There is something about January around Keuka Lake — the hush between snowfalls, the glow of Main Street lights, the soft promise of a new year — that makes it the perfect time to fall in love with a brand-new story.
And this winter, Keuka Roots and Keuka Reads are inviting you to do exactly that.
On
January 31st, we’re hosting a warm, book-loving evening at
The Hidden Cork in Hammondsport, where every wrapped book holds a secret, every choice is a surprise, and every reader walks away with a new tale tucked under their arm.
It’s our
Blind Date With a Book: Winter Edition — a night where the magic lies entirely in the mystery.
π·π The Hidden Cork: Where Stories & Sips Meet
Nestled right in the heart of Hammondsport,
The Hidden Cork is the kind of place where magic gathers naturally — warm wood, soft lighting, and a cozy winter atmosphere that wraps around you like a beloved scarf.
And then there’s the bartender — a quiet legend in her own right. With
over 500 days of a reading streak on her phone and hundreds of ebooks downloaded, she brings a bookish charm to the bar that feels perfectly at home during a literary event. She can recommend a story just as easily as she pours a beautiful glass of wine, and her fun, genuine presence adds its own glow to the evening.
You don’t just go to The Hidden Cork.
You feel it.
And for an added touch of ambiance, the evening will feature live music by
Joe Lamanna, whose warm acoustic sound fills the winter air with something soft, soulful, and deeply inviting.
π How the Blind Date Works
Every guest will
bring a wrapped book — no cover, no title, no author revealed.
Just a few creative clues written on the front to hint at the journey inside:
“Small town secrets…
A winter storm…
One brave heart ready to rise.”
Or…
“A twisty tale, a missing letter, and a mystery that warms the soul.”
Upon arrival, all the wrapped books will be placed on the
Blind Date Table, where guests will browse the clues and choose the mystery that speaks to them. It’s a little curiosity, a little whimsy, and a whole lot of winter-night fun.
You’ll unwrap your new story at your table with a glass of wine, cozy snacks, and the joyful buzz of fellow readers discovering their surprise picks.
β¨ What’s Included With Your Ticket
For just
$30, guests will enjoy:
β¨
A beautifully curated grazing bar — seasonal bites, artisanal nibbles, and cozy winter flavors
β¨
One complimentary signature drink (Cocktail or Mocktail)
β¨
Live music by Joe Lamanna, filling the room with soft winter acoustics
β¨
A night filled with connection, curiosity, and winter whimsy
β¨ Participation in the Blind Date book exchange
β¨ Access to our Winter Warmth Raffle (tickets sold separately)
It’s everything a winter evening should be — warm, delicious, soulful, and shared.
π Event Details
π
Date: January 31st
π Time: 7 PM – 10 PM
π Location: The Hidden Cork, Hammondsport
π Cost:
$30 per person
BUY TICKETS NOW
πβ¨ Winter Raffle: Beautiful Baskets to Win
Adding to the cozy fun of the night, guests will have the chance to enter our
Winter Warmth Raffle — a small collection of thoughtfully curated baskets inspired by local makers, seasonal comforts, and a touch of Keuka Lake charm.
Raffle tickets will be available for purchase the night of the event.
It’s simple, joyful, and all part of the evening’s warm, story-filled magic.
Winners will be announced toward the end of the event — must be present to win.
β€οΈ Why This Night Matters
In the heart of a Finger Lakes winter — when the cold settles deep and the days feel short — evenings like this remind us that stories bring warmth. This event brightens Main Street, supports a beloved local business, and gathers readers in a way that feels both fresh and familiar.
It is also a perfect winter outing for
book clubs, friend groups, and anyone who is a lover of
literary escapes — those who delight in cozy gatherings, unexpected stories, and the joy of discovering a book they didn’t know they needed.
And this year, the warmth extends even further:
10% of the net profit
from Blind Date With a Book will be donated
to The Finger Lakes Boating Museum to support their mission of storytelling, heritage, and the enduring spirit of Keuka Lake.
When you join us, you’re not just attending a cozy winter gathering — you’re uplifting local history, creativity, and community programs that keep our region vibrant.
This is more than a literary event.
It’s community, curiosity, laughter, connection — and the tiny thrill of choosing the unknown.
β¨ A Keuka Roots Closing Reflection
Here on our branches along this beautiful Y-shaped lake, stories bind us — from the shelves of Longs Cards & Books to the laughter inside tasting rooms to the quiet corners of our homes where a new book becomes a new friend.
On this January night, may your blind date surprise you, warm you, and stay with you long after the final chapter closes.
Stay Rooted. Stay Keuka.
