Archive: Around Town

By Doug Scott

Hi there, I'm Cricket - a shy, but sweet, 1 year-old lover pup who can't wait to meet you! I love playing, cuddling, exploring the world with my nose, and meeting new human friends. I was surrendered to the shelter, because I kept escaping my yard and my owner didn’t have the time to train me properly. Since I can be a little shy, a home with school-aged children (10+) should be just fine. I love being outside, and with some training would make a great hiking buddy! If I sound like the perfect match for you, come in and say hello today!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

v13i28

Thanks to the recent yogurt boom, New York's dairy industry generates $14 billion a year, with milk sales representing 50% of upstate New York's total agricultural sales.

But a new study, Milked: Immigrant Dairy Farmworkers in New York State, finds that the immigrant workers who provide the milking labor that the industry heavily depends on are themselves being 'milked.' As one worker stated, "We immigrants do the dirty, heavy, and low-paid work behind the gallons of milk that you and your family consume."

An installation ceremony was held on Tuesday, June 13th at 6:30pm at Royal Court Ithaca for incoming officers of the Ithaca Lions Club. Linda Shaff was elected as the club president for 2017-2018. Shaff has been an active member of the Ithaca Lions Club for the past 21 years.

Rich Shaff was elected to serve as the club secretary. The club's vice-president will be Pete Romani. The club's treasurer will be David Makar and the club's membership chair will continue to be Ted Bryant. Dan Weed will serve as club chaplain and longtime members Lions Jim Rider and Niel Massa will serve as tail twisters.

Dear Margaret: If I had a nickel for every time I said or thought, "I should have said…" I'd be wealthy indeed. Why can't I seem to stick up for myself on the spot? Why does it take me, at times, until the next day to come up with an appropriate response? I feel like I lose opportunities to defend my positions and portray myself in a positive light. Is there something wrong with me that causes me to feel tongue tied and unable to give a quick comeback?
Tongue Tied

Workmen were seen raising the roof Monday as roof trusses were hoisted to the top of a 4,000 square foot addition to the Lansing United Methodist Church.  The $1.2 million project will add new classrooms and administrative offices to the building, and free space from the old offices for middle and high school youth events.

Rob Deemer, New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Chairperson of the New Compositions Committee, has announced that Boynton Middle School 8th graders, Max Rubenstein-Miller and Alina Miller will be recognized at the 2017 NYSSMA Conference for their outstanding new compositions for Concert Band and Orchestra.  105 students submitted new works to the committee and the top 14 were selected for performance at the conference.  Rob Deemer, New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Chairperson of the New Compositions Committee, has announced that Boynton Middle School 8th graders, Max Rubenstein-Miller and Alina Miller will be recognized at the 2017 NYSSMA Conference for their outstanding new compositions for Concert Band and Orchestra.  105 students submitted new works to the committee and the top 14 were selected for performance at the conference.  

Alina worked directly with Bill Calhoun to create "Ice and Fire" for string orchestra.  Max worked directly with Gregory B. Rudgers to create "Twilight Forest" for concert band.  Both students were supported by the Gregory B. Rudgers Young Composers Project Scholarships, awarded annually at Boynton Middle School to 4 eighth grade students.

During the first weekend in December 2017, Max and Alina will travel to Rochester, NY, with members of the Boynton String Orchestra and Ithaca High School Concert Band, to perform their new compositions at the Young Composers Concert.  Specific details about the concert will be announced in late August.

v13i28

Washer wenches, the mud pit, the dunking pond and the Field of Honour; the Queen and the Bishop, swordfighting, acrobatics, jugglers, bawdy humor and some seriously intelligent humor – they can all be found at the Sterling Renaissance Festival in Sterling, NY.

It's an hour and a half drive from Lansing, just past where Route 38 ends, almost to Lake Ontario. And it's worth the trip! The Faire opens at 10AM after about 15 minutes of the actors bantering about with the patrons and preparing them for the fun inside. The cannon explodes and the crowd is admitted in delighted anticipation of the day to come.

The Rotary Club of Ithaca announced that long-time member Scott Russell has been named Rotarian of the Year for 2016-17. The award is given every June in honor of an active club member who exemplifies the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self."

Russell was chosen for the honor by outgoing Rotary president Dale Johnson, who said he selected Scott because "Scott celebrated 25 years as a Rotarian on July 1. He was club secretary for many years, having taken over on an unscheduled basis when the then-secretary was unable to continue."

Analyzing pigments in medieval illuminated manuscript pages at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) is opening up some new areas of research bridging the arts and sciences.

Louisa Smieska and Ruth Mullett studied manuscript pages from Cornell University Library's Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections (RMC), dating from the 13th to the 16th centuries, using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and spectral imaging analysis.

Dear Margaret: I’ve been with my boyfriend for 7 months. We enjoy the same leisure time activities, he’s supportive of my career, and conversation flows easily between us. However, I’m beginning to notice a troubling trend in our interaction when we go out with friends and colleagues. It’s hard to explain, but he’s seems to take on the persona of a father figure. It’s possible that he’s always done this and I’m only now just noticing, but I find it extremely annoying. Of course, when he does this, it automatically casts me in the role of a toddler. I find it difficult to call him on it because I don’t want to start an argument in front of people. How can I handle this and save face?
Cast as a Child

Lansing Central School District Superintendent Chris Pettograsso received a #CaringAdult nomination this week.  The Tompkins County Youth Services Department (TCYSD) posted the nomination on their Facebook Page Tuesday, honoring Pettograsso for being available to and serving children.

"Chris works very hard to create a caring community for all students," the post reads. "She personally reaches out to young people with a wide array of needs. She genuinely cares in a very personal way, and will always do what's best for a child. I am struck by how genuine she is and most of her good deeds are done quietly. She never showboats".

By Doug Scott

Are you looking for a fun-loving, happy as can be teenager? If so, choose me! I'm a handsome mixed breed pup and absolutely love playing, cuddling with volunteers, and learning new tricks. I'm an excitable young dog who came in with very few manners, but the trainers at the shelter are teaching me so many fun things! I play well with other rough and tumble dogs, and would enjoy having a canine playmate at home. After a good play session, I love nothing more than to cuddle in your lap. My exuberance for life may be a bit much for youngsters, but high school aged children and older would be fine. If I sound like the perfect package, come in and say hello today!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

v13i27