The East End Community Center (EECC) is pleased to announce that the ever-popular Steve Southworth and the Rockabilly Rays will perform at this year's EECC fundraiser at the Ramada Inn in Cortland on Saturday, July 31.

Unless you've been living underneath a rock for the past 24 years, you've most likely heard of or seen local band Steve Southworth and the Rockabilly Rays. After 24 years, these guys remain the ultimate tribute band to the legends of the 50's and 60's. The band faithfully reproduces original compositions, arrangements, tempo and sounds of the Rockabilly Rhythm and Blues and Rock and Roll treasure trove of tunes.

Cortland, historically, is a hotbed for talented musicians. This fact is reflected in the line-up of musicians that comprise the Rockabilly Rays such as local hero and owner of "Jay's Taxi," Jason Crapo, who provides drumming and backing vocals; Steve's eldest son, Bob, plays both electric and upright bass and also provides backing vocals. Rounding out the Rockabilly Rays is the Ithaca legend Fluffy Saccucci who plays tenor sax and also provides backing vocals. Steve Southworth is the band's founder and lead vocalist and guitarist.

Over the past 24 years, the band has released eight albums and three music videos and is ready to release album number nine this summer! The band has performed from New York to California, currently focusing on New York State and Pennsylvania. The band often opens for some of the best oldies acts in the business. According to Steve, "We remember where we came from, and there is nothing like performing for the people that represent home to us, and with whom we interact with in our community."

It is very fitting that a band like Steve Southworth and the Rockabilly Rays perform for the EECC's 2010 fundraiser with their focus on the importance of community spirit, according to Shawn Smith, the Center's Board Chairman. When the center closed its doors at 46 Elm Street, many people in the community were very concerned about the loss of this valuable community resource. Although the center is temporarily housed at the city's armory facility on Wheeler Ave, it is our hope that in the future the center will have a place to call its own once again. Meanwhile, dedicated board members continue to bring many of the center's programs to the community during this transition. The walking program and the popular beginner computer class, the community literacy program and the history and heritage series will all continue this fall in our temporary home.

Come and show your support for the East End Community Center on Saturday July 31 for the Center's first ever "Sock Hop" featuring the best 50's band around, Steve Southworth and the Rockabilly Rays. The evening will also feature a dance contest, prizes for the best 50's attire, a hula hoop contest, delicious food, raffles and door prizes. Tickets can be purchased in advance at a discount at the following locations: Cortland Youth Bureau (35 Port Watson Street), Sheridan's Jewelry (6 Main St, Cortland), and Jodi's Hallmark (11 Main Street, Cortland), Cortland Hardware (and The Ramada Inn of Cortland (2 River Street). Tickets will also be available at the door the evening of the event. Doors open at 6:30pm and the event will run from 7pm to 11pm. The Sock Hop is sponsored by the Ramada Inn and the Cortland Youth Bureau. For more information call the Bureau at (607) 753-3021 .

Steve Southworth and the Rockabilly Rays

Ticket Prices

$10 in advance

$12 at the door

The East End Community Center is in the process of developing a second cookbook comprised of recipes donated by City of Cortland residents. If you would like to be part of this effort, please send your tried and true recipes to the Cortland Youth Bureau at 35 Port Watson Street in Cortland or fax them to (607) 753-3023, or email them to Cecile@cortland.org. The recipe collection form is available here to download. If there is a story behind the recipe or a related historical photo, please feel free to include these as well. Be sure to print your name and phone number on the back of any photographs that you wish to be returned. The cookbook, “A Taste of Tradition II” is scheduled to be released this fall, just in time for the Great Cortland Pumpkinfest. Please consider sending your favorite recipe today!!

Download recipe form

On Saturday, February 20, 2010 Radiation Oncology Services of Cortland will be hosting a Spaghetti Dinner and Raffle to raise money for The Bella Fund. The dinner and raffle will be held at the Homer Elks Club from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. All monies raised will be kept in the local area.

