🌟 Finger Lakes Business & Community News

Newark's Honest Pharm Co. Lands National Reality TV Series Jeremy Jimenez, founder of Honest Pharm Co. in Newark, is starring in "Jeremy's Rolling Empire," an eight-part reality series from High Times airing on Prime TV this summer. What started as a bold 2019 warehouse purchase — banking on New York legalizing cannabis — has grown into a 4,500-plant operation with products in 100 dispensaries statewide. Honest Pharm Co. was among New York's first 53 licensed cannabis growers, and Jimenez's journey from Newark native to national TV is a true Finger Lakes entrepreneurial success story. Read More

Sunwalker Farms Celebrates First Anniversary With Community Party Sunwalker Farms, a veteran-owned cannabis microbusiness in Canandaigua, is marking its first year with a community celebration on March 28 featuring live music and local food vendors. Owner Curt Boshnack, a service-disabled Marine Corps veteran, cultivates, processes, and sells all on-site at 101 Eastern Boulevard — a true seed-to-sale local operation. Read More

Skaneateles Earns National Spotlight for Charming Downtown and Local Businesses The lakeside village of Skaneateles has been named to WorldAtlas's list of "10 Small Towns in New York With Big Charm," putting a national spotlight on its thriving independent shops, restaurants, and wine-tasting rooms. Businesses including Joelle's French Bistro, Rosalie's Cucina, and the Mirbeau Inn & Spa were among those recognized for helping make Skaneateles a beloved Finger Lakes destination. Read More

Auburn Hosts Fifth Annual Brave Brews Festival Celebrating Women in Craft Beverage Auburn's Brave Brews weekend returned March 6–8 for its fifth year, spotlighting women and non-binary leaders across New York's craft beverage industry. Highlights included a Collaboration Brew Day at Prison City Brewing, the FIRE & ICE Craft Beverage Festival with 20+ breweries, and a book-signing by beer journalist Tara Nurin — all part of a festival ranked #5 nationally by USA TODAY. Read More

Mini Golf Auction is LIVE!! 

Auction #1- Estate Planning & Dinner, $600.00 Estimated Value 

Auction #2- Family Portrait & Luxury Hotel Stay in NYC or Miami, $5,500.00 Estimated Value 

Auction #3- Glam Up Your Look!, $690.00 Estimated Value 

Auction #4- Library Hotel NYC & Wine and Tapas, $905.00 Estimated Value 

Auction #5- Unleash Your Inner Champion!, $627.00 Estimated Value 

All Bidding Online. Place a Bid! 

Mini Golf Fundraiser 

Friday Fairway Frolic - Adults Only - Friday, March 20 | 5-8 PM 

Library Links - Family Friendly - Saturday, March 21 | 10 AM-4 PM 

Enjoy an 18-hole mini-golf course inside Wood Library! Learn More & Purchase Tickets 

ADULT PROGRAMS:  

Unmasking the Brain Food Connections: What Everyone Should Know 

Monday, March 16 | 5:30-6:30 PM 

Nutrition plays an important role in supporting brain health and overall wellness. Explore how food choices may influence cognitive functioning, inflammation, and long-term brain health with Bridges for Brain Injury. Register here. 

Book Discussion Group 

Tuesday, March 17 | 2:00-3:00 PM 

Read and discuss Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters. New members welcome. 

Intro to Computer Security 

Tuesday, March 17 | 2:00-4:00 PM 

Learn how to keep your computer secure and out of trouble. Participants must be an Ontario County resident and 60+ years of age. Register here. 

Chronic Pain Management 

Tuesdays, March 17-April 21 | 2:00-4:30 PM 

Women and girls age 17+. Do you have chronic pain and want to find ways to manage it? A 6 week session offered by Ontario County Public Health. Sponsored by Ontario-Yates Fund for Women and Girls. Register here. 

AI for Seniors 

Thursday, March 19 | 4:00-6:00 PM 

Learn the risks and benefits of current and near-future AI systems as well as how to stay safe online. Participants must be an Ontario County resident and 60+ years of age. Register here. 

Hobart and William Smith Colleges Speaker Series: Three Abolitionist Women in Upstate New York 

Thursday, March 19 | 6:00-7:00 PM 

Associate Professor of History Janette Gayle discusses how Upstate New York was a hub in the network of abolitionists that helped power the Underground Railroad. Cities and small towns in the Finger Lakes region were dotted with “operators” who provided safe spaces for enslaved people seeking freedom in Canada. Learn about three abolitionist women in Upstate New York who played an important, but under-reported, role. Register here. 

TEEN PROGRAMS: 

Lucky Shakes and Fort Night 

Friday, March 13 | 12:00-2:00 PM 

Make a lucky milk shake, and watch Brave! Wear comfy clothes and bring blankets to build a fort to watch the movie. (PG, CC, 1 hr 33 min). Register here. 

Read with Pride 

Wednesday, March 18 | 4:00-5:15 PM 

Read and discuss The Corruption of Hollis Brown by K. Ancrum. Register here. 

All About Earth Day 

Thursday, March 19 | 3:30-5:00 PM 

Explore prevalent environmental issues in the Canandaigua Lake Watershed. Register here. 

CHILDREN PROGRAMS: 

Storytimes 

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

Baby Storytime 

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

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

All-Ages Storytime 

Tuesdays & Thursdays, March 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 *Cancelled 3/18 

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. 

March 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:

March Home Maintenance Checklist: 10 Easy Tasks to Prepare Your Home for Spring

Spring officially arrives on March 20, and even if it still feels wintry, now’s the perfect moment to start simple projects that keep your home in good shape. Below is a lean, practical March checklist that covers the garage, outside, inside, equipment, and a bit of planning to make the season smoother. Read more.

Geriatrics Explained: How Geriatricians Help Older Adults Stay Healthy, Independent & Supported

We all age every day — it’s inevitable. But how we feel and live as we get older can be improved. That’s the work of geriatrics, a medical specialty focused on helping older adults stay healthier, more independent, and better able to enjoy life. Geriatric care also supports families who often shoulder the practical and emotional load of caregiving. Read more.

Easy Oscars Party Appetizers: 5 Elegant Recipes for Your Awards Night Watch Party

Spring, a little green, and a touch of red-carpet sparkle all land in the same week: the Oscars air on Sunday, March 15, St. Patrick’s Day is Tuesday, March 17, and the spring equinox arrives March 20. If you’re hosting a watch party and want easy, elegant bites that let you enjoy the show (not slave over the stove), try these crowd-pleasing recipes. 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