I was doing my scan for what’s going on around the Finger Lakes on Monday and ended up down a bit of a Wikipedia rabbit hole. Turns out, 116 years ago (plus one day), Mark Twain died - in Connecticut. But he’s buried at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira.
There’s connections to Buffalo (he owned a stake in a newspaper there) and the family continued to summer in Elmira for 20 years, give or take.
The octagonal study where he did most of his writing still stands on the Elmira College campus, moved there in 1952.
In fact, the entire property is now part of Elmira College and only available to Quarry Farm Fellows. If you want to visit, you’ve got some work to do!
Ok, this could keep going and going, let’s get into the current local stuff!
🥘 DINNER TIME 🥘
Ready for a tasty dinner and to make a few new friends?
That’s the goal of the Finger Lakes Effect Dinner Club. Join us next week on April 30th, in Canandaigua.
You can find all the details here, but the short version is:
Take a quick quiz about your interests, food preferences, and what types of people you are looking to meet, you know, that kind of thing.
Get matched with five other Finger Lakes Effect members based on the quiz results.
Receive your invite the morning of the dinner and discover which restaurant your group will be eating at.
Dinner is Thursday, April 30th at 6:30 PM. After dinner, all tables will be invited to a fun spot to keep the good times rolling. This afterparty is optional, so if you’re in a food coma, you can go home and sleep it off.
The Logistics: The booking fee is 16 bucks per seat, you pay for your own meal at the end of dinner, and I’ll put it all together from the quiz, to matching, to the reservations, and sending reminders.
Here’s what a few people who joined previous Dinner Club events have to say:
"The food was amazing and the company was great!"
"Very enjoyable! It was great to meet others who had similar interests and had unique experiences to share!"
"I am so happy I signed up for this! It was so nice getting to know people in the area and just chatting among people who share the same community. The food was great and the vibes were great for just meeting people for the first time!"
👋 Finger Lakes Effect Contributions 👋
Being a 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. I appreciate any and all support from this great group! Thank you - Adam
The Bulletin
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Got a community event or shout-out? I want to hear about that too.
Burnt Rose Wine Bar - Reviews share a story that makes you want to make a reservation; great service, incredible food, and of course a wonderful drink selection. Going to in or around Penn Yan? Schedule a visit!
Lucky Hare Run Club - Rain or Shine, join in every Wednesday evening. Family & furry friends encouraged to come. They supply 3 different maps: 1 mile, 2 mile & 3 mile. Run, jog, or walk. Meet between 5:30-5:50pm at the Lucky Hare Watkins Glen Bar & Grill in the Marina behind the Harbor Hotel. Stretch it out, go over the maps, new run club members receive run club cards. Then hit the pavement at 6pm.
🔔 UPDATES 🔔
Sunrise | 6:14 AM |
Sunset | 7:55 PM |
Moonrise | 10:10 AM |
Moonset | 2:20 PM |
Air Quality | 40 GOOD |
Property: Need some land to start your own winery?
📢 Around The Lakes 📢
Events
Looking for more things to do outside of the weekend? Check out the new Finger Lakes Event Guide for ideas.
Haven’t seen it yet? Head over here: https://fingerlakeseventguide.com
New Business
Atabey Restaurant just opened in Ithaca, bringing authentic Puerto Rican food to the area right as the warm weather kicks in. Check out what they're serving.
Community Milestones
The Seneca7 relay is back on April 26. that means hundreds of runners and a lot of traffic around Seneca Lake, so keep an eye out if you're driving that day. Get the details here.
📅 EVENTS 📅
Top Picks
Cider Class with South Hill Cider Maker Steve Selin @ South Hill Cider (Ithaca - Saturday)
Finger Lakes Music Expo @ Ithaca Downtown Conference Center (Ithaca - Saturday)
Planetarium | Mars: The Ultimate Voyage @ Link Planetarium (Binghamton - Friday)
Wednesday
Earth Day Birthday and Cleanup @ Tanglewood Nature Center and Museum (Elmira) – Celebrate Earth Day with a community cleanup followed by birthday festivities, cake, and connection with nature lovers.
Fireside Chat & Book Launch: An Evening with Pam Sherman @ New York Wine & Culinary Center (Canandaigua) – An engaging evening of storytelling, insights, and conversation celebrating a new book on confidence, authenticity, and personal growth.
Girls Dinner – Paint and Sip @ The Rumour Mill (Phelps) – A fun and creative night out featuring guided painting, wine sipping, and a relaxed social atmosphere with friends.
Honey & Cider Pairing with Howley Honey @ Apple Barrel Orchards (Penn Yan) – A guided tasting exploring unique honey varieties paired with handcrafted ciders, highlighting seasonal flavors and aromas.
Music Night – Ende Brothers @ Outlet 111 - Waterfront Craft Cocktail & Wine Bar (Penn Yan) – Enjoy a lively evening of live music paired with craft cocktails and waterfront ambiance in a relaxed setting.
Screening & Discussion: “True Grit (1969)” @ Cayuga Museum of History & Art (Auburn) – A classic Western film screening followed by an engaging discussion and Q&A exploring its themes and cinematic legacy.
