Archive: Around Town

Helming Honors Palmyra Woman As NYS Woman of Distinction

: By Office of NYS Senator Pam Helming; Around Town; | May 3, 2019 |

Marya Vande-Doyle (left), Senator Pam Helming
Senator Pam Helming announced that Ms. Marya Vande-Doyle, of Palmyra, has been selected as the honoree from the 54th Senate District for the 2019 New York State Senate Women of Distinction. With her husband, Bill, Vande-Doyle founded The Green Angels, a Wayne County-based charitable organization that supports children and families throughout our region. She was nominated for Women of Distinction by Ms. Tricia Kuntz.

"New York State Senate Women of Distinction provides a terrific opportunity to recognize women whose outstanding work and significant contributions have made a difference through their families, careers, and community service. Marya Vande-Doyle is the epitome of a Woman of Distinction, a transformative leader who is changing lives, and someone who is an inspiration and mentor to the people around her. She is committed to and passionate about serving children and families in need while balancing family commitments and a demanding career. Her work with The Green Angels has left a notable impact on those who have benefited from the organization's generosity. For example, during the Free-Cycle holiday program last year, I met a young woman and her mother who went from being clients of The Green Angels to being volunteers with the organization. That shows that 'Giving Forward and Back' isn't just a slogan for Marya and The Green Angels; it is a way of life as they seek to connect those in need with people who can help meet their needs. Marya is worthy of this prestigious honor, and I am pleased to recognize her as my 2019 Woman of Distinction," Helming said.

Trumansburg Water Clinches Taste Test Top Honors

: By Samantha Hillson; Around Town; | May 3, 2019 |

Nearly 90 people offered their opinions on the taste of water supplied by seven municipal water treatment plants within Tompkins County, with the Village of Trumansburg Water System receiving the highest number of favored votes. The Tompkins County Health Department, in conjunction with the City of Ithaca Water Treatment Plant, held the Tompkins County drinking water taste test at the Ithaca Streets Alive event on Sunday, April 28, 2019.

This friendly competition is put on to recognize all of the water treatment plants for the work they do to provide safe potable drinking water to the residents of Tompkins County.

Pest-Killing Fungi Could Protect NYS Grapes, Apples

: By Lindsey Hadlock; Around Town; | May 3, 2019 |

Cornell University-led research reports that two local fungal pathogens could potentially curb an invasive insect that has New York vineyard owners on edge. The spotted lanternfly feeds on more than 70 plant species, including grape vines and apple trees.

Now, the paper, "A pair of native fungal pathogens drives decline of a new invasive herbivore," led by Eric Clifton, a postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Cornell professor of entomology and co-author Ann Hajek, describes how two unrelated fungi – Batkoa major and Beauveria bassiana – have been decimating spotted lanternfly populations near Reading, Pennsylvania.

IHS Senior Earns Perfect AP Exam Score

: By ICSD; Around Town; | May 3, 2019 |

Ithaca High School senior Rowan Lynch is one of only 16 students in the world to earn a perfect score on the Advanced Placement (AP) United States History Exam last May.

The College Board's AP Program provides students the opportunity to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. All AP courses are modeled on comparable introductory college courses in their subjects and culminate in a standardized assessment, or AP exam. AP Exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, where a 5 is equivalent to a grade of A in the corresponding college course.

Bill Nye To Speak At Cornell Senior Convocation

: By Cornell University; Around Town; | May 3, 2019 |

William S. Nye -- known to millions as Bill Nye the Science Guy -- will speak at Senior Convocation Saturday, May 25, at 12:30 p.m. at Schoellkopf Field during Cornell's 2019 Graduation Weekend.

As a science educator, engineer, comedian, television personality and author, Nye aims to foster a scientifically literate society and to help people appreciate the science that makes our world work. Nye earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at Cornell, and he has visited the university regularly in the 42 years since. From 2001-05, he served as a Frank H.T. Rhodes Visiting Professor.

