Freeville Blog

The Freeville Community Council extends a warm invitation to Village residents, first responders, and public servants to a story-filled community potluck dinner. If you’re involved with the Village, you’re invited! Post office workers, fire fighters, volunteers, please come on out!

The event will take place on Saturday, January 31st from 5:45PM until 7:30PM in the Social Hall of the Freeville Methodist Church. Please bring a dish to share and your own utensils, bowls, and plates if possible. The FCC will provide both hot and cold beverages. Dinner will be served at 6:00PM.

Starting at 7:00PM, attendees are invited to participate in the sharing of “Freeville Stories.” Anyone who is interested will be granted five minutes to share a memory or story about life in Freeville. Think of stories large and small, from just last week or from several years ago! Freeville residents always make a friendly and supportive audience. Don’t want to share? No worries! Get comfortable with a warm beverage and enjoy the tales of Freeville’s past.

If you are interested in sharing a story, please email clerk@freevilleny.org so the clerk can coordinate with FCC president Ryan Maher.

We hope to see you there!

A new year brings fresh energy, new friends, and the perfect chance to nurture your well-being. This January, Yoga for Life with Michelle welcomes you into a slow-flow practice designed to warm the body, calm the mind, and help you step into the new year, or perhaps into a new year’s resolution, feeling grounded and renewed.

Whether you’re brand new to yoga or returning to your mat after some time away, these sessions are designed to welcome you exactly as you are. No experience needed — just bring an open heart, an open mind, and a willingness to move with intention.

Dates:

• Saturday, January 17
• Saturday, January 24
• Saturday, January 31

Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: Freeville United Methodist Church

Cost:

• $10 per class
• or $25 for all three sessions

Please plan to arrive a few minutes early to sign in and settle into your space.

No fancy gear required — just comfortable clothing and a willingness to explore movement with curiosity. Whether you join for one class or all three, you’ll be welcomed with warmth.

Start your year with intention, connection, and a little more ease!

As we welcome a fresh year full of possibility, the Village extends heartfelt thanks for your continued support, trust, and partnership. Our community thrives because of the care, involvement, and neighborly spirit each of you bring to it!

As always, your voice matters. Residents are encouraged to share questions, ideas, and concerns during privilege of the floor portions of monthly Board of Trustees meeting which occur the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00PM in Village Hall. We ask that you notify the clerk at clerk@freevilleny.org if you plan to attend for privilege of the floor so we know to expect you, but this is not mandatory. Your participation guides the decisions that shape our village’s future.

With winter continuing to give us it’s worst, we also want to remind everyone to take advantage of our house call service. If you or someone you know could benefit from such a visit, please don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re here to help ensure everyone stays safe and supported.

If you’re looking for more ways to get involved with your local government or want more information about Village proceedings, please feel free to ask questions and continue to monitor the Village website and blog.

Thank you again for being such an engaged and caring community. Wishing you a healthy, joyful, and hopeful New Year!

If you’ve been meaning to add a little more movement, calm, or balance into your week, here’s a reminder that Freeville has a weekly yoga class open to all residents.Yoga for Life meets at the Freeville Methodist Church and offers a welcoming, judgement-free space to stretch, breathe, and move at your own pace. This class has been a part of our community for several years, and it continues to be a steady, accessible option for anyone looking to support their physical and mental well-being close to home.

Yoga for Life focuses on mindful movement designed to improve mobility, strength, and balance. The class is suitable for all experience levels and participants are encouraged to listen to their bodies and move in ways that feel right for them. Yoga can help reduce stress, improve posture and circulation, improve physical and mental health, while also giving residents a chance to slow down in the middle of a busy week to reconnect with yourself and community.

Feel free to visit Yoga for Life with Michelle on Facebook for more information. Class schedules are posted there and classes are offered once a week at the Methodist Church. Punch cards are offered to purchase multiple classes, but come try out your first class for free ($10 fee for FUMC may apply)! No pre-registration is required, just arrive a few minutes early!

Michelle hopes to see some more faces of Freeville at Yoga for Life classes in the coming weeks!

Our Village thrives when neighbors step up to get involved! Local government should never feel distant and I can assure you that the processes for getting involved is far from complicated! Right now, there are several ways you can take part, whether you’re looking for a larger commitment to the Village or a monthly volunteering opportunity.

Serving as Mayor or on the Board of Trustees is a meaningful way to help guide our community. You’d have direct say in the passage of Village laws, how we budget, and what projects are approved. The process for running is simple: just stop by the Village Hall to pick up and independent nomination petition and the brief guide that contains deadlines, how to’s, and other useful information for completing the document. You’ll need signatures from 5% of the Village population– that’s only 17 signatures! Once you collect them and submit the petition ahead of the deadline, your name will be on the ballot.

If you don’t want to run for a position, prefer a smaller commitment, but still want to get involved, consider serving on the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). These boards play an important role in shaping how our Village grows residentially and commercially. No petition is required–just an interest in serving and learning!

