There was lightning and pouring rain in Meyers Park, but you wouldn't know it in the large pavilion on June 12.  A party was going full swing, with Crossroad the Clown painting faces, stilt walking, lots of food and fun.  Scores of people of all ages had come out to wish Sue Frahm a happy retirement.

"She was the best teacher I ever had," said Aidan Quest, 11.  "She is a wonderful person."  

For 23 years, the last 14 of them in Lansing, Mrs. Frahm has always put "my kids" at the forefront.  She believes in the importance of learning standards, but also believes it is important to conduct additional events that go beyond standards.  She suggested the elementary school's "Grandparents Day," and is responsible for second graders putting on a play near the end of each school year.  She has been seen around town with Lansing Recreation Department's Summer Day Campers in her wake for four summers.

She has hosted an overnight for her class in June for the past several years.  Her students brought sleeping bags and tents for a night of fun and camping in her back yard.  She is also famous for dressing as a ghost on Halloween and greeting trick or treaters from the roof of her house.

Therese Arsenault, a 5^th grade teacher said, "I can only tell you that when I was teaching 4^th grade everybody talked about how they love her.  She really understands children."

Husband Dave Frahm, Superintendent of the Hopedale Free School District near Buffalo, says, "Sue has had a really fulfilling career in Lansing.  She has always felt very supported and has loved her students."

This runs both ways.  "School wasn't fun before second grade, but when I got to her class she changed the whole thing," said Jack Rogers, 13.  His mother added, "Sue got Jack.  She knew what he needed."   

Former Superintendent Ray Buckley told us, "Sue is one of our most dedicated, outstanding teachers.  She loves her work."  Former Elementary Principal Josh Bornstein added, "Sue's the kind of teacher who makes you say

PALS Event Raises Over $4000 For School

Partnership of African and Lansing Schools (PALS) held its "Raise the Roof" event at the Lansing Middle School Friday (6/17). Proceeds from the event will go toward replacing the Mbaka Oromo Primary School roof, one of the two partner schools to benefit from the Lansing/African alliance.

When the evening was done, the event raised $3,980. "And," added Organizer Cindy Van Es, " if you add in the $560 that the Middle School 5th/6th grade US Club donated from the Read-A-Thon, we have $4540 to send to our partner schools." The money will be used to put a roof onto the existing school room as well as to add a new classroom.

SPCA Adoptable Animals at Farmers' Market
 
 
Can't come to the shelter?  Let the shelter come to you!! Dogs and cats from the Tompkins County SPCA will be at the Ithaca Farmers' Market on Saturday, June 25th from 11am to 3pm, looking to find their forever home. 
 
All animals will be spayed/neutered before adoption, are current on their vaccinations and have received a general health and behavior screening.

Jan Nigro Kicks Off Lansing Reading Program

The Summer Reading Program of the Lansing Community Library Center kicked off this morning with a performance by song writer Jan Nigro, known for his band, Vitamin L, and Lansing third graders. The children performed songs that they wrote, accompanied by Mr. Nigro in the Lansing Town Hall.

Susan Rosenkoetter has been busy for several months working on the 2005 Summer Reading Program.  The theme this year is "Tune In @ Your Library."  The program is made possible with Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, awarded to The New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Children signing up for this program are encouraged to read over the summer. Children reading a certain number of books will receive a certificate and prizes at the end of the summer.  Sign-ups will start in June.

A Home Needed for Kenai
 
 
Ithaca ...  "Kenai," the friendly young Siberian Husky with severe knee problems, has come through his surgery with flying colors and is looking for his new forever home.

 Foster Mom Extraordinaire Judith Scarl with Kenai

The Tompkins County SPCA thanks everyone who made a donation to the Angel Fund for Kenai's operation. Kenai is recuperating nicely and is ready to be adopted.

The 5th Annual Student Reuse Project, or SRP, will be holding their super garage sales the weekends of June 18-19 and 25-26, from 9 am to 5 pm each day. Prices will be low.

The Student Reuse Project has been collecting unwanted goods from departing students and sorting them for sale during the two weekend sales in June.

The sales will be held at the former Furniture Works store in the Triphammer Mall on Triphammer Road, near the JoAnn Fabrics store.

Clean Up After the

Sunday School Picnic

Lansing United Methodist Church

The Kitchen Crew (L-R) Nan Mackela, , Mary Adle, Kathy Sharpless, Karen Bishop

Super Saturday was hot, humid and happy as scores of kids played on the baseball fields while their fans cheered them.

With the new Harry Potter book coming, make sure you have a copy. Two copies of Half Blood Prince stolen! July 16th The Mystery continues, are you ready?

Ithaca ...  The Tompkins County SPCA's 17th Annual Dog Walk-a-Thon, held on May 7th, was a great success. The event raised almost $10,000 for the thousands of homeless animals that make the TC SPCA their temporary home every year. 

Erratic Ithaca Weather

High Humidity Requires Extra Care

 

Ithaca.  Although the weather in Tompkins County can be unpredictable, the recent span of humid weather can have a detrimental effect on pets, particularly dogs in cars or chained outside. Pets can suffer brain damage, heat stroke or even death.

To protect your pets, the TC SPCA urges all pet owners to: