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Honoring Wayne Stokes, a Standout of Cornell’s Golden Era By
Finger Lakes Fiddle Orchestra Strikes a Community Chord By
Longtime Educator Charley Githler Appointed Tompkins County Historian By
A Second Lap Ithaca’s Joe Ryan Returns to Competitive Swimming
Historical Marker Commemorates Toni Morrison’s Time in Ithaca
Local Journalism as Civic Infrastructure: Preserving the Republic in the Digital Age
Maddy Vogel, David Durrett, E ditors Scott Manson,
Cover Photo:
The Finger Lakes Fiddle Orchestra connects local string musicians. (Photo: Provided)
Ways to Enjoy a Rainy Day in Tompkins County
By Mikayla Rovenolt
While the spring months may pull those in Tompkins County out of the deep snow, it does not mean the weather is much better. For those gray and rainy spring days, here are some ways to brighten your spirits.
Paleontological Research Institute/ Museum of the Earth
The Museum of the Earth, located on Trumansburg Road just outside Ithaca, is full of fun activities and a plethora of information that any age group can find enjoyment in. Even if you can’t make it out of the house, there are at home options for fun learning as well.
Established by the Paleontological Research Institute (PRI) in 2003, the Museum of the Earth features natural history displays, interactive science features, and art exhibitions. Their permanent natural history displays
take visitors through 4.5 billion years of history with opportunities to interact and apply learning to everyday life.
More than just their in-person museum experience is a virtual landscape of educational programming through their Earth at Home program, which can be found on their website at https://www. museumoftheearth.org/.
Earth at Home offers educational infor-
mation on Earth science, climate change, biodiversity and evolution. Each section contains various subtopics for further learning such as regional earth science where participants can select their region of the United States for more information, teacher guides, virtual fieldwork, and presentation videos on various topics. You can learn more about Earth at Home by vis-
iting its website: https:// earthathome.org/.
Tompkins County Library or local library Visiting your local library or making the trip to the Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL) is a great option for brightening a rainy day. The libraries in Tompkins County offer more than just books and movies, many also have programming for chil -
The Ithaca Sciencenter provides an interactive learning experience for all ages. (Photo: Mark Syvertson/Ithaca Times File)
dren, teens, and adults.
From SingSong classes for babies and toddlers to the 8 to 108 Board Game Club, there are many options at the county library that are open to the public. Learn more by visiting https://www. tcpl.org/events/month.
Local libraries also offer classes and activities for a variety of ages. To learn what your town’s library offers, visit their website and head to the calendar or events section.
TCPL also has online services for members of the library to utilize. Libby and Hoopla are both free with a library card and can be accessed from any electronic device. They include
ebooks, magazines, music, movies and more, so if you can not get out of the house, try utilizing these services on a rainy day.
Visit a bookstore Autumn Leaves Book Store, Buffalo Street Books, Odyssey, Ulysses Books and Protagonist Books are all
located right in Tompkins County and can offer a relaxing day of reading or shopping.
Located in Ithaca on or near The Commons are Autumn Leaves Book Store, Buffalo Street Books and Odyssey Book Store. Each offers its own unique selection of books and goods to explore.
In Ulysses is Ulysses Books, a used bookstore with plenty of books to go around. This house turned bookshop is packed with classic literature, music, art, and so many more topics worth checking out.
continued on page 13
Visit the Museum of the Earth on any rainy day to learn more about natural history. (Photo: Mark Syvertson/Ithaca Times File)
Local bookstores, like Buffalo Street Books, can be your next rainy day escape. (Photo: Maddy Vogel/Ithaca Times File)
Honoring Wayne Stokes, a Standout of Cornell’s Golden Era
By Steve l awRence
When Buck Briggs — Union-Endicott class of 1972 and Cornell class of ‘76 — stepped onto campus as a student-athlete (baseball) in the fall of his freshman year, he could be forgiven for being a bit awestruck. In his words, “The lacrosse team had recently won the first NCAA tournament, and the football team had won the Ivy League title” (Ed Marinaro finished in second in the Heisman Trophy voting and was on the cover of Sports Illustrated.) Buck continued, “Plus, the hockey team had recently won the national championship. We were in the national news, and it really was The Golden Age of Cornell Athletics.”
