Contributed by Sandi Mulconry / Group M Communications

Quilting, Sewing, Knitting Classes Offered by Patchwork Plus:

Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced crafter—interested in quilting, sewing or knitting—you can develop new skills and refine old ones at the dozens of day and evening classes offered this fall by Patchwork Plus Quilt and Yarn Shop, 2532 Cherry Valley Turnpike (Rte. 20), Marcellus.

Of special interest to beginning quilters will be “Basics and Beyond,” a six-session class starting Sept. 29. Once students learn fabric selection, rotary cutting, machine piecing, hand appliqué, hand quilting and finishing, they create a finished four-block wall hanging. Fee is $85.

For information on any of Patchwork Plus’ fall classes, go to http://www.patchworkplus.com or call 315-673-2208.

Contributed by Sandi Mulconry / Group M Communications

This photo by Stacia Landsberg, of a barn in Skaneateles, will be on display in her studio during the Artist Studio Tour.

The Skaneateles Area Arts Council will present its second edition of “Fall in Love With Art,” a tour of artist studios in the Skaneateles area, Oct. 3 and 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tour features 13 artists in 10 studio locations based in homes throughout Skaneateles; the work of five artists presented in the Strods Barn on Benson Road; and West Lake Conservators, a nationally known art restoration firm in Skaneateles Falls. Proceeds from the tour will support the Arts Council’s cultural events and community grants program.

Tickets are $20 (free, for those under 16) and can be purchased at the Sherwood Inn or the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information on the Artist Studio Tour or other Arts Council programs, call 315-685-2414.

Studios on the tour are those of:

• Phil Austin (glass blower), 4251 Jordan Road
• Paul Cowley (painter/designer), 9 Kane Ave.
• Steve Datz (sculptor) and Rachel Harms (painter), 3404 E. Lake Road
• Jill Doscher (printmaker) and Gary Trento (painter), 4458 State St.
• Hetty Easter (painter), 2949 W. Lake Road
• Len Fishman (sculptor), 2625 E. Lake Road
• Robert Kiltz (potter), 2435 E. Lake Road
• Stacia Landsberg (designer/photographer), 650 Crow Hill Road
• Ed Little (painter/sculptor) and Jill Little (painter/sculptor), 41 W. Lake St.
• Helen Woodmansee (painter), 1585 Willowdale Road  

Contributed by: Sandi Mulconry / Group M Communications

NOTE: Date was previously October 3rd and has recently been changed.
Gallery also introduces Trollbeads Empowerment beads in October, donating 50 percent of sales to Komen for the Cure

Imagine That…, the new fine arts and fine craft gallery at 38 E. Genesee St., Skaneateles, will host an opening reception Oct. 2 for an exhibition of paintings, jewelry and slumped glass plates by Seneca Falls artist Betsy Andrus Smith. The event, from 6 to 9 p.m., will offer an opportunity to meet the artist, along with refreshments and entertainment by The Usual Suspects, an old-time string band.

Smith, an award-winning painter, has exhibited at the Salon du Vieux Colombier Paris; Musee D’Art Moderne in Tonneins, France; and Agora Gallery and Abney Gallery in New York. Her work is currently featured in Manhattan Arts International magazine.

Contributed by: Sandi Mulconry / Group M Communications

From “The Glen Haven Water Cure,” by Luthera Rogers Converse, circa 1850. The 29- by 49-inch oil painting will be on display for the first time ever at the “Sailing Through History” fund-raiser Sept. 25 to benefit the Skaneateles Historical Society museum expansion at The Creamery.

The event, which takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Skaneateles Country Club, will feature carving and pasta stations and passed hors d’oeuvres, silent and live auctions, historical displays, and entertainment by the Barrigar Brothers.

Contributed by: Sandi Mulconry / Group M Communications

Libby Lehman, an internationally known designer of studio art quilts and author of “Threadplay,” will give two lectures and display her quilts Sept. 25 at Patchwork Plus, 2532 Cherry Valley Turnpike (Route 20), Marcellus.

In “Libby Explains It All,” Lehman will demonstrate machine embroidery techniques and discuss threads, needles, the Bernina Stitch Regulator and more. The programs begin at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Admission is $25; advance registration is required.

