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T HE H OMER N EWS Volume X Thursday, April 9, 2020 Issue 21 FREE FREE T HE H OMER N EWS STAY SAFE... KEEP 6 FEET APART
THE HOMER NEWSVolume X Thursday, April 9, 2020 Issue 21
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2 April 9, 2020 ð The Homer News
Homer/Scott Senior Center Activities
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All Senior Center activities for Homer and Scott have been Cancelled until further notice due to the Covid 19 pandemic.Check with the Cortland Couty Nutrition Program for information on delivered meals to Sr. Citizens.
All AARP Smart Driver Classes Cancelled Thru April 30, 2020 due to COVID-19. Classes may resume in May 2020
Fog Harbor
How mist hugs the shore when the wind raven of the sea dives black
mooring lines coil neatly on the quay and sun for now bides the day ebbing tide
dolphin soundings greet the spray the ineluctable question give or take away
there let unknowing lie where clouded bay meets opaque sky.
--Gary Weatherby
HOMER NEWSHOMER NEWS
ADSGET
NOTICED
Submitted by William Jean:
The denizens of Homer may be relieved to learn that the Werewolf that lived in the alley behind Barber Block passed away late last Saturday. His fate was not delivered by silver bullet, nor global pan-demic, but from a terminal case of gingivitis. His friends and family wish that he be remembered not for all the missing Shih Tzus and tabby cats, but rather the joy and laughter he brought to his little piece of the universe, the shadows by the Lucky Kitchen dumpster.
A memorial will be held in the Key Bank parking lot next full moon.
(Open to the public.)
More on Charles Roberts . . . .
Martin – I want to thank you again for all the help you gave me by notify-ing so many of my dad’s former students. Your notice led directly to us receiving at least 15 let-ters, some photos, and even one of his old trumpets! I’m writing now to let you know that my dad passed away on March 14th. He was 94½ and lived a fantastic life. Thanks to the New York State Teachers Retirement System he was able to retire from teaching at 55, but he continued to play jazz standards with his 5-man combo almost every weekend until he was over 80. He also played
golf and bridge well into his 80’s – he was an extremely healthy and happy man. He ultimately succumbed to lung cancer – he was in hospice for a couple of months and then died quietly in his sleep with my mother, sister, and me at his side. If you’d like to notify your read-ers, I know that some of them would appreciate getting the information. You might also tell them just how much their letters meant to him. On his birthday we read every one out loud to the whole family and he alter-nated between listening intently, laughing hard, and crying a little.
In our last issue we printed the obituary of Charlie Roberts, a long-time music teacher at Homer High School.
His son recently sent the following letter to Contributing Historian Martin Sweeney.
Addidionally, new subscriber Gini Hinman Ragsdale sent the accompany-ing photo of the LP album with the com-ment, "I still have it."
It was a wonderful way for him to remember some of the best years of his life, and my mom, siblings, and I can’t thank his former students enough. Notes of condolences are being received and are deeply appre-ciated. What a wonderful, car-ing, generous group of people you have there in Homer! Thanks again for all of your help, - Geoff Geoffrey G. RobertsSon of the late Charlie Roberts Spring, Texas
The Homer News - April 9, 2020. 3
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The Cortland Community ServiceClub announces that the 24th Annual2020 Corn-Ducky Derby eventhas been
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We have surveyed our ducks and they arehopeful that there is adequate water in Dry Creekin September. (If not, an alternate location will be announced).We want spectators to be able to enjoy this event in a healthyand safe environment and look forward to seeing you!
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All I need to know about life I learned from a cow.Wake up in a happy mooo-dDon't cry over spilled milkWhen chewing your cud, remember; no fat, no calories, no cholesterol, and no tasteThe grass is greener on the other side of the fenceTurn the udder cheek and mooo-ve onSeize every opportunity and milk it for all it's worthIt's better to be seen and not herdHonor thy fodder and thy modder and all your udder relativesNever take and bull from anyoneAlways let them know who's the BossyStepping on cow pies brings good luckBlack and white is always an appropriate fashion statementDon't forget to cow-nt your blessings every dayAnd remember - life is easier when you take the bull by the horns.
A friend sent this to me, and during the current situation when many people are sick and some farmers are dumping their milk because there is no market or processing capacity, it brings a little humor to our lives.
