Hammondsport Happenings
by Hope Hereford

National Fire Prevention Week took place October 8- 14 this year. To help families in the prevention of fire, Citizen's Hose Company, Inc. Hammondsport, mailed literature concerning things to do in homes to help prevent fires. They stated they "are never more than seconds away from the equipment that could save your property. Each man has a personal pager always at his side which keeps him constantly in touch no mater where he is." Many man hours are donated to drills and work nights to keep all equipment in top shape and the firefighters very knowledgeable in fire fighting. In 2005, the firemen logged 556 man hours of state mandated schooling being given at surrounding fire departments, taught by state certified instructors. They also spent 2,256 man hours answering 112 calls for assistance. These same volunteers will inspect residences for potential fire hazards answer call with the Volunteer Ambulance and Sherrifs Department. At the same time they need you to help them with donations to insure continuity of the best possible fire protection. 2006 donations will go toward upgrading their water Rescue & Dive equipment as they educate the preschoolers and primary children at Hammondsport Central School. Persons are asked to stop into the Fire Department on any Sunday morning or Wednesday evening to get needed Tot Finder Stickers to put in the right window/s. William R. Fries, Fire Chief, thank all for their money help.

On October 4, at the Hammondsport Rotary Club meeting, Kathryn Meade gave an interesting talk on the new library being built in town which should be all done next year.

Tomorrow, October 23, Steuben County Youth in government, meets in the Bath Legislative building at 8:30 a.m. to Review and Turn in their journals; 9 a.m. they meet with Board of Election's Mr. Johnson. At 10 a.m. they attend the County Legislative meeting and at noon have luncheon and interviews with Legislators. At 1:30 p.m. they meet with Probation head, Mr. Greeley.

Among 2006 Adult Education Classes, held from 6-8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesday s at Hammondsport Central School, taught by Shelayne Sprague/Wise, is Introduction to Computers 11. It began on October 2 and ended Monday, October 16.

Ms. Sprague/Wise continues with a class called Basic Computer Repair, same time Mondays/Wednesday Monday, October 23, 25, 30, and November 1. The class is limited to 10 people. The class will be showing how to: determine if a piece of hardware is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced; Replace system hardware properly; Tell if your computer is infected with a virus and how to remove it; Find and install the proper drivers for you computer; Understand Bios Codes; Determine what hardware is compatible with your system.

Yesterday, the 21st, was "Harvest Heartbeat" from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus in Bath, an Arts & Crafts Fair presented by the Davenport & Taylor Auxiliary to benefit Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital and the Fred and Harriet Taylor Health Center. There were many Finger Lakes area vendors, homemade baked goods, free face painting for children and door prizes, etc. Food was available all day long such as homemade macaroni and cheese, chili, soup, sandwiches and beverages with a good response from the public.

Remember today, October 22, at the Curtiss Museum is the Dedication of the Curtiss Seaplane Wall in memory of Jack Farmer. The Dedication starts at 5 p.m. with a reception following the ceremony.

Congratulations and one of this writers Golden Grapeleaves, goes to Hammondsport Central School student Joshua Wombles, for being named a Commended Student in the 2007 National Merit Scholarship Program. Around 34,000 Commended Students all over the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Joshua, as a Commended Student, places among the top 5% of more than 1.4 million students who entered the 2007 competition by taking the 2005 Preliminary SAT/National M e r i t S c holarship Qualifying Test.

Church news: First United Methodist Church: A well deserved "pat on the back" to all the church from Sharyl Hammond of the Pregnancy Resource Center for their amazing contribution of $130.31 to their baby bottle Drive.

Remember that next Sunday, October 30 is a 5th Sunday so that there will be one service at 10 a.m., a combined Contemporary/Traditional service. Junior Church/Nursery is offered for infants through 3rd grade.

Presbyterian Church: This Sunday, the 21st Bob illi is preaching at both Pulteney Church, 9:30 a.m.; Hammondsport, 11 a.m.

Last Sunday, Operation Christmas Child, a Project of Samaritan's Purse, bulletins were handed out. This will be the second year, members and friends of the church are taking part in this world-wide Christmas for children's project.

Yesterday at the Bath Presbyterian Church, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., "living poor in our land and of plenty" was the fall forum presented by the Ecumenical Community in the Southern Tier.

Thursday s at th e Pulteney Church, 10 a.m., Prayer and Bible Study "On the Unnamed Women in the Bible. Both churches are involved, welcome to all. Make a Difference Day is Saturday, October 28. Project Care groups are going to the nursing homes in Bath for a morning of visitation and mission.

St. James Episcopal Church: 9 a.m. Holy Elullclharist/Sunday School time. Monday, the 23, 7 p.m. Book Study at Rector Curtiss' home, 10 Sheather St. 7:30 p.m. Al-Anon at the church. Tuesday, the 24th at 3 p.m. and Saturday, the 28th the Food Pantry is Open; Wednesday, the 25th, 6 p.m. Clergy in Bath with the Bishop; Thursday, the 26th, 12:15 p.m. Holy Eucharist. Attendance at this Holy Eucharist has increased so that it will be continuing through November. (Those wanted this worship on Thanksgiving, please let Mother C. know asap. While there is support for this Thursday worship it will be continue.)

St. Gabriel's Catholic Church: The Catholic Ministries Appeal, formerly called the TGA was kicked off in September with a press conference by Bishop Clark and began this month. While the name is different, it is still the same appeal from the Diocese to provide a lot of behind-thescenes services that make it possible for St. Gabriel's to exist as a parish.