YOUR COMMUNITY
Christmas schedule

December 1

• PRATTSBURGH - Prattsburgh's 2 0 0 7 Winterfest will begin at 9 a.m. Dec. 1 with a tag sale and soup and bake sale at the Presbyterian Church. The Prattsburgh Historical Society also will sponsor a Christmas tree decoration contest in the park.

Additional Winterfest events include: an open house at the Baptist Church from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; chili in the park, hosted by the Prattsbugh school district Alumni Association; complimentary hot chocolate offered by Cub Scout Park #34; Santa in the Park from 3 to 4 p.m., hosted by the Prattsburgh Rotary Club; lighting the Christmas tree and Nativity scene at 4:30 p.m.; 4-H Club cookies and cider in the Prattsburgh Library; viewing gingerbread houses at the Prattsburgh Library, 4 to 6 p.m.

• CAMPBELL - The Campbell Fire Department will host a breakfast with Santa from 8 to 11 a.m. the menu includes pancakes, eggs, bacon or sausage and a choice of beverage. $2 for children 5 and under; all other, $4 and $12 for a family of 4.

December 2

• CORNING - A benefit bake sale will be held for the Campbell Volunteer Fire Department from noon to 4 p.m. at Hands on Glass, located on Crystal Lane in Corning. The benefit will include photographs with Santa Claus.

Dec. 3

• CAMPBELL - The Campbell-Savona school district will host a junior-senior chorus concert at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Dec. 5

• BATH - The Haverling school district will host a concert featuring the symphonic band, high school choir and wind ensemble at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Dec. 7

• BATH - The annual Spirit of Christmas will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. in Pulteney Park, featuring a visit from Santa Claus at 6 p.m.

Dec. 8

• HAMMONDSPORT - The Hammondsport Fire Department will host a breakfast with Santa from 8 to 10 a.m. at the fire station. Call 569-2167 for more information.

The annual Christmas in the Park will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Village Square. The festival includes music and carolling, horse-drawn wagon rides and treats to eat and drink.

Join the Keuka Lake Players for a production at the Presbyterian Church at 4 p.m.. The show ends at 5 p.m., when the players lead audience member to the park to kick off the festivities.

Dec. 10

• CAMPBELL - The Campbell-Savona school district will host a junior-senior band concert at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Dec. 13

• BATH - The Haverling school district will host a concert featuring the 6th grade chorus and band and the Middle School chorus, chorale and band beginning at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

• HAMMONDSPORT - The Hammondsport school district will host an elementary school concert at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

• PRATTSBURGH - The Prattsburgh school district will host a concert featuring the elementary school chorus and band at 7 p.m. in the cafetorium.

Dec. 17

• PRATTSBURGH - The Prattsburgh school district will host a concert featuring the junior-senior chorus and band at 7 p.m. in the cafetorium

Dec. 18

• BATH - The Haverling school district will host a concert featuring the Vernon Wightman chorus at 7 p.m. in the primary school cafeteria.

Dec. 19

• HAMMONDSPORT - The Hammondsport school district will host a high school concert at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Dec. 20

• BATH - The Haverling school district will host a concert featuring the Dana Lyon chorus and symphonic band at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

• SAVONA - The Campbell-Savona school district will host an elementary school concert at 7 p.m. in the elementary school cafeteria.

• PRATTSBURGH - The Prattsburgh school district will host a primary school concert at 2 p.m. in the cafetorium.

Improving driver safety

The staff of the Caregiver Resource Center of the Steuben County Office for the Aging can help sort out issues and make suggestions for improving elderly driving safety.

For confidential help visit the Steuben County Office for the Aging website at www.steubencony.org.

Legion Auxiliary

The American Legion Auxiliary of Unit 173 meets every second Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Charles Wescott Post on William St., Bath. The next meeting will be held on Dec. 10.

Communication problems?

The Center for Dispute Settlement is offering a free service to Steuben County residents to help with communication skills. The service is for residents under the age of 21. Services are confidential and a neutral person is available to help individuals.

For more information contact the Center for Dispute Settlement in Bath at 776- 6976.