One of the guys that came to Cornell in the fall of ‘72 was Wayne Stokes, whose unexpected passing earlier this month was sad news for many in the community. Wayne was a bruiser of a hockey
(Photo: Provided)
player who came to town — as did many hockey players – from north of the border. In Briggs’ words, “A lot of these guys were larger than life,” and he spoke of the wide pendulum swing that Stokes represented. Buck
said, “Wayne — who was known as ‘Captain Crunch’ (because of his... shall we say... aggressive play) seemed to be able to flip a switch..” Asked to elaborate, Buck recalled that as fierce and feared as Wayne was in Lynah Rink, “he
was a wonderful, gracious and thoughtful guy off the ice.” Of that Golden Age of iconic Cornell athletes, Briggs said, “Wayne embodied that, and he was universally respected.”
I got to know Wayne after his playing career, as he stayed in Ithaca and became a Social Worker and a therapist. He also combined his artistic and entrepreneurial parts of himself, running a business making beautiful sand-carved signs. I was unaware of his deep Buddhist faith, but I find it refreshing when one’s demeanor and actions align with their faith, whatever it is.
One of the things I really appreciated was the fact that despite the fact that his son, Connor, was climbing up through the ranks of Youth Hockey on his way to playing in the elite Ontario Hockey League, Wayne never brought it up unless I asked. Whenever we would see one another
Cornell hockey legend Wayne Stokes will be remembered as a larger than life figure, on and off the ice.
at a Cornell event, or around town, Wayne would ask how I was, offer praise or feedback on a column, and I always felt like he was a sincere and genuinely nice guy. If I asked him about Connor’s hockey journey, he had plenty to say. He was very proud, and he knew how much focus and discipline his son needed to play at that elite level, but I always felt that Wayne perceived me first as a friend, and my role as a sports columnist was secondary in importance. I appreciated that.
Briggs laughed when he recalled the rumor that swirled around the college hockey world when Wayne was playing. Buck said, “They said that Cornell loosened the boards in Lynah Rink so that when Captain Crunch put one of those vicious hip checks on an opponent, it would reverberate throughout the rink.” In closing, Buck said, “Wayne said, ‘Always play like there’s a scout in the stands.”
On the topic of hockey, congratulations to Ithaca High players Aidan Swarthout, Liam Whitaker and Mason
Gabriel, who picked up some post-season recognition. Swarthout was named to the New York State Division 1 First Team, and Whitaker and Gabriel received Honorable Mention accolades.
More updates from Ithaca High Athletics: The Ithaca Boys Club Volleyball won the Gold at the Section IV event. This was a great way to start off a new program.
Also, Ithaca High School hosted three NCAA basketball practice sessions last week, when Cornell hosted the Ivy League tourna -
ment. The Crimson of Harvard University and the Quakers of the University of Pennsylvania were invited to utilize the Ithaca High’s gymnasium, giving Little Red athletes an opportunity to observe two Division 1 programs in action. So... the winter sports season is behind us, spring is officially here, and there are so many athletic events to attend between Cornell, Ithaca College and Ithaca High. Don’t forget your sunscreen... And your parka... And your umbrella. builds relationships that grow, protect, and transfer wealth through personal advice driven by your unique goals.
Finger Lakes Fiddle Orchestra Strikes a Community Chord
By MaR joRie oldS
In the fall of 2019 Dave Christie had the idea of starting a local Fiddle Orchestra, modeled after fiddle orchestras in New England. Dave was still fairly new to the fiddle, and although there were numerous fiddle jam sessions in and around Ithaca, he found it diffi -
cult to play up to speed and was not familiar with most of the tunes. He had heard about the Vermont Fiddle Orchestra and thought perhaps one could be started here in the Finger Lakes.
Fiddle orchestras differ from typical string orchestras
in that they play traditional tunes, often learned by ear. While fiddles and violins are essentially the same instrument, fiddle music is considered a folk genre with many styles, often based on geographic location. Irish, Scottish, Quebecois, New England, South -
ern Old Time, Finnish, Eastern European, Texas swing, and Contra dance are a few of the different styles, but anywhere one travels across the globe fiddle music has a local flavor. Dave got in touch with Tim Ball, a local performer and teacher, and Tim agreed to be
Members of the Finger Lakes Fiddle Orchestra perform. (Photo: Provided/Michael Ludgate)
the musical director. After many informal meetings and several phone calls with other fiddle orchestras, the Finger Lakes Fiddle Orchestra kicked off its inaugural session with about 22 members.
In late November 2019, the first free FLFO concert was performed at the Community School of Music and Arts performance space. The spring 2020 session was cut short by the COVID19 pandemic, and the orchestra went dormant until the winter of 2024, when Dave sent out an email to the former members asking if there was any interest in re-starting the group. To his surprise, the response was a resounding yes.
