“I see this opportunity as a chance to serve my community about something I love doing—writing poetry.” Philip Asaph Philip Asaph has been named Cortland County’s first Poet Laureate to begin serving his position in 2026, as designated by the Cortland County Legislature. Asaph, originally a Long Island native, said he moved to Cortland County based upon a chance meeting at a poetry reading. While attending a reading in Ithaca, NY, Asaph met Cortland resident Nancy Dickerson w

"I want them to be able to learn and be creative in a safe space.  I want each one of my students to feel accomplished, included and seen."

"Reading and writing are the most amazing things humans have learned to do." Lynn Olcott, Homer, NY

“I’m happiest when I have a newly thrifted piece, art supplies and pens, a new tangle, and a design swimming through my brain.” - Mary Elliott