Victims of Domestic Violence Women's Support Group

Victims of Domestic Violence Women's Support Group will meet from 6-7 p.m. Thursday evenings. The next meeting will be held Nov. 29.

For more information call 1-800-286-3407.

Wine Country Toastmasters

Wine Country Toastmasters will meet the first and third Tuesdays of every month from 7-8:30 p.m. at the County Health Care Facility, Co. Rte. 113, Bath. The meeting will discuss enhancing communication and leadership skills. The next meeting will be held on Dec. 4.

For more information call 776-6813 or email at tbilancio@bilancio.org.

STAR rebate checks

New Yorkers are eligible for realy property tax relief in the form of a 2007 Middle Class STAR Rebate Program Check. This year's rebate is based not only on your property tax burden but also on your income level.

Homeowners who receive the basic STAR exemption should have received a letter notifying them of the need to apply and provide income information to receive this year's rebate check. Applications are due by Nov. 30.

The fastest way to receive the check is to apply online at www.nystax.gov. Information that was sent in the mail will be needed to complete an application.

Senior citizens who are property owners and receive an enhanced STAR exemption on their 2007-2008 tax bil ldo not need to fill out an application and will receive a rebate check automatically.

For more information, go to www.nystax.gov or call 1 (877) 678-2769. Village of Bath Housing Authority Board

The Village of Bath Housing Authority Board will meet at 4 p.m. the forth Monday of every month (except where a Holiday occurs, then it will be held the week before.) The next meeting

will be held on Nov. 26. Avoca Historical Society

The Avoca Historical Society is finished and have many interesting displays and a great deal of information to offer. They always looking for donations of items that have anyting to do with Avoca and Wallace. The museum at 5 Grisold St. is now open every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., every 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon, and by appointment.

For further information call Judy Wightman at 566-2804 or 566-8500.

Fall clean-up

The Hammondsport Central School Baseball Team is available for fall clean-up jobs. To hire the team for a donation, e-mail coach Dan Conley at dconley@ hport.wnyric.org or call 569-5200. Prattsburgh

Library events

The annual Gingerbread contest will open Nov. 27, entries are needed at the library no later than 11 a.m. Dec. 1. Creations will be judged and prizes awarded during Christmas in the Park on Dec. 1.

FSA accepting emergency loan applications

Steuben County has been declared eligible for Farm Service Agency (FSA), formerly Famers Home Administration, disaster emergency loan assistance effective Oct. 12, 2007 due to damages and losses caused by drought which occured May 1, 2007 and continuing. Family farmers who have suffered physical losses and/or the losses of at least 30 percent of their production due to the drought may be eligible for FSA loans. Proceeds from crop insurance and any FSA programs are taken into account when determining eligibility for prodution losses. Losses must be supported with documented records. Under the FSA Emergency Loan Programs farmers may be eligible for production loss loans of up to 100 percent of their actual losses, or the operating loan amount needed to continue in business, or a maximum principal balance outstanding of $500,000, whichever is less. Farmers must be unable to obtain credit from private commercial lenders. The interest rate on Emergency Loans is 3.75%

Applicaton for loans under this emergency designation will be accepted until June 12, 2008. The FSA office is located at 415 W. Morris St., Bath, 776-7398.

Snow Removal Ordinance

Bath Police Chief David K. Rouse wants to remind Village of Bath residents that from Nov. 1-April 1, between the hours of 2-6 a.m., the Village of Bath's Snow Removal Ordinance is in effect. During those hours, parking is prohibited on all streets within the Village. Violators will receive a $25 parking ticket and depending on weather conditions, the vehicle may be towed at the owner's expense.

With the winter season approaching, Village of Bath residents are further reminded to refrain from depositing snow from driveways on Village Streets. Section 1219 of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law prohibits persons from placing snow on highways. Village Police will ticket anyone violating this law. Bath Neighborhood Watch Group

The Bath Neighborhood Watch Group will meet the third Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Bath Municipal Building. The next meeting will be held Dec. 19.

For more information contact Evie Lamb at 776-7664, ext. 229 or 776-4711.

