Homer Hops Brewing has been slowly developing for about four years, about as long as it takes for hops, the plants that give beer much of its flavor, to mature fully. And much like the rows of hops in their fields, Homer Hops is just on the cusp of coming to fruition.

Harriet Tubman’s Auburn home is a window to the past

The former sauerkraut capital of the world makes its annual homage to its history with the Phelps Sauerkraut Weekend during the first full weekend in August. The 53rd annual festival, held in Phelps, New York, will take place this year from Aug. 1-4, with a patriotic “Red, White and Kraut” t…

The Arrival of 2018 FLX Rosés

The Erie Canal is well past its prime, but its profound importance is permanently etched in the early economic foundations upon which domestically importing and exporting led to unprecedented avenues of commerce throughout the nation and New York. 

The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, bearing the name of an aviation pioneer and one of the Finger Lakes’ most popular heroes, is located just south of the village of Hammondsport, about 45 miles west of Ithaca. The ride over takes you through some of the most scenic terrain in our region, and it’s …

Just about 50 minutes from Ithaca is a 7-mile long hiking trail that is equal parts history museum and nature exhibit. Plus, if you believe in these things, it’s probably haunted. The Keuka Outlet Trail, which connects the villages of Penn Yan on Keuka Lake and Dresden on Seneca Lake, follow…

The Finger Lakes are deep and they do not warm up very rapidly in the spring. Consequently many visitors might not feel comfortable in the lakes until July and August. The top foot of the water column is generally quite comfortable, but there is a sharp thermocline below that to bracing temp…

Later this year Randolph O’Neill Vineyard will release its first Cabernet Franc under its own label. A semi-dry and dry Riesling are already available, along with a dry rosé. Owner Kelley O’Neill is a one-man operation: he is both the vineyard manager and winemaker and also manages the sale …

This summer soak in the sight of some beautiful boats at the 38th Annual Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat Show and the 34th Annual Wine Country Classic Boats Show in Hammondsport. 

Merry Go Round’s (MGR) artistic director Brett Smock isn’t a new a hire; this will mark his second full season since taking over from Ed Sayles after Mary Poppins closed in 2014. Smock first came to MGR as another auditioning actor; his first shows as an actor and dancer were Mame, Cabaret, …

Cortland Repertory Theatre 

“When I started milking sheep in 1998 there were very, very few sheep dairies in the U.S., maybe 50, max,” said Bee Tolman, farm manager for Meadowood Farms in Cazenovia. She and another local sheep farmer, Maryrose Livingston of Northland Sheep Dairy in Marathon, now join the growing ranks …

On Saturday and Sunday mornings year round, the Cornell laboratory of Ornithology at Sapsucker Woods offers guided walks for beginning birdwatchers. Between April and November the walks begin at 7:30 a.m. and during the colder (darker) months they begin at 9 a.m. Walks are on level ground on…

Several of my fondest personal memories of summer involve camping and being in the outdoors, taking in the fresh, authentic, and astoundingly beautiful audacity that is our natural world. Perhaps it’s not for everyone, but many (and in particular many of you nature-loving Ithacans) might agr…

I recently spent a lovely afternoon at Rue Claire Lavender Farm and Artisan Chocolate on Route 414 in Lodi. Located in the middle of wine country on the east side of Seneca Lake, it is this little shop with a view of the lake. It is tastefully arranged with a lovely mixture of old and new. D…

Cider, it turns out, comes in many forms. Between sweet cider, the kind that comes in a plastic jug, and the heady, clear stuff that tastes like apple moonshine and comes in a sealed bottle, the options are growing. Standing in the tasting room at Finger Lakes Cider House, overlooking Cayuga…