Tim Ball suggested that the orchestra would benefit from having another musical co-director, and brought Rick Manning (another local musical legend) on board for the spring 2024 session. Hope Grietzer, another renowned local fiddler, joined as co-director in the fall of 2024. Along the way other musicians have assisted, includ -
ing Tim’s sister Margaret Ball-Lumumba, Jon Avery, Max Buckholtz, and Dave Davies. In total, the Finger Lakes Fiddle Orchestra has had five seasons, each consisting of ten weekly rehearsals followed by a free concert. Tim Ball has been a consistent musical director for the entire life of the orchestra. His dedication is unwavering.
In addition to the musical directors, the Finger Lakes Fiddle Orchestra would not exist without the input of a lot of its members. A small steering
committee works to make sure the nuts and bolts of the orchestra are fastened. And, really, the members themselves deserve the most credit for making the FLFO a welcoming place for musicians of all ability levels, from beginners to advanced players. And it’s not just for fiddlers – almost any traditional instrument is welcome. Dave commented that, “The orchestra has evolved into a community of folks interested in playing music together, but it has become much more than that. A lot of
friendships have developed as well. When everyone arrives for rehearsal, the room is buzzing with chit-chat.”
The orchestra began its sixth season on March 2 at the Third Street Meeting House, located at 120 Third Street in Ithaca. The cost for the season is $125, and no money is due at the first rehearsal – so musicians can come find out if the orchestra is a good fit.
For more information, visit the orchestra website at https:// fingerlakesfiddle.org/.
The Finger Lakes Fiddle Orchestra connects local string musicians. (Photo: Provided)
Longtime Educator Charley Githler Appointed Tompkins County Historian
By Maddy vogel
Longtime local educator Charley
Githler has been appointed as Tompkins County’s newest county historian. Having taught history to generations of students at the Newfield Central School District, Githler will guide the local record keeping and historical programming for the next three years.
Githler was unanimously appointed by the Tompkins County Legislature during its Jan. 21 meeting. He succeeds Laura W. Johnson-Kelly, who had a brief stint in the role, and longtime county historian Carol Kammen, who retired from the role in 2023.
“These are big shoes that I have to fill,” Githler told the legislature. “Carol Kammen is a titan in the local history world.”
For regular readers of the Ithaca Times , his name may ring a bell. Githler authors the popular satirical political column “Surrounded by
Reality” and occasionally writes “From the Archives” pieces spotlighting artifacts and moments from local history. He has written for the Times for over 20 years, and shared the news of the publication’s transition to new ownership after over half a century in circulation last year.
Rochester and spent time in Ithaca in his youth. He graduated from Cornell University
ticing law, his lifelong familial ties to the finger lakes brought him back to the region.
He moved to Tompkins County in the mid 1990s for his teaching gig at Newfield and remained an educator in the district until his retirement in 2021, a decision he said was driven by the pressures of pandemic-related teaching demands. He primarily taught American history, but taught classes that focused on local history as well.
“I was very glad that I wound up in Newfield,” Githler said in an interview with the Ithaca Times . “I feel like I had a greater impact in a district that size.”
“Important issues require looking back at what has been done in the past.”
Githler grew up in
with his history degree in 1978 and attended SUNY Buffalo for law school shortly after. After 10 years prac-
But Githler has always been interested in history, even before studying and teaching it. He recalled that the first chapter book he ever read was a biography of Babe Ruth.
continued on page 12
Charley Githler is the Ithaca Times columnist behind “Surrounded by Reality.” (Photo: Barbara Adams/Ithaca Times)
Charley Githler
“People become more interested in history as they get older,” Githler said, “but I started out right out of the box inter-
ested in history.”
He has served as a member of the Newfield Historical Society’s board of directors and has spent the past two years as a voting member of the History Center in Tompkins County. After assuming his new role, Githler plans to step down
as a voting member but remain a member of the board’s committees.
New York State law dictates that each county and municipality appoint a local historian. Githler said that because the language of this law is vague, the role of a county historian can
vary widely across the state. In Tompkins County, Githler’s predecessor set the stage for the historian to play a crucial role in local history preservation.
“[Kammen is] a huge figure, nationally, really, in local history,” Gither said. “She turned [being a] Tompkins County historian into a pretty substantial thing. She had no real guidance going into it, she sort of built it over the years.”
Githler will chair the county’s historical commission and the committee of municipal historians. He will also act as a liaison to the Tompkins County Legislature and coordinate efforts with historians in surrounding counties. He said he hopes to increase collaboration between municipal historians during his time in the role.
Preserving local history helps communities make better decisions by learning from the past, Githler said.
