September 8, 2012

Ellis Hollow Fair postponed to tomorrow

As there's a warning about high winds and rain, I think this was very smart. We will go with safety first and postpone the 2012 Fair to tomorrow Sunday the 9th, set up to begin at 8:00am and run the...

Posted by simon at 9:02 AM

August 25, 2012

Civil War encampment continues tomorrow

All I can say is wow. A free event, open to the public, and still open tomorrow, Sunday, August 25th, from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Yes, it's a little south of Ithaca on Route 13, but it's definitely worth the trip....

Posted by simon at 6:01 PM

August 20, 2012

Living Civil War History this weekend

I posted last week about the tense summer of 1862, 150 years ago. This coming weekend, you have a chance to what those those young Dryden residents of long ago would have found when they first arrived to go off...

Posted by simon at 7:29 PM

August 3, 2012

Greek Peak files for Chapter 11

They couldn't find new financing after their previous lender was seized by federal regulators, and Greek Peak ski resort has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. They say that this won't affect operations, and season tickets will still be honored. Let's...

Posted by simon at 7:21 AM

July 14, 2012

Greek Peak in trouble; Seward to face primary opponent

It looks like Greek Peak's debts to a failed bank may be causing it major headaches. Let's hope they stay open - they're in Virgil, but despite the distance they still create business and definitely recreation for Dryden. (Update: More...

Posted by simon at 9:36 AM

July 12, 2012

Saltonstall Foundation to host Open House Sundays

It's been a long time since I went to one of these, but the Saltonstall Foundation, on Ellis Hollow Creek Road, will be having Open House Sundays this Sunday, July 15th, as well as August 19th and September 23rd. If...

Posted by simon at 10:23 AM

July 11, 2012

Garden tour and much more

Posted by simon at 8:50 AM

July 2, 2012

Visiting the faeries

And now for something completely different. Yesterday we drove east to beautiful Ouaquaga, New York, to the New York Faerie Festival. Entering. Sungiva brought her wings. Watching Wolgemut. Some folks got very into the music. More than your average...

Posted by simon at 5:36 PM

June 27, 2012

Dryden Town Talk reports historian award

Cathy Wakeman's Dryden Town Talk reports that Dryden village historian Elsie Gutchess received the 2012 Franklin D. Roosevelt Local Government Historian Professional Achievement Award (along with Groton historian Rosemarie Tucker) from the Association of Public Historians of New York State...

Posted by simon at 8:50 AM

June 23, 2012

Free train rides at Finger Lakes Live Steamers

I'd heard of Finger Lakes Live Steamers, but I don't get up to Clyde very often. Fortunately, Konrad's best friend Benjamin had his second birthday today, so we went up for a party. it was amazing, pretty much paradise for...

Posted by simon at 7:31 PM

June 15, 2012

Planning summer recreation?

The Town of Dryden Recreation Department has published their Summer - Fall 2012 Program Guide (4.3MB PDF). It lists facilities, events, sports, music, travel, and other programs for the next several months. Lots to do!...

Posted by simon at 2:10 AM

May 16, 2012

Organic pest control discussion tonight

Tonight, at 6:30pm the Dryden Community Center Cafe, you can learn about Organic Pest Management for the Home Garden. The poster tells it much better than I can, and you can click on it if you want to see a...

Posted by simon at 12:17 PM

May 15, 2012

Primitive Pursuits Day coming up

4-H Acres is one of my favorite things about Dryden, and Primitive Pursuits Day is guaranteed to be interesting: 11th Annual Primitive Pursuits Day Saturday May 26, 10:00am-4:00pm at 4-H Acres, 418 Lower Creek Road, Ithaca Enjoy old time music...

Posted by simon at 8:11 AM

May 4, 2012

Bird walk Sunday

You can find the birds in Dryden's southern hills this Sunday... Join the Finger Lakes Land Trust on Sunday, May 6 at 8:00 AM for Birds Everywhere!, a bird walk especially for families and children. Join Mark Chao at the...

Posted by simon at 11:50 AM

May 2, 2012

"Enjoy the height of spring"

Cathy Wakeman's Dryden Town Talk explores spring activities. I'm also curious about which parking lot in Dryden is using these LEDs for light. Dryden resident and President of the Tompkins County Bar Association Kelly Damm has a guest viewpoint on...

Posted by simon at 7:59 AM

April 13, 2012

Dryden Lake Nature Study tomorrow

Well, tomorrow and May 5th. Town of Dryden Recreation DepartmentDryden Lake Nature Study Join Cornell naturalist, Charlie Smith, to see and study the birds, wildflowers, and other natural history subjects around Dryden Lake this Spring. Who: Ages 16 and over...

Posted by simon at 12:34 PM

Exploring Parke-Dabes Natural Area

I dropped our car off at Varna Auto Service for inspection this morning, and set out on a walk home by a different route. I walked up Route 366 to the driveway across from 1176 Dryden Road, and then turned...

Posted by simon at 11:13 AM

March 7, 2012

I'm behind, but

Cathy Wakeman's Dryden Town Talk is on track as always. Lots of March activities....

Posted by simon at 12:44 PM

February 23, 2012

Agriculture summit, home show

and more, as always, in Cathy Wakeman's Dryden Town Talk....

Posted by simon at 9:36 AM

February 9, 2012

Many stories

Lots and lots of small pieces, in no particular order: Dryden Town Talk offers history, chocolate Saturday in Etna, and a link to this great piece about the proposed Etna post office closing. Dryden nurse Jamie Otis made it to...

Posted by simon at 7:28 AM

January 25, 2012

Lots happening, and questioning home rule

As always, Dryden Town Talk is a must-read. Volunteer opportunities, jazz concerts, pancakes, chowder, a father-daughter dance... there's lots going on! I guess State Senator Jim Seward's earlier comments about home rule didn't sit well with the Dryden Safe Energy...

Posted by simon at 12:44 PM

December 29, 2011

Southworth House plans developing

This looks exciting: A piece of Dryden history is set to become part of the town's future when the Dryden Town Historical Society takes full ownership of the historic Southworth homestead on North Street in February. The historical society, given...

Posted by simon at 4:59 PM

December 16, 2011

No-till methods in the garden

It may be December, but the Dryden Community Garden continues to have great classes! This one will be next Tuesday, the 20th, at the Dryden Community Cafe from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. What and Who: This month's topic: No-till garden methods....

Posted by simon at 11:01 AM

December 14, 2011

Holiday happenings and gardening

As usual, go read Cathy Wakeman's Dryden Town Talk column. This time it's mostly holiday-related, with a bit on the Dryden Community Garden's classes. There's an update on sentencing of a Dryden teen for sexual contact with a 13-year-old. And...

Posted by simon at 12:36 PM

December 2, 2011

Holiday field trips with Dryden Recreation

The schedule tells the story, but the first registration deadline is today! We are ready to kick off the holidays here at Dryden Recreation! Please read below for fun opportunities for grades 4-9. Get a registration form at www.dryden.ny.us/recreation. We...

Posted by simon at 12:26 PM

November 30, 2011

Holidays coming to Dryden; economic development proposals

Cathy Wakeman reports on a variety of holiday happenings and more in her Dryden Town Talk column, starting with the Christmas tree lighting this Saturday, December 5th, on the Village Green in the Village of Dryden. There's also a piece...

Posted by simon at 12:58 PM

November 17, 2011

Lots of Dryden happenings

I should probably script something on this site that grabs Cathy Wakeman's latest Dryden Town Talk and posts a link here saying go read it! This week, of course, there's Dryden-related (Finger Lakes Fresh expanding to Groton with a state...

Posted by simon at 5:03 PM

November 1, 2011

Stolen Dryden car found in Ithaca

Two teens, one from Dryden, one from Groton, were found driving a stolen Dryden car in Ithaca last week. There's another piece about Thursday's recreation meeting at Town Hall, this one with a lot more detail and some pictures of...

Posted by simon at 8:23 AM

October 26, 2011

First thoughts on tonight's candidates forum

Perhaps the most impressive feature of tonight's candidate forum at the Dryden Fire Station was the turnout. I'm guessing that 200 people were there, far far more than came out to the forum two years ago. Yes, a large group...

Posted by simon at 11:03 PM

Chili Cook-off and Apple Pie Contest

It's not all politics and hydrofracking in Dryden... Dryden Community Center Cafe's 5th Annual Chili Cook-off and Apple Pie Contest will be held on SATURDAY, October 29, 11:00 a.m. - 2 p.m. Come sample some awesome chili and pies, enjoy...

Posted by simon at 4:28 PM

October 18, 2011

Town to reveal dastardly park plans

When I first got involved in Dryden town politics, one of the perpetual battles was over recreation. Projects that benefited the east side often received attention and funding from the Republican Town Board, while other possibilities used more by west...

Posted by simon at 8:34 AM

October 11, 2011

Catching up on the news

Once again, I've fallen behind. The main Dryden-centric piece of the past week was Cathy Wakeman's Dryden Town Talk, which included a few events that have already happened and many that haven't. She opens by discussing various projects to help...

