Connections

Ithaca is more than gorges

By Racquel Stephen,

Veronica Volk, Elissa Orlando, Julie Williams

Published August 28, 2025 at 2:32 PM EDT

We’re continuing our summer tour of the Finger Lakes with a stop in Ithaca, a city where natural wonder meets vibrant culture.

Nestled at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, Ithaca is home to more than 100 waterfalls, two major universities, and a rich history that has shaped its creative spirit.

We’ll explore its gorges and wineries, its stories and legends, and why this small city makes such a big impression.

Our guests:

Jose Molina, travel show host and filmmaker
Peggy Coleman, president, Tompkins Chamber
Carol Kammen, Tompkins County historian

Connections

Racquel Stephen

Racquel Stephen is WXXI's health, equity and community reporter and producer. She holds a bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of Rochester and a master's degree in broadcasting and digital journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

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Veronica Volk

Veronica Volk is a senior producer and editor for WXXI News.

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Elissa Orlando

Elissa Orlando is a producer for “Connections with Evan Dawson.” She returns part-time to WXXI News after stepping back from a long career in public media and in translational science.

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Julie Williams

Julie Williams is an associate producer for "Connections with Evan Dawson." She started at WXXI in 2019 and has been working on Connections since 2022.

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