HAMMONDSPORT HAPPENINGS

• According to an article I found in a Rochester daily paper on the dark, dreary Independence Day here, the LAST rain-free dry, beautiful July 4 was recorded on Independence Day 2003! Because the 4th of July is famous for picnics, parades, and fireworks galore (where they are legal), that means 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 have been WASHOUTS. Of course, several times -- like now --- we have needed rain for the area. I also found a report of celebrities born on the famous day of July 4th - who include Ann Landers, George Steinbrenner, Geraldo Rivera, Neil Simon, Eva Marie Saint and one President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge! I thought there was more than that, actually!

• For the Thursday July 19th concert at the Hammondsport Village Park Bandstand, the musicians will be Bayou Highway, playing from 6pm to 8 pm. All concerts this year are sponsored by Hammondsport's Five Star Bank.

• Remember to bring your no-longer-wanted books to the Fred and Harriet Taylor Memorial Library in Hammondsport. The library is accepting donations of books to sell at its annual fundraiser in August.

• The 41st annual Hammondsport Art Show was held last weekend. There were many special activities for children provided by Tony Moretti and Gwen Quigley, both Saturday and Sunday during the Keuka Lake Art Association event.

• Down in Penn Yan, at the other end of Dame Keuka, from Tuesday, July 10, to Saturday, July 14, was the Yates County Fair. The fairgrounds are at the top of Main Street Hill.

• There are two new ventures in the village of Hammondsport these July days. One called MAHOGANY BUTTERFLY on Shethar Street offers "new household items with a romantic old touch." Open 10:00am daily 'til closing. Stop in! And the Hammondsport Grocery, located at 22 Shethar Street, is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00am to 8:00pm and Sunday 8:00am to 6:00pm. Congratulations and best wishes for much success to Marty Bailey for opening the Hammondsport Grocery!

• A big welcome also goes to a new doctor at our local hospital on the Bath Hammondsport Road Dr. Tejinder S. Virdee, M.D. is providing pediatric care at Ira Davenport. He finished his medical training in the United Kingdom and has been certified by the Royal College of General Practice since 1992 and by the American Board of Family Medicine since 2002. He has 28 years of experience in Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Pediatrics. He comes to Ira from 12 years of practice in Hornell. He held an open house at his office located at 7492 State Road 54, Bath, in late June (previously the office of Dr. Wen-Haur Huang). Dr. Virdee is accepting new patients. Call 607-776-6188 for an appointment Monday through Friday.

• Summer School classes are in session for grades 7-12. This year they are offered through GST BOCES at Prattsburg for Hammondsport, Avoca, and Prattsburg students. Classes began on Monday, July 9, and will continue through Wednesday, August 15. Regents exams are scheduled for August 16th and 17th. Classes are held Monday through Thursday each week. The Summer Learning Program at Hammondsport Central School began Monday, July 9 at 8:30am and will finish after classes on Friday, July 27. Parents are reminded that daily attendance is required.

• Summer Recreation and Swimming programs have also started in Hammondsport. Due to unforeseen circumstances, there is no Junior Lakers or Modified Cheer Camp this summer of 2007.

• Get ready all you Hammondsport "World War 2" Central School graduates. The 8th Annual War Years Classes get-together has been booked for July 28, 2007, at the Pleasant Valley Wine Company Visitor Center. Admission will be $12.50 for refreshments and to cover expenses like postage. This year's committee includes Charles Champlin, Paul Wood, Corinna Keech Martin, Leonora Young Decker, Barbara Davis Faber, and Kay Leiderbach. Reservations must be in by July 18 to Kay Leiderbach, PO Box 341, Hammondsport 14840. Questions? Call Kay at 607- 569-3539 or 607-292-6637 (cottage); Barbara at 607-868- 5609; or Leonora at 607-776- 9670.

• Make your reservations ASAP for the Hammondsport Alumni Association annual dinner on July 28 at the Hammondsport Fire Hall. Officers planning this year's event are Robert Shuart, President, Class of '53; Julie Harr, Vice President, Class of '76; Kelly Saltsman Bussman, Secretary, Class of '85, LuAnn Robinson Simmons, Treasurer, Class of '75; Richard McCandless, Advisor; and "Patche" Brady, Director. The business meeting will begin at 5:00 P.M. with the dinner following at 7:00 P.M. The dinner is $13 per person. Please send your reservations and any donations to the association to Kelly Bussman, PO Box 211, Hammondsport 14840.

• The Hammondsport Central School has been named a Title 1 School of Excellence by the Board of Regents and the New York State Education Department. Only 272 schools around New York State have been recognized with this honor for the 2005-2006 school year. HCS has received a letter from the Commissioner of Education for meeting all applicable standards for English and language arts, mathematics, and science during the previous school year. Superintendent Christopher Brown notes that this accomplishment places the Hammondsport District one significant step closer to being recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, the highest accolade available to public schools.

Hammondsport church news:

• St. Gabriel's Catholic Church, 78 Shethar Street, Mission Statement: The people of this Roman Catholic Church strive to create a welcoming community which provides leadership in the worship of God, our spiritual growth, education, and service to others. St. Gabriel's Mass Schedule: Saturday 5:30 p.m. and Sunday 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Maureen O'Neill, Pastor Administrator; Rev. Peter Anglaaere, Sacramental Minister; Mary Lou O'Connor, Secretary/Bookkeeper.

• St. James Episcopal Church, corner of Main and Lake streets. July 15 is the 7th Sunday in Pentecost, Rev. Sandra Curtis, Rector. Lay Ministers assisting the rector are: Chalice, J. Grillo; Acolytes, C. Skinner; Readers, J. Grillo and C. Van Houten; Ushers, N. Forenz and P. Forenz. Clerk of the Vestry, Betty Frey; Treasurer, Karen Derr; Pledge Clerk, Barbara Brayer; Choir Director and Organist, Elenor Boutwell; Christian Education, Lin Bretherton; Deacon, Rev. Thomas Williams.

• First Methodist Church, 35 Lake Street. Morning Services on July 15: 8:30 a.m. Contemporary, 9:45 a.m. Sunday School, 11:00 a.m. Traditional. Pastor is Rev. Paul Rowley.

• First Presbyterian Church of Hammondsport and Pulteney, Rev. Anne Waasdorp, Interim Pastor. A Touch of Brass returned to the Hammondsport Church last Sunday July 8 in a joint service for the Hammondsport and Pulteney congregations. The church was filled with families enjoying this amazing group of Christian men playing instrumental gospel music. The group members are all from the Rochester area.

There will be a joint meeting of the Session of both churches on Tuesday, July 17, at the Hammondsport Church at 7:00

p.m. Each Thursday morning +

at 10:00 a.m. in the Pulteney church, there is prayer meeting and Bible study focusing on Sabbath by Wayne Muller. A Farmer's Market is held each Saturday outside the Hammondsport Church from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.