Library to offer free computer training

Southworth Library in the village of Dryden is set to offer free basic computer training classes this month, thanks to grant funding from the Public Library Association (PLA).

The PLA grant, in conjunction with AT&T, awarded funding to 160 libraries across the country. The funding will help libraries “conduct digital literacy workshops using DigitalLearn.org resources,” according to a release from the library.

Southworth Library, located at 24 W. Main St., received $4,000 in grant funding from PLA, which will help to cover some of the learning, staffing and technology provided in the classes.

“Our library has always made it a priority to provide everyone with equal access to information, learning and technology resources,” said Southworth Library Director Diane Pamel, noting the library has internet access on 14 computers, while also providing access to Wi-Fi. “In the past several years with the pandemic, the issue of digital literacy has been brought to the forefront, and our library has played a critical role in keeping our community connected to vital resources, but we have not had the funding to provide classes to help people navigate the digital world.”

The value of this grant, Pamel added, is the “provision of funding for staff and materials to provide basic instruction, as well as access to training for the extensive resources available.”

According to Pamel, Digital Learn is a platform by PLA that offers a variety of pre-formatted and pre-programmed self-paced courses.

“People who don’t know computers can be kind of intimidated by the whole process even though there are plenty of ‘go at your pace, learn on your own’ type of activities,” Pamel said, noting the PLA platform has guidance applications for computer and technology. “It’s a really cool platform that will be useful to us afterwards.”

The sessions offered by Southworth Library are the Internet Basics Class Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to noon and Sept. 27 from 6 to 7 p.m. and the Email Basics Class Sept. 28 from 11 a.m to noon and Sept. 30 from 6 to 7 p.m.

Pamel noted each session will be limited to six participants. Those interested in any of the sessions can register by calling (607) 844-4782 or stopping by the library to reserve a spot.

“This is not one-on-one necessarily because of the instructor-led workshop you’re doing, but it’s limiting the size of each session for personal attention,” she added.

Pamel mentioned that the library plans to offer more classes the rest of fall and next spring. Once the library has done basics and feels the need has been met by participants, Pamel said the sessions will move on to other topics.

Some of those topics in the near future include Facebook, online shopping, video conferencing, cybersecurity, navigation of tablets and more, she added.

“It’s pretty open-ended for people once they get those basics in,” Pamel said.

She noted people don’t have to do all of the classes, only ones that are “applicable to your own need.”

Dryden Dispatch appears every Wednesday in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@VizellaMedia.com.

In brief:

Dryden Historical Society to host Homestead Heritage Fair Day

After a two-year hiatus, the Dryden Town Historical Society is bringing back the Homestead Heritage Fair Day.

The free-of-charge event is slated for Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Southworth Homestead on 14 North St. in the village of Dryden.

Heritage craft demonstrations will include Three Sisters Garden, a blacksmith, spinning, chair caning, photography and woodworking. Exhibits at the event will include The Honey Factory, Snow Farm Creamery, Common Bowl Pottery, Woodworx, The Time Smith, Thimble Therapy, Mt. Pleasant Woodworks, Black Sheep Spinners Guild, Historic Ithaca, Native American artifacts and tours of the historic Southworth House.

Activities for children include face painting, balloon art with Sir James, corn husk dolls, coloring and Achoo the camel.

Musical performances will take place under a big tent. The performances are Erin & the Backwoods Blues Project from 10 a.m. to noon, Jim Hull from noon to 1 p.m. and Max and the Kats from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Other features of the event include a visit with the Cornell Raptors from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Ithaca Dog Training Club demonstrations between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Pine Ridge Grocery store officially opens in the village

Representatives from Pine Ridge Grocery recently announced that their second store on Enterprise Drive in the village of Dryden is now open, according to the store’s Facebook page.

The store’s hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Town of Dryden printing sporting licenses for free

The Town of Dryden announced they are printing lifetime sporting licenses for free until Nov. 1 of this year.

For more information, contact the town office at (607) 844-8888 (option 3).

Desserts at Dusk

The Family Reading Partnership looks forward to seeing community members at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at Hopshire Farm and Brewery in Freeville for an evening of delicious dessert tastings from a variety of Tompkins County’s finest local libations, a unique silent auction, art gallery and online auction featuring original children’s literature illustrators, raffles and more!

Family Reading Partnership is celebrating its 25th anniversary and is excited to share the next chapter at this fun and relaxed evening to benefit the community’s children.

Tickets are $25 per person, and the price includes unlimited dessert tastings, raffle entry, one alcoholic beverage (beer, cider or wine) or two nonalcoholic beverages (seltzer, spritzers, soda, juice or iced tea). Water, coffee and tea will be provided.

To purchase tickets online with a credit card, visit tinyurl.com/2hrd8qg3. For cash or check purchases, please visit the partnership’s office at 40 Catherwood Rd. Suite D01, Ithaca, weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This event is limited to adults age 18 and up. Contact the office with any questions at (607) 277-8602.