The Bella Fund is a non-profit organization that supports cancer research, education and transportation in the local area. The fund also provides financial support to conduct treatment and community outreach. It was created in honor of Isabella Durando, a little girl, who passed away from Medulloblastoma, a type of brain cancer, and was laid to rest on her 5th birthday.

Come enjoy a spaghetti dinner and support a good cause. For more information, call Radiation Oncology Services of Cortland at 607-758-2360.

The East End Community Center officially released the names of the winners of the 2009 Holiday Lighting Contest this week, after much anticipation by participants. According to Chairperson of the Lighting Contest Committee, Linda Stock, there were a record number of entries to chose from this year, with 14 residences and 15 businesses throwing their decorating talents into the ring. Stock was especially pleased to see so many downtown Cortland businesses participating and credits Downtown Partnership Director, Adam Megivern's involvement in the recruitment process.

Each year, there are two categories of awards: the People's Choice Award, which is determined by community residents voting on line for their favorite entry, and the Judges' Choice Award, determined by a panel of "judges" from the East End Center's advisory board.

And the winners are!

Grand Prize (Judges' Choice) Residences:

Roberta Batting on Rickard Street

Grand Prize (People's Choice) Residences:

The Blair Family on Brook Drive

Grand Prize (People's and Judges' Choice) Businesses:

Radiation and Oncology Services on Commons Avenue

First Runner Up (People's and Judges' Choice) Residences:

Leon Harvey on Pearl Street

First Runner Up (People's and Judges' Choice) Businesses:

Logo This on Main Street

Second Runner Up (Judges' Choice) Residences: There was a tie!

• Jack and Mary Tyler on Evergreen Street
• William Shafer on William Street

Second Runner Up (People's Choice) Residences:

Cheryl and Frank Mrozowski on Brook Drive

Second Runner Up (People's and Judge's Choice) Businesses:

Marketplace Mall on Main Street

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2009 Holiday Lighting Contest. We hope to see you back again next year!

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the U.S.A.! What is "pickleball" you ask? Here is your opportunity to learn all about pickleball, including a chance to play the game! The game is named after a cocker spaniel, Pickles, whose family invented the game as a way to bring all the family members together for a fun activity on their vacations. Interested in learning more? Bring the whole family to the County Gymnasium on Greenbush Street on Saturday, February 13 from 3:30pm to 5:00pm. Cortland's local pickleball team, The Cortland Cucumbers, will be presenting this fun workshop on the art of pickleball. The game is easy to learn and tons of fun for all ages. Just bring a pair of sneakers and wear comfortable clothing. Equipment consists of a plastic whiffle ball and a paddle, both of which will be provided to all participants.

Hope to see you Saturday, February 13th at 3:30pm at the county gym. The program is sponsored by the Cortland County Office for the Aging, and the City of Cortland Youth Bureau. For more information call the Bureau at (607) 753-3021.

More information on Pickleball

Photo Attached: John Busch, member of the local pickleball team, the Cortland Cucumbers, at a recent pickleball practice at the County Gymnasium. Photo credit to the Cortland Cucumbers.

Click to zoom!

The East End Community Center is pleased to announce the creation of their first ever cookbook which will is now available, hot off the presses, at several businesses and organizations around the City of Cortland.

Titled "A Taste Of Tradition," the book is filled with tried and true recipes of Cortland residents. Many recipes have stories attached to them and preparing these recipes bring back warm memories of family gatherings and days gone by. The book is also filled with historical photos of East End residents and businesses making it a true collectors item.

The cookbook is dedicated to Jimmy Partigianoni who was the impetus behind the creation of the East End Community Center in 2005. All proceeds from the cookbook are earmarked for the continuation of East End Community Center programs and services.

Already in its second printing, the cookbook is selling briskly. Why not pick up your copy today, and maybe a few extras for those on your holiday gift list. The books can be found at the following locations: Sheridan's Jewelry, Jodi's Hallmark, Cortland County Historical Society, Mando Books, Mullen's Office Outfitters, East Side Bakery, Elm Street Emporium, Cortland Youth Bureau, and the East End Center (during hours of the indoor walking program, Mon-Fri, 11:30 am to 2:30pm). For more information, call the Youth Bureau at 607-753-3021.