4 April 9, 2020 ð The Homer News
Homer HistoryBy Martin Sweeney, Homer Town and Village Historian
A Salute to Homer School Secretaries As this column was being written, the COVID-19 pandemic caused schools across the state to go on “pause” as far as the traditional means of delivering educa-tion in a brick and mortar building. Everyone has been impacted – students (most unfairly), faculty, administrators, and non-instructional staff. It might be a good time to pause and ask this question: Who really keeps a school running smoothly? Anyone who works in a school or, like this writer, has worked in a school knows the answer. The administrative professional, commonly called the secretary, is the one who keeps things running smoothly by doing a lot of the up-front and behind-the-scenes “heavy lifting.” “If you want to know what’s really going on in any school in the Homer Central School District, just ask the secretary.” Frequently, that line has been spoken with a soft chuckle, but most teachers and principals know it’s no joke. The statement is probably one of the common truisms spoken in school hallways across the nation, not just in Homer. Well, think about it. The principal assumes the lead with school-wide instruction and staff evaluation and sets the overall climate in the school. The teachers are responsible for day-to-day classroom planning, instruction, and discipline. The custodians hold “the keys to the kingdom” and keep the physical plant safe and clean. The cafeteria person-nel keep everyone fed. But the secretary is usually the keeper of the pulse of the entire school. In that regard, consider this:
Who is at the front lines of school communication -- answering the phones, greeting visitors, welcoming new families, scheduling appointments, and acting as “gatekeeper?” The secretary.Who generally works with little direct supervision, must be a good problem solver, and capable of handling several tasks at once, especially during the busiest, most stressful times -- the first and last hours of the school day? The secretary.At some point in the past, as the local school increased in enrollment, in curricular offerings, and in the number of state-imposed regulations and mandates, the school administration required assistance with the surging paperwork and recordkeeping. Who supplied that? The secretary . With the introduction of guidance departments, special education, school psychologists and social workers, who had the skills needed to maintain records by hand and later by computer? The secretary.Who have I seen with a tissue when a child’s feelings were hurt or with a calm voice when parents were upset about something? The secretary.Who is frequently the first to deal with a student sent to the principal’s office for some disruptive behavior and elicits the “background story?” The secretary.Who is always there lending a sympathetic ear and dispensing sage advice when teachers and teacher aides are stressed? From my experience, it has been the secretary.
Again, from my experience and that of others, the Homer schools have been blessed with excellent administrative professionals in recent decades: Tammy Alger, Nancy Barrows, Amy Bauer, Connie Becker, Colleen Bentley, Barb Brady, Gerry Diamond, Susan Downes, Gerry Duane, Patti Durkee, Bonnie Eckard, Nancy Greggins, Barb Hale, Trina Hapgood, Freida Jacobi, Janet Julian, Mary Kabat, Katie Kerr, Joy Lawler, Melissa Meriwether, Ahren Morse, Carol Musson, Alice O’Donnell, Emily Olsenwik, Linda Robison, Judy Smith, Peggy Strauf, Arlene Thomas, Kim Vitello, Joyce Watrous, and Kelli Yacavone. Additional names appear below in bold print. Some names may have been overlooked due to poor memory or inadequate access to primary sources, and apologies are offered. These Homer secretaries garnered reputations for being efficient, warm and caring individuals but strong enough not to allow others to run over them.Trust me, that trait is especially needed of secretaries working in a challenging junior high school environment. These secretaries could be in training for a jug-gling act in a Sig Sautelle circus. This is because they are required to multi-task and to keep on top of a million things in the course of a work day/week/month/year….and enjoy, along with the faculty, working with emerging adolescents said to be “experiencing raging hormones and dying brain cells” and “searching for their identities and values.” It is a real test of one’s character and stamina.And finally, the ultimate, essential quality that gets a secretary in any school -- elementary, intermediate, junior high, or high school -- through the ups and downs of a school year is a sense of humor. You will understand why that trait is needed when you read this semi-humorous suggestion found online for schools to use:
Hello! You have reached the automated answering service of your school. In order to assist you in connecting to the right staff member, please listen to all the options before making a selection: To lie about why your child is absent - Press 1 To make excuses for why your child did not do his/her work - Press 2 To complain about what we do - Press 3 SALUTE continued on P 7
To swear at the Superintendent or staff members - Press 4 To ask why you didn’t get information that was already enclosed in your Newsletter and several letters posted to you - Press 5 If you want us to bring up your child - Press 6 To complain about school lunches - Press 7 To complain about bus transport - Press 8 Lastly, if you realize this is the real world, and your child must be accountable and responsible for his or her own behavior, class work, homework and that it’s not the teacher’s fault for your child’s lack of effort: Hang up and have a really wonderful day!
On the serious side, the history of public school secretaries is imbedded in the history of clerical workers in America. Originally, clerical workers were males. During the Civil War federal government officials were plagued by the labor shortage caused by the war, and the first female clerks were hired in Washington, D. C. under “experimental conditions” (See Davies, M. Woman’s place is at the typewriter: Office work and office workers 1870 -1930. Philadelphia, PA: Temple Univ. Press., 1982, p. 51). The initial role of the female clerks was limited to the completion of rudimentary tasks like sorting and packaging currency for the U.S. Treasury.
The “experiment” was deemed to be a success, and by 1869 women were being recruited as stenographers, bookkeepers and typists, as well, in both the public and private sector. Salary was the most notable factor for hiring women. Employers discovered that they could save money by paying women lower wages than their male counterparts. It made good business sense to hire a woman who was willing to accept a yearly wage of $500 for doing the same job a man had been doing for $1800 per year (Davies, p. 52). Wages were kept low because of the high turnover rate. Young women would marry and move on to raise a family. Other less experi-enced, younger women would take their places in the office. The practice of hiring female clerical workers rather than males was firmly established by the late 1890s.
