HAMMONDSPORT HAPPENINGS

• The 26th Annual Wine Country Classic Boat Show and Regatta started Friday, July 18, continued through Saturday the 19th and will close today. From 75 to 100 classic wooden antique boats have been involved in the event on Keuka Lake. The featured boats are from the 1940s. Yesterday, events included the boat show and judging, ski demonstrations, and a boat parade and fly-by. Today at 11 a.m., the non-power boat regatta begins, with the power boat regatta starting at 12 p.m. with a race to Bluff Point and back. There is a chicken barbecue at 1 p.m., followed by an awards ceremony. Speedboat rides have been available for those who visit the docks.

• The Hammondsport Five-Star Bank is presenting the Thursday night Summer Concert Series. This Thursday, July 24, music will be by Tom and Marie, with special guest Rob Siegers, bluegrass and newgrass in the Hammondsport Park Grandstand from 6-8 p.m.

• At Hammondsport Central School, the Summer Learning Program ends this Friday, July 25.

• The community-wide blood drive held Thursday, July 17, at the Hammondsport Fi re Station, brought out many donors for whom the American Red Cross is very truly grateful.

• Junior Lakers Before and After School Program is currently accepting registration for the fall of 2008. This program serves 20 children on a come-first basis. For the program to run in the autumn this year, children registered full time are needed. Registration deadline is Wednesday, July 30. Registration packets can be picked up at the Hammondsport Main Street School office or Batharea Hope for Youth office. For more information, please call 776-6441.

• New Hammondsport Central School Superintendent Kyle Bower, former elementary principal at Hammondsport Central School, says "Change is always difficult and brings mixed emotions. Along with all of you, I will certainly miss Dr. Brown and his family. He was an asset to the school district and the community in all he did. Our best wishes go with him." Bower has six years experience in the district so far. He says he has learned many things about the students, staff, parents and community of Hammondsport. "The students work hard, have goals and want to be challenged. The staff is a dedicated group of professionals that work daily to do what is best for our students. The parents are proud of the school and want their children to be given every opportunity to achieve their goals. The community supports the district and expects the district to be responsible with the resources it is given. With this strong foundation of support, the future of HCS is bright. I look forward to the years to come and serving the students, staff, community and parents of HCS," says Superintendent Bower. Beginning August 1, Bower announces, Jim McCormick will be serving as the Intern Elementary Principal. Mrs. Michele Sincerbox will be serving as Director of Special Education and taking on additional duties as assistant to the elementary principal. Bower explains that as the district transitions to one campus over the next few years, the school will make permanent reducing the administrative structure, which is not practical at this time. Mr. McCormick and Mrs. Sincerbox will work together to make sure that the elementary program continues to grow and excel in all components as the district transitions over the next two years.

Hammondsport church news

• St. Gabriel's Catholic: Maureen O'Neill, Pastoral Administrator; Father Jim Jaeger, Sacramental M minister. Mass schedule: Saturdays 5:30 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m.; Word and Worship Communion Service, Monday - Thursday at 8 a.m.; Mass on Fridays at 8 a.m. According to Mary Lou O'Connor, for July 20, the summer mass is at 8:30 a.m. instead of 8 a.m. and the second service is at 11 a.m. Word and Worship Service on weekdays is at 8:30 a.m. instead of 8 a.m. Friday mass at 8:30 a.m. instead of 8 a.m. The Saturday mass remains at 5:30 p.m.

Bottles and cans are happily accepted as St. Gabriel's continues to collect cans and bottles for the nickel deposit, with the donations going to the Turning Point Program at Catholic Charities in Bath. Leave your bags of empties behind the parish house, next to the trash cans.

• St. James Episcopal: Located on the corner of Main and Lake Streets. The Rev. Sandra Curtis, Rector; Sunday Eucharist and Sunday School are at 9 a.m., followed by Coffee Hour. Thursday at 12:15 p.m., Holy Eucharist; Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry is open on Tuesdays at 3 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m.

On Sunday, July 20, Deacon Tom Williams is beginning a forum after church on Sundays called Scripture as Prayer. Members and guests who would like to participate should grab their coffee and goodies from the coffee hour and join him and others at the round table. Bibles are provided.

• First United Methodist Church: The Rev. Paul Rowley, Minister: 8:30 a.m. Service: 9:45-10:45 a.m., Sunday school; 11 a.m. Service. On the 5th Sunday of the month, the two services are combined with a 10 a.m. service for all. Reminder: Southern Tier Hospice and Palliative Care is in the process of creating a community registry of bereavement and loss resource groups in their service area, which includes Chemung, Steuben and Schyler counties. If you are aware of support groups and/or individuals who provide this service, please contact Andrea Barber at 1- 800-734-1570 with your information.

• The First Presbyterian churches in Hammondsport and Pulteney: Interim Pastor Anne Waasdorp at both churches: Pulteney at 9:30 a.m.; Hammondsport at 11 a.m. Adult Bible Study and Prayer at the Pulteney church on Tuesdays at 2 p.m.; adult Sunday School in Hammondsport, led by Jim Walling, at 10 a.m.

The Touch of Brass Sacred jazz ensemble from Rochester came to the Hammondsport church last Sunday. Not only were Hammondsport's sister church families from Pulteney special guests, but many other families from near and far attended and gave the male musicians much applause. There was a free breakfast in the undercroft before the 10:30 a.m. special service. People were invited to give an offering, which the host church donated to The Touch of Brass musicians, who have been coming here for many years. Thanks go to all the Hammondsport church members who helped organize and put on the breakfast.

The Farmer's Market held each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the Hammondsport church helps pay the yearly light and heating bills for the church, plus planned ministries. Bryan Braman is in charge.

• Mitchellsville United Methodist Church, 8421 County Route 13, Bath, with new pastor, Rev. Ed Spencer. Services are Sundays at 8:55 a.m. There is Sunday School for children and youth during the second half of worship time, and a Coffee Hour with refreshments after the worship service. On Wednesday evenings from 6-8 p.m., there is a soup supper and Bible studies.