Good morning, Ithaca.

Village Grove in Trumansburg is a green, affordable housing project that offers 46 fully leased rental units for seniors, families, veterans and others — with additional affordable for-sale homes under construction and set to finish in late 2025.

The development meets Passive House Certification standards and was celebrated with a ribbon cutting attended by community members.

After nearly two centuries since 1831, Dryden United Methodist Church will close at the end of the month due to a dwindling congregation and high repair costs — its final service is set for Sunday, June 29 with a reception following.

The small membership of about 35 will now seek other worship venues in Dryden, Ithaca, and Cortland.

Liliana Colanzi, an associate professor at Cornell, won the 2025 Zinklar Award on June 24 for short fiction in Spanish—the first time the prize honors Spanish language fiction; she thanked Silkefyret, her translators, and her department for their support.

On June 9, the Lansing school board rejected a proposal that would let school medical directors diagnose, treat and prescribe on campus to help ease rural health care shortages—board members cited concerns over costs and liability.

Ithaca City invites local organizations and businesses to submit project proposals for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative that may secure $10 million to improve downtown.

Proposals must be received by Monday, July 14th at 5:00 p.m. — the DRI Steering Committee will review submissions and gather community feedback.

Two new members—Nikki Sayward and Benjamin Sandberg—joined Ithaca’s Community Police Board after the Common Council approved their appointments on June 18.

Sayward will serve until 2026 and Sandberg until 2027 as Alderperson David Shapiro expressed optimism about their service.

Ithaca’s Common Council nearly stalled its plan to fund a navigation hub for homelessness when a $515,000 bonding vote failed 7-3 on June 18; after a brief closed-door session, the council re-voted and passed it 9-1, avoiding a predicted six-month delay in launching the project.

Mayor Cantelmo and other officials warned that the delay could slow down the city’s effort to help those experiencing homelessness.

On June 18th, ESPN Ithaca held its 12th Night of Champions awards ceremony at Ithaca High School to honor student-athletes and coaches from every Tompkins County high school—Becca Lovenheim earned three honors in track and cross country as Ithaca led with 22 awards.

The event also recognized standout performers from Dryden, Groton, Lansing, Newfield, and Trumansburg, marking a successful 2024-25 school sports season.

CFCU Summer Concert Series

5-8 p.m. — Bernie Milton Pavilion — Free entry — Weekly family-friendly concerts showcasing local and regional artists through the summer.

Project Planning: The Critical Role of Feasibility Studies

12:00 – 1:30 p.m. — Tompkins Chamber — Registration required — Explore the importance of feasibility studies in project planning with insights from a leading architecture and construction firm.

Waitress: The Musical

July 10–19 — Hangar Theatre — Cost info not provided — Experience the heartwarming tale of a waitress and talented pie-baker.

Vintage Clothing and Goods Market

12-4 p.m. — South Hill Cider — Free entry — Explore unique vintage finds while enjoying delicious cider and live music from DJ Dou.

Jazz Mondays with Dave Davies RhythmMakers

5:30-8:30 p.m. — South Hill Cider — $5 suggested donation — Enjoy live jazz from local musicians while sipping on delicious cider and food.

TIME RIDERS Live at the Finger Lakes Cider House

6-9 p.m. — Finger Lakes Cider House — $5 cover charge — Enjoy a night of rock music from the up-and-coming band, Time Riders.

Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival - Sunday

7:59-10:59 PM — Trumansburg Fair Associates — Cost varies — Celebrate culture with world-renowned artists in a vibrant four-day music festival.

CFCU Summer Concert Series

5-11 p.m. — Bernie Milton Pavilion — Free entry — Enjoy a weekly lineup of local and regional artists at this family-friendly concert series.