Posts filed under ‘Skaneateles’
Skaneateles Winterfest: Making Winter Fun
Cold weather never stops Skaneateles from having fun
My father grew up in Skaneateles during the depression. East Lake Road was a little remote in 1930, but winter meant he could skate to town to watch the double-feature for 25 cents.
Skanealteles is still warm and welcoming during the winter. Each year (usually the weekend between the playoffs and the Super Bowl) the Skaneateles Sunrise Rotary hosts Winterfest. They say “Freezin’ for a Reason,” as proceeds help support the Skaneateles Fire Department, SAVES, and the Skaneateles Education Foundation.
Visit the Creamery to find out about the history of Skaneateles in winter as they share the Story of Ice Cutting on Skaneateles Lake. (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday)
What happens at Winterfest?
Friday night: Lighting of the Ice Chimney, at Clift Park
Saturday: – Polar Bear Plunge The annual Skaneateles Polar Bear Plunge visit, www.skanpolarbear.com . The Skaneateles Fire Department cuts a hole through the thick ice and provides a lifesaving crew.
Taste of Skaneateles, restaurants and retail shops will feature tastes. Tickets are available that day in the Sherwood Inn Lobby or at one of our outside locations.
Scavenger Hunt: Pick up your game sheet from any ticket location or the Sherwood Inn lobby. Visit local shops to find letters to spell out a phrase then drop it off at a participating store to be entered into a drawing for fantastic prizes.
Sunday, January 25
SKANEATELES YMCA and Community Center host run, swim, skate, and snow shoe! 315-685-2266 or register online at www.auburnymca.org
For further information and details as the date draws near, visit “Skaneateles WinterFest” on Facebook, or contact a Sunrise Rotarian, Candy Searing (685-0552 or csearing@skaneateles.com ) or Tom Seeley (685-3416 or twseeley@gmail.com ).
The Hot Flash of Summer Theater in Auburn
Auburn is a quiet town, but it’s full of delightful surprises. One of them is the Finger Lakes Musical Theater Festival that runs every summer. It’s a true slice of Broadway in the heart of the Finger Lakes.
We were able to enjoy Menopause the Musical, which follows four women at Bloomingdale’s who meet while shopping for lingerie. It is a 90-minute romp — no pauses and no men — covering 25 classic tunes from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, revised with lyrics to thoroughly cover every phase of “The Change,” — starting with a predictable favorite:
“Chain chain Change, Change of life.
For five long years,
I thought I am loosing my mind;
but I found out no….
It’s just a part of the change.
My body tried to warn me,
the signs weren’t too cool;
it treated mean,
it’s treated me cruel.”
The songs cover memory loss, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, weight gain, husbands who don’t understand, and my favorite “Good Vibrations, takes on a whole new meaning, using a clever prop.
The set remains the same throughout with quick changes to represent the lingerie department, the ladies room, a dressing room, etc. The story is represented from the view of four different women: an Iowa housewife, a lost in the 60’s Hippie, a Power Executive and an aging Soap Star.
The show is a great night out for the girls. My husband was initially underwhelmed, but even he was smiling and laughing when the femme fatale came into the audience and sang a very provocative number.
There are multiple venues, many choices with quality theater right in the heart of the Finger Lakes. Visit www.FingerLakesMTF.com/ticketsor call 1-800-457-8897 for more information. 2014 Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival Schedule Merry-Go-Round Playhouse at Emerson Park 6877 East Lake Road, Auburn, New York. 13021
- “Menopause The Musical” (May 29 to Aug. 9)
- “Mary Poppins” (June 4 to July 2)
- “Damn Yankees” (July 9 to July 30)
- “On the Town” (Aug. 6 to Aug. 27)
- “The Will Rogers Follies” (Sept. 3 to Sept. 24)
- “The Church Basement Ladies in The Last (Potluck) Supper” (Oct. 1 to Oct. 18)
The Box Office is located at MGR Downtown at Auburn Public Theater 8 Exchange St. at Genesee Street, Auburn, New York 1302
Skimming the Cream of History
This guest post is by Kihm Winship, is an author who lives, walks, writes and works in Skaneateles. His blog “Skaneateles” chronicles the character and characters of this lakeside village. Enjoy!
