Officer Commissioning Ceremony of Ryan Timothy Fessenden!!

December 21, 2012

 

Mary's poem for Dad's 80th Birthday

Well, Dad, you’re 80, so hats off to you!

Eight decades, not too shabby, it’s really quite a few.

And you’ve made the most of the years, I gotta say.

With 7 kids & 12 grandkids, you’ve put a lot into play!

But numbers aren’t everything, as you well know.

It’s the quality of the product that makes the system go.

But in this regard, credit is also due,

as among the slew of us, we got a lot from you.

Personality traits, quirks, hobbies & vocations,

priorities, sayings, choice of vacations.

Like confetti spread at a grand occasion,

there are bits of you in all sorts of locations!

Your love of the land, animals and picturesque views--

you needn’t look far to pick up on the clues.

A farmer here, a cow nutritionist there,

handymen, sports enthusiasts, the signs are everywhere!

Businessmen and women, community servants & lovers of history,

where these interests and passions arose is certainly no mystery.

Your love of travel, dancing and music,

collecting stamps & memorabilia, well you just can’t refuse it!

Your legacy’s in this room, there’s no denying.

There are game lovers, jokesters, and no fear of flying.

Explorers, storytellers, and Cornellians galore--

there are even people here who don’t mind doing chores!

You instilled an appreciation of science & explained how locks work;

that having fun is important, it’s not just a perk.

A lover of musicals, ice cream and sit coms like Cheers:

there are many here who hold these things dear.

Loving what you love, that’s the message you conveyed:

Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong or The Green Beret.

Leave it to you to have a song for any occasion,

and something to say to people of all persuasions.

Titanic, Found a Peanut and Seven Old Ladies, to name just a few--

your brain’s a jukebox database, a musical stew!

Then there were the night before Christmas traditions:

cookies for Santa and the story, not to mention your lively renditions!

We certainly hope we inherited or learned these things,

cuz in the end, we know they’re worth more than just bling.

It’s how one plays the game, as the saying goes.

I think we learned this from you, the best way to know.

We’re grateful, of course, for all we’ve adopted,

by hook or by crook or just plan coopted.

A model citizen, well, most of the time.

You led the way on how to live life and, frankly, key lime pie!

And speaking of pie, well I just can’t resist,

I’ll mention some personal things: you gringe, but I insist!

Some traits & trends I’ve noticed, I’ll just mention a few.

These are some things I got from you:

A love of crab cakes, the aforementioned pie, my liberal views.

I even understand football, who knew??

In ways big and small, you’ve influenced us all,

and along the way, we’ve had quite a ball!

As your sayings go: you “put this package together.”

“Here we go! Here we go! All signs fail in dry weather.”

No one could have predicted how your characteristics would manifest,

but lucky for us, you’re simply the best!

Love & hugs,

Mary

America McAndrews is Famous

Minnesota Milk's Dairy Connection Program

First time on here....lets keep it going....learning how to use it!

Hello Fessendens

Hello from California. Anyone up for some sand sledding? Thanksgiving countdown: 13 days!

I've been planning to close out, abandon this blog. I was surprised, though should not have been, to see that Martha keeps posting things.

Does anyone read this blog?

Frankenstorm - We're Ready!

check out Andrew's blog that he kept while working in New Jersey after the storm
http://sandymutualaid.blogspot.com/

Maureen and Macallen's Wedding!!!!!

October 20, 2012

Complimenti Sarah!

Congratulations Sarah!

 You have been chosen to attend Universita degli Studi di Parma Customized Exchange Program for the spring 2013 (January - May 2013) semester through the CALS International Exchange Program.  You will be representing Cornell and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at our partner university.

Freshman Mitch Fessenden Gets His First Varsity Soccer Goal!

Remembering with hair: Southern Cayuga boys soccer goes blonde in honor of former students as team blanks Groton 








Southern Cayuga's Mitch Fessenden scores as Groton's Alan Codner (2) and Joel Twitchell (17) close in on Wednesday at Southern Cayuga High School.





 

October 4, 2012

Scorebox
Chiefs 4
Indians 0

POPLAR RIDGE | They do it every year.

