Dryden musical, CROP walk, Tot Spot, more

LAUREL: From Dryden Central Schools Superintendent Pat Archambault. Bravo to the cast and crew of the Dryden High School musical production of "Big, The Musical." What a delight! A special thanks to director Teresa Wilson, assistant director Jaymee Crosley, choreographer Cindy Halpin, musical director Marilyn Preston, costume director Jody Earle and all the talented volunteers who played in the orchestra under the direction of Janet Diehl. Thanks to all for giving our community a terrific production!

LAUREL: From Area Congregations Together (ACT). To some 250 Ithacans, including 70 Cornell students, who walked in last month's Ithaca CROP Walk. A preliminary count indicates that more than $10,000 has been raised to fight world hunger, with pledges still coming in. Twenty-five percent of the total will help support local food pantries in the coming year. Thanks also to Alderwoman Susan Blumenthal, representing the City of Ithaca at the walk; St. James AME Zion Church, the Baptized Church of Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith and St. John's Episcopal Church. Also to our refreshment hosts, the Baha'i Community Unity Dancers, and all the bakers, recruiters and pledgers who supported the walk, bringing local and global communities together.

LAUREL: From Beth Acoff of the Ithaca Youth Bureau to Wegmans and Alphabet Soup for their generous donations to Tot Spot. The children will really enjoy all of new toys its donations supplied. As Tot Spot coordinator, I appreciate the support of these local businesses to Tot Spot.

LAUREL: From the Ithaca Drug Treatment Court participants and court team to Lori and Chuck Parkin and Walt Allen for again hosting a bowling party for members of our winning team at the Bowl-O-Drome in Ithaca. The Ithaca Drug Treatment Court is helping community members beat alcoholism and addiction and start healthy, productive lives. Many thanks!

LAUREL: From Suzanne Blatchford of the Girl Scouts Seven Lakes Council. To the volunteers who participated in the annual Girl Scout Cookie sale. We especially want to thank the people at the Leland Field House, Cornell University and H & R Block office in Jacksonville for providing warehouse space, fork lifts and in some cases, employee time, to help us effectively distribute the cookies to the troops and then to you.

LAUREL: From the Salvation Army to all those who helped out the its annual Thanksgiving dinner. More than 75 volunteers worked to make this day truly one of "Thanksgiving" for the 200 plus area residents who attended. Turkeys and pies were donated by area residents, companies and other individuals. All other food was purchased by the Salvation Army.

"It has become a traditional community wide event" Major Ronald L. Lugiano, Corps Commanding Officer of the Ithaca Salvation army said. "Families, single adults and senior citizens have made this center their home for Thanksgiving because they don't want to be alone, or have difficulty making ends meet. This has become a tradition for so many people and we're glad we could pay this important part in their lives."