First Baptist Church to host ‘For the Love of Neighbors’ community block party

The First Baptist Church of Trumansburg will host an upcoming community block party. It’s the church’s second such gathering, and they intend to make it an annual event.

The event, “For the Love of Neighbors” block party, will be held Saturday, July 8, from noon to 4 p.m., with music, a performance by juggler Nate the Great, a bounce house, burgers, hot dogs, chips and music.

Odessa Baptist Church Praise Band will perform praise and secular music from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., and the Trumansburg Fire Department will be on site with its firetruck for photo opportunities and for children to explore the truck. 

There will also be a tent with a free-to-play cakewheel so attendees can win cake, cookies and sweets. Face painting will be available for children.

“We have a great congregation. Not huge, but filled with wonderful people who are very generous,” said Pastor Dennis Christiansen.

The idea to host a block party was intended as a way to reach out to the community.

“That’s kind of our thing here,” said Christiansen, adding that the church has also hosted successful Trunk-or-Treats for children for the last 11 years, with 210 in attendance one year. 

The community-based event will include yard games and is prepared with a tent for rain or for people who may need relief from the sun. When the block party wraps up in its last half hour, Christiansen hopes that people choose to linger, getting to know one another.

As for Trumansburg, Christiansen  speaks highly of the area for its welcoming stance, sharing that he enjoys doing ministry in the area.

“This is a great, family-friendly community, and I think it’s friendly to all kinds of families,” said Christiansen. “There is a real diversity of family in this day and age, and Trumansburg is open to that.”

He remarked that Trumansburg is a good, safe place for families to come and live, with a great school system and a vibrant downtown with restaurants. 

While the church used to host a homework helper program, COVID ended the service that helped children with their assignments. Still, the church is currently looking at the skills and resources it has to connect with the community’s needs and is looking to partner with area residents to bring forth new ideas. 

The First Baptist Church of Trumansburg is located at 4443 East Seneca Rd. For more information, visit their website at tburgbaptist.com.

Trumansburg Connection appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@VizellaMedia.com or courtney.rehfeldt@gmail.com.

In brief:

Shop for Fourth of July decorations 

Come shop for Fourth of July decorations at the Jacksonville Attic Thrift Shop. The shop is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1869 Trumansburg Rd. 

Donations are accepted on Mondays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and during business hours on Saturdays.

Outdoor yoga

Start your summer yoga at the Inn at Taughannock Falls for yoga in the garden. All are welcome.

Classes are $15 or donation. They take place on Wednesdays from 4 to 5 p.m. with Denise Hatch and on Thursdays from 9 to 10 a.m. with Suzanne Jung. 

For more information, email Denise4health@aol.com or call Suzanne 707-599-7823.

Trumansburg Rotary golf tournament 

Calling all golfers! ​Join Trumansburg Rotary for a fun day of golf in the sun with new and familiar friends while supporting the Trumansburg Rotary Club on Friday, July 7. Contributions will help to fund charitable programs within the community and abroad. 

Registration fees include 18 holes, a golf cart, continental breakfast, snack-at-the-turn, on-course water and snack, luncheon and gift bag. Cash prizes are available for first-, second- and third-place teams.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

The event will be held at ​Trumansburg Golf Club at 23 Halsey St.

Registration is $100 per golfer and $390 per team.

To register or sign up as a sponsor, visit tburgrotarygolf.com.

Home Remedy at The Honeybee Embassy

Bright Raven Farm and Apiary will host a performance by Home Remedy, featuring original songs by Lydia Garrison written on fiddle, banjo and guitar, paired with Rosie Newton’s emotive and powerful singing and playing on fiddle, accordion and guitar.

The event will be held Thursday, July 13, 6 to 8 p.m. at 4061 Swamp College Rd.

Bright Raven Farm and Apiary, which has an indoor and outdoor space to enjoy music, will have seasonally flavored honey-sweetened soda and honey-filled chocolates.

Outside food is welcome. There is a $10 cover fee, and children under 12 are free.