Posted by simon at 1:00 AM

September 21, 2011

Fort Drum soldier captured in Dryden

I'm way behind on local news, but hopefully this will catch up on some. A soldier from Fort Drum was captured in Dryden. It sounds like he had just been bailed out on burglary charges, when he escaped in his...

Posted by simon at 12:23 PM

August 24, 2011

September 10th a busy day for fairs

It looks like the Ellis Hollow Fair and the Freeville Harvest Festival will once again be on the same day - September 10th this year - as Cathy Wakeman reports in Dryden Town Talk. I wonder if the Etna Yard...

Posted by simon at 5:22 PM

July 28, 2011

Ernie Balch comes up on 100

Yesterday's Dryden Town Talk recognizes Ernie Balch's approaching 100th birthday. He's still busy, even speaking at a public hearing last week. The article also notes this week's 4-H Youth Fair, running now at 4-H Acres on Lower Creek off Route...

Posted by simon at 5:48 PM

July 16, 2011

Junior Fire Academy in Dryden

I should probably set up an automatic story to point to Cathy Wakeman's always excellent and generally impossible to summarize Dryden Town Talk articles in the Ithaca Journal. This week's installment looks at Junior Fire Academy, Covenant Love Community School's...

Posted by simon at 6:17 PM

July 9, 2011

Hedgehogs in Etna

If it's still Saturday before around 4:00pm and you're reading this, definitely visit the Etna Fire Station to see the Eastern States Hedgehog Show. (Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids 5-12, and free for kids below 5.) Hedgehog...

Posted by simon at 11:03 AM

July 7, 2011

Hedgehogs coming to Etna Saturday

Posted by simon at 7:24 AM

July 1, 2011

Fireworks

No, not politics. The pretty exploding in the sky kind of fun. Here's the latest from the Journal on tonight's fireworks at TC3. Parking at 7:30pm, with the show at 9:45pm. Here's the site for the show, with a lot...

Posted by simon at 2:23 PM

June 30, 2011

Community Fireworks Viewing Party on July 1 at VFW/American Legion on Route 13 in Dryden

Via the Dryden Community Center Cafe: There will be a Community Fireworks Viewing Party on Friday, July 1 at the VFW/American Legion on Route 13 in Dryden beginning at 5p.m. Live music with The Prophets at 5:30 p.m. and Steve...

Posted by simon at 2:32 PM

June 28, 2011

Raw milk coming to Dryden; fireworks Friday

Or from Dryden, and to Freeville. This morning's Ithaca Journal reports that Jerry Dell Farm has started offering raw milk to customers, after receiving a state license last month. The article is largely about the controversies around raw milk, but...

Posted by simon at 7:21 AM

June 23, 2011

Open Gate Garden and Art Tour Saturday

Here's something fun to do Saturday morning: Just wanted to let you know about the Open Gate Garden and Art Tour happening this Saturday June 25th in Dryden from 9-1 pm. The gardens are in the country this year, and...

Posted by simon at 4:26 PM

June 16, 2011

Southworth Library Lincoln Center dedication Saturday

Cathy Wakeman's Dryden Town Talk reports on last weekend's Dairy Day festival, and looks ahead to the Southworth Library's Lincoln Center dedication: Community building for the future continues this coming weekend as the Southworth Library dedicates the Lincoln Center, the...

Posted by simon at 6:11 PM

June 9, 2011

Republicans running for town offices

This Ithaca Journal article feels like a strange collision of this Saturday's Dairy Day and Dryden Republican Party press releases, but it does list the Republican candidates for town offices: Bruno Schickel - Town Supervisor Christopher Clauson - Town Justice...

Posted by simon at 8:45 AM

June 7, 2011

Dairy Day is Saturday!

No, not this Dairy Day, though that's a good idea too. Dryden Dairy Day opens with a parade at 9:30am down Main Street in the Village of Dryden. From 10:00am to 3:00pm, organizations and vendors will be in Montgomery Park,...

Posted by simon at 5:09 PM

May 14, 2011

All kinds of things to do today

and hopefully the rain will hold off, or be light. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology will be having its Go Wild, Go Birding event today from 10:00am to 3:00pm at its offices on Sapsucker Woods Road. The Spring Garden Fair...

Posted by simon at 6:17 AM

April 26, 2011

Ithaca Garden Sale moves to Dryden this year

We've bought a fair number of plants at this sale, and always recommend it. New Location for Spring Garden Fair & Plant Sale (5/14) Due to ongoing construction at Ithaca High School, this year's annual Spring Garden Fair and Plant...

Posted by simon at 7:18 AM

April 1, 2011

Roast beef dinner Saturday night

I can't say it more clearly than this: The Varna Community Center will serve a Roast Beef Dinner on Saturday, April 2nd from 4-7PM. The menu includes generous and tasty portions of Roast Beef, Tossed Salad, Baked Potato with sour...

Posted by simon at 12:01 PM

March 23, 2011

Spring activities blossoming; American "in-fracktion"

Yes, there's plenty of snow coming today, but Cathy Wakeman is also right that the pulse of Dryden activities is picking up. She notes not only flowers, but a craft fair, lasagna dinner, roast beef dinner, jazz desert night, youth...

Posted by simon at 6:36 AM

March 15, 2011

Fire on West Main Street

I drove by the damaged building this weekend and wondered, but the Journal reported yesterday with a pretty complete report on what had happened. 72-74 West Main Street had a fire apparently caused by a natural gas wall heater. No...

Posted by simon at 7:48 AM

March 9, 2011

Seussical on its way

Cathy Wakeman's Dryden Town Talk reports on Seussical, a musical based on Dr. Seuss, which Dryden High School will perform this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. She also notes a new Eagle Scout, a tractor workshop Saturday, a Bluebird Society meeting...

Posted by simon at 6:54 AM

February 23, 2011

Events and attendance

In today's Dryden Town Talk, Cathy Wakeman talks about meeting with Dryden Seniors at their Valentine luncheon. She also notes the Dryden Mardi Gras, coming at 7:00pm on March 4th at the Dryden Methodist Church, a March 5th fair about...

Posted by simon at 7:42 AM

February 11, 2011

Events, sustainability, and health

I can't say that I love the Ithaca Journal web site redesign, which seems mostly to make me scroll more and wonder where if anywhere the commented stories are. Performance hasn't improved, either - it's the only site I visit...

Posted by simon at 5:38 PM

Chocolate! Chocolate!

The tastiest Dryden festival of the year comes tomorrow, at Houtz Hall in Etna, from 10:00am to noon. The Etna Chocolate Festival is delicious, with a wide variety of chocolate-based treats for you to enjoy. Tastes of everything cost a...

Posted by simon at 9:14 AM

January 22, 2011

Kids' ski day on Mount Pleasant Sunday

All this cold and snow has its uses. The Cayuga Nordic Ski Club will be having a Kids Ski Session tomorrow afternoon from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. It'll be up at Swann Cycles, 226 Mount Pleasant Road, high above Varna. (This...

Posted by simon at 7:27 AM

January 18, 2011

PrimitivePursuits Earth Mentoring

I'm pretty sure Primitive Pursuits has had events at 4-H Acres in Dryden, and I think they do more here as well. I just stumbled on their blog, which is definitely worth a visit....

Posted by simon at 1:36 PM

January 10, 2011

TC3 older students scholarship available

The Ithaca Journal reports that applications are due March 1st for a $5000 scholarship at TC3 available to students over 25 years old. Need something to do in the cold? The Varna United Methodist Church can warm you up Tuesday...

Posted by simon at 7:43 AM

December 30, 2010

Get ready for spring gardening

The Dryden Community Center Cafe will be hosting classes on gardening presented by the co-founder of the Dryden Community Garden: Join us for the first of a new series of free classes at Dryden Community Center Cafe: Grow Your Own....

Posted by simon at 8:41 AM

December 29, 2010

Dryden Aquatic Racing Team returns

Cathy Wakeman's Dryden Town Talk reports on the return of "Dryden Aquatic Racing Team, known as DART... a parent-run, not-for-profit developmental swim program for children in grades K-12". She also looks forward to the opening of the Southworth Library's new...

Posted by simon at 12:16 PM

December 16, 2010

Dryden Community Garden awarded grant

Cathy Wakeman's Dryden Town Talk describes a grant Tompkins Trust Company awarded TC3 and the Dryden Community Garden: According to the award announcement, Kerra [Quinn] and TC3 students Giovanni Griffin and Lauren Fitzgerald will "involve Dryden elementary students and other...

Posted by simon at 8:14 AM

December 1, 2010

"People believe in the purple and white."

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports on a variety of parent and alumni complaints about sports at Dryden schools, including coaching issues and uniforms moving to black and white from purple and white. (Update: more on this story at YNN.) This...

Posted by simon at 7:34 AM

November 19, 2010

Amphibians and reptiles in Varna Saturday

If juggling isn't your thing, you can check out amphibians and reptiles at the Varna Community Center from 2:00pm to 4:00pm instead: Tomorrow (Saturday), the Cornell Herpetological Society will be at the Varna Community Center from 2-4PM with live exhibits...