By the turn of the century, public high schools throughout America, including the Homer Academy and Union school, offered courses in “commercial education” which prepared students -- primarily females -- to use new office machines (type-writers) and techniques (shorthand). Increasingly, clerical work was considered “women’s work.” This “feminization of the office” continued steadily. According to a 1992 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4.2 million secretaries were employed in the United States in that year and 98 percent of them were women (Waldrop, J. “More than a typist.” American Demographics. 1994). The trend per-sisted in public schools as well.
The earliest known Homer school secretary was Miss Victoria Gordon, who was the secretary to Principal Louis J. Wolner in 1936. It is quite likely individuals in secretarial/assistant roles in Homer Academy and Union School existed earlier than 1936. However, the existing yearbooks mention Gordon and indicate she was fol-lowed by Miss Rena Williams, Miss Shirley Brower, Miss Eleanor McAuliffe, and Miss “Margie” Blanden. These young ladies were all Homer graduates who had gone on for further education in Syracuse at Central City Business Institute or Powelson Business Institute. Post-high school training could be received at the Cortland Business Institute between 1896 and the 1950s. Located on the second floor at 12-14 Railroad Street (now Central Avenue), it provided a two-year course of study leading to a diploma in either bookkeeping, cashiering, stenography (which required 150 words per minute typing), or general business. This writer’s mother was a graduate.
In 1945, Blanden was married and still on the job as Mrs. Charlie Alexander. She was joined by Sally Beard. By 1946, the year the District “centralized,” “office secretaries” were Mrs. Francis Riley and Carolyn Downing. Two years later, the secretaries were Bette Hazzard and Peggy Gower. In 1949 and 1950, the names of Hazzard and Helen Leonard appeared in school yearbooks. In 1951, Shirley Knapp joined the “office staff,” and the next schoolyear she was appointed Clerk of the Board. She served for many years, amassing in her head much institutional history. She missed reaching the school’s bicentennial milestone by five days when she passed on January 28, 2019, at age 94.
The National Secretaries Association was founded in 1942, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Charles W. Sawyer proclaimed June 1 – 7, 1952, to be “National Secretaries Week” with Wednesday, June 4 designated as “National Secretaries’ Day.” In 1955, the observance date of “National Secretaries Week” was moved to the last full week of April, with Wednesday designated as “Administrative Professionals Day.” In 1973, Hallmark saw a marketing opportunity and began producing Administrative Professionals Day cards. The name was changed to “Professional Secretaries Week” in 1981 and became “Administrative Professionals Week” in 2000 to encompass the expanding responsibilities and wide-ranging job titles of administrative support staff in the modern economy. At present, National Administrative Professionals’ Day, or “Secretaries Day,” is observed each year on the Wednesday of the last full week in April. This year, that would be Wednesday, April 22nd.
Through the history of Homer Central Schools, the following has been said of each of its secretaries and administrative assistants: “She helps in any way that
The Homer News - April 9, 2020. 5
6 April 9, 2020 ð The Homer News
AMNESTY DAY VILLAGE OF HOMER RESIDENTS ONLY
ONE CAR ALLOWED ON SITE AT A TIME
(TO ALLOW FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING)
SATURDAY, May 9, 2020 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
NO CURBSIDE PICK-UP
ROLL-OFFS AT THE COMPOST SITE – North Fulton Street
(unloading assistance available)
1. White goods (stoves, washers, dryers, hot water heaters, etc) and metal wastes
Note: Any units that may have contained refrigerant must have a certificate of purging included.
2. Lumber or anything made of wood
ABSOLUTELY NO TIRES, TELEVISIONS, MICROWAVES, COMPUTERS, BATTERIES, OR GARBAGE
COMPOST SITE WILL BE OPENED
Any tree wastes, dirt, cement blocks. and bricks are able to be dropped at the compost site.
(COMPOST SITE WILL BE CLOSED ON MOTHER’S DAY, MAY 11th)
ITEMS FOR AMNESTY DAY WILL BE RECEIVED BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 9:00 A.M - 5:00 P.M. ONLY
NO RECYCLABLES ARE ALLOWED
place them curbside during your weekly trash pickup
Current Schedule:
Saturdays: 9am -12pm
June 6th-October 31st
Wednesdays: 4pm-7 pm
June 24th-August 12th
Located at 53 North Main St. Next door to the Fire Sta on
For the health of our community the
Community Gardens will NOT be opening this year. Keep in mind that the Village of Homer allows for residents to grow food at home.
Jane Hall, as part of the Village of Homer Environmental Working Group, will plant pollinator flowers in all of the beds this year.
If you have any ques ons and/or concerns with your water/sewer bill,
Please contact Kristen Case:
Email- [email protected] or leave a message @ 607-218-8206
Compost Site will be open as of 3/31: Only TWO residents are allowed in the site at a time.
Strictly enforced.
