Archive: Around Town

October's Star: Mary Searles

: By Janet Keefe; Around Town; | Sep 30, 2005 |

Mary SearlesJanet Keefe and family nominated Mary Searles as this month's Star:

"Mary Searles is a cornerstone resident of Lansing who moved here in 1952 when she married her late husband William. After farming for three decades and raising three children, Mary went back to college, earning an associates degree at TC3. She then began a full time career as a home health aide for Family and Children's Services, which she still does part-time at 73 years old.

"Mary's spends the rest of her time serving some of our community's most needy families as volunteer Director of the Lansing Food Pantry, which is why I nominated Mary to be recognized as a LANSING STAR. Mary has been a volunteer for the Pantry since 1989 and Director since 1994.

"The Pantry is part of a network of food pantries called the Tompkins County Food Coalition. Families and individuals are provided five day's worth of food each month at the program's host facility, Lansing United Methodist Church. The Pantry has grown from serving approximately 100 people each month in 1994 to almost 200 per month last year. Services are provided through the efforts of 100 volunteers and the generosity of area residents, churches, schools, and businesses. Mary also applies for grants each year from the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, The Feinstein Foundation, and the federal government. A majority of volunteers come from the Methodist Church, All Saints Catholic Church, and Grace Baptist Church.

"Mary feels that the greatest needs of the program are space and continuity of funding so that five day's worth of food can be provided every month. When asked why she spends so much time on the pantry, Mary replied that she just likes working with and helping people. She feels that she easily builds relationships with people which, help her understand their needs to offer assistance and referrals. A nice touch that Mary adds to our pantry is providing printed information from Cornell Cooperative Extension about food preparation ideas and proper food handling. Mary tries to promote a balanced diet with creative recipes which are attractive for families and the elderly.

"Truly a STAR.... next time you see Mary please say "THANK YOU" for her ministry, and ask her what you can do to help."

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Lansing Leaders Complete Scouting Class

: By -; Around Town; | Sep 29, 2005 |

This past weekend, 6 members of the Lansing Scouting community completed the class portion of a course in Advanced Leadership and Team Building, as the first steps towards earning their Wood Badge. Michael Coles, Sheldon Craig, Don Hradisky, Marc Stammer, Rick Vaughan and Michael Ziegler each hold leadership positions with either Cub Scout Pack 48 or Boy Scout Troop 48, and were seeking to improve upon their skills and renew their dedication to scouting. Lansing was also represented on the course staff, with John Comisi serving as a Troop Guide.

Taking Care of Business

: By Dan Veaner; Around Town; | Sep 29, 2005 |

Gary Alger has been filling in as Business Administrator for the Lansing School District. He started August 1, 2004 and his last day is Friday (9/30). "He has just been a wonderful addition to the staff and to the business office," said School Board President Bonita Lindberg at last Monday's board meeting.

Mr. Alger has actually held the post longer than the last "permanent " business administrator, who stayed for only a year. He's been involved in construction projects including Phase I of the capital project that is currently being completed. This project included reconstruction of the High School and Middle School roofs, and the re-pointing of the bricks on the 1929 wing of the Middle School. He was involved in purchasing the restaurant property that cut a jog in the district campus.

Superintendent Search Update

: By Dan Veaner; Around Town; | Sep 29, 2005 |

As September drew to a close the School Board proceeded with the "Fast Track" search for a new, permanent school superintendent. As of this writing the Board is close to making a decision. Board President Bonita Lindberg and Vice President Anne Drake conducted a site visit last week and updated the board on what they found. "The next phase is to enter into negotiations in which an offer is extended, and then an appointment will be made at a public meeting."

Note: The Board of Education has announced a special meeting in which they will announce the appointment of a new superintendent:

There will be a special meeting of the Lansing Central Schools Board of Education on Tuesday October 4, 2005 at 7:30 PM in the Lansing High School Library. The Board of Education plans to consider a Resolution for the appointment of an Administrator. There will be a brief Executive Session immediately after the commencement of the meeting. The Board plans no other action to be taken.

Lansing History's New Home

: By Dan Veaner; Around Town; | Sep 29, 2005 |

The area in front of the Lansing Town Hall is slowly becoming a town square. It includes the library and a historical one-room school house. The latest addition to the square is a barn-like building that will be used to hold the Town's historical records as well as provide a place to archive official town records. Lansing Town Historian Louise Bement is looking forward to moving the records in as soon as it is completed.

One room school house (left) and the new historical records building (right)

Students Raise Hurricane Relief Funds

: By Dan Veaner; Around Town; | Sep 29, 2005 |

Three Middle School students attended last Monday's (9/26) school board meeting to report on money they collected for Hurricane Katrina relief. Nina Lindberg and Nicolo Gentile, Student Council Organization (SCO) board members, and Martin Keefe reported they had raised about $4,500 from two fund drives.

