Hammondsport Happenings
by Hope Hereford

 Again, Merry Christmas and here’s some more facts about the months favorite animal: Reindeer. Reindeer and their cousins caribou are the only deer where males, and females and calves produce antlers. Like other deer, the antlers are shed each year.

 The Hammondsport Bostwick Club held their annual Christmas party in the social rooms of the Urbana Masonic Lodge last Saturday evening with a large group including several guests, former Bostwickers. Food Committee of the evening were George and Barbara Brayer,chair persons assisted by Robert and Barbara Jones, Richard and Janet McCandless, Phil Polizzi, Cal and Laurie Stoutz, Fred and Betty White. After delicious Hors d’Oeuvres, and dinner,which included roast pork made by Chair George and all the other good food of vegetables, salad, roles,desert etc. a business meeting followed. Elected officers for 2007: Presidents: Robert and Pat Shuart, East Lake, Hammondsport; Vice Presidents: Jerry and Jackie Holcombe, Crows Nest Rd, Hammondsport, and remaning Secretary and Treasurer, Richard and Janet McCandles, Peach St., Bath. Good conversation and the singing of Christmas music, ended the delightful evening.

 The Incredible Angels, the self-adcocacy organization to people with developmental disabilities at Steube Arc, has pledged $1000 to The We Soar” Capital campaign. The pledge will be matched by Mr. and Mrs. Walter Carl, Hammondsport. This idea was a big and thoooughtful surprise made by the Incredible Angels who plan on fulfillling the pledge in one year. The idea to take part in the campaign was presented or Arc and passed overwhellming passed. Fundraising for the pledge began with the Annual Halloween Dance held in Wayland. The local Arc are so proud and encouraged by this effort by the Incredible Angels...to make this commitment beyond their normal fundraising activities which solely support their self-advocacy programs. And, the Arc thanks the Carls for matching this effort. For more information call 776-4146, ext. 109.

 Hammondsport’s Reading Buddies of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program pair volunteers with students in grades Kindergarten to grade 3, working on reading skills weekly. Other neighboring communities who also contribute men and women to this skill are Addison and Prattsburg.

 Hammondsport Central School is closed from December 25-29 for Christmas Recess through New Year’s Day. Three special Holiday Concerts were open to the public this month: December l2-3; 4-6 grade Holiday Concert; and December 21’ 7-12 p.m. All musical events put listeners in the mode for Christmas. Student Council had a goods drive this December l-22 for donated gifts that could be sent overseas to our service people there. It was set up by Maggie Benedict President and Brian Stachnik, Vice President.

 The Keuka Lake Chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America had a very busy autumn. Besides regular meetings, they did a lot of offering themself in the community to help: In late October, members worked at Family Fun Days sponsored by Steuven County Youth Bureau; November 10, members went to the Bath VA Medical Center to help nursing home patients get and from a special Veterans Day performance, also serving cake and beverages to those who have served our country. And, finally, FBLA held a successfuly fund raising campaign for those hoping to go to Ellenville, NY for the NYS FBLA Conference next April. They thank all those people who have supported them in all of this.

 Hammondsport Chamber Of Commerce will be voting on officers for their 2007 year on Friday, December 29. Ballots must be faxed or emailed by 2 p.m. that day or brought to the Center in person. Mailed they go to HCofC, PO Box 539, 47 Shethar Street, Hammondsport, NY l4840. (607) 569-2989 phone/fax. The slate of officers for 2007 include: President John Jensen, Crooked Lake Ice Cream Parlor; Vice-President: R a l p h B r o w n , Hammondsport Motel; Treasurer- Deb Bradley, Five Star Bank;; Secretary: Ellen Shaw Maceko; Shaw Agency,Inc; Board Seat #1:Bonnie Colado, Southern Tier Shopper; #2 Trafford Doherty, Glenn H. Curtiss Museum; #3, Collleen Neeley, The Courier; #9: Doni McCann, Heron Hill Winery. All of the first 4 officers will be elected for 2007 while Board Seat #1 #2, #3 are for 07,08,09; and Seat #9 is for 07,08.

 Also among supporters of the December Christmas in the Park, the Southern Tier Shopper was left off by mistake by this writer. Are there any others who should have been mentioned that was left off. We are sorry.

Church news:

 St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church: Fourth Sunday of Advent, ll a.m. Mass. 4 p.m. Christmas Eve Children’s Liturgy; 8 p.m. Christmas Eve Liturgy December 25: No Mass.

 St. James Episcopal: 9 a.m. Holy Eucharist and Sunday School, l0 a.m. Greening of the Church, 7:30 p.m. Organ and Carols, 8 p.m. Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist. December 25-no service.

 First United Methodist Church: Regular services: Contempory at 8:30 a.m. Traditional at ll a.m.

 First Presbyterian Church of Pulteney: 9:30 a.m. at Pulteney; ll a.m. at Hammondsport. Christmas Eve service 7:30p.m. in Hammondsport.