🌟 Finger Lakes Business & Community News

• Geneva Family YMCA Wraps Up $5 Million Renovation

  The Geneva Family YMCA is nearing completion of a major four-phase renovation that includes a 10,000-square-foot addition with a new strength and fitness center, senior lounge, updated locker rooms, and additional community space. Geneva-based Massa Construction led the overhaul, keeping the Y open throughout the yearlong project. Leaders are confident membership will rebound once the upgraded spaces fully open their doors. Read More

• Canandaigua National Bank Expands Into Syracuse Market

  Canandaigua National Bank has opened its first Central New York branch at 333 W. Washington St. in downtown Syracuse and plans three more locations this year in DeWitt, Cicero, and Liverpool. The bank expects to hire 15 to 20 employees as it grows its retail banking, commercial lending, and business banking operations in the region. A grand opening celebration is planned for March. Read More

• Geneva Music Festival Announces Biggest Season Yet

  The Geneva Music Festival has announced its 2026 lineup featuring Grammy-winning artists across classical, jazz, bluegrass, and Americana, expanding to four weeks this season with performances running May 21 through June 14. The lineup brings back familiar faces like Jinjoo Cho and Henry Kramer while adding major names including jazz standout Fred Hersch, fiddler Mark O'Connor, and acclaimed pianist Jeremy Denk. Many performances will be paired with local winery tastings and artisan exhibitions. Read More

• Weedsport's Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing & Auburn's Perform 4 Purpose Advance in SAMMY Awards

  Auburn-based nonprofit Perform 4 Purpose and Weedsport's Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing Company have both advanced to the quarterfinals in the People's Choice Awards at the 2026 Syracuse Area Music Awards. Perform 4 Purpose, which provides tuition-free music instruction for local youth, is competing for its second consecutive award, while Lunkenheimer is nominated in both the Local Venue and Local Event or Music Series categories. Voting continues through the coming rounds. Read More

• Yates County Awards Latest Round of Recreation & Resource Grants

  Yates County has announced its Round 9 Natural and Recreational Resource Grant awards, funded through occupancy tax revenue from short-term rentals, which reinvests tourism dollars directly into local communities. The grants will support projects that improve outdoor access, increase safety, and preserve recreational assets across the county, including accessibility improvements at a Town of Torrey park.Read More

• Three Brothers Wineries Riesling Lands on VinePair's "30 Best White Wines for 2026"

  VinePair awarded Three Brothers Wineries' 2024 Riesling Clone #110 a 94-point score and included it on its list of the 30 best white wines to drink in 2026. The reviewer called the Finger Lakes Riesling "stunning," praising its depth, complexity, and balance. The Geneva-area Seneca Lake estate — home to three wineries, a brewery, and a café — continues to build the region's national reputation for world-class cool-climate whites. Read More

Love Your Library Day - Monday, February 16 

Stop by for cookies, try your luck at a guessing game and share with us why you love the library! Presented by The Friends of Wood Library.

ADULT PROGRAMS:  

Stamping Class with Sally 

Saturday, February 14 | 10:30 AM-12:30 PM 

Craft your own greeting cards with instructor Sally. The cost is $20 per person and includes everything you need to make four cards with envelopes. Register here. 

Books Sandwiched In 

Monday, February 16 | 12:00-1:00 PM 

Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson reviewed by Tom Rogers, Wood Library Trustee. 

Lucy Gal: The Lost Flight of a Tuskegee Airman 

Monday, February 16 | 5:30-6:30 PM 

On April 21, 1945, the Tuskegee Airman took off on a flight in his P-51 Mustang, named 'Lucy Gal.' World War II was drawing near a close, but his service as a bomber escort pilot was needed. En route to the mission, Pennington went missing in action and he has never been found. His life will be shared by pilot and flight instructor Austin Hancock, museum specialist for the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo. Register here. 

Book Discussion Group 

Tuesday, February 17 | 2:00-3:00 PM 

Read and discuss The Talk by Darrin Bell. New members welcome. 

Buying a New Computer 

Thursday, February 19 | 5:00-7:00 PM 

Buying a new computer or tablet can be overwhelming. This class will guide you through the purchase process with the goal of determining which type of computer will best fit your needs and where to look for one. Learn the pros and cons of buying new vs. refurbished vs. used, as well as some tips on how to transfer data from an old computer to a new one. Funded by the Ontario County Office for the Aging. Participants must be an Ontario County resident and 60+ years of age. Register here. 