“Every community faces reoccurring issues,” Githler said. “Contextualizing the recurring issues, I think, is very important for a historian.”
continued from page 11 continued on page 13
In Tompkins County, environmental battles
Charley Githler
continued from page 12
are just one example of historically reoccurring issues. Githler believes county historians should bring attention to many of the ongoing efforts to push back against developments that can cause environmental damage.
“Here’s the thing about the Finger Lakes: it’s kind of off everybody else’s radar,” Githler said. “We think it’s the center of the world, but it’s not. It’s a place to stash landfills, crypto-mining facilities, AI data centers and nuclear power. We need to push back on that and we do have a history of doing it, but I think it’s important for a historian to say, ‘Hey, we’ve had to jealously guard these resources in the past and we need to keep doing that.’”
Rainy Day
continued from page 5
Protagonist Books is relatively new, opening in 2025 and offers coffee as well as books. This shop is woman-owned and authorowned, making this a
special place for book lovers to chat with an author, find their next read and grab a coffee.
Sciencenter
The Ithaca Sciencenter is a great way to get the kiddos out of the house and into a fun learning environment on the less than ideal weather days. They are open Tuesday through Sunday and offer a variety of activities for kids. Adults and teens can find the Sciencenter fun as well. With over 250 interactive exhibits, animals, and games such as mini golf, there is an activity for everyone.
Founded by a vision of hands-on science in 1982, the Sciencenter didn’t have a home until 1984 when storefronts were donated and volunteers built exhibits,
some 40 years later, it has a home on 1st Street and serves local and visiting families alike.
The Sciencenter also has a Science at Home page of their website where at home science projects can be found. These at home experiments are broken up by age group and an “additional” category. Feel free to utilize these activities on the next stay-in day at https://sciencenter. org/resources-home/.
Visit a Winery
The Finger Lakes region was named wine region of the year in 2025, and for good reason, the region is loaded with wineries. For those who prefer other alcoholic beverages, the Fingerlakes also offers a variety of distilleries, cideries and
breweries worth visiting. From Canandaigua Lake to Skaneateles Lake, there is something for everyone.
If you are looking to stay close to home, try the Seneca Lake Wine Trail or Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. Each has some variety in their wine selections and many of them are award winning wineries.
A full list of wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries can be found with maps on the Fingerlakes Libations website. Click on the publications tab and scroll through their latest issue for maps and contact information for the Fingerlakes destination of your choice at https://fingerlakeslibations.com/.
A Second Lap
Ithaca’s Joe Ryan Returns to Competitive Swimming
By Steve l awRence
Many of us who have reached the age of 65 can recall that first Medicare evaluation...
“Are you able to get out of your chair?” “How many times have you fallen in the past year?”
“Are you able to climb up a flight of stairs?”
Joe Ryan’s physician could ask a different set of questions: “How does it feel to keep increasing your mileage in the pool?” “How
much faster have you gotten over the past year?” “How much faster do you think you’ll be next year?”
Joe is a retired guy who lives on Ithaca’s West Hill, and like many 65-year-olds, he had a choice when it came to navigating life’s changes. Some people become well-versed on which television shows are trending, some partake in mood-alerting efforts that are not
always healthy, and some find a new sense of purpose and reinvent themselves to some degree. Joe is not much of a television guy.
Over the years — while working full time and raising his son and daughter, Joe — a competitive swimmer throughout much of the first quarter century of his life — got back into the pool in 2008. While he found the time and energy to
work out occasionally, life’s demands kept his swimming on the back burner. Last September, Joe decided that “It was time to get back in the water and get more serious. I asked myself, ‘Why not use the type of exercise I have loved since I was 6 years old?’ It made sense on a few levels.”
Joe proceeded to dip the proverbial toe (and the literal whole self) in the pool, and
Joe Ryan, Claire de Boer and Brad Charles feeling great after finishing 6th of 36 teams. (Photo: Provided)
he signed up to join the Master’s Swim program at the local YMCA. Ryan found it a well-organized program, attended by a number of very dedicated individuals, and he said, “There were actually some of the same people there I met in 2008!” Two staff members — Kevin and Bethany — do their coaching from the deck, and the group swims once or twice a week from 6:30 – 7:45 pm. According to Joe, “One session runs from September through December, the next one is from January through April and we take summers off.”
In June of last year, Joe “decided to expand,” and he started going to Auburn on Sundays to join what he calls “another great community of swimmers.” I asked him how swimmers are able to communicate with one another (after all, runners or cyclists can chat while they pile up the miles, but it’s a bit more difficult to do that while swimming), and he said, “We talk between sets, and get to know one another.”
