mix LIVE @ Two Goats Brewing (Hector) – A high-energy live music performance blending upbeat rhythms, soulful sounds, and scenic brewery vibes.
Friday, June 26
Feed the Fire Returns to Friday Night Farm Jams @ Finger Lakes Cider House (Interlaken) – Enjoy an energetic evening of live music, cider, and farm-side fun with Feed the Fire.
Fourth Friday in June with Music & Food @ Bet the Farm Winery (Trumansburg) – Kick off summer with live music, soulful food truck fare, and local drinks.
Ithaca Reggae Fest @ Stewart Park (Ithaca) – A vibrant weekend of reggae music, community, yoga, art, and environmental awareness.
Live Music - The Common Railers @ Hopshire Farm & Brewery (Freeville) – Enjoy original indie rock and roots music from Ithaca favorites The Common Railers.
Birds & Blooms - Sapsucker Woods Walks @ Cornell Lab of Ornithology (Ithaca) – Explore birds and native plants on guided nature walks through biodiverse habitats.
Art in the Finger Lakes Exhibit Opening Reception @ The Art Center of Yates County (Penn Yan) – Meet acclaimed watercolor artists and celebrate Finger Lakes landscapes through vibrant local artwork.
Smoke, Bourbon & Blues w/Joe Beard + The Campbell Brothers @ Hollerhorn Distilling (Naples) – An evening of legendary blues, craft bourbon, and smoky flavors in the Finger Lakes.
Sunset Music Series: BAD JUJU @ Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery (Lodi) – Enjoy live rock music, vineyard sunsets, local wine, and scenic Finger Lakes views.
Tim Harrington LIVE @ Steuben Brewing Company (Hammondsport) – An eclectic evening of American roots music blending folk, blues, rock, and jazz influences.
Saturday, June 27
Ithaca Roller Derby Summer Smash @ Cass Park Rink (Ithaca) – Cheer on local skaters as Ithaca Roller Derby faces off against visiting competitors in a spirited matchup.
Try-It: Watercolor Painting @ The Clay School (Ithaca) – Learn watercolor basics through hands-on practice with guidance on techniques, texture, and color mixing.
Paddleboard Yoga @ Shoreline Rentals (Penn Yan) – A peaceful paddleboard yoga session combining gentle movement, mindfulness, and scenic Keuka Lake waters.
Books & Bikes Fest 2026 @ Penn Yan Public Library (Penn Yan) – A family-friendly block party with bike fun, free books, helmets, games, and activities.
Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon Digital Dome Show @ Corning Community College (Corning) – Experience Pink Floyd’s iconic album paired with immersive planetarium visuals and surround sound.
Laurentide Beer Company (7 Year Anniversary Party) @ Laurentide Beer Company (Penn Yan) – Celebrate seven years of local brewing with live music, great drinks, and community fun.
Langhorne Slim @ Inspire Moore Winery, Vineyard & Venue (Naples) – Enjoy an evening of acclaimed folk-rock music in a scenic Finger Lakes winery setting.
Hopshire Birthday Bash with The Smoking Loons @ Hopshire Farm & Brewery (Freeville) – Celebrate another year of Hopshire with live music, great brews, and festive community vibes.
Tim Herron & The Great Blue @ ONCO Fermentations (Tully) – Enjoy an evening of live music, craft beverages, and relaxed brewery atmosphere.
Dine in the 9s: "Shoots & Platters" @ Northville Arts Center (King Ferry) – Enjoy a creative multi-course vegetarian dining experience celebrating the fresh flavors of spring.
Sunday, June 28
IMSA Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen @ Watkins Glen International (Watkins Glen) – Experience world-class endurance racing as elite sports cars battle for victory at The Glen.
Tortoise & Hare Trail Race @ Buttermilk Falls State Park (Ithaca) – Challenge yourself on scenic forest trails and waterfalls in this welcoming community trail race.
Aaron Isaacs @ Abandon Brewing Company (Penn Yan) – Enjoy an afternoon of live music and craft beverages in a relaxed brewery setting.
Hairspray (1988) @ Smith Opera House (Geneva) – A lively screening of the beloved cult classic celebrating dance, friendship, and social change.
FRUITS OF OUR LABOR FEST @ Stone Bend Farm (Newfield) – A community festival celebrating music, food, performance, and local causes in a farm setting.
Recurring Events
Limited Duration - click here
Trivia - click here
Kid Friendly - click here
See you out there!
Thanks for being part of the Finger Lakes Effect.
Adam Moody
