APALACHIN (WBNG) — Staff at Big Dipper BBQ in Apalachin are hoping that they can put some smiles on faces during this difficult time. Bennett says with restrictions placed on New York’s Restaurants and uncertainty about how they might change, this is no normal opening week. “You need a little bit of what you’re used to. Every single year the barbecue opens and then you know summer is coming and the thing is this brings a smile to peoples face,” she said “They’ve been waiting for it for six months.” Staff say they are strictly enforcing social distancing guidelines with signs directing customers to stand according to lines painted on the grass — each six feet apart. Nevertheless, Bennett says the turnout has been amazing. One customer says he came out because he feels what Bennett is feeling and wants to support other small businesses. Bennett says right now the familiar smoke cloud rising above Big Dipper BBQ means a lot more than just a chicken dinner. “We have a dairy farm and I know what it’s like to try to survive nowadays and it’s good to see these people are willing to come out and support their neighborhoods,” said Michael Link of Tioga Center. “We want people in this time of scariness and uncertainty to just forget about that for five minutes while they eat their first piece of chicken for the season and smile,” said Jennifer Bennett. For more coverage of the coronavirus, click here. “It’s scary. Every day I wake up and I have a family of five. You don’t know if you’re going to be able to put food on your table or pay your rent,” she said.
Month: December 2020
Support local businesses through the Community Tee Project
Parker is donating Salon Trend’s share of the proceeds to the non-profit, New York Bully Crew. “I didn’t think anyone was going to buy a shirt. Then it turned into one, 10, 20, 30, and I think we’re over 70 or 80 at this point,” said Parker. “Here’s an opportunity for them to get back out in front of people, have people support them, buying a t-shirt, being able to wear their logo and help these companies out,” said Worldwide Sport Supply owner TJ Ciaravino. “Literally, the next day we made the complete switch to virtual because we knew consistency was really important to our squad,” said owner Marysol Burgos. The shirts cost $19. If you would like to purchase a shirt from the Community Tee Project, click here. “Rent has to be paid, we have to keep the lights on, we appreciate having heat when we’re here teaching so all of those things were real concerns about how are we going to cover the cost of a small business when we are shut down,” said owner Jenna Moore. Salon Trend got involved with the project early on. The store has partnered with more than 100 businesses to sell shirts with their logo on them. That’s why when they heard about the Community Tee Project, JAM jumped on board. “It just gave us such a boost of morale, coming down the home stretch, I pray,” said Salon Trend owner Sherette Parker. While the project has been able to help financially, it’s also giving some local businesses energy. Atlya Studio in Endwell is also choosing to donate its portion of the sales to the non-profit, Mom’s House.
“I had to lay my staff off a month ago and we’re just now able to get them back to work,” said Ciaravino. (WBNG) — Businesses around the Southern Tier have taken a hit due to the pandemic. While it is offering online classes, JAM still has bills to pay. $10 goes back directly to the featured business while the other $9 goes to Worldwide Sport Supply. While some are set to reopen Friday, businesses like gyms and salons are waiting to open their doors. JAM Fitness in Vestal is a studio that offers group workout classes, and has been closed for weeks now. “I’ve had a lot of people and customers and guests reach out to me and just show their concern about our business being closed. I feel like it’s sort of a situation of pay it forward,” said owner Danielle Loeb. While the Community Tee Project was meant to help local businesses, it’s reaching even further, bringing the whole Southern Tier together. The Community Tee Project was brought to the area by Worldwide Sport Supply in Vestal. If you are interested in getting your business involved to partner with the Community Tee Project, email TJ Ciaravino at tjc@wwsport.com. The online store closes June 1.
What’s reopened in our area?
Phase one allowed manufacturing and construction workers to return to work. It also allowed retail locations to open up of they provide curbside pick-up. The ending of the order initiated the first phase of four in opening New York. Town Hall opening May 18Hickories Park and Hickories Park bathrooms May 18 Additionally, some municipalities have opened their offices, parks and more. Town of Union refuse and recycling service returns to normal collection schedule May 18 (WBNG) — On May 15, the New York On-Pause order ended for the Southern Tier. Owego: Binghamton: Town of Union: Curfew requiring residents to stay home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. except for essential travel ended on May 16Suspension of the City’s blue bag requirement for refuse collection ended on May 16Suspension of parking meter enforcement and code enforcement violations in non-emergency / public safety situations ended on Ma 16 This list will be updated as more information becomes available.
DCMO BOCES releases dates for last day of school
Afton: June 17; June 17Bainbridge-Guilford: June 15; June 19Delaware Academy at Delhi: June 16; June 16Downsville: June 12, June 15Frankin: June 15; June 17Gilbertsville-Mount Upton: June 17; June 17Greene: June 15; June 15Hancock: June 12; June 15Norwich: June 17; June 18Otselic Valley: June 15; June 15Oxford: June 18, June 18Sherburne-Earlville: June 12; June 15Sidney: June 12; June 12Unadilla Valley: June 17; June 19Unatego: June 15; June 15Walton: June 17; June 17 (WBNG) — The District Superintendent of the Delaware, Chenango, Madison and Otsego BOCES announced tentative dates in June for the last day of the 2019-2020 school year on Wednesday. District Superintendent Perry Dewey said all county closures due to the coronavirus and remaining snow days were some factors that helped determine specific dates for the last day of school for each district. Superintendent Dewey says the dates listed are subject to change if Governor Cuomo or the New York State Education Department gives further guidance and pending Board of Education approval. The following is the list of the last day of the 2019-2020 school year in the order of student’s last day, then staff.
Animal Adventure gives wild experience with drive-thru zoo
“Between being nice for all of to get out and see them, I think the animals really enjoyed it to, being able to see people,” said guest Ronda Ruff. Amidst a pandemic, the park says a drive-thru safari was the only option during the current reopening plan in New York. Animal Adventure would fall under phase four of the reopening plan, which also includes outdoor theaters, stadiums and other large gathering spaces. New York is currently in phase one, with no exact timeline for future phases. For $10 a rider, cars snake their way through the exhibits where there are dozens of animals to see. Guests also agree it’s nice to get out of the quarantine routine. HARPURSVILLE (WBNG) — Like many other businesses, Animal Adventure is getting creative to connect exotic animals with people, except it’s all from the comfort of your car. 
“I saw a snake, a lion, a hyena. I liked it, it was really fun,” said Liam Ives, a guest visiting the park with his family. The park is open Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on animals, health practices and pricing, head over to their website. “We weren’t able to turn off the lights, shut the doors and go home. Our animals need to be cared for, our people still needed to work,” said Animal Adventure Park Owner Jordan Patch. “We’ve been chugging along, we’ve been doing the best we can with the budgets we have. This is a blessing.” 