Archive: Around Town

Back in the mid-70s when I was a teacher in Pennsylvania, the school and community wherein I taught suffered a terrible tragedy when a local resident passed a stopped school bus as students were exiting. The driver struck and killed a five-year old boy. The trauma of the loss of the child destroyed the lives of the boy’s family, the driver of the car, and the driver’s family. In addition, the trauma experienced by the other students on the bus and the driver himself no doubt remains despite the passage of over three decades.

I describe this event not only to remind drivers of the peril in which children are placed when drivers fail to stop when they observe the flashing school bus lights, but to relay a situation that occurred this year regarding a Lansing school bus driver that can only be described as heroic.

Cayuga Watershed Networks' Sharon Anderson told Village of Lansing Trustees that there is grant funding and volunteer labor to pay for and build a rain garden in front of the Village office on Triphammer Road.  She explained what a rain garden is, and outlined a proposal that would not only create one, but also include an educational component for Village residents.  "One little rain garden in the Village isn't going to do a whole lot," said Trustee Lynn Leopold.  "But if people see this one and catch onto the idea and they all start putting them in on their properties, it can multiply the slowing effect."

June MartinAriel Doan wrote last month to noiminate high school English Teacher June Martin as Star of the Month.  Mrs. Martin is an exceptional teacher who regularly brings authors and literary experiences to her Lansing students.  Here is what two of her students have to say about her:

Ariel Doan
I think that Mrs. Martin, the ninth and tenth grade English teacher, should get Lansing star of the month. She is so nice to everyone, and she has got several authors to come to our school and talk to us. When the last author, Megan Shull, came Mrs. Martin even bought us her book so we could get them signed by Megan. When I tried to give her money to buy the book she told me no, and bought it for me. That is way I think that Mrs. Martin should be Lansing Star of the month.

Mairi Cardone
I nominate June Martin, an English teacher at Lansing High School. Mrs. Martin clearly loves both English and teaching, and is always friendly and kind to her students. Often she will spend her own money to make our day better, whether it's donuts for the first period Sophomores, cookies on your birthday, or books by a visiting author. While she doesn't yell or punish over late and missing work, she makes sure students know it's not OK and helps to make sure it doesn't happen again. Mrs. Martin is a fantastic teacher and will always be a Lansing Star, with or without a fancy award.

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(Ithaca, NY) One year ago, The Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce Foundation held a special tribute concert at Castaways on Friday, May 19th 2006 in celebration of Bob Dylan’s 65th Birthday. The evening was a smashing success as over 350 people attended and over $4,300 was raised for The Cayuga Waterfront Trail.

When you hear the word 'development' it isn't uncommon to think of cookie-cutter homes packed as closely as possible with little parks sprinkled as sparsely as possible.  But one development in the Village of Lansing is breaking every imaginable stereotype.  When the 'Heights of Lansing' is completed it will have 85 town homes and 12 single family homes on the 34 acres.  "I'm going to try not to make it look like a development," says developer Ivar Jonson.  "It will be very Mediterranean.  There will be five single family homes on the circle, and they'll all look Mediterranean on the outside and inside.  This is completely different from what we've done before in Ithaca."

Hi there, my name is Oreo! I am a beautiful gray neutered male who is in need of a great home. Would you please come and visit me at the SPCA.

Visit the SPCA Web Page



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Ask IMOAsk IMO

 Lansing's Advice Column

Dear IMO,

My partner and I often dine out at restaurants that offer senior discounts for dinner on certain nights of the week. There is one waitress that always gives us the discount without asking whether or not we are senior citizens. Although we both have gray hair and might look like seniors, we are not quite of age. Is it our duty to correct the record, and tell her that we do not qualify for the discount? Should we just keep quiet, and let her continue to assume we are seniors?

Phyllis

Dear Phyllis,

Most people would be offended by such an assumption especially when it comes to one’s age. You seem to be flattered that the waitress assumes you are between the ages of 55-116. Senior discounts are nice, and they are one way that stores and restaurants attract individuals to purchase goods and services at a reduced rate.

Mark LewisI sense that May 15, 2007 will long be remembered in the annals of Lansing history as a turning point in terms of educational progress. The majority voting public looked beyond a tough budget year to preserve the quality educational program for the community's young people.

The district's governance dynamic will change as well in the months to come as the voters selected two new board of education members. I have had the opportunity to interact with both Mike Cheatham and David Dittman during my months in Lansing. They are astute, dedicated Lansing residents who will bring fresh perspectives to the board. I wish them all the best as they assume these challenging public service roles.

Pet of the WeekHi there, my name is Slater! I am a beautiful gray neutered male who is in need of a great home. Would you please come and visit me at the SPCA.

Visit the SPCA Web Page



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Where is the missing library card? Who took it, and why? These are the mysteries that magician David Moreland will try to unravel in his “Get A Clue @ Your Library” show coming to Lansing Community Library Center on Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 10 am. The Lansing Community Library Center is presenting the 45-minute show as part of their summer children’s reading program.

Moreland, a magician and actor who has appeared on Seinfeld, Friends, and Will & Grace, has combined magic, comedy, and puppetry into a show that encourages young people to get their own library card and fill their summer with reading. Each summer he creates a new character to tie in with the New York State library reading theme. Last year, he was a scrappy, bumbling pirate for the “Books: A Treasure” campaign; this summer, for “Get A Clue @ Your Library”, he is a silly British sleuth with a mischievous raccoon sidekick.

A few times per year Cornell Cooperative Extension's Linda Schoffel brings staff to keep the Town Board up to date on Lansing Youth Services.  The Town helps fund the program that operates a variety of programs in the Lansing Middle School and a job training program in the High School.  This time in addition to bringing the program managers, she brought children to tell the Board  about the program from their point of view.  "We thought you might like to hear it from kids," she said.