Elections were yesterday, which reminded me of a pretty famous ballot cast just up the road.
On November 5, 1872, Susan B. Anthony voted in the presidential election in Rochester, along with 14 other women from her ward. She was arrested two weeks later, convicted, and fined $100. She never paid it.
Rochester’s been on my mind for another reason, too. After 84 of you showed up to Dinner Club in Canandaigua, a lot of people asked about doing one there. So I have a question for you below.
✉️ SAVINGS END NEXT WEEK ✉️
Last week I announced the Fall Quarterly Snail Mail. Now it’s time to announce the pre-order deadline: November 11th.
Pre-order here and save five bucks. Mailing in mid-November-ish.
I'm changing the format a little to fit more in. This time it's a zine (a little booklet), plus more goodies.
I’ve been working on some fun additions to this one, including trying out cyanotype with leaves while we had all the sunlight:

Creating the image

Finished image
🔥 BURNING QUESTION 🔥
Last week was the monthly Dinner Club meetup, and it was a blast. We had 84 diners at 14 different tables across several restaurants in Canandaigua. This month we’re having a “New-Friends-Giving” Dinner Club in Geneva on the 19th.




I heard some great ideas, and one that kept coming up was doing a Dinner Club in Rochester.
So, the question is…
Would You Go To A Dinner Club In Rochester?
💌 LOVE LETTER TO THE FINGER LAKES 💌
I had a fun meetup the other week with Finger Lakes author Kristen Sickler. We met for coffee and talked about her new book, Siren of the Finger Lakes (Amazon, WorldCat).
We got so into the conversation that I forgot to take a picture. Sorry, Kristen!
However, I wanted to share a picture of one of the gorgeous illustrations by Jennifer Sullivan and a few words from Kristen herself.

Here’s Kristen on the book and why she wrote it:
I would love for you to know that Siren of the Finger Lakes is a love letter to the region I grew up in. I wanted to write something that helps people understand why they feel such a pull toward the Finger Lakes - whether they grew up here, live here, visit often, or simply find themselves missing the Finger Lakes even though they only visited once.
As an adult, I began to see the lakes as more than just beautiful places to visit. To me, they felt mysterious, ancient, and full of stories beneath the surface. I hope the book makes people slow down, look at the water a little longer, and feel more connected to the place that keeps pulling them back.
If the book catches your eye, check it out, then keep it on the shelf or pass it along to another Finger Lakes lover!
The Bulletin
Interested in partnering with the Finger Lakes Effect? Reach 13,500+ engaged Finger Lakes readers. I feature local businesses worth knowing. Get in touch here.
Got a community event or shout-out? Submit it here.