All events, etc. subject to change as the Covid-19 Pandemic continues to develop
The Mayor and Board of Trustees have voted to postpone all penal es for both water/sewer bills and tax bills un l a er June 30, 2020. This was done in order to help any of our residents that
might be struggling to keep up financially due to loss of income and/or needing to provide extra meals to those in the household due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. We ask that residents pay as soon
as they are able. This will ensure the Village of Homer can con nue to run smoothly.
The Village DPW has been having problems with leaves left in the roadway. We call your attention to the fol-lowing excerpt from NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law. Your voluntary cooperation will be greatly appreciated. The Police Department does not want to issue tickets to make you comply, but may do so if the situation warrants. If you have neighbors who are offenders, you can register your complaint by calling the Village Office, (607)749-3322. 1219. Putting glass or other injurious substances on highway prohibited. (a) No person shall throw or deposit upon any highway any glass bottle, glass, nails, tacks, wire, cans, snow or any other substance likely to injure any person, animal, or vehicle upon such highway. (b) Any person who drops, or permits to be dropped or thrown, upon any highway any destructive or injurious material or any material which interferes with the safe use of the highway shall immediately remove the same or cause it to be removed. (c) Any person removing a wrecked or damaged vehicle from a highway shall remove any glass or other injurious substance dropped upon the highway from such vehicle. 1220. Throwing refuse on highways and adjacent lands prohibited. (a) No person shall throw, dump, deposit or place, or cause to be thrown, dumped, deposited or placed upon any highway, or within the limits of the right of way of such highway, or upon private lands adjacent thereto, any refuse, trash, garbage, rubbish, litter or any nauseous or offensive matter. (b) Nothing herein contained shall be construed as prohibiting the use in a reasonable manner of ashes, sand, salt or other material for the purpose of reducing the hazard of, or providing traction on snow, ice or sleet. (b-1) Nothing herein contained shall be construed as prohibiting the use of any highway or private lands adjacent thereto for the transport or transit of agricul-tural trucks, machines or implements or dairy or domestic animals or agricultural stock with any accompanying reasonable or unavoidable deposit of nauseous or offensive matter. (c) A violation of the provisions of subdivision (a) of this section shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed three hundred fifty dollars and/or a requirement to perform services for a public or not-for-profit corporation, association, institution or agency not to exceed ten hours and for any second or subsequent violation by a fine not to exceed seven hundred dollars and/or a requirement to perform services for a public or not-for-profit corporation, association, institution or agency not to exceed fifteen hours.
The Homer News - April 9, 2020. 7
News from the LibraryBy Priscilla Berggren-Thomas
WELCOME HOME TO HERIT
AGE
YOUR LOCAL REAL ESTATE CONNECTION
Only One Problem per Day For some odd reason, I thought this time working from home would be relaxing. After all, isn’t being at home alone with a good book an introvert’s dream? There was just the one pesky problem of needing internet so I could actually stay in contact with the world while being holed up at home. Enter my nemesis – technology, which for some odd reason just likes to get on my last nerve, rub me the wrong way, get under my skin, and drive me up the wall. When I ordered the first hotspot, the customer service representative typed my email incorrectly. Consequently, I couldn’t set up the account to use the hotspot. After hours on hold, talking to five different customer service people, I was told only a “higher authority” could fix the problem. The only solution was to cancel the order, send the hotspot back, and start all over. The second hot-spot had the right email, but the wrong password. At this point, I could eas-ily expand the dictionary’s entries for swear words. So, when I read Oliver Burkeman’s latest column entitled “The best fix for even the most urgent problem is to take your time,” (The Guardian Weekly, 20 March 2020, p. 61) I wondered if he was writing specifically for me. If you don’t know Burkeman’s work, he’s the author of The Antidote: Happiness for People who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking and one of my favorite colum-nists. In his column, Burkeman wrote “sometimes, all you need in order to fix things – in your kitchen, in your life – is to stop, and look, and wait. Is it possible, when on hold with AT&T for two hours to just sit back, not worry about how long this is going to take, and relax? If I didn’t believe I had to fix this problem ASAP in order to move on to other things, would I find the task less irritating? I’m pretty sure the hiccups of life would still annoy me, particularly when I think they are someone else’s error. Yet, if I managed to say to myself as a wise co-worker was always telling me “Things happen. It’s the price of doing business,” maybe I could deal with the hiccups with a little more grace and a lot less stom-ach upsets. It’s hard for me to accept, despite all the proof that surrounds me, that there will always be problems. I’m not going to get them all fixed and out of the way for all eternity. And although they are probably not going to stop annoying me anytime soon, I can limit the problems I have to fix today and move on to the things I can deal with that might actually be fun to do.
So, here’s to trying to be a librar-ian while working at home. I’m done dealing with technology for the day and going to live the introvert’s dream, which means a good book, a cup of tea and a dog for company.
What’s New at the Library?
Online Programming During our closure, we will be endeav-oring to provide programming online. Check out our Facebook page and web-site to see what we are cooking up online.
Library Podcast The library’s podcast, Teatime at the Library will continue to be produced while we are closed (assuming I can figure out how to do it by myself, without teen tech help!). Follow the link to the podcast from our website or Facebook page and join us for conver-sations about how to keep connected during this uncertain time.