He would soon make the drive to Auburn twice a month, where, in a regular ses-
sion, the Masters swim 3,000 yards. Joe said, “We do a 600-yard warm-up, then three sets of 800-yard swims.”
He recently took a trip to Florida, where he would meet up with yet another group of swimmers, and he also found that group to be inspiring. He said, “The group energy was great... they were all so energetic and friendly.”
He conveyed how much he enjoys “Our own little Universe of Master’s Swimming, and the sense of community we experience.”
Last summer, Ryan decided to look for ways to keep getting stronger and faster, so he called a friend who has many local sports connections. Joe asked that friend if he knew anyone who could help him put together a workable training regimen, and the friend said, “I saw Claire de Boer last week, and she is getting ready to swim a relay with another elite swimmer, swimming in 1-hour increments and covering the length of Cayuga Lake. If you think that provides some credibility as a swimming consultant, you might want to connect with her.” (In 1983, Claire swam the length of Cayuga
Lake solo, covering 38 miles in 21 hours.)
Ryan was pleased to learn that Claire – who has been teaching and living in Pennsylvania for many years — was very willing to help him improve — to share stories about swimming, and about life — and she immediately connected him with a wellknown coach named Brad Charles. Brad, who has coached at many different levels, declined to accept Joe’s offer to pay him, and in Joe’s words, “He does it for the love of swimming.” Brad has an app that has a community of 25 swimmers — discussing training, nutrition and many other components relating to upping one’s game, and Joe — his enthusiasm and gratitude coming through clearly — called it “another wonderful collective spirit.”
Another piece of Joe Ryan’s Reinvention Puzzle appeared a few weeks ago when he was invited to join yet another group. Joe said, “Claire invited me to come and swim with her team in the Delaware Valley master’s Swim Meet in Pennsylvania, where I will join 220 other swimmers.” Joe signed up for four individual events (the
50, 100 and 200 Freestyle and the 50 Breaststroke) and three relays (200 Medley and the 200 and 800 Freestyle). Asked about his goals going into the meet, Ryan said, “I’m ready to swim with a timer on me, I want to do better than I have done in the past and I really want to help the team.”
We spoke again after the meet, and Joe said, “I was so pleased to be invited to be a part of the team, and to help them score some points (the group finished 6th of 36 teams). They invited Jessica (Joe’s wife) and I to dinner, and — as is the case in the swimming community — it’s such a nice, tight group of people.” (He also conveyed that he is grateful to the people at the Ithaca YMCA for helping him rediscover his love for the sport.)
As we wrapped up our interview, Joe said, “I appreciate your interest in writing about this inspiring community of Master’s Swimmers.” He added, “And by the way, I really appreciate you introducing me to Claire de Boer.”
You’re welcome Joe. You’re welcome, Claire. Proud to call you both my friends.
Historical Marker Commemorates Toni Morrison’s Time in Ithaca
Editor’s Note: This article first appeared in the Cornell Chronicle.
Ithaca’s north side has been a formative place for American history.
Within a few blocks: 212 Cascadilla St. was the birthplace of “Roots” author Alex Haley and the childhood home of Tuskegee Airman Verdelle Louis Payne; the idea for Alpha Phi Alpha, the nation’s first Black fraternity, was hatched at 421 N. Albany St.; and Nobel Prize-winner Toni Morrison, M.A. ’55, lived upstairs at 513 N. Albany St. during the first year of her master’s program at Cornell.
On Feb. 18, Cornell faculty, staff, students and community members celebrated Morrison’s 95th birthday by unveiling a new historical marker in front of that Albany Street house and hosting a celebration at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC).
Anne V. Adams,
By k athy hoviS, coRnell chRonicle
A historical marker for Toni Morrison, M.A. ’55, was unveiled at 513 N. Albany St in Ithaca, where she lived during her first year at Cornell. (Photo: Alexandra Bayer/Cornell University)
professor emerita in Africana studies and comparative literature and chair of the Toni Morrison Collective, attends the community celebration for Morrison’s 95th birthday.
The marker reads:
Toni Morrison
AKA Chloe Wofford, 1931-2019. M.A. Cornell University 1955. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1993. Presidential Medal of Freedom, 2012. Lived here.
The marker project was spearheaded by the Toni Morrison Collective, a group of Cornell faculty and librarians dedicated to preserv-
ing Morrison’s legacy at Cornell. The collective is sponsored by, and under the umbrella of, Cornell University Library.
