July 16, 2025

Behind the Wheel

Cayuga Lake Believed to be Experiencing Lake-Wide Algal Bloom

By Maddy Vogel

The Community Science Institute (CSI) has received dozens of reports of potential harmful algal blooms (HABs) across Cayuga Lake. They stated that the lake is undergoing a large lake-wide bloom event, primarily along its western shore in a Facebook post last week.

“From what we can tell from the reports, it appears there is a contiguous harmful algal bloom (HAB) stretching for miles along the shoreline,” CSI wrote in the post.

HABs, bright green and blue in color with a paint-like appearance, are harmful cyanobacteria growths caused by stressors on Cayuga Lake’s environment. They can

be toxic to humans and animals, with a range of side effects depending on the level of exposure.

The first blooms of the season were reported during the July 4 holiday weekend, later than last year’s early blooms caused by a warmer-than-normal spring.

Dozens of blooms have been reported across Cayuga Lake since, stretching from the northern point of the lake in Seneca Falls and nearly reaching Ithaca. Several of the blooms have been tested and confirmed the presence of cyanobacteria, the toxic bacteria that cause harmful algal blooms.

The presence of a bloom led Taughannock Falls State Park to temporarily close its swimming area to the public last week. A bloom was also reported at the park on Oct. 11 of last year.

While first reported on Cayuga Lake in 2014, the presence of HABs has grown in recent years, exacerbated by rising temperatures due to climate change, along with nutrient pollution from stormwater and agricultural runoff.

CSI, in conjunction with the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network and Discover Cayuga Lake, launched the Cayuga Lake HABs Monitoring Program in 2018, recruiting volunteers to record and gather data on the presence of HABs in Cayuga Lake.

Tompkins County Whole Health is warning the public of the dangers of coming in contact with potential HABs.

“People recreating in and on the water should be aware of the potential for HABs

Continued on Page 19

ON THE COVER:

This week’s issue of the Ithaca Times offers a glimpse into the lives of the drivers that greet hundreds of Ithacans every day. Pictured is Jesa Scott, a long-time TCAT driver. (Photo: Nathan Ellison/ Sun Fellow at the Ithaca Times))

ake n ote

X Vehicle Search Finds Suspected Heroin, Fentanyl, Crack Cocaine

By Lorien Tyne

A vehicle search conducted Wednesday, July 9 by an Ithaca Police Officer and a New York State Trooper found suspected heroin and fentanyl, suspected crack cocaine and more than five ounces of cannabis.

The driver, 48-year-old Ithaca resident Jason Denmark has been charged on four counts: third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal possession

of a controlled substance, criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree and unlawful possession of cannabis.

According to New York State Law, the possession of up to three ounces of marijuana is legal and violation of the law results in a fine.

The Ithaca Police Officer and a New York State Trooper were on a joint Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) detail when they stopped Denmark’s vehicle at about 1 p.m. for vehicle and traffic offenses after witnessing the occupants

“exhibiting behavior consistent with drug dealing,” according to a press release from the Ithaca Police Department.

The stop was made on South Titus Ave. near South Plain St. Following a roadside interview of Denmark and a passenger, a NYSP K9 was deployed and alerted the officers of narcotics in the vehicle. Drug paraphernalia was also found.

Denmark was arraigned in Ithaca City Court by Judge Seth Peacock and was remanded to the Tompkins County Jail with no bail.

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x 1214 larry @ ithacatim

s C ott M anson , a sso C iat E p ublish E r

F r EE lan CE rs : Barbara Adams, G. M Burns, Charley Githler, Ross Haarstad, Steve Lawrence, Marjorie Olds, Henry Stark, Peter Rothbart, and Austin Lamb

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A photo taken of a potential harmful algal bloom on Tuesday, July 8 near Goosewatch Winery. (Photo: Community Science Institute/Thomas Bjorkman)

A potential Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) was reported at Taughannock Falls State Park on the morning of Wednesday, July 9. (Photo: Community Science Institute)

IN UIRING

PHOTOGR

PHER Q A

By Nathan Ellison / Sun Fellow at the Ithaca Times

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: “WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?”

Ithaca Police Increase Enforcement of Commons Ordinances Amid Downtown Business Pressure

By Maddy Vogel

The Ithaca Police Department (IPD) announced it has increased enforcement of the ordinances posted on the Ithaca Commons. This follows a recent city Common Council meeting in which several downtown business leaders called on the city to increase safety measures to protect downtown.

“We have increased focus on the ordinances at the request of the community,” the Ithaca Police Department wrote in a Facebook post.

City code prohibits smoking, sleeping, and the use of bicycles, skateboards, and other wheeled devices on the Commons. Among other limitations, it requires special permits for alcohol consumption and amplified sound.

IPD said that through “recent educational awareness,” it found that most people understand and follow city ordinances on the Commons. IPD also discovered repeated violations of the ordinances — specifically around open container consumption, smoking, and the use of skateboards and bicycles.

“Some of the violations we have addressed have resulted in voluntary compliance,” The department wrote. “However some people continue to disregard the posted ordinances. IPD will be issuing summons for the foreseeable future and

re[e]valuate at a later time.”

As of July 1, the Ithaca Police Department has responded to the Ithaca Commons 222 times this year, according to the community dashboard. In 2024, the department responded to the Commons a similar number of times, with 218 responses across the same period.

During the Wednesday, June 4 Common Council meeting, downtown business owners and members of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) filled the meeting’s public comment section with calls for the city to do more to enhance downtown safety. Nan Rohrer, CEO of the DIA, was among the crowd of speakers.

“Every city faces tough choices, but when you neglect your core, your identity and your economy suffer,” Rohrer said. “Routine tasks like removing graffiti, repairing lights and enforcing basic rules may seem small, but they send a clear message that someone cares.”

In her comments and in an opinion piece published in the Ithaca Times, Rohrer emphasized the business turnover and financial woes that downtown is currently facing.

“Today, we face declining investment, lost businesses and an exodus of residents across all income levels,” Rohrer said to council. “When that happens, prop-

erty values drop, tax revenues fall, and our city’s ability to deliver basic services shrinks.”

Megan Vidler, owner of downtown business Home Green Home, vice president of the DIA board and Ithacan of 25 years, said that throughout her time in the city, she has seen drastic changes in the perception of public safety downtown.

“[...]Everything has changed in the wake of the pandemic,” Vidler said. “The vacant storefronts have opened a niche for general crime and the harassment of passersby. Every day I see conspicuous hard drug use, and brazen, organized, and repeated drug deals. Graffiti abounds and grows; the ground and infrastructure are filthy.”

Several speakers cited the Asteri housing development as a source of increased tension and public safety concerns downtown. Speakers cited a fire that had occurred just days before, later found to be arson, which temporarily displaced residents and sent several people to the hospital for smoke inhalation.

In 2024, the Ithaca Police Department responded to Asteri 707 times. In just the first six months of 2025, that number has already climbed to 804. The building is now the most frequently responded-to location in the city.

Though the increased enforcement of the city’s downtown commons ordinances is not directly tied to Asteri, the announcement comes amid growing concerns from downtown leaders and residents over public safety and quality of life in the city’s downtown core.

“‘Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue’ by The Ramones.”

“‘Tempo’ by SUPXR .”

“‘Eleanor Rigby’ by The Beatles.”

“‘Off the Wall’ by Michael Jackson.”

“‘DIM’ by Yves.”

Nan Rohrer, Chief Executive Officer of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, speaks during the public comment portion of the Common Council meeting on June 4, 2025. (Photo: Nathan Ellison/Sun Fellow at the Ithaca Times)

City ordinances prohibit smoking, sleeping, and the use of bicycles, skateboards, and other wheeled devices on the Commons. (Photo: Nathan Ellison/Sun Fellow at the Ithaca Times)

Winn Takes Second Shot at First Ward Seat on Common Council

By Maddy Vogel

ARepublican candidate announced his campaign to represent Ithaca’s First Ward on Common Council for the second time and will face Democratic nominee Jorge DeFendini on Nov. 4.

Zach Winn — former mayoral candidate, citizen journalist, and the name powering local conservative news blog Ithaca Crime — is once again a candidate for Common Council. He announced his campaign on June 24, the date of this year’s primary election.

Winn is a frequent speaker during the public comment section of local government meetings, primarily at the City of Ithaca’s Common Council and the Tompkins County Legislature.

“Ithaca is dying,” Winn stated in a press release. “Skyrocketing taxes, failed policies, and political groupthink have driven longtime residents and businesses out. I can no

longer stand by and watch it happen. I’m running to give voters a real choice.”

Ithaca’s First Ward covers West Hill, the Northside Triangle, Southside, the West End, the Cayuga Inlet, Nate’s Floral Estates, South Titus Flats, the Rt. 13 Corridor and Spencer Road.

Winn said in a press release that he is a strong opponent to what he calls the “Marxist takeover of the Democratic Party” which he believes is “seizing control” of Common Council and “imposing an extreme ideological agenda on the city.”

DeFendini, Winn’s opponent who previously served in Ithaca’s Common Council in the Fifth Ward, is a member of the Ithaca Solidarity Slate and the former chair of the Ithaca chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.

“Lastly, regarding my opponent in November: Zach Winn is a far-right provocateur, [whose] rhetoric has no place in Ithaca— especially under the Trump admin-

UPS DOWNS&

Ups

On Tuesday, July 15, recently unionized workers at Ithaca’s GreenStar Grocery Store Coop held a press conference announcing the signing of their first collective bargaining agreement with co-op management. Workers originally began organizing a union in the summer of 2024. Between two separate elections, workers had voted 86-14 in favor of unionization.

Downs

Tompkins County Whole Health’s Environmental Health Division (EH) must locate a dog that bit a person on Monday, July 14, 2025, at approximately 1:00 PM, at Dewitt Park (intersection of E. Court St. at S. Cayuga St., Ithaca, N.Y.). The person was bit while walking through the park by a dog who was off leash.

HEARD SEEN&

owners in the city of Ithaca. More specifically, he wants the city to renegotiate its current memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Cornell University as he believes the current MOU “vastly undervalues” Cornell’s obligations to the city.

Winn also said he believes the city is facing a drug crisis, with a rise in the use of methamphetamine and fentanyl. He hopes to coordinate an effort between the city and county governments to establish a secure psychiatric and rehabilitation facility.

In opposition of local efforts to control short-term rentals, impose a $25 minimum wage, and end at-will employment, Winn stated that these are issues outside of the scope of the city. He also believes that the city’s approach to the sanctioned encampment zone needs to be changed with meaningful regulation.

In the past, Winn has been criticized locally for burning a Black Lives Matter flag during a Back the Blue rally in 2021.

In the 2022 special election, Winn launched a mayoral campaign, running against Laura Lewis and Katie Sims to finish an incomplete term of former Mayor Svante Myrick. He was defeated, receiving 8.6% of votes.

In 2023, Winn launched a campaign against Phoebe Brown to represent Ithaca’s First Ward. He was once again defeated, receiving 15.25% of votes.

