Archive: Around Town

Numerous studies over the past decade have shown that the Monarch Butterfly population has been in a steep decline.  Factors include: weather, pollution, and pesticides, but the largest factor is a declining lack of food habitat. This spring Cayuga Radio Group developed the "Code Name Monarch" program to help rebuild the butterfly's food habitat.

"Our 'Code Name Monarch' program was a great success.  We estimate that we distributed over 1,000 seeds packets to some of our best local retail partners.  Dr. Mayo in Cortland, P&C Fresh, Sam Peter Furniture, Hickey's Music, and Dryden Agway."  Said CRG Marketing Director Connie Fairfax-Ozmun.  "These businesses really supported the idea and helped facilitate real change by giving these seeds to customers for free, in exchange for the request that they plant them."

by Rochelle Davis

Hi there, I'm Fred - a Southern gentlepup all the way from Alabama! I'm a simple dog, and love nothing more than a long meandering walk followed by a snooze in my person's lap. As an introvert, my ideal home would be a quieter one with similar minded people who will allow me to get used to my new home at my own pace. Once we've become friends, I'll be your most loyal companion and will always be by your side. I will happily live with another calm dog, and high-school aged children would be just fine. If I sound like the perfect match for you, come in and say hello!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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The North Lansing Auxiliary gathered at Auburn's Sunset Restaurant Saturday to celebrate a year of outstanding accomplishments, raising money to benefit the Lansing community.  This year's dinner was a bitter-sweet affair, awarding five scholarships, honoring outgoing Highway Superintendent Jack French, and remembering Ed Wilcox, who unexpectedly passed away in January.  But the tone was upbeat.

"We appreciate all of you being here and it is our way of thanking each and everyone of you in this room for your support," said Auxiliary Treasurer Connie Wilcox.  "No matter how much or how little you are involved, if not for all of you, we would not be enjoying this pleasant evening, each of you contribute to our successful Pancake Breakfasts or our annual Election Day Dinner and Supper whether it is by working, furnishing goods or just general support.  I would like to say huge thank you to all of you, who always seem to be there and that is everyone in this room."

What do Cornell's 150th birthday, a Yiddish folk song and sunflowers have in common?

This year Randi Beckmann's first grade class at Belle Sherman Elementary School is recording a CD full of songs from students' home communities. Students and their families have taught the Sunflower Room children traditional favorites from their diverse cultures. Songs such as a South African lullaby "Thula Thul " a Dutch piece "Hanje Panje", and even "Far Above Cayuga Waters", Cornell's alma mater will appear on the CD.

For us who are continuously inspired with nature's rhythm, enjoy roaming the woods and looking for unmarked paths, spring is the season of wild awakenings. Although coming from different cultures, most of our ancestors lived in dwellings where the floor was soil and the surroundings were wild, pretty, untamed nature in almost every corner of the world. Some of us have, with great appreciation for our great-grandmothers and grandmothers, preserved and cultivated our relationship with the wilderness and orders of nature. Some of us are searching for connection through education and rising awareness about nature.

On my personal journey, growing up in natural surroundings preserved the essence of my connection with natural world.  However dozens of years of studying and immersing myself in Chinese medicine and philosophy have cultivated a mindful approach to what I have felt all my life is the simple evolution of being. With knowledge and lucidity of imagination I could describe nature in May as a fantasyland inspired by Five Element theory in the following fancy words:

Aurora, New York—During Wells College’s 2015 Commencement ceremonies, the College and Board of Trustees granted special awards and honors to several exceptional members of the Wells community. These awards—both new and long-standing—included the second awarding of the Wells Medal, the announcement of Emerita status for a member of the faculty, annual awards for outstanding student research and artistic merit, and recognition of the achievements of the student and alumna speakers for the event.

Wells’ President Thomas E.J. de Witt was awarded the second Wells College Medal, an award conceived “to bestow significant honor on individuals who are singularly important in the life of the College.” De Witt earned the honor, as Board Chair Carrie Bolton ’92 noted, as he “applied his considerable financial acumen and management expertise to the substantial challenges facing the College…led by example in facing difficult realities, devising innovative solutions and embracing positive change; revived the campus culture and infused a spirit of optimism; and…resulted in a College transformed and on solid financial footing, its community eager and prepared to engage the future.” The first Wells College Medal was awarded to Pleasant Rowland ’62 in 2014.

