Lakeside Country Club

Welcome Party

Lakeside Cottages

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

The Olney Place

Goodbyes and Sammies

Our Wedding

The two of us, were invited to a mutual friend’s house, to eat out and go to a free concert, we had never met previously.&nbsp;We both thought nothing of it during what seemed to be like a typical night out, but little did we know…&nbsp;&nbsp;We had your usual BBQ chicken cookout, and then James volunteered to drive.&nbsp;Andrea sat in the back, and the two guys in the front.&nbsp;Our friend was the only one that had the directions, and knew the area, so he directed.&nbsp;We got to the parking area just fine.&nbsp;He guided us under a bridge, to an area that he was sure was a good place to park.&nbsp;James was skeptical, noting tickets on several car dashboards, and asked him if he was sure.&nbsp;He was so sure that he boldly offered to pay for any expenses if he was wrong.&nbsp;That was good enough for James, as they shook on it.&nbsp;We had a blast!&nbsp;A great concert, and somehow this awesome show was free!&nbsp;At the end, we noticed the rush and decided to grab some drinks at a local nearby brewery while traffic cleared.&nbsp;&nbsp;After a bit, we came to get the car.&nbsp;Wait… what car?&nbsp;The entire lot was empty.&nbsp;James then found a billboard with the payment instructions on it at the other entrance.&nbsp;Our friend, in a panic, called the number and asked how we could get the car.&nbsp;We couldn’t.&nbsp;They closed for the night!&nbsp;Our friend tried every excuse in the book to get the tow truck company, but nothing helped no matter what!&nbsp;To top it all off, of course, Andrea’s keys were also in the car! Andrea was living in Rochester at the time so she was not local to Buffalo during this.&nbsp;Could it get any worse?&nbsp;Luckily, we talked it out.&nbsp;James called a buddy who gave us a ride to our friend’s house.&nbsp;We ended up staying awake most of the night talking until the next morning laughing about how crazy the night was.&nbsp;&nbsp;The next day, we all went to get the car.&nbsp;$400!&nbsp;So much for the “free” concert!&nbsp;Needless to say, our friend had his foot in his mouth.&nbsp;As the honorable guy that he is, he ended up getting the money from the ATM.&nbsp;James felt bad, and threw him 100, and Andrea recovered her keys.&nbsp;&nbsp;We always tell people that if the car never got towed, we may have never got to know one another so well.&nbsp;Sometimes a situation that seems like it went so wrong, turns out just perfect! And who would have thought, we’d be here starting a new chapter of our lives together!&nbsp;

Dude, where's my car?

Our Story

Photos

Bryan Semski 

RaeKel Matos

Wedding Party

Q + A

Please call the hotel and ask to book a room under the Semski-Helman Wedding party. We have a block of rooms reserved for our guest. Our block of room start on Friday, Sept. 22nd, if you are coming before, please let us know so we an extend the rate for you. Please note there is a 2 night minimum as this is still considered an "in season" date. Should you need to cancel for any reason, please make sure you cancel at least 72 hrs in advance to be fully refunded.

Best Western Plus The Hammondsport Hotel

Please note: It is Keuka College Alumni weekend as well. Many Hotels in Penn Yan have blocks of rooms dedicated to the College for that weekend and may sell out in Penn Yan, NY. If you wish to stay in Penn Yan, please book accordingly. 

AirBnB and VRBO are great alternatives to Hotels. 

There are a few Bed and Breakfasts to choose from around the lake too. 

Rideshares are hard to come by the Finger Lakes. Try Christine's Cabby - She services all of the Finger Lakes! Just give her a call and/or Text for a pick-up/drop-off! She can comfortably accommodate 6 but can do 7 in a squishy situation!

Christine's Cabby

Please be sure to give notice that you need a ride to and from the wedding as there are limited Ride Share Drivers available.

Michael Pangallo

Local Taxi - recommended to call in advance for pickups and drop offs

Village Taxi

Hometown Cab LLC

Travel

Spend a day traveling along the shores of beautiful Keuka Lake, one of the most picturesque of New York's pristine Finger Lakes. Visit the wineries of the Keuka Lake Wine Trail, enjoying the unique tasteful experience each has to offer.&nbsp;One of our favorites is Weis Vineyards.

Keuka Lake Wine Trail

If you're interested in some hiking while you're in town. Check out Watkins Glen Gorge Trail it is&nbsp;breathtakingly beautiful&nbsp;with &nbsp;nineteen waterfalls plunging through a spellbinding natural gorge, complimented by exquisitely crafted man made stone staircases and bridges.

Watkins Glen State Park

Breweries, Cideries, and Distilleries are in no short supply around these areas. There is something for everyone. Here are some of our favorites to check out:Tin Barn Brewing FLXBrewery of Broken DreamsAbandon BrewingLyonSmith BrewingThe Olney Place... on Keuka LakeBarrington DistilleryCider Creek Hammondsport If you are staying at the Best Western Plus, there is a brewery within walking distance - Finger Lakes Beer Company (I recommend the Ring of Fire or the Vanilla Porter).

