Alan Vogel: Building community

At Trumansburg Main Street Market on a recent rainy morning, Alan Vogel, retired teacher and longtime resident of Trumansburg, sat down to chat and split a day-old cookie with his wife, Marilyn Vogel. It wasn’t long before he was approached by a friend.

Harley Campbell, local author and member of the Trumansburg band TOiVO, had participated in the volunteer effort to rebuild the sidewalk near the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts last summer.

“It was fun because everybody stopped by,” said Campbell, who placed two ceramic duck salt and pepper shakers on either side of the new walkway leading up to the historic building and was moved that nearly a year later they still sat there, untouched.

“That says a lot about our town,” Campbell said, adding that without Vogel, these kinds of community-boosting projects would not be possible.

It is that can-do spirit and willingness to teach and collaborate that has earned Vogel the title of Tompkins Weekly’s Hometown Hero for the month of April.

“He’s our fearless leader,” Campbell said. “He’s the man.”

It took about two weeks and a lot of patience to build the new sidewalk and retaining wall, but under Vogel’s leadership, the project gave the village a functional sidewalk that cost much less than hiring professionals to do the job. Thanks to the help of volunteers and the Trumansburg Village Department of Public Works, residents of the village can now safely traverse the hill on Union and Congress streets.

“Alan and his wife, Marilyn, have been supporters of the conservatory for many years. Their contributions have been invaluable,” said Trumansburg Conservatory managing director Dona Roman. “Working directly with Alan on our capital campaign projects and fundraising efforts has been a joy.”

Vogel, who moved to Tompkins County from West Virginia, retired in 2006 after 21 years of teaching shop to children with special needs at Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES.

Looking out the big market windows onto Main Street, directly across the street is another new sidewalk that Vogel helped build. Though they may not be as flashy as some of the other projects Vogel has spearheaded throughout the years, the recent sidewalk efforts are important, Vogel said. He loves seeing people out and about in his community and views safe sidewalks as key to encouraging that vibrant atmosphere.

“I think we have a dynamic downtown, and a lot of that is people enjoying living here,” Vogel said.

“You cannot help but see Alan’s work and community service all over the Trumansburg fairgrounds, downtown Trumansburg and in Ithaca,” said Robyn Wishna, who nominated Vogel. “Alan has given much to our communities and has been a great team leader and a good friend to many.”

“He is an amazing woodworker, mechanic, and can fix anything,” Wishna added.

Vogel’s volunteer projects have included a portable stage for the infield for GrassRoots (built in his driveway), the GrassRoots fairgrounds main stage (designed by Cheryl Thompson), a building that was a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity, three buildings at the Trumansburg mini village, a gypsy wagon built for Grassroots, the kitchen at Ithaca Children’s Garden, the pavilion at Hospicare in Ithaca and the Trumansburg Farmers Market mercantile and stage buildings.

“Alan Vogel is truly an inspiration,” said Russ Friedell, marketing director of GrassRoots. “A really true community member who has been a part of GrassRoots since the very first year. His selfless dedication to community is inspirational. Every year he leads the charge on a completely volunteer build project for some type of structure that is then donated to the community. Two years ago, he built a peaceship with funds that we raised for local Ukrainian community members. Last year, he built a new play place in front of Greenstar.”

“As a member of the younger generation here who has been attending GrassRoots for many years before I became involved in the organization, his commitment to community is unparalleled,” Friedell said, “and it is a true honor to be able to know him and learn from him and collaborate with him. I would say it absolutely is time for him to be recognized in the community as a town hero.”

Vogel said he admires the work the conservatory does and he looks forward to leading more volunteer efforts to improve their property.

“Alan brings enthusiasm, energy, expertise and a can-do attitude to every project,” Roman said. “I appreciate his generous spirit and all he has done to help the conservatory raise the funds and support needed to renovate and restore our historic building. Alan is a true gift to our community, and we are grateful for all he continues to do to support our village and the surrounding area.”

Recognize and celebrate the extraordinary individuals making a positive impact in our community. To nominate your local hero for their outstanding contributions and help us shine a spotlight on those who make a difference every day, visit tompkinsweekly.com/hometown-heroes.

Tompkins Weekly’s Hometown Heroes Award is sponsored by Security Mutual Insurance and Canopy by Hilton Ithaca.