Just 17.7% of registered Tompkins County voters are Republicans, according to the Tompkins County Board of Elections. In the city, that number is even smaller, at 5.89%. The city’s First Ward has the highest number and percentage of registered Republicans, at 7.63%.

Heard

New York Attorney General Letitia James and 22 other attorneys general sued the Trump administration on July 14 for illegally freezing nearly $7 billion dollars in critical education funding. The U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget abruptly halted funds appropriated by Congress for six longstanding education programs on June 30.

Seen

More than 100 Ithacans attended a Meet and Greet Town Hall at the Southside Community Center on July 13, where New York State Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado talked with residents about the rising costs of housing and healthcare and the Democratic Party establishment's failure to meet the current political moment. Delgado is running against Governor Kathy Hochul in the 2026 Democratic primary.

IF YOU CARE TO RESPOND to something in this column, or suggest your own praise or blame, write editor@ithacatimes. com, with a subject head “U&D.”

municipalities

Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.

Ithaca’s first ward encompasses much of the city’s west side and has the highest percentage of registered Republicans in all of the city’s wards. (Photo: Provided/City of Ithaca)

Zach Winn is a republican candidate for the City of Ithaca’s first ward on Common Council.

(Photo: Provided/Zach Winn)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Public Parks Should Be Accessible For The Public

“Last Saturday July 5th we tried to visit Taughannock state park to do some hiking and kayaking. We were turned away by lethargic state employees with the excuse that the parking lots were full, even though we could see dozens of empty parking spots from the road. When challenged on this, they shrugged and told us that maybe in half an hour they would deign to let us in. The road was choked with 4th of July weekend vacationers who, like us, had had their plans ruined by the apathy of New York State parks and recreation department. This incident is part of a pattern in which New York's gorgeous state parks seem to be increasingly run with the overriding goal of minimizing the workload and responsibility of the people on the public payroll. At the drop of a hat, employees block access and ban swimming and other activities, typically using baroque safetyist excuses. Notably, the number of employees on the premises is

never affected by these bans, and in fact the department has increased its payroll by an extraordinary 40% since 2017, all while New York steadily loses population. This trend sends the message that if one wants to enjoy nature, one must purchase property there or join a private club, since state lands are only available on the sufferance of public employees. It's an ironic state of affairs in a state that likes to think of itself as progressive.” —

Enrique Diaz-Alvarez, Ithaca NY

FLOCK License Plate Reading Cameras Are Spreading

“Last week, five new License Plate Readers were installed in the Village of Cayuga Heights. I asked the Cayuga Heights Police Department about them and was told they are similar to CCTVs, and are a county-wide initiative paid for by a safety grant. I called the Sheriff’s Dept, but got stonewalled and passed around. This is a high-level of surveillance in our sleepy little sanctuary county and it seems a good opportunity for the Press to investigate and report. The Cayuga Heights Police Department clerk told me that the installed license plate readers are Flock Cameras. According to Wikipedia, the company was created in 2017, allows real time monitoring across jurisdictions as well as searches and alerts, uses AI to recognize cars even without a

Continued on Page 16

COMMUNITY

Dewrail Daquan Rockett Comes Full Circle in the Ithaca Youth Bureau’s College and Careers Discovery Program

By Marjorie Olds

Dewrail Daquan Rockett grew up on South Hill raised by a devoted father who was determined that Daquan would take advantage of local programs to succeed in life, whatever path Daquan followed. Working two jobs, Daquan’s dad made sure Daquan spent his unsupervised time at GIAC, where his son loved to play basketball, was close with a fine group of kids, and admired the GIAC staff.

As Daquan was leaving elementary school, about to enter Boynton Middle School, he was invited to join the Ithaca Youth Bureau’s College Discovery Program. After he and his father met with the CDP staff, Daquan wasn’t interested in joining. “I didn’t know kids from rural schools, and I knew a bunch of BJM kids from GIAC, and I didn’t think I needed this program. My Dad did, so I knew he would make me go…I was enrolled in the IYB’s College Discovery Program.”

“During the next six years CDP staff took our group on trips to the Naval Academy, the National Aquarium, and a Hard Rock Café in Maryland. We also spent 7 days on the East Coast hitting Maine,

Boston, and Pennsylvania. We visited colleges and we heard music at IC. We went to Cornell for STEM… If I didn’t want to stick with CDP, my Dad would say ‘I want you to be in this program.’ So, I knew I was going to stay in the program.”

“CDP provided all of us with lots of academic support and long-term mentoring. Many of the mentors were college kids and we had Homework Clubs. Sometimes we did team building activities or would go hang out in a gym…We learned to be respectful of different ideas and views. We learned how to accept people for who they are, as they are...We all get challenged at times. And we helped each other work through hard times.”

Daquan graduated with good grades and was a renowned athlete in several sports at Ithaca High School. He went on and played lacrosse throughout college. Since he and his 20 CDP friends graduated from high school, they have remained in contact with each other and with their IYB leaders.

After college Daquan returned to the Ithaca Youth Bureau to work in the CDP program. Recently the IYB renamed CDP as the College and Career Discovery Program ,

Daquan Rockett plays at a lacrosse game at Onondaga Community College. (Photo: Provided)

Marilyn and Daquan Rockett at Marilyn’s retirement party. (Photo: Provided)

How Preserving Local History Impacts the Future of Democracy

By Chelsea Hastings

Libraries have always existed in the sphere of preservation by safeguarding access to information, gathering resources for current and future researchers. As time has a way of evolving everything, libraries have adapted to meet the needs of our communities through various avenues of service. Far from the stereotypical quiet havens, libraries have become vibrant community centers full of program offerings, literacy support, and technology, alongside their classic book collections. While libraries and their services may have changed, the core of the work they do — preserving access to knowledge and information, and upholding intellectual freedom and privacy — remains constant.

Every librarian, archivist, historian, and preservationist in America will affirm that history is relevant to our future, but it is worth pointing out that today was once that elusive and often undefined “future”. The present heritage of our community is embodied in the traditions, culture, and history we inherited from past generations, and today will form the heritage of our grandchildren. What we choose to protect now will be what survives for them to know, learn from, enjoy, or enrich their lives. Seemingly small decisions, like whether to repair a book on library shelves or to preserve the architectural details on that fixer-upper you just bought, have a butterfly effect on how much, or how little, of our heritage exists tomorrow.

As libraries continue to be the protectors of materials that provide context for understanding our heritage and help us make informed decisions, we can see a shift in the methods used to ensure continued access to information. Historic documents, such as newspapers, provide a snapshot in time of the culture and people of a place. What was important to them? What was happening in their lives? They were creating history. The downside: this history is written on paper that is, quite literally, crumbling.

As many librarians and preservationists will grouse about, many materials are not designed to stand the test of time. Wood is susceptible to rot and invasion by organ-

HOMETOWN

Sports Columnist Steve Lawrence Writes Beyond the Stats

By Austin Lamb

An octogenarian championshipwinning softballer. A mother and daughter who cycled around the 11 Finger Lakes. A four-time World Champion and Olympic medalist wrestler. A Cornell Law student who swam the length of Cayuga Lake.

isms of all sizes. Leather quite literally eats itself due to the process used to tan the animal hide. Paper manufacturing, particularly that for print media like newspapers, has ‘improved’ to be uniform, inexpensive, and efficient, at the cost of longevity. In an effort to preserve these deteriorating materials, libraries are embracing advancing technologies to digitize their collections. This process takes a digital scan of a physical item, like a newspaper, to replace physical use of the item, creating a digital surrogate for use by researchers indefinitely.

The Interlaken Public Library is no exception. Despite a small staff and a 200-year-old building, this rural library makes a big impact. For 65 years, its Maurice Patterson Research Room has provided an impressive research library on genealogy and local history to visitors and residents. Created by former historian Maurice Patterson, the collection has been a treasure trove of genealogy and local history, a special collection expertly crafted in partnership with the Interlaken Historical Society.

In recent years, the library has begun digitizing materials from this collection, making some key items, especially historic newspapers, available and discoverable online. This shift has led to an explosive increase in use since digitization efforts began. As local textile expert Marty Schlabach attests, the online newspaper allowed him to uncover details about a 19th-century rag rug weaver “all from the comfort of my home.”

“My personal research interests include local history, often focusing on an individual or a business of the 19th century and

Those are just a handful of stories sports columnist Steve Lawrence has covered since he joined the Ithaca Times in 1992. For over 1,700 weeks, Lawrence has consistently provided readers a thoughtful, community-centered sports column. He’s watched sports evolve and new sports emerge (Lawrence said he never thought he’d be writing about pickleball or UFC). He’s seen high schoolers he covered become head coaches and athletic directors. He’s written about the children of athletes he watched years earlier.

In an area with several NCAA schools, a prominent junior college, and several high schools, Lawrence has been the one of the few constants in local sports for decades.

Lawrence traces his interest in storytelling to his childhood playing Little League and reading every biography of Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth. He listened to sports on the radio, where he learned how words could paint a picture in someone’s mind. And from his mother, who taught sixth grade in Owego, Lawrence saw the power of a good story. Some of her students, he said, came from large families and were several reading grades behind. Others had parents who were engineers at IBM, working on the Apollo 11 project.

“She used to read intensely to the whole class, knowing that that was going to be the only way some of these kids would ever get that,” he said.

After graduating from Owego Free Academy and attending Tompkins Cortland Community College, Lawrence moved to California for massage school. To stay in touch with friends back home, he would frequently write letters.

When Lawrence returned to the area in 1981, he got a job in Cornell University’s athletics department. While working in the sports equipment issue room in Teagle Hall, handing out towels, he saw

undergraduate Rick Holborow swimming laps in the pool. Lawrence asked Holborow, who is blind, if he counted strokes to know when he’d reached each end of the pool. “No, I just hit my head on the side of the pool and know it's time to turn around,” Holborow wisecracked. They two hit it off, and Lawrence asked the Cornell student if he had ever run. Holborow said he had, but not long distance and certainly not a road race. The two began training at Schoellkopf Field, with Lawrence as Holborow’s guide runner, beginning a partnership that saw the latter win four consecutive United States Association of Blind Athletes 10K titles and represent the U.S. in the marathon at the 1988 Paralympics in Seoul. Lawrence accompanied Holborow on the final leg, the pair running into the stadium and crossing the finish line together, placing fifth overall.

When a professor at the Cornell athletic facilities heard Lawrence recounting his stories of the blind athletes, he suggested Lawrence write about it. Lawrence began journaling and used his contacts in sports media to freelance articles to the Ithaca Times and the now-defunct local weekly The Grapevine. Within a few years, he was the Ithaca Times’ sports columnist.

In a column last year recounting his experience with Holborow at the Olympics, Lawrence wrote, “As for running these days, both men’s hearts say ‘yes,’ but their knees say ‘no thanks.’”

As a sportswriter, Lawrence uses his voice to build community and inform readers. He seeks stories that might

Chelsea Hastings is the Director of the Interlaken Public Library and the Covert Town Historian.