Frequentem Brewing Co - A great spot on Main Street in Canandaigua for a tasty drink. Meet up with friends and grab a seat on the patio while the weather holds. Thanks to Frequentem for hosting the Dinner Club after-party last week!
Owasco Bluffs Nature Preserve Trail - Looking for a short hike this weekend with some good views? This short but rewarding trail is a great stop with just a little bit of elevation and a small but free parking lot.
🔔 UPDATES 🔔
Sunrise: 6:43 AM
Moonrise: 1:45 AM
Air Quality: 33 GOOD
Sunset: 4:55 PM
Moonset: 2:36 PM
📅 EVENTS 📅
Top Picks
Gift-Making Series: Magnet Gift Box Sets (Ithaca - Thursday)
Pyrography Ornaments - Wood Burning for Beginners (Penn Yan - Saturday)
Small Works Exhibition Opening Reception (Clifton Springs - Saturday)
Wednesday, November 4
GC MYERS The Jubilee Dance (Corning) - Explore GC Myers' stunning new paintings at this solo exhibition featuring vibrant works that celebrate artistic expression and creativity.
Swing dance party and lesson (Ithaca) - Learn East Coast, West Coast, Lindy Hop, and Charleston swing styles, then dance to an all-swing DJ mix for an unforgettable night.
Paper Crafting Club (Manchester) - Join fellow paper crafters for card making, scrapbooking, journaling, and more in a relaxing, welcoming environment for all skill levels.
Be Well Provisions Holiday Shopping (Dundee) - Sip and shop for the holidays as it (maybe) starts to cool down. Open this Wednesday and Saturday with additional dates in the future.
Thursday, November 5
Whistle While You Quilt (Auburn) - A delightful musical revue celebrating the art of quilting with fun parodies, well-known numbers, and heartfelt songs.
Vinyl Record Night at Sulfur Books (Clifton Springs) - Bring your vinyl collection or listen to a curated mix at this free monthly gathering for analog music enthusiasts.
Gift-Making Series: Magnet Gift Box Sets (Ithaca) - Create personalized magnet gift sets with drawings or collages under expert guidance—perfect handmade presents for everyone.
Lake Country Players present "Once Upon A Mattress" (Watkins Glen) - Enjoy this classic musical comedy presented by the Lake Country Players in this charming production, November 5-8.
Jessica Kirson (Ithaca) - Experience two decades of comedy from high-energy performer Jessica Kirson, known for ridiculous characters and unfiltered humor seen by billions online.
Excalibur (1981) (Geneva) - Experience the magic of Arthurian legend in this classic film screening—dress in costume and enjoy theater-style concessions.
Singer/Songwriter Night by Dan Forsyth (Freeville) - Join local songwriters sharing original music and constructive feedback at this monthly first-Thursday singer-songwriter night.
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band (Geneva) - Witness 45+ years of musical excellence as the GRAMMY Award-winning Dirty Dozen Brass Band delivers their legendary high-octane performance.
Friday, November 6
Chicago Transit (Canandaigua) - Experience the world's first and longest-running Chicago tribute band featuring five lead vocalists and a full horn section.
Singing Notes and Slinging Jokes (Ithaca) - Experience soulful songs and sharp stand-up from husband-and-wife duo SingTrece and Sir Kenneth McLaurin combining music, comedy, and authentic storytelling.
Fall Chef's Table Class - Pan Fried Duck (Canandaigua) - Master chef-table cooking with seasonal menus, knife skills, and wine or beer pairings in this interactive culinary experience.
Saturday, November 7
So, You Want to be a Wildlife Rehabilitator (Info Session) (Naples) - Learn the steps to become a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator and discover resources to start your journey helping injured animals.
Northeast Elementary PTA 5K + Fun Run (Ithaca) - Run or walk for Northeast Elementary at the PTA's 5K and 1-mile fun run in Northeast Ithaca. Every registration doubles as a raffle ticket.
The Family of Things: Writing the Self and Nature through the Work of Mary Oliver (Naples) - Explore Mary Oliver's poetry and essays in nature through a day-long writing experience celebrating observation and personal truth.
“Pyrography Ornaments”: Wood Burning for Beginners with Tracie Doerner (Penn Yan) - Learn wood burning basics to create pyrography coasters or ornaments—perfect handmade gifts for the holiday season.
Pumpkin Smash and Compost Bash! (Canandaigua) - Smash pumpkins, watch robotics clubs compete, and learn about composting at this free outdoor fall community event.
Makers Trunk sale Art and supplies (Ithaca) - Browse gently used art supplies, artwork, fabric, and yarn at this makers trunk sale celebrating local artists and creative recycling.
Smith Family Series: Sugar Skull, A Dia de Muertos Musical Adventure (Geneva) - Explore Día de Muertos traditions in this bilingual musical adventure featuring Mexican music, dance, and magical storytelling for families.
Sunday, November 8
Fiddlers of the Genesee (Canandaigua) - Enjoy rousing old-time fiddle music spanning centuries, from Appalachian reels to Irish jigs and Bluegrass breakdowns.
Celebrate the Season: It’s a Wonderful Life Opening Reception (Penn Yan) - Browse original artwork, handcrafted pottery, and holiday décor by local artists at this festive opening reception with complimentary refreshments.
Valley Folk presents Medusa (quartet) (Corning) - Discover electrifying chamber-folk sounds from Medusa quartet that will make you stomp, laugh, and hear something new.
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