Almost everyone needs more physical activity in their day, and the new Ithaca Neighborhood Walking Map can help.  The map is a guide to walking for health in downtown Ithaca.  In it you’ll find six routes that span every downtown neighborhood, points of interests including parks and playgrounds, and the full Cayuga Waterfront Trail set to be completed this summer.

The maps are free and have been distributed at numerous locations around downtown. Pick one up and get some regular walking in your week. For more encouragement and inspiration getting going, the Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County is hosting 'Noons in June' walks, a guided walking series on Thursdays and Fridays in June. All walks are rated easy and maps will be given to all participants.

On May 28th Cayuga Radio Group will once again be in the Ithaca Festival Parade with their canned food drive 'Cans Along Cayuga'. Last year 1,000 pounds of food was collected and donated to the United Way of Tompkins County for various food pantries in the area.

This year a big thanks goes out to Caroline, Enfield, South Hill, Trumansburg and Fall Creek Elementary Schools for their 'Kids Helping Kids' can collection campaign prior to the parade.

With the goal of creating awareness about alternative forms of transportation, Cornell Transportation and Way2Go, part of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, co-organized Bike to Work / School Friday, May 15, 2015.  May is National Bike Month, which consists of national biking events that can be done at the local level.

Scattered throughout the community on Friday were 13 breakfast stations where cyclists could stop, grab a quick bite and make their way to work or school.  These stations attracted over 450 cyclists, some traveling from as far as Binghamton, NY.  In addition to being a place to grab a quick breakfast, the stations served as a place for cyclists to share their experiences with using a bike for transportation, including commuting.

The Student Council organization (SCO) hosted the Lansing Board Of Education (BOE) 'Meet the Candidates Night' Monday to introduce candidates Aziza Benson and Julie Boles to the community.  The election and budget vote is scheduled for next Tuesday, May 19th.  SCO President Michelle Schafer and Vice President Taylor Mikula introduced the candidates, after which William Lewis moderated the debate.

Benson is seeking her 3rd term on the board. Aziza and family are long time residents of Lansing, owners of Bensvue Farms and Aziza is the mother of three sets of twins. Next year, the youngest Bensons will be entering kindergarten. She also has two second graders and two fifth graders.

At Cayuga Medical Center's Annual Community Meeting at the end of April,  Pete Saltonstall of Treleaven, King Ferry Winery,  was awarded the 1st Annual Community Partner Award. The award was given by John Rudd, president and CEO of Cayuga Medical Center for Saltonstall's passion of organizing the "Ride for Heart Health," a bicycle ride to raise funds for Cayuga Heart Institute. Each year the funds augment the costs for education of raising awareness about heart issues, heart attacks, and what to do if you or someone near you is having the signs and symptoms of one.

John Rudd,  a cycling enthusiast himself,  commented  "Heart attack and issues of the heart still remains the #1 killer in America, what we do locally makes a huge difference in the health of our community. Awareness and time in this case is a matter of life and death.  Partnerships in events such as the "Ride for Heart Health" are a wonderful compliment to the Center, to partner with Peter Saltonstall, of King Ferry Winery, to raise awareness of heart disease with a fun ride, and a host of events following at King Ferry Winery."

Nine volunteers from Cargill's De-icing Technology Plant in Lansing ventured into the meadows of Salt Point with weed-whackers, shovels, and rakes to isolate and eradicate areas of Japanese Knotweed ((Reynoutria japonica (Fallopia japonica, Polygonum cuspidatum)).  This invasive species is a menace to our natural areas and often crowds out the native plants. If left unchecked, it can spread rapidly and overtake other areas as well.

The weather was ideal for a workday at Salt Point.  A cool wind blew down the lake while clouds kept the sun hidden for most of the day.  Birds fluttered about as the volunteers, under the guidance of Katrina Binkewicz, began their assigned task.   Rick Powers operated the Kubota backhoe.  Jesse Gingrich, Steve Mosch, Ryan Fenner, John Alnutt, Terry Marcellus, Steve Jackson, John Galbraith, and Tom Hagin tackled the half dozen areas where Japanese Knotweed had taken root.