🌟 Finger Lakes Business & Community News

Just Breathe Named Business of the Month. The Seneca County Chamber of Commerce honored Just Breathe Finger Lakes Legal Dispensary with its February Business of the Month award during a Business After Hours event in Waterloo. Owner Daniel Dennis operates the dispensary in Tyre, Seneca County, and has made community giving a cornerstone of the business — supporting the Beverly Animal Shelter, Seneca Veterans Housing, the Montezuma VFW, and the Seneca County House of Concern. The shop also hosts live music, vendor events, and food trucks during warmer months. Read More

Twisted Rail Brewing Expands to Manchester with Beer & Cannabis. Twisted Rail FLX is bringing its popular combination of craft beer and cannabis to Manchester, Ontario County, taking over the former Roy's Restaurant site on Route 96. Co-owner Ian Boni confirmed that renovations are underway, with the cannabis shop potentially opening as early as late March and the restaurant following by Memorial Day. The new location will feature separate spaces for Twisted Rail Brewing Co. and Twisted Cannabis FLX under one roof. Read More

Wayne County Cannabis Business to Star in Reality TV Series. A Wayne County cannabis operation is heading to the small screen, as camera crews began filming an eight-part reality series following Honest Pharm Co. and its founder Jeremy Jimenez. Crews also captured the grand opening of The New Haze & Harvest dispensary on Route 31 in Newark — the village's very first legal cannabis shop, opened February 21 after more than four years of delays. The series is expected to stream this summer on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. Read More

ShimaShima Bags: A Sustainable Maker Story from the Finger Lakes. The Finger Lakes Times profiled ShimaShima Bags, a family-owned maker business run by Maryse Gregoire and her husband Taka Mori, which creates sustainable handbags using traditional Japanese tatami mat border fabric. The fabric is woven on Jacquard looms in the Mori family's third-generation business in Japan, and Gregoire — a Finger Lakes native who returned home in 2019 — oversees the entire production process with a focus on sustainability and keeping plastics out of local waterways. Read More

Goodwill of the Finger Lakes Sets Spring Grand Opening in Chili. Goodwill of the Finger Lakes announced it will open a brand-new retail location in the Town of Chili (Monroe County) in April, expanding its presence in the greater Finger Lakes region. The new store will create local jobs and provide additional drop-off and retail options for the community. Goodwill of the Finger Lakes serves more than 50 counties across upstate New York. Read More

Wood Library MINI GOLF Fundraiser 

March 20 & 21 

Friday Fairway Frolic - Adults Only!  5-8 PM   

Library Links - Family Friendly - Saturday 10 AM-4 PM 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!  

ADULT PROGRAMS:  

Android 101 

Friday, February 27 | 11:00 AM-1:00 PM 

This beginner class will review basic smartphone hardware, software and apps. Can I use Wi-Fi to download apps? How do I delete an app? How do I transfer pictures from my phone? Learn how to take, send, and delete photos. Bring a fully charged phone to follow along and ask questions. Funded by the Ontario County Office for the Aging. Participants must be an Ontario County resident and 60+ years of age. Register here. 

Books Sandwiched In 

Monday, March 2 | 12:00-1:00 PM 

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card reviewed by John Michalko, retired school teacher. 

Homeschool Parent Meetup 

Tuesday, March 3 | 1:00-3:00 PM 

Gather with parents who have teens attending the homeschool programs during this time. 

Alzheimer's Association Support Group 

Tuesday, March 3 | 2:00-3:30 PM 

Peer or professionally-led groups for caregivers, individuals living with Alzheimer's, and others dealing with the disease.  

Adult Board Gaming 

Wednesday, March 4 | 6:30-8:00 PM 

Learn to play board games with Game Master John Michalko. 

 The Life of Shirley Chisholm 

Thursday, March 5 | 5:30-6:30 PM 

Join Mark Sample, Professor of History at MCC, for an inspiring presentation about a woman whose courage reshaped American politics. Learn how Shirley Chisholm made history as the first African American woman elected to Congress in 1968, and later, as the first African American woman to run for President in 1972. Register here. 

