Good morning, Ithaca.

Mahlon Irish, Jr., a respected fire chief at Homer who also taught thousands of firefighters as a state fire instructor and served 20 years with the Ithaca Fire Department, died; he began his career in 1974 and retired in 2024.

Ithaca Community Recovery will host the 11th Annual Chill Challenge: Dip or Dodge on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Ithaca Yacht Club to raise $50,000 for historic building improvements; Mayor Cantelmo and Judge Rowley will speak as locals enjoy prizes & costume awards.

Trade Design Build held a celebratory ribbon cutting on Friday at its renovated office on 1520 Trumansburg Road, unveiling a community art gallery curated by Corners Gallery (led by Ariel Ecklund) and announcing plans for public art events in 2026.

The Ithaca Farmers Market hosted its 28th Annual International Rutabaga Curl — a lively contest where locals rolled rutabagas toward a chalk bullseye amid playful pirate antics and last-minute twists, with Sophie Herrmann winning first place.

Residents can help wild birds at the Christmas Bird Count running through Jan.

5+ field volunteers recorded a record 70 species, including many Red-breasted Nuthatches, and locals are urged to keep feeders filled during harsh winter weather.

Ithaca residents can recycle holiday trees at no cost from tomorrow, Dec.

26, to Jan. 31 at the Recycling and Solid Waste Center at 160 Commercial Ave—no permit is needed. The center, open Monday-Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., accepts only natural trees without decorations.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday, Dec.

23 that Ithaca received a $38 million ACHIEVE award for Southworks — a 95-acre mixed-use project on S. Aurora St that will revitalize a former factory site, city officials said.

New Year's Eve Dance Party

8:30 p.m. — Foundation of Light — Check event page for ticket details — Celebrate the new year with a night of games, raffles, and festive fun.

Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks at Cornell Big Red Men's Hockey

7-8:30 p.m. — Lynah Rink — Tickets starting at $15 — Catch an exciting NCAA hockey matchup as the Nanooks take on the Big Red in Ithaca.

Live Music – The Soul Benders

6-8 p.m. — Hopshire Farm and Brewery — Free entry — Experience powerful blues and rock from the acclaimed Ithaca-based band The Soul Benders.