Steve Lawrence has been a sports columnist for the Ithaca Times since 1992. (Photo: Provided)

Stories From the Front Seat A Glimpse into the Lives of TCAT Drivers

By Varsha Bhargava

In 12-hour workdays, Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) bus drivers transport essential workers, relieve students from treks across campus and save the community from long walks in the sun and snow. As cornerstones of the community, these drivers interact with riders from across the county all day long from the driver’s seat.

The Ithaca Times spoke with some TCAT bus drivers to learn more about their lives on and off the road.

JESSE POMPILIO

Sporting mismatched wacky socks and a wide smile, Jesse Pompilio drives around Ithaca in style. The Ithaca-native began driving for TCAT two years ago and he said he has felt fulfilled by the driving job ever since.

Life on wheels is natural for Pompilio, who holds a decades-long passion for skateboarding and has worked in the driving industry for years.

Behind the wheel, Pompilio has driven across the country multiple times, worked for over-the-road companies doing cell tower work, delivered food and

drove taxis before working for TCAT.

“Driving is like breathing,” Pompilio said. “I like moving people around. I like getting people from A to B.”

All the while, Pomilio wears one thing that makes him stick out from the other drivers — his knee-high patterned socks. Every day, he steps into the driver’s seat flaunting two differently colored socks ranging in patterns from Rick and Morty characters, to bacon and eggs, to skulls and crossbones and more.

“I figure if I’m going to wear shorts, I might as well subject people to fun colored socks,” Pompilio said with a smile. “I wear them mismatched just because why not?”

As a bus driver, sometimes passengers regard him as part of the bus, Pompilio said. The best parts of his day — aside from moments of agreeable traffic — are the moments where he can connect with the people who climb on.

“It’s nice to be noticed,” Pompilio said.

JESA SCOTT

An English bulldog and a Cane Corso puppy loudly greet Jesa Scott when she

Donning shades and a baseball cap, Jesse Pompilio poses in front of a TCAT bus.

(Photo: Nathan Ellison/Sun Fellow at the Ithaca Times)

Jesa Scott laughs at the wheel before departing for route 10 around Ithaca.

(Photo: Nathan Ellison/Sun Fellow at the Ithaca Times)

Jesse Pompilio shows off his mismatched socks of the day — sharks on the left foot and anchors on the right.

(Photo: Nathan Ellison/Sun Fellow at the Ithaca Times)

returns home to craft and watch K-dramas after long days of driving.

Like her puppies at home, Scott loves to talk. Her smile widens and her voice brightens when passengers greet her, and she said that talking to passengers is her favorite thing.

“I love the passengers,” Scott said. “I like meeting new people. I like to talk to people, so I’m just silly all the time.”

Scott found her “birthday twin” — a passenger on her bus with the same birthday as her — just by being silly, she said. She shares similar moments with her other usuals, or people who frequent her buses, that make her drives special.

Earlier this year, Scott served on the bargaining team as TCAT workers, represented by UAW Local 2300, negotiated for a fair contract. Drivers and other workers represented by the bargaining team called for increased wages and other measures that would ensure adequate staffing and reduce turnover.

“I feel like people are a lot more vocal,” Scott said. “They feel more seen and they feel like they’ve been heard a little bit more.”

Compassion steers Scott’s personal philosophy as a bus driver. She said she will always help out a passenger who needs it, even if they don’t have their fare.

“It makes life a lot easier when you’re able to communicate with people, even when things aren’t going so great.”

scribed them. The late-night route 90 runs are his favorite because his bus can go from being jam-packed one second to completely empty the next, he said.

“Driving is like breathing.”

— Jesse Pompilio, TCAT driver

Sometimes, she said she jokes with passengers who have misplaced their cards by dramatically saying “Oh my god, what are you going to do?” and then she laughs, reminds them to bring their card next time and lets them get on anyway.

— Jesa Scott, TCAT driver

“I’m not going to make you late to work, I don’t want to make you late to class or wherever it is you’re going,” Scott said. “My job is to get you from point A to point B safely, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

JACOB MARTIN

As a part of the bargaining team, Scott took notes and relayed information back to the drivers. Scott said the decision to ratify their contract in April was a start to things getting better. Even when the union is not actively negotiating a new contract, she said she still tells her associates, “I’m here for you. You can talk to me.”

Former truck driver Jacob Martin made the jump to buses just over a year ago. He has ties in Ithaca as a former student of the New Roots Charter School downtown, but he recently moved back to town from Georgia.

Martin drives route 30 and route 90, or late-night Cornell runs, as he de -

“You’ll never actually know what you’re getting into when you start your day,” Martin said.

All sorts of people board Martin’s bus.

Typical rides can include anyone from college students to people that are just down on their luck, Martin said. Often, he runs into people he has discourse with, but he said it makes the job interesting at the end of the day.

Despite the bumps in the road, people are the joy of the job for Martin. He said he always tries to keep it positive on his bus.

UMD. There, he said he became close friends and teammates with Kevin Plank, founder and CEO of Under Armour.

Bradley said he’s “too old” to throw the football around anymore, but he still travels to Maryland to reconnect with old teammates.

Now, Bradley has driven for TCAT for just over two years, and he said he enjoys the job.

“I just like driving,” Bradley said. “I like interacting with people. […] There’s different scenery and I get to interact with people of all different walks of life.”

“Sometimes you can be the [one to] make it or break it for some people.”

Every day, Bradley wakes up, commutes approximately 35 minutes to work and boards a bus to drive route 32, which goes all the way to the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport from the Ithaca Commons.

— Jacob Martin, TCAT driver

“Sometimes you can be the [one to] make it or break it for some people,” Martin said.

MADISON BRADLEY

At 6 feet and 3 inches tall, Madison Bradley may look more like a football player than a bus driver — that’s because he played on the University of Maryland’s (UMD) football field before he landed back in Upstate New York.

Almost 30 years ago, the Buffalo-native played as a defensive lineman for

Though the drive is “monotonous,” he finds joy in driving and in his interests outside of work, like spending time with his family, traveling and cheering for Lewis Hamilton in Formula 1 races.

“You go home, you decompress, then you wake up the next morning ready to do it again,” Bradley said.

Varsha Bhargava is a news editor from The Cornell Daily Sun working as a reporter for The Ithaca Times through The Sun’s summer fellowship program.

Madison Bradley chuckles during a spirited drive to the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport via route 32.

(Photo: Nathan Ellison/Sun Fellow at the Ithaca Times)

Jacob Martin smiles beside a bus at Green St bus station.

(Photo: Nathan Ellison/Sun Fellow at the Ithaca Times)

Teaching Young People How to Stay Safe

When people think of selfdefense, it’s common to picture a person adopting a certain pose, arms up to protect the body, ready to defend against an immediate physical threat. In reality, practicing self-defense is much broader than that.

Situational awareness, for example, is a learned ability that relies on one’s perception, observation, and preparation. When mastered, it can be lifesaving.

Young people at The William George Agency for Children’s Services (WGA) began learning more about this important aspect of self-defense along with verbal and non-verbal de-escalation techniques thanks to support from a donor advised fund at The Cortland Community Foundation.

or alcohol,” explains Harden. “From the first question, we delve deeper into different areas, such as what are healthy boundaries and relationships and how thoughts and choices can impact situations.”

Harden is happy with initial feedback from the first few trainings and thinks the curriculum is enriched by using real world examples that youth can relate to.

Youth in WGA programs have experienced significant trauma and many gravitate towards familiar environments that are chaotic and unsafe. Understanding this dynamic, WGA’s Director of Special Services, Samantha Harden, LCSW, and Behavioral Health Clinician, Suzanna Condon, LMSW, developed a self-defense training curriculum for youth, consulting with professional colleagues and a retired Police Chief along the way.

Harden says that youth often come to WGA’s campus with little awareness and knowledge on how to accurately interpret their surroundings or identify potential threats. They may think they know how to navigate a tough situation, but they know little about how to avoid such a situation in the first place.

“This training helps them to recognize potentially bad situations and dangerous interactions before they happen,” says Harden.

The first training workshop took place in April with teens from WGA’s Youth Centered Recovery Program. Instruction is designed to occur in group settings so youth can learn from each other’s reallife experiences and perspectives. Sessions start off with a question such as, ‘What does danger look like?’

“We want young people to understand there are levels of danger and that danger can escalate quickly by things that are in and out of their control. It’s not always easy to detect a potentially dangerous situation, especially if you’re with someone you think you can trust or your awareness has been impaired due to drugs

“Everything went well [in the first sessions]. Overall youth were engaged and receptive. We focused heavily on situational awareness. They were able to process a lot of past situations that were risky or ended poorly, which I think was really helpful for them to realize how their decisions and substance use affected their engagement in their communities.”

Training covers many ways youth can defend against potential threats without physical force. These include proactively thinking about how to stay safe in different kinds of environments, watching for cues like changes in someone’s tone or body language, avoiding distractions like scrolling on the phone or using headphones, and identifying entries and exit routes in unfamiliar spaces.

Youth also learn that safety begins with them and that their feelings and perceptions can be powerful influencers. Learning to trust their intuition is important, especially for youth who experience low self-esteem.

“The way this customized training highlights situational awareness and personal intuition as part of self-defense is powerful. It can truly help every one of our program participants build awareness, make safer choices, and navigate their worlds with greater confidence,» says Helen M. Hulings, Executive Director of The William George Agency for Children’s Services. “We’re grateful for the support that inspired this important learning opportunity and for how it will enhance the personal safety and well-being of the youth we serve for years to come.”

The William George Agency for Children’s Services is committed to providing a safe and caring residential environment supported by proven, therapeutic, clinical and medical care for at-risk youth. For more information, visit www.wgaforchildren.org.

• CFCU Community Credit Union Transforms into Beginnings Credit Union

• City Seeks Input from Business Owners & Managers

• Community Invited to 2nd Annual SouthWorks Open House

Relocated by County’s Plans for Permanent Shelter, Found in Ithaca Eyes Bigger Future at Southworks

By Shubha Gautam

Selling a variety of furniture, jewelry, art and ephemera, Found in Ithaca houses a tasteful arrangement of handpicked antique and vintage items from its 45 dealers. Although currently located in a 7,000 square-foot former factory at 227 Cherry St., the business will soon move to 620 S. Aurora St.. Its present space will house a permanent county homeless shelter. When current owner Vanessa Weber learned that Found was up for sale last March, she said she “jumped at the opportunity” to buy it. For 15 years, the business has provided the Ithaca community with affordable furniture and decor from its rented Cherry Street location, but Weber said she could not afford to buy the property. So, when Tompkins County bought the site, the acquisition did not come as a surprise to her. Although disappointed to be moving locations, Weber said she

welcomes the county’s mission to turn it into a homeless shelter.

According to Weber, since Found’s new location is still under construction, the county set up a six-month lease with the store that has since been extended. While the tentative time for opening their new location is still up in the air, Weber expects it to be during the fall or early winter of this year.

“We've been really on the hunt since day one [...] to find a new location,” Weber said. “And let me tell you, it is a challenge in Ithaca to find spots. I love Ithaca, but it's an expensive place to be, and there were very few places that we could afford, [...] [that] were big enough [and] had parking. Southworks was one of the very few — if pretty much the only — place that sort of met our needs.”