AARP Safe Driving Course 

Friday, March 6 | 10:30 AM-5:30 PM 

Learn proven driving techniques to keep you and your loved ones safe on the road. Register here. 

Canandaigua Writers Group 

Friday, March 6 | 11:00 AM-1:00 PM 

The Canandaigua Writers Group welcomes anyone who has an interest in writing. Share original stories, poems, memoirs, and more in a supportive, learning community of fellow writers. Register here. 

ADULT & TEEN PROGRAMS: 

Knitting Konnection 

Monday, March 2 | 5:30-7:00 PM 

A social gathering of fiber crafters. All skill levels welcome!  

Chess Night at Rio Tomatlan 

Wednesday, March 4 | 6:00-8:00 PM 

All skill levels welcome. Appetizers provided! Rio Tomatlan, 106 Bemis St, Canandaigua. 

TEEN PROGRAMS: 

Homeschool Teen Craft & Game Lab 

Tuesday, March 3 | 1:00-2:00 PM 

Join us for a monthly meetup! Register here. 

Disappearing Rainforests 

Tuesday, March 3 | 2:00-3:00 PM 

Measure satellite images of the rainforests and determine the rate of disappearance using overlay grids on maps from 1990-2010. Register here. 

Teen Advisory Board Meetings 

Friday, March 6 | 3:30-4:30 PM 

Grades 9-12. Plan library programs and be an advocate for Wood Library. New members welcome! 

CHILDREN PROGRAMS: 

Wildlife Rockstars: Animal Adaptations 

Tuesday, March 3 | 4:00-5:00 PM 

All animals have adaptations to defend themselves from predators. Animal armor, weapons, and abilities are all crucial when it comes to defense, but the ways animals defend themselves differ greatly from species to species. From spikes, scales, armor and more, this program is designed to teach how different species of animals adapt to protect themselves in the wild. Additionally, in this program our Wildlife Rockstars will speak about how we can defend ourselves by preventing head injuries. 

Storytimes 

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

Baby Storytime 

Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 | 11:00-11:30 AM 

Fridays, February 27, March 6, 13 & 27 | 9:30-10:00 AM 

All-Ages Storytime 

Tuesdays & Thursdays, February 26, March 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 24, 26 & 31 | 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:

Mammogram Recommendations: When to Start, Screening Frequency & High-Risk Guidance

As you are probably aware, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has changed its recommendations for vaccinations, especially for children. Less in the news is that there are other tests that have had their guidelines revised, including mammograms. Read more.

March Worm Moon & Lunar Eclipse 2026: Blood Moon Viewing Guide and Spiritual Meaning

Tuesday, March 3, is the month’s full moon, with some extra added attractions. It is also a lunar eclipse. Plus, it will take on a coppery glow known as a Blood Moon. So set your alarms so that you are fully alert at 3:44 a.m. when it starts the prenumbra, and the umbra at 4:50 a.m. with 6:33 a.m. Eastern Time when the eclipse is total. This is perfectly safe to watch with the naked eye. Read more.

Comforting British Meat Pies: Easy Homemade Recipes — Pork Pie & Tourtière

Meat pies are a beloved comfort food across the British Isles — think flaky pastry, savory fillings, and big, satisfying portions that feel perfect at the end of winter. If you’ve read or watched the feasts in Harry Potter or the lavish spreads in The Hobbit set in the Hogwarts Great Hall, you know the cozy, nostalgic pull of a steaming meat pie. Whether you make one large pie to slice or individual hand pies (my favorite), these recipes combine meat, vegetables, and herbs into an easy, expressive dinner. 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 a wrap on this week's Finger Lakes Connected!}

Every grand opening, every award, every new venture is a reminder of just how much heart and hustle lives in this region. Know a local business doing something worth celebrating? We'd love to hear about it — drop us a line and it could be featured in a future issue. Until next week, keep supporting the shops, restaurants, farms, and makers that make the Finger Lakes so special. See you next Thursday! 🍷🌱

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

Don Stevens,
Finger Lakes Connected