Posted by simon at 3:50 PM

Juggling Saturday at the Community Center Cafe

Kids can learn to juggle at the Dryden Community Center Cafe tomorrow from 2:00pm to 3:00pm....

Posted by simon at 1:12 PM

November 4, 2010

Pies and gardening this weekend

If you'd like your local food in tasty "pick it up and buy it" form, stop by the Dryden bank on Saturday morning: The crisp, cool days of autumn have arrived, bringing with them the yearning for treats fresh from...

Posted by simon at 11:15 AM

October 19, 2010

Horse-drawn wagon ride Sunday afternoon

It's been a few years since there were horse-drawn wagon tours in the Village of Dryden - this should be great! Join the Dryden Town Historical Society and Historic Ithaca for: A Horse-Drawn Wagon Ride to see the carriage houses...

Posted by simon at 7:18 AM

October 18, 2010

Dryden Cafe celebrates new ramp

Saturday was a busy morning at the Dryden Community Center Cafe, with music, apple pie, chili, and the dedication of a new accessibility ramp and deck built by volunteers. Cafe board president Beth Peck speaks about the ramp. Rotarian Brian...

Posted by simon at 7:47 AM

September 9, 2010

Etna yard sale Saturday

My copy of the Etna Volcano arrived just in time to alert me that the Etna Community Yard Sale is this Saturday from 9:00am through noon at Houtz Hall, 2 Lower Creek Road. They're still taking donations today and tomorrow...

Posted by simon at 2:45 PM

Dryden Youth Opportunity Fund hosts Fair

The Dryden Youth Opportunity Fund with be sponsoring a Dryden Youth Opportunity Fair Saturday the 11th from 9:00am to noon at the Dryden Fire Hall....

Posted by simon at 12:27 PM

September 8, 2010

Jazz meets Indian Classical; county budget bleak

Cathy Wakeman's Dryden Town Talk column discusses a free concert coming up September 16th at Dryden High School that will mix contemporary jazz with Indian classical music. She also notes the Dryden Historical Society's September 15th event on the Dryden...

Posted by simon at 8:08 AM

August 16, 2010

Dryden Lake Festival

I only managed to get over to the Dryden Lake Festival for a few hours on Saturday, but it was amazing. I loved the Revolutionary War reenactment tent, and not just because they were firing cannons and muskets. Preparing to...

Posted by simon at 5:18 PM

August 11, 2010

Dryden Lake Festival Saturday

It's just about here - the Dryden Lake Festival will be this Saturday, August 14th. They'll be having races - including canoe races and a 1K paddle/5K run race - in the morning, with music and classic cars in the...

Posted by simon at 5:15 PM

July 28, 2010

Dryden Junior Fire Day; development plans can improve

Cathy Wakeman's Dryden Town Talk visits Junior Fire Academy, a week of drills, training, and competition for 10 to 16-year-olds. She also reports on Music in the Park and Music in the Hollow, plus the opening of the 4-H Fair...

Posted by simon at 7:18 AM

July 24, 2010

Contentious zoning meeting

The Ithaca Journal reports this morning on Thursday night's zoning meeting , giving it the ominous headline "Dryden zoning issue spurs death threat". The Cortland Standard also reported, oddly noting the comment that ended with the threat without mentioning the...

Posted by simon at 6:04 AM

July 23, 2010

Community Garden underway

I finally got to visit the Dryden Community Garden this week, and was amazed. It's in a beautiful spot behind Town Hall, and though it's just getting started, it's promising and then some. Path to the garden. Plots growing in...

Posted by simon at 5:37 PM

July 14, 2010

Garden tour Saturday, sales tax revenue climbs

Cathy Wakeman's Dryden Town Talk has all kinds of news, leading with the Dryden Beautification Brigade's upcoming garden tour this Saturday morning. She also notes the new Dryden Methodist Church pastor, the Southworth Library's groundbreaking for its expansion, Eagle Scouts,...

Posted by simon at 5:02 PM

July 8, 2010

Dryden Garden and Art Tour July 17th

Posted by simon at 6:46 PM

July 1, 2010

Fireworks tonight at TC3

The fireworks show moves from Ithaca to Dryden this year, and starts at 9:45pm, with parking at 7:30pm. Cathy Wakeman has more on activities this week and beyond....

Posted by simon at 4:50 PM

June 24, 2010

Earthquake, lots of fun, tax caps

I was in the car when the area felt an earthquake, so I probably figured it was just a bumpy road. I still can't see earthquakes as a likely major disaster here. Cathy Wakeman reports on all kinds of upcoming...

Posted by simon at 5:13 PM

June 21, 2010

Dryden Lake Festival, gas drilling, TC3 tuition, county redistricting

That's a very messy headline, but there are lots of Ithaca Journal updates in and around Dryden: The Dryden Lake Festival is starting to recruit for races. Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton wants gas drilling regulated everywhere as tightly as it is...

Posted by simon at 6:15 PM

June 18, 2010

Lime Hollow bats no match for Dryden Eagle Scout who helps them

The Ithaca Journal reports that Dryden High Eagle Scout Ajax Hayes's project coordinated 20 people to build new houses for bats at the Lime Hollow Nature Center, supporting these useful bug eaters while encouraging them to stay out of the...

Posted by simon at 7:28 AM

June 14, 2010

Dairy Day Success; Reminder of Veterans' Highway

Dryden Dairy Day was definitely a hit this year - reasonable weather, large crowds, a busy parade and lots happening in Montgomery Park. Ralph, a standard poodle, will be honorary Mayor of Dryden until next year, when Kiwanis holds their...

Posted by simon at 7:32 AM

June 2, 2010

Dryden Community Garden meeting June 3rd

Cathy Wakeman leads her Dryden Town Talk column with news of the meeting tomorrow night to get the Dryden Community Garden going: The newly formed Community Gardens, an outgrowth of Dryden Solutions, will share its progress at 7 p.m. Thursday,...

Posted by simon at 4:47 PM

May 19, 2010

DRAC to present petitions; school budgets pass

The Dryden Resource Awareness Coalition will be presenting petitions on zoning home rule and industrial noise to the Town Board tonight, having gathered 452 on noise and 389 on zoning. In a town of around 13,000 residents, that's a lot...

Posted by simon at 6:48 AM

May 18, 2010

Dog for Mayor of Town of Dryden

Yes, that's a real Ithaca Journal headline, one which made me really wonder if I was seeing things. However, it's a fundraiser... The Kiwanis Club of Dryden is hosting the first Dog for Mayor of Town of Dryden contest. This...

Posted by simon at 4:43 PM

May 6, 2010

Lots of little bits

I don't have time to write as much as I'd like, but you should know: Freeville has a diner again - Casey's Diner is now open where Toad's Diner was, on 38. When I ran for Town Board last year,...

Posted by simon at 4:32 PM

May 3, 2010

Dryden Community Garden meeting Tuesday night

The Dryden Community Garden, behind the Dryden Town Hall (93 East Main Street, Dryden), is on its way to getting started. If you're interested in helping organize, they're meeting Tuesday, May 4th, at the Dryden Community Center Cafe at 7:00pm....

Posted by simon at 8:53 PM

April 21, 2010

Trapped away from Freeville

Rachel Dickinson, who was once the Ithaca Journal's Dryden Town Talk columnist, writes of pining for Freeville while being stuck in Ireland because of the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud. In this week's Dryden Town Talk, Cathy Wakeman explores events that...

Posted by simon at 8:43 AM

April 1, 2010

July 4th Fireworks coming to Dryden

I guess it's only for a year, while Ithaca College sorts out construction, but TC3 will be hosting July 4th fireworks this year. (There are lots more comments here.) TC3 will also be having a summer course on local agriculture...

Posted by simon at 7:42 AM

March 23, 2010

Spring fun, farming, and power

Looking for things to do this spring? Cathy Wakeman has a list, from community gardening through tractors, a capella singing, and kids' sports. There's also note about a meeting on an Agricultural Resource Focus Area Plan, and the study itself...

Posted by simon at 8:48 PM

February 6, 2010

Etna Chocolate Festival, Valentine's dance today

The tastiest event of the year, the Etna Chocolate Festival, will be this morning from 10:00am to noon at Houtz Hall, on Lower Creek Road in Etna. Tonight from 7:00pm to 11:00pm, there will be a Valentine's Day dance for...

Posted by simon at 5:14 AM

January 11, 2010

Making the most of the snow

The Ithaca Journal reports that Hammond Hill was busy Saturday, as the Cayuga Nordic Ski Club held its 25th annual 10K ski race for club members, as well as a 5K race and a children's race. The night before, the...

Posted by simon at 12:18 PM

November 6, 2009

Food and crafts this weekend

It'll be a busy weekend in Dryden over the next couple of days: The Dryden Town Historical Society will be having its regular baked goods sale tomorrow morning at 9:00am at the First National Bank of Dryden. It's always delicious!...

Posted by simon at 12:35 PM

September 14, 2009

Freeville Harvest Festival, Ellis Hollow Fair

The Saturday after Labor Day is always a busy day in Dryden. I was worried Friday night about rain, but the rain came overnight, leaving the Freeville and Ellis Hollow events with a gray but dry day. After buying a...

