TC3 in Dryden reveals sensory space mural

When the sensory space opened at Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) in February, the wheels were already in motion to create a mural for the spot.

The mural was designed and created as a class project, which began in the spring semester. 

TC3 instructor Megan VanKanegan’s Painting I and Painting II classes completed the mural on the walls of the sensory space.

VanKanegan said that the project began when her students met with Karen Rachetta, TC3’s coordinator of access and equity services, who led the effort to get the project underway.

“We began by meeting to understand the goals of the sensory space and the desired outer space theme,” VanKanegan said. “This project was a true collaboration. Each student came to class with individual sketches and ideas, which we refined together through group discussion and a voting process to ensure the final composition reflected the goals of the sensory space.”

TC3’s sensory space provides a “calm, welcoming environment where students can relax, study and feel safe,” according to a description.

The space, located in the Baker Commons on campus, features sensory-friendly elements that include calm lighting, soothing sounds, fidget tools and resources aimed at reducing anxiety and fostering productivity.

Cortland County’s Mental Health Association provided funding to construct the sensory space, while Racker and SUNY Cortland offered assistance with expert advice.

Rachetta noted in the past that the space will evolve, based on feedback from students who use it.

“We have more than 300 students who self-identify as having a disability, and 95% of those are neurodivergent,” Rachetta said in February. “This space is for them. The space was created with the intention to meet the needs of the divergent community, but it benefits all people. Every human being processes sensory information differently and can benefit from this space.”

Once supplies for the mural arrived in the spring, painting was done during class sessions. However, a handful of students completed additional decal paintings outside of the classroom.

When the spring semester came to an end, VanKanegan completed the final details of the mural so it could be finished on time.

“Although the mural itself was not part of the original course design, it became an invaluable teaching tool,” VanKanegan said. “It offered students the chance to experience the challenges of a large-scale, collaborative project, to see how their individual ideas could merge into a cohesive vision and to learn how to approach real-world client work.”

The sensory space is open to the campus community from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

TC3 announces employee of the month for September

Tompkins Cortland Community College announced that Ray Scott has been named employee of the month for September.

Scott, TC3’s grounds supervisor, has managed TC3’s grounds crew for more than 20 years.

According to a release, Scott “leads by example, never hesitating to step in and get his hands dirty alongside his team. Widely respected across all of campus, he is described as dependable and hardworking, while also being deeply supportive of his employees.”

As TC3’s employee of the month, Scott received a gift certificate to a local business, a tumbler and exclusive use of the employee of the month parking spot.

In brief:

Mystery book club meets on Oct. 7

Brewed for Suspense, a mystery book club in Dryden, meets at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Brewer’s Kitchen & Taproom, 1384 Dryden Rd.

The public gathering will be a discussion of “Hidden Pictures” by Jason Rekulak.

For more information, go to southworthlibrary.org.

Upcoming meetings in Dryden

The Dryden Town Board is scheduled to meet Oct. 9 and 16, each time at 6 p.m. at the Dryden Town Hall at 93 E. Main St. in Dryden. The public is invited to attend, either in person or via Zoom.

The town’s planning board is slated to meet Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. at the town hall. This meeting can also be attended either in person or Zoom.

For more information, contact the town hall at 607-564-9981. Meeting agendas are available at dryden.ny.us.

The Village of Dryden Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet in person at 6 p.m., Oct. 15 at the Dryden Village Hall at 16 South St.

Upcoming Dryden BOE meetings

The Dryden Board of Education is scheduled to meet Sept. 29 and Oct. 14 and 27, with each meeting starting at 6 p.m.

The Sept. 29 meeting will be held at the middle/high school library. The Oct. 14 meeting is at Dryden Elementary School, while the Oct. 27 meeting is at Freeville Elementary School.

The public is invited to attend. For more information, go to dryden.k12.ny.us.

Yoga for Life held every Wednesday in Freeville

Village of Freeville resident Michelle Dardia hosts a Yoga for Life session every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Freeville United Methodist Church at 37 Main St.

The drop-in fee for the session is $10. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Some experience is helpful but not required, as the sessions are committed to being accessible.

Variations and modifications are offered, and extra mats and blocks will be available at each session.

For information or questions, contact Dardia at dollysdaughter@hotmail.com or 607-279-4785.