Archive: Around Town

David R. Dunlop was awarded the "Tompkins County Distinguished Citizen Award" by the Baden-Powell Boy Scouts of America. The Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award is presented annually to an outstanding member of the community who, through their volunteerism with a number of organizations, upholds the values set forth in the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

Dunlop served Cornell for 38 years, creating and directing both the Cornell Major Gift Program for gifts of $1 million and up, and the Principle Gifts Program for gifts of $5 million and up. From 1990 to 1995, Dave served on the senior management team of the Cornell Campaign that set a record for the college and university campaigns when it received over $1.5 billion in gifts. Since his retirements in 1997, Dave has continued to serve Cornell as a Volunteer.

Jeffrey S. Lewis, M.D., D.M.D. was recently named the physician recipient of the 2015 Louis Munchmeyer Award for Excellence at the Cayuga Medical Center Medical Staff Annual Meeting earlier this month.

"I am truly honored to be receiving this award in Dr. Munchmeyer's name.  Dr. Munchmeyer was an exceptional physician who dedicated his life to caring for the people of this community." said Lewis.

Math

Thirty-one students at Lansing High School participated in the 66th annual American Mathematics Contest 12, and/or the 15th annual American Mathematics Contest 10. The contests were held on Tuesday, February 3, 2015. The students competed for local, regional and national student and school awards. The contest, which covers high school mathematics, is given in participating schools. Its purpose is to spur interest in mathematics and develop talent through the excitement of friendly competition at problem solving in a timed format without the use of a calculator. In 2014 over 220,000 students from 4200 schools participated in the AMC 10 & AMC 12 contests.


The top scorer at Lansing in 2015 was Meeta Shrivastava, a senior, for school winner at the AMC 12 level. This was Meeta’s second year as the AMC 12 winner at Lansing High School.  Elena Gupta and Skye Richardson tied for the remaining spots on the AMC 12 team.

If you loved your high school prom or if you missed it you will have another chance on April 2nd.  And you don't have to be a high school senior -- the Third Annual Tompkins County Intergenerational Prom is open to all ages, and encourages everyone to come.  The prom is a joint effort between Ithaca College and Cornell university's Project Generations organizations.  

The event will include a live jazz band, dancing, light refreshments, a special guest appearance, a raffle, and the election of the prom king and queen.  The winners were over 65 in the last two proms.  A Mary Kay makeup station is made available for hair and makeup, and a photo booth.  Dates are optional.  You can come by yourself or with that special person.

Tompkins County's recycling efforts received high marks in a recently released audit from the New York State Comptroller's Office.

The audit examined performance measures of the Solid Waste Management Division from January 1st, 2013 to July 7th, 2014.  It concluded the various recycling programs implemented have been successful in diverting waste from the landfill, while saving the County more than $1.4 million since 2011.

by Ashley Fleming

Jean Luc is a happy young pup who can't wait to find his forever person! He had a bit of a rough start in life and was underfed, so he’s looking for someone to treat him as a member of the family. He will also need a patient owner who can show him that the world is a really wonderful place and that there is nothing to be afraid of anymore. Jean Luc absolutely loves treats and snacks, so the trainers at the shelter are teaching him all sorts of new manners so he can be the best dog possible when he gets to his new home. He is bound to be the star of any obedience class he enrolls in! Because he’s still pretty nervous of loud noises, a quieter home without young children would be best for him. He gets along with other active bully breeds, but can't go to a home with cats. If he sounds like the right match for you, come in and say hello today!

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The Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) has awarded $4,331 in its third quarterly round of Red and Gold Grants for the 2014-15 school year. The 10 new grants will assist teachers, administrators, students, and community members with projects that strengthen and enrich education across the Ithaca City School District (ICSD).

"I favor the Red and Gold Grants because they focus on that 'special something' that enriches, improves, and strengthens a classroom or school project," said IPEI Board President Jennifer Engel. "The creative uses of the grant money continue to amaze and inspire me as a donor and board member."

The first days of March have gifted us with warm sunbeams and hope that the dreadfully long and cold winter is finally behind us. Wind, sun and clouds, passing snow showers, pouring rains, and unstable temperatures will be the staple mark of the season change in the next couple of weeks. Change is in the air -- expected, yet unpredictable.

Landscapes still appear grey and lifeless, but that is truly just appearance. Bursting energy of the spring is gathering its momentum in endless underground waterways connected with every single root ending. Movement surges to the surface. Life reawakens in an ascending motion of rich nutrients provided by soil and water. Clear blue skies and warm golden sunshine are adding to the excitement of brimming life. There is a tremendous tension created in awaiting for budding, sprouting, and shooting crescendo.  We all know it is going to happen, but the exact moment is uncertain.

Wells College announced Thursday that alumna Tracy Hope Davis '86 will be the speaker for the College's 147th Commencement ceremony, held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16, in front of Macmillan Hall on the Wells College campus in Aurora, N.Y. Ms. Davis has provided an authoritative voice on legal matters for many years as she has pursued a highly successful and influential career.

"I am very excited to be asked to give this address," said Davis. "Personally, this is one of my life's greatest honors. It feels like coming full circle."

Geneva, NY- Senator Mike Nozzolio, along with numerous other state, county and local elected leaders, officially opened the new Finger Lakes Community College Viticulture and Wine Center in Geneva. The new world class center is the only program of its kind in the Northeast and will create hundreds of jobs and economic opportunities in a wide variety of fields related to tourism and the wine and grape industry.

It's not too late to see it go at the Lansing High School production of 'Anything Goes' by Cole Porter in the Lansing HS Middle School Auditorium Friday and Saturday, March 13th and 14th at 7:30pm.

by Ashley Fleming

Ashley is a bit of a mystery and could definitely use some love. She was brought in from one of Ithaca's apartment complexes, where she had been hanging around for a few weeks; the finder thought she had a 'sore back', which may be the reason Ashley is very leery of human - and feline? - contact. She is also declawed in front, which may explain the appearance of pain: sometimes when cats are declawed the surgery leaves the forepaws with post-surgical pain for the rest of the cats' lives. Whatever the problem, Ashley needs gentle, patient treatment to help her recognize that humans really are all right - in fact, helpful and comforting to a lonely and possibly mistreated cat. Might you be her Good Samaritan?

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