Facebook and Blog Keep in contact with us through our Facebook page and blog. You can find the links on our website at www.phil-lipsfreelibrary.org .
FAQ – while we are closed1. How long will we be closed?
We are following the school’s lead and will reopen when the school reopens.
2. When are my items due? Noth-ing is due before we reopen. Keep your items and don’t worry about returning them until we reopen.
3. What about fines? We are fine free, so you will not accrue any late fees while we are closed.
4. Can I return items while you are closed? Please don’t. Hold onto everything you have and keep it until we reopen. We will be locking our drop box, so you won’t be able to place things in it (as we aren’t sure how long we will be allowed to come in and empty it.) Please do not leave any items outside, on or near the drop box. Just keep them at home with you until the library opens again.
5. If you need to contact us, you can message us on Facebook or email us at [email protected]
anyone needs. We all treasure her and the hard work she does.” This next state-ment may not sound like high praise, but it is: “I would never want her job.” The only other school employee job this writer would never want is bus driver. Just imagine the responsibility of having a classroom of multi-age pupils on wheels, in motion, and seated (supposedly) behind you as you navigate some of the District’s backroads on a blustery and icy winter’s day. No thank you! Hats off to those men and women who perform this important transportation service for our children every school day. Like the secretaries, the bus drivers are expected to perform their jobs with a smile on their faces. Some days that can be a challenge. But the driver’s face for some children is the first and last face of the District they see each school day. And the secretary’s face? This is the first face that greets the public in the main office, Superintendent’s office, Guidance office, or Business office and provides the information being requested. In short, the school secretary is the face of the District, and first impressions are critical. Is the impression made positive or negative? Is it welcoming? A good school secretary helps build relationships, reflects by word and deed the values of the school, and is an integral part of the school climate.
Do school secretaries in Homer, or anywhere for that matter, receive the credit they deserve? History reveals school secretaries as a group have not been singled out for academic study. That’s hard to believe. They are “invisible;” they are essen-tially missing from the vast body of research literature related to public education, school administration, or school improvement and reform. If you need to have your eyes opened as to the importance of their impactful role in school culture, go visit a school on the first week of school at bus dismissal. That should convince you. Even in the face of the current pandemic, some Homer School secretaries are reporting off and on to their posts for “essential” business or working from their homes to keep the gears turning under trying circumstances. So, as we come upon Secretaries Day 2020, this writer hopes all our past Homer school secretaries have felt appreciated and that all our current school secretaries have been told, “We can-not function without you.”
Thanks goes to Kelli Yacavone, Kathy Beardsley, and Harry Coleman for provid-ing some of the information needed for this article.
SALUTE continued from page 4
THE HOMER NEWSis brought to you
FREEOf course, we all know thatnothing is FREE. Someonemust pay. Please thank our loyal advertisers, for they pay so you can get it FREE!!!
8 April 9, 2020 ð The Homer News
The next issue of The Homer News will be April 23, 2020. DEADLINE: for ads and news is April 14, 2020.
FOOD PANTRYThe First United Methodist Church has a Food Pantry for Homer resi-dents, which is open on Tuesdays,
10:00 am until 12:30 pm Walk-ins are welcome.
For information or emergency, call 749-7159
The Voice of the Town
Contributors:Priscilla Berggren-Thomas, Martin Sweeney, Anita Jebbett, Harry Coleman, Dennis Stratton
The Homer News is publishedin Homer by The Homer News.
Distribution is every other Thursday to all households and
businesses in Homer.The Homer News is a community-based newspaper dedicated to informing townspeople of current events and issues; serving as a forum for the free exchange
of views of town residents; and celebrating the people, places and happenings that make the Town
of Homer unique.
Editor:Donald Ferris***
Rates:The Homer News is delivered at no cost to
Homer addresses in the 13077 zip code. We now offer subscriptions to The Homer News. Personal or out-of-town subscriptions are available for $36 per year (First Class) Payable in advance. Send check or money order to: The Homer News, P.O. Box 125, Homer, NY 13077 Email your address to: [email protected]
Signed Articles, Letters, Photographs and Drawings of interest are welcomed to be considered for publication. All articles are subject to editing for clarity and length. Materials not used will be returned if a self-addressed stamped envelope is provided.
