Archive: Around Town

R. C. Buckley Elementary School School Nurse Kelly Bell was looking for a running program for her third grade daughter.  The two had already run 5Ks together, and as a nurse and a runner herself, she wanted to offer Lansing girls a program to keep them healthy and build their confidence.  She had read about Girls On The Run, a ten week program that culminates in a 5K run.  It must have been kismet, because she found exactly what she was looking for.

"I come from sports people," she says.  "My dad was always a coach.  I run 5Ks with my daughter.  It's such an awesome feeling and I am so proud of her.  I just think it's such a cool thing to inspire young girls.  I thought this was an awesome program for my daughter and I wanted the other girls at school to feel it, too."

United Way of Tompkins County announced that it has exceeded its 2014/15 Community Campaign Goal of $2,150,000 with donations to date totaling $2,155,335. It is the 11th consecutive year UWTC has exceeded its annual goal. These funds, raised throughout the community, will strengthen education, income, and health programs throughout Tompkins County.

Volunteers, donors, and community supporters gathered Tuesday, April 28th for the Community Campaign Celebration and Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast at the Country Club of Ithaca. The 2014-15 UWTC Community Campaign was led by Volunteer Co-chairs Lisa Whitaker, President & CEO of CFCU Community Credit Union, Carl Sgrecci, recently retired from Ithaca College, and Hannah Wildenstein, a TC3 2015 graduate who was also honored this year as a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All American. Wildenstein is currently playing soccer in Denmark and was not able to attend the event.

Almost two decades ago I was a newcomer on the North American continent. I used to take a walks along the East River's banks on the edge of the Long Island City.  City river banks are not pleasant to the eye, nor particularly stimulating to any other senses. They are bare evidence of the most brutal abuse of Nature: lifeless murky waters around aged docks, rusted industrial waste all over, big chunks of rocks pasted with polluted slimy algae overgrowth and grayish graveled paths to walk on.

The scenery mirrored the shiny concrete jungle across the East River. Yet tiny shrubs of pussy willows branched side by side with the heavy oxidized construction consoles creating a surreal contrast of robust rust and gentlest silky blossom. Cheerful yellow flower heads of dandelions perked proudly from gravel along the path and young cleavers shoots mingled with spare patches of grass.

College Mentors for Kids at Cornell University has been awarded the 2014-2015 Chapter of the Year for schools serving 99 children or less from the national office of College Mentors for Kids located in Indianapolis, Indiana.

"When I heard that we were selected as Chapter of the Year, I felt overwhelmingly proud. Our phenomenal staff and dedicated mentors have spent the past two years working very hard to get us to where we are today. They have put so much energy into ensuring that we are fulfilling our mission and serving our 80 little buddies to the best of our ability. I am honored to have had the opportunity to lead the chapter of the year, and I am confident that the Cornell chapter will continue to be successful in the coming years," said Sarah Greenberg, co-president of the Cornell University chapter.

New York Senator Mike Nozzolio helped celebrate Lansing Community Library (LCL) Charter Day Saturday.  Nozzolio was invited in thanks for bringing about $140,000 of funding to the library over the past decade.  Celebrations included a logo contest reception, 4H presentations and a thank-you to Nozzolio.

"I am so honored to be part of the team that helped rejuvenate this great facility," Nozzolio said.  "It began as a labor of love for so many. The enthusiasm of the community has been unwavering in support of this wonderful resource.  Libraries are our windows on the world."

A new bench has been donated to replace one that was stolen from Salt Point on or before April 6th. Thieves unbolted a security chain before making off with the bench.  Park Superintendent Steve Colt is working with local law enforcement to identify the thief, and says he has increased security measures in the parks since the bench was stolen.  This week Ralph (Rocky) F. Thurston surprised town officials and 'Friends of Salt Point' members when he built a replacement bench and delivered it to Salt Point.

by Rochelle Davis

Kaycee Jade came to us when her owners decided to move away and couldn't take her with them. She has been described as a sweet kitty who just needs a bit of time to trust someone, especially with men. She did not have any litterbox issues in her old home and has lived with another cat. Once she gets to know you, Kaycee Jade will follow you everywhere and "talk" to you to let you know how happy she is to be in your presence.  Oddly enough, she takes a special shining to teenage girls. Are you looking for your new loyal feline friend? Talk to an adoption counselor to bring home Miss Kaycee Jade today!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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Lansing Town Historian Louise Bement reports that a permanent display of historical photographs is being mounted at the Lansing Tops.  Bement was approached by CIP Retail of Fairfield, Ohio, asking if she could provide historic pictures for the 'refreshing' of the Triphammer Tops, reportedly under new management.  With an April 1 deadline Bement and Bill Hecht have been working together to scan original historical photographs from the town archive.

"We scanned furoiusly at least two days a week from then 'till April and Bill sent what we had done to Ohio," Bement says.  "They are putting them up and will have a lot of them - permanently."

by Ashley Fleming

Shelby is a scruffy little 9 year old Shih Tzu looking for a loving guardian who can help her live life to the fullest. She loves nothing more than a little walk and to spend her day curled up in your lap. Shelby has several medical issues that require long-term care, so her new person would need to be prepared to take this on. However, her medical needs are manageable for someone willing to take a few minutes out their day to give a few eye drops and bring her for regular check ups at the vet. Shelby is cat-friendly, but is not very interested in other dogs. With all of her medical issues and deteriorating eye sight, a home without children would be best. Shelby is a great little dog looking for a quiet, gentle human to call her own. Please come spend some time with this little, fluffy girl!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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The Lansing Community Library recently received its permanent charter from the NYS Board of Regents.

"This recognizes that the library has proven itself to be an integral part of the Lansing community and is here to stay," explained Library Manager Susie Gutenberger.

Only 15 years ago this library was simply a vision of a few community members who then rallied the efforts, contributions and support of hundreds of residents to make it a reality.  Not only did this effort provide the community with a public library, but it also restored and gave new purpose to a historic building that was once a school house and the Lansing Town Hall.  The number of patrons, visitors, items borrowed, and collection materials at LCL increases each year.

Lansing High School seniors Lydia Krogh and Nat Deis won top honors for art in the international Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition.  Krogh's perspective drawing, 'When the Bell Rings', won a gold medal, and Deis's digital art work, 'It Might be Dangerous, but I'm Going it Alone', a silver medal in the national level of the competition.

"Both girls took their projects to a completely new level," says Lansing High School art teacher Jessica Stratton.  "That's why they earned recognition -- they made it their own.  They certainly have a lot of personal voice in their work.  Their technical skill is off the charts and the creativity and original thought that they brought to their work is what Scholastic noticed."

Two donors to the Tompkins County SPCA have offered funding for a 'challenge match' that could yield the SPCA up to $100,000.  SPCA of Tompkins County's Executive Director Jim Bouderau says it will be the largest challenge match in SPCA history.

"I am tremendously pleased to announce that two of our most dedicated friends of the SPCA have offered a $50,000 challenge to match, dollar for dollar, every donation made between now and May 31, 2015.  Our 'matchmakers' are challenging our community to rally in support of us," says Jim Bouderau. "Raising funds at this time of year is critical to our work in the upcoming busy summer months when we see the largest influx of animals."