A library fundraiser, live performances, a Thanksgiving morning race and holiday shopping events fill the November calendar in Clifton Springs and nearby communities.
The Clifton Springs Area Chamber of Commerce’s Nov. 12 newsletter also outlines food and winter clothing collections, registration deadlines and December events. Here are the upcoming dates and participation details.
Library auction, books and live music
The 12th annual silent auction benefiting the Clifton Springs Library begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13. Bidding items include gift baskets, dining and entertainment offerings, and handmade goods from area businesses and artisans. The event includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. For information or donations, call 315-462-7371.
Sulfur Books has a special-order sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, with a 10% discount. Café Cómodo will also have a coffee pop-up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The bookstore’s open mic runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20. There are 15 performance slots, with sign-ups through Sulfur Books’ events page. A discussion of Kurt Vonnegut’s short story “Harrison Bergeron” follows from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. Advance registration is required for the discussion, which is limited to eight participants.
Tunes by the Tracks brings John Dady to the Clifton Springs Library on Nov. 18, followed by Maria Gillard on Dec. 2. A Celtic Christmas concert on Dec. 16 features Cuisle Mo Chroí, with Pat Carey, Mary Lester and Cathy McGrath, joined by Perry Cleaveland and friends. Programs run from 7 to 9 p.m., with a requested donation of $5 to $10. Cathy McGrath, Allen Hopkins and Greg Franklin co-host the concert and open mic series.
Theater and arts programs
PCC Dance Studio presents “The Nutcracker” Nov. 20 and 21 at the Midlakes High School auditorium. Ticket information is available through the Phelps Community Center’s dance page.
Geneva Theatre Guild presents Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 and 21 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 22. Performances take place at the Pat Collins Black Box Theater, 160 Carter Road in Geneva.
Main Street Arts’ 13th annual Small Works exhibition continues through Dec. 23, featuring work by more than 215 artists. Admission to the exhibition is free. The gallery is at 20 W. Main St. in Clifton Springs.
The gallery also hosts Bob Geroux’s lecture on creativity and the cathartic process from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Nov. 19. December offerings include an after-school art program with Melissa Talma from 4 to 5:15 p.m. Dec. 1, 8 and 15; a presentation on happiness, health and the arts from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Dec. 10; and a limited-color-palette painting workshop with Sam Fratto from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 12. Materials are included for the after-school program and painting workshop. Contact the gallery at 315-462-0210 for registration information.
Community meals, donations and winter clothing
St. John’s Episcopal Church will hold its free community Agapé dinner from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at 32 E. Main St. The November gathering moves earlier because of Thanksgiving, and no dinner is planned for December. Everyone is welcome; activities include board games. The church can be reached at 315-462-6611.
The church’s free winter coat closet is open Sundays from noon to 2 p.m. Coats, scarves, hats, mittens and gloves are available. To arrange a visit outside those hours, call 585-721-9363. Donations of gently used coats and winter accessories are also accepted; call 315-462-6611 about pickup.
Handmade scarves from the Clifton Springs Library’s knitting and crochet group will be available free at Foster Cottage Museum beginning Nov. 16.
Sulfur Books is collecting pantry donations during November and December. Requested items include canned food, rice, pasta, beans, spices, condiments, baking mixes, sugar, baby food and formula. The collection also accepts soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, paper products, menstrual products, diapers, deodorant and pet food. Donors should check expiration and sell-by dates before bringing items.
Artistic Hair Salon, 15 W. Main St., is collecting nonperishable food and toiletries for local food cupboards. Its notice also announces raffle baskets during November and December. Call 315-462-6553 for information.
A Red Cross blood drive is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 19 in the Rotary/Retchless rooms at Clifton Springs Hospital, 2 Coulter Road. To schedule, call 1-800-733-2767 or use RedCrossBlood.org with sponsor code CSH.
Happy Tails Animal Shelter’s Paws & Claus holiday fair runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, in the garage bay at the Ontario County Safety Training Facility, 2914 County Road 48 in Canandaigua. Photos with Santa cost $25. Adoptable animals will be available to meet, and cash and food donations are welcome.