In honor of tradition, and former students that were killed in a car accident in 2003, nearly all of the Southern Cayuga boys soccer players dye their hair blonde every fall.
“It is a way to remember and a way to get pumped for homecoming,” said Chiefs’ captain Mike Killian about the bleached hairstyles. “It gets everybody going for homecoming and the rest of the season.”
“It is such a team-building thing,” freshman Mitch Fessenden said. “It is such an honor to be part of supporting a memory of people that were special to Southern Cayuga.”
The Chiefs, nearly all towheaded, shut out Groton on Wednesday at Southern Cayuga High School, 4-0.
Kurtis Bianconi scored less than half a minute in, Chad Reeves got credit for a goal when his crossing pass was headed in by the defense, and Fessenden got his first varsity mark as time expired in the first half.
“It felt pretty good,” Fessenden said as if he had been there before. “Sometimes it is better to have things quickly there isn’t time to think right away and you just have to make a decision. That helped me there.”
Killian scored with 27:34 left to play after being frustrated by errant tries, the right post, and goalie saves in the first half. Overall, Southern Cayuga out-shot Groton, 19-2. Ben Malone made both saves for his second-straight clean sheet.
“I know I can keep my shot down,” Killian said. “When I don’t, it really frustrates me.”
“He is just always positive,” Southern Cayuga head coach Matt Bancroft said of Killian. “He is always trying to make it so his teammates are in position to do the right things. He is a powerful player.”
The Chiefs, 4-10 on the season, are the lone Class D in the Interscholastic Athletic Conference in Section IV. The record is a little lopsided the wrong way every year playing Class C and B foes, but the experience is invaluable for Southern Cayuga when the Section IV tournament begins later this month.
“That is what we are always looking at,” Bancroft said. “I think we are looking at a home game to start sectionals. As long as we keep doing good things here at the end of the season I think we are going to do very well.”
“Our schedule prepares us because we don’t get as many wins, but we learn a lot more,” Fessenden said. “As long as we make it to sectionals, we have a chance to learn from mistakes that we make against some teams that are deeper than anyone else we will see in sectionals.”
“Playing against such skilled, and bigger teams, all year long makes us ready for our sectional tournament,” said Killian. “We have come a long way. We are making some mistakes, but we are getting there when it comes to making all of the right decisions.”
Opposite of his bleached blonde head were fluorescent orange cleats.

Sports writer Ben Meyers can be reached at 282-2257 or at ben.meyers@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @CitizenMeyers.

Traveler IQ Challenge

The Traveler IQ challenge ranks geographic knowledge of cities such as: Richmond, Panama City Beach or El Paso by comparing results against 7,725,064 other travelers. Brought to you by TravelPod, a TripAdvisor Media Network partner

Congratulations Danny! Great work!

 

Community Celebrates Emerson Park
A large crowd enjoying refreshments fills the newly restored grand ballroom Sunday, June 10, 2012 at the Emerson Park Pavilion dedication and centennial celebration.

OWASCO | A story that dates back 100 years turned a new page on Sunday afternoon.
A crowd of more than 100 gathered as Cayuga County Legislators and the Fred L. Emerson Foundation commemorated the centennial celebration and dedication of the newly restored Emerson Park Pavilion.
“The scene that you're looking at behind me, would have looked very different in 1912," said Dan Fessenden, executive director of the Fred L. Emerson Foundation. “You would be sitting among ashes and embers because the pavilion would have just burned down.”
The pavilion burned to the ground in May of 1912 and just three months after the fire, a new one was built — a daunting feat that was made possible by what Fessenden said, was likely the same kind of people doing the work back then, as today.
“As much as there may have been some differences between today and 1912, it takes an army to make a project like this happen,” he said. “And my job today is simply to give thanks to those who made this possible.”
The Emerson Foundation collectively with Cayuga County, came together to renovate and revive the pavilion.  The process was more than five years in the making and cost around $5 million in funds donated by the Emerson Foundation and Cayuga County. 
Fred L. Emerson purchased the park in the 1930s. In 1944, Emerson donated the park to Cayuga County and to the citizens of Auburn.
Members of the Emerson family were in attendance to commemorate the special occasion, including Fred Emerson's grandson, Peter Emerson.
"It is our hope that the pavilion will inspire future generations of community leaders," Peter Emerson said. "It's an absolutely beautiful day and what better way to spend your time than to be out at the lake." 
County Legislator Tim Lattimore described the pavilion as "the crown and jewel of Cayuga County.
"If anyone's been out on the lake at night they've seen these lights from the water," he said. " ... The pavilion has served us well and we hope the future brings more memories for many more years to come.”
For generations, the pavilion has been a place for parties, dances, events and summer outings. Many residents who came for the event vividly remember days at the park.
Ray Jacobs has been eying the project from his home on the other side of the lake, he said, and looked forward to the renovation.
"We came down here as a kid and have many fond memories of this place," he said. "It's a great facility and it's nice to see that younger generations will be able to enjoy it."
Ellen Baumes was anxious to see the place, and she said she could already envision great events happening in the facility. 
"They used to do a Christmas tree event every year here and it would be beautiful to see that done again in the new space," she said. "It's a spectacular facility. It's new and fancy but it's kept it's old charm."
As part of the new plan for the pavilion, H & J Hospitality officially took over the operation of the facility. Owner Jamie Ciaschi, along with his staff of more than 50 employees have been on the job for nine days and he said they're already busy working on upcoming events.
The pavilion has secured more than 40 events for 2012, Ciaschi said. Eighteen are scheduled for 2013, with 12 more in the works. 
"A lot has changed here and we're excited about our future," Ciaschi said. "We're looking forward to it. The future looks bright for the pavilion."