Southern Finger Lakes Beverage Trail

The only HOP ON & OFF TROLLEY in the Finger Lakes The Finger Lakes region is rapidly establishing a world wide reputation for its wines, boasting more than 150 wineries & 2 AVAs (American Viticultural Areas). The wineries are the backbone of the Finger Lakes & have become the most notable activities of the region. The Finger Lakes has also become a vacation hot spot, with tourists captivated by the beautiful natural scenery, rich culture, farm fresh restaurants & unique breweries.

Lakeside Trolley

Welcome Cheese Lovers!&nbsp;There are 15 farms spread out amongst the Finger Lakes region that you can taste cheese ... some even offer Cheese and Ice Cream Flights! Shtayburne Farm is a favorite.... Sunset View Creamery and Lively Run Goat Dairy are right up there too!

Finger Lakes Cheese Trail

The Finger Lakes Boating Museum exists for the education and preservation of the boating activities and boat building heritage of the Finger Lakes.

Finger Lakes Boating Museum

The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum of Local History was formed to establish, conduct, operate and maintain a museum in the Village of Hammondsport, Steuben County, New York, for the display of items relating to and significant in the role of Hammondsport in early aviation, and particularly the contributions made to aviation by Glenn H. Curtiss, a resident of Hammondsport. The museum will display other items of historical significance which contribute to knowledge of Hammondsport and its regional history; conduct classes, exhibitions and observances which promote and stimulate the purposes for which the museum was formed.

Glenn H Curtiss Museum

The Pat II can accommodate 16 passengers and 2 crew and is ideal for a pleasant hour-long cruise or perfect for chartering an hour-and-a-half family and friends excursion. As the boat is powered by a battery-powered ELCO electric motor, longer trips are unavailable at this time.

The Pat II Tour Boat

The Friends of the Outlet, Inc. is a non-profit organization working with the community to preserve, protect and develop our properties along Keuka Outlet Creek to provide an area for natural, physical, outdoor and historic oriented recreation and education, while serving as responsible stewards for the natural resources of our organization.

Keuka Lake Outlet Trail

Over 50,000 objects representing more than&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cmog.org/collection/galleries/35-centuries-glass-galleries" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">3,500 years of history</a>&nbsp;are included in the Museum’s collection; items range from the portrait of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh to contemporary sculpture. The Museum’s highly regarded curators and librarians actively acquire materials; and curators, librarians, educators and artists organize special on-campus and traveling exhibitions; teach; conduct and publish extensive research; host numerous artist residencies and public presentations; and showcase daily demonstrations of contemporary glassworking. The Corning Museum of Glass’ authority on glass art is felt around the world.

Corning Museum of Glass

Let's Ride! Bring your family and friends to an relaxing, breezy ride along the tracks of Yates County! Enjoy the experience of rail biking at any age and with any ability! If you don’t feel like pedaling, dog it and make your bike mate do all the work! From your rail bike, you will experience working farms and see picturesque scenery. See relics that remain from the railroad communications. There is even a one-room Mennonite schoolhouse along our rail.

Finger Lakes Rail Riders

We are one of the oldest and largest glider clubs in the country offering rides to the public. See beautiful Chemung county from the air!

National Soaring Museum

Watkins Glen International's popularity within the NASCAR community has exploded in recent years, as evidenced by the facility being named "America's Best NASCAR Track" on four occasions by readers of USA Today. The venue has also announced reserved grandstand seating sellouts in each of the last six NASCAR Cup Series races, beginning in 2015, accompanying exciting finishes including 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion Chase Elliott capturing his first Cup Series victory in 2018.

Watkins Glen International

Seneca Lake is the largest by volume and deepest of New York’s 11 Finger Lake. Seneca Lake is a nested American Viticultural Area (AVA), located within the Finger Lakes AVA. It is recognized as a standalone viticultural area due to the unique grape-growing conditions it presents. The Finger Lakes AVA was established in 1982, the Seneca Lake AVA was established in 2003.The Seneca Lake AVA covers 320 square miles. It is characterized by the “lake effect” meso-climates along Seneca lake, the “air drainage” of sloping hillsides, and glacial soils conducive to drainage.Considered a cool climate region, it is generally accepted that the area has a 90-120 day growing season. The region specializes in Sparkling Wines, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Ice Wine, and is also known for its Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc, as well as several French-American and Native American varietals.

Seneca Lake Wine Trail

A visit to Seneca Lake is not complete without stopping at Captain Bill's, located at the southern end of Seneca Lake, in beautiful upstate New York.&nbsp;Captain Bill's provides a magnificent view, and offers many other breath taking experiences. Take a dining or sightseeing cruise, or just stroll our beautiful lakefront with your family and friends.&nbsp;

Andrea & James

Andrea & James

Wedding Party