Contributed by: Sandi Mulconry / Group M Communications

Fall is a season of vivid colors—red, orange, gold and russet. Coupled with events such as the Labor Day races and parade, Seafood Jazzfest and art studio tours and exhibitions, they paint a not-to-be-missed landscape of Skaneateles.

“September and October are among the best months to visit,” says Susan Dove, executive director of the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce. “The area’s natural beauty is unsurpassed at this time of year, there’s something to do almost every weekend, and shops will be offering special savings throughout the fall.”

Visitors can enjoy the local color through a variety of recurring events: farmers markets (Thursdays, 3:30-6:30 p.m., at the Skaneateles Community Center and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon, 40 Fennell St., through mid-October), U.S. Mailboat cruises (Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., through Sept. and dinner cruises (Tuesday-Sunday, 5-8 p.m., through Sept. 30),

Contributed by: Sandi Mulconry / Group M Communications

On display—for the first time ever—will be ‘The Glen Haven Water Cure,’ a historically important 19th-century oil painting

The Event
“Sailing Through History,” a Splashy Event to benefit the Skaneateles Historical Society museum expansion at The Creamery, will take place Sept. 25 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Skaneateles Country Club. The event will feature carving and pasta stations and passed hors d’oeuvres, silent and live auctions, historical displays, and entertainment by the Barrigar Brothers. Background music will be provided by pianist Harvyn Tarkmeel.

Items up for bid in the silent auction will include gift certificates from local restaurants, signed prints, lacrosse and golf lessons, antiques, items from local merchants, architectural consultations, overnight lodging and lake cruises.

Contributed by: Sandi Mulconry / Group M Communications

Imagine That…, the new fine arts and fine craft gallery at 38 E. Genesee St., Skaneateles, has two events planned over the coming weeks: a Trollbeads trunk show Aug. 28-30 and an exhibit of oil paintings and prints by Ithaca artist Dee Sprague opening Sept. 4.

Trollbeads trunk show

Trollbeads originated in Denmark in 1976—today there are more than 500 interchangeable beads in the collection, each with its own story. The beads are made from such fine-quality raw materials as 18K gold, sterling silver, Italian glass, natural pearls, precious stones and Swarovski crystal.

Choosing among them, customers create their own one-of-a-kind bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings.

Contributed by Sandi Mulconry / Group M Communications

Mid-Lakes Navigation Plans Hijinks on the High Seas: Shiver me timbers! Aug. 12 is Pirate Day aboard all Mid-Lakes Navigation cruises.

On Skaneateles Lake:

Captain Kidd’s Family Lunch Cruise sets sail at 11 a.m., offering adult and children’s menus, a pirate hat, tattoo and gold coin. For sale will be such pirate treasures as bandanas, skull rings, eye patches, mugs and swords. Guests are encouraged to don pirate gear; a prize will be awarded for best costume. Tickets are $19 adults, $14 children.

Captain Hat’s Mighty Sights sightseeing cruises depart at 2 and 3 p.m. Crew members will be dressed up as pirates and wenches, and pirate-themed drinks will be served. Tickets are $11 adults, $7 children, $35 family.

The Pirate Dinner Cruise will run from 6 to 9 p.m., offering the same menu as the Champagne Dinner Cruise, drink specials in a pirate mug, and pirate treasures for sale. A prize will be awarded for best costume, and anyone who dresses in pirate gear will be entered in a raffle drawing for a dinner cruise for two. Tickets are $47 adults, $38 children.

Contributed by: Sandi Mulconry / Group M Communications

Looking to slow down the pace of daily life on your next vacation? How does 5 m.p.h. sound?

Mid-Lakes Navigation offers the opportunity to be captain of your own ship—and explore the Erie Canal—aboard easy-to-operate Lockmaster Canalboats. Boats may be chartered for a week or half-week.

Lockmaster charters depart from Mid-Lakes’ Erie Macedon Marina, near Rochester. Boaters are free to set their own itinerary, visiting such canal towns as Fairport, Pittsford, Lockport, North Tonawanda, Seneca Falls, Waterloo, Baldwinsville, Palmyra and Phoenix.

At night, cruisers tie up at public docks in canal villages, at locks, or in secluded spots along the banks.