Found’s new location is the former Morse Chain building, a historic manufacturing complex set to be repurposed into a

commercial and residential neighborhood called SouthWorks. It is located behind Ithaca College and the South Hill Business Campus.

227 Cherry Street Turns Into an Accessible Emergency Shelter

After examining over a dozen locations, county officials announced in November their intention to buy the Cherry Street property and turn it into a long-term emergency shelter. The county legislature finalized the acquisition of the one-acre property in Ithaca’s West End on Dec. 3. Tompkins County, MM Development Advisors and other organizations are working together to develop the property’s two structures and develop an accessible, low-barrier facility that could serve around 100 community members experiencing homelessness. Hundreds experience homelessness annually in the county, and its “outcomes

are worse for young people, people of color, people with disabilities and people experiencing mental health crises,” according to Tompkins County. The county is financially apt to strengthen and grow its shelter system, and over one million dollars was spent to purchase the Cherry Street property.

The site is located near several homeless encampments and homeless support providers, as well. District 1 legislator Travis Brooks, whose jurisdiction includes the newly acquired property, said it’s important to have resources available in one central area.

“When people are struggling, they don’t want services scattered all around the community; they want to be able to get help when they’re ready,” Brooks said. “I see a future where we can do that, bring support for people without a place to call home into a more central area, while we

Found in Ithaca has operated from its warehouse on Cherry Street for the past 15 years. Later this year, it will move locations to SouthWorks.

(Photo: Nathan Ellison/Sun Fellow at the Ithaca Times)

Hosting items from 45 different vendors, Found sells various antique and vintage pieces curated to the Ithaca community. It hopes to serve more vendors at its new location. (Photo: Nathan Ellison/Sun Fellow at the Ithaca Times)

CFCU Community Credit Union Undergoes Rebrand, Becoming Beginnings Credit Union

By Shubha Gautam

After 72 years providing financial services to over 77,000 members in upstate New York as CFCU Community Credit Union, the cooperative officially renamed itself to Beginnings Credit Union on July 1. Although the rebranding will come with a new logo, website, and advertising, members of the credit union will not experience any changes to their services.

The meaning of “CFCU” has changed several times over the decades, and the cooperative said that this has caused confusion and diluted the brand image. The acronym originally stood for Cornell Federal Credit Union, as the company began serving only employees of Cornell University. In 1997, it renamed itself to Cornell FingerLakes Credit Union after adopting a New York state charter. In 2003, after receiving a community charter from the Tompkins and Cortland counties, it became CFCU Community Credit Union.

The credit union hopes the latest name change will relay a unified image and express its commitment to providing financial opportunities to people at any stage of life. Lisa Whitaker, president and CEO of Beginnings Credit Union, thinks the rebrand will express the cooperative’s value more effectively.

“The name Beginnings reflects our commitment to supporting members as they

FUTURE AT SOUTHWORKS

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hopefully make a dent and reduce the number of people who are homeless and in our system.”

FOUND Prepares for New Location, Plans to Expand

Moving locations for a business comes with some anxiety, Weber said, as you have to rely on having a strong customer base that will continue to seek your services at your new site. But although the move will be a “hassle,” she admits that the current warehouse is not ideal. The building is dusty, cell reception is poor,

pursue their goals—helping them realize all that’s possible—and confidently begin their journey, wherever it may lead,” said Whitaker in a press release.

The credit union’s board of directors and leadership team drove the decision to rebrand. The bodies recognized the need for a new image that reflects Beginnings’ “inclusive, forward-thinking” values and opens the cooperative up to future growth, according to Blixy Taetzsch, chair of the board of directors.

Katie Foley, vice president of marketing and sales at Beginnings, said in a press release that the aesthetic rebrand of the credit union’s 17 locations began in April, when the tentative decision was first announced.

The credit union is also working on expanding its digital resources through the Beginnings app, previously known as CFCU More. Currently, the app’s functions remain the same as before, but its design will change to match the rebranding.

Foley, Taetzsch and Whitaker all expressed excitement about the new era of the cooperative. Beginnings is looking forward to supporting the credit union’s members through the rebranding process and beyond, Foley said.

“This entire process has been a rewarding one to be a part of, and I’m so excited to see the reaction we’ll get from our members and our communities,” Foley said.

and the roof leaks from new spots with each rainfall.

Found’s soon-to-be home will be almost three times the size of its current location.

Weber said the 20,000 square feet will not all be used for retail, and that she is looking for local artists and musicians to rent the space for studios. But she said she is also looking to increase the number of vendors she hosts.

“I’d love to give [vendors] the floor space that they have been asking for for years,” Weber said. “The nice thing about Found is that I think we’re beloved enough by the community [...] that our vendors do well for the most part. We try to keep the commission low, so they’re really taking home most of what they sell. [...] I’d love to expand to include more people, and then

just keep doing what we’re doing and not really change the model, [which primarily sells] affordable, beautiful, well-finished, well-curated [and] reused objects.”

In the meantime, Weber is getting ready for yet another addition to her business. Within the next two weeks, she plans to launch Art and Found, a store that will act as an extension of Found but with a greater emphasis on art, with both contemporary and vintage pieces from local artists. It will be located in Dewitt Mall between Pastimes Antiques and Treasures and Moosewood. She hopes to display pieces that get lost on the walls of Found while also supporting her partner’s brother’s dream of opening an art gallery. Art and Found will open in the next two weeks. Found will remain conducting

business as usual on Cherry St. until a few days before the move this fall. Weber said her mission is to curate products for the Ithaca community, and the coming additions will help her reach that goal.

“I think something that sort of sets us apart is we’re not only reselling these really beautiful and sometimes iconic pieces of furniture and art decor affordably, but [that] most of my vendors [sell] finished pieces,” Weber said. “So they really save a lot of our Ithaca furniture stock from landfills and just sort of keep things in the community and keep the community in style.”

Shubha Gautam is a senior writer for The Cornell Daily Sun and is working as an intern this summer at the Ithaca Times.

Shubha Gautam is a reporter at the Ithaca Times through the Cornell Summer

Experience Grant and a senior writer at The Cornell Daily Sun.

The Beginnings’ leadership team celebrates the rebrand. From left to right: Cathy BensonAloi, chief lending officer; William Crane, chief production officer; Mallorie David, chief people officer; Paul Kirk, chief operations officer & chief financial officer; Lisa Whitaker, president and cEO; Eliza Mulhern, chief risk officer and general counsel. (Photo: Provided)

City Seeking Input from Business Owners & Managers

The City is seeking input from local business owners and managers to help guide the creation of its Economic Development (ED) Strategy. The survey also aims collect general input on the business climate in Ithaca and local business needs. The ED Strategy will be action-oriented, with prioritized steps that the City can take in the next several years to help achieve its economic development vision. If you own or manage a business, we would love to have your response to this online survey. The deadline to respond is August 4th.

Questions? Reach out to Tom Knipe, Deputy Director for Economic Development, tknipe@cityofithaca.org; (607) 274-6554

SouthWorks Announces Incoming Businesses; Invites Community to 2nd Annual Open House

I THACA, N.Y., Date — On Tuesday, August 12th from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., SouthWorks will be hosting its second annual open house, with opportunities for com-

munity members to learn about the project, tour the site, and meet incoming businesses. No appointment is necessary, though RSVPs through this form are appreciated. Site tours will run every hour and closed-toed shoes without heels will be required to attend the tour. Former employees are encouraged to sign up to share their stories to help carry the site’s legacy into the future of the campus. RSVP here to attend the Open House.

The Site

SouthWorks is a 95-acre site at 620 South Aurora Street in Ithaca, New York. Once home to Morse Chain and later Emerson Power Transmission, it has been vacant since 2012. Over the past decade, significant remediation has been conducted, bringing the site in compliance with NYS DEC residential standards. Now

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Providing Property and Casualty Insurance for homes and businesses represented by a network of over 400 independent agents throughout New York State.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

continued from page 13

in redevelopment, the site will feature over 800,000 square feet of commercial space throughout the adaptively reused historic buildings and about 1 million square feet of new construction, predominantly residential.“We’re excited about the dynamic mix of uses planned for this site, from apartments and restaurants to manufacturing,” said Development Project Manager Robert Lewis. “We’re especially thrilled to welcome Found, who are poised to bring fresh energy and new life to SouthWorks.”

America’s First-Ever National Semiconductor Technology Center Officially Opens At Albany Nanotech

Following years of relentless advocacy for the Capital Region, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer today cut the ribbon for the grand opening of America’s first-ever National Semiconductor Technology Center at Albany NanoTech, created by his CHIPS & Science Law. Schumer said this major milestone firmly establishes Upstate NY as the heart for America’s semiconductor research and manufacturing, with Albany and the Capital Region as the home for this first of its kind national lab with the most advanced chip making machinery that will bring together the nation’s top industry leaders, universities, innovators, and entrepre-

neurs under one roof to ensure the future of innovation in chipmaking happens here in the U.S.A.

“America’s first-ever National Semiconductor Technology Center is open for business! Today, the eyes of the world turn to Albany and Upstate NY as the next frontier where the scientific and engineering breakthroughs in chipmaking that we cannot even fathom today will happen. The ribbon cutting for this facility will be heard like a sonic boom and make it clear that America will lead the future of semiconductor technology,” said Senator Schumer.“This is the day I long envisioned when I created the NSTC program in my CHIPS & Science Law. This facility will allow the nation’s top scientists, universities, and companies to access the most advanced machinery in the world for developing microchips. It is the start of a historic new effort by the federal government to ensure the next generation of microchips will be developed here in America, here in the Capital Region, not in China, not overseas. Today, we help usher in America’s next era of chip research and manufacturing, with Upstate NY leading the way.”

The new EUV Accelerator at Albany NanoTech is a CHIPS for America flagship facility and will allow researchers to work together to develop more advanced semiconductor technology for commercial use. In addition to state-of-the-art EUV technology, the new EUV Accelerator includes collaboration space and resources for NSTC partners, dedicated onsite Natcast offices and staff to support NSTC members, support for programs to grow the workforce, and more. Today’s ribbon cutting signifies that the facility is now open and ready to support the needs of NSTC members and collaborators. The EUV Accelerator is currently accepting project proposals after first beginning operations on July 1, 2025.

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Welcoming Gastroenterology Associates of Ithaca to the Guthrie Family

We are proud to officially welcome Brent Lemberg, MD, Adam Riordan, MD, Paige Robinson, MD, and the entire staff of the former Gastroenterology Associates of Ithaca to Guthrie. Patients will continue to receive the same exceptional care from the providers they know and trust at the same convenient location: 2435 N. Triphammer Road in Ithaca.

Together we’re combining expertise and resources to deliver enhanced gastroenterology care for our community.

Visit www.Guthrie.org to learn more about our expanded gastroenterology services.

REACH FAR! REACH FAR!

ITH ITH

Ithaca Tompkins Ithaca Tompkins International Airport International Airport

From hassle-free parking to friendly staff, we're here to make your journey a breeze. Fly wITH us and see the difference!

