Archive: Around Town

Innovative Technology Expands Media Class Offerings

The Groton Education Fund Grant recently awarded teachers Mick Levick and Chad DeVoe funding for an unmanned flying vehicle or drone to be used for videography and a variety of educational purposes that will be incorporated into classroom curriculum as early as next semester.

Groton's Digital Media class teacher Mick LeVick said "We are trying to integrate the latest technology, especially as is has to do with video and digital media. Drone technology will really take our digital filming to the next level."

by Sarah Post

Meow! I'm Bride of Soccer! A local person brought me here when I began making her back yard my home. Boy, am I glad to be here before it gets too much colder! I am super sweet and showered our feline behaviorist here at the shelter with kisses and headbutts when she visited me! It's safe to say I am a total love bug. I am EXTREMELY playful, the wand toy is my favorite! I would get along well with human kids of any age, but I wouldn't like to share attention with any other fur-kids. I'm so lovely, though, you won’t ever be without lots of love and kitty snuggles. I'm spayed, vaccinated, micro-chipped, and ready to find my forever home today!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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The Finger Lakes Beer Trail has made changes to its Passport program this year. Based upon feedback, they have decided to extend the duration of the program from just the Winter season to the entire 2016 calendar year.

Valid from January 1 – December 31, 2016, the Finger Lakes Beer Trail Passport is perfect for craft beer enthusiasts and tourists alike looking for a day trip or weekend getaway. Priced at only $20, the 2016 Passport includes over $475 worth of discounts on tasting fees, growler fills, merchandise, accommodations and transportation discounts, and much more at 52 breweries, brewpubs, tasting rooms, craft beer stores, and lodging establishments along the Finger Lakes Beer Trail.

Lansing faculty continue the spirit of the holidays with annual donations to valued Lansing community organizations, while continuing to work with students who are eagerly counting down the days until Winter recess.  Each year the Lansing Faculty Association,comprised of 130 teachers, nurses, counselors, and teaching assistants, give hundreds of dollars to benefit the Lansing community.

This holiday season, faculty presented the Lansing Food Pantry with a check for $500 helping to provide meals for over 100 households in Lansing.  Additionally, the Lansing Faculty Association supports 'giving trees' which fund the purchase of items for Elementary, Middle and High School students in need during the Holiday season.  LFA donations to the giving trees are in addition to the Giving Tree contributions already given directly by individual faculty and staff.  

Liberty Partnerships

Liberty Partnerships at Groton high school provides academic intervention and other services, operating through partnership with local schools, higher education institutions and community based agencies. Through the program students are supported in a variety of endeavors, including seeking post-secondary education or meaningful employment.  Now in his third year at Groton high school, Roy Pratt says the best part of his job is the positive impact he sees it making in each student’s life.

Employed through SUNY Cortland as Program Coordinator for Groton high school, Pratt collaborates with his students to help them stay focused and succeed in areas they are struggling in.

Students in the STEPS program at Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES recently learned just how rewarding hard work can be.

In an effort to enhance teamwork and social skills, students in the STEPS program recently helped prepare a Thanksgiving meal. The students not only shopped for the ingredients necessary to prepare meal, but also helped bake several items, including pies and bread.

"The students went to the grocery store earlier in the week to shop for needed items. With assistance, they were also in charge of baking the pies and bread," teacher Paul Hertzog said. "The students also helped to make the table decorations, set up the chairs and tables and with the take down."

As in past years Lansing's Moore's Tree Farm donates Christmas trees to active military serving abroad.  This Christmas tree, on top of Containerized Living Unit (CLU) at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, was sent from the Moore Tree Farm to a soldier in the Army-3ID infantry.

"Thank you and your husband for helping to bring a little piece of home to these soldiers!!" his mother told the Moores. "It really means a lot to them!"

Ten projects will receive Women Building Community (WBC) Grants totaling $30,000, announced Diane Shafer, president of the City Federation of Women's Organizations (CFWO) board.  WBC Grant recipients were recognized at an event December 8 celebrating the ways they will help to improve the lives of Tompkins County women and girls.

Shafer expressed: "Our grant applications and awarded grants give us a snapshot of some of the needs of women and girls in our community.  This process helps us better understand what is needed and how we can have impact.  It also gives the CFWO Board a look at the wonderful organizations in the community that are working hard to address the critical concerns of our community's women and girls."

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by Sarah Post

Hello! I'm Duncan, and I'm looking for a quiet home with gentle people. I get a little overwhelmed by lots of new people and places, but once I know you, I'll show you my silly side. I love scratches, cuddling, and already know a few basic tricks. I like treats and would happily learn some more if you teach me! I'm housebroken and don't chew anything except my toys, but I still like to have my crate to nap in and be my "safe zone." I love going for hikes and will bounce around like a puppy when you get the leash. Because I am easily startled, a family with teenagers or an adult only home would be my preference. I'm nervous with dogs I don't know, but I might be okay with a calm dog who will give me time to work up my courage. Do I sound like a good match for you? Then you should call my foster family at 201-937-8764 and come meet me!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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