Seatbelt saturation checks and patrols

The Steuben County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with the New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee will be conducting seatbelt saturation checks and patrols from Nov. 12-25.

Parking restrictions

Bath Police Chief David K. Rouse reports that on Friday, Dec. 7, the Bath Police Department will prohibit parking on various portions of Pulteney Square. This action is being taken in preparation for the "Spirit of Christmas" activities which will be held in Pulteney Park later that evening from 6-8 p.m. For that day only, the Bath Police Department will honor Pulteney Square Parking Permits at metered locations that are not affected by the parking restrictions.

9-1-1 Advisory Board

The next meeting of the 9-1- 1 Advisory Board has been scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday,

Nov. 28 in the EOC room located at the Steuben County 911 Center.

Bath Board of Education

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Bath Central School District will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 28 in the District Office.

Holiday caring

United Way of the Southern Tier provides a connection point for potential donors and human service agencies to join forces and make the holiday season brighter for these families and children.

Participating organizations and the needed services can be found at http://www.uwst.org/HolidayC Aring2007.asp. Contributors can choose from a variety of opportunities, including adopting a family and volunteering.

Potential donors are asked to review the list, and then contact the organization to work out the donation details.

Bath Area Writers Group

The Bath Area Writers Group invites interested individuals to join their round table readings and critiques from 7-9 p.m. every second and forth Tuesday of every month in the Empire Room of the Dormann Library, W. Morris St., Bath. The next

meeting will be held Nov. 27.

Steuben County Historical Society

The Steuben County Historical Society will hold its annual membership meeting and election of officers on Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Bath Country Club, 330 May Street, Bath. Luncheon will be served at 12:30 p.m. followed by the program and business meeting. The program, entitled "Steuben Country from A to Z" will feature a slide show of old historic photos and postcards. Presenters for the afternoon are Jane Schryver and Paul Hoffman.

Luncheon reservations accompanied by a check for $12 may be sent to the SCHS, PO Box 349, Bath, NY. Deadline for reservations is Friday, Nov. 30. Members and guests may attend just the program.

Public Safety & Corrections Committee

A special meeting of the Public Safety & Corrections Committee has been scheduled for Monday, Nov. 26 at 2:45 prior to the Legislative Meeting. The purpose of the meeting will be the approval of renovations of the shower units in the existing housing units at the Steuben County Jail.

Christmas craft & bake sale

The Christmas Craft and Bake Sale will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Spring Meadow Apartments, Bath (across from Burger King). A variety of crafters will be available. Table fee, baked goods, lunch and raffle donations benefit the Bob's Kids Relay for Life Team. Baked goods, crafts, ceramics and raffles also available. A hot dog and drink will be available for $2.

For more information call 776-7823.

Bath's facilities project

Residents of the Bath Central School District can learn more about the district's proposed school and community facilities improvement project at a public information meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 4 or Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.

During the meeting, district officials will outline the proposed work in the project, the finances for the proposal and the rationale for which components will be addressed at this time. There also will be time for questions.

The vote for the proposed project is set for Tuesday, Dec. 18 from noon until 8 p.m. in the auditorium lobby.

"Conversation About Recovery"

"A Conversation About Recovery" conducted by a panel of person in various stages of recovery from mental illness will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 27 at the First Baptist Church in Corning. NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) off Steuben and Chemung Counties has organized this special program for everyone in the community who wants to learn more about recovery experiences and positive aspects of living with mental illness. Friends, family and community members as well as those who have a mental illness diagnosis are encouraged to attend. Dr. Cheryl Pruett, Director of Steuben County Continuing Day Treatment Services, will moderate the panel.

Refreshments will be served following the presentations, discussion and question period. Reservations are not needed for this informative program at the First Baptist Church at 110 First Street in Corning.

Single Adult Fellowship dance

Single Adult Fellowship presents a dance at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 featuring live music by Quigg Hollow Band at the First Presbyterian Methodist Church, Painted Post. The dance is open to all divorced, widowed, separated or never married. Must be 21 years of age to attend.