Hammondsport Happenings
by Hope Hereford

 And a happy New Year tomorrow, January l, 2007. Can you recall all the morbid this-and-that tales we heard about as we changed from the 20th century into the 21st seven years ago? Certainly morbid and terrible, terrible things are always around. However, there are also many, many good things happening so let’s highlight them as we begin a brand new year, 2007.

 One thing we could do in the new year is build up our bones because good, strong bones gives us a wonderful life! There are currently ten active groups here in Steuben County to assist us in this important endeavor. Most of them meet twice weekly while one group meets three times per month. Darlene Auckland, Arkport, is the new Bone Builders Coordinator. For more information or to sign up for a Bone Builders class near you, c a l l PROACTION, at 776-2125 or 1-800-553-2033 or 776- 7813 or 664-2298 and leave a message with the receptionist giving your name, phone number and stating your interest in Bone Builders.

 Secretary of Vine City Order #356 of the Eastern Stars, reported recently the highlights of their year 2006. Late in ‘05, Vine City was so proud to announce that their own District Deputy RW Alzina Turner was named Grand Matron and her husband, District Grand Lecturer Leroy Turner for 2006. The Vine City 06 officers were headed by RW Peggy Rougeux and W. Charles Potter. In July, August 06, several sisters assisted Urbana Lodge in serving hamburgers and hot dogs at the summer Boat Show, Art Show, and Craft Show. As the Lodge workes to make money to pay Temple dues, Per Capita dues, District Dues plus their charitabe things they do, they hold public dinners the second Friday each month throught the year April through November. Although attendance is some times iffy, they do continue to make a profit. Grand Chapter OES this year has a m e n d e d t h e i r Constitution to end the fiscal year October 31 which means the month of November is Vine City’s Annual meeting and instalation of officers. They closed the year with 33 members, 6 Past Grand Officers, 2 members holding dual membership in Vine City and another OES Lodge, 12 Worthy Matrons, 2 Worthy Patrons and 8 members who have belonged 50 years or more, 5 members belonging 40 or more years.

 Hammondsport Central School opens Tuesday, January 2.

 The Chamber of Commerce,say s ma n y thanks to the following sponsors for supporting the 30th annual December Christmas in the Park, besides the two weekly papers in the Hammondsport area, The Dundee Observer and the Bath Courier Advocate already mentioned: Keuka Printing, Frey & Campbell, Dr .Sam Pennise, DMD, Crooked Lake Ice Cream Parlor, The Park Inn, The Village Gallery, Scandia House Inc., Five Star Bank, Lucy Knapp Real Estate, Southern Tier Shopper, Jon & Linda Vang, Century 21. The writer sincerely regrets the omissions she missed in an earler issue.

Church news:

St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church: All Masses of January, 2007, as well as most Masses throughout the new year, are available to be said for special intensions. Please contact the parish office to reserve Masses (and also the sanctuary candle) in the name of a deceased loved one or for a special intention. Religious Education Classes are on vacation today as they were last week. Classes resume next week, January 7. Although Christmas has passed, St.Gabriel’s wishes to give the following Advent thank yous to the following: Belinda Slatt, for creating the lovely banner, our parish advent calendar; Dan Williams, for organizing the gift candles and leaflets each week of Advent. Carol Simmonds, for putting together a great coffee hour everbody who baked a special treat of their own Christmas tradition to share with all at the coffee hour; the Religious Ed teachers and classes for sharing with us information on Christmas customs in various countries; C h r i s t i n e Kolodziejczak for organizing the caroling part and all our carolers who shared the gift of song and campanionship throughout the village during it; Charlie, Lorraine Baker, Frank Curran; Emily, Ryan; Patty Eckel, Lois Gyr; Phil, Carolyn Kruk, Sue, Kevin Morris; Lucy, Luther Perkins for helping decorate the church for Christmas and Mark Barone, Fran Curran, for decorating the tree and shrubs in front of the parish house.

 St. James Episcopal: December 31 Lessons and Carols with the Holy Eucharist. Reminder: The Annual Meeting is Sunday, January 2l, 2007.

 First United Methodist Church: Combined service of 8:30 Contempory and ll:00 a.m. Traditional comes together today, December 31, a 5th service of the month: at 10:00Am, .Junior Church at l0:00 a.m. led by Diane Albright and Nursery School, same time led by Onalee Clark. The Youth Program held December l7 from 5-7:00 p.m. was a Dinner Theatre-a family night dinner as all happily listened to the Innkeeper; his family plus shepards performing “In Bethlem Inn.” Onalee Clark and Diane Albright, Sunday Sc hool Superintendents are to be congratulated on the program.

 First Presbyterian Church of Pulteney: December 31: 9:30 a.m. at Pulteney; ll:00 a.m. at Hammondsport. A guest speaker, due to Interim Pastor Reverand Anne Waasdoorp’s December 26 surgery is Sarah Tiffany, Bath. who will be returning to share her insight into the intersection of faith and being a college student. On Tuesday, at 7:30pm, there is a combined Session meeting to continue moving ahead to create the Pastor Search Committee. At Pulteney Presbyterian, Thursday, is Prayer and Bible Studyon the Unnamned Women in the Bible. At the end of Hammondsport Presbyterian Churches December 24 service, a small orchestra of young people, Nate McDowelle and Ryan Holmes, both of the Bath Methodist Church, an d Hammondsport Presbyterian Churches own Nate and Rebecca Schied. delighted the congregation with music and as they ended was given a roaring applause.