Thanksgiving plans and family activities
Warfield’s is taking orders for Thanksgiving pickup meals through Nov. 19, with pickup Nov. 25. The restaurant also announces a four-date holiday dinner series beginning Nov. 19, with menus, prices and reservations available through the restaurant.
The Clifton Springs Area YMCA’s Nov. 20 parent night runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m., in collaboration with Warfield’s Restaurant. Children in kindergarten through sixth grade may attend while parents go out. Registration is required, with space limited to 20 children. The cost is $30 for one child or $45 for two.
The YMCA’s Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot starts at 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26. The 5K costs $25 per person, and the walking option costs $5. Registration closes at 7:30 a.m. Thanksgiving morning.
Phelps Community Center’s Stories with Santa and Friends takes place Sunday, Nov. 29, with time slots beginning at 9 a.m. Tickets cost $20 per child and must be purchased in advance; none will be sold at the event. Admission includes a story, visit and photo opportunity with Santa, a craft, hot cocoa, a cookie and a miniature train ride. A Grinch meet-and-greet and photo opportunity costs an additional $5 per child. Coffee, doughnuts and muffins will be sold for cash.
The YMCA also offers a combined Zumba and toning class with Phyllis from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays in the second-floor gym at 5 Crane St. The class divides the hour between the two activities. Members attend free; the nonmember drop-in fee is $5.
Holiday shopping and Christmas trees
Small Business Saturday falls on Nov. 28. The chamber is promoting a drawing for $250 in Clifton Springs gift certificates, which are accepted at more than 20 local businesses. Contact the chamber at 315-462-8200 for information.
Sulfur Books will open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day, with a Café Cómodo coffee pop-up from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The bookstore also plans a gift-certificate giveaway and wrapped surprise books for $10.
Rustic Reverie plans a special Sunday opening from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 15. Its Nov. 28 hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a gift for customers wearing holiday clothing who make a purchase, while supplies last.
Deacons’ Storehouse, a Wellspring Church ministry at 22 Teft Ave., is offering a 25% storewide discount through Nov. 30. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with an additional opening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. Parking is on Maple Street.
Second Seasons Consignment Boutique will be closed Nov. 24-27 for Thanksgiving and will reopen Dec. 1.
Embers Rising Farm begins its Christmas tree season Friday, Nov. 27. The farm’s website lists its address as 927 Larue Road in Clifton Springs and its phone number as 315-879-7390. The seasonal announcement lists cut-your-own trees at $55 and precut trees at $40, with blue spruce and concolor fir among the selections. Contact the farm for opening-day hours.
December dates and registration deadlines
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Midlakes High School auditorium. Further details are to be announced.
Clifton Springs’ Festival of Lights runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4. Planned activities include horse-drawn wagon rides, Santa visits, children’s activities, food vendors, shopping, balloon animals and music and caroling by Midlakes students. A PCC Dance Studio Nutcracker preview is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and roaming bubbles are planned from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Spa Apartments will offer a look at a Tiffany mosaic and its history.
Main Street Arts’ festival activities include harp music by Catherine Oldfield and a Clifton Springs gingerbread contest from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 4.
A free Rotary Christmas dinner for seniors from Clifton Springs, Phelps, Shortsville and Manchester is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, in the Grace Center at the Methodist church in Clifton Springs. A ham dinner is planned. Reservations are due Dec. 7 through the village office at 315-462-5151.
The Clifton Springs Area YMCA plans a pancake breakfast with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 13, at 5 Crane St. Activities include a pancake bar, bounce house and Santa pictures. Contact the Y at 315-462-6184 for details.
Friends of Riverview Cemetery in Phelps is seeking wreath sponsors and volunteers for Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 19. The cemetery’s notice lists the observance at noon and identifies its sponsorship page with location code NY0580.
The YMCA’s holiday child-care event runs from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Registration is required and limited to 20 children, at $30 for one child or $45 for two. Warfield’s will have a gift-wrapping station for participating parents.
Registration for Phelps Community Center’s six-week youth volleyball program closes Dec. 20. Saturday sessions run Jan. 9-Feb. 13, 2027, at $40 per child. Grades three and four meet from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.; grades five and six meet from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Groups may combine at 8:30 a.m. depending on enrollment. Volunteer coaches are needed.
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