Guthrie Gastroenterology

license plate, and according to the company website, cannot be used to track speeding.

Ithaca News Must Reflect the Real

Story—Not Just the Convenient One

“To live in Ithaca is to live among stories that rarely get told. While our local outlets spotlight a Councilperson’s unpaid fine, deeper systemic issues go unexamined. Evictions are carried out quietly, families displaced without context, and housing nonprofits operate with tangled webs of LLC affiliations that shield them from accountability. These are not fringe concerns—they are the daily reality for many in our city. Through recent investigations, we’ve uncovered alarming overlaps between INHS and various LLCs—financial structures designed to obscure responsibility and deflect public scrutiny. Yet the media response? Slow, minimal, or missing entirely.

Where is the coverage when tenants face retaliation, when support requests vanish into bureaucratic silence, when court filings and FOIL requests reveal patterns of neglect?

Ithaca is not lacking in stories. It’s lacking in editorial courage.

Our local press should serve as the mirror in which a community sees itself— housing struggles, economic injustice, policy inaction, and the resilience of everyday people demanding better. Instead, we get delay, selective amplification, and a narrow lens that consistently misses the pulse of this town.

This is a call for better journalism. Journalism that reflects the power dynamics beneath the surface. Journalism that asks hard questions. Journalism that listens when a tenant says, ‘I’m being pushed out.’”

— Shivonne Smith, Ithaca

NY

Sen. Schumer Responds to Trump Defunding Public Broadcasting

NOTE: Ithaca’s local NPR affiliate, WSKG, which provides news cover-

age throughout New York’s predominantlyrural Southern Tier Region is facing a loss of $1.3 million as a result of President Trump’s decision to revoke funding from public radio and TV stations.

“Our public TV and radio stations are the glue that keep so many of our communities connected & informed across Upstate NY and targeting them for radical funding cuts hurts all of Upstate. PBS and NPR and others are more than stations, they are a public service networks providing life-saving emergency alerts, educational content to children, and so much more at no cost. But right now, the GOP’s devastating proposal to claw back federal funding for our public TV and radio stations could devastate these vital services, ripping away millions leading to layoffs and cuts to beloved programs. Like so many New Yorkers, my daughters grew up watching Sesame Street. I know the tremendous value public media provides. Rescinding this funding would take away the programming people love and isolate Upstate NY’s rural communities, jeopardiz-

ing their access to information they rely on every day. I will be leading the fight to save public media in the Senate and we need all New Yorkers and Americans to make their voices heard to protect this essential public service.” — Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY)

Info To Protect Your Dog Harmful Algae Blooms

“Dogs and Harmful Algal Blooms: Information Update from NY Sea Grant. New York Sea Grant has published a newly-revised “Protect Your Dog from Harmful Algae” brochure, freely available at nyseagrant.info/dogsandhabsbrochure, with the signs of harmful algae in waters from small puddles to large lakes, indications of harmful algal blooms (HAB) poisoning that may be immediate or delayed, tips for reducing risk of exposure, pet emergency hotlines, and state websites for reporting impacted waters.” —

Kara

Dunn, New York

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to expand the options for young people who want a background in the trades. On November 11, 2024, Daquan was appointed Interim Director. In March of this year Daquan was selected to serve as director of the College and Career Discovery Program. He has come full circle.

“Being in the CDP for six years helped me develop the self-discipline needed to achieve good grades and excel at sports. It also helped me become aware of other people’s perspective, since I got to know people from very different walks of life. 21 of us started out as 6th graders. We went on to high school and we were together for trips and

BUSINESS BRIEFS

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Guthrie Cfo Recognized Among Becker’s 2025

“Hospital And Health System Cfos To Know”

SAYRE, Pa. — The Guthrie Clinic is proud to announce that Chief Financial Officer Matthew Huff has been named to Becker's Hospital Review's 2025 "Hospital and Health System CFOs to Know" list. This prestigious recognition celebrates financial leaders who excel in strategic planning, operational efficiency and advancing the mission of their organizations. This honor reflects Huff’s commitment to Guthrie’s financial stability and growth

tutoring, concerts, and classes. We had each other as we each worked through hard times and problem solved. We are friends for life.”

“What we had in common was that we learned the steps to being responsible for our schoolwork, and we learned how to communicate with all different kinds of people. We learned how to be open to try new things.”

I became close friends with kids very different from me and have great memories. And when we hit a rough spot we have each other to keep us on the right path as we navigate the world.”

“Soon we will be inviting 21 6th graders headed toward Boynton, Dewitt, and LACS to join the Ithaca Youth Bureau’s College and Career Discovery Program�

We will invite our new members to attend a lively 3 week camp at the Ithaca Youth

while prioritizing exceptional patient care. Under his leadership, Guthrie has maintained fiscal responsibility, supported innovative initiatives, and reinforced the organization’s ability to meet the evolving needs of the communities it serves.

Dr. Edmund Sabanegh, President and CEO of Guthrie, shared his thoughts on this remarkable achievement, saying, “We are incredibly proud of Matt for this well-deserved recognition. This honor is a testament to his tireless dedication and the significant contributions he makes to our organization every day.”

Becker’s Hospital Review's annual "CFOs to Know" list highlights finance executives who spearhead meaningful changes

Bureau. We will swim often (Cass Park, Alex Haley Pool, Taughannock and all the nearby State Parks). We’ll do fun teambuilding activities and dine in different college dining halls, and do some cooking with the Cornell Nutrition Project at Cornell. We’ll hike at Watkins Glen and Fall Creek Falls. We always have fun making tie-dyed t-shirts at IYB, and we have the IYB Rental Bikes for our bike riding trips.”

“Once in, our IYB CCDP Team will be there for these 21 6th graders as they transition from elementary to middle to high school. No matter whether they want to learn a trade in culinary, mechanics, media/tech, welding, nursing, cosmetology, or go on to college, College & Career Discovery Program will be a foundation for their next path.”

WE THE PEOPLE

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early 20th century. I utilize a wide array of information resources to learn about the people or businesses I am documenting, and newspapers from the period are a favored source. One of the enhancements when using digital newspapers is that the researcher can search for names or other words and locate them within many years of published text, rather than having to browse through all those pages hoping to find relevant information”, said Schlabach. Leveraging modern search tools, researchers such as Schlabach can quickly access information, no longer limited to library open hours or equipment availability. Looking ahead, efforts are underway to add the Ovid Gazette newspaper, with 35,000 pages dating back to 1821, to the Interlaken Public Library’s digital collection later this year. Projects like this are key to preserving information and keeping our history alive, with libraries acting as dynamic guardians of our past and present. By blending their role in preservation and intellectual freedom with modern innovations like digitization, our histories remain vibrant and accessible for the future.

and strengthen the operational frameworks of hospitals and health systems across the country. This recognition underscores Guthrie’s continued commitment to excellence, innovation and community impact.

Chelsea Hastings is the Director of the Interlaken Public Library for the Village of Interlaken, New York. She also serves as the Town Historian in Covert, New York and is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Guthrie Clinic’s Chief Financial Officer Matthew Huff was named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2025 “Hospital and Health System CFOs to Know” list. (Photo: Provided)

“Waitress” Serves Up a Slice of Sweet Southern Charm at Hangar Theatre

By Barbara Adams

Musicals based on popular films often have mixed success. But in the case of “Waitress,” the 2007 film about a diner waitress in a small Southern town who’s trapped in a miserable marriage, the musical — currently delighting audiences at the Hangar — is possibly even better than the movie.

The original magic comes from Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter-actor Sara Bareilles, who adapted Adrienne Shelly’s filmscript for stage in 2015, writing the music and lyrics (and even briefly playing the lead, Jenna). With a book by Jessie Nelson, this production was also notable for its rare all-female creative team, including director and choreographer. The Hangar follows suit, with Shirley Serotsky directing, Aimee Rials choreographing, and women designers on set, sound, lighting, and costume design.

Deb Sivigny’s wide set puts us right in Joe’s Pie Diner, complete with counter and table seating and steel storage carts being whisked about. The job offers a second home to Jenna, the gifted if self-deprecating baker who invents a new pie every day (all creatively named, like the “Self-Pitying Loser Pie” and “Betrayed by My Eggs Pie”). She shares the job with her friends, waitresses Dawn and Becky. When Jenna finds herself unwillingly pregnant and despairs, the women buoy her up. She also gets surprising support from their grumpy boss, Cal, and the crochety elderly owner, Joe, the

diner’s most demanding customer.

Jenna loathes her husband Earl, a childhood beau who’s grown into both a brute and needy baby. When she meets the new gynecologist in town and (spoiler alert), they fall into a torrid affair, she has a few months to figure out how to unstick her impossibly stalled life. Will she leave Earl? Enter the piemaking contest and win big? Open her own pie shop? Ever have a maternal feeling?

If the film was charming, the musical is equally so — and far more funny. That’s partly thanks to Serotsky’s resourceful staging, Michael Cassara’s inspired casting, and the sparkling cast. As Jenna, Emily Kristen Morris is dynamic, both personally and vocally (especially in the ballad, “She Used to Be Mine”). Beyond Jenna’s tidy uniform and lively blond ringlets, she conveys a complex woman hemmed in by life. Watching her Jenna evolve is a good part of the pleasure of this production.

While Emily anchors the show, those around her are equally well characterized: Timid little Revolutionary War reenactor Dawn (a cute Jordan Hayakawa), bold and ballsy Becky (a powerful Nattalyee Randall, whose solo, “I Didn’t Plan It,” brought the opening night’s audience to their feet mid-show). Appearing in memory is Jenna’s mom, who taught her to bake (quietly played by Mary Malaney).

And for such a woman-affirmative show, the men, as delivered here, are irresistible: Greg Bostwick’s finicky codger, Joe, is superb;

“Waitress,”

book by Jessie Nelson, music & lyrics by Sara Bareilles. Directed by Shirley Sertosky. Musical direction by Jeremy Pletter; choreography by Aimee Rials.

At the Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca.

Nightly through Saturday, July 19, Wed-Sat at 7:30 p.m., with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on July 19.

Tickets online at boxoffice@hangartheatre.org or call (607) 273-2787.

Nickolaus Colón’s moody Earl is perfect — insidiously abusive yet attractive. As Dawn’s undauntable squeaking suitor, Ogie, Nick Petrelli is every bit as eccentric an elf as you can imagine. (All these portrayals echo their film versions, yet freshly.)

As Cal, Anthony Cataldo is textbook greasy spoon manager: tall and hirsute, sporting bandana, tank top, and overgrown sideburns and moustache. His very walk captures the tough guy hiding his tenderness. Dr. Pomatter, the bumbling gynecologist who finds Jenna’s pies orgasmic, is Steven Grant Douglas, who gets to play his part far more comically than Nathan Fillion did in the film.

In fact, Douglas has some outrageously funny slapstick moves — check that running straddle onto the gyn exam table (matched by Jenna’s). The sorrow of stuckness may be central to this story, but so is the joy of sex, and there are three couples here just reveling in it.

