Last week’s word scramble was a hit. More of you played along than I expected, which tells me one thing: I should probably keep sneaking these in 🙂 

Also… more snow is on the way. Whether that makes you excited or mildly grumpy probably depends on your weekend plans. Either way, there’s still plenty to do around the region, both indoors and out. As always, events are down below!

❓ Word Scramble Result ❓

Fellow reader Laura was the first to reply with the correctly unscrambled word last week - barely 20 minutes after the email was sent out! Laura chose a gift card and will be swinging by Woodpepper bread to enjoy a tasty treat.

The correct answer?

Chestnut

Thanks to all of you that gave it a try!

The Bulletin

Want to spread the word about your business, project, volunteer opportunity, or give a shout-out to 9,200+ friends in the Finger Lakes? Get in touch.

Finger Lakes Insider - The Finger Lakes Insider is here! This isn’t just a longer event list — it’s a well-curated, month-ahead game plan so you can lock in the fun stuff early, discover gems you’d miss otherwise, and stop last-minute scrambling (and annoying calendar overlaps). These will be sent out the 3rd Thursday of each month for the month ahead.

I've got some fun stuff planned for future editions, including a quarterly look ahead so you'll get seasonal heads-up on the good stuff.

Service Station FLX - We took the scenic route home from Rochester and stopped in for some great coffee and a warm panini (and breakfast sandwich). It’s a great stop in the summer, and a warm, cozy one in the winter. Check them out in Hammondsport!

📅 EVENTS

Top Picks

1. Charcuterie Workshop @ Lakewood Vineyards (Watkins Glen)

2. January Winter Market @ Auburn Public Theater (Auburn)

Wednesday

• Lunch with Tom – Ruffed Grouse @ Taste NY (Binghamton) – Learn about the secret winter survival skills of the ruffed grouse, over lunch and great conversation.

• Madelyn Rose Live @ Outlet 111 (Penn Yan) – Live music, cocktails, and an easygoing waterfront vibe for a cozy midweek night out.

• Logan Route Live @ Louie’s Hanover Square (Horseheads) – Dinner and live music, cozy restaurant vibes, midweek unwind, laid-back tunes, easy local night out.

Thursday

• Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy @ Phelps Mansion Museum (Binghamton) – A gothic speakeasy experience of cocktails, candlelight, and Poe-inspired mystery inside a historic mansion.

• Tipsy Terrarium Night @ Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards (Hector) – Build a mini plant world, sip great wine, and settle into a cozy winter night at the vineyard.

• Memory | Motion | Moment @ Kitchen Theatre Company (Ithaca) – A powerful dance-theater experience exploring memory, movement, and the moments that shape us.

• Science & Suds @ The Farm at Hopshire (Freeville) – Sip great beer while diving into fascinating science talks in a laid-back brewery setting.

• Paint & Sip at Roast & Toast Cafe @ Simple Roast Coffee (Auburn) – Paint Valentine’s mugs, sip something cozy, and enjoy a fun, creative night with friends or a date.

• Wicked: For Good (Evening Showings) @ Smith Opera House (Geneva) – See the epic finale of Wicked on the big screen inside a historic opera house—movie night, elevated.

• Bingo Night @ Lucky Hare Brewing Hector (Hector) – Free brewery bingo, prizes and specials, cozy winter vibes, first-come seating, relaxed games with friends.

Friday

• The Comfort Food Trail @ Downtown Ithaca (Ithaca) – A cozy winter food crawl celebrating comfort dishes, local restaurants, and downtown Ithaca vibes.

• Cabin Campfires: Where It All Began @ Baltimore Woods Nature Center (Marcellus) – A cozy winter morning of local nature history, storytelling, and fireside warmth inside a rustic cabin.

• Winemaker Fridays @ Hickory Hollow Wine Cellars (Dundee) – Sip, taste, and chat with the winemaker during a relaxed Friday wine stop along Seneca Lake.

• 2026 Vision Board Workshop @ Skaneateles (Skaneateles) – A cozy afternoon of intention-setting, creativity, and vision-building to align your goals for 2026.

• The Old Goats Live @ Local 315 Brewing Company (Warners) – Live music, craft beer, and a lobster truck—an easygoing Friday brewery hang to start the weekend.

• Live Music: The Tarps @ Hopshire Farm & Brewery (Freeville) – Classic rock hits, local beer, and an easygoing Friday night at Hopshire.

