It’s a block party – and it’s all free!

“As we headed into 2022 last year, people in our church wanted to host an event for the community in celebration of the pandemic’s winding down,” Pastor Sam Neno of Groton Assembly of God (Groton AG) said. “We wanted to provide something outside for people to come enjoy.” 

That is precisely what happened in June 2022, and approximately 150 community members came out for free food, bounce houses, lawn games, giveaways  and fun.  

“We had a great turnout, and really enjoyed the day,” Neno said. “People from the community came, and we made new friends and reconnected with old ones.”  

The church will hold its second annual block party — on the church property at 701 S. Main St.  from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 3 — expecting to be even bigger and better than last year. All are welcome to attend!  

Neno said that a young couple from the church, Alan and Gabbie Kress, assisted greatly in 2022 by “organizing volunteers for the day and did a great job.” 

“We want to build on last year’s success and again provide an event to which people in our community can come, have fun and connect with others,” Neno said. “This year, Alan and Gabbie are organizing the entire day, with the help of other leaders, and again doing a great job!” 

Alan, who has lived in Groton his entire life, is the son of Gunner Kress and Bonnie Eldred-Kress. Alan graduated in 2014 from  Victory Christian Academy in Cortland and went on to earn an associate’s degree at Tompkins Cortland Community College, followed by earning a bachelor’s degree at SUNY Cortland – both degrees in sport management. He is currently employed at SUNY Cortland in the Parking Department.  

Gabbie, who graduated from Cortland High School in 2014, attended SUNY Delhi, where she earned her associate’s degree in veterinary technology. She has been employed as a veterinary technician and practice manager at Lake Country Veterinary Care in Marcellus for the past six and a half years.  

Joel (Joey) and Sandra Rivera are Gabbie’s parents, and although they live in Cortland, they and their family are active members of Groton Assembly of God. Many will remember Sandra as the coordinator of The Clothing Closet on Main Street, which was run by Groton AG for a number of years. In fact, Alan and Gabbie also volunteered there together for about four years. 

It was 2008 when Alan and Gabbie met at Groton AG. Alan said “it was love at first sight” for him, but Gabbie took a bit longer to arrive at the same place. Nonetheless, she did, and they were married Sept. 23, 2018. 

Although the couple make their home in Cortland to be closer to their jobs, they happily travel to Groton AG for church on Sunday and any other time that things are happening.  

“This church and community are very important to us,” Alan said. “I grew up here and both are very important to our story.” 

As of  January, Alan and Gabbie became apprentices in ministry (AIMs) at Groton AG, which they described as “a testing ground to figure out which areas of ministry are best suited for those who are called to it.” 

The couple spend their time rotating through the various church ministries for exposure to enable them to gain clarity on their particular focus. They also take classes from the New York School of Ministry through the Assemblies of God. 

While being AIMs is clearly a focus for them, Alan and Gabbie did not take on chairing the committee for the block party as part of their rotation – they are just thrilled to be doing it! 

“Coming out of COVID last year, we recognized there was a great need for personal interaction,” Alan said. “After talking to people in our church and friends outside of the church, it was glaringly obvious that people were starved for social interaction. Our goal with last year’s block party was to simply provide an opportunity for everyone to get out and do things again. Both those who attended and volunteered for the event were able to be refreshed after coming out of a difficult time. This year, we look to build on our success last year, further engage with the community and provide a free opportunity to build relationships between our church and those who visit. We look to create an open and safe place for all to feel comfortable to approach. To invite every person in and show the love of Jesus to all who come.” 

“When we had the event last year, it was one of our first community gatherings following COVID,” Gabbie said. “Those two-plus years that the pandemic slowed our community down were hard. I think people were waiting for those familiar summertime memories to feel like we had found normal again. Last year was this amazing opportunity for the town to come together, have conversations and just enjoy a day of play and just celebrate life. I’m thrilled to be part of another block party and excited for the community to see what we’ve added to last year’s festivities.” 

So, what can attendees at the block party expect to find?  

There will be a taco truck with various offerings, hot dogs, chili dogs, cups of chili, bottled water and snacks. You won’t want to miss the two bounce houses — one for children under four and the other for older children — an inflatable obstacle course and an  inflatable jousting arena, lawn games such as cornhole and Kan-Jam, live music and giveaways for the children. 

New this year will be information on some community resources, and the Groton Fire Department will be on site with trucks and quite possibly something that involves water!   

Throughout the day, there will be free prize drawings for gift certificates and gift baskets donated by many Groton and surrounding area businesses and individuals, including a one-night stay at the Benn Conger Inn, tickets to Southern Soul Productions rodeo coming to Cortland, ten pounds of ground beef from Robert Rose Farms, gift certificates for Casper’s Kitchen, LuLaRoe, Norwex, pizzas, chair massages, and so much more.  

“I’m looking forward to June 3, and hopefully many more block parties to come,” Gabbie said.  

If you haven’t already planned to attend, it sounds like a day you won’t want to miss!  

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at (607) 227-4922.  

In brief: 

Groton Cruisers Poker Run 

The Groton Cruisers Poker Run will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 10, sponsored by Summerhill Brewing, 14408 Route 90, Locke, New York. Wristbands  at $15 per vehicle are available for purchase until June 3 at Summerhill Brewing. 

Start at one of the five locations — Groton American Legion Post 800, Hobo’s 281 Bar & Grill, Homer Hops Brewing, Elm Tree Inn and Chateau Dusseau. Collect your cards along the way and receive one card per stop. Cards must not be opened or tampered with. 

End up at Summerhill Brewing by 4 p.m. Live music by The TARPS, singing danceable tunes from the 50s to the 80s, will take place from 5 to 8 p.m.. Rain date is Saturday, June 17. 

Dog control 

Dog control in the town and village of Groton is provided by Country Acres Pet Services, 5852 West Scott Rd., Homer, New York. Call (607) 749-2734 for lost pets, dog complaints, stray dogs, nuisance dogs, sick or injured strays, or dangerous dogs. 

The emergency phone is (607) 345-3139 and the email is info@countryacresanimalshelter.org.  

The shelter manager is Lindsay Andersen, and the assistant manager is Suzie Tracy. Regular office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Saturday by appointment. Please consider adopting a pet from Country Acres! 

Special election 

Due to a tied vote for the third open seat on the Groton Central School Board of Education during the annual meeting and vote held on May 16, a special run-off election shall be held on Tuesday, June 13 to determine whether Casandra Shurtleff or Sophia Darling shall be elected to the Board of Education for a three-year term commencing July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026. No other persons shall be deemed nominated for such position, and no write-in votes shall be allowed. The election shall be conducted by paper ballots between the hours of 12 p.m. and 9 p.m., prevailing time, at the District Office, 400 Peru Rd., Groton.