We are very fortunate to live in an area rich with history and beauty. The Erie Canal is famous in song and story. Proposed in 1808 and completed in 1825, the canal links the waters of Lake Erie in the west to the Hudson River in the east. An engineering marvel when it was built, some called it the Eighth Wonder of the World. 

The Erie Canal will soon open to boaters for the 2008 season http://www.nycanal.com/aboutnycanal.html  This seasons dates and times have just been announce and are as follows.

Erie Canal 2008 Dates and Hours for boaters:
May 1 to May 22 - 7AM to 5PM
May 23 to September 3 - 7AM to 10 PM
September 4 to November 15 - 7AM to 5PM

Bike or Hike the Erie Canal Heritage Trail!
For those who prefer to bike or hike, the Erie Canal Heritage Trail, you can Enjoy the quite recreation of wildlife viewing along miles of green and tranquil trails.  The trail system currently includes more than 150 miles of exiting trails comprised of four major trail segments: The Erie Canal Heritage Trail on the western end of the state passes right through Newark, New York 
http://www.ptny.org/guidebook/index.shtml

Summer is just around the corner and many events will be happening in the Finger Lakes and surrounding area.  It is best to plan early to attend many of these events.   Give us a call to book your room at Vintage Gardens Bed & Breakfast.  See our specials for seasonal discounts http://vintagegardensbandb.com/specials.htm

Golfers get ready and get your tickets for the Senior Open iat Oak Hill County Club in Rochester, May 22-25.   The website is http://www.pgatour.com/s/schedule/
The Wegmans LPGA scheduled for June 19-22. The website is
http://www.lpga.com/tournament_microsite.aspx?id=13679

The Hill Cumorah Pagent is scheduled for July 11-12 and July 15-19 for more information see their website http://www.hillcumorah.org/Pageant/

The Rochester International Jazz Festival June 13-21, http://www.rochesterjazz.com/



Newark Rose Parade and Family Festival complete with fireworks over the Erie Canal! 
http://www.newarkfire.org/3rd_annual_rose_parade.htm


Spend a day visiting one of the many wine trails in the area
http://www.senecalakewine.com
http://www.keukawinetrail.com
http://www.keukawinetrail.com


And take some time to visit some of the many Historical Sites in the Area!
http://www.keukawinetrail.com/events.asp

For more information on area events and festivals go to http://www.fingerlakes.org/events.htm

We look forward to seeing you!

The first signs of spring have come to the Finger Lakes and Erie Canal.  The last of the snow is melting, birds are singing, Robins have returned, daffodils and tulips have poked through the earth (which the deer are watching closely), and yesterday we spotted "Chucky" the wood chuck for the first time.  Needless to say, our shovels and trimmers are sharpened and we are itching to get out and do some spring gardening. We have many plans for the gardens this year. 

First, we will be re-landscaping the Gazebo area.  It will have the elements of a traditional Japanese Tea Garden.  This will include a natural stone floor, plantings such as Japanese Maple trees. Wisteria, Azaleas, Hostas, some other colorful plants, Asian statuary and a water feature.  This will all be completed by June 1st and this new garden will surely become another colorful setting for weddings and events at Vintage Gardens. 

We will be improving our Butterfly Garden.  We have ordered many colorful perennial and annual flowering plants that specifically attract a wide variety of butterflies and birds. 

We also plan to co-mingle our vegetable garden with many old fashioned annual flowers that will be used to brighten the indoors and our guest rooms all summer long. 

With the new plantings put in the ground last year, the Rose Garden will be particularly aromatic and beautiful this season. 

And last but not least, we have planted several fruit bearing trees, bushes and vines that will mature in a few years and produce lovely fruit that will be used in our gourmet breakfasts.  In the meantime, we will continue to use the bounty of fruit and vegetables grown by local farmers here in the Finger Lakes region  www.fingerlakesculinarybounty.org

So Far winter has been mild here in the Finger Lakes.  It has been easy to get outdoors to enjoy nature.  Mike just finished putting up some bird houses preparing for spring.  We still have away to go until then and I'm sure we will get more snow before we see things begin to turn green.  