Lust aside, the characters’ clever banter (delivered in comfy Southern accents) and their easygoing community are absolutely inviting. Even the customers add to the mood, with choreographer Aimee Rials modeling their movements. Sara Gosses’ lighting shapes the space and atmosphere, especially with gentle rays of light. Checked aqua uniforms and neat aprons are just some of Johnna Presby’s spot-on costumes. And Jeremy Pletter’s orchestra handsomely serves the singers in 22 catchy numbers, from “It Only Takes a Taste” to “Contraction Ballet.” (And speaking of that, the plethora of convincingly pregnant women, seldom seem onstage, is gratifying.)

If the show’s ending is a bit too apple-pie (doting motherhood trumps all), the rest of this splendid production is wonderfully entertaining, and dare I say, unmissably delicious.

Barbara Adams is a regional theatre and arts journalist and retired professor of writing, Ithaca College.

& Entertainment

In The Hangar’s production of “Waitress,” Jenna, alongside Dawn and Becky, navigate the challenges of love, friendship and self-discovery while working at Joe’s Pie Diner. (Photo: Provided/Rachel Philipson)

Emily Kristen Morris shines as Jenna in The Hangar Theatre’s production of “Waitress.”

(Photo: Provided/Rachel Philipson)

GrassRoots Festival Kicks Off its 33rd Year with Blend of Familiar Favorites and Fresh Sounds

By Maddy Vogel

This week, nearly 80 locally and nationally-recognized musicians and bands will come together in Trumansburg to perform at one of the most beloved festivals in the Finger Lakes region. The 33rd annual Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance will return to the Trumansburg fairgrounds from Thursday, July 17 through Sunday, July 20.

Lasting four days, the festival has five different stages, encompassing a diverse lineup of artists in various genres. Performers such as Donna the Buffalo, Lukas Nelson, Lucias, Cimafunk, Sierra Hull, and

GrassRoots Festival has attractions for all ages; in addition to the music and vendors the event has a designated kids’ area and kids’ activities. (Photo: Casey Martin/Ithaca Times File)

several others are on the lineup for this year’s festival.

Artists known for their local recognition who will bring their talents to the Grassroots stages this year include Maddy Walsh & The Blind Spots, Gunpoets, Cast Iron Cowboys, Vicious Fishes, and Fall Creek Brass Band, among many others.

The “roots” of Grassroots span back to 1990. When the world was facing the AIDS epidemic, Donna the Buffalo and friends, The Horse Flies and Neon Baptist responded with a sold-out benefit show at the State Theatre in Ithaca, which raised over $10,000 for AIDS Work of Tompkins County. This show’s ambition and success defined what Grassroots became and what Grassroots continues to exemplify today.

Jordan Puryear, an early band member for Donna the Buffalo, has been a director and coordinator for the festival since its inception and is also the co-founder of the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival.

“To create joy in the midst of crisis is

Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance

July 18-24, 2025

Ticket rates depend on date of purchase and age of youth.

(607) 387-5098

Trumansburg Fairgrounds

2150 Trumansburg Rd., Trumansburg, NY 14886

The GrassRoots Festival will be held this weekend July 17-20 in Trumansburg for its 33rd year of food, artisan goods, activities and most importantly, music. (Photo: Dave Burbank)

a powerful thing and brings magic to the table,” Puryear writes in a statement on the Grasroots website. “The wonderful event and its success led to the creation of GrassRoots and 25 years of raising consciousness and funds for organizations that support Arts, Education and the fight against AIDs, both locally and globally.”

On-site camping for this year’s festival is sold out, but there are still a few spots available “across the way,” near the site of the festival. More information on camping fees and rules can be found on the Grassroots website.

In addition to the tunes, festival-goers also have the opportunity to shop for goods from dozens of craft vendors and attend a wide array of healing arts demonstrations and events, such as meditations, healing

dances, yoga, plant medicine and more. There is also a designated kids’ area and kids’ activities all weekend for those hoping to make the festival fun for the whole family. The festival will have various food vendors, including Yxi’s Arepas, Trini Style, Travelers Kitchen, Tibetan Momo Bar, Thai Basil, Solaz and many more.

The festival’s policies include that attendees cannot publicly display any alcoholic beverages, and must put alcohol in a cup or cover it with a coozie. There will also be two beer and wine gardens featuring regionally and locally crafted beers, wines and hard apple ciders.

For more information on the festival, a list of performances, parking instructions and directions to the festival, visit grassrootsfest.org.

Class of ’25

Cornell Hall of Fame Induction Class Honors Legends

By Steve Lawrence

In the 10-year period between the time a Cornell athlete walks across the stage in his or her cap and gown, and the moment he or she becomes eligible for the Cornell University Athletics Hall of Fame, the athletes often drifts into some zone of obscurity in the minds of Big Red fans. When the induction is announced, and the ceremony welcomes inductees back to campus, the proverbial 15 minutes of fame can be extended for a time, the spotlight turned once again toward the athlete.

The Class of 2025 features a couple of former Big Red athletes whose legend has only grown since hanging up their cleats — and skates. Everyone in this year’s class deserves to be there, but some have attained — or are in the process of attaining — iconic status.

First, Connor Buczek — C.U. Class of ’15 – who had a stellar lacrosse career that ended with him being a two-time Big Red captain, a three-time First-Team All Ivy selection and a two-time Tewaaraton Trophy nominee. He was the program’s

ALGAL BLOOM

continued from page 3

in any waterbody they consider using,” Whole Health Commissioner Jennie Sutcliffe wrote in a press release last week. “Because it is hard to tell a HAB from non-harmful algal blooms, it is best

SPORTS COLUMNIST

continued from page 7

otherwise go unreported, whether they’re of the feel-good variety or shed light on an issue.

“I like to use sports as a conduit to human connection,” Lawrence said. “It’s a really fertile ground for that because there’s all kinds of subplots about a sense of purpose and teamwork and never giving up, and all those cliches.”

Lawrence also prefers not to lean on statistics and limit an athlete’s newsworthiness to their performance on paper. “I’m much less interested in who scored how many points and all that than I am why a person

all-time leading scorer as a midfielder, and went on to become a highlight reel pro lacrosse player. In fact, like MLB has its home run contest, and the NBA has its slam dunk contest, MLL has a Fastest Shot contest, and Buczek — a three-time MLL All Star — won it with a smoking 112 miles-per-hour shot, making him the subject of a popular You Tube search.

Of course, Buczek did anything but fade into oblivion in the ensuing years. Connor was named as the Richard M. Moran Head Coach of Men’s Lacrosse in the spring of 2020 after spending five seasons on staff, and since then he has been the Ivy League Coach of the Year three times and led the Big Red to its first national title in 48 years. Indeed, a legend in the making.

Another 2025 inductee has already attained that legend status, and when Mike Schafer retired as the Big Red’s men’s hockey coach this year, he had racked up 561 wins over the course of his 30-year career. Schafer’s teams won 13 Ivy League titles, made 14 NCAA appearances, and went to the 2003 Frozen Four.

to avoid swimming, boating, otherwise recreating in, or drinking water with a bloom.”

If someone comes in contact with a bloom, Whole Health recommends rinsing thoroughly with clean water to remove cyanobacteria. HABs can also be toxic to pets, and Whole Health recom-

does what they do, and why should this person be interested in that at all,” he said.

“I like to give people the idea that they don’t have to do these monstrous, newsworthy things to make something fulfilling.”

Lawrence has been fortunate to feel the impact of his writing. His readers know the types of angles he’s looking for, he said, so it’s not unusual for him to walk down the street and have someone pass on a tip. He speaks at retirement dinners and once delivered someone’s New York State Softball Hall of Fame acceptance speech (“he thought I’d written about him so much that I knew more about him than he did,” said Lawrence). In 2022, Lawrence delivered the eulogy for legendary Cornell

During Schafer’s playing career, Cornell won at least a share of the Ivy League crown three consecutive seasons, with Schafer earning accolades as a two-time second-team All-Ivy selection and was also an All-ECAC Hockey honorable mention.

Also named to the 2025 class of inductees were: Bruno HortelanoRoig ’14, Men’s Track & Field. Bruno was five-time Individual Heptagonal champ, and represented Spain in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Brianne Jenner ’15, Women’s Ice Hockey, was a four-time first-team All League selection, and has stayed in the international spotlight for years as an Olympic gold medalist for Team Canada.

Connor Buczek brought fame to Cornell lacrosse as a player, alum and coach. (Photo: Cornell Athletics)

the program to earn two first-team honors.

Danielle Letourneau ’15, Women’s Squash. Danielle played at the number one position for all 4 years at Cornell, and went on to win two silver medals at the Pam Am Games.

Stephen Mozia ’15, Men’s Track & Field. Mozia was an eight-time All-American in track and field, and set the all-time Ivy record in both the shot put (68-7) and the discus (206-5). He was also recognized as a two-time Heptagonals Most Outstanding Field Athlete, Kate Roach ’15, Women’s Rowing, was the first-ever Cornell women’s rower to be named All-American three times. Roach was also the only athlete in the history of

mends rinsing and thoroughly drying dogs that may have gone in the water. If a dog drinks any water suspected to have HABs, it is recommended to contact a veterinarian.

If someone sees what they believe to be a harmful algal bloom, they can report it to CSI using the online HAB reporting

men’s lacrosse coach Richie Moran.

Bill Bryant, who served as Ithaca City School District’s athletic director for over two decades and has known Lawrence since high school, praised Lawrence’s interest in athletes regardless of their sport or skill level.

“He gave recognition to all kids—it didn't have to be the stand-out, star athlete,” said Bryant. “When he writes things, he writes it from his heart.”

Dave Wohlhueter, Cornell’s AD from 1977 to 1998, said he was amazed by Lawrence’s ability to find stories. “He comes up with some of the great athletic stories—a lot of the kids that go unknown, but Steve picks them up somehow,” said

Jillian Saulnier ’15, Women’s Ice Hockey. Saulnier is also a highly-decorated hockey player, having won Olympic gold, numerous World titles, and played in several professional leagues.

Lindsay Toppe ’15, Women’s Lacrosse. Lindsay was a two-time team captain, and finished her career at Cornell as the program’s career leader in goals scored with 149.

Finally, a huge shout-out to Jordan Stevens ’15, Men’s Lacrosse, who had a stellar career as a player and was a key member of the coaching staff that just took the Big Red back to the top of the mountain before leaving to devote more time to his family. Best of luck to you, Jordan and thank you.

form or via email at habshotline@gmail. com. If a potential bloom is spotted in another public body of water, people are encouraged to contact the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation through their Suspicious Algal Bloom Report Form, or by email at HABSInfo@ dec.ny.gov.

Wohlhueter. “He’s probably done as many people you haven’t heard of as he does big time [athletes].”

Looking back on his sportswriting career, Lawrence is happy with the freedom he’s had to follow his curiosity where it’s led him, and to tell the stories he wants to tell.