• Charcuterie Workshop @ Lakewood Vineyards (Watkins Glen) – Build the perfect charcuterie board, sip local wine, and enjoy a cozy, hands-on winter night out.

• The Jess Novak Band – Museum After Dark @ Corning Museum of Glass (Corning) – Glassblowing heat, live music, cocktails, and a museum after dark—an unforgettable Friday night experience.

• The Small Kings @ Garrett’s Brewing Company (Trumansburg) – A cozy Friday night of live music, local brews, and easygoing vibes to kick off the weekend right.

• Cody Montanye Headlines @ Crooked Mouth Brewing (Endicott) – A high-energy stand-up comedy night with sharp jokes, big laughs, and a lively brewery crowd.

• Speed Dating Ages 50+ @ Bet the Farm Winery (Trumansburg) – A relaxed winery speed dating night for meaningful conversations, new connections, and easygoing social vibes.

• Meyer & McGuire @ Acquilano Wine Cellars (Canandaigua) – A cozy winery night with live music, great wine, and relaxed Finger Lakes vibes made for an easy winter evening.

Saturday

• Loom Weaving: Potholders & Beyond with Pat Jackson @ 127 Main St (Penn Yan) – A hands-on weaving workshop exploring potholders, small bags, and creative loom techniques for all skill levels.

• Wilderness Skills Workshop: Winter Survival @ Baltimore Woods Nature Center (Marcellus) – Build confidence and practical outdoor skills in this immersive winter survival workshop.

• January Winter Market @ Auburn Public Theater (Auburn) – A cozy indoor winter market spotlighting local artisans, handmade goods, and small businesses in a warm community space.

• Movie Matinee @ Cortland Free Library (Cortland) – A cozy library movie matinee featuring adventure, friendship, and dragons in a family-friendly afternoon screening.

• Brushes & Bottles @ Idol Ridge Winery (Lodi) – A relaxed paint-and-sip afternoon blending creativity, wine, and scenic Finger Lakes vineyard vibes.

• Taste & Tell @ Americana Vineyards Winery (Interlaken) – A fun, interactive wine tasting where curiosity meets great pours in a relaxed Finger Lakes winery setting.

• States Apart Live @ Laurentide Beer Company (Penn Yan) – A laid-back brewery night with live acoustic hits, great drinks, and easygoing Finger Lakes vibes.

• Molly & The Ringwalds @ ONCO Fermentations (Tully) – A high-energy live music night with crowd-pleasing songs, great brews, and lively farm brewery vibes.

• John Kirk & Trish Miller – Old-Time Folk Music @ Cranberry Coffeehouse (Binghamton) – Old-time fiddle, banjo, storytelling, and Appalachian rhythms in a warm, tradition-rich winter concert.

• 90’s Mom Prom @ Trumansburg (4431 E Seneca Rd) (Trumansburg) – Scrunchies, throwback jams, prom vibes, DJ dancing, themed bar, photo booth fun, girls’ night nostalgia.

• Christmas Tree Munch @ Lively Run Dairy (Interlaken) – Goats munch Christmas trees, free cheese samples, cocoa and cider, cozy farm vibes, winter fun for all ages.

• Jeremy James Live @ Grist Iron Brewing Company (Burdett) – Live music with lake views, craft beer, and comfort food, cozy brewery vibes, relaxed winter night out.

Sunday

• Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser @ Danby Fire Station (Danby) – Classic community pancake breakfast, hearty plates, small-town vibes, and a great cause to start your Sunday.

• Sunday Mimosa Flight @ Boundary Breaks Vineyards (Lodi) – Sparkling mimosas, vineyard views, and an easygoing Sunday sip session in the heart of wine country.

• Cayuga Chamber Orchestra Presents Martinů and Mozart @ First Unitarian Society of Ithaca (Ithaca) – Elegant chamber music with Mozart and Martinů, rich textures, and a refined Sunday afternoon concert.

• Sundays with Cisco – Live Music @ Garrett's Brewing Co. (Trumansburg) – Easygoing live music, local beer, and a cozy Sunday night hang at a small-town brewery.

• Wild Walk: Snowshoe Hike & Snowshoe History @ Canandaigua (Canandaigua) – Snowshoe through winter trails while learning ecology and snowshoe history in a fun, family-friendly walk.

Recurring Events

• Limited Duration - click here 

• 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!

See You Out There

Thanks for being part of the Finger Lakes Effect!

Adam Moody

Finger Lakes Effect