Hobart and William Smith Colleges Speaker Series 

Thursday, February 19 | 6:00-7:00 PM 

Have you ever connected with a book character? English and Creative Writing Professor Melanie Conroy-Goldman, will talk about why readers make these connections and how authors create characters who electrify readers. This presentation will include a short writing exercise and a lively game to practice making characters. This program is suitable for writers and non-writers alike. Bring a writing implement and notebook. Register here. 

TEEN PROGRAMS: 

Babysitters Training 

Tuesday, February 17 | 10:00 AM-2:30 PM 

Ages 11-15. American Red Cross (ARC) Babysitter Training. Become equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and responsibly care for children and infants. An ARC certificate will be issued to each student upon successful completion of the course. Bring lunch or snacks. Course cost is $85. Register here. 

Read with Pride 

Tuesday, February 17 | 4:00-5:15 PM 

Read and discuss The Dead of Summer by Ryan La Sala. Register here. 

Game Night 

Thursday, February 19 | 6:00-8:00 PM 

Play games in the library. Register here. 

CHILDREN PROGRAMS: 

Pokémon Club 

Monday, February 16 | 4:00-5:00 PM 

Meet fellow Pokémon trainers while discussing all things Pokémon and completing Pokémon activities! Bring your own Pokémon Trading Cards if you want to trade.  

Winter Olympics: Bobsledding with the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association 

Wednesday, February 18 | 2:00-3:00 PM 

Grades K-5. You might have watched bobsledding during the Winter Olympics, but do you know how it works? Use a variety of materials to design, draw, and build your very own bobsled, then test it on a ramp to see how quickly they can move. Register here. 

Music Makers with the Local Sound Collaborative 

Wednesday, February 18 | 4:00-4:30 PM 

Ages 1-6. Join Mr. Ray from The Local Sound Collaborative for a fun and festive music session! Bring your dancing feet and get ready to sing along. 

Storytimes 

*Please check the online calendar for up-to-date information. 

Baby Storytime 

Tuesdays, February 17 & 24 | 11:00-11:30 AM 

Fridays, February 13, 20 & 27 | 9:30-10:00 AM 

All-Ages Storytime 

Tuesdays & Thursdays, February 17, 19, 24 & 26 10:15-10:45 AM 

RECURRING PROGRAMS: 

Wood Walkers- Mondays | 9:00-10:00 AM 

Tai Chi- Mondays | 10:00-10:45 AM 

Chair Yoga- Wednesdays | 10:00-11:00 AM 

Open Tech Hours- Wednesdays | 2:00-4:00 PM 

Zumba- Wednesdays | 6:00-7:00 PM 

Euchre- Thursdays | 2:00-4:00 PM 

New Yorker Discussion Group- Thursdays | 3:30-4:30 PM 

 See the full list of library programs on our calendar. 

February Newsletter DONATE OWWL Catalog Help Friends of Wood Library Membership 

Find Wood Library at 134 N Main St, Canandaigua. 
Visit woodlibrary.org and look for us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. 

From Our Blog:

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatments

SAD is an appropriate acronym for the condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. This is a particular type of depression that is related to the winter, when daylight hours are limited. While we are now on the upswing, there are still many days when the cold, gray skies made our mood more somber and we can feel gloomy for no reason. Affective disorders are defined as having significant impact on feelings and responses to emotions. Read more.

Grow Lights for Plants: How to Choose the Right Light for Healthy Seedlings

A couple of weeks ago we talked about starting your plants from seed. In that we mentioned that when the plants start sticking their heads out of the soil, they will need light. Even if the seedlings are near a window, there is insufficient daylight at this time of the year. If you are starting your plants in a basement, well, you will need to plan on artificial illumination. Read more.

Romantic Valentine’s Recipes for a Cozy Dinner at Home

Make no mistake, the Finger Lakes area abounds with many, many venues for a wonderful Valentine meal, and we certainly encourage you to take advantage of them. There are a number of different price points and atmospheres. However, sometimes you want something that is just private and what better place than at home. Why not extend Valentine’s Day over the course of a week and take advantage of the restaurants and wineries in the area but incorporate some meals at home. Read more

Live and Local Events Curated and Submitted by Venues

Please check business or venue for accuracy. You can see more local events at our online calendar.

That’s it for this week. 

Here’s to a great 2026 everyone! This year promises to be a productive year at FLC. We will have new updates, features, and promise to keep you updated on news and happenings in our area.

Stay connected, stay curious, and we'll see you in the next issue!

As a reminder, contact us if you'd like to advertise your1business or event.

Don Stevens,
Finger Lakes Connected