The first car race in history ran on July 22, 1894, from Paris to Rouen. No pit crews, no sponsors, just a handful of tinkerers seeing whose contraption would actually make it.
Racing, of course, has deep roots a lot closer to home too. Long before Watkins Glen International had grandstands, drivers were flying through the actual streets of the village. And this week you can go stand near something loud and fast yourself. Motors and Music at The Glen is taking place today!
We’ve got a lot going on, so let’s get into it 🥳
📮 MAIL YOU ACTUALLY WANT 📮
Ready to get something fun in your physical mailbox? Grab the first-ever Finger Lakes Effect Quarterly and get something worthwhile delivered to your door.
I’m still working out how much I can fit in. Between the recipe card, sticker, historical notes, and more, it’s going to be a full envelope!
I’ve also been having fun testing out a few new “toys” to make this something special.
Limited-time pricing while this edition is in preorder, after July 30th it’ll be a few more bucks.
🥖 NATURALLY LEAVENED CONVERSATION 🥖
Getting to know business owners and event organizers around the Finger Lakes has been so fun and rewarding. One of those people is someone I’ve wanted to do a recorded chat with for some time.
Good news: Dane, owner of Woodpepper bread in Ithaca, and I finally found time to talk about bread, business, life, and all the ups and downs in between.
It was a great conversation, only slightly marred by my amateur audio (I’m working on it!).
🍽️ COME HUNGRY, LEAVE WITH FRIENDS 🍽️
Dinner Club is back and hitting Watkins Glen next Thursday, July 30th!
Come out, enjoy a great meal, and make some new friends in the process. Don’t forget about the secret after-dinner meetup. You’ll get a text message with the location during dinner.
Not sure? Here’s what previous Dinner Club attendees have had to say:
I can’t get enough of this experience. I’ve made lasting connections and great bonds all across the FLX region. Between creating new relationships, and catching up with reoccurring friends, this will always be a memorable moment.
What a great idea and wonderful way to meet new people!
⏩ QUICK HITS ⏪
Quarterly Mail pre-orders are live. Order here.
Book club: Join here.
Puppy Fundraiser? Thanks to reader Jessie for sharing this: "Fetch A Friend is a true asset to our community. The women who run the rescue have an incredible passion for helping dogs, and it shows in the care and attention they give every animal that comes through their doors. The facility, is consistently clean, welcoming, and the only place I trust with my own dogs. Seneca Falls is lucky to have such a compassionate and dedicated organization." Check out the Purses For Paws event in August to help them out!
The Bulletin
Interested in partnering with the Finger Lakes Effect? Reach 12,600+ engaged Finger Lakes readers. I feature local businesses worth knowing. Get in touch here.
Got a community event or shout-out? Submit it here.
Vital Garnish - Looking for a tasty bite, a hangout, maybe a refreshing non-alcoholic drink? Swing by, grab some made-from-scratch bites, and enjoy!
The Quarterly - The first Finger Lakes Effect Quarterly snail mail will be going out starting July 30th. Grab yours now, save a few bucks, and get something in the mailbox you’ll actually be excited about.
🔔 UPDATES 🔔
Sunrise: 5:48 AM
Moonrise: 3:11 PM
Air Quality: 32 Good
Sunset: 8:36 PM
Moonset: 12:34 AM
After 85 years in the home where she was raised, the Jamie Jensen Team had the privilege—and responsibility—of carefully packing up a lifetime of memories. One of the reasons Jamie's client was able to remain in her beloved home for so many decades was its rare walk-in, walk-out design, with just two steps into the house and level access to the lake. Situated directly on the waterfront on a quiet lane shared by only six other residences, it's a truly unique property that made lakeside living accessible for a lifetime.
Pets: Tupac is alive!
📅 EVENTS 📅
Top Picks
Broken B Rodeo Featuring Jack Thomas Band @ Ontario County Fairgrounds (Canandaigua - Thursday)
Thunder Moon Paddle @ Saunders Finger Lakes Museum (Branchport - Saturday)
Forest Frolic 15K & 7K Trail Run (Virgil - Sunday)
Wednesday, July 22
Live Music Sunset Cruise @ Ithaca Boat Tours (Ithaca) – A scenic Cayuga Lake sunset cruise featuring jazz, blues, Americana, and soulful storytelling from Johanna Rose & The Dreamboats.
HBR of CNY Summer Social @ Heritage Hill Brewhouse (Pompey) – A lively summer networking social featuring clams, plentiful food, refreshing drinks, and music from DJ RYNO.
Motors & Music at The Glen @ Watkins Glen International (Watkins Glen) – A relaxed evening combining classic cars, live music, friendly competition, and trackside fun for automotive enthusiasts.
Ontario County Fair (Canandaigua) - The county fair is up and running starting Tuesday and running through Saturday with tons of events.
Thursday, July 23
Annie Ol’ Thyme @ Danby Food and Drink (Ithaca) – A lively outdoor performance blending traditional bluegrass, old-time tunes, original songs, rich harmonies, and acoustic strings.
