When Margaret Shackell-Dowell moved to Lansing from South Bend, Indiana, she decided to try an idea that has been very successful there.  Local television station WNDU asked for school supplies for kids in their ten-county broadcast area, and thousands of donors responded.  In the seven years they have sponsored the event the station has distributed over 25,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to K-6th grade children. 

Shackell-Dowell tried the idea here on August 23rd, the morning of Lansing Harbor Festival, and people responded.  "I am just overwhelmed," she says.  "I had a blast doing this, and I really believe that it can help kids get excited and productive for the school year."

Pet of the Week Hey there my name is Giovanni. I am an adult white and brown neutered tabby. I am a great cat who needs a home with a family who will take good care of me. If you think that I am the right cat for you then come and visit me at the SPCA.

Visit the SPCA Web Page

----
v4i34

How many times have you driven by the Federal House and wondered what it looks like inside?  Or gone by the Rogue's Harbor Inn and wondered what the rooms look like on the upper floors?  "People are just dying to have a look around," says Rogue's Harbor Inn owner Eileen Stout.  "They're usually here during dinner and it's busy and all the rooms are full, so I can't show them.  We do a virtual tour on our Web site, but it's just not the same as walking around and looking wherever you want.  So it's really nice to open the place up once a year and let people have a look."

The chance to look will be part of the Local Flair & Flavor tour on Sunday, September 14.  From 2 - 6 pm one ticket will give you the chance to tour nine Tompkins County inns and Bed & Breakfasts, including Lansing's Rogue's Harbor Inn and The Federal House, Ithaca's Thomas Farm B&B, Coddington Guest House, and Bostwick House, and in Trumansburg Taughannock Farms Inn, Juniper Hill B&B, Halsey House B&B, and Gothic Eves B&B.

Ask IMOAsk IMO

Lansing's Advice Column

Email your questions to IMO at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dear IMO,

My desk is always a mess.  I can’t seem to keep the paper from piling up on every available inch.  I even put paper on top of my phone making the simple task of answering it a challenge.  Do you have any ideas of how I might begin to tame this paper tiger? 

Sincerely,

Marilee

"We have every age group, said WHCU's Dave Vieser, about half way through Lansing Harbor Festival.  "We have a youth area.  The music is a wide variety, which I think is so key to making a festival work.  It can't just be one genre of music.  You have to have a lot and that's what we've got.  We've gone to New Orleans, we've gone to Chicago, we're currently out in the country and by the end of the night we're going to be talking politics with the Burns Sisters."

(Clockwise from top left) Angel Tree Farm Alpacas; Crossroads the Clown; The Tops booth in Vendor row (Tops donated the proceeds of their booth to the festival); Dancing to the music.  (Center) Cayuga Radio Group and WHCU's Dave Vieser was the Master of Ceremonies for the festival

Hey there, my name is Romeo, I am a five-year-old neutered male white and tabby mix. I only have three legs but that doesn't slow me down! I am a wonderful cat who needs a great home, so come to the SPCA and see if I'm the right cat for you.

Visit the SPCA Web Page

----
v4i33

As last week progressed unusual inventions permeated Lansing Elementary School.  A chocolate powered car helped stem pollution.  Countless devices for suppressing annoying brothers and sisters were built from the remains of old computers, heaters, and other gadgets.  The water in Sludge City became purer and clearer.  A recycle kangaroo was devised to eat the garbage.  And a trip to Mars required survival environments be developed.

Pet of the Week Hi there my name is Barley. I am a male husky Shepard mix. I am a friendly boy who loves to play. I am a bit older then most dogs here but that doesn't keep me down. I am a lovable bundle of fur who would love to come home with you. I get along great with other dogs and cats but I'm not the best choice for a companion for a small kid. I like to take a leisurely walk every day and love to play and I love an adventure! Come and visit me at the SPCA and see if I'm the right pet for you!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

----
v4i32

Harbor Festival Web Site 'It was a dark and stormy night...'  That is not only the stereotypical beginning of turgid gothic novels, but it also happens to be how Lansing Harbor Festival began.  Last year th this time a freak storm blew tents across Myers park, broke huge limbs off of trees, snapped three utility poles near the Lansing school campus, and blew windows out of the High School.  On that dark and stormy night festival organizers frantically called bands, vendors, town officials, and others to see if there was any way Harbor Festival could occur as scheduled the next day.

When it became clear that it could not, they somehow pulled it together, and with a surge of community involvement, the festival was a resounding success one week later.  People noted that if it had occurred as scheduled the weather would have been in the 90s with high humidity.  The day it actually occurred was much more comfortable.  And this year the forecast is a very pleasant 'Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 80s. South winds around 10 mph.'

After a week of rehearsal Lansing students performed a cabaret Friday night.  Performances featured Niki Triant, Erin Trowbridge, Tricia Miller, Thomas Bong, Richard McDonough, Derrick Ryan, Alex Jouandet , Zach Wilhelm, Casey Phlegar, Elizabeth Clune, Aaron Eddy, Sunah Bong, Susan Lin, Erika Espey-Sundt, Chelsea Weidman, Catherine Barrette, Victoria Pagliaro-Katz, and Nicolo Gentile.  The evening featured song, dance, and an Abbot and Costello comedy sketch.  The grand finale was danced by the entire company to 'Little Shop of Horrors,' choreographed by Jessica Triant.  The number was lively and professional, a fitting end to a delightful evening.

When school starts in September many kids arrive with new backpacks filled with school supplies.  But not every student is able to afford them.  This year Lansing's Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) decided to do something about it.  "I just bought my kindergartner his new backpack and he is so proud of that," says Margaret Shackell-Dowell.  "Every student should feel that."

Shackell-Dowell is heading the 'Pack a Backpack' drive to collect school supplies at Lansing High School on August 23rd.  That coincides with Lansing Harbor Festival, and with the high school parking lot being used for a 'park and ride' access to the festival, she hopes that revellers will stop by between 9:30am to 12:30pm to drop off supplies on their way to Myers Park.

The Lansing School District will suffer a loss today as District Clerk & Secretary to the Superintendent Jodie Rusaw finishes her last day.  Rusaw has held the position for three years, serving Interim Superintendents Tiffany Phillips and Tom Helmer, Superintendent Mark Lewis and current Superintendent Stephen Grimm.  Rusaw was honored at Monday's Board Of Education meeting with testimonials by Grimm, board members, and resident Ted Laux.

We'd like to thank you for all your help and everything you have done for us," said Board of Education President Anne Drake.  "We are definitely going to miss you."

"Jodie was the first person I met coming into the district whether it was on the phone or through e-mail," Grimm said.  "One of the things I was looking at was how the district handles communications.  Everything was first class.  She has represented us very well over the years that she has been here.  A first class district.  I don't think a superintendent could ask for anything more in an employee.  She is a dedicated team player who would stay to the end as long as it takes to get not only the job done, but the job done in an excellent fashion.  Excellence was a standard and that is what she worked for."