Speakers at the event included Elaine Westbrooks, Carl A. Kroch
University Librarian; Anne Adams, professor emerita of Africana studies and comparative literature in the College of Arts and Sciences; and Kofi Acree, director of the John Henrik Clarke Africana Library.
“This marker reminds Ithaca in perpetuity of the space it shares with Toni Morrison,” said Adams, who is also chair of the collective. “It allows us to conjure Morrison at 513 (N. Albany St.) and wonder whether something of Ithaca might have seeped into her work. For example,
Anne V. Adams, professor emerita in Africana studies and comparative literature and chair of the Toni Morrison Collective, attends the community celebration for Morrison’s 95th birthday. (Photo: Alexandra Bayer/Cornell University)
Kofi Acree, director of the John Henrik Clarke Africana Library and curator of Africana Collections for the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, welcomes guests to the community celebration. (Photo: Alexandra Bayer/ Cornell University)
for those familiar with her novel ‘Paradise,’ maybe we could claim that the Calvary Baptist Church that plays such a critical role in that novel might have been inspired by the Calvary
Baptist Church right next to her in Ithaca.”
Since its inception in 2020, the Morrison collective has distributed Morrison’s books throughout the Ithaca community, held community discussions,
hosted academic conferences and sponsored films, plays and readings.
Margaret Washington, professor emerita in the history department (A&S) and another collective member, wrote the grant and managed the process for the marker’s installation. Historical markers such as this one are funded and approved by the Pomeroy Foundation.
“Morrison has been a mainstay of my courses, even though I’m a historian,” Washington said. “I found Toni Morrison to be just as much of a historian as she is a literary genius.”
Kaleb Hunkele, MFA ’18, and his family own the house at 513 N. Albany St., but they didn’t know of its connection to Morrison until he was approached by members of the collective.
Kofi Acree, director of the John Henrik Clarke Africana Library and curator of Africana Collections for the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, welcomes guests to the community celebration.
“I can’t imagine a better house or neighborhood to have raised
Local Journalism as Civic Infrastructure: Preserving the Republic in the Digital Age
By Roy allen: diRectoR
In a moment defined by instantaneous communication, algorithmic prioritization, and the fleeting attention of digital audiences, it is tempting to reduce local newspapers to mere content providers vying for clicks. Yet such a view obscures their profound civic significance. Local journalism is not a commercial luxury—it is the foundational infrastructure of the republic, sustaining democracy by fostering accountability, preserving communal memory, and enabling informed participation. Newspapers like the Ithaca Times occupy a critical role in this ecosystem, one that demands both immediacy in digital engagement and durability in print preservation.
At its core, journalism is a social and epistemic institution. It observes public life, records municipal governance, chronicles judicial proceedings, and scrutinizes the mechanisms of local power.
These functions are not ancillary—they are indispensable to a well-functioning society. When newspapers falter, the public loses both oversight and historical continuity. Unlike ephemeral digital signals, print editions provide a permanent, verifiable ledger of civic life, physically anchored in libraries, archives, and private collections, immune to
algorithmic suppression, platform volatility, or digital obsolescence. Print is not nostalgia—it is material democracy, preserving an enduring record of local governance, culture, and civic deliberation.
The First Amendment codifies the essential role of a free press in sustaining democracy. By guaranteeing the press the freedom
to report without governmental interference, the Constitution enshrines local newspapers as both watchdogs and custodians of public knowledge. Every printed edition is a tangible manifestation of this constitutional protection: a public, permanent record that underwrites transparency, accountability, and historical memory. Print thus complements the immediacy of digital channels, ensuring that the ephemeral nature of contemporary media does not imperil the continuity of the public record. Digital platforms, undeniably, have transformed the mechanics of readership. They facilitate immediacy, social engagement, and discoverability, expanding reach beyond traditional demographics. For younger audiences, social media and mobile devices are primary conduits for local news. Digital-first workflows, analytics-driven editorial
of StRategic PaRtneRShiPS — ithaca tiMeS, fingeR l akeS coMMunity newSPaPeRS
Roy Allen is the Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Ithaca Times and Finger Lakes Community Newspapers. (Photo: Provided)
decisions, and SEO optimization are therefore indispensable for contemporary relevance. Yet digital alone is insufficient; it is inherently fragile. Cloud outages, cyberattacks, and shifting algorithms create systemic vulnerability. By maintaining print alongside digital, local newspapers create a resilient dual-system, combining the agility of real-time reporting with the permanence of archival record.