SPCA Pet of the Week - Princess Moo Cow

: By Adam Kramarsyck; Around Town; | Apr 26, 2019 |

By Adam Kramarsyck

Well hello! My name is Princess Moo Cow. I'm a sweet, older lady who absolutely loves attention. I readily accept petting and kisses from my human friends. I love to help with paperwork, typing, making copies and anything else that keeps me in the action. When I'm not busy helping the folks at the SPCA with their office work, I generally like to nap the afternoon away on their desk. Wouldn't you like to bring me home with you today?

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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ICSD Recognized for Commitment to Music Education

: By Martha Frommelt; Around Town; | Apr 26, 2019 |

The Ithaca City School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) designation from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.

This is the seventh consecutive year that the ICSD has received this designation. The award program recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education

BBQ Pavilion Going Up

: By Dan Veaner; Around Town; | Apr 26, 2019 |

The current barbeque location is across the parking lot from the permanent barbeque pavilion, in front of the Lansing ball fields batting cage

Work has begun on a permanent barbecue pavilion at the corner of the parking lot in front of the town ball field batting cage. The new structure is across the parking lot from the spot where barbecues have been set up for years, closer to Auburn Road. The 48 foot long pavilion will mean chicken barbecues that support a myriad of local organizations will be more convenient, rain or shine.

"You can see there has been motion on the pavilion," said Highway Department Superintendent Charlie Purcell last week. "Hopefully in the next couple of weeks that will all be coming together."

Dryden Rail Trail Wins $1.5 Million Grant

: By Town of Dryden; Around Town; | Apr 26, 2019 |

The Town of Dryden received notice Wednesday that its application for $1.5 million for the Dryden Rail Trail has been awarded through the New York State Transportation Enhancement program. Dryden was one of six successful applicants from the Southern Tier in this highly competitive program.

The funds will be used to construct a pedestrian bridge over Rt. 13 near the Rt. 366 intersection. The pedestrian bridge over Rt. 13 is a vital component of the rail trail project. It has stood out as the most challenging physical obstacle to completing the project. The funding will also be used to finish three miles of trail surface with stone dust to ADA compliance.

Birds Find Sweet Digs In Arnot Forest, Maple Wins

: By Cornell University; Around Town; | Apr 26, 2019 |

Birds and maple syrup share the same critical ingredient: healthy northeastern forests. Every year, millions of birds breed, feed and fledge in the same forests that are tapped for syrup (called "sugar bushes"). As long as a sugar bush stays tapped, it will remain a forest and not be cleared for development. Now the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is partnering with the Cornell Maple Program to help sugar bushes in the Arnot Research Forest meet their full potential for bird habitat, sweetening the deal for birds and for the bottom line in the university's own sugar bush. The understory of the oldest part of the Arnot sugar bush was thinned decades ago and deer have kept the shrub layer from regenerating, says Aaron Wightman, who oversees operations at the forest.

Forest managers aim for an ideal diversity of tree species at a diversity of ages, with layers of branches and leaves at the top, middle and bottom. Without younger generations of trees growing up underneath the canopy layer, the entire forest community faces an abrupt decline when all those oldest-generation trees begin to die.

SPCA Pet of the Week - Nya

: By Adam Kramarsyck; Around Town; | Apr 19, 2019 |

By Adam Kramarsyck

Hi, I'm Nya! I am looking for a home without other dogs (we just don't mesh) and with adult humans. I get very excited when I play but I calm down quickly. I love my possessions a whole lot, so my new family will need to be very aware of that. I'm a smart and sweet girl once you give me a little patience and understanding, just wait and see!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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Interfaith Dinner

: By -; Around Town; | Apr 19, 2019 |

Lansing Schools Receives National Music Recognition

: By Charlie Wildey; Around Town; | Apr 19, 2019 |

Lansing Central School District’s music program honored
Lansing has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.

Now in its 20th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. The award recognizes and celebrates the commitment of school administrators, community leaders, teachers and parents who believe in music education and are working to ensure that it is part of a well-rounded education for all children.

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