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Given the spike in asymptomatic Covid-19 cases in Tompkins County and concern about transmissibility of the new variants, we are simplifying the event. It is no longer the usual barbecue, but a simple Ice Cream Social.  We will not be grilling and are not asking residents to contribute side dishes and desserts.

We encourage individuals and families from Forest Home to bring their own beverages to the park — no alcohol, please. Some families may want to bring food to eat themselves. Bring masks and be thoughtful about social distancing.  Come any time after 3pm. Consider bringing chairs.

Starting around 4pm, we (FHIA volunteers who are vaccinated, masked and gloved) will serve ice cream. We will provide bowls, spoons, and napkins.

It’s not necessary to bring anything but yourselves and your appetites, but if you are inclined to bring something to share, we ask that it be finger food that can be picked up easily without any serving utensil and without digging into a deep container. It could be presented on a tray or platter with items separated, preferably individually wrapped.

We will have a supply of masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and gloves.

You may have noticed that the damp weather has brought out a lot of mosquitoes.  Consider applying your preferred repellent before you come.  And check for ticks afterwards.

IMPORTANT!  Plans have changed.  There will be no barbecue, but we will serve ice cream.

(Updated 9/8/2021)

We are planning to hold our usual get-together and barbecue in the Forest Home Park. The picnic will be on Saturday September 11, with a rain date of the following Saturday, September 18.

We need vaccinated volunteers to help with:
* grilling
* serving food (instead of the usual self-serve buffet)
* setting up before the party
* cleaning up after the party

We will have a supply of masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and gloves.

To volunteer, please write to us at foresthomenews@gmail.com.

We encourage parents or grandparents of small children to make suggestions that would make them comfortable to bring the children to the party.

We will check guidelines from the Tompkins County Health Department and other COVID resources closer to the date and will send an update if the picnic needs to be postponed.

The meeting with Cornell Community Relations, Wednesday August 11, 2021, 7-7:30pm
will include updates and Q&A on
[A] the North Campus Residential Expansion (NCRE)
and
[B] student move-in (beginning on August 19 — see https://scl.cornell.edu/residential-life/housing/housing-details/moving-campus)

with NCRE project manager Chris Davenport and Student and Campus Life Communication Director Karen Brown, and Community Relations staff.

Residents should check email for the ZOOM link.

We are delighted to announce that the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions means that we can plan for our usual get-together and barbecue in the Forest Home Park this year. The rain date will be the following Saturday, September 18. If you have particular concerns or suggestions related to Covid, please share them with the board via foresthomenews@gmail.com so that we can consider them in our planning.

A recent newsletter from the History Center announces a guide for a “driving tour” to look at historic schools in Tompkins County. It includes the former Forest Home School at 100 Judd Falls Road. The school, which was built in 1921 and closed in 1964, is now the Lewis Building, used by Cornell Botanic Gardens as an administrative building.

See https://pocketsights.com/tours/place/Forest-Home-School-(now-Lewis-Building-Cornell-Botanic-Gardens)-43985

Inspired by this resource, some additions are being made to the FHIA website, to make available various short pieces written by Martha Warren Hertel (1915-2004), who was born in Forest Home and lived here most of her life. One piece she wrote is at School Life as a Fourth Grader about 1925. According to Lucy Hertel Staley, Martha’s daughter, this was written around 1992 at the request of a girl who was in 4th grade and a neighbor of Martha’s on Crest Lane. Thanks go to Lucy for transcribing Martha’s notes and handouts. Find them at https://fhia.org/martha-warren-hertel-miscellaneous-writings/. More will be added over time.

It is once again time for our annual Spring Clean Up in Forest Home. The event will be self-directed, as it was last year. This will allow flexibility for people who prefer to socially distance. The cleanup will take place on Sat. Apr. 17 from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm. You aren’t expected to work that entire time. That is when Herb and I will be available for assistance. Herb and I will provide a couple of trash grabbers, work gloves and plastic bags to share. We’ll leave them by our back door, so just come by and borrow what you need. We’ll take the trash and debris to Tompkins County Solid Waste and Recycling Center.

Do what you can and stay safe near the roadside. You can also just clean up outside your own house. If you want to choose an area (some of you already have), let me know so that someone else doesn’t duplicate your efforts.

Areas usually covered include Forest Home Park, Warren Rd. up to the streetlights, Forest Home Drive down to the upstream bridge (near Caldwell Rd.), Judd Falls Rd. and McIntyre Rd. and any other area in FH that you feel needs sprucing up.

Thank you for your contribution and let me know if you have questions or would like someone to join you for safety and support. Herb and I are fully vaccinated and glad to work with anyone who wants a buddy.

On Earth Day, April 22, 7 pm, join us for a virtual presentation in our 2021 FHIA Speakers Series! Professor Thomas Campanella, who teaches in City and Regional Planning at Cornell, will be speaking to us about “The Rise and Fall of the American Elm.”  For zoom connection information, contact your FHIA officers at foresthomenews@gmail.com.

And do you have an idea for a presentation to our neighbors? Contact foresthomenews@gmail.com to tell us about your ideas and suggestions for the FHIA Speakers Series. We have an amazing group of neighbors who know a lot about a lot of things — and a lot that is worth sharing! We’d love to hear from you about what you’d like to contribute, or your suggestions for what other neighbors might contribute!

Randy’s earlier chapters focused on outdoor explorations and learning about nature. He has added a chapter reminiscing about indoor activities using the construction toys from his childhood. He was delighted to find that Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys, and Erector Sets can still be purchased.

See https://fhia.org/on-childhood-in-forest-home/

For links to more about the history of our neighborhood, see https://fhia.org/History/.

An agenda item for the Town Board meeting scheduled for Monday, February 8 at 5:30pm will be a discussion of the latest drawings (billed as “100% progress plans”) for the Forest Home Walkway Improvement Project. The intent is to field any last minute comments and make final updates to the plans in preparation for a future board resolution to authorize bidding once the package is complete. The Town has provided the Forest Home community with many opportunities to give input over the last two years.

There will be a “persons to be heard” section at the beginning of the 2/8 board meeting. For those not familiar with the usual format for Town Board meetings, the opportunity for public input at these meetings is in a special period at the beginning of the meeting. The form of this period is that individuals who wish to speak raise their hands and are invited in turn to the mike where they have up to 3 minutes to speak. Whether or not you are able to attend the meeting in person, you can also send email to the Town Clerk, Paulette Rosa, at PRosa@town.ithaca.ny.us

The new plan has a couple of updates wrt the December plans discussed at the 12/15 Public Works Committee meeting that may be significant to users of the Walkway.

* The December plan had handrails on the right-hand side (going up) both on the lower section and above the zigzag. This plan moves the handrail on the upper section to the left. Note that the plan also includes re-grading of that section so that it has a minimal slope from right to left — just enough to encourage water not to flow down the Walkway itself.

* The December plan offered two options for railing style. The final choice (as clearly preferred by participants at both December meetings) is for a single rigid “pipe” rail. The finish will be similar to rails used by Cornell Botanic Gardens, e.g. by the steps up to the Observatory from Sackett Bridge.

Recap of points highlighted for the December plans that still apply:

* The design follows the current path of the Walkway
* The design has one section with steps, the steep section just before the right-hand bend.
* The design allows for maintenance equipment to come down the Walkway as far as the flat section, where there is a turnaround area. This addresses the concern about dealing with trees that fall over the Walkway.

We will provide the agenda and Zoom details for the Town Board meeting when they are available.