by Mark Stash
The diversity of interests that the Finger Lakes Region has to offer is, in my opinion, top notch. Some of the major high points that people who are not as familiar with the area think of are – lakes, wine and the Watkins Glen Raceway. Those are some substantial ingredients for the region, and yet there is still so many more layers of things to do that can go way beyond these highlights.
The Pageant of Steam in Canandaigua (page 56) draws people from across the country for probably one of the largest festivals of its kind. This event showcases just about any kind of engine that runs off of steam, from cars to tractors and everything in between. In this day and age of digital and AI technology, there’s something special about enjoying an older technology where you have to work with your hands and physical tools.
When I was a teenager, I was fascinated with remote control airplanes. I was a part of a club in high school where we built planes from kits, one piece at a time. They were usually made from a light-weight wood and were covered with a special plastic coating that shrunk over the plane’s skeleton when heated with a blow dryer. Now there are opportunities for like-minded people in the region who enjoy building and flying model airplanes for their hobby. The Canandaigua Sky Chiefs (page 46) is one such group, and they hold several events every year to showcase their interests and also encourage young people to get involved. The Civil Air Patrol has also joined with this group of hobbyists.
Have you always wanted to bake a delicious pie and enter it into a county fair for judging? Well, now we have a blueprint for that! Learn more about the history of pies and the Wayne County Fair, and we also have a recipe for peach pecan pie on page 27.
This region is also well known for its place in history. The entire Village of Hammondsport was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in December 2024. Through tax credits and other advantages, residents and business owners will now have financial help in renovating their homes and businesses.
E-mail Mark with questions or comments at mark@lifeinthefingerlakes.com
