Linda Competillo

Correspondent

In the age we find ourselves living in today, wherein many families find themselves with a plethora of ways in which to spend the proverbial “hard-earned dollar,” routine and preventive dental care is often pretty far down on the priority list.

While neglecting good professional dental care is not something the average parent wants to choose for their children, it just somehow seems to turn out that way for many, as they are faced with all of the other needs clamoring for their piece of the paycheck.

This dilemma for the parents and students of Groton Central Schools has been a concern and a passion for district superintendent Margo Martin since she arrived at the helm three years ago. At a special meeting of the Board of Education last Thursday, Martin announced the solution she was finally able to find and procure for the district.

Dental services will soon be offered to GCS students, from prekindergarten through 12th grade, through a community dental service program provided by Finger Lakes Community Health. The dental services will be performed in the nurse’s office in the elementary and high school buildings.

This service is ideal for those who may not have a family dentist, may not have dental insurance, and/or may be having difficulty finding a dental provider that accepts Child Health Plus or Medicaid. FLCH works with these and other insurance companiesto provide dental services for students with no cost to parents.

Services include examination (checking for cavities and/or gum disease), dental screening, toothbrush, floss and oral hygiene instructions, teeth cleaning, fluoride treatment, X-rays, sealants (a covering to protect the teeth from decay and cavities), and fillings.

Both school buildings will send permission forms with complete information home with the students in the near future, so be on the lookout! To sign up for the services, parents will need to return the permission forms to the child’s school. There is no limit on the number of students who may be seen.

Specifically for the grade levels in the elementary school, this program also provides dental health education, as well as providing students and their families with the dental hygiene supplies necessary to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

Discussion on plants

The McLean Beautification Committee is sponsoring a discussion called "Plants — Friends or Foe" from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Lime Hollow Visitors Center, 338 McLean Road in Cortland.

Peter Harrity, associate director, and Jeremy Collings, SUNY Cortland conservation biology student, will discuss current changes and research on the balance between plants, animals and people in our landscape. Light refreshments will be served.

Dine out this weekend

When the weekend comes, and you find yourself wanting someone else to do the cooking, this one coming up will be ideal for dining out while supporting the community at the same time.

The Groton American Legion, at 307 Main St., will serve up a chicken-and-biscuit dinner at 5 p.m. Friday until the food runs out. This all-you-can-eat feast is just $8 per person.

The McLean Community Bazaar will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the McLean Fire Hall, including a luncheon that will begin being served at 11:30 a.m. There will be an array of booths to check out, including craft items, holiday items, attic treasures, “Kountry Kitchen Baked Goods,” Rada Cutlery, a can-and-bottle drive and a free blood pressure clinic.

The Groton City United Church of Christ, at 47 Groton City Road, is serving a spaghetti supper from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday. The meal consists of spaghetti, tossed salad, bread, beverage and assorted desserts, and the cost is a free-will offering. The church is handicapped-accessible and has a chair lift.

Library news

The free monthly community meal at the library will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 17. Join the community for a free healthy meal and lively discussion.

The GPL monthly book club will meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 19. Join the club for great books and discussion! Get your copy of this month's book, “Little Heathens,” at the circulation desk.

Youth cross-country race

Don’t forget to come out for the youth cross country race, which will be held Saturday at Groton Elementary School. This race is free to all interested youths ages 5 to 13, and is sponsored by Groton Recreation and the Groton High School varsity cross-country team.

Ages 5 to 8 will run a 1K (.62 mile) course that takes off at 9 a.m., and ages 9 to 13 at 9:30 on a 2K (1.24 mile) course. To register, contact Jennifer Jones at jjones@groton.cnyric.org.

Groton Town Talk appears every Wednesday. Submit items to Linda Competillo, 607-227-4922 or lmc10@cornell.edu