Posted by simon at 6:23 AM

August 1, 2009

Finally, Dryden Dairy Day photos

Yes, I know - it's already time for Dryden Old Home Days. I've foolishly sat on this collection of photos, though, and they need to see the light. Angelika took almost all of them, at the Dryden Dairy Days parade...

Posted by simon at 1:52 PM

February 11, 2009

Tomorrow the big day for Lincoln speech

An event in New York City tomorrow may have some big reverberations in Dryden. Christie's will be auctioning the original manuscript of Abraham Lincoln's 1864 victory speech, for a hoped-for $3 to $4 million. The Southworth Library, owner of the...

Posted by simon at 6:38 AM

January 31, 2009

Catching up on Village of Dryden elections

This week's Ithaca Journal has had a few pieces on the Village of Dryden caucuses. Faced with opposition from Democrat Wendy Martin, Mayor Reba Taylor is stepping down and Republican Trustee Randy Sterling is running as the Republican candidate for...

Posted by simon at 12:42 PM

January 24, 2009

Village of Dryden to continue clearing sidewalks

In a decision that will doubtless make at least one recent commenter sad, but makes me very happy, the Village of Dryden will continue to clear snow from sidewalks. So says the January 21 Dryden Courier, which just arrived today....

Posted by simon at 3:19 PM

September 13, 2008

Freeville Harvest Festival

Continuing our tour of Dryden's excellent fall festivals, here's today's Freeville Harvest Festival, which felt just a little bigger than usual to me. They continued their excellent chili and apple cookoffs, had the traditional chicken barbecue, and there were lots...

Posted by simon at 2:17 PM

Ellis Hollow Fair, 2008

Last Saturday's Ellis Hollow Fair was as busy as ever, despite some occasional raindrops. Varna Fire Company at the Fair entrance. Riding on a horse cart. Explaining the Pie Run course. White Elephant sale. I've posted a much larger gallery...

Posted by simon at 1:40 PM

September 2, 2008

Eight Square Schoolhouse teaches public

The History Center held its annual Eight Square Schoolhouse Festival on the 23rd, combining old-fashioned classes with ice cream, games, and music. Playing with stilts. Learning, 19th century style. Spinning at the schoolhouse. I'll make (once again) the radical proposal...

Posted by simon at 7:03 PM

July 7, 2008

Recreation meeting in Varna Wednesday

I'm still way behind, but this, from County Legislator Martha Robertson, is definitely worth posting quickly: If you're interested in the future of recreation in Dryden - what kinds of programs and facilities we have for children, teens and adults...

Posted by simon at 12:53 PM

June 14, 2008

Dairy Day 2008

This morning's weather was kind to Dryden Dairy Day - just a few warning sprinkles, but no downpour. It was a great parade as usual, with a larger crowd than I remember seeing in the past. Sungiva and I marched...

Posted by simon at 4:36 PM

June 13, 2008

Dryden Dairy Day tomorrow!

I need to catch up on all kinds of stories, but can't miss noting this preview of tomorrow's Dairy Day events. The parade down Main Street starts at 9:30am, and there will be booths in Montgomery Park until around 4:00pm....

Posted by simon at 8:31 AM

May 9, 2008

Yesterday in photos

I'm way behind on everything, but hopefully these photos will give you some idea of the past few days. Well, all of them are from yesterday, except for the obligatory (and fun) Sungiva photo. Sungiva stretches out. Peace march banner....

Posted by simon at 5:12 PM

May 8, 2008

Recreation meeting tonight

It's been a busy few days. If you have the chance, please go to the Recreation master plan discussion tonight. Recreation's been a key topic in Dryden for years, and an area that the Town has pushed hard to improve...

Posted by simon at 8:42 AM

April 30, 2008

Discuss Dryden recreation May 8th

If you're interested in Town recreation, there's an important meeting May 8th at the new Town Hall that you won't want to miss. The Town is creating a new recreation master plan, which will set out priorities for the town....

Posted by simon at 8:04 AM

February 20, 2008

Amphibians, reptiles, to visit Varna Saturday

Now here's a good way to spend a cold Saturday afternoon! Amphibians and Reptiles are coming to the Varna Community Center on February 23 The Cornell Herpetological Club will be coming to the Varna Community Center on Saturday, February 23rd...

Posted by simon at 8:33 AM

February 9, 2008

Busy Saturday morning

As I noted earlier, it's a busy weekend for food in Dryden. Angelika and I started out with a trip to the Sertoma pancake breakfast at the Dryden Fire Station. Sertoma pancake breakfast. Then we went to the Dryden Community...

Posted by simon at 12:39 PM

February 6, 2008

Crazy food weekend - pancakes and chocolate

If you wake up hungry on either Saturday or Sunday, you're in luck. There are pancake breakfasts both days, and the Etna Chocolate Fest on Saturday as well. On Saturday morning from 7:30am to 11:00am, Sertoma will be having its...

Posted by simon at 6:10 PM

February 5, 2008

Pancakes, pottery for DC3

This weekend will be a busy one for supporters of the Dryden Community Center Cafe, according to Wendy Martin, its Director. On Saturday morning, Sertoma will be having its pancake breakfast, I believe at the Dryden Fire Hall, from 7:30am...

Posted by simon at 11:20 PM

January 22, 2008

Roc Day in Varna

Wow, am I behind! Angelika visited the Black Sheep Handspinners Guild's annual Roc Day event in Varna on Saturday the 12th, returning with lots of pictures of the event. It looks like everyone had a great time! Spinning at Roc...

Posted by simon at 7:56 PM

January 16, 2008

Deployment ceremony tonight

Cathy Wakeman's Dryden Town Talk in this morning's Journal lists a lot of happenings, including one tonight: There will be a deployment ceremony at 6:00pm tonight for 87 men and women going to Afghanistan for a year. The ceremony will...

Posted by simon at 8:58 AM

January 10, 2008

"Concert for the Cafe" Saturday; pancakes Sunday

The Dryden Community Center Cafe will be the beneficiary of a concert Saturday night in the Dryden Middle School/High School auditorim. Beyond Measure, Hall Pass, and The Small Kings will be performing. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for students...

Posted by simon at 12:18 PM

December 7, 2007

Pancakes and Holly

This Sunday, you can start the day with a tasty breakfast, and then visit Dryden homes in the afternoon, all while helping out community organizations. The Varna Community Association's pancake breakfast will be at the Varna Community Center, 943 Dryden...

Posted by simon at 12:47 PM

December 1, 2007

Santa comes to Dryden

Last night, the Village of Dryden lit its Christmas tree, with Santa arriving by fire truck. The Southworth Library, Methodist Church, and Dryden Community Cafe were all open to the large crowd. Santa descends into the crowd. Santa lands among...

Posted by simon at 8:20 PM

November 28, 2007

Etna craft fair Saturday

The latest eruption of the Etna Community Assocation newsletter, The Volcano, announces that they'll be having the Etna Holiday Craft Fair this Saturday, December 1st, from 9:00am to 2:00pm at Houtz Hall, on Lower Creek Road in Etna. They also...

Posted by simon at 6:00 PM

Village of Dryden tree lighting Friday night

The Dryden Community Cafe blog has a reminder that the Village of Dryden Christmas tree lighting will be this Friday, November 30th, at 6:00pm on the Village Green in Dryden, between the Methodist and Presbyterian churches on North Street. Santa...

Posted by simon at 5:50 PM

November 1, 2007

Halloween parties

I was a little concerned when I heard that the Dryden Community Cafe open house was Halloween night, at the same time as the costume contest and firetruck rides at the Neptune Hose Company. I needn't have worried - both...

Posted by simon at 12:50 PM

October 17, 2007

2006 and 2007 Community Center funds distributed

The Dryden Town Board made a substantial contribution to community centers last week, finally distributing $37,750 in funds from the 2006 and 2007 budgets. Some of the 2006 money had already gone to centers piecemeal, but this was the first...

Posted by simon at 8:40 AM

September 4, 2007

Fair and Festival

I'm very happy to report that it looks like the Ellis Hollow Fair and the Freeville Harvest Festival will be on different days this year, making it easier for Dryden residents to attend both. The Ellis Hollow Fair will be...

Posted by simon at 12:09 PM

August 30, 2007

Youth activities starting up; Tompkins economy slows down

Cathy Wakeman's Dryden Town Talk reported yesterday on scouting and youth activities. She noted that Girl Scouts had planted trees to help stabilize Virgil Creek, and both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are getting ready for more activity with the...

Posted by simon at 12:18 PM

August 10, 2007

School lunch budget problems

This week's Dryden Courier has a long article about the Dryden school lunch program's deficit. Last year's contingency budget forced benefits into the program's budget, creating problems, but there seem to be a lot of other issues as well. There...

Posted by simon at 5:34 PM

August 4, 2007

A community center in the Village of Dryden?

Community center discussions in the Town of Dryden tend to polarize east-west. The west side has community centers, while the east side has schools and villages. On the east side, fire departments often provide space for community events, there's a...