Thursday
DJ Jay Meadows @ Argos Warehouse (Ithaca) – An upbeat night of cocktails and curated DJ sets creating a lively, laid-back downtown dance atmosphere.
SOAG~2026 Invitational Show @ State of the Art Gallery (Ithaca) – A curated group exhibition featuring six artists presenting paintings, sculpture, and mixed media works, with additional artist talks and gallery events.
25th Annual Wine & Food Fest @ Roberson Museum (Binghamton) – A festive anniversary celebration featuring curated wines and gourmet bites in a unique drive-up experience.
Friday
Wine & Herb @ Cayuga Lake Wine Trail (Romulus) – A scenic wine trail experience pairing herb-infused dishes with local wines while collecting plants and recipes along the way.
South East Seneca Event - Seeds, Sips and Bites @ Wagner Vineyards (Lodi) – A lively tasting trail featuring local beverages, small bites, and seed collecting across regional producers.
Lily Off @ Center for the Arts of Homer (Homer) – An all-day arts and music event celebrating creativity, performance, and community in a vibrant setting.
Anthony & Chloe @ ONCO Fermentations (Tully) – A live music performance featuring a duo delivering engaging melodies in a relaxed brewery setting.
Planetarium | Mars: The Ultimate Voyage @ Link Planetarium (Binghamton) – An immersive planetarium show exploring the challenges and science behind sending astronauts to Mars, featuring NASA research and animated storytelling.
Jerry Seinfeld @ Broome County Forum Theater (Binghamton) – A stand-up comedy performance by Jerry Seinfeld, featuring his signature observational humor and live stage presence.
An Evening with Driftwood @ Hangar Theatre (Ithaca) – A live folk-rock concert featuring Driftwood, delivering an evening of original music, energetic performances, and community atmosphere.
CONCERT: Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel @ Center for the Arts of Homer (Homer) – A live concert featuring Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel, delivering a performance rooted in Southern rock and contemporary influences.
Saturday
Creative Explorers Family Day: “Spring Poetry” @ Cayuga Museum of History & Art (Auburn) – A hands-on family day of scavenger hunts and creative poetry celebrating nature and springtime inspiration.
4-H Duck Race 2026 @ Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County (Ithaca) – A beloved community celebration featuring duck races, family activities, local vendors, and lively entertainment for all ages.
Cider Class with South Hill Cider Maker Steve Selin @ South Hill Cider (Ithaca) – An immersive cider tasting and class exploring the craft, flavors, and process behind small-batch cidermaking.
Keuka Compass Social Gathering @ Milly's Market by Milly's Pantry (Penn Yan) – A relaxed community gathering for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies to connect over coffee, conversation, and friendship.
Finger Lakes Music Expo @ Ithaca Downtown Conference Center (Ithaca) – A vibrant music expo featuring local bands, keynote talks, and interactive experiences for music lovers of all kinds.
Grounded in the World: Trail Running & Climate Justice @ Multiple Locations (Ithaca) – A community event combining a group trail run and sustainability presentations focused on climate justice, outdoor stewardship, and environmental engagement.
Baltimore Woods Earth Day Stewardship Project @ Baltimore Woods Nature Center (Marcellus) – A volunteer stewardship event celebrating Earth Day with tree planting and habitat restoration activities for all ages.
Candor Daffodil Festival @ Candor Ball Field (Candor) – A lively community festival featuring over 100 vendors, food trucks, live music, and family-friendly entertainment.
Dear Jack, Dear Louise @ Carriage House Theater (Auburn) – A heartfelt romantic comedy set during World War II, following a couple’s love story through letters, filled with humor and emotion.
T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land @ Auburn Public Theater (Auburn) – A theatrical interpretation of T.S. Eliot’s iconic poem, bringing its themes and imagery to life on stage.
Kenneth Haas Photography Talk @ Tompkins County Public Library (Ithaca) – An engaging talk exploring local bird photography, creative process, and practical tips for aspiring nature photographers.
Puppy Pals Live - The Action-Packed Comedic Stunt Dog Show @ Smith Opera House (Geneva) – A high-energy dog stunt show packed with impressive tricks, playful antics, and family-friendly comedy throughout.
Sunday
Bound for Glory Live with Joe Crookston @ Lansing Area Performance Hall (North Lansing) – A captivating live folk performance blending storytelling, humor, and rich musicianship from acclaimed artist Joe Crookston.
Pints & Poses with Susan Marie Yoga @ ONCO Fermentations (Tully) – A relaxed yoga session paired with craft brews, blending mindful movement and social vibes in a brewery setting.
Euchre at The Grayhaven @ Grayhaven Motel (Ithaca) – A cozy card-playing afternoon featuring friendly euchre games, welcoming beginners, and relaxed social vibes in a historic lounge.
Recurring Events
Limited Duration - click here
Trivia - click here
Kid Friendly - click here
✅ READY FOR THE INSIDE FLX SCOOP? ✅
Finger Lakes Insider - This isn’t just a longer event list. It’s a curated, month-ahead game plan so you can lock in the fun stuff early, discover stuff you’d miss otherwise, and stop last-minute scrambling (and annoying calendar overlaps).
Thanks for supporting the Finger Lakes Effect!
See You Out There
Thanks for being part of the Finger Lakes Effect!
Adam Moody
