There’s a hum drifting over the North Shore of
Keuka Lake — soft, sparkling, and unmistakably magical. It flutters through Main Street in Penn Yan, slips beneath shop awnings, curls around lampposts, and rests lightly on windowsills. By day seven, everyone knows why:
StorySprout has been here — and her cinnamon-sugar Christmas magic has settled over the village like a warm holiday blanket.
For an entire week, the tiniest teller of tales has been fluttering through Penn Yan’s warmest, brightest corners — collecting stories, sprinkling joy, and leaving tiny Sprout Scrolls wherever her wings decided the world needed a little extra wonder.
At
The Art Studio 126 Main, she twirled between paintbrushes and palettes, leaving behind a scroll dusted with imagination — a reminder that art is simply magic made visible.
At
Simplicity on Main, she nestled herself among cozy sweaters and beautiful fashions, leaving a tiny note that whispered, “Warmth isn’t just worn — it’s shared.”
At
The Nest Egg, she found shelves filled with unique gifts that warm the heart, and she tucked a Sprout Scroll between two ornaments, hoping to spark a smile from the next shopper who picked one up.
At
The Arts Center of Yates County, she paused to admire creations crafted by local hands, leaving behind a scroll celebrating creativity, community, and the beauty of supporting artists close to home.
At Judd’s Suds, she discovered bubbles that shimmered like winter stars, giggling as she tucked a “bubble magic” rhyme near soaps that smelled like holiday mornings.
At
Milly’s Pantry, she found hearts gathered in service, helping neighbors and filling needs. StorySprout left a “Day of Giving” scroll there — a tiny thank-you for the kindness that keeps this community glowing.
And when evening rolled in, she drifted to
Dave Boyd’s Music, where open mic night filled the room with song and story. She listened from inside a guitar case, letting her heart sway with the music.
Of course, even grown-ups deserve a little elf magic. So StorySprout fluttered into
Hoban's Spirits, leaving a cheeky scroll that read, “Because even grown-ups need some elf magic, too.”
Through paintbrushes and sweaters, gifts and bubbles, giving hearts and guitar strings, StorySprout has been stitching together a week of wonder across Penn Yan — one tiny scroll at a time.
But her most magical moments came at night. Long after the village had quieted, she fluttered into homes, slipping sweet messages beneath children’s pillows — tiny reminders that kindness, wonder, and imagination are still the truest gifts of Christmas.
Parents whispered about her over morning coffee. Baristas swore the shop smelled faintly of warm cinnamon before sunrise. Teachers noticed students clutching the little scrolls in mittened hands and kindness spread like warm honey on a biscuit.
For seven days, Penn Yan didn’t just host StorySprout.
It embraced her.
And the North Shore twinkled with something brighter than lights alone.
🌲 Across the Water, Stories Are Stitched Together
Keuka Lake — that iconic Y-shaped cradle — has a way of tying the North and South Shores into a shared narrative. Whatever magic rises in Penn Yan always seems to catch a ride on the water, gliding southward toward Hammondsport like a story carried on the wind.
This morning, as StorySprout perched on a frosty windowsill overlooking the lake, she paused. The water shimmered beneath a pale winter sun. Far in the distance, she could just make out the Southern Shore — Hammondsport wrapped in December hush, twinkle lights flickering even through the lingering fog.
For one long, heart-full moment, she closed her eyes.
The lake carried laughter, songs, secrets whispered between children, shop bells ringing, cocoa steam rising.
And it carried all of it — all of her week — across the water like turning a page.
Two beloved towns.
One shimmering lake.
Stories woven from shore to shore.
✨ Time to Pack Up the Satchel
StorySprout carefully folds the last of her Penn Yan scrolls and slips them into her satchel. She tucks in the tiny cedar sprig gifted by a child who swore it brought good luck. With a soft shake, she dusts cinnamon sugar from her cloak, leaving behind one final trace of her North Shore magic.
She has loved this week.
She has loved these people.
And she has loved these stories.
But the next chapter is calling.
With a flutter of wings and a swirl of warm sparkle, she lifts off from a snow-covered porch railing and heads south — following the moonlit path the lake lays out before her.
🎄 Next Stop: Hammondsport
Hammondsport, nestled on Keuka’s Southern Shore, is quietly preparing. Twinkle lights wrap around Pulteney Square like glowing garland. Fresh pine scents drift from the shops on Shethar Street. And someone — with a wink and a bit of mischief — has set aside a small spot on a shelf in one of the village’s historic storefronts, as if they knew StorySprout would soon be fluttering through the door.
Her arrival will unfold gently, in those small magical moments she’s known for:
A cinnamon swirl tucked by a plate of gingerbread.
A scroll resting between vintage finds in the old opera house.
A giggle caught on the wind as children peek behind wreaths and window displays.
The Southern Shore is ready.
Her story is ready.
And the next chapter begins the moment her feet touch down.
✨ Two Towns. One Lake. One Magical December.
Penn Yan and Hammondsport may sit at opposite ends of Keuka’s arms, but they are stitched together like the pages of a treasured holiday book.
Her story reminds us that:
Magic travels. Love travels. And stories — always — travel.
Especially across a lake shaped like a wishbone.
As she glides toward Hammondsport with her satchel full of North Shore memories, every hillside and village along Keuka waits with childlike wonder to see what she’ll write next.
Visit StorySprout's official home on the web for free downloads for children and surprise little scrolls she drops off from time to time!
https://www.keukaroots.com/storysprout
🌱 A Closing Note from Keuka Roots
Here at Keuka Roots, we’re endlessly grateful for the joy, generosity, and sparkle this community pours into every December day. StorySprout may be tiny, but her adventures remind us of something big — that magic grows wherever kindness lives. Thank you, Penn Yan, for opening your doors, your shops, and your hearts to our little lakeshore elf.
And don’t worry — StorySprout will be fluttering back in just one week!
She’ll be spending special days at Longs Cards & Books and Keuka Candy Emporium, and local realtor, Jan Corning, is taking her on a full day of adventure around Penn Yan.
More scrolls, more stories, more smiles — all on their way.
Until then… stay warm, stay joyful,
Stay Rooted. Stay Keuka.