Posted by simon at 2:58 PM

August 1, 2007

Amy Dickinson returns

Cathy Wakeman's Dryden Town Talk is extremely full today, listing a wide range of events: Syndicated advice columnist Amy Dickinson will be presenting "Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Dairy Princess: Mostly True Stories of Small Town Life", on Friday, August...

Posted by simon at 10:27 PM

July 30, 2007

McLean throws a party

This morning's Journal reports on McLean's Happenin' in the Hamlet party, which celebrate McLean with a special focus on Fall Creek, whose waterpower first encouraged the hamlet's development. In broader news, the Tompkins County economy expanded a bit in June...

Posted by simon at 12:37 PM

July 10, 2007

East/West at Tompkins Weekly; coming elections

This week's issue of Tompkins Weekly offers not just its usual one, but three stories on Dryden. The first, on page 3, examines the continuing divide between the east and west sides of Dryden, looking at the question of recreation...

Posted by simon at 12:43 PM

July 9, 2007

McLean activities, starting tonight

There's a lot going on in McLean this month, with an event every Monday, starting tonight at 6:30pm: McLean Stuff - July 9th, 6:30-8:00pm "A night of tools, implements, and artifacts that were made in McLean, found in McLean, or...

Posted by simon at 12:22 PM

July 7, 2007

Gracie Manos benefit today

Briefly in Tompkins lists a benefit for the family of Gracie Manos at the Dryden VFW this afternoon from 2:00pm to 8:00pm. Tickets are $10 at the door. Jen Dube, Dryden's departing Recreation Coordinator, gets a laurel from Dryden Kiwanis...

Posted by simon at 11:40 AM

June 30, 2007

Rushing to decision on town hall land

Ever since the Town Board purchased a large chunk of land in the Village of Dryden for a new Town Hall, there have been rumors and occasional comments that it would be developed as parkland. Everyone loves recreation, but big...

Posted by simon at 8:29 PM

June 20, 2007

Summer in Dryden

Cathy Wakeman declares the start of summer now that Dairy Day has passed. She reports on the upcoming Music in the Park events, starting tonight at Montgomery Park from 6:00pm to 8:00pm with Steve Southworth and the Rockabilly Rays, and...

Posted by simon at 9:14 AM

June 18, 2007

Surveillance camera leads to burglar arrest

This morning's Ithaca Journal Monitor suggests that surveillance cameras can be useful at home when there are burglars around. An Etna man seems to have caught his neighbor on tape in his house, and the man then confessed to an...

Posted by simon at 8:37 AM

May 7, 2007

Skate Park dream fulfilled

Christopher Ackley's dream of a skate park for Dryden was realized Saturday as the Town and Village of Dryden celebrated the opening of the Christopher Ackely Memorial Skateboard Park in Montgomery Park. There was a ceremony and skateboarding. The park...

Posted by simon at 9:19 PM

April 11, 2007

Music around Dryden

Cathy Wakeman's Dryden Town Talk column today explores the Harmony United Methodist Church's monthly music celebrations at 7:00pm on the second Sunday of the month. On the 22nd, she reports, the Dryden Music Boosters fundraiser will combine jazz, a capella...

Posted by simon at 8:15 AM

February 28, 2007

Jazz concert tonight; sewer hearing delayed

Cathy Wakeman's Dryden Town Talk reports that the Cornell University Jazz Ensemble will be having a workshop and concert tonight at the Dryden High School auditorium. The workshop for students runs from 6:00pm to 7:00pm, and the concert starts afterward....

Posted by simon at 8:25 AM

February 21, 2007

Girl scout international night Monday

This morning's Ithaca Journal is pretty quiet about Dryden, except for this item mysteriously placed at the top of Groton Town Talk: Girl Scout International Night will be from 6-7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26 at the Dryden Elementary School Cafeteria....

Posted by simon at 8:46 AM

January 31, 2007

Snowfest Sunday

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports that it looks like the Cayuga Nordic Ski Club's Snowfest on Hammond Hill will have plenty of snow and fun. It will be Sunday, February 4th, from 10:30am to 3:00pm at Hammond Hill State Park,...

Posted by simon at 9:01 AM

January 18, 2007

North Road man arrested

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports that a 51-year-old North Road man was arrested for first-degree sexual abuse, "alleged to have forcibly touched a female in a sexual way without her consent" on Tuesday. An article on a cancelled Trumansburg skate...

Posted by simon at 7:20 AM

December 20, 2006

Life with cancer

There's actually so much Dryden news today that picking a headline was hard, but a new column on the front page gets it: Dryden resident Barbara Lang writes about her experiences with colon cancer, in what will be a monthly...

Posted by simon at 12:46 PM

December 11, 2006

Community Development Block Grant in Village of Dryden

This past week's issue of The Shopper includes an ad from Thoma Development Consultants about a Community Development Block Grant that homeowners can use to rehabilitate their houses. "Priority will be given to those eligible applicants with the lowest income...

Posted by simon at 12:34 PM

October 13, 2006

Some math scores fall

Yesterday's Ithaca Journal had lots of articles with Dryden connections. An article on declining math test scores in higher grades shows the Dryden and Ithaca schools with a similar pattern of better performance in lower grades, with Dryden being a...

Posted by simon at 12:46 PM

September 11, 2006

Fairs Saturday

Dryden had an action-packed Saturday this past weekend, with the Etna Community Association yard sale, the Freeville Harvest Festival, and the Ellis Hollow Fair as well. A busy Etna yard sale. Booths at the Freeville Harvest Festival. Eating at the...

Posted by simon at 5:44 PM

September 7, 2006

Community fun Saturday

There are fairs, festivals, and fun all over town this Saturday: The Etna Community Association will be having a yard sale on Saturday, September 9th from 9:00am to noon at Houtz Hall, at the intersection of Lower Creek Road and...

Posted by simon at 8:56 AM

July 5, 2006

Intergenerational music, summer music

I've been trying to get a lot of household projects done this week and haven't been quite up to speed with this site. I should at least catch up with today's paper... Cathy Wakeman reports on the Intergenerational Summer Band...

Posted by simon at 2:20 PM

June 29, 2006

Music despite the rain

I missed last night's meeting about the new Town Hall because I thought it was at 7:00pm, and it really happened at 5:30pm. Oops. Town Clerk Bambi Hollenbeck had a good idea, though, that I should check out the Music...

Posted by simon at 5:09 PM

June 10, 2006

Dairy Day makes it through the rain

Last year's Dairy Day was sunny and sweltering; today's Dairy Day was wet and cold. Despite that, it was still fun both times. Watching in the rain. Dairy cow in the Dairy Day parade. Firetrucks. I was in the parade...

Posted by simon at 3:02 PM

June 8, 2006

Dryden Dairy Day is Saturday!

There's lots about Dairy Day in today's Journal, as Cathy Wakeman (who writes Dryden Town Talk) gives an overview of Saturday's event. The print version offers a more detailed schedule, but the two key pieces are the parade down Main...

Posted by simon at 5:50 PM

June 1, 2006

Contra dancing at Bethel Grove

This morning's Ithaca Journal includes photos taken at Bethel Grove Community Center in an article on contra dancing, which also notes that contra dances are held at 8:00pm every Friday for $5 at the Community Center. The Monitor reports that...

Posted by simon at 12:10 PM

May 17, 2006

School budgets pass; disc golf at TC3

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports that every school budget in the county except Lansing's passed yesterday. In Dryden, Jeff Bradley, Brian June, and Brad Rauch were elected to the school board unopposed, while in Ithaca, Carol Warshawsky, Deboran O'Connor, and...

Posted by simon at 8:28 AM

May 1, 2006

Skatepark demonstration

I couldn't make it over to Montgomery Park on Saturday, but Mary Ann Sumner did, and she sent these pictures of kids enjoying themselves on the equipment. From what I've heard at Town Board meetings, it's not yet clear how...

Posted by simon at 9:37 PM

April 26, 2006

Jazz night, skate park demo Saturday

Cathy Wakeman's Dryden Town Talk talks about events this coming Saturday. The Dryden Music Boosters will be having their biggest fundraiser of the year, Jazz Night, at 7:00pm Saturday in the Dryden High gym. It combines student music with food...

Posted by simon at 9:37 AM

January 14, 2006

Snowfest cancelled

I reported earlier that the Cayuga Nordic Ski Club would be having a Snowfest tomorrow on Hammond Hill. Unfortunately, because of the weather, they've had to cancel it. They hope to do it again next year....

Posted by simon at 8:55 AM

January 9, 2006

Spinning at Rock Day Saturday

One of the more fun stories I posted last year was a piece on Rock Day, the annual celebration of the Black Sheep Hand Spinners Guild. I'm happy to report that they'll be having Rock Day again this Saturday, January...

Posted by simon at 5:13 PM

January 3, 2006

Winter fun in and around Dryden

This morning's Ithaca Journal is quiet on Dryden news, but the sport section lists the Cayuga Nordic Ski Club's upcoming Snowfest (27KB PDF) on Hammond Hill January 15th. In addition to cross-country skiing and racing, there will be snowshoeing and...

