Storms wreak havoc across NY, lanternfly threatens Vinyards, drive-through dispensary

Good morning ☀️

It’s Thursday so I’ll be looking at some of what Ithaca’s got going on this weekend later on in this newsletter.

If you have any Finger Lakes moments you’d like to share, send me your best photos and a short passage to JMack@gannett.com so I can share the love with other readers this Friday. Click here to sign up for more daily briefings from the Ithaca Journal.

Without further ado, here’s a look at the impact of recent storms on the Finger Lakes.

A tornado smashed through Canandaigua

This photo gallery by Tina MacIntyre-Yee shows uprooted trees, snapped utility poles, and crews working to repair the damage to clear roadways and restore the region's power.

NYSEG reported about 1,500 people in Tompkins county were still experiencing power outages as of Wednesday morning following a strong Monday storm.

Click here to see some of the destruction. My heart goes out to any of those who’ve lost something valuable to them due to natural disasters of late.

Here’s some more of what you need to know today

• A highly destructive insect has been found in Finger Lakes vineyards: Late last week, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets received reports of the spotted lanternfly in Romulus, which is in the heart of the Finger Lakes wine region between Seneca and Cayuga lakes. Here’s some guidance on how they can destroy a crop, and what to do if you spot some.

• A statewide state of emergency is in effect after storms wreaked havoc this week: Gov. Kathy Hochul made the announcement late Tuesday after the latest of the storms toppled church steeples and knocked out power for many residents in Rome, NY. Click here to get the latest updates on New York’s severe weather.

• Dryden Dispensary opens first recreational cannabis drive-through in New York: Budtenders at the dispensary have been sending prepaid orders through the store’s drive-through window since July 8, making them the first in the state to do so, according to the Ithaca Voice.

Planning out your weekend in Tompkins County: Music-lovers delight

Despite storms wracking the region, the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival is still scheduled to hit Trumansburg today with a lineup of live-music and festivities throughout the weekend. Here’s a link to an article I wrote a few months ago that should help you plan out your GrassRoots experience.

The State of the Art Gallery is hosting a free showing of paintings Thursday, created largely by Tompkins locals. New member Catharine O’Neill will show paintings in the Salon, and the main gallery celebrates the works and lives of two long time, former members: Stan Bowman and Janet Byer Sherman.

GrassRoots, while the biggest live music event in the area this weekend, can be overwhelming. For those looking for a bit more relaxed experience, check out Music in the Park at Myers Park, which will host “Back Talk” tonight at 6:30.

If music or art isn’t quite your thing, you might consider an overnight camp out? Although there’s a cost attached, the Finger Lakes Cycling Club and Teen Treks is offering a guided overnight family bike to Taughannock Falls State Park this Saturday and Sunday, with another scheduled for October. See some beautiful natural wonders and get a sweat worked up too, sounds like fun!

I hope this list has helped you find something to make your weekend special.

That’s about all I’ve got for you today but check your inbox tomorrow for more updates and feel free to reach out to me at jmack@gannett.com regarding this newsletter.