Moreover, newspapers must cultivate independence and public trust. In a digital environment dominated by attention economics, trending content often overshadows substantive reporting. Local newspapers that prioritize civic relevance over virality exercise the constitutional mandate of
Toni
Morrison’s
continued from page 17
my son,” Hunkele said. “He was surrounded by a supportive, engaged community that helped shape him into the thoughtful man he is today. And because of that, it’s easy and fun to imagine how living there could have
the First Amendment, safeguarding democracy through principled journalism. Membership programs, curated newsletters, and community partnerships reinforce this independence, creating sustainable connections between readers and the institution itself.
Print should be explicitly recognized as the archival backbone of the republic. It is a material repository of civic life, capturing the nuanced texture of local governance, social debate, and community priorities. By prioritizing investigative work, in-depth analysis, and reflective enterprise reporting in print, newspapers offer society a durable record of fact, context, and interpretation. Print, in this sense, is both histori -
helped shaped Toni Morrison into the profound literary and cultural force she became.”
Community members joined in the celebration, including Cal Walker, founder of the Village at Ithaca and the lead collaborator from Calvary Baptist Church for the collective’s Morrison book giveaway project.
“She told us that if there is a book we
cal evidence and civic insurance—a safeguard against the impermanence of digital media.
The Ithaca Times stands at a decisive moment. By embracing the philosophy of journalism as critical civic infrastructure, grounded in First Amendment protections, it can pursue both digital innovation and archival permanence. This duality ensures that the paper remains relevant in contemporary discourse while fulfilling its enduring constitutional and civic obligations.
In sum, local journalism is not merely an industry—it is a pillar of republican society. Digital platforms enhance immediacy and accessibility, but they cannot supplant the epistemic reliability, archival integ -
want to read but it has not yet been written, then we must write it,” Walker said. “She wrote us into permanence, she centered the interior lives of Black women and made the world reckon with our collective humanity, our trauma, our beauty and our complexity … Through her life she taught us that our stories are sacred.”
Leslyn McBean-
rity, and civic durability of print. By committing to a dual-system model—digital-first for responsiveness, print-preserved for permanence, local newspapers serve both present and future generations, safeguard constitutional freedoms, and provide a tangible record of communal life. In doing so, they preserve not only stories but the very architecture of civic memory upon which a healthy democracy depends. We are seeking community members to engage in this discussion, not to suppress either technology or print but rather to explore the best ways to synthesize their strengths to protect, serve and sustain our nation. Interested parties may contact Roy@ithacatimes.com.
Clairborne, GIAC director, read a poem she wrote, composed of the titles of Morrison’s 11 novels, to commemorate the day, which ended with: “Today, and into the future, this marker will stand, but her words will still move. River, song, testimony, truth. May we bravely remember deeply and see one another in the light she left behind.”
CALENDAR
Wednesday, April 22nd
18th Annual Izzy Award Ceremony | 7:00 p.m. | Emerson Suites, Ithaca College | Free
Cornell “Organists Unplugged” Earth Day Recital (CU Music) | 7:30 p.m. | Anabel Taylor Chapel, Cornell University | Free
Friday, April 24rd
Base in Yo Face 2026 | 6:15 p.m. | State Theater of Ithaca, 107 W. State St. | Prices may vary
Take Back the Night | 7:00 p.m. | Bernie Milton Pavillion | 198-100 N. Tioga St. | Free
Saturday, April 25th
Saturday Market | 9:00 a.m., every Saturday | Ithaca Farmer’s Market @ Steamboat Landing, 545 W. 3rd St. Candor Daffodil Festival | 10:00 a.m. | Candor Ball Field, 40 Spencer Road, Candor NY 13743
Compost Fair | 11:00 a.m. | CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Ave. | Free 4-H Duck Race 2026 | 11:00 a.m. | Cascadilla Gorge Trail | $5.00/duck, $20.00/five
Sunday, April 26th
Wolf in a Concrete Jungle | 7:30 p.m. | Dillingham Center, 953 Danby Rd | Free
Tuesday, April 28th
ICOA 25th Anniversary — Imagine | 6:30 p.m. | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E. Green St. | Free
Thursday, April 30th
Movie Night Fundraiser — Featuring Listers:
A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching | 6:00 p.m. | Tompkins Center for History and Culture, 110 N. Tioga St. | $10.00-$25.00
Raise the Curtain! CRT’s 55th Anniversary Season-Kick Off | 6:00 p.m. | Cortland Repertory Theater, 24 Port Watson St., Cortland, NY 13045
Friday, May 1st
My Father and the Silver King, by Gail HolstWarhaft Launch Event | 5:00 p.m. | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St. | Free
Wide Awake: A U2 Experience | 7:30 p.m. | Hangar Theater, 801 Taughannock Blvd. | $35.00
Lucy Kaplansky | 8:00 p.m. | Night Eagle Produc-
tions, 1004 Auburn Rd., N. Lansing, NY 13073 | Prices may vary.