Posted by simon at 9:04 PM

December 2, 2005

Dryden fifth-graders hold SPCA fund-raiser

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports that two Dryden fifth-graders will be hosting a craft sale tomorrow from 12:30pm to 5:30pm at the SPCA. Emily Gray and Allison Sullivan have: worked tirelessly for the past several weeks obtaining and creating holiday...

Posted by simon at 8:39 AM

November 14, 2005

Budget, town hall

This week's Dryden Courier leads with a look at the prospects for a new Town Hall, which Town Supervisor Steve Trumbull says will probably cost around $2 million, up from estimates long long ago when they started saving of $300,000....

Posted by simon at 6:15 PM

November 10, 2005

Votes, snowmobiles, and adopted pets

This morning's Journal reports on the dwindling of Mike Hattery's lead over Mike Lane to 20 votes in the District 14 legislative contest, with 30 possible ballots still out there. A report on snowmobile safety starts with a quote from...

Posted by simon at 8:12 AM

October 18, 2005

Farmstand, prospective skatepark

I've been slack in covering the Dryden Courier lately, and I should cover it while it's still available. This week, it's even been available for free at the XtraMart at the Sunoco station on the Route 13/366 overlap with any...

Posted by simon at 8:51 AM

October 2, 2005

Land Above Dryden Lake Waters

(I'm behind on posting some stories, like this one - over a month old, but still well worth posting.) Back on August 21st, the Dryden Town Historical Society held a program at the Dryden Lake Golf Club, exploring the Dryden...

Posted by simon at 12:43 PM

August 8, 2005

Kenny Van Sickle Memorial Baseball Field dedicated

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports on the dedication of the Kenny Van Sickle Memorial Baseball Field on Saturday. The field, on Wall Street in the Village of Dryden, was a group effort: The village donated the land west of Brecht's...

Posted by simon at 8:25 AM

June 20, 2005

Bringing Lakeview Golf Course back to life

This morning's Ithaca Journal looks at a group of volunteers - and donors - who have worked together to reopen Lakeview Golf Course, repairing it, running it, and paying its taxes while its long-term future remains a question. The pictures...

Posted by simon at 8:50 AM

June 19, 2005

School to summer; changes at WHCU

This week's Dryden Courier looks at the transitions from the school year to the summer. There's an article on the Montgomery Park summer concert series, which starts this coming Wednesday at 6:30pm with the Burns Sisters. A full list of...

Posted by simon at 11:24 PM

June 8, 2005

Catching up on the May Town Board meeting

Since the June Town Board meeting is tomorrow night, and I still haven't covered it, it's probably time to take a look at the minutes from the May meeting I did cover the statement from the fire department chiefs and...

Posted by simon at 9:27 PM

May 22, 2005

Art competition, recreation

The Dryden Courier leads with an article on Dryden High School students placing at the New York Olympics of the Visual Arts. (The article is available online from the Ithaca Times.) There's a picture of students modeling a Louis XVI...

Posted by simon at 8:05 AM

May 17, 2005

Preliminary recreation survey results

One of the informational highlights of last Thursday's Town Board meeting was SUNY Cortland Associate Professor Sharon Todd's presentation on the preliminary results of the survey about Dryden recreation (133KB PDF, or 346KB selectable) that SUNY Cortland has been performing....

Posted by simon at 6:08 PM

May 1, 2005

April Town Board meeting minutes available

I spent most of April writing about wind turbines (which now seem not to be happening), and only covered two small pieces of the April Town Board meeting, discussing executive session issues related to the golf course and wind turbines....

Posted by simon at 3:31 PM

Stone Circle Spring Fair for children Saturday

Stone Circle School will be having their Spring Fair next Saturday, May 7th, from noon to 4:00pm at the Foundation of Light (map): Celebrate spring! Dress up and act in a play, dance around a May pole, make crafts, play...

Posted by simon at 7:24 AM

March 29, 2005

Recreation reports for February, March

Posting my story on the minutes for the March Town Board meeting reminded me that I hadn't kept up to date with some of my usual document publication. The February recreation report (217KB PDF, or 735KB PDF selectable) is a...

Posted by simon at 1:29 PM

March 27, 2005

March Town Board minutes

Minutes are available for both the March 2nd hearing on the possible annexation of the Dryden Mutual Property to the Village of Dryden and the Town Board's regular meeting on March 10th, which I missed. The March 2nd minutes are...

Posted by simon at 9:00 AM

March 26, 2005

Golf course sale raises conflict of interest, other questions

This week's Dryden Courier has a must-read article on the March 11th auction of the Lakeview Golf Course, where it was purchased by its current owner, George Szlasa. It's definitely worth getting up now and going out to buy the...

Posted by simon at 9:27 AM

March 24, 2005

Low Tompkins snowmobile accident rate

This morning's Ithaca Journal talks with the Dryden-Caroline Drifters snowmobile club in an article about Tompkins County having a lower rate of snowmobile injuries and fatalities than other parts of the state. There's a picture of Deana Madigan on her...

Posted by simon at 7:58 AM

March 9, 2005

Golf course up for auction Friday

A letter in today's Ithaca Journal from Town Supervisor Steve Trumbull says that the Lakeview Golf Course is up for auction and the town still has hope: that the Town of Dryden and the new owners of the golf course...

Posted by simon at 9:34 AM

March 6, 2005

Information Meeting on Town Hall land purchase

Thursday's hour-long information meeting on the land purchase for the new Town Hall brought over 25 attendees to find out what the town's plans were for the 47 acres the Town is purchasing behind the existing Town Hall for $100,000....

Posted by simon at 12:41 PM

February 27, 2005

Catching up on the Februrary Town Board meeting

I've been slack in covering the February Town Board meeting, and the minutes are now available if you want full details on what happened. Some key moments stand out in the meeting, so here are some highlights. I've bolded subjects...

Posted by simon at 9:13 AM

February 20, 2005

Club Dryden success; high school profiles

This week's Dryden Courier has lots and lots of Dryden news. The cover stories include a continuation of last week's profiles of the two Dryden student school board liaisons, focusing on Amanda Christofferson's accomplishments this time. The Courier reports that...

Posted by simon at 11:43 AM

February 6, 2005

Dryden's future? New comprehensive plan draft published

The Town of Dryden has posted a revised version of its Draft Comprehensive Plan. This is the one document I'd encourage everyone interested in the future shape of Dryden (including the villages, even though they're not included) to read. The...

Posted by simon at 1:31 PM

January 30, 2005

Hiking the Jim Schug Trail by Dryden Lake

Tracey and I went hiking today with friends down the very snowy Jim Schug Trail, mostly along Dryden Lake. It was a beautiful winter day, the snow lit by bright sun. Skiers on the Jim Schug Trail People were snowshoeing,...

Posted by simon at 8:43 PM

January 21, 2005

January Recreation Report

Recreation has been a smaller component of Town Board meetings lately, but I did request Recreation Coordinator Jennifer Staton's report (80KB PDF) to the Recreation Committee and Town Board. It looks at: The upcoming Travel Basketball and Wrestling programs The...

Posted by simon at 8:18 AM

January 15, 2005

Town hall and park lands

As I mentioned yesterday, one of the major issues at Thursday night's Town Board meeting was the purchase of land for the town hall, and the interest expressed by a number of board members in including recreation land in that...

Posted by simon at 5:05 PM

January 14, 2005

Town buys land for town hall, possibly recreation

This morning's Journal follows up yesterday's articles on reasons to buy land for a new Town Hall with a report that the Town Board voted last night to approve it. I'll have more detail on the conversation about this issue...

Posted by simon at 4:08 AM

January 13, 2005

Land purchase on tonight's Town Board agenda

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports on the space shortage in Dryden Town Hall and a possible land purchase to build a new one which will be discussed at tonight's 7:00pm board meeting. They have a nice collection of pictures illustrating...

Posted by simon at 7:48 AM

January 9, 2005

Rock Day celebrates spinning

The Black Sheep Handspinners Guild celebrated Rock Day yesterday at the Varna Community Center. Vendors, speakers, and visitors braved sloppy winter weather to gather, and there were supplies of all kinds, spinning wheels, projects in progress, skeins of yarn, and...

Posted by simon at 10:17 AM

December 29, 2004

Pay raises, energy choices

In this morning's Ithaca Journal, Dryden County Legislator Mike Lane argues for lower pay raises than those supported in a competing plan: "Legislators work hard," Lane said. "You can't expect them to work for nothing. On the other hand, we...

Posted by simon at 8:47 AM

December 19, 2004

Varna holiday party

After his visit to Dryden a few weeks ago, Santa came to the Varna Community Center for a holiday party Friday. Santa arrived at the center in style, towed by a tractor in a decorated cart. John Tottey put on...

Posted by simon at 12:19 PM

December 15, 2004

Holiday party, youth sports, optimism for local economy

It's been a quiet week in Dryden, but the Journal reports that the Varna Community Association will be ending that week with a holiday party for kids, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday in the Varna Community Center (map). Also,...

