Archive: Around Town

This spring, Alyssa DeForrest and Kayla Todd, 4th grade students from Groton Elementary, completed a very special art piece designed to lift the spirits of visitors to the new Cancer Community Room at Cortland Regional Memorial Hospital’s Cancer Resource Center. Fourth grade art teacher Julianne Costa, as well as other area art teachers, were contacted by CRMC for this very special project. Teachers were asked to facilitate the creation of artwork that would be uplifting and colorful.

Julianne Costa said, “I immediatly thought of Alyssa and Kayla based on their merit in my class and their enthusiasm for always wanting to go above and beyond… They worked on this project every day for about a month.”

Since Ms. Costa’s art class was currently working on a 'Keep Calm' theme, the students used the theme 'Keep Calm to Kick Cancer'. Using vibrant colors and a quilt-like block pattern, the final product looks modern and fresh. The piece was revealed at the Cancer Resource Center’s Open House, during a reception for the artists held from 6:00-7:00 pm on June 1, 2015.

All of the artwork that was donated was professionally framed and is now permanent on display.

“The artwork that the students shared is a gift for which we are most grateful,” a representative from CRMC said. The Cancer Community room is now finished and is a warm and welcoming space for patients and their families.

High Schools Compete for Coveted Musical Awards
The thirteenth annual Cortland Repertory Theatre 'Pavilion Awards' was held Monday, June 8th at 7:00 pm. Local high school drama production winners were announced during this much-anticipated event, which recognizes outstanding achievement in local high school theatre.


The Pavilion Award Ceremony took place at CRT's home, the Little York Pavilion. Each school performed a musical number from their show at the ceremony. Non-musical plays held at Cortland, Homer and Tully were also nominated for awards. Groton High School took home five distinguished trophies that evening for the musical Oklahoma, tying with Cortland High School for Best Musical.

Groton Junior Brooke Jackson won Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her role as Laurey, and Senior Helena Rankin won Best Supporting Actress, as Aunt Eller. Groton’s Oklahoma also won Best Visual Musical Ensemble and Best Vocal Musical Ensemble. Director Annette Twitchell said, " It was a big night for our school and a great way to celebrate our 10th musical production!" Also that evening students themselves voted for the "Most Valuable Player" award, judging their peers from their cast and crews, Trevor Empson was voted as Groton’s MVP.

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