Comedy Night @ Brewers Kitchen and Taproom (Ithaca) – A lively stand-up showcase headlined by Kenneth McLaurin with Stephen Brown, Mike Brindisi, and host Mike Peters.
Homebrewed Comedy @ Brewer’s Kitchen & Taproom (Ithaca) – A lively stand-up showcase featuring Kenneth McLaurin, local comedy favorites, sharp observations, personal stories, and unexpected laughs.
Broken B Rodeo Featuring Jack Thomas Band @ Ontario County Fairgrounds (Canandaigua) – An action-packed evening combining live country music from the Jack Thomas Band with thrilling rodeo entertainment.
Scott Tremolo Concert @ Three Bears Ovid (Ovid) – A relaxed lawn concert featuring local performer Scott Tremolo against the charming backdrop of Ovid’s historic Three Bears.
El Ka Bong @ The Linden Social Club (Geneva) – A rare live performance blending progressive world music and reggae fusion, with Galactic Dolphin Alliance opening the evening.
Singer-Songwriter Series: Laura Holmes @ Atwater Wine (Burdett) – Laura Holmes pairs heartfelt storytelling and literary lyrics with local wine, cider, cocktails, and small bites.
Dial M for Murder (Naples) - Experience the chilling suspense that inspired Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece in the stage play running from July 23 to August 1.
Friday, July 24
Volvo Club of America National Meet 2026 @ Trumansburg Fairgrounds (Trumansburg) – A national gathering showcasing classic and modern Volvos, passionate owners, a spectator car show, and local food trucks.
Planetarium: Dream to Fly @ Link Planetarium (Binghamton) – A poetic planetarium journey tracing aviation’s history, pioneering inventors, technological breakthroughs, and humanity’s dream of flight.
Shawn Duchsherer @ Abandon Brewing Company (Penn Yan) – A relaxed live music performance from Shawn Duchsherer in Abandon Brewing Company’s welcoming setting.
July Open Mic Night @ Sulfur Books (Clifton Springs) – A welcoming showcase inviting music, poetry, comedy, stories, spoken word, and recitations from local performers.
Bridget Kibbey & Friends @ Notre Dame Retreat House (Canandaigua) – Virtuosic harpist Bridget Kibbey joins acclaimed musicians for a vibrant journey from Bach to spirited folk dances.
Photography Through a Telescope @ Baltimore Woods Nature Center (Marcellus) – A hands-on astronomy workshop teaches photographers to capture the Moon, Venus, and other sights through a telescope.
Saturday, July 25
Ithaca Shred Day @ Shops at Ithaca Mall (Ithaca) – A convenient community recycling event offers secure document shredding and responsible disposal of accepted electronics.
First Annual McLean Potato Festival @ Cassavant Elementary School Grounds (McLean) – A family-friendly celebration of McLean’s potato heritage featuring games, food, vendors, races, a parade, and creative activities.
2026 Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival @ Columbus Circle (Syracuse) – A vibrant downtown festival showcases talented artists, craftspeople, entertainers, and diverse visual and performing arts.
National Carousel Day Trolley Tour @ Phelps Mansion Museum (Binghamton) – A festive trolley journey exploring historic carousels with rides, local history, onboard trivia, and an ice cream stop.
Colors of the Soil @ Baltimore Woods Nature Center (Marcellus) – A guided nature hike exploring colorful soils, followed by a creative watercolor painting activity using natural pigments.
Thunder Moon Paddle @ Saunders Finger Lakes Museum (Branchport) – A guided moonlit paddle across Keuka Lake and nearby wetlands, followed by refreshments beside a cozy bonfire.
Demolition Derby @ Ontario County Fairgrounds (Canandaigua) – A roaring night of automotive mayhem featuring hard-hitting collisions, battered cars, and edge-of-your-seat fairground excitement.
Sunday, July 26
Summer 2026 Bar(d) Crawl – Act 2 @ Liquid State Brewing Company (Ithaca) – An immersive evening of Shakespearean scenes, songs, and sonnets performed in a lively, casual brewery setting.
Chicken BBQ @ Runnings (Canandaigua) – A casual community barbecue serving flavorful chicken and friendly Sunday vibes in support of a local organization.
Alta B Weekend @ Wagner Vineyards (Lodi) – A festive customer appreciation weekend celebrating Wagner Vineyards guests with special activities and welcoming Finger Lakes hospitality.
Finger Lakes Growers Showcase x Sunday Sessions @ Lincoln Hill Farms (Canandaigua) – A lively summer showcase connecting visitors with Finger Lakes farmers, producers, local goods, and Sunday community spirit.
Circus Culture Summer Tour 2026 @ Thompson Park (Ithaca) – A lively outdoor circus performance bringing playful skills, colorful entertainment, and summer fun to Thompson Park.
Forest Frolic 15K & 7K Trail Run (Virgil) - Join the FLRC and spend a fun morning running through the Kennedy State Forest trails above Greek Peak Resort.
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
