14850zine

Category: Historic

  • Bar Argos Opens its Doors

    Bar Argos Opens its Doors

    It is always fun to report on the opening of a new bar or restaurant in town…especially if the menu involves a drink titled “The Bagpipe Mariachi.” With a delightfully curious line-up of cocktail creations, Bar Argos opened its beautiful newly renovated doors this week. Wednesday was the official opening night and this Friday, January 17th Bar Argos will celebrate with an Opening Gala, open to the public. The gala will feature an evening of food, live music by the Djangoners, art, tours of the historic inn, and of course, cocktails. I hear there will also be some entertaining surprises throughout the night as well. The soiree starts at 6 p.m. tomorrow night.

    Set on the first floor of the beautifully restored Argos Inn, the Bar is a lovely watering hole for after-work drinks. The shadowy lighting, 19th-century architecture, and historic-meets-modern details such as glass-domed terrariums and chandeliers make for a warm and intimate atmosphere. Built in 1831 the building purportedly served as a past mayoral residence and later as the birthplace of the Duncan Hines company, before opening its doors as Argos Inn and Bar Argos.

    Beyond the Opening Gala, Bar Argos will host weekly ‘Stark Nights’ with a rotating line-up of musicians and artists. Named after Michael Stark – a local musician doing an artist-in-residency program at Argos Inn – Stark Nights will take place 8 – 11 p.m. on Thursdays.

    So maybe next time when you are hankering for, say, something specifically Scottish-Mexican, head to Bar Argos for a Bagpipe Mariachi and let me know how you like it. Bar Argos / Argos Inn is located at 404 E. State Street. Phone number: 607.319.4437

  • Hollenbeck's Cider Mill

    Hollenbeck's Cider Mill

    Though I am slightly breaking the rules by covering something just outside the Tompkins County line, I thought a mention of Hollenbeck’s Cider Mill too good to pass up. A longtime tradition of my husband’s family, and now mine, an October visit to this charming cider mill just outside Cortland is a festive and tasty way to indulge in the fall season.

    An apple orchard, country store, farm stand, and cider mill, Hollenbeck’s feature attraction is the antique cider press that is still in use. On weekend days they do several open apple pressings for the public and onlookers are treated to just-off-the-press cups of the golden cider as it pours from the spout. The cider is cool, crisp, and sweet, and if your in the mood, you can pair it with an old-fashioned doughnut that they roll out hot on the spot from their doughnut maker.

    Mr. Hollenbeck, who was been in the apple and cider business for decades, skillfully operates the giant wood and iron press. You can watch as a cascade of apples bounce and tumble into a chopper, then the resulting juicy pulp is carefully sandwiched into layers of burlap between wood planks as the press is prepared. The fun starts when the press jumps into gear and squeezes the heap of apple pulp and a waterfall of cool cider pours down into the cider spout.

    After you’ve had your fill of cider and doughnuts, you can pick up bushels of fresh apples (there are dozens of varieties to choose from), pumpkins and other fall harvest goods, as well as homemade fruit and berry pies from the adjoining bakery and sundries such as maple candies, nut and chocolate fudges, cheeses, and honey products from the store. The store also has an unusually impressive offering of tasty-looking canned goods – everything from onion jams to pickled hot peppers to fruit marmalades.

    Hollenbeck’s Cider Mill is located at 1265 New York 392. Be sure to call ahead at 607-835-6455 to ascertain whether they are doing a pressing later that day.

  • Bridges of Tompkins County

    Bridges of Tompkins County

    I had heard about the covered bridge in Newfield; it was the oldest of its kind. Or was it the biggest? I could not remember exactly, but I seemed to recall it was something impressive for a covered bridge. But to be honest it never seemed thrilling enough to warrant a trip to see it. Just last weekend however, my husband and I took a drive in the countryside south of Ithaca. The earliest bursts of yellow-green leaves, a sign of things to come, could be seen dotting the rolling hillsides. We drove past u-pick apple orchards nestled in the valleys and farm-stands heavy with early fall produce, and soon we found ourselves in Newfield. A quaint town, incidentally with the most beautiful art deco elementary school building I’ve seen, Newfield is a quiet hamlet with a welcome sign that reads “Welcome to Newfield, Home of the Covered Bridge.” So we decided we should see this bridge while we were here.

    In fact, it is the oldest covered bridge in daily use in New York State (I soon learned after reading about it). Built in 1853, it is also the only remaining covered bridge we have in Tompkins County (apparently there used to be three), and one of 24 remaining covered bridges (of 250 originally) in New York State. Some of the descendants from the craftsmen who built the bridge still live in Newfield today.

    But why covered bridges, I wondered? Why go to the effort to cover a bridge? Two reasons: Covering a bridge protects it from the elements, and keeps the cost of preservation down because re-roofing a covered bridge every few decades is cheaper than building a new uncovered bridge. Secondly, in the 1800s covered bridges became popular gathering places for town events. It is a pretty impressive structure and beautiful construction. The distinctive diamond pattern, known as “Town lattice truss” is pinned together with trunnels or “tree rails.” With some reinforcements and loving care in the 1970s a drive across the bridge demonstrates its sturdiness.

    Okay, okay, so maybe I was beginning to see why a visit to see the covered bridge in Newfield was worthwhile. In fact, there is even a New York State Covered Bridge Society dedicated to…you guessed it preserving covered bridges. Yes, that is right. A society for bridges. That are covered. In New York State. Well, if that club is not your cup of tea, at least take a weekend drive through Newfield on some sunny fall day and don’t forget to drive through this special bridge.

  • Welcome to 14850zine

    Welcome to 14850zine

    Welcome to 14850zine! Well, at least welcome to the approximately four people who are reading this initial post (hi mom, dad, husband, and, if lucky, at least one of my sisters!) My hope is that a readership of plus four will soon exist. After much time spent dreaming, planning, designing, and building, I am excited to launch 14850zine. Named after the main Ithaca zip code, 14850zine will cover all things Ithaca and surrounding area – with reviews on restaurants, free events, exploring hidden nooks and crannies in the gorges, classes, and much more. While 14850zine does not claim to be an exhaustive listing of events and things-to-do (see other great blogs, such as IthacaEvents.com or VisitIthaca.com, for up-to-date listings), this blog aims to cover interesting finds – both old and new, and celebrate the small jewels and quirkiness this area has to offer.

    It has been a long time coming, but I am happy that the launch of this blog will catch at least the tail end of summer. Though there are more than enough stories to cover  in every season, summer is especially abundant with exciting events: The ever-popular Farmer’s Market, the Scottish Festival, outdoor movies at the Straight, Shakespeare in the Park, Taughannock Falls concerts, salsa nights at the Big Red Barn, 4th of July festivities and fireworks, the Ithaca Festival, and of course the opportunity to explore the many surrounding trails and gorges.

    Thank you for visiting 14850zine. Please check back regularly for more posts as we go forward and get in touch with us if you have ideas to share.