Posted by simon at 8:54 AM

December 4, 2004

Horses, history, and Santa Claus

Yesterday's Victorian Winter Festival in the Village of Dryden was a lot of fun, with all kinds of activity from 3:00pm on. Chestnut roasting, open houses at stores, exhibits at Dryden History House, caroling, wine tasting, story reading, and Santa's...

Posted by simon at 10:39 AM

December 1, 2004

Nearby trains

Wednesdays are usually pretty busy days for Dryden in the Ithaca Journal because of the Our Towns section, but this week's news there is mostly of Groton and Caroline. There is a piece on trains in Caroline, including some discussion...

Posted by simon at 8:36 AM

November 24, 2004

Eagle Scout project at DVMH; Victorian Winter Festival coming

This morning's Ithaca Journal is pretty well packed with news about and surrounding Dryden. Cathy Wakeman's Town Talk column looks at Eagle Scout Christopher Ackley's project, rebuilding the east entrance on the Dryden Veterans Memorial Home. Wakeman also offers a...

Posted by simon at 8:28 AM

November 21, 2004

Etna fire contract, Pirates of Penzance

This week's Dryden Courier is stuffed full of Dryden news. The front page leads with coverage of Dryden Middle School's presentation of The Pirates of Penzance, including both a picture and a story on the musical and its production. An...

Posted by simon at 11:05 AM

November 17, 2004

McLean activity

Today's Ithaca Journal has lots of news about McLean, a hamlet that crosses the Groton/Dryden town line. McLean residents are working on new activities for youth, preferably run by teens themselves. There's also an article on Turtle Dreams, a bed...

Posted by simon at 9:13 AM

November 7, 2004

Town budget hearing

Thursday's town budget meeting made very few changes to the budget beyond those made at the much longer budget workshop, but the few changes were significant, and there was a lot of conversation about some potentially major changes to be...

Posted by simon at 10:29 AM

October 31, 2004

Varna Halloween Fun

On Friday night, the Varna Community Center was overrun with bats, witches, knights, football players, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, bumblebees, and many more, as the Varna Community Association held a Halloween party. Halloween party at Varna Community Center...

Posted by simon at 8:20 AM

September 29, 2004

Eagle Scout project success; county budget hike

In today's Dryden Town Talk, Cathy Wakeman reports that Adam Pamel's Eagle Scout project, raising money for school supplies for 33 children, was a success. Pamel set up collection boxes, held a car wash, and was noticed by Cayuga's Helping...

Posted by simon at 8:53 AM

September 26, 2004

A bigger Town Hall would be nice

The Town Board met Friday at 8:30am. Because court was in session, the board met in the Zoning Officer's office. It was a little crowded, and the picture doesn't even show two more of us who were in there. Town...

Posted by simon at 6:33 PM

September 14, 2004

Fair and Festival

I wasn't able to make it to this weekend's fairs in Freeville and Ellis Hollow, but my lovely wife Tracey went and took some pictures. Here's a sampling of the weekend's fun. Freeville Harvest Festival sign. Enjoying a meal at...

Posted by simon at 9:34 AM

September 9, 2004

Students back at school

Wednesday morning's Ithaca Journal reports on the return of students to schools. Dryden schools opened Tuesday. The Dryden Recreation Department is hosting fall sports events, including an eight-week field hockey program and the NFL Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick contest,...

Posted by simon at 1:13 AM

September 8, 2004

Signs of festivals and fairs

This weekend will be a busy one in Ellis Hollow and Freeville, as signs for their Saturday excitement are up. Freeville Harvest Festival sign. Ellis Hollow Fair sign I noted a Journal article on the two events earlier. There's also...

Posted by simon at 5:42 AM

September 1, 2004

School renovation costs rise; festivals coming

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports that 10 to 15% increases in the cost of materials may force changes in plans for elementary school renovation. The Dryden Central School Board will have to look at a list of options and choose...

Posted by simon at 8:27 AM

August 28, 2004

Non-profit option for Rec Partnership

It doesn't sound like anything happened in Dryden yesterday, but the Journal reports on another option for the Rec Partnership: forming a non-profit. There's no mention of Dryden's position on this option, but the Caroline, Newfield, and Ulysses town boards...

Posted by simon at 7:31 AM

August 24, 2004

Crawford starts well; Gingrich to speak for Boehlert

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports that new Dryden superintendent Mark Crawford "has made a positive impression in a short time." Crawford made progress quickly in reaching a contract agreement with the Dryden Faculty Association that will be voted on September...

Posted by simon at 8:09 AM

August 21, 2004

Hammond Hill block party

Wow. Ann Leonard knows how to throw a great party. Start with a few hours of shoveling mud in the rain, then head back to a camp area where barbecued chicken is waiting, people are playing music (including bagpipes), orienteering...

Posted by simon at 4:50 PM

Events today

If you're looking for something to do today, I know of at least two events worth visiting: Varna is having a collection of yard sales from 9am to 3pm. I helped set up last night at the Varna Community Center,...

Posted by simon at 8:22 AM

August 19, 2004

Sunny Weather stays dry

The last concert of the Dryden Summer Family Concerts escaped the rain, as Sunny Weather (or at least its frontman, according to the Dryden Courier) performed at Montgomery Park yesterday. Sunny Weather performing....

Posted by simon at 8:47 AM

August 13, 2004

Notes from last night's Town Board meeting

The August Town Board meeting was relatively brief and not very dramatic. Only three board members (Trumbull, Stelick, and Hattery) were there. It included: Nancy Zahler and Liz Vance presented on the Tompkins County Recreation Partnership, discussing Dryden's participation, the...

Posted by simon at 8:46 AM

August 12, 2004

Accused restaurant robber skips bail

This week's Dryden Courier has a lot of detail on Mao Shen Lin, who failed to show up to his trial for kidnapping and attempted grand larceny last week after posting $200,000 bail. Mao Shen Lin was arrested in connection...

Posted by simon at 12:53 PM

The Purple Valley plays in Dryden

The Purple Valley played its blues, rock, swing and rockabilly last night at Montgomery Park as part of the Town's "Music in the Park" concert series. The Purple Valley performing. The next (and last) concert in the Music in the...

Posted by simon at 8:57 AM

August 11, 2004

School numbers arrive, jail numbers don't

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports that the New York State Legislature has finally passed an education bill, so schools will know their aid levels before they send out tax bills. Dryden will be getting $12.85 million this coming year as...

Posted by simon at 8:47 AM

August 10, 2004

Smoking, ATVs, Recreation Partnership

This morning's Ithaca Journal doesn't have a lot of news specifically about Dryden, but there's a fair amount that applies to Dryden. County Legislator Mike Lane is quoted asking "How do you weigh the employee health risks vs. the economic...

Posted by simon at 8:18 AM

July 25, 2004

Catching up with yesterday's Journal

It's a good thing I put up a late-night post that produced an entry for yesterday, as I left at 6:30am for Ottawa, Ontario, to pick up a friend, and wound up returning home after midnight, after my wife drove...

Posted by simon at 3:43 PM

July 22, 2004

Recreation partnership information

Posted by simon at 8:18 AM

July 21, 2004

Freeville Summer Rec

This week's edition of The Shopper includes an ad for the Village of Freeville's Summer Rec Program, which is running July 12th to 16th, 19th to 23rd, 26th to 30th, and August 2nd to 6th and 9th to 13th. (That's...

Posted by simon at 10:32 PM

July 19, 2004

Fishing, opinions

This morning's Ithaca Journal has a picture of nine-year-old Brandon Elia fishing at Dryden Lake as part of the Wal-Mart Kids All American Fishing Derby that was held Saturday. The State Police seem to have been busy along Dryden's borders,...

Posted by simon at 8:02 AM

July 15, 2004

School budgets, boards, lots of small news items

The Ithaca Journal has lots of news stories on Dryden today, though Dryden plays only a small part in many of them. On the schools front, Tricia Edgecomb is resigning from the Dryden school board a year into her term....

Posted by simon at 8:27 AM

July 14, 2004

Farm walk, abuse charges, more

If you read this in the next hour, you have time to get to a dairy walk at 9am this morning exploring how Lewie and Steve Stuttle "have successfully combined pasturing with high milk production on their farm in Dryden."...

Posted by simon at 8:02 AM

July 11, 2004

Updates in The Shopper

I've been a bit more lax about covering The Shopper, but there's been less in it lately that I haven't covered elsewhere. I do scour it every week, though. This week's Shopper contains, among many other things: An ad for...

Posted by simon at 9:26 AM

July 9, 2004

Highlights of the first July Town Board meeting

I'll be writing this up in more detail, but here are some quick highlights from last night's Town Board meeting: The board decided to appeal a FEMA decision to halt payment on $170,000 of grants for work on Virgil Creek....

Posted by simon at 8:50 AM

July 8, 2004

The Burns Sisters perform at Montgomery Park

I didn't get to stay for the whole thing, and apparently rain eventually interrupted the fun, but The Burns Sisters got a warm welcome last night. The crowd for The Burns Sisters. The Burns Sisters performing. Long line at the...

