Rotary’s Service Above Self Award seeking nominees

As a new school year quickly approaches, the Trumansburg Rotary Club will again begin looking for students to award, with monthly awards resuming this September.

This year, the not-for-profit organization is looking to engage the broader community to find students worthy of recognition, instead of relying on guidance counselors and librarians.

The Trumansburg Rotary’s Service Above Self Award was created to recognize students in the Trumansburg Central School District, including those who are home schooled, who exemplify Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, and who live Rotary’s 4-Way Test in their everyday lives.

The test asks the following questions: Of the things we think and do, is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Monthly winners receive a $50 gift certificate to a Trumansburg business of their choice. At the end of the school year, one student will be selected from the group to receive a $1,000 grant. 

According to Rotarian Frank Zgola, the year-end award comes with no strings attached and is based on community service rather than academics. The grant may be used to advance the recipient’s life goals. 

“This award helps the community in that, focusing on the younger generation, it encourages and rewards the kind of behavior any society needs and depends on,” said Zgola. “Our challenge is for the community to first be aware the award exists and, second, to embrace it.”

Service Above Self Award winners in the 2022-2023 school year included senior Eleanor Asbrand, juniors Greta Garrison, Lucy Ouckama, Maya Marshburn, Eleanor Gattine and sophomore Skye Georgiadis. 

Community members, such as educators, guidance counselors, neighbors, family members or friends, are encouraged to nominate deserving students.

Program guidelines and a one-page nomination form are available under “Service Above Self Award” on the Trumansburg Rotary website, tburgrotary.org.

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

Miss Clay the Librarian

Join Miss Clay the Librarian for stories, songs and activities at the Ulysses Philomathic Library at 74 E. Main St. on Wednesday, Aug. 30 from 11:30 a.m to 12 p.m. 

Best for children birth to five and their caregivers.

Atlas Bowl vinyl showcase

Atlas Bowl, at 61 W. Main St. in Trumansburg, is hosting a vinyl showcase on Thursday, Aug. 31 from 7 to 10 p.m. 

Attendees can enjoy half-price bowling, fine dining, cocktails and all sorts of libations while DJ John Simon spins 7″ and 12″ records in the background.

Gems of the Finger Lakes: Grassroots Unplugged

Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts (TCFA) will host a two-day music event Sept. 9 and Sept. 10, from 12:30 to 10 p.m. each day. 

Festival proceeds will support TCFA’s capital campaign to restore the building. 

A one-day pass is $45, and a two-day weekend pass is $80. Children 12 and under are free. 

The event features over a dozen bands on both an outdoor stage and indoor stage, including Bob & Dee, Cosmo Curry & the Perry City Playboys, Jeb & Friends, Madd Daddy (Maddy and Ted Walsh), Motherwort, Notorious Stringbusters, Richie & Rosie, Road Man, Rose and The Bros, Sim Redmond Band, Small Kings, Thousands of One, Toivo and Tenzin with Emmett Scott.

Additional events include children’s activities, face painting, plein-air painting on the front lawn and a silent auction with reserve prices featuring gems from Mark Oros Gems.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting tburgconservatory.org.

Chamber Music at New Park

A music festival is planned for Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 10 at 3 p.m. at New Park, located at 1500 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca.

Enjoy world-class musicians from the International Tchaikovsky Competition, Sphinx Competition, National Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, National Ballet of Canada, Canadian Opera Company, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Symphony, Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Sarasota Opera Orchestra and more in a relaxed and natural venue. ​Enjoy local food, drinks and more.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and $10 for children 12+. Children under 12 are free, and college students are $20 with a student ID. Group rates and discounts are available; email chambermusicatnewpark@gmail.com for more information.

Free parking is available on site. A limited number of handicapped parking spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis (notify staff upon arrival). 

Tickets are available by visiting chambermusicatnewpark.com and at the door.

Gong Bath Experience with Caryn Sheckler

Due to popular demand, Caryn Sheckler is returning to TCFA at 5 McLallen St., for an afternoon Gong Bath experience on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

The gong and gong bath workshop will include celestial communications, a style of seated movement that helps bring on a state of relaxation.

Attendees should bring a mat and small blanket. 

Tickets can be purchased in advance on eventbrite.com. They are $15.00 in advance or $20 at the door.

Comedy UnCorked: Trumansburg’s Comedy Nights

Get ready to uncork the laughter with Comedy UnCorked: Trumansburg’s Comedy Nights! at Cedarwood Event Venue, 9632 NY-96, on Thursday, Sep. 28 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Unwind with crisp humor, local favorites on tap and a community of laughter lovers.
For tickets, visit comedyonthecommons.com.