- By Dan Veaner
- Around Town
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But fund raising isn't the only reason for the festival. Veaner explained, "The festival will provide an opportunity for residents of the Town and Village of Lansing to come together in a 'Main Street' event to celebrate our community." Plans include professional and amateur entertainment and activities sponsored by the groups that receive funding from the council. "We hope to create a carnival atmosphere with booths and food vendors run by local businesses and not-for-profit organizations," she explained.
The Lansing Community Council has a 50 year history of benefiting the community, but few people even know the group exists. The council was originally a hands-on organization that was responsible, among other things, for renovating the Lansing Community Center after if was donated to the Town by the Lansing Lions Club. Since then it has been responsible for getting United Way grants that have partially funded Lansing's Recreation Department, Youth Service, Older Adult Program and Drop-in Center, as well as providing emergency funding for residents with short term needs.
Years ago the council was responsible for Lansing Day, a similar event that was connected to the Recreation Department's baseball playoffs day that is now known as 'Super Saturday.' But as interest and manpower dwindled, the council dropped the event, concentrating on funnelling the United Way funding to local programs that depend on them. Frankie Lechner kept the funds coming for years, but early this year asked Town Supervisor Steve Farkas whether he could get new blood into the group to take over the reins.
A call was put out for volunteers, and around 15 people stepped up, including Beigi, Veaner, Ed laVigne, Gina Lord, Noni Krom, Susan Arotsky, Jean hughes, Diane Meagher, Char Wilson, Cheryl Parrington, Kirk Shreve, and Robin, Kathy and Bethany Sharpless. The group has been meeting since then to set a direction for the council. Some members attended a United Way training session earlier in the year to learn how to apply for and receive funds. Council members hope to add other programs to the list of recipients as they pursue additional grants from the United Way and other sources.
The first big new initiative is to organize the Harbor Fest. While nothing has been firmly set, the group is considering events like a barbecue sauce contest, a boat parade, professional bands and a possible singing contest. The council hopes to get local groups and businesses involved and to get new ideas from the community as well. Veaner said the council plans to get the event listed in state tourism publications to attract a large crowd to the community.
The Town Council moved to provide some funding if the budget has the money available. The money will be used to create a Web site for the event that is being built at www.lansingharborfest.org, and to help fund professional entertainment and incidentals.
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