Newfield resident opens micro-bakery after battling leukemia

Newfield resident Sarah Sexton has faced significant challenges in the past year.

Sexton, who graduated from Newfield High School in 2016, went to culinary school at Tompkins Cortland Community College.

Her knowledge of the culinary arts led to her landing a job at Coltivare, a restaurant in the city of Ithaca that had a partnership with TC3.

Sexton worked at Coltivare for six years, but the restaurant struggled to stay open following the COVID-19 pandemic. Coltivare officially closed its doors in January of this year.

“Coltivare was an eye-opening experience for me,” Sexton said. “It was my first big job, and it was a place where I met some of the most incredible and inspiring people.”

Sexton then was hit with an Earth-shattering diagnosis: she had leukemia.

Going from working 50 hours per week at her job to being sick was a grueling and surreal time for Sexton.

“It was hard but, surprisingly, cancer taught me how to slow down,” she said.

Now in remission, Sexton is determined to rebuild her life but with a balance that will benefit her in the long run.

A few weeks ago, Sexton launched Dough & Co. — a micro-bakery that mainly bakes and sells breads, bagels and cinnamon rolls with sourdough.

Leukemia put Sexton at a standstill, but it led to her eventually saying, “Hey, I’m getting my life back together” after opening her own business.

“Ever since remission, I’ve been trying to get back at it, but slowly and at my own pace,” Sexton said. “I’m learning something new every day, and skills along with it and new opportunities, as well.”

As a new concept for Sexton, Dough & Co. is starting out as a small cabinet at 21 Olli Rd. in the town of Newfield.

Most importantly, the business has taught her that balance is key.

“Hopefully, this business will grow bigger than just my little home bakery,” Sexton said. “I’m definitely learning to balance between work and life, and it’s been great so far.”

The people that Sexton met at Coltivare are “kind of the inspiration” for Dough & Co., but “pretty much everybody in my life has been an inspiration” for the business, she said.

Sexton has been practicing selling baked goods for four months. In just a handful of weeks after opening Dough & Co., business is booming for the Newfield native.

“With the little amount of time that my business has been open, we’ve been doing absolutely amazing,” Sexton said. “We’ve sold out of everything we’ve had every single day.”

Sexton has Facebook and Instagram accounts for Dough & Co. That, plus the social media presence surrounding her business, has brought plenty of attention to the food she is baking in the oven.

“Everything has just been really great,” Sexton said.

Sexton noted she’s been testing soft pretzels, with the hope of adding that item to Dough & Co.’s menu soon. She is also working on providing Sunday specials during the upcoming football season.

For now, Sexton will continue to bake as much as she can.

“I really appreciate everyone that has helped make this possible,” she said. “I couldn’t do it or be here without everyone. I’m so thankful for the community accepting us and our little business and supporting us.”

For more information, go to Dough & Co.’s Facebook page.

In brief:

Town board to continue holding meetings at Masonic Temple

The Newfield Town Board will continue to hold its monthly meetings at the Masonic Temple until December.

The temporary relocation of the town’s meetings are due to the ongoing town hall renovations. The town hall’s meeting room won’t be completed until the end of the year.

The Masonic Temple, located at 186 Main St. in Newfield, has hosted the town board since May.

The town board has a meeting on Thursday, Aug. 28. Information on upcoming meetings can be found at newfieldny.org.

Library schedules three reading to dogs events

The Newfield Public Library has scheduled three events where patrons can read to dogs, starting in September.

Events will be held on the first Wednesday of each month. The dates include Sept. 3, Oct. 1 and Nov. 5. Each event begins at 3:30 p.m.

The event is an opportunity for children to read to volunteer therapy dogs. The library invites the public to read with dogs from Cornell Canine Companions, an all-volunteer organization sponsored by the Cornell University Veterinary College.

For more information, go to newfieldpubliclibrary.org.

Yoga at the library every Saturday

A yoga for beginners class takes place from 10-11 a.m. on Saturdays at Newfield Public Library..

Phyllis KuanYin Chi, a yoga teacher certified through Yoga Farm in Lansing, leads the class. The instructor has additional training in trauma-informed yoga.

The class is on the second floor of the library. It is suitable for people new to yoga or those with mobility issues. There is also an opportunity to deepen poses for those with more experience.

The class is for ages 18 and older. Participants must have their own yoga mat or blanket. The class is free, but there is a suggested donation of $10.