The Creamery Museum of the Skaneateles Historical Society is a must-stop for visitors who enjoy learning more about their vacation destination. Located at 28 Hannum St., around the corner from the Sherwood Inn, the Creamery is packed with fascinating artifacts and exhibits that bring the village’s two centuries of history to life.
The museum’s newest wing displays a gallery of beautiful wooden canoes, rowboats and sailboats that were handmade in Skaneateles, including Lightning No. 1 — perhaps the most-famous sailboat built here — on loan from the Mystic Seaport Museum of America and the Sea.
The new, interactive lake model is one of the museum’s most popular displays; summer visitors can see where they are staying and place themselves in the history that has taken place up and down the 16-mile-long lake.
Of prime importance to many visitors, the Creamery has an extensive collection of research materials available for genealogical and historical studies related to the Skaneateles area. On Friday afternoons, a researcher is available to assist, advise and access one-of-a-kind archival resources.
The Creamery Museum comes with a history of its own. Opened in 1899, it was a place for local farmers to bring their milk to be processed, and for residents to buy the resulting dairy products. The business closed in 1949, and for many years the building stood vacant, but in 1989 a local businessman it the building to the Village. The Skaneateles Historical Society was then given the opportunity to renovate it as a museum, and in 1992 — thanks to time, talent and funding from the entire community — history had a home.
The Creamery is open on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the year:
Jan-April: Fri 1-4
May-June: Fri-Sat 1-4
July-Aug: Fri, Sat, Sun 1-4
Sept-Oct: Fri-Sat 1-4
Nov to Thanksgiving: Fri 1-4
Thanksgiving to Christmas, Fri, Sat, Sun 1-4
Feel free to call ahead – (315) 685-1360 – to be sure the Creamery will be open when you visit. Admission is free, although donations are gratefully accepted, and there’s a terrific giftshop.
Celebrate Christmas in the Finger Lakes
Christmas in the Finger Lakes has many places and faces. I took a day to explore what each town is doing and celebrate the season. I shopped for gifts, found the perfect Christmas Tree, enjoyed a hot meal and supported local business.
Live music, bare knees
Skaneateles is celebrating their traditional Dickens Christmas. Each year from Thanksgiving to the 24th of December the town welcomes Charles Dickens and his cast of characters, to interact with residents and visitors in the streets, stores and restaurants.
Visit Finger Lakes has a great deal for Christmas. Stay two nights at any of the participating hotels during Christmas and you will get a third night free, as long as one of those nights is actually ON Christmas.
Enjoy free admission, holiday music and shopping at the Corning Museum of Glass. Make your own glass ornament and see the Giant Glass Ornament Tree.
A trip to Corning is worth the drive because the museum’s permanent collection and a glass blowing demonstration are wonderful any day of the year. While you are in the area, visit the Christmas House in Elmira. They have events every day in November and December.
If you are looking for ideas on how to decorate your home for the holidays, drive down the eastern side of Cayuga Lake to the little town of Aurora, and visit the MacKenzie Childs Store.
For unusual gifting try visiting some of the great antique stores along Rts 5 & 20. You can find depression glass, cookie jars, cookie cutters, period clothing and hand-made gifts.
If you get hungry, grab a warm bowl of soup at the American Hotel in Lima. This will be an easy hop after the antique stores. They feature several different homemade soups every day.
I passed by several Christmas Tree Farms on my journey. I love a fresh tree to bring the smell of the season into my home for the holidays.
This holiday doesn’t have to be about malls and crowded parking lots and slush and traffic. It can be filled with great adventures and fond memories. Enjoy!
Downtown Skaneateles Walking Tour
Doug’s has the least wait around 3pm.