“I made the decision a long time ago that I was going to write for a weekly paper, I was going to write what I wanted to write, when I wanted to, in my voice,” said Lawrence. “And I’d do it as a parttime thing, and I would make a lot of connections, and I’d make some money, and it would continue to be fun,” he said. “And we’re 33 years into it.”

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THURSDAY, Chenango Blues Festival |

| EAST PARK 1 EAST MAIN STREET, Norwich | Free

Open Mic Night: Comedy, Music & More! | 7:00 p.m. | | Cedarwood

Event Venue, 9632 State Route 96, Trumansburg | Free

Events this Week

7/16 Wednesday

Astrology Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | A meeting every Wednesday (6:00-7:30 p.m.) at the Tompkins Public Library where people talk about astrology. | | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca

“Behind the Scenes of the Johnson Museum of Art” presented by Cornell SCE | 7:00 p.m. | Join Director Jessica Levin Martinez shares highlights from the museum’s collection and preview this summer’s exhibitions, offering insights into curatorial choices, exhibition design, and academic collaborations that shape the museum’s work. NOTE: The talk takes place at B25, Warren Hall. | | B25, Warren Hall, Cornell University, 137 Reservoir Ave., Ithaca | Free Beloved Artistic Community Meet Up | 6:30 p.m. | Learn how to use mask and movement, and build community. | | Ithaca Community School of Music and Arts, 330 East State Street, Ithaca | Free

Board Game Night! | 5:00 p.m. | All ages board game night in our game room here on the Commons! | | Riverwood, 116 E State St., Ithaca | Free DJ Trivia with Dave Ashton | 6:30 p.m. | | Hopshire Farm & Brewery, 1771 Dryden Rd., Freeville | Free Fireside Sessions | 7:00 p.m. | Sit around the fire with acoustic ambience & libations | | New Park Event Venue & Suites, 1500 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca | $25.00 - $30.00 Free Concert: The Moses Boys (ft. Max from Cast Iron Cowboys) | 6:00 p.m. | | Mill Park, 222 Main Street, Newfield | Free

Good Grief Circle | 2:00 p.m. | | The Age Well Center, 165 Main St., Cortland Graham Nash — More Evenings of Songs & Stories | 7:30 p.m. | | 72 S Main St., Homer

Greensprings Garden Club | 10:00 a.m. | | Greensprings Natural Cemetery Preserve, 293 Irish Hill Rd., Newfield | Free

History of Electronic Music w/ Josh Oxford | 7:00 p.m. | | The Downstairs, 121 E M.L.K. Jr. St., Ithaca Homer’s Music on the Green: Travis Rocco | 7:00 p.m. | | Homer Village Green, West Homer Road, Homer

July History Tours at the Smith Opera House | 10:00 a.m. | | 82 Seneca St., Geneva | Join us on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM for a FREE history tour, led by our historian Dr. Chris Woodworth. Through August 6.

Learn to Sew One-on-One | 4:00 p.m. | | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca LGBTQ+ Youth Group | 5:45 p.m. | | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca

Lindsey Potoff | Reaching into the Lake | 1:00 p.m. | Reaching into the Lake is a series of etchings by Lindsey Potoff, a printmaker from Michigan who received her BFA from Cornell in 2022 and is currently attending the University of Connecticut for her MFA. | | Ink Shop Studio Gallery, 330 E. State / MLK Street, Ithaca | Free Makerspace Open Hours | 11:00

a.m. & 5:30 p.m. | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca

Murder for Two | 7:30 p.m. | 6799 Little York Lake Road, Preble

Pearls of Wisdom Senior Support Group | 11:00 a.m. | Pearls of Wisdom Senior Support Group | | 171 E. State Street, Ithaca | Free Steve Cocola’s Neil Diamond Tribute with Covers Exposed @ Ge -

neva Lakefront Summer Concert Series | 6:00 p.m. | | 35 Lakefront Dr., NY 14456-3400, Geneva

Three Bears Air Dry Clay Workshops | 6:00 p.m. | Free 1.5-hour beginner-friendly classes on working with air dry clay at Mama Bear, taught by local artist Angela Cartwright. | | Three Bears Ovid, 7175 Main Street, Ovid | Free

Trivia! | 7:00 p.m. | Trivia Night with Bob Proehl at Liquid State! | | Liquid State Brewery, 620 West Green Street, Ithaca | Free

Waitress | 7:30 p.m. | When life takes an unexpected turn, Jenna fears she may have to abandon her dream of opening a pie shop–until a nearby baking contest and the town’s handsome new doctor offer her the tempting possibility of a fresh start. | | Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca

Wednesday Market at East Hill | 3:00 p.m. | | 330 Pine Tree Rd., NY 14850-2819, Ithaca

Wednesday Open Mic Night at The Nocturnal Café! | 7:00 p.m. | Free weekly Wednesday Open Mic night at The Nocturnal Café, Ithaca’s nightlife alternative, featuring music, poetry, dance, and more! | | The Nocturnal Café, 103 S Geneva St., Ithaca | Free

7/17 Thursday

33rd Annual Finger Lakes

GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance | 12:00 p.m. | | Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance Trumansburg Fair, 2150 State Route 96, Trumansburg

Ages 8 to 108 Board Game Club | 5:00 p.m. | | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca

The Amalgamators | 8:00pm | | The Downstairs, 121 E M.L.K. Jr. St., Ithaca

Healthier Eating Support Community | 4:30 p.m. | | CCE-Tompkins

Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca

Ithaca Shakespeare Company’s “The Tempest” | 6:00 p.m. | The Ithaca Shakespeare Company presents Shakespeare's The Tempest, a perfect blend of comedy, drama, romance, adventure, and magic in beautiful Robert H. Treman State Park! | | Robert H. Treman State Park , 125 Upper Park Road, Newfield | $10.00 - $20.00

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat | 7:00 p.m. | | Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St., Homer

Lake and Land Tour Discover Cayuga Lake | 10:00 a.m. | Get the best of both worlds through Discover Cayuga Lake ’s Lake and Land Tour! | | Allan H. Treman Marina, 805 Taughannock Blvd , Ithaca, NY 14850, Ithaca

LCL Color Our World Summer Programming: Mythical Colors and Martial Arts | 10:30 a.m. | Oh no! Mythical beings lost their colors! Join Guro Annie on July 17 at 10:30 AM at Lansing Community Library to train as a hero using foam noodle “sticks” to strike magical orbs and restore their hues. Build balance, targeting, and coordination in this colorful adventure! | | Lansing Community Library, 27 Auburn Road, Lansing | Free Live Music — Kip & Richy | 6:00 p.m. | | Hopshire Farm and Brewery, 1771 Dryden Road, Freeville Makerspace One-on-One | 11:00 a.m. | | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca

Movies on the Homer Green | 8:00 p.m. |Paddington in Peru | Homer Village Green, West Homer Road, Homer Music in the Park: Tailor Made | 6:30 p.m. | | Myers Park Lansing

NBT Bank FREE Thursday Summer Concert Series — Chenango Blues Festival | 7:00 p.m. | NBT Bank Summer Concert Series—FREE EVERY

ITHACA SHAKESPEARE COMPANY PRESENTS THE TEMPEST

JULY 17-20TH, 6:00 PM

Robert H. Treman State Park (upper entrance), 125 Upper Park Road, Newfield | One of the true delights of Ithaca summer is having our very own Shakespeare in the Park! This summer’s show, The Tempest, kicks off this Thursday and runs this weekend and next. See their website for ticket info. Food and drink are welcome, and guests should bring their own seating. (Photo: Facebook)

Public Sunset Cruise Discover Cayuga Lake | 7:30 p.m. | Enjoy a beautiful once in a lifetime sunset on Cayuga Lake! | | Allan H. Treman Marina, 805 Taughannock Blvd , Ithaca, NY 14850, Ithaca

Scott Tremolo Concert at the Three Bears | 6:00 p.m. | Join us in the Three Bears park for a free concert by Scott Tremolo on July 17, from 6:00-7:30 p.m.! | | Three Bears Ovid, 7175 Main Street, Ovid | Free State of the Art Gallery Frances Fawcett & Ethel Vrana | 12:00 p.m.

| State of the Art proudly presents two exhibits this month. In the main gallery, Where I’m Coming From (a retrospective) showcases a broad spectrum of works by Frances L. Fawcett. | | State of the Art Gallery, 120 West State Street, Ithaca | Free Third Thursday Artist Alley Open Studio | 4:00 p.m. | Join us for the monthly Artist Alley’s Open Studio Night. | | Artist Alley at South Hill Business Campus, 950 Danby Rd , Ithaca | Free

7/18 Friday

Canandaigua Art & Music Festival | 12:00 p.m. | For the 36th year, the Canandaigua Arts and Music Festival will be set up along Main Street and the Central on Main Area! Friday, July 18 – 12 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Saturday, July 19 – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday, July 20 –10 a.m. – 5 p.m.| Canandaigua Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Class | 12:00 p.m. | Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a skill that addresses troubling emotions and manifestations of trauma. | | Mental Health Association in Tompkins County, 511 West Seneca, Ithaca | Free FREE Music Friday w/ Rochester Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra | 5:00 p.m. | | Lincoln Hill Farms, 3792 NY-247, Canandaigua Friday Night Magic: Commander | 5:00 p.m. | Come down to Riverwood for a recurrent night of Commanderstyle Magic play! | | Riverwood, 116 E State St., Ithaca | $5.00

Friday Sunset Music Series — ft. Jr Rich Project (Music begins @ 6:30) | 5:00 p.m. | | Wagner Vineyards, 9322 State Route 414, Lodi

Hangtime Concert Series featuring Tailor Made | 6:00 p.m. | | Treleaven Wines, 658 Lake Road, King Ferry | Free Jorge T. Cuevas and the Caribe Jazz Allstars | 7:00 p.m. | Jorge T. Cuevas & The Caribe Jazz Allstars play a mix of irresistibly danceable Latin Jazz originals and jazz standards in the styles of salsa, cha cha, merengue, samba, and swing. This band and music always transform the Arts Quad into the best outdoor dance party! | | Cornell Ag Quad, 237 Mann Dr., Ithaca | Free Live Music — Trick Shot Band | 6:00 p.m. | | Hopshire Farm and Brewery, 1771 Dryden Road, Freeville Magic Show with ‘The Great & Powerful Dave’ | 4:00 p.m. | | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca Movie Night: Jaws | 7:00 p.m. | | Newfield Public Library, 198 Main Street, Newfield | Free Outdoor play at Naturescape in Candor | 9:00 a.m. | | CCE Tioga Hilltop Farm, 343 Cass Hill Road, Candor | Free

Primus Onward & Upward Summer Tour | 6:00 p.m. | | Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards, 2708 Lords Hill Road, LaFayette

Shakey Graves | 6:30 p.m. | | Point of the Bluff Vineyards, 10489 County Route 76, Hammondsport | $78.53 Syracuse Nationals | 8:00 a.m. | The Syracuse Nationals is the largest car show in the Northeast! Come see cars from all over the US at the New York State Fairgrounds. Plus, there will be music, food, and more! July 18-20. | NYS Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse

Wagner Sunset Music Series Presents Jr Rich Project | 6:30 p.m. | | Wagner Vineyards, 9322 State Route 414, Lodi

7/19 Saturday

Acoustic Saturdays featuring Patrick Young | 12:00 p.m. | | Treleaven Wines, 658 Lake Road, King Ferry Farmers Market Cruise Discover Cayuga Lake | 11:00 a.m. | Get the

CORTLAND REPERTORY THEATRE PRESENTS MURDER FOR TWO FRIDAY, JULY 18TH AT 7:30 PM

For those missing the concert on the Commons this Thursday but not inclined to attend Grassroots, this is a great weekto check out Lansing’s weekly series. “Music in the Park” runs each Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in picturesque Myers Park. The featured band this week is Tailor Made. (Photo: Facebook)

best of both worlds straight off the Ithaca Farmers Market dock! Enjoy the good times of the Farmers Market and Experience Cayuga Lake! | | Ithaca Farmers Market, 545 3rd St , Ithaca, NY 14850, Ithaca

F.l.x. Summer Fest At The Glen — Admission | 12:00 p.m. | | Watkins Glen International, 2790 Co Rte 16, Watkins Glen Holiday in Homer | 9:00 a.m. | The festival includes over 125 artisans and crafters, lots of great food, live music, and entertainment for all ages. Holiday in Homer is held on the beautiful church green in downtown Homer. | Homer Village Green West Homer Road, Homer Minis Painting Party | 1:00 p.m. | | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca

Old Dominion: How Good Is That — World Tour | 7:00 p.m. | | Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center: CMAC 3355 Marvin Sands Drive, Canandaigua | $38.00 - $138.00

Sew a Minimalist Wardrobe, Summer Edition | 1:00 p.m. | Build your apparel sewing skills (and your wardrobe) with these four progressively more challenging workshops. Take one, two, or all of them! | | SewGreen Press Bay Court, 112 W Green Street, #5, Ithaca | $45.00 - $180.00

Sing Me a Story! Read Me a Song! with Jon Simon & Cal Walker | 1:00 p.m. | | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca Trackapalooza | 9:00 a.m. | Enjoy outdoor track and field at its best in this full-day extravaganza of racing, jumping, and throwing at the Groton High School track. All ages and abilities are welcome. Races will be seeded by time and use fully automatic timing. Events include a mix of sprints, distance, throws, and jumps. | | Groton High School, 400 Peru Rd. # 38, Groton | $10.00

Tune-up Tommy | 1:00 p.m. | What does it take to preserve a 107 year-old biplane? Join Randy Marcus and Don Funke of Ithaca Aviation Heritage Foundation to discover what it takes to preserve a Thomas Moore S-4 Scout biplane, inside and out. | | The History Center in Tompkins County, 110 N Tioga St., Ithaca | Free Workshop: Creative Writing at the Johnson Museum of Art | 1:00 p.m. | Join us for an art-inspired creative writing workshop at the Johnson Museum of Art with Yessica Martinez leading the group in a writing process. | | Herbert F Johnson Museum, 114 Central Avenue, Ithaca | Free

ChamberFest Canandaigua 2025 — A Night to Remember | 6:00 p.m. | | The Lake House on Canandaigua, 770 South Main Street, Canandaigua | $175.00

Citizen Preparedness Training | 6:00 p.m. | | Museum of the Earth, 1259 Trumansburg Road (Route 96), Ithaca

Dead Dive Happy Hour with Grateful Upstate Toodeloo | 5:00 p.m. | | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca

Family Playgroup — Summer’25 | 3:00 p.m. | | CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca

Genealogical Timelines, Research Checklists, and Correspondence Logs with Katherine Willson | 6:00 p.m. | | Chemung County Library, District , 101 E. Church St , Elmira

LEGO Family Build Night | 5:30 p.m. | | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca

7/20 Sunday

ChamberFest Canandaigua 2025 — The Music of Wine | 2:00 p.m. |

| Ventosa Vineyards, 3440 Route 96A, Geneva | $45.00

DJ Trivia with Dave Ashton | 7:00 p.m. | | Crossroads Bar and Grill, 3120 North Triphammer Road, Lansing | Free

Grace Potter | 3:30 p.m. | | Point of the Bluff Vineyards, 10489 County Route 76, Hammondsport | $105.90

Outdoor Qi Gong Class — Sundays | 10:00 a.m. | Outdoor Qi Gong for Wellness and Nervous System Regulation.

| | Allan H. Treman State Marine Park , 805 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca, NY 14850, Ithaca | $12.50 - $15.00

Rose Hill Concert Series: The 3 of Us Featuring Jim Richmond, Diana Jacobs, and Dave Kuykendall | 5:00 p.m. | | Rose Hill Mansion, Geneva | Free

Simmerin' Stew | 2:00 p.m. | | 6 on the Square Lafayette Park, Oxford | Free

Summer Sundays Music Series at the Vantage Point — ft. Erich with an H | 1:00 p.m. | | Wagner Vineyards, 9322 State Route 414, Lodi

SUNDAY BLUES SERIES: Midnight Mike Petroff Blues Harp Band | 3:00

SYRACUSE NATIONALS

FRIDAY, JULY 18 THROUGH SUNDAY, JULY 20.

SHOW OPENS AT 8:00 AM EACH DAY

NYS Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse | Celebrating their 25th anniversary, the Syracuse Nationals is the largest car show in the Northeast. Come see cars from all over the US with over 7,500 hot rods, classics, and custom cars. There will be music, food, and more! Children 12 and under are free! (Photo: Facebook)

p.m. | | ONCO Fermentations, 397 NY RT 281, Suite O, Tully | Free

7/21 Monday

Mondays with MAQ | 5:30 p.m. | Join us every Monday for cider, food, and live jazz with some of the best local musicians! | | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Rd., Ithaca Participatory Contra, Square, and Circle Dancing | 7:00 p.m. | | Ithaca Commons, 171 E. State St./ Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Ithaca Riverwood Art Club | 4:00 p.m. | Riverwood is hosting an art club every Monday! Bring your tablet, yarn, collage materials, clay, paints, or anything else. All ages and supplies provided. | | Riverwood, 116 E State St , Ithaca | Free

Teen Maker Mondays | 4:00 p.m. | | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca

7/22 Tuesday

150th Annual Broome County Fair | 12:00 a.m. | | Broome County Fairgrounds, 2594 Main St , Whitney Point

4-H Youth Fair 2025 | 11:00 a.m. | | CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca

4-H Dog Show | 2:00 p.m. | | Broome County Fairgrounds, 2594 Main St , Whitney Point

Meet with staff from the office of Congressman Riley | 1:00 p.m. | Representatives from the office of Congressman Josh Riley are available to discuss federal issues they may have. | | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca | Free

Music in the Hollow: Bob Keefe & Surf Renegades | 6:00 p.m. | | Ellis Hollow Community Center, 111 Genung Road, Ithaca | Free The Offspring: SUPERCHARGED Worldwide in ’25 | 7:00 p.m. | | Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview, 490 Restoration Way, Syracuse Plastic People Film | 6:00 p.m. | Plastic People is an award-winning documentary about the global spread of microplastics—and how they’re showing up in our water, food, air, and even our bodies. | | Cinemapolis 120 E. Green Street, Ithaca | Free Recycle Right: Navigating the Recycling Industry | 6:00 p.m. | | Human Services Complex Rm, 120 323 Owego Street, Montour Falls | Free SingTrece's Open Mic for Singers, Rappers, Songwriters, & Poets | 7:00 p m | | The Downstairs, 121 W M.L.K. Jr. St., Ithaca

Taughannock Live Music Series: Annie Burns & Friends | 5:00 p.m. | | Inn at Taughannock Falls, 2030 Gorge Rd , Trumansburg

Teen Creative Writing Workshop | 5:30 p.m. | | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca

7/23

Wednesday

4-H Alpaca Show | 10:00 a.m. | | Broome County Fairgrounds, 2594 Main St , Whitney Point

Barenaked Ladies: Last Summer On Earth Tour 2025 | 7:00 p.m. | | Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview, 490 Restoration Way, Syracuse The Cool Club & The Lipker Sisters @ Geneva Lakefront Summer Concert Series | 6:00 p.m. | | 35 Lakefront Dr , NY 14456-3400, Geneva

Diane Ackerman — “Wings and Waves: Adventures with Albatrosses and Whales” | 7:00 p.m. | Join nature writer Diane Ackerman for a presentation exploring research projects spanning the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Ackerman has written over two dozen works of nonfiction and poetry, including bestsellers The Zookeeper ’s Wife, A Natural History of the Senses, and The Human Age. | | B25, Warren Hall, Cornell University 137 Reservoir Ave., Ithaca | Free Doug’s Fish Fry Fundraiser In Support of All Tompkins County Veterans | 11:00 a.m. | The Knights of Columbus Ithaca NY Council #277, in partnership with Doug's Fish Fry, is proud to sponsor this event to support all local Veterans of Tompkins County | | Triphammer Marketplace, Triphammer Mall, 2255 N. Triphammer Road, Ithaca

FERRARI CHALLENGE NORTH AMERICA | 8:00 a.m. | | Watkins Glen International, 2790 Co Rte 16, Watkins Glen

Jazz Night at Deep Dive: Firefly Trio | 6:30 p.m. | Jazz Night at Deep Dive: Firefly Trio (6:30-8:30 p.m.), Big Band (8:30-10:30 p m ), The People’s Jam! (10:30-12:30 p m ). | | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd , Ithaca | Free

TCPL Tours: Lab of Ornithology | 10:00 a.m. | Registration is required for this off-site event. | | Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca

Homer’s Music on the Green: Sing Trece | 7:00 p.m. | | Homer Village Green, West Homer Road, Homer

HOLIDAY IN HOMER

SATURDAY, JULY 19TH FROM 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Congregational Church Green, 28 S. Main St, Homer | The festival includes over 125 artisans and crafters, lots of great food, live music, and entertainment for all ages. Holiday in Homer is held on the beautiful church green in downtown Homer. (Photo: Facebook)

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Everyone is welcome to shop at the Co-Op!

Full Service Grocery Store

Greenstar Food Co-Op 770 Cascadilla St , Ithaca Get The Ithaca Times Mobile App

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Patio Homes – Apartments – Assisted Living –Adult Day Program

Looking for Work?

We are hiring!

Visit us online: www wgaforchildren org or call 607-844-6460

The William George Agency

Looking to Boost your Summer Business?

Call Larry at 607-277-7000 ext: 1214

Find out about great advertising ad packages at: Ithaca�com & Ithaca Times

Men’s and Women’s Alterations for over 20 years

Fur & Leather repair, zipper repair.

Same Day Service Available John’s Tailor Shop

John Serferlis – Tailor 102 The Commons 273-3192

No Long waits for Dermatology Appointments Finger Lakes Dermatology

Brad Yentzer, MD, FAAD 607-708-1330 fingerlakesderm.com

CEREMONIES

Every life story deserves to be told, and told well.

Steve Lawrence, Celebrant 607-220-7938

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