Posts From: June 2015

Taking the 'family antiques' for a ride in an antique car

By Valerie Knoblauch on Jun. 26, 2015

Taking care of the "family antique collection" seemed to be the theme of the day when I recently took my Dad to a doctor’s appointment and my uncle was along for the ride. My Dad is the kind of guy who gets a kick out being referred to as an antique. But in my book, antiques are valued treasures, and he is definitely one of mine. So, a funny thing happened on the way home from the appointment – where my Dad had some testing done.  While we headed out for breakfast I remembered that the Stanley Steamers were touring in Canandaigua.  These antique cars are all open-topped and run on steam and have the greatest horns ever…

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Illuminating experiences abound July 4th weekend

Jun. 23, 2015

Just because you’re on vacation does not mean you have to take a vacation from celebrating the country’s most patriotic of holidays, Independence Day, or Fourth of July. Ontario County has several celebrations happening, ranging from a parade, a picnic and fireworks to a lakeside ring of fire. The latter, Honeoye Lake’s ring of fire, is especially endearing to Finger Lakes residents. Flares are lit on shore all around the lake, encircling the water with beautiful brightness that ascends to the summer sky. The Ring of Fire is also a beloved end-of-summer ritual on Canandaigua Lake on the Saturday before Labor Day. Here is the schedule of events…

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Geneva wins All-America City award

Jun. 19, 2015

As a newcomer to the tourism industry, my position at the Finger Lakes Visitors Connection makes me look at the community where I live through a different lens. As I do this, a new philosophy emerges.It essentially boils down to this: A great place to visit must also be a great place to live.  Residents will learn about and love their community even more when they explore their own back yard like a tourist. Meanwhile, visitors more and more want to experience the life of the locals when they travel. It’s a win-win all around…

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Our 'dirty' little secret (and it's still family-friendly)

Jun. 15, 2015

My boyfriend Scott and I have saved the date (June 27) for a very special event. But we are not wearing anything special and we really don’t care if it rains or shines that day. In fact, the more rain before Kirby’s Kompound Mud Bog, the better. What’s a mud bog, you ask? It pretty much boils down to grown men playing in the mud with their trucks. And a grown woman like me says it’s a hoot to watch…

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Kayaking Canandaigua Lake and Beyond!

Jun. 11, 2015

One of the best ways to take in the Finger Lakes is by kayak. There is just something about kayaking in the Finger Lakes and watching the lake change as you are a part of it. Pictured above, some friends and I were out for a paddle on Canandaigua Lake - to Squaw Island…

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Festival shows diversity in styles, venues and artists

Jun. 01, 2015

The Geneva Music Festivalis a chamber music festival based in Geneva. But its lineup of world-renowned artists will also bring jazz, contemporary compositions and bluegrass to diverse venues in Canandaigua, Skaneateles and Auburn as well as Geneva.  The festival kicks off its fifth season this weekend with three artists performing three piano trios at three different locations three nights in a row.  Cellist Clive Greensmith of the former Tokyo String Quartet joins Geneva Music Festival founder and violinist Geoffrey Herd and pianist Christopher Janwong McKiggan (pictured here) to perform piano trios by Ravel, Turina and Brahms…

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