Looking for the perfect gift for that special someone who seems to have everything? Here are some unique gift ideas from the Cortland Youth Bureau and the Cortland County Historical Society.  These two organizations have teamed up to produce a delightful set of 8 note cards depicting various historical scenes and people.  The famous Dexter House, shown here, at the southeast corner of Main and Clinton Streets, provides the backdrop for the rally of motorbike enthusiasts early in the 20th Century, is just one example of what you will find in this collection.  The cards make great thank you notes or just perfect for keeping in touch for any occasion.

Other items to be found at the Historical Society that are sure to please any history buff on you list include anything from old photographs to new publications.  One such popular book is titled "Cortland County Remembers, From the Forties to the Seventies."  Another popular item is the limited edition Cortland County Bicentennial plate.  You can even purchase a beautiful afghan to cuddle up under as you learn more about the history of Cortland.  The gift shop is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.  For more info, call 607 756-6071 during the hours listed above.  The Historical Society is located at 25 Homer Avenue in Cortland.   Shoppers can also stop by the Cortland Youth Bureau at 35 Port Watson Street in Cortland to purchase the same historical note cards in packages of 8, or individually.  Proceeds for the cards purchased at the Youth Bureau go to support the East End Community Center.

Another popular item available at the Youth Bureau only, are the East End Community Center's "History and Heritage Programs," including ones about the History of Cortland's East End, the Irish, Italian, Lebanese and Ukrainian immigrations to Cortland, and the very popular, "One Hundred Years of Music in Cortland."  All programs are available on both VHS and DVD at a very affordable price.  Contact the Youth Bureau at 753-3021 for more information about these items, or stop down Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.  

The East End Community Center is in the process of developing a cookbook comprised of recipes donated by City of Cortland residents.  The cookbook will then be sold to raise much- needed funds for the community center.  If you would like to be part of this effort, please send your tried and true recipes to the Cortland Youth Bureau at 35 Port Watson Street in Cortland.  Please include your name, address and phone number and as detailed a recipe as possible.  If you have any questions, please call Linda at (607) 753-9441 or Colleen at (607) 753-3017.  It is hoped that all recipes will be collected and chosen for inclusion in the cookbook by mid-November, so please, consider sending your favorite recipe today!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION

If you are wondering how to use that new computer, why not join the East End Community Center’s Introduction to Computers Class.  The class is 5 sessions, every Monday from 1:00pm to 2:30pm, starting October 19th.   The class is free of charge, and is taught by RSVP volunteer, Jim Glover.  Mr. Glover is a retired Mechanical Design Specialist with over 24 years of experience with computers.  To register, call the Cortland Youth Bureau at 607-753-3021.

The East End Center's popular walking program "Walk Your Way to Good Health"  has moved indoors for the Fall and Winter months.  Now you can walk in comfort in any weather at the center's indoor track.  All are welcome to walk every  Monday-Friday, 11:30am-2:30pm (except for holidays).  There is no charge for this program and if you register, you will be eligible for prize drawings every quarter! For more information call CYB at 753-3021.  This program is sponsored by the Healthy Heart Coalition and is staffed by RSVP volunteers.

Habitat For Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties has, as its mission, the elimination of homelessness and substandard housing throughout Tompkins and Cortland Counties.  With volunteer labor and tax-deductible donation of money and materials, we work together to rehabilitate existing homes and construct new ones for families in need.  The result is a modest home, a zero percent interest mortgage, and a brighter future.

The Tompkins/Cortland chapter of Habitat for Humanity is currently in dire need of community members to step up and help us fill the following positions:

• Volunteer Coordinator
• Church Relations Committee Member
• Fund Raising Coordinator
• Large Donation Fund Raising Coordinator
• PR/Media Relations
• Family Support Committee Member
• Family Partner

If you or someone you know is interested in more information about any of these positions, please call (607) 220-3947 or send an email to: VolunteerforTCHFH@habitatnys.org

Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 9:00am until noon at the East end Community Center.  This beginner English course is open to all local area residents.

For More Information Call (607) 758-1111

Sponsored by OCM BOCES