Trumansburg High School senior and volunteer firefighter recognized

As the year quickly winds to a close, Trumansburg Rotary Club is recognizing Carlos Blackburn Small as the recipient of its Service Above Self Award (SAS) award for November. 

Small, a student and a volunteer firefighter, was nominated by his friend, fellow student and recent award-winner Audun Gruber-Hine.

“Carlos is a good friend who is a volunteer firefighter,” said Gruber-Hine. “He goes and reaches out to people and tries to help them with their problems, whether it be with schoolwork or with health. He is an overall good person.”

Small enjoys reading, gaming, walking and cooking in his spare time.

“One of my goals for 2024 is to get more knowledge on how to help my fellow members in the Mecklenburg Volunteer Fire Company,” he said. “After high school, I plan on taking a gap year and then going to a two-year college for some form of forensics.” 

Rotarian Peggy Haine added that she’s worked for several years with Carlos’ mom, Karen.

“I have enjoyed watching [Carlos] grow into a very mature, thoughtful young man,” said Haine. “In his down time, he has also started a small business, and I know he is a great help at home. I’m delighted that we can recognize young people like Carlos and encourage others to commit to serving their communities, as well.”

Monthly SAS winners receive a $50 gift certificate to a Trumansburg business of their choice. Small selected NAPA Auto Parts.

The Rotary’s SAS selects those who exemplify its motto, “Service Above Self,” and who live the Rotary’s Four-Way Test, which asks: “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?” The award is open to students in the Trumansburg Central School District, including those who are homeschooled. 

At the end of the school year, a student is selected by the Rotary to receive a $1,000 award. Anyone in the community who knows a prospective nominee is encouraged to send in a nomination. Program guidelines and a 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.

In brief:

Holiday market

The Trumansburg Farmers Market is hosting a holiday market Dec. 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the American Legion at 4133 Seneca Rd.

Vendors include Wixom Farm, Fleece & Thank Ewe Fiber Worx, Cayuga Lake Creamery, Pendragon’s Bouquet, Boland Thomas Vineyards, Mush Love Greens, Six Circles Farm, Salmon Pottery Gallery, Redbyrd Orchard Cider, Know Your Roots Herbals, Tastes of Wine Country Cafe, Boney T’s Hot Sauce, Lucky Hare Brewing Hector, Shibui Bath, Jojo Cook, Mountain Moor Farm and Brick House Pottery.

Iron Horse’s 16th anniversary Christmas party

Iron Horse, a Southern rock band in the Finger Lakes region, is celebrating its 16 years of music with a Christmas party and BBQ at Cedarwood Venue (formerly Brews and Brats) on Saturday, Dec. 23, at 6 p.m. 

There is no cover charge to attend the event.

New Year hike 

Celebrate the New Year by hiking at Taughannock Falls State Park on Jan. 1, 2024. This year marks the 13th anniversary of First Day Hikes, part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks and the National Parks Service to encourage people to get outdoors.

The hike, which takes place at Taughannock Falls State Park, has been nationally recognized as the largest First Day Hike in the nation for several years.

This hike is part of a partnership between the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation; the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; GO ITHACA and more.

The first part of the hike takes place at Taughannock’s Gorge Trail, a fairly flat trail just shy of a 2-mile round trip with a jaw-dropping view of Taughannock Falls. The waterfall, which plunges 215 feet, is the highest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. 

Participants can extend their hike and go up the Rim Trail to the overlook, which averages over one million visitors per year, or hike Rice Hill.

Parking is free, but hikers are encouraged to carpool.

To learn more about Taughannock’s plans for this event, contact the park at 607-387-7041 ext. 131.

The Learning Web Youth Exploration Program

The Learning Web has a free program open to all teens in Tompkins County, ages 11 to 21, that assists young people in exploring career interests, engaging in short-term apprenticeships and finding first-time employment. 

For more information, please email abbey@learning-web.org or david@learning-web.org.