Downtown Skaneateles is charming AND tasty! Making stops at Doug’s Fish Fry, the Skaneateles Bakery, and the Patisserie would be way too much food for one day, but great if you are here for a week. While you are here, stop in at Rhubarb and Pomodoro to check out the great gifts.
Skaneateles Bakery — Delicious breakfast or lunch
Skaneateles Bakery — Best Donuts in town — made fresh while you wait.
Best Granola, beautiful breads, baked goods and cakes
Wedding cakes in the window of the Patisserie
Great ideas and gifts for the kitchen and garden
Creative gifts, and the guys can sit outside on the porch in rocking chairs!
Enjoy beautiful landmark homes
The BEST Vineyard in Skaneateles — Anyela’s
The most popular vineyard on Skaneateles Lake
It’s a COLD memorial Day weekend. I’m wearing a down vest and wool mittens. Why would there be a crowd gathered 5 miles south of the town of Skaneateles at 3:30 on such a chilly Saturday afternoon? Because there is live music playing at Anyela’s Vineyard.
Tasting Room
Anyela’s Vinyard is the best and ONLY vineyard on Skaneateles Lake. Inside, I notice the tasting room, with its high ceiling, has gorgeous woodwork. At the end of the tasting area, is a large patio/dining area with a view of Lake Skaneateles. The live music has not even started and every table is full, with many crowding around the tasting bars. This is a happenin’ place!
What makes Anyela’s wines unique??
“Unlike other vineyards along neighboring Finger Lakes, we protect our vines from the cold after the fall harvest. One by one, we carefully remove them from the trellises and bury them in the rich earth to insulate the sensitive primary buds, which eventually become the fruit. In spring, we re-trellis the vine for maximum sun exposure. We also control our grape yield to cultivate the ripest, most flavorful fruit.”
Live music on Saturday afternoons
So what does that mean? Great reds. Remember, it’s Memorial Day weekend and the nights are dipping into the low 40s this year. That short growing season is better for whites (particularly chardonnay and Riesling). But the reds at Anyela’s make it worth the Saturday afternoon nosh. We enjoyed a 2008 Pinot Noir, as well as a four grape blend called “Sync.”
Colorful, tasteful decor
We were not thrilled by the overpriced cheese plate that we ordered to enjoy our bottle with, nor the inflexible server, but it didn’t stop us from ordering another plate for bottle number two!
When you take a wine tour around Skaneateles Lake, be sure not to miss Anyela’s. It’s the only place you need to stop!
Anyela’s is located 2433 West Lake Road, Skaneateles, NY 13152
Phone: (315) 685-3797
Thrifting through the Finger Lakes
Skaneateles has a fabulous treasure hidden under the Masonic Temple
Next-to-new is the new “New.” The Finger Lakes region has an amazing selection of second-hand shops selling clothing, furniture, records, books and more. When summer hides, as it occasionally does, try visiting a store where stuff is recycled, re-used, vintage, antique, collectible, or just plain cheap.
Below is a list of my favorite places to treasure hunt:
Auburn
Where: 937 Lincoln Way, Downtown Auburn
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; summer hours 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday with a dinner break from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Phone: (530) 889-2900.
Auburn Trading Post & Antiques
This 3-story warehouse is visible from Rt 20, as you drive through town. Not to be missed unless you are highly allergic to dust and mildew. I found a huge container of Miracle Grow for $1, classic records, silverware and dishes for my son’s apartment, Nintendo games.
24 McMaster Street, Auburn, NY 13021, 315-252-6320
Ithaca
Check out The Commons for several stores with books, furniture and clothing.
STORE HOURS. Mon-Wed: 12-8:00PM., Thurs-Sat: 12-9:00PM, Sun: 12-6:00PM.
CONTACT. 607.319.4953
Funky Junk
Petrune
Classic clothing from every decade. This is not necessarily thrift, but loaded with STYLE.
Open 7 days a week, 11am to 6pm.
Rochester
This is the easiest way to find all the smaller shops in Rochester.