Martin organized an "Awareness Bracelet" sale. His mother Janet owns ADminders, a company that produces promotional items to be given away or sold by businesses and organizations. She convinced her supplier to sell the bracelets to the school council at cost as well as to donate 35 cents per bracelet. This was matched by her industry organization.

SPCA Pet of the Week: Perry

: By Allison Veaner; Around Town; | Sep 29, 2005 |

Perry Howdy! My name is Perry. I am an adult neutered male. Sure I look feisty but I’m really a sweet kitty! I am very loveable and a great cat. Please welcome me into your heart and home.

Visit the SPCA Web Page
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Grace Baptist Church

: By -; Around Town; | Sep 29, 2005 |

The lawn of Grace Baptist Church, 519 Ridge Road, Lansing is a restful shade of lush green. The property lines are edged with a wide variety of tall trees. A long and gracefully curving gravel drive leads to the parking lot behind the church, where a double wide building has been installed for use as the pastor's office, a library, conference rooms and social hall.

What appear to be botanical markers discretely placed among shrubs in the well-balanced landscape turn out to be notations telling in whose memory the plantings were made.

Ask IMO

: By Matthew P. Binkewicz; Around Town; | Sep 29, 2005 |

Ask IMO

Lansing's Advice Column

Dear IMO,

My mother recently had an accident with her car. She was backing out of her driveway and hit the side of her house with the rear bumper of the car. In a panic, she shifted into drive and proceeded to run through the closed garage door continuing until she pushed through the back of the garage into the neighbor’s yard. No one was hurt, not even my mother. By the way, my mother is 92 and fiercely independent.

WINNIE'S WAGS AND TALES: Physical therapy II

: By Betty Hegarty; Around Town; | Sep 29, 2005 |

Winnie's Wags and TalesMy name is Winnie. I’m an 8 year-old Bassett hound. Betty Hegarty owns me. As you may recall, last week’s article was the first of three on Animal Physical Therapy. A lot of people don’t know what Animal Physical Therapy is or how it might help your pet. My dog friend, Buddy, had physical therapy after his operation for degenerative disc disease in his back. I learned from watching Buddy regain his mobility that physical therapy really works.

Today we’ll learn about what happened to another dog that needed physical therapy, a white tail deer that needed it, and even a tortoise. I was very surprised to learn that all animals can benefit from physical therapy, even tortoises.

October is Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month

: By Kerry A. Barnes; Around Town; | Sep 29, 2005 |

Adopt a DogIthaca … Help the Tompkins County SPCA celebrate Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month in October by visiting the Dorothy & Roy Park Pet Adoption Center for a new furry friend. All dogs adopted this month will go home with a free bag of homemade dog treats and a stylish TC SPCA bandana, in addition to the usual perks of adopting from our shelter.

The TC SPCA has many breeds, sizes and ages of dogs who are just waiting to join your family. "Only a dog’s greeting can make you feel like one of the Beatles every time you come home," said TC SPCA Executive Director Jeff Lydon. "We have lots of great pets in need of loving homes here, and we help people prepare their home for a new dog."

Homeless Katrina Pets Come to Tompkins County

: By Kerry A. Barnes; Around Town; | Sep 29, 2005 |

Ithaca … Pets made homeless by Hurricane Katrina will soon be arriving at the Tompkins County SPCA. Animals are being brought from a temporary shelter set up in Belle Chasse, Louisiana that is now being closed. We are coordinating our efforts with Dr. Bridget Barry of Meadowridge Veterinary Clinic, who has been assisting with animal rescue efforts in the Gulf area. We have also made space available for animals rescued by North Shore Animal League and Dogs Deserve Better to provide refuge for additional animals.

If you would like to give a gift to help with the costs of transport, medicine, food and shelter for these animals, please send a check to Tompkins County SPCA, attn: Katrina Pets, 1640 Hanshaw Road, Ithaca, NY 14850. Or to give securely online with a credit card, go to our website www.SPCAonline.com and type “Katrina Pets” as the message.

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Lansing Keeps the Home Fires Burining

: By Dan Veaner; Around Town; | Sep 22, 2005 |

At the end of the Vietnam War there were 2,583 missing or unaccounted for Americans missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. For fourteen years area veterans and families of the missing soldiers have staged a commemoration in Myers Park to bring attention to the missing soldiers. People come from all over Tompkins County and beyond. One group comes from Owego every year to celebrate POW/MIA Recognition Day.

Events of different kinds are held on this day all over the United States. But the watch fire in Lansing is a particularly powerful and moving ceremony.

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