St. Joseph Students Utilize Leadership Skills at Conference

Mitchell Fessenden, left, and T.J. LaDuca, right, two middle school students who attend St. Joseph School, pose at the National Young Leaders State Conference, held April 19-22 in Westchester County.

May 15, 2012

AUBURN | Two students from St. Joseph School learned that they are natural leaders and improved their leadership skills when they attended a conference in late April.

Mitchell Fessenden, eighth grade, and T.J. LaDuca, seventh grade, traveled to Westchester County to participate in the National Young Leaders State Conference.

"The purpose was to teach us how to be better leaders in our community and with other people in groups," LaDuca said.

Fessenden said he and his schoolmate learned about different types of leaders and what kind of leaders they were. Once all the participants discovered what kind of leaders they were, students broke into groups and worked on planning and carrying out different aspects of the conference.

"We worked through the whole weekend in our own separate committees," Fessenden said.

There were committees for a talent show, the conference commencement ceremony, a press club and a scholar-led seminar.

Both LaDuca and Fessenden were on the commencement committee and helped lead the conference's closing ceremonies.

"They taught us all the steps of leadership and how groups form," Fessenden said.

The students said the skills they learned at the conference translate both to real life and to school life.

"Definitely — all the skills they taught us were to use later on in life," LaDuca said. "They did teach us how to be better leaders in our school community, too."

Middle school coordinator and English language arts/seventh- and eighth-grade social studies teacher Jane Cooney was the teacher who nominated Fessenden and LaDuca for the conference.

"Both Mitchell and T.J. have shown leadership qualities in their classes, not only academically, but socially," Cooney said. "This is something, as a middle school teacher, I can offer my students. This is a different experience and I want them to have as many experiences as they can."

Cooney said she looks for leadership qualities in students she nominates for the conference.

"A student who thinks about a question before answering, someone who perceives a variety of scenarios, somebody who looks at something holistically before they respond ..." she said.

Staff writer Kelly Voll can be reached at 282-2239 or kelly.voll@lee.net. Follow her on Twitter at CitizenVoll.

Bluefield Resident of the Month!!

Cornell news article from Danny ...



The Magazine of Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

  



Spring 2012

Generations and Innovations

Cornellians run in clans – it seems they all bleed Big Red. Several generations of alumni leave legacies to the university through their accomplishments and service. Here are just a few notable families.

FESSENDENS
The Fessendens are hardworking people. The first to enroll as Cornellians—sister and brother Marcia ’49 and Edwin ’54—grew up on a three-generation family farm in King Ferry, N.Y. Marcia (Fessenden Helbig), a College of Human Ecology graduate, enjoyed a long career as a school teacher and still works at a school in Connecticut, said nephew Daniel Fessenden ’87.
With his College of Agriculture and Life Sciences degree in hand, Ed Fessenden made the fourth generation of the Fessenden family farm the most successful yet. From 20 milking cows, Ed expanded to 120 milkers and 700 acres of crops. Today, the family farm milks 600 cows and grows crops on 1,200 acres.
The Fessenden family boasts 11 current or former Cornell students, including nine in CALS—number 12 will be Daniel’s daughter Madeleine, who was recently accepted early decision to the Hotel School.
Farming continues to be an important vocation, but family members have also used their Cornell educations in the fields of finance, public service, agri-business, philanthropy, and education. For example, Ed’s sixth child, John Fessenden ’85, works for Farm Credit East. He also has served on the Animal Science Animal Industry Advisory Council and is currently on the ProDairy Advisory Council and on the board of FarmNet. Brother Daniel served in the New York State Assembly from 1993 to 1999, and is currently director of Tompkins Trust Company and executive director of the Fred L. Emerson Foundation. He serves on the University Council and is a past member of the CALS Advisory Council. Granddaughter Kathleen Fessenden McAndrews ’02 is a dairy nutritionist and operates a dairy farm in Minnesota. She is a board member of the Cornell Club of Minnesota and is chair of Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network.
Service to Cornell is also a family tradition—Ed received the Outstanding Alumni Award from CALS in 2010 in recognition for his decades of volunteering in myriad capacities, including the CALS Regional Committee, Dean’s Advisory Council, and Campaign Committee, and Daniel received the Young Alumni Achievement Award in 1995.

A wired family

It was lovely to see 12 family members on video chat yesterday. Here's a screen shot to commemorate. Uncle Mark set up the chat at Grandma and Grandpa's apartment in Bluefield. Joining them on site: Aunt Denise, Maddie, Uncle Dan and Aunt Marnie. Dialing in from afar: Andrew and Aunt Martha in Virginia, Sam in Minnesota, Marissa in California and Alyssa in the Cayman Islands.

Sarah's Adventure in Italia January 2012

Sarah's Adventures in Italia January 2012  <<<<< Click this link to see full slideshow