Two years ago the Finger Lakes was the best place in the country to stand.
April 2024 Solar Eclipse: The Finger Lakes was in the path of the total solar eclipse. People flew in from other states to watch the sky go dark in the middle of the day.
I happened to be in Old Forge, which is a funny move for a guy who writes a newsletter about noticing your own backyard. Friends invited us up, and thankfully we had a great view up there too.
I'm staying put today. There's another eclipse this afternoon, though the good part belongs to Iceland and Spain. Here we get about ten percent of the sun covered, somewhere between 1:00 and 2:30, so dig out the special eclipse-viewing glasses from 2024 and hope the clouds cooperate.
Last but not least, tonight the Perseids peak with no moon in the sky at all, which is the best version of that we're going to get for years.
📮 DID THIS HAPPEN TO YOU? 📮
Looks like several of you had issues getting the first-ever Finger Lakes Effect Quarterly snail mail ordered ☹
The good news is that the tech issue was caught and I was able to make the fix over the weekend.
You can still get your hands on your own Quarterly, stuffed with local goodness, including a roundup of big events for the next three months!
A sneak peek at one piece of the Quarterly
🍲 HEALTH, HAPPINESS, & HANGOUTS 🍲
This one’s been a long time coming, with the summer being pretty hectic.
I was happy to make the trip to Canandaigua to sit down with Leah Fricano, owner of the restaurant Vital Garnish and talk about food, health, travel, hang-outs, and a lot more.
Check out the video, and swing by Vital Garnish on your next trip to or through Canandaigua!
⚡ QUICK HITS ⚡
Feast For The Future - Farm To Feast is prepping for their next steps and they want you in on it Thursday, August 13th!
Here’s what’s going down:
🎶 Live music
✨ Raffle
🎧 A DJ to keep the party going
🍽️ An all-you-can-eat feast, featuring the incredible local ingredients they love from their favorite farms and butchers.
The Bulletin
Interested in partnering with the Finger Lakes Effect? Reach 13,000+ engaged Finger Lakes readers. I feature local businesses worth knowing. Get in touch here.
Got a community event or shout-out? Submit it here.
Naples Wood Fired Pizza - On the south end of Canandaigua Lake. Swing by for pizza, smoked BBQ, and more.
The (Auburn) Postcard Project - You like snail mail, right? How about postcards that not only feature local towns, venues, and artists, but also benefit children? If that’s a yes, grab a pack and start sending your own snail mail again.
🔔 UPDATES 🔔
Sunrise: 6:09 AM
Moonrise: 5:49 AM
Air Quality: 43 Good
Sunset: 8:12 PM
Moonset: 8:18 PM
📅 EVENTS 📅
Top Picks
Roc Wellness Insiders Canandaigua Lake SUP Social @ Canandaigua Lake (Canandaigua - Saturday)
Ithaca Artist Market @ Ithaca Farmers Market (Ithaca - Friday)
Crystal City Summerfeast 2026 @ Nasser Civic Center (Corning - Saturday)
Wednesday, August 12
Mindful Birding at Sapsucker Woods @ Cornell Lab of Ornithology (Ithaca) – A peaceful birdwatching session blending mindfulness, quiet observation, and reflection to deepen connections with nature and the present moment.
Moon Over Buffalo @ Bristol Valley Theater (Naples) – A fast-paced theatrical farce following two fading stage stars whose final shot at fame spirals into hilarious chaos.
A Space to CREATE @ Clyde-Savannah Public Library (Savannah) – A welcoming weekly creative session featuring guided art projects, provided supplies, and plenty of room for artistic exploration.
Lakefront Concert Series: The Jess Novak Band @ Finger Lakes Welcome Center (Geneva) – A high-energy lakefront concert blending pop, rock, and soul with powerful vocals, electric fiddle, guitar, and captivating songs.
Thursday, August 13
Morning Matinee @ Community Library of DeWitt & Jamesville (DeWitt) – A free morning movie series featuring all seven Jurassic Park and Jurassic World films for summer viewing.
Urban Sketching @ Main Street Arts (Clifton Springs) – A three-part workshop exploring perspective, architecture, streetscapes, and watercolor through guided sketching sessions around Clifton Springs.
CCE Schuyler Master Gardeners Workshop Series – In the Weeds with Shawn @ CCE Schuyler Teaching Garden (Montour Falls) – A practical gardening workshop exploring weed identification, edible varieties, removal techniques, and strategies for keeping weeds under control.
Shakespeare in the Gardens: The Taming of the Shrew @ Seward House Museum (Auburn) – An open-air Shakespeare performance bringing comedy and theatrical mischief to the enchanting gardens of the Seward House Museum.
