HAMMONDSPORT HAPPENINGS

+ Many people from the Hammondsport-Bath area attended the April 29, evening at the Peace Weavers Retreat Center on Crouse Street, Bath, where a program on "Creating Perennial Food Crops on the farm or in your back yard!" Information was put out on permaculture, learning how to grow common perrenial food crops in a spot with little or no care.

+ The attendees learned about common perennial woody plants and how to grow over a dozen perrenial food crops. Presenting the information was Mark Shepperd, National PermacultureExpert, presenting "Creating Perrenial food crops on the farm or in the back yard." Shepperd converted a l00 acre dairy farm into a perennial based farm operation in New Forest Farm in southwestern Wisconsin. Which is one of the very first and finest examples of Permaculture in the United States. Permaculture is the design of sustainable human habitats based on natural ecosystems. His farm increases in value because the amount of work slowly recedes while the output and benefits continue to increase. The speaker consults on implement reforestation conservation and sustainable agriculture projects nationwide.

+ For more information on this or to find out what one might learn at other programs being offered, call the Peace Weavers at 776-4060. There was no charge for this program, but it was suggested people might want to give a donation.

+ Wine Country Senior Citizens meet Tuesday, May 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship downstairs room at the United Methodist Church. Please bring a dish to share and tableservice. The meal is chaired by Lillian and Clyde Elwood. The program following in charge of Sue King and is entitled "Brain Teasers."

+ With summer on the way, Hammondsportians have the opportunity to be a part of the newest event for the Arts in the Southern Tier. It is different from any other event ever here. For most events like these businesses end up on a long list of co-sponsors "behind the scenes." With this, each business will enjoy the spotlight for more that two months of the Hammondsport's Finger Lakes Tourist Season. So, what do businesses have to do?

Finger Lakes Artist will be asked to paint murals on Large 4-5 l/2 foot tall Artist's Palettes. (2 sizes available) These "Palettes" are then displayed in front of their sponsoring business from July - through mid- Sept. Visitors will be provided with a "Map" showing the locations of all the Palettes around Keuka Lake. At the close of the event a Gala/Auction will be held to Auction off the Palettes to the highest bidders.

All the net proceeds for this annual event will pour back into the Arts in and around Keuka Lake. By providing opportunities for the local Arts to grow and prosper the ever-growing number of touriest to this area wil be invited to this win-win 2007 Palettes of Keuka at Hammondsport.

For more information calll 569-2989 or write to: Hammondsport Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 539, Hammondsport, NY l4840.

+ For Lake Keuka residents, remember the Keuka Lake Association who work hard all year long to keep the Lake waters clear and healthy. They have their office at 90 Pulteney Street in Hammondsport. The office is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Persons may contact the office by letter or phone: 866-369- 3781, local 569-3781; answering machine attached, or email: info@keukallakeassoc.org, says Margo G. McTaggart, KLA Administrative Assisstant.

+ The Arc of Steuben, formerly called the Steuben Arc, though not a big change in its name, it is due to the fact that just a few years ago re-affiliated with The Arc of the US after a few years absents. The Arc of the US is critical in the development of national policy as it relates to services for people with disabilities. The local unit feels it is very important for this national dialogue, and through our association with The Arc to support the national organization. Changing the name, thus, further strengthens that tie, and connects with the national movement.

The Arc of Steuben Annual Meeting will be held this Tuesday, May 8, at the Corning Radisson Hotel. It will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a social hour at 7:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to attent. Music will be by the Gregory Street Blues Band whose members are people with devel opmental disabilities from The Arc of Monroe County.

+ The Keuka Lake Players are busy these May days getting ready for their early summer production, The Man Who Came to Dinner, directed by John Rogerson, Michael Romano, Becka Thompson. Play dates for this presentaton are May 11, 12, 13. Call 776-4345 for information. The plot centers around an "Overbearing critic, Sheridean Whiteside, comes to dinner at the home of the Stanleys, slips on their doorstep, and breaks his hip. The injured critic turns the home of the family who invited him upside down in the hilarious Kaufman and Hart comedy.

+ Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital on the Hammondsport- Bath Road has since late Jan. of this year, added a new program to their Cardiopulmonary Services. The goal of this added Pulmonary Rehab Program is to restore patients with chronic lung disease to the highest possible levels of being independent. Their Rehabilitation Specialists can give them the following services: 1:Pulmonary function and exercise evaluation; 2: Education about lung disease; 3: Respiratory care techniques; 4: Nutrition counseling; and 5: Group therapy sessions. Anyone desiring more information, call 776-8529, and ask for Cindy or 776-8908 and ask for Rhonda.

+ Read recently in an out of state daily paper people might want to either set their alarm clock for 2 a.m. today, May 6,(but, of course it's too late now to do that) so set it now as soon as you read this if you have time before 2 p.m. this afternoon. What is it all about? Well, because something will happen at either time that will never happen again. At three minutes and four seconds, the time and date will read 02:03:04 05/06/07. seconds at either time. Isn't that really, really neat?

Church news:

+ First Friday in Hammondsport, a monthly time of praise, prayer and fellowship among the various churches in the area took place this month on Friday, May 4 at the Savona Federated Church. A second Ecumenical day takes place also in May. A National Day of Prayer began when the First Continental Congress declared one in 1775. In l952, Congress passed a federal statute recognizing a National Day of Prayer. In l988, President Ronald Reagan signed a law setting aside the first Thursday in May as the official National Day of Prayer, thus in this year the first Thursday was May 3 and here was held at St. James Church at 7 p.m.

+ St Gabriel's Catholic Church: April 29th from 3-7 p.m. at Mount Saviour, Elmira, Father Carl Arico, author of "A Taste of Silense" and a founding member of the Contemplative Outreach Spiritual Network invited St. Gabiel's parish to deeper spirituality. Drawing wisdom not only from Christian and ancient models but also from Sufism and Thomas Merton, the Father showed Hammondsport members who attended "God is calling us from our tombs" to the experience of divine union. Father Arico's spirituality and warmth were profound and his words were well received by those who hunger for more.

+ St. James Episcopal Church: Holy Eucharist and Sunday School 9 a.m. today. May 5 St. James held a public Smorgasbord Dinner featuring three meats, assorted casseroles, salads, vegetables, breads, desserts, beverage and a complimentary glass of winter for those 21 and older.

+ First Presbyterian Church: Worship service at ll a.m. Adult Bible Study at 10 a.m. in the Undercroft led by James Walling except Sundays with a coffee hour.

+ First United Methodist Church: The Hammondsport United Methodist Women has chosen Ash (Alice) Kohout as the recipient of a special mission recognition as she leaves the area to live in the Lake Ontario area. Both were members of this church, when they first moved here twenty some year ago. Both she and her husband were in the choir until George died and Ash has continued and often was a soloist. She also has been diligent in mission work, serving on that committee and helping spearhead events such as the 10K walks to raise money for Liberia and Haiti. One time she chaired an Africian dinner which served as education for church members re African foods and customs and also for being a fund raiser. Ash often put her artistic talents to use time after time creating lovely

+ posters for events, calligraphy

bookplates for hymnals; designing/ making costumes for pageants and youth plays here. These are but a few of many missions she has done for the church and community and why she has been chosen for this church honor.