Even in the winter when the green is gone and most of the trees and flowers are sleeping there is always a lot to keep you busy out and about in the Finger Lakes. 

Many of the wineries stay open during the winter months and it is really fun to spend time tasing when you don't have to deal with the crowds.  Sometimes some of the wineries host events on weekends during the winter months.

Although we don't have leaves on the trees, we still have wildlife here in the area.  A visit to Montezuma Audubon Center is amazing.  Wether joining one of the nature series presented by the Audubon Center or snowshoeing around the wetlands you are sure to have a great day. They also rent snowshoes! Since there are no leaves on the trees it is easy to spot many of the birds and other animals that winter over.  For information visit their website at www.friendsofmontezuma.org

Many people like to come and experience the winter sports such as ice fishing (provided the ice is thick enough), just a few miles away at Sodus Point.  There are fishing updates on www.waynecountytourism.com or you can call 315-946-5466 to hear the latest reports on fishing hot spots and where the fish are biting.

For the snow bunnies there are many snowmobile trails that are open to the public and those interested can contact the phone number listed above to receive a free trail map.  Snowskiers  and boarders enjoy hitting the slopes at Brantling Ski and Snowboard Center. For information call 315-331-2365 or visit www.brantling.com.

What ever your winter pleasure, remember to ask us about our winter picnic basket including hot cocoa.  

I can assure you that you won't be dissapointed when visiting any of these great places. 

Winter has returned to the Finger Lakes area with a light covering of beautiful white snow.  The sky was blue today after the snow.  We got about an inch yesterday and the town is draped in a blanket of white. 


We have many animals here at Vintage Gardens.  Yesterday Mike saw several Mallard ducks at the back of our propert down in Millitary Brook.   I still hear Canadian Geese flying over head making their way south to warmer climates.  We keep the feeders full for the Squirrles and other birds that brave the stay.  Recently we have seen:

Red bellied Woodpeckers
Downey Woodpeckers
Northern Cardinals (there red bodies are beautiful against the snow!)
Dark-eyed Junco
Black -capped Chickadees
White breasted Nuthatch
Tufted Titmouse
American Crow
Wild Turkey
Deer

It is always exciting to see a new bird or animal on the property.  Yesterday we saw our first Nothern Flicker.

The Newark Rotary Club will again sponsor "A Winter Food & Wine Affair" at Vintage Gardens, Friday, January 25, 2008, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  This year's theme is A Taste of Spain.  Vintage Gardens Bed & Breakfast is proud to support this exciting event.  100% of the proceeds from this event will benefit Newark Rotary Club projects.
Tickets are only $20 per person (no one under 21 years).  For tickets or more information please call Vintage Gardens Bed & Breakfast at (315) 331-6045

Tuesday was a glorious day to work in the garden. Mother Nature gave a reprieve and granted us one beautiful day of 68 degree weather.  I spent the whole day in the sunshine planting spring bulbs.  By days end I had planted more that 1000 tulips, daffodils and other assorted spring flowers.  That makes a total of more than 1500 new flower additions to the garden since this past fall.  All will begin to burst into bloom in May.  Something to look forward too!

Welcome to our new Blog.  We strive to keep our website updated with the latest technology, recent photos, information and specials.  By adding a Blog we can let you know what is happening at Vintage Gardens and around the Finger Lakes more often.  Another recent addition is our Guest Book.  Our guests have been very thoughtful about sharing their experiences at Vintage Gardens on other bed and breakfast sites, so we thought we would add a special place on our website for guests to comment.   We hope you enjoy reading our Blog updates and Guest responses. 

Thank you for considering Vintage Gardens Bed & Breakfast as a part of your visit to the Finger Lakes Region of New York. We look forward to meeting you.