Music in Centerway Square @ Centerway Square (Corning) – A lively downtown summer series bringing local and regional music, dancing, dining, and community fun to Centerway Square.
Friday, August 14
Ithaca Artist Market @ Ithaca Farmers Market (Ithaca) – A juried showcase featuring 80-plus local artists, live jazz, regional food and drinks, and original art for sale.
Alive After 5 @ Rye Bar & Restaurant (Elmira) – A lively evening of live music featuring Blue Eyed Soul and Sway in downtown Elmira.
Wagner Sunset Music Series Presents The Smoking Loons @ Wagner Vineyards (Lodi) – A scenic vineyard evening pairing live music from The Smoking Loons with sunset views, drinks, and dinner.
Steele Adult – Silent Reading Party @ Steele Memorial Library (Elmira) – A cozy after-hours reading party featuring live harp music, refreshments, and a peaceful evening surrounded by books.
Hangtime Concert Series featuring Dunes and the Del Tunes @ Treleaven Wines (King Ferry) – A lively winery concert featuring Dunes and the Del Tunes for a relaxed evening of live music.
Greater FLX Jazz Orchestra @ The Central on Main (Canandaigua) – A lively evening of jazz from the Greater FLX Jazz Orchestra paired with local food and drinks.
Mary Poppins: The Broadway Musical @ Smith Opera House (Geneva) – A magical family musical bringing beloved songs, colorful characters, and the enchanting story of Mary Poppins to the stage.
Saturday, August 15
Ayers Brothers bring the music of Jim Croce to life with special guest Tony Holiday (Phelps) - From heartfelt ballads to sing-along favorites, you'll hear the songs that made Croce a legend, performed with passion, authenticity, and incredible musicianship.
Around the World in Eight Plants: Part 2 @ Cornell Botanic Gardens (Ithaca) – A guided garden walk exploring eight remarkable plants and their cultural significance across societies and continents.
Hot Dogs and Gin @ Hosmer Winery (Ovid) – A lively afternoon of classic rock, barbecue, slushies, and family-friendly fun at a scenic Finger Lakes winery.
Try-It: Batik @ The Clay School (Ithaca) – A hands-on textile workshop exploring wax-resist techniques, colorful dyes, and creative designs for personalized fabric projects.
Farmers Market @ Modeste Bedient Memorial Library (Branchport) – A community farmers market offering seasonal local produce, fresh baked goods, flowers, and more from area vendors.
Roc Wellness Insiders Canandaigua Lake SUP Social @ Canandaigua Lake (Canandaigua) – A social morning on Canandaigua Lake bringing paddleboarders and kayakers together for relaxed recreation on the water.
Crystal City Summerfeast 2026 @ Nasser Civic Center (Corning) – A festive summer fundraiser featuring barbecue, live music, games, seasonal treats, and a lively island-inspired atmosphere.
Banned From the Tavern @ Abandon Brewing Company (Penn Yan) – A relaxed afternoon of live music bringing local entertainment and brewery atmosphere to the scenic Finger Lakes countryside.
Bluegrass with Carter & Cleveland @ Robinson Pavilion at Anyela's Vineyard (Skaneateles) – Award-winning fiddlers Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland lead a full band through classic and contemporary bluegrass favorites.
Sunday, August 16
Sunday Soiree with Louiston @ Ice Cream Bar (Trumansburg) – A lively folk n’ roll performance blending Americana, indie, rock, rich harmonies, and catchy acoustic-driven songs.
Vinyasa in the Vineyard @ Hosmer Winery (Ovid) – A relaxing vineyard yoga session combining an energizing outdoor flow, scenic views, fresh air, and a post-class mimosa.
Live Music at La Tourelle Hotel @ La Tourelle Inn & Spa (Ithaca) – A relaxed Sunday patio series featuring local bands, grilled favorites, refreshing drinks, and family-friendly summer vibes.
Knife Skills & Quick Pickle Class @ New York Kitchen (Canandaigua) – A hands-on cooking class building safer, faster knife techniques while transforming fresh practice cuts into quick vegetable pickles.
Summer Sundays Music Series – Michael Francis McCarthy @ Wagner Vineyards (Lodi) – Michael Francis McCarthy brings live music to Wagner Vineyards for a relaxed Sunday afternoon in the Finger Lakes.
Vincent Ingala @ Glenora Wine Cellars (Dundee) – Smooth jazz star Vincent Ingala brings Billboard-topping hits, polished musicianship, and an energetic live performance to Glenora.
Special Event: Carter & Cleveland Unplugged @ Mandana Barn (Skaneateles) – Fiddle champions Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland share an intimate unplugged duo performance accompanied by food and drinks.
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