THANK YOU!Circulation: 4,200 copies per issue. Copyright © 2020 The Homer News
The Homer NewsP.O. Box 125 Homer, New York 13077
[email protected] Telephone: 607-749-2613
The Homer News
Published for Homer Residents
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The Homer News,which is publishedas an independent,
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VILLAGE FOOD MARKETThe full-service grocery store offers fresh meat, deli and produce and super great sub sandwiches in the Village of Homer. If you're looking for a specific item, give them a call to see if they have it in stock.Monday thru Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.7 S. Main Street, Homer NY(607) 749-3311ANDERSON'S FARM MARKETVegetables, fruits, meat, dairy and fresh baked goods - a one stop shop for your Easter spread. If you need a lunch break, they are still preparing their daily hot food menu to go.Monday thru Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.5887 Rt. 281, Homer NY(607) 749-5551 – andersonsmkt.comSINFULLY SWEET CAFÉSinfully Sweet Cafe has got your covered with a variety of sweet treats, including Easter-themed sugar cookies, fudge, chocolate covered peeps, Easter egg flavors like chocolate, caramel, peanut butter, cookies and cream and s'mores, and more. Check their Facebook page for product updates. They can also customize Easter baskets.17 S. Main Street, Homer NY(607) 543-4568DASHER'S CORNER PUB2 N. Main Street, Homer NY(607) 299 – 4999 – dasherspub.comDasher's is offering its full menu and beverages for takeout and curbside pickup. Operating hours are Monday thru Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 4 - 8 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m.LITTLE ITALY PIZZERIA125 S. Main Street, Homer NY(607) 756-2344 – littleitalyhomer.comThe Homer pizzeria will be open for delivery and takeout services. Check out their menu and call during their updated hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. HOBO'S 281 BAR & GRILL10 S. West Street, Homer NY(607) 749-2334Hobo's 281 is making it easy for you to still enjoy their favorites. Curbside and delivery orders are available.KORY'S PLACE9 N. West Street, Homer NY(607) 749-9938Kory's Place will be open Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. for their Friday Fish Fry.A PIZZA & MORE12 S. West Street, Homer NY(607) 753-7527 / (607) 749-5300 - apizzaandmore.comThey are still open for pickup and delivery. SUPER CREAM DAIRY75 N. West Street, Homer NY(607) 749-3348 – supercream.comThe Super Cream Dairy walk up window and drive thru are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. THREE LIL BIRDS CAKERY23 N. Main St., Homer (607) 344-3016 – Threelilbirdscakery.comThree Lil' Birds Cakery specializes in creating beautiful custom cakes, cupcakes and gourmet pastries to coordinate with your special day. Special occasions, weddings and birthdays are the perfect time to order a delicious custom cake or dessert your guests will remember for years to come. Contact us today with your custom cake inquiry!POOLE'S DRIVE-IN3033 State Rt. 13, Cortland NY(607) 753-1912Poole's Drive-In is offering a Friday Fish Fry from noon to 7 p.m. on Fridays. A Fish Sandwich with a side is only $8. Sides include macaroni & cheese, fresh fries, onion rings, sweet potato fries or Cole slaw. Hamburgers with a side are also available. Looking for something sweet? They are occasional taking order for pies. Check their Facebook page for weekly updates. Call or text your order to the number above.TRINITY VALLEY COUNTRY STORE & DAIRYTrinity Valley has a variety of sizes in their milk products, a variety of our bread flavors, New Hope Mills Pancake Mixes, Food & Ferments products, a variety of sizes of their syrup, dry soup mixes, jams and preserves, as well as fresh bakery items that vary every day. They also have frozen meat sold by the pound (steaks, roasts, bacon, etc.).You can place an order online via their online form, or you can pick up at their Drive-Thru window. Click here for more information on their delivery order and what days they deliver to your area.Thursday thru Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Closed Easter Sunday2847 State Rt. 13, Cortland NY (607) 345-6772 – trinityvalleydairy.comHYDE'S DINER157 Homer Ave., Cortland, NY (607)753-8521Closed for vacation, reopening April 14, 2020 for take-out only.
Food for Thought (and Nourishment) during COVID -19
The following businesses in the Homer area are offering take-out food service (some offer delivery ser-vice, too) during the current COVID-19 Pandemic. Many have a Facebook page you can check for more up-to-date information. We have attempted to be as accurate as possible, but circumstances change, sometimes hourly or daily. It is everyone's best interest to minimize interaction with other folks who may be infected or vulnerable. If you need food or groceries, give these local businesses a try. If we have omitted anyone, we apolo-gize. Let us know and we will update the list as time and space allows.
The Homer News - April 9, 2020. 9
On Friday, March 27, 2020, while exercising social distancing, Officers from the Homer Police Department received departmental awards for their actions taken during 2019. Receiving departmental awards were Officer Michael Howell, Officer Fred “Jay” Forbes Jr and Officer Matthew Compton.
Officer Howell received the department’s highest award, the Award of Honor, for his actions on April 5, 2019 when he entered a structure fire and aided the resi-dents in evacuating the building. He was also recognized for his actions regarding this incident on December 4, 2019 during the American Red Cross of Central New York’s 21st annual “Real Hero breakfast” at the On-Center in Syracuse, NY. In January of this year, he was nominated for the Central New York Association of Chiefs of Police Heroic Action Award where he would have been recognized on April 27, 2020 during a ceremony in Syracuse, but it was postponed.
Officer Howell also received the department’s Honorable Service Award for a traffic stop he conducted during the early morning hours on June 20, 2019 on South-West Street in the village for a vehicle for inadequate lights. He had some interaction with the teenage driver and teenage passenger where he determined that something didn’t appear to be right. With the assistance of officers from the sheriff’s office, they learned that the vehicle was stolen during the commission of
Homer Police Receive Departmental Awardsa robbery out of the City of Syracuse. His actions led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle and provided Syracuse Police suspect information relative to the robbery.
