Visitors, shoppers offer thoughts on area

YATES, SCHUYLER COUNTIES-It is no surprise area activity takes off in the summer as the weather begins to accommodate more opportunities for outdoor fun. For both visitors and residents alike, there are a wide variety of summertime activities that people enjoy. The Observer and REVIEW&EXPRESS wanted to get the thoughts of visitors and shoppers by talking at random to people that were mostly in Yates and Schuyler over the weekend.
Chris McNinch of Branchport said his favorite area summer activities include things like hiking the Keuka Outlet Trail, getting ice cream and wine tasting in Penn Yan. Along with gardening, Lisa McNinch said she and Chris also enjoy riding their motorcycle around the lakes and throughout the area.
"We go all around the lake," Chris said. "We ride pretty much any back road," Lisa added.
When asked what else they would like to see available to do in Yates County, Lisa mentioned she would like to see more to do in the winter, as there is plenty to do in the summer.
"There is a ton to do," Lisa said. "If you can't find something to do here in the summer, then you don't have any imagination."

Andrew Sendker is from Buffalo, but said he has been visiting Watkins Glen all his life, highlighting the gorge at Watkins Glen State Park as one of his favorite places to visit.
"A lot of people come here for the races, but mainly my family and I come here for the gorge and the area in general," Sendker said. "It's honestly like a second home to me. I love it here so much. It's almost perfect to me." Sendker had difficulty thinking of what else he would like to see available to do in the area, adding he has been visiting so long he does not know what else he would need.

The Prather family of Penn Yan all said they enjoy summer activities, but each had a different response as far as what was their favorite.
"I just love being in town when the weather is great," Sally Prather said. "You can also head out on the lake, you can head out and water-ski. That is probably one of our favorite things to do in the summertime, as well as the activities like the Keuka Arts Festival, Bike the Bluff and pretty much anything outdoors."
Leah Prather added her favorite summer activity was riding go-karts, while Cassidy Prather said she enjoys getting ice cream, as well as hanging out at their pool. Cassidy also said she enjoys spending time in downtown Penn Yan hanging out with friends.
When asked what else they would like to see in the area, Sally said it would be good to have additional festivals to draw more people into town, while Cassidy added having more local concerts would be beneficial.

Jackie Leshure of Watkins also enjoys spending time on the lake, and added she would like to see more concerts come to the area that feature bigger names. Specifically, she would like to see more country and rock acts come to town.
Penn Yan resident Courtney Ahrens said the Windmill Farm and Craft Market is her favorite part of summer. She said she also enjoys art items, adding she would like to see more paintings, jewelry and pottery by local artists.

Heather and Mike Novotny of Horseheads said they visit the Watkins Glen area every couple of weeks, adding they tend to visit more in the summertime. Their favorite activity includes bicycling, adding they spent Saturday biking to Watkins along the Catharine Valley trail.
"It is definitely one of our favorite things to do," Heather said. Mike added he also likes to visit the wineries and breweries in the area when he visits. Neither of them could think of something the area is missing with Heather adding it is a nice place to come and hang out by Seneca Lake.
Robert Dickinson, of Penn Yan, said he prefers lake activities like fishing and swimming. He also added he enjoys walking the area trails and enjoying the nature scenery.
"I grew up swimming in Canandaigua Lake, but all these lakes are nice to swim in," Dickinson said. "I don't really care what lake it is. Whichever one is closest is the best."
Dickinson said he would like to see more outdoor events offered in town that are within walking distance for residents.

Amber Rose of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said she was visiting the area for the Farm Sanctuary, adding she is a first time visitor to Watkins Glen.
"It is super cute," Rose said. "We literally just got out of the car and were commenting on how cute it is with how many little shops and restaurants there were."
Jessica Visniskie of Philidelphia, Pennsylvania said it was also her first time visiting the area at the Farm Sanctuary. She commented how much she liked the shops and stores in downtown Watkins Glen, adding she was interested in checking out the parks in town.
"We will definitely eat, probably do some shopping, and we were eyeing up the frozen yogurt shop as well," Visniskie said.
Joe Conover from Afton, a small town outside of Binghamton, was part of a group of cyclists riding around Keuka Lake Sunday, saying cycling is his favorite activity in the summer. He was in the area for the Finger Lakes Bike Tour, adding he does a lot of riding all throughout the Finger Lakes region.
Paul Natelli of Endwell, also cycling over the weekend, said he likes to visit the area frequently to visit the wine trails. He added the area is great for bicycling and has some scenic views while riding.
"This is some of the best cycling in the state right here," Natelli said. "You have the Finger Lakes and the farm country, and the roads are not too heavy with traffic."
Natelli added he would like to keep the area the way it is and would not change anything. He said he doesn't want to see the area become more commercialized in order to retain the town's charm.
Ed Jenner of Endicott said he comes to Yates eight or nine times a year to visit family, adding he also enjoys the wineries, breweries and biking in the area. Jenner mentioned his group also enjoyed visiting the Windmill market and enjoying the scenery along his ride.
Dave Smith currently lives in Watkins Glen, saying his favorite thing to do during the summer is spend time on Seneca Lake and on the pier. He added he enjoys fishing as well as the atmosphere the lakefront offers.
"It is a good view, good for fishing and it's fun to see the boats," Smith said. He added he also likes to go out on Seneca Lake whenever the weather is good.

As part of a less common summertime activity, another couple was also seen enjoying the lakefront weather at the harbor park Saturday, June 13, as Joshua Faust and Sara Rizzo had their wedding photos taken at the end of the pier and along the break wall. With Faust coming from Allentown, Pennsylvania and Rizzo from Binghamton, they said they chose Watkins Glen as the location for their wedding due to its scenic nature.
"It is a really pretty area," Rizzo said.