HAMMONDSPORT HAPPENINGS

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CLASSICAIRSHOWS.COM/ EDUCATION/HISTORY/JUNEBUG.HTM Glenn Curtiss' June Bug looks like a flying mousetrap today, but it was tops back in 1908.

• Community Services get food baskets to The holiday season is officially over, but before it is forgotten, this writer wants to remember Hammondsport Central School students and faculty who helped the HammondsportPulteney and Wayne - our two out-of-town parts of the school district. Will Bailey, Joe Bussmann, NateGurnesy, and Anthony Smolos all loaded around 150 boxes of food onto trucks provided by Mercury for the effort. Faculty at Hammondsport Central School did their part by collecting items from the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry to be placed in holiday gift boxes. Special thanks goes to elementary school teacher Mary Jo Hanna, who is chair of the food box distribution, for the many many hours of making sure every family in need got a gift box. Additionally thanks go to Mary White, a member of Hammondsport Community Services, for ensuring that families who needed support from the organization got it.

• Michele Sincerbox, director of special education at Hammondsport Central School, reports that the school district, in conjunction with the Model Transition Project of New York, is presenting a career night in late February focusing on educating parents and students about opportunities that can help students with disabilities make a smooth transition from high school into the work force. This program will spotlight organizations that give opportunities with independent living skills and careers in the local area. Each organization will offer a fiveminute presentation that will includes hand-outs or hands-on activities. More about this in February.

• American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held on Thursday, January 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Hammondsport Fire Department, Route 54. Please call Eleanor Sample at 569-2063 to make your appointment.

• The Hammondsport Keuka Lake Players and the Bath Rotary Club are joining together on Saturday, January 26, at 6 p.m. for dinner and theater at O'Malley's Hall, St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bath. Dinner will be catered by Around the Corner Catering. Tickets are $35 and the players will do funny "Old Time Radio Skits" plus a musical review entitled "The Way You Wear Your Hat: The Love Songs of Frank Sinatra." Call 607-776-9781 for tickets.

• Mark this date on your summer calendar: July 4, 2008, for the 100th anniversary of Glenn Curtiss's historic flight of the Junebug. It is remembered as the firstever pre-announced public flight in America, winning Curtiss the Scientific American Trophy and ultimately pilot licence #1 by the Arero Club of America. More next week.

• Interested in writing? Bath has a writers' group that meets twice a month from 7-9 p.m. at the Dormann Library on West Morris Street. Come along on Tuesday, January 22, to attend a meeting and join in round-table readings and critiques.

Hammondsport church news:

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

Saturday, January 26, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the St. Patrick Parish Center, Victor, NY, will be a Day of Reflection for Catholics with gay and lesbian family members. The cost is $25 per person and $40 per couple, sponsored by Catholic Gay and Lesbian Family Ministry.

Anyone having an extra manger set that you would be willing to donate to the Bath VA Hospital, please call the parish office. The VA's current manger scene lacks Joseph and the Three Wisemen.

• 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 at 12:15 p.m., Holy Eucharist; Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry is open on Tuesdays at 3 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m.

John and Darlene Herrick are in charge of the coffee hour today after the service.

Friday, January 25, at 6 p.m.: dinner and a movie at the Rector's home at 10 Shethar Street. Bring a dish to pass. Beverages and place settings provided. The movie is Arrowsmith.

• 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.

As many know, the sign in front of the church has been there since 1979, almost 30 years, and needs to be replaced. A new one has been selected, much like the current one. The church ask for donations, as the sign will cost between $5,500 and $6,000. Please help if you can. The church has $3,000 in the memorial fund dedicated to Gertrude Blancher and her wishes were to use it for the sign. There will be a commemorative plaque on the sign in her honor.

• 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. In Pulteney, Bible Study and Prayer on Thursdays at 10 a.m. for both churches. In Hammondsport, adult

Sunday School has resumed

+ in the undercroft, led by Jim

Walling, at 10 a.m.

Today, immediately after worship in Hammondsport, is the annual meeting. Following the meeting will be a luncheon in the undercroft.