HAMMONDSPORT HAPPENINGS

• Yesterday and today, Nov. 17 and 18, "There is More in Store in Downtown Hammondsport." Early holiday shopping fun for the entire family. Shop, Sip, and Stroll is what's going on. Sample wines while you shop. Take a guided historical tour, enjoy delicious treats in every store, passport shopping, storytelling and a book signing. New motorcycles, cars, trucks and more. The event goes on all weekend. Hours vary per store. For more information, call 569-3456.

• Also, yesterday, Nov. 17, Vine City Chapter #356, Order of the Eastern Star, held a holiday shopping bazaar at the Masonic Lodge rooms on Main Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Soup and salad were available for a good-will donation. Eleven wellknown companies, such a s Tupperware, Pampered Chef, and Mary Kay, were represented.

• Time to plan ahead for the 31st annual Christmas in the Park, coming Saturday, Dec. 8, in the Village Square, which draws many, many people to our Hammondsport shores. It is a Christmas celebration for the whole family and runs from 5-9 p.m. Sponsored by the Hammondsport Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber is hoping that many community persons will also act as sponsors by giving donations this year. Hammondsport is focused on keeping up the tradition begun in 1976 and which was the first of the special Christmas nights now held all over the area. But the Chamber cannot put it together alone without the community's generous support. Send your donation to the Hammondsport Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 539, Hammondsport, NY 14840. And come on Dec. 8 to enjoy.

• Another wonderful holiday tradition in our town is at the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, where the 17th annual Doll House and Miniatures show has just opened. From Nov. 17-Feb. 24, 2008, is the time to visit for this exhibit. Next Saturday, Nov. 24, is the Miniature Vendor Show and Sale for museum members and those whose doll houses are on display.

• Hammondsport Junior-Senior High School has an open house on Monday, Nov. 19, from 6-8:30 p.m.

• The next Parent Liaison meeting is scheduled for Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Senior High library.

• Richard McCandless, consultant for Youth in Government and a retired Hammondsport Central School teacher, announces that the 22nd Annual Sophomore Focus on Career Day will be held at Corning Community College on Tuesday, April 1, 2008. This event is being sponsored jointly by CCC, Career Development Council, Steuben-Alleghany Boces, the Steuben County Youth Bureau, and eight participating schools. The Planning Committee consists of guidance counselors from the eight schools and representatives from CCC, Career Development Council, and the Youth Bureau. The committee is chaired by David Woolever, guidance counselor from Bradford Central School. Other schools taking part: Addison, Avoca, Campbell-Savona, Canisteo-Greenwood, Hammondsport, Haverling, and Jasper- Troupsburg.

Hammondsport church news:

• St. Gabriel's Catholic: Maureen O'Neill Rev. Peter Anglaaere, Sacramental. Mass schedule: Saturdays 5:30 p.m., Sundays 11 A.M.

Today, Nov. 18, is the Children's Mass. There will be a children's musical contribution to the service for the holidays. If your child sings or plays an instrument and wants to take part, the church welcomes all. There are no religious education classes on Nov. 18 and Nov. 25.

Thanksgiving service for St. Gabriel's is on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, at 10 a.m. As part of the harvest gathering, each family is asked to bring a loaf of a special bread. The bread will be blessed during the service and be part of a bread exchange among families, to be enjoyed later for the Thanksgiving meal.

St. Gabriel's total for the Catholic Ministries Appeal is up to $7,234 or 47.7 percent of the church's assigned goal of $15,147. Please remember the parish will be billed for the difference between our goal and what is pledged. There will be an in-pew solicitation on Nov. 24 and 25.

• St. James Episcopal: Located on the corner of Main and Lake Streets. The Rev. Sandra Curtis, Rector; Sunday Eucharist and Sunday School are at 9 a.m., followed by Coffee Hour; Thursday 12:15 p.m. Eucharist.

Tonight, Nov. 18, there is an Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at 7 p.m. at St. James. Come at 6 p.m. if you want to join the ecumenical choir. At 6:45 p.m., there will be praise music before the service. The offering will be given to the food ministry in Hammondsport.

The annual apple pie sale for pre-ordered pies was held yesterday, Nov. 17. The pies are sold ready to bake or to freeze for later. All the fruit is donated and church members do the pie-making and selling, so it is a great fund-raiser.

• First United Methodist Church: The Rev. Paul Rowley, Minister: 8:30 a.m. Service: 9:45 -10:45 a.m., Sunday school; 11 a.m. Service. On the 5th Sunday of the month, the two services are combined with a 10 a.m. service for all.

Over the past several weeks, Gerry Simmons has led a United Methodist Women study on Israel and Palestine. Those taking part in the study are enjoying it very much.

There are pastoral caregivers available for home and hospital visits. Call Rhonda at 776- 3547 if you or anyone you know has a need.

• The First Presbyterian Churches of Hammondsport and Pulteney: Interim Pastor Anne Waasdorp at both churches: Pulteney at 9:30 a.m.; Hammondsport at 11 a.m. At the Port Church there is Bible Study for adults on Sundays at 10 a.m. led by Jim Walling. In Pulteney, Bible Study and Prayer on Thursdays at 10 a.m. for

both churches on Wayne

+ Muller's book Sabbath.

Tuesday evening, Nov. 20, there is a Bible study in Pulteney led by Bob Illi, at 6:45 p.m., on Paul and the Ephesians.