This past weekend, we got to spend part of Sunday morning volunteering at the Gorges Half Marathon, watching runners speed through Trumansburg and the Black Diamond Trail while Mother Nature treated us to an incredible morning that we were lucky to have pop up between our recent weather mood swings.

It's exactly these kinds of moments—where community, nature, and activity intersect—that’s one of the things that makes the Finger Lakes region so special.

Speaking of getting outside, I was really excited by your enthusiastic feedback to the Finger Lakes Trail lean-to poster series.

Based on your helpful feedback, I've combined the best elements of designs 1 and 2, plus added some special touches that I think you'll love.

The posters are now available for pre-order while I wrap up some trail work and final edits—and here's a little incentive: prices will increase by $5 once the final images are released this week. Shipping will begin within the next few weeks once I get the posters back from the printer.

If you want to grab one of the limited edition of 25 prints, now's the perfect time to act.

🥾 TRAIL OF THE WEEK: Charlie Major Trail - Skaneateles

The Bulletin

Want to spread the word about your business, a project, a volunteer opportunity, or just give a shout-out to over 2,507 friends in the Finger Lakes?

Father’s Day - Don’t forget, this Sunday is Father’s Day. Yes, you’ve still got time to grab a gift or get a reservation.

Your Local Farmers Market - Lots of great markets in full swing with the summer months! Get out and support your local farmers, ranchers, and creators.

Sackett’s Table - We featured them last week in Jeney’s write-up after an incredible meal while swinging through Seneca Falls on the way back from Rochester. Do yourself a favor and grab a meal there, or grab a few steaks to go—perfect for Father’s Day grilling (just be sure to grab them on Saturday).

📅 EVENTS

Wondering where recurring events went? Check below the weekend highlights. 😃 

Top 3 Weekend Picks

1. Do something for the Dad in your life! (you didn’t forget…right?)

2. Keuka Arts Festival

3. Waterfront Festival & Cardboard Boat Regatta

Wednesday

• Trumansburg Farmers Market (Trumansburg) - Grab some fresh food, crafts, and more at the T-burg Farmers Market starting at 4pm.

• Weekly CNY Jazz at the Sherwood (Syracuse) - Live music, lawn dining, and sunset vibes—reserve now for porch performances at the Sherwood Inn, where cabaret meets Americana all summer long.

• Backyard @ Northstar (Ithaca) - Northstar’s Backyard is Ithaca’s new summer hangout—join the weekly lineup of jazz vinyl nights, flea markets, dance parties, and family fun with drinks flowing by the creek.

• Paint Night (Lansing) - Sip, snack, and paint sunflowers at The Whimsy Mercantile’s Paint & Sip night with The Party Brush—$35 covers everything, but seats are limited.

• Music & Motors @ The Glen (Watkins Glen) - Classic cars, live music, and a little friendly competition—don’t miss Motors & Music at the Mission Party Deck, with the show starting at 4pm and tunes from 5 to 7.

Thursday

• Backyard @ Northstar (Ithaca) - Northstar’s Backyard is Ithaca’s new summer hangout—join the weekly lineup of jazz vinyl nights, flea markets, dance parties, and family fun with drinks flowing by the creek.

• CFCU Summer Concert Series (Ithaca) - Downtown Ithaca comes alive Thursday nights with free live music at the CFCU Summer Concert Series—great bands, good vibes, and summer fun for all.

• “King Alcohol Ends Reign” Walking Tour (Ithaca) - Step back into Ithaca’s Prohibition past on the “King Alcohol Ends Reign” walking tour—10 blocks of hidden speakeasies, saloon raids, and dry-era drama. Starts June 12th.

Friday

• CHASING NEON @ the Finger Lakes Cider House (Interlaken) - Dance the night away with Chasing Neon at Finger Lakes Cider House—$5 gets you high-energy rock, party vibes, and ongoing fun.

• Build an Adirondack Chair at Hammerstone School (Ithaca) - Build your own ultra-comfy Adirondack chair from local larch in this welcoming, all-skills Hammerstone course for women and gender minorities—no experience needed.

• Cousins Maine Lobster @ Upstate Brewing (Penn Yan) - Lobster rolls and local brews await—Cousins Maine Lobster rolls into Upstate Brewing from 2–8pm.

Saturday

• Penn Yan Farmers Market (Penn Yan) - Visit the Cooperative Farm and Craft Market on Jacob Street, 7:30am—noon.

• Canandaigua Farmers Market (Canandaigua) - Check out the ~30 vendors at the Canandaigua Farmer’s Market with vendors only selling what they produce. 9am—noon.

• Keuka Arts Festival (Penn Yan) - Stroll the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail for a weekend of fine art, crafts, live music, and family fun at the free Keuka Arts Festival in Penn Yan—rain or shine! Continues on Sunday.

• Ithaca Pride Opening Events (Ithaca) - Ithaca Pride Alliance kicks off Ithaca Pride 2025 at the Bernie Milton Pavilion, 4—7pm.

• Elmira Street Painting Festival (Elmira) - Chalk art, live music, food trucks, and family fun—don’t miss the Elmira Street Painting Festival in downtown Elmira.

• Paddleboard Yoga (Canandaigua) - Stretch, strengthen, and unwind by Canandaigua Lake with this all-levels yoga class—no mat needed (just good balance!), just your breath, movement, and a view that soothes.

• Native Gardening Workshop (Naples) - Learn how to garden with native plants, support local wildlife, and take home two potted starters in this hands-on, eco-friendly gardening class.

• Waterfront Festival & Cardboard Boat Regatta (Watkins Glen) - Celebrate 32 years of fun at the Watkins Glen Waterfront Festival on June 14—enjoy food, family activities, and the wild Cardboard Boat Regatta at Seneca Harbor with live music near Lucky Hare Bar & Grill.

• Stache Dash (Canandaigua) - Run (or stroll) for a cause at the Stache Dash 5K in Canandaigua—Father’s Day weekend fun that supports men’s health through the local Blue Foundation.

Sunday

• Keuka Arts Festival Continues

• Bourbon & Beer, an Old-Fashioned Father’s Day (Penn Yan) - Celebrate Dad the Old Fashioned way this Father’s Day—with craft beer, bourbon flights, and good company, no reservations needed!

  • Lots More Father’s Day activities - be sure to search locally (this would have been a REALLY long list if we tried to include them all)

Next Week

• "HABby Hour" at Cayuga Shoreline (Interlaken) - Head out on Tuesday the 17th for the first-ever “HABby Hour” on the Cayuga lakefront—food, drinks, and science with a view!

Recurring Events

• Trivia - click here

• Kid Friendly - click here

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

Forks On The Road: Eats & Drinks

Here.: Brunch Worthy of a Post-Race Medal

After course marshalling at the Gorges Half Marathon (cheering counts as cardio, right?), Adam and I made our way to Here., a cozy brunch spot along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail near Hector. We hadn’t planned the stop—but when we saw the menu (and the ties to Ithaca’s beloved Just a Taste), we knew we were in good hands.

We may have ended up there by accident, but Here. is absolutely somewhere I’d go on purpose next time.

Jeney - The Forkin’ Local

Cabin on 5.92 acres?

Came across this cool off-grid property out by Hammondsport that looks like a super fun place for weekends and summer vacations. Borders state land, big deck, and nearly 6 acres. I can’t grab this - but anyone want to go in on a clubhouse?!?

See You Out There

Thanks for being part of the Finger Lakes Effect!

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.