Officer Forbes and Officer Compton received the department’s Life Saving Award for administering Naloxone to three separate individuals on three separate dates. On February 2, 2019, Officer Forbes administered Naloxone to an unconscious female; on February 3, 2019 and on July 21, 2019, Officer Compton administered Naloxone to individuals. The officer’s actions saved the lives of all three individu-als.
During the presentation, officers presented Chief Pitman with a trophy for taking 3rd place during the Homer Elks Lodge chicken wing eating contest on January 25, 2020.
The awards presentation is typically held during the beginning of each year to recognize officer’s actions during the previous year. This year it was postponed until March 25th because an officer in the department had some health issues and the officers wanted to wait until he was able to attend. However, it was cancelled due to the Covid-19 crisis. Congratulations to all of the officers.
Officer ComptonOfficer Forbes
Officer Howell Chief Pitman
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From the Archives....
10 April 9, 2020 ð The Homer News
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Stop by or give us a call today to book your event! 607-753-1447
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the PORT WATSON MINI CONFERENCE CENTER
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Homer Men’s & Boy’s Store- QUALITY FAMILY CLOTHING SINCE 1951 -
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http://www.townofhomer.org/history/index.htmlby appointment: 607-345-0608 - Kathy
Pat Hill Community Building Contact Us For Your Rental Needs Wedding Recep ons Wedding Showers
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Please contact 607-756-2056 or 607-423-1761
SALLY BROWN KURTZAHWD, CBR, GREEN, GRIReal Estate Associate [email protected]
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The Homer News - April 9, 2020. 11
Solution toMarch 26
Puzzle
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The Homer News
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PO Box 125, Homer, NY 13077. All ads must be in our hands by Friday at 5 p.m. for Thursday’s paper.
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Publication ScheduleTHE HOMER NEWS
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10. Curved molding11. Famous Australopithecus12. “____ the wild rumpus begin!”15. Hertz offering20. Labanotation founder22. Doesn’t mix well with water24. Wilma and Fred’s hometown25. *Dolly26. Eagle’s nest27. *Giant or Red29. *Simba or Elsa31. Queen of Hearts’ pastry32. Accustom33. Not so crazy34. *Detroit mascot36. Not quite an adult38. Perfect houseplant spot42. Luau greeting45. S. E. Hinton’s “____ Fish”49. Chi precursor51. Place for a square54. Furry scarf56. What’s in your e-wallet?57. Actress Perlman58. Runs, as on TV59. Radar flash60. Indian music61. Yorkshire river62. Lode deposits63. Supreme Court number64. Make a seam66. *Tom or Sylvester
10 22 4/23/2020 4/14/202010 23 5/7/2020 4/28/202010 24 5/21/2020 5/12/202010 25 6/4/2020 5/26/202010 26 6/18/2020 6/9/202011 1 7/2/2020 6/23/202011 2 7/16/2020 7/7/2020
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THE HOMER NEWSVolume X 2019
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The Homer News was started in 2010 as a bi-weekly news-paper to serve the Town and Village of Homer. The circulationhas grown from 3000 copies to 4200 copies in the past 7 years. There is now an opportunity for a new owner to build on the established advertising base to provide a substantial income while providing a valuable and appreciated service to the readers in the area. Modest investment required. Current owner will aid in the transition after the sale. Reply your interest to: Editor, The Homer News, P.O. Box 125, Homer, NY 13077
THEME: NAME THE ANIMAL
ACROSS1. Spoil6. Delivery service9. Gallup’s inquiry13. Madison Square Garden, e.g.14. One of the Tudors15. Pinkerton’s gallery member16. Beneath, to a poet17. Bird-to-be18. Not slouching19. *Koko or Digit21. *George or Marcel23. Langley agency24. Can of worms25. Pine juice28. Up to the task30. Most recent35. Furnace output37. Gives a helping hand39. Veranda in Honolulu40. *European sea eagle41. Waterwheel43. Ladder crosspiece44. *Valued for its down46. Steelers’s Chuck47. Genealogical plant?48. Treat for Dumbo50. Hoofbeat sound52. “To ____ is human”53. Jim Carrey’s 1994 disguise55. Garden cultivator57. *Roger or Peter60. *Rocket or Rascal64. “Random” audience member65. Mozart’s “L’____ del Cairo”67. Resin-producing tree68. Like haunted house69. Time delay70. City in Germany71. Not a bee72. Pilot’s deadline73. Not those
DOWN1. Pirates on a plank?2. Black and white treat3. *Papa or Mama4. Clown act5. Perennial garden flower6. Iris holder7. *Babe or Wilbur8. Fraternity letter9. Politician’s barrelful
THE HOMER NEWSVolume X Thursday, April 9, 2020 Issue 21
The Salvation Army in Cortland country continues to be faithful to its mission of meeting human needs in the name of Jesus.