My current favorite is Marianne’s Consignment Shop on South Ave. has many items that still have the store tags on them. My most recent score: Ann Taylor fall jacket: $10, long black sweater: $3., black evening dress: $19, shoes to match: $10.
Vintage and new music. Fabulous record collection. Located at 1460 Monroe Ave in Brighton, it is open Tuesday – Saturday 11-8, and Sunday, 12-5.
A fixture in Rochester on Titus Ave since the dawn of rock and roll, the great great House of Guitars contains an enormous inventory of musical instruments and music. Aerosmith, Ozzie Osborne, Cheap Trick, Metallica and Matthew Sweet are among the major acts that have shopped at the House of Guitars.
Skaneateles
St. James Thrift Store is my favorite store in town, despite my enduring love for the donuts at the Skaneatleles Bakery. Difficult to spot, it’s located downstairs, with the entrance and sign on a side street, off Genesee. This is where you’ll find brand-new baseball cleats for $4.00 and a full military dress uniform for $10. The Thrift Shop is located in the basement of the Masonic Temple on Genesee Street between State and Jordan streets.
Hours 10-4, M-S.
Syracuse
The Thrift Shopper is a comprehensive listing of all the great shops in Syracuse
EcoChic Boutique combines NEW and CONSIGNED clothing and accessories for the Ecologically conscious and Economically savvy shopper. Located on 4314 East Genesee St in Dewitt.
Monday to Saturday: 11am to 6pm
Sunday: 12pm to 5pm
The Sound Garden
Great store to browse and kill some time in. The selection is vast and they always seem to be adding new products across different mediums. Prices on new and old records/DVDs/games are the best you can find in any brick-and-mortar shop.
Armory Square
310 W Jefferson St
Syracuse, NY 13202
Please share with me your favorite thrift stores are and I’ll add them to this blog.
Skaneateles Lake Cycle Circle
Biking around Skanealteles Lake provides vertical challenge with breathtaking views. The 40-mile loop takes you from the lake’s edge in the town of Skaneateles Lake, up, up, up to breath-taking views high above, along rolling hills, covered with farms full of goats, cows, lavendar and wildflowers, on the east and west sides, then sends you rocketing to the lake’s edge again at the southern end by Glen Haven.
Continue Reading September 2, 2012 at 5:00 am Leave a comment
The 1820 House — A Sunset View of Skaneateles
There are not many places in the Finger Lakes where you can get a great meal AND a spectacular view at the same time. The 1820 House will serve you both. Skaneateles locals love this off-the-beaten-trail restaurant because its quiet, consistently delicious, without being as expensive as what you might get on the main drag.
Old Stone Mill Condominiums: Enjoy luxury and charm in Skaneateles
Stay for a weekend or a month. Luxury and authentic charm.
If you are familiar with Skaneateles, you remember a beautiful stone structure previously run as the Old Stone Mill restaurant. It has recently undergone renovations transforming the property into five luxurious, short-term rental condominiums, known as the Old Stone Mill Inn.
Located at 3 Fennell St. in Skaneateles, Old Stone Mill Inn is managed by the owner of the Sherwood Inn. Known as the old “flouring mill,” the 195-year-old structure is one of the oldest buildings in Skaneateles, N.Y.
Images courtesy of Doug Lloyd.
The condominiums are available for weekend, weekly or short-term stays, up to a few months and feature hardwood floors, fireplaces, granite countertops, ceramic tile, fully equipped kitchens, high-end linens, flat-screen televisions and an elevator. The units are fully furnished and include indoor parking.
“The condominiums at Old Stone Mill Inn are perfect for out-of-town guests visiting the area for weddings, graduations, business trips or summer getaways,” said William Eberhardt, manager of Old Stone Mill Inn and owner of the Sherwood Inn. “The units offer luxurious, convenient living space in the heart of Central New York.”
For more information, call 315-685-3405 or visit www.oldstonemillinn.com.
Finger Lakes Summer's Blog 