Hammondsport Happenings
by Hope Hereford

Veterans Day has once more come and gone. But, we do have our memories which stay with us. In l921 an American soldier whose name "was unknown but to God" was interned on a Virginia hillside looking over the Potomac River and the city of Washington, DC. The Arlington Nation Cemetery burial site of this unknown WW soldier became the personification of reverence and dignity for American's vets. This Memorial gesture took place on November ll, the llth hour of the llth day and llth month of the year as the War to End All Wars was over. The day became known as "Armistice Day" and all hoped it would,

indeed, be the end of war in our country. Sadly, as we all know, it was not so, and, unfortunately we are once again in war overseas. May we remember those service men/women daily.

The monthly breakfast for Hammondsport Central School retired teachers and staff was held November l5, at the Chat- Awyle, in Bath. It was a week earlier than usual due to Thanksgiving.

Georgina Griswold recently spoke on Natural Food, and how she and her sister Jane, both of Hammondsport RD started Keuka Cookin' and Crafts on the outskirts of Bath several years ago.

The l25th Anniversity of the Bath and Hammondsport American Assoc. of University Women will be celebrated on Tuesday, No vember 28 announces Co-Presidents: Mary Hoffman of Bath, and Peg Inglis of Hammondsport. They will begin their celebration that day with breakfast at the Chat-A-Wyle Restuarant, Bath Mayor David Wallace will be present to declare the day AAUW Day in both Bath and Hammondsport. Ballons will be distributed to businesses to help celebrate the event. Among the many worthy doings of the coupled AAUW's is a yearly duo scholarship called The Mature Woman Scholarship ship and the High School Teen Scholarship to encourage individuals to get further learning after high school

A community blood drive will be held at the Hammondsport Fire Department Friday, November 24 from noon until 6p.m. Please call Eleanor Sample at 569-2063 to make your appointment to denote your blood.

At Hammondsport Central School in late September, the school had its elementary students take part in safety training with a save Bus provided by Owego Apalachin CDS. The boys and girls learned how to properly evacuate a school bus in an emergency situation. And, the 4th through 6th grade students completed a training session with Fire Chief and Hammondsport Central School bus driver, Bill Fries, Jr. He had the students practiced evacuating an actual smokefilled bus. Fries also explained to them several life-saving techniques. Happenings this week includes Senior High Area All-State. Nov. 20., 7-l2 Open House; then school is closed Nov. 21 for Parent- Teacher conferences and on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,for Thanksgiving recess.

The Hammondsport Post Office offered Passports to those traveling outside the U.S.A. yesterday, November l8, and they were also able to take needed photos at the same time. Thanks from the Community for this very important community jester. As usual-heard often- only in a small town.

Church news:

First United Methodist Church: Sunday School classes are now well under way with very enthusiastic teachers leading them. SS is held from 9:45 to l0: 45 a.m. Sunday mornings. Children in Grades l-3 have started their studies from the be ginning, literally. The younger boys and girls are studying "Stories From The Beginnings" and students in Grades 4-6 are studying "Created and Called." learning or reviewing stories of the Creation, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joeph while reading passages from Genesis. Interestly, several teachers will be working as a team to teach lessons to the Primary students. Carol

Blanchard started the year and will be followed by Ruth Barry, Christine Albright and Bridgette Lanpherel. Carol will return in the spring to finish the year. Gloria Rowley is enjoying the intermediate class again this year Elementary child enjoy choosing "treasures" from their treasure chest when they have a birthday, bring a friend, memorize a Bible verse, win a game, etc. If you at home have any "like new" trinkets in your "treasure chest" (junk drawers) that you could get along with, the church would be happy to add them to the treasure chest they have. The Dollar stores often have fun things that make nice "treasures" also. Any donations appreciated.

The Sunday School continues to support an Ethiopian Compassion Child, 9-year Esete who is snt letters regularly, and send her a monetary Birthday and Christmas gift. The SS Offering, collected the last Sunday of the week, helps with support, as does a special offering taken during each service on the last Sunday of the month. The church thanks all for continuing support for this mission project.

St. Gabriels Catholic Church: Thanks go to those who helped with the Fall Work Bee recently. It was a small group but very hard working. Some even came on more than one of the two days.

Starting in December 6, the two month packet of envelopes that is mailed to parishioners will begin the second Sunday of the month and will include the first Sunday of the third month.

Remember the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service today at 7p.m. at the Presbyterian Church in the center of the village. Five churches will come together as one on that night. A reception follows in their undercroft.

St.Gabtiel's will bring 3 dozen cookies. Call the parish house-569-3501 if you can bring a dozen of them.

St. James Episcopal Church: Friday, November l7 at Rector Curtis' home, Sheathar Street, the movie, The Pride of the Yankees was enjoy following a dish to pass dinner. It was the story of great NY Yankee Lou Gehrig's fatal disease.

This year's Holiday Bazaar was a smashing success. There will be a profit of somewhere around $2500 and thanks goes to many for their time and work including Nancy and Floyd French who worked around10 months getting things ready for it. This year's African Team Ministry Booth, brought in another $500 for Medical Help in Africa, thanks to Chairwomen Janet Skinner. Anyone alone this Thanksgiving is urged to come to St.James that day for dinner. That's right, they want you with them, not all alone at home. They are getting together at 3 p.m. for hors d'oeures and having dinner a little later. Please call so that they have enough for everyone either Joy Pierce-569-3232 or Mary White: 569-3215. Please don't stay home alone. Please come and join them so they can enjoy your company.

First Presbyterian Church Pulteney and Hammondsport: On Tuesday, the l4th, there was a Combined Session Meeting of both churches in Hammondsport. Wednesday, November l5 there was a time to gaher around turkey soup for relaxation and conversation in Pulteney, open to both churches.

This year's ecumenical Thanksgiving Service for the Hammondsport Village area people will be at 7 p.m. tonight, Sunday, November l9, at the Hammondsport Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Anne Waasdorp preaching. (The area pastors felt Sunday evening was the time to do it instead of Thanksgiving Eve when more people would be busy with cooking for company the next day - and/or traveling from here to there for the important day). Come join the active ecumenical community in thanking the Lord for all his goodness to believers of all faiths.

Todays' service in Hammondsport Presbyterian Church is marking the l75th Anniversary Worship followed by a special Coffee Hour with a very special cake with a picture of the church on the Village Square, arranged by Deacon Wilderman. The Christmas Joy boxes, under the direction of Elder Janny Koster must be turned in today.