Posted by simon at 12:48 PM

Intergenerational Band, Fish tales

This week's Dryden Courier takes a look at the Dryden Intergenerational Summer Band and Chorus, which formed to help Dryden celebrate its 1997 bicentennial but "discovered they were having too much fun to disband". They'll be performing August 14th at...

Posted by simon at 12:38 PM

Supervisor Trumbull on golf course

This morning's Ithaca Journal includes a letter from Dryden Town Supervisor Steve Trumbull about the Lakeview Golf Course. It doesn't say that the town is buying the course. Instead, "We want to dispel the notion that the town board is...

Posted by simon at 8:41 AM

July 1, 2004

Mark Rust gets people dancing

Montgomery Park had music and dancing last night as a couple of hundred people turned out to see Mark Rust and dance. In the first of a series of eight Wednesday night concerts sponsored by the Town of Dryden Recreation...

Posted by simon at 8:45 AM

TC3 awards tech funds

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports that Tompkins-Cortland Community College has awarded $45,000 in technology funds to local schools, including a Civil Engineering and Architecture Community Collaboration project at Dryden High School. The Journal also has a cheerful picture from the...

Posted by simon at 8:31 AM

June 29, 2004

June recreation issues

[I know, June is almost over, and I've not nearly finished covering the June Town Board meeting. I'm trying to finish it within the month of June, but definitely before next week's Town Board meeting. The town's minutes are available...

Posted by simon at 4:22 PM

June 17, 2004

Etna ice cream social

Today was the kind of day that really calls for ice cream, so I stopped by the Etna Community Association's ice cream social at Houtz Hall on my way to the Planning Board meeting. For $1.75, I got two huge...

Posted by simon at 10:12 PM

June 16, 2004

Dryden Dairy Day, school budget

The lead article in the Our Towns section of today's Ithaca Journal is Dryden Dairy Day brings town together, which takes a look at last Saturday's event from the parade to events to the current state of dairy farming. Pictures...

Posted by simon at 8:45 AM

June 12, 2004

Dryden Dairy Day

This morning's parade had all kinds of floats, bands, and fun. Kids got lots of candy thrown from floats, and afterwards the crowd moved to Montgomery Park where tents offered ice cream, food, and all kinds of displays and games....

Posted by simon at 1:11 PM

June 10, 2004

Tonight's Town Board meeting

The Town Board is meeting tonight at 7pm at the Dryden Town Hall (map). The agenda is available. Highlights include two public hearings affecting the Route 13/366 overlap area, discussion of a new town hall, a report from Town Attorney...

Posted by simon at 11:29 AM

June 9, 2004

Dryden Dairy Day and more

This morning's Ithaca Journal is overflowing with Dryden news. That's not unusual on Wednesday, when the Our Towns section features Dryden and Groton, but today there's news throughout the paper, much of it even good. A cow greets readers at...

Posted by simon at 8:44 AM

May 27, 2004

New Town Hall news

This week's Dryden Courier features an article on prospects for a new Town Hall, a project that's been in the works for a while but which was deferred to executive session at the May Town Board meeting. It seems there's...

Posted by simon at 8:10 PM

May 23, 2004

Youth and Recreation at May Town Board meeting

Dryden Youth Commission Chair Tracey Kurtz presented the Commission's 2003 Annual Report to the Town Board. Tracey Kurtz presents the Dryden Youth Commission Annual Report Kurtz came back later in the meeting to propose that the board remove the Dryden...

Posted by simon at 8:02 PM

May 21, 2004

Golf course discussion at Town Board

Posted by simon at 12:45 PM

May 20, 2004

Courier on golf course

This week's Dryden Courier takes a long look at Lakeview Golf Course, the course the Town of Dryden has been considering buying. While it opens with the prospect of the town buying the course, it spends most of its time...

Posted by simon at 10:13 PM

May 19, 2004

Memorial Day parade, Freeville clean-ups, Southworth events

This week's issue of The Shopper includes an announcement for the Dryden Veterans Memorial Home's Memorial Day parade, to be held Saturday, May 29th at 10:30am in the Village of Dryden, with a memorial service at 11am in tribute to...

Posted by simon at 7:48 PM

May 6, 2004

Courier looks at youth

This week's Dryden Courier cover stories look at what kids are doing in Dryden. There's an appreciative article on the Dryden High School a cappella group Beyond Measure's recent performance at Dryden Jazz Night. It also takes a look at...

Posted by simon at 5:12 PM

April 29, 2004

Grange honors, Dryden school renovations lead Courier

The front page of this week's Dryden Courier has a picture of the Dryden Middle School production of Fiddler on the Roof. The lead stories focus on the Dryden Grange's honoring of farmer and school board member Tom Miller and...

Posted by simon at 8:40 AM

April 28, 2004

Softball, scrap metal cleanup, and chipping

This week's issue of The Shopper includes three handy notices from the Town of Dryden: The Recreation Department has a notice about registration for the Duke Erickson Adult Co-ed Softball League. There are two leagues (Tuesday and Saturday). Team roster...

Posted by simon at 5:50 PM

April 15, 2004

News including Dryden

After yesterday's relative torrent of Dryden news, today's Ithaca Journal is fairly quiet about Dryden. Three pieces definitely affect Dryden, though: The state Department of Environmental Conservation's Wildlife Management Unit 76, which includes Dryden south of Routes 13 and 366,...

Posted by simon at 8:46 AM

April 14, 2004

Recreation issues at April Board meeting

The Recreation report at the April Town Board meeting combined the usual reporting and conversation with a slideshow of initial analysis of the survey (241KB PDF, unfortunately slightly crumpled). Recreation Coordinator Jennifer Glaab began with the recreation report, noting that...

Posted by simon at 6:52 PM

April 10, 2004

Easter egg hunt, giving a political laurel

This morning's Ithaca Journal is quiet, with only two Dryden-related items. There will be an Easter Egg Hunt at 1pm today in Montgomery Park (directions), presented by the Town of Dryden Recreation Department in partnership with Specialty Trophies and Neptune...

Posted by simon at 8:07 AM

March 31, 2004

Examining the golf course purchase

Today's golf course article does what I'd hoped the Journal would do in the Our Towns section - take a deeper look at an issue that's been building for some time. The article captures some of the division on the...

Posted by simon at 8:44 AM

March 20, 2004

March recreation report

Jennifer Glaab, Recreation Coordinator for the Town of Dryden, gave a detailed report at last Thursday's Town Board meeting, noting that winter events were wrapping up while spring events are getting started. Contra dancing was starting up at Varna Community...

Posted by simon at 3:02 PM

March 19, 2004

Cayuga Trails Club hike Sunday

The Cayuga Trails Club will be hiking on Sunday at 1pm, starting from the Liddel Laboratory on Freese Road, between Varna and Hanshaw Road. It's a "Walk, look, and learn" hike, and contact information is available on their site. This...

Posted by simon at 10:03 AM

March 15, 2004

Conservation, environmental planning, and a golf course

Conservation issues were important at Thursday's Town Board meeting, which started with a (very quiet) public hearing on changing the Conservation Advisory Council to a Conservation Advisory Board, spent time on environmental planning issues, and concluded with a discussion about...

Posted by simon at 7:47 AM

March 5, 2004

Annexation, golf course in Dryden Courier

I wish the Dryden Courier was more readily available. Its sister publication, the Ithaca Times, is widely available, both for free in the Ithaca area (extending out to at least the Route 13/366 overlap) and online, while the Dryden Courier...

Posted by simon at 5:34 PM

February 19, 2004

Planning in the Village, sledding, opinion

While the Town of Dryden Planning Board takes up revisions to the Draft Comprehensive Plan for hamlets tonight, the Ithaca Journal reports that the Village of Dryden will have a public hearing on maintaining their housing construction moratorium while discussing...

Posted by simon at 8:40 AM

February 18, 2004

Jim Schug Trail groomed for cross-country skiing

The Ithaca Journal reports that the Jim Schug Trail from Dryden Lake to the Village of Dryden has been groomed for cross-country skiing. The Dryden Caroline Drifters Snowmobile Club has volunteered to groom it weekly during the winter. (Elizabeth Gutchess...

Posted by simon at 8:33 AM

February 2, 2004

Dryden Old Home Days 2004

Elsie Gutchess sent a letter that she's also sent to the Cortland Area Tribune, asking for help with planning and putting on Dryden Old Home Days this year, at the pavilion at Dryden Lake Park July 31st and August 1st....

Posted by simon at 7:26 PM

Swimming, skating, soccer

Cathy Wakeman's Dryden Town Talk for today explores winter recreation opportunities for adults, including swimming at TC3, adult indoor soccer, and unsupervised ice skatiing at Montgomery Park (directions). Bring your own shovel and enjoy old-fashioned ice! (Given the hours she's...

Posted by simon at 7:47 AM

January 16, 2004

January Town Board meeting reflections

After nearly a day, the Town Board meeting last night seems to have had four main Dryden-related themes: More interest in efficiency than public input Sewer pump with problems Storm water a growing issue Recreation and trails as important services...

Posted by simon at 5:48 PM