Saturday, May 2nd
Moving Day Finger Lakes
| 10:00 a.m. | Stewart Park, 1 James L Gibbs Dr. | Free Children’s Miracle Network Bowl-A-Thon | 11:00 a.m. | Cort-Lanes, 928 Route 13, Cortland, NY 13045 | Registration for this event due 4/25 Saturday | $30.00-$120.00
TCPL Family Movies: The Iron Giant | 2:00 p.m. | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E. Green St. | Free
Paint & Sip Along with Bob Ross | 4:00 p.m. | South Cider Hill, 550 Sandback Rd | Two drinks minimum, ages 21+
Start Making Sense & The Ocean Avenue Horns | 7:00 p.m. | State Theater of Ithaca, 107 W. State St. | Tickets available online and in-person
Sunday, May 3rd
Cayuga Heights 5k Run and Fun | 9:00 a.m. | Cayuga Heights Elementary, 110 E. Upland Rd. | Register online!
Pandora Spring Dance 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | State Theater of Ithaca, 107 W. State St. Tickets available online and in-person
Wednesday, May 6th
13th Annual Foodnet “Meals on Wheels Mac ‘n Cheese Bowl” | 4:30 p.m. | Ithaca Farmer’s Market at Steamboat Landing, 545 3rd St. | Tickets
available online now!
First Year Composition Recital | 7:00 p.m. | Ford Hall, Ithaca College | Free
Thursday, May 7th
Derby Days: A Spring
House Open | 3:00 p.m. | Walden Place, 839 Bennie Rd., Cortland, NY 13045
Friday, May 8th
TCPL Tours: Downtown Tree Walk With City Forester, Jeanne Grace | 11:00 a.m. | Tompkins County Community Library, 101 E. Green St. | Free
Bertha — Grateful Drag | 8:00 p.m. | State Theater of Ithaca, 107 W. State St. | Tickets available online and in-person
Saturday, May 9th
Belle Sherman 5k Race & Fun Run | 9:00 a.m. |
Belle Sherman Elementary, 501 Mitchell St.
Better Together 2026 | 11:00 a.m. | Stewart Park, 1 James L Gibbs Dr | Free 50th Anniversary Concert — Ithaca College Band | 7:00 p.m. | Ford Hall, Ithaca College | Free
Friday, May 15th
Birds & Blooms — F.R.
Newman Arboretorum
Walks | Cornell Botanical Gardens, 124 Comstock Knoll Dr | Pre-registration required online
Saturday, May 16th
Rootstock Youth Celebration | 1:00 p.m.
| Bernie Milton Pavillion, Center Commons | Free
Graduate Hooding and Commencement
Ceremonies Begin | 12:00 p.m. | Athletics & Events Center, Ithaca College
An Evening With Linda Mironti | 6:00 p.m. | Rose Hall, 19 Church St., Cortland, NY 13045 | Tickets available online and in-person Commencement Eve
Concert at Glazer Arena | 8:30 p.m. | Glazer Arena, Athletics & Events Center, Ithaca College | Free
Sunday, May 17th
Commencement Ceremony | 9:00 a.m. | Athletics & Events Center, Ithaca College | Tickets required
Wednesday, May 20th
Garden Fair & Plant Sale
| 1:00 p.m. | Ithaca Farmers Market at Steamboat Landing, 545 3rd St. | Prices may vary, free admission
Friday, May 22nd
Eileen Ivers and the Brigideens | 8:00 p.m. |
First Unitarian Society, 306 N. Aurora St. | Free
Saturday, May 23rd
Cornell Commencement
Wine Party | 6:00 p.m. | Treleavan Wines, 658 Lake Rd., King Ferry, NY 13081
Tuesday, May 26th
American Red Cross Blood Drive | 10:00 a.m.
| Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E. Green Street | Free
Friday, May 29th
Destination after Dark, Live | 6:00 p.m. | Treleavan Wines, 658 Lake Rd, King Ferry, NY 13081
EUROPA–Celebrating The Music Of Santana |
7:30 p.m. | Hangar Theater, 801 Taughannock Rd.
Saturday, May 30th
Trumansburg May-Day 5k | 10:30 a.m. | Trumansburg Central, 100 Whig St., Trumansburg, NY 14886 | Free, pre-registration required