Getting involved does make a difference! Your input helps shape projects and decisions that affect daily life in Freeville. You can build connections by working alongside neighbors who share your level of care and commitment to our community. You may also find a sense of personal growth as you will gain valuable experience in leadership and civic engagement.

If you’re interested, please feel free to reach out to me via email or phone or stop down at the Village Hall during our open hours. Whether you run for office or join a board, your involvement will help keep our Village strong, welcoming, and moving forward.

The Freeville Fire Department is excited to welcome the community back for their beloved Sunday Pancake Breakfasts. These monthly breakfasts have long been a favorite tradition in the village, offering a hearty meal and a chance to connect with neighbors all while supporting one of the busiest firehouses in Tompkins County! 

The menu consists of much more than just pancakes! Alongside the golden stacks of pancakes, the firehouse is offering eggs, hot chocolate, ham, and other sweet and savory meals and refreshments. Whether you’re a longtime supporter of the firehouse or a first-time visitor, we welcome you to join us for food, fellowship, and fun.

Please join us from 7:30-11:30AM on the following dates at 21 Union Street to enjoy a breakfast with the community! You can also refer to the poster below for more information.

Upcoming Dates:

• January 11, 2026
• February 22, 2026
• March 15, 2026
• April 12, 2026

The Planning Board of the Village of Freeville have been working each month to bring updates and revisions to our Land Use and Development Code and Village Comprehensive Plan. As their work continues, we want to include the most up-to-date statistics gathered directly from our residents.

Yosef Al Shoffe, one of the board’s hardworking members, is conducting his own research regarding housing in Freeville. He is looking for Freeville residents to participate in a survey to help the planning board accurately update the housing section of the comprehensive plan and to determine if there are any suggestions for improving village housing.

Feel free to help us gather information by using the link below to be taken directly to the survey.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeDLh_-UQKmz8dgixN8wfsbE6OOG4Fo5QpVNphUI0WH1ckckQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=109534923809833483441

In the meantime, stay warm and enjoy this wintery weekend!

As the winter months settle in, we know that getting out of the house isn’t always easy. Snow, ice, and cold weather can make even simple errands a challenge. That’s why I am beginning to offer wintertime house calls– a service designed to make getting through the winter season a little easier on our residents.

This service only applies to residents living within the Village. Whether a snowstorm is keeping you stuck indoors or holiday shopping has got your schedule overbooked, feel free to let our office deliver what you need to your doorstep! To coordinate a house call, either call the office phone during business hours or send me an email at clerk@freevilleny.org. House calls will be completed in a timely manner during weekdays. House calls will not be available on weekends or holidays.

Please remember: house calls do not apply to tax payments. It is the responsibility of residents to drop off or mail in their tax payments and/or late fees. We cannot pick up tax payments as a part of this service. Additionally, the clerk is happy to come to you, but is not obligated to enter any residence.

For more details regarding the kinds of visits I am able to make, please refer to the poster below. It outlines the specific services available through wintertime house calls.

We’re excited to invite our residents to help us celebrate life in Freeville by submitting photos and stories for future blog posts! Whether it’s a quiet moment on a tree-lined street, a bustling village event, or a neighbor whose kindness deserves recognition—your contributions help us tell the story of our community.

We welcome everything from seasonal scenery to snapshots of daily life. If it matters to you, it matters to us—and we’d be super delighted to hear more about what our residents have going on!

To help us maintain consistency and relevance, please keep the following guidelines in mind:

• All story submissions should be accompanied by a photo or graphic that complements the narrative.
• Photos must be taken within the Village of Freeville or within a quarter-mile of village boundaries.
• If you have photos but no accompanying story, that’s perfectly fine—we’re happy to accept standalone photo submissions. These may be featured on our website homepage or included in general update blog posts.

Your submissions help us celebrate the people, places, and moments that make our community special. We look forward to seeing what you share. Any and all submissions should be sent directly to clerk@freevilleny.org.

⚠️ A Quick Note on Safety

While capturing the beauty of our village, please remember to stay aware of your surroundings. Be mindful of traffic, private property, and weather conditions. Safety always comes first—your well-being is more important than any photo.

To submit your photo or story, simply email or drop it off at the Village Office. We can’t wait to see Freeville through your eyes!

As the air gets colder and falling leaves give way to falling snow, the rail trail remains a favorite destination for dog walkers looking to stay active, warm, and connected. Every day, familiar faces-both human and canine-come to walk the trail and enjoy the sense of community that can be found while doing something as routine as taking a walk with your pet. Whether you’re a seasoned walker or new to the path, you’re bound to exchange friendly greetings, share stories, and maybe find a playmate for your pup!

We feel so much joy in knowing the rail trail is being put to good use, but we’d like to remind residents and their pets alike to be safe in the icier season. Watch out for icy patches that may form along shaded stretches of the trail. Good footwear and a watchful eye can help keep you and your furry companion safe.

We’d love to invite our residents to continue to share your trail adventures with us. Please feel free to send in photos of your pet, your walking route, or the friends you meet along the way. These snapshots help us celebrate the vibrant pet-loving spirit of our community.