Archive: Around Town

Historic Ithaca Executive Director Susan Holland & History Center Executive Director Benjamin Sandberg
The History Center in Tompkins County welcomed a new Executive Director Benjamin Sandberg.  Sandberg is taking the helm from long time Executive Director Rod howe, who retired from the position to focus on his campaign for Town of Ithaca Supervisor.  

"I'm thrilled to be joining The History Center and its incredible team of staff, volunteers, and board members," Sandberg said. "There are so many powerful local history stories here in Tompkins County with direct relevance to our current lives. I'm looking forward to exploring them with everyone. If you haven't had the opportunity to visit us in our new space in The Tompkins Center for History & Culture, I hope you drop in soon. I look forward to seeing you soon at The History Center in Tompkins County."

Beautiful view, fresh, local cuisine, doing a good deed. All crowned by a double rainbow.  It was a perfect blend last Friday as about 75 people gathered at the Bright Leaf Winery to celebrate their participation in the NY Growing Project.  That project works with Growing Hope Globally to support Guatemalan farmers with training and resources.  Growing Hope Globally Associate Regional Director of Latin American and Caribbean Overseas Programs Alex Morse says it is working.

"In the western highlands of Guatemala 56% of children were malnourished," he says. "After five years of our program we didn't have a single child suffering from malnutrition."

By Adam Kramarsyck

Ever thought of adopting a rabbit? Well, your hop-ortunity has arrived! The Tompkins County SPCA is hopping full of small, furry friends. All ad-hop-tion fees are only $25 for rabbits and other small animals. Don't hesitate, seize the day and hop to it!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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The Tompkins County Health Department urged residents Monday to avoid the risk of rabies and rabies treatment by capturing and submitting for laboratory testing any bat found in their home that may have come in contact with humans or pets. August is the time when juvenile bats begin to leave the nest and become independent, often losing their way to or from the nest when hunting for food. Attics and crawl spaces heat up in the summer months and bats seek cooler locations on the lower floors of the home. This results in more accidental contacts than at other times of the year.

There has been one confirmed rabid bat in Tompkins County in 2019. Rabies is largely transmitted through bites from rabid animals. Bats present an additional concern, because in certain situations a bite may not be readily apparent. This includes bats that are found in a room with a sleeping person or bats that are found in the presence of an unattended child or a person with a sensory impairment, or if the bat comes in contact with bare skin. Bats that have contact with pets that are lapsed or unvaccinated against rabies also present a concern.

The Tompkins County Department of Recycling and Materials Management (TCRMM) announced Tuesday that a new Food Scraps Recycling Drop Spot will open this September in partnership with the Town of Groton.

The drop spot, staffed by an attendant, will operate every Saturday from 9 to 11am at the Town Clerk's Office at 101 Conger Boulevard beginning September 7th. The program accepts all food scraps -- including meat, bones, and dairy products -- as well as food-soiled paper towels and napkins. Coffee grounds, filters, and tea bags are also accepted.

The 3,218 first-year students arriving on campus Aug. 23-24 bring a diversity of experiences, backgrounds and accomplishments to Cornell.

The Class of 2023 includes researchers and entrepreneurs, athletes and musicians, app creators and dairy princesses, dancers and FFA leaders. They hail from every state but Montana, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. New international students represent 39 countries, based on citizenship.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo  kicked off the 172nd Great New York State Fair in Syracuse Wednesday. At the ribbon cutting, the Governor announced a new promotion to further drive attendance at the Fair - anyone with a valid Amtrak ticket dated between August 21 and September 2 will receive a free admission to the Fair by presenting the ticket or receipt at any Fair box office. The Governor and cabinet officials took the train from Albany to the Fair's special train stop to highlight the ease and environmentally-friendly way of attending the Fair by train. Amtrak operates regular eastbound and westbound trains that use the special stop at the Fair. Schedules can be found here. The Governor also announced three new projects aimed at continuing the forward momentum of the revitalization of the Fairgrounds including: GreenFair, an aggressive project to make the State Fair energy self-sufficient; a new, larger Gate 10 to be completed in time for next year's Fair; and the start of Phase 2 of the State Fair access improvement project to make the Fair more accessible for vehicles and pedestrians.     
 
"This is a new and different fair than ever before which is why we are seeing record attendance and it's the third most attended fair in the United States," Cuomo said. "Even if you've been to the fair in the past, this is a different experience after the investments we have made and it is a great economic generator for the entire region. It's also a fair we can be proud of - a phenomenal demonstration of who we are and what we have to offer."
 

By Adam Kramarsyck

Hi, my name is Peggy! I'm so glad to meet you! I absolutely love people and would love nothing more than to be a queen of the household. I do not like other cats, so I’d prefer to be your one and only. It's fine though, as I have such a great personality you won't need anyone else!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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September will be here before we know it, and that means back to school! School supplies, new clothes, and immunizations! School immunizations are important. They protect children from disease and from exposing those who are vulnerable and cannot be immunized.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) developed a scientifically researched immunization schedule that indicates the spacing between doses of vaccines. Delayed vaccination schedules are not permitted under these guidelines. New York State (NYS) follows these national guidelines for vaccine spacing. A full schedule can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html

Jason Moore (left) with James Brown
The United Way of Tompkins County elected Jason Moore, Vice President, Commercial Lending at Tompkins Trust Company, to Board Chair.  Moore has been with Tompkins Trust Company, in commercial lending, for 8 years. His responsibilities include growing and maintaining the Tompkins Trust Company commercial loan portfolio, building and cultivating lending relationships that include real estate developers and investors, agriculture, the energy sector, not for profit organizations, and municipalities.

"Speaking on behalf of the United Way of Tompkins County, our funded and community partners, and my staff team, it is challenging to express the collective appreciation and excitement generated by Jason Moore's election as Chair of the Board of Directors. Jason has been a part of UWTC since his days at Cornell Real Estate, and his service has continued through his time at Tompkins Trust Company. He is a tireless volunteer who leads and inspires by example and an uncompromising ethical and professional compass", said James Brown, United Way of Tompkins County President and CEO.

Diners arriving for a free meal at Loaves & Fishes of Tompkins County in downtown Ithaca this summer have been greeted with a welcome surprise — air-conditioning. For the first time in its 36-year history, the soup kitchen in the social hall of St. John's Episcopal Church has been air-conditioned this summer. The cool air was not only a relief for patrons but also for the volunteers who prepare 140 lunches or dinners each day.

"It has proven to be a godsend during the recent heat," said Rev. Megan Castellan, the rector at St. John's. "The air-conditioning has allowed each guest to cool down, eat and feel like a different person."

Finger Lakes Marine Service celebrated its 65th birthday August 7th.  The Marina opened in the early '50s, five years before Myers Park was established.  The event attracted about 50 people who brought a dish-to-pass.  The marina supplied the sodas and seven local wineries conducted tastings throughout the afternoon. 

"It was a lot of fun. It was old timers," says owner Barry Ford. "There was a man here who has had boats in the marina 37 years, and another who has been here 42 years.  They've seen the transformation."