With the ongoing COVID19 crisis, the last few weeks has brought many chang-es to The Salvation Army’s continued effort to serve Cortland County. In order to meet the demands for social distancing and ensure the greatest safe-ty measures are in place to slow down the spread of COVID19, The Salvation Army of Cortland County implemented an Emergency Food Assistance delivery service. In the first two weeks alone 192 Cortland County Families received Emergency Food Assistance delivered straight to their homes. This represents a total of 612 individuals served and 667 food bags distributed depending on family size. The Salvation Army expressed that on average they serve 100 families a month under regular circumstances, and so the increase demonstrates the negative impact COVID19 is having on some Cortland families and their ability to provide for their basic nutritional needs. Lt. Rebecca March and Major Misty Coffelt personally delivered to these families, with the assistance of the Director of the United Way, Christella Yonta. This week, The Salvation Army, United Way and Catholic Charities have joined forces to continue this much needed service throughout the county. Cortland County has also joined the effort by providing drivers to help with the delivery of these much-needed Food Supplies. Lt. March said “As we work together, it is our hope that we will be able to serve our community more efficiently and provide for those who need it the most over the extended period of time it will take before life regains some sense of normalcy.”
Major Misty Coffelt & Debra Holbrook (The Salvation Army), Les & Rob (Cortland County Highway Workers) Loading truck for delivery
Major Misty Coffelt (The Salvation Army) Packing Food Bags for delivery.
Salvation Army Steps Up
Cortland, NY (April 6, 2020) – The Central New York Community Foundation award-ed $60,000 in the third year of its Cortland County Bright Ideas grants to twelve nonprofit organizations. This is the most awarded so far in Cortland Bright Ideas history. Each received a $5,000 grant toward a program enhancement.
The Cortland County Bright Ideas grants program is supported through the gen-erosity of the Fenstermacher Fund, the Nicholas and Agnes Renzi Charitable Fund, the Margaret and Roland Fragnoli Designated Fund, the Yaman Foundation, the Bertini Family Foundation, the Cortland Community Foundation, Brenda and Rod Comolli and other local donors who were inspired to give back to the local community. The selection committee was comprised of the organiza-tions and individuals who contributed.Applicants were invited to submit a ‘bright idea’ for enhancing their nonprofit and explain how that idea will help the organization better serve its community. Each submission was evaluated based on community impact, collaboration and sustainability.“The applications represented many deserving organizations in Cortland County. We’re delighted to continue our support of these worthwhile programs that strengthen our community at large,” said Leslee Fragnoli-Garrison, a Bright Ideas grants program donor and committee member. “I’m proud to be a part of Cortland’s Bright Ideas program.”
The Fenstermacher Fund, administered by the Central New York Community Foundation, serves as a catalyst for the Bright Ideas program. Ted Fenstermacher was a prominent attorney who served as a chief prosecutor in the Nuremberg war crimes trials following World War II. The Fenstermacher Fund, established through his bequest in 2001, has supported the general needs of the community for more than 15 years, largely through the funding of a lecture series, prior to the launch of Bright Ideas.“It is our mission to steward donors’ intentions and bring together people with common interests to make a bigger impact,” said Peter Dunn, president & CEO of the Central New York Community Foundation. “It’s inspiring to see the gener-osity of Mr. Fenstermacher and the other donors supporting important projects in Cortland County.”
2020 Cortland Bright Ideas $5,000 Grant RecipientsAccess To Independence to serve as a resource and advocate for the disabled community who have experienced violence and to educate those with disabilities to reduce further violence.Cortland Area Communities That Care Coalition, Inc. to implement a youth vaping prevention campaign. The campaign will target students in Cortland County with core messages on the dangers and consequences of vaping.Cortland Community Action Program Head Start to construct their “Seed To Plate Watch Our Garden Grow” program. Several raised bed gardens for chil-dren and families will enable access to fresh food and nutrition education.
Cortland County Family YMCA to create an accessible space dedicated to youth programs, including art and music, STEM, and after-school care for chil-dren and teens in Cortland County.
Cortland County Historical Society to implement their “Adventuring Through Time: Cortland County for Kids” program, an interactive children’s space in Cortland County that will connect children to the past through play, narrative, and historical objects.
Homeville Museum, Inc. to create dynamic and interactive exhibits through Living History presentations, multi-media exhibits, mannequins and demonstra-tions.
Lime Hollow Nature Center to expand storage, furnishings and equipment for our Forest preschool students.The Salvation Army of Cortland to implement the new Reading and Homework Help Center and purchase the needed furnishings and books.The Town and Country Garden Club to restore their sensory garden and ensure that the walking area is safe for visitors.
Community Foundation Awards Grants
Where is The Homer News Being Read??
From: The Homer NewsP.O. Box 125 Homer, NY 13077
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Family members (LtoR): Don & Claire Smith, Kate Hudson, Jenae Withey, Harry and Joanne Hudson “on stage” of the Norwegian ship the “Gem”, reading The Homer News while cruising the Caribbean with 14 other family and friends February 14-24, 2020.
