HAMMONDSPORT HAPPENINGS

• The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum is in the process of planning the 100th anniversary of the first-ever pre-announced public flight in America by Glenn Curtiss on July 4, 1908. Traffer Doughery, museum director, reports that on Saturday, July 5, there will be day-long festivities around the actual site of the flight, which is about a mile from the museum. Nationally recognized speakers will be part of the celebration and a formal banquet. Highlights will also include aircraft flyovers, antique cars and motorcycles, and demonstrations of Curtiss engines.

• The American Library of Poetry has published a collection of student verse from across the United States, and four Hammondsport Central School students have poems in the collection. They include: "Don't Worry" by Reagan Ball; "Abuse" by Ashlee Landolf; "My Mom" by Jessica White, all from the Class of 2011; and "Secret Water" by Mary Allen, Class of 2007. The poems were written as a result of a poetry workshop taught last spring by published poet and fiction writer Rachel DeVries. A copy of the book, entitled With Honors: 2007 Poetry Collection, is available at the high school.

• Hammondsport Central School Laker Lines, the monthly newspaper, for Jan. 2008 features pictures that spotlight how students and staff caught the holiday spirit. Not only did they load holiday food baskets, as reported here last week, but the kindergarten students enjoyed performing "Rudolph the Red- Nosed Reindeer"; plus Ms. Waterstrat is shown racing third graders down the hill on Winter Fun Day!

• Early last month Hammondsport Central School honored Hammondsport-area veterans at the Primary and Curtiss Schools, with local vets as the student' guests. Ed Fitzpatrick, a veteran and alumnus of Hammondsport Central School, helped the boys and girls in the lower grades make poppies, the symbol of remembrance. The students presented a Veterans Day skit and sang patriotic songs, and the visitors shared their memories as members of the armed forces. Thanks go to the vets and Christina Puschert from the Bath VA, who organized the veterans who take part in the event, and to the Port's own Sharon Rooks and the local American Legion, who gave the materials and directions for poppy making. 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.

The interior of the church has been painted and the cracks in the plaster repaired this Jan. The contract for this project was awarded to Southern Tier Building and Remodeling. Half of the total cost of this project will be paid for by a grant from the Fred and Harriet Taylor Foundation, for which the church is very grateful.

Please save the date of Feb. 3 (next Sunday), when the 11 a.m. mass will be said for the volunteers of St. Gabriel's and for their intents. The 4-H Club, who meets in the church, will

put on a luncheon for the volunteers after mass. This

will provide an opportunity for our volunteers to get together socially and to know that the church prays for them.

• 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.

St. James' holiday bazaar brought in around $2,500. More details to come on this event.

Today, Jan. 27, the annual meeting will take place following a potluck brunch shared after the morning service. Vestry members, wardens, and delegates to convention will be elected. Also reports from various programs in the church and a report on the budget adopted by the vestry will be given.

• 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.

The 2008 church leadership will be: Chairperson, Ruth Barry; Finance Committee Chair, Rhonda Sweet; Finance Committee Treasurer, Marilyn Conklin; Staff Parish Relations Chair, Bridgette Lanphere; Trustees Chair, Bob Sweet; Christian Education Director, Onalee Clark; Lay Leader, Jim Conklin; Memorial Fund, Onalee Clark and Ruth Barry; Lay Leadership Pastor, Paul Rowley.

Staff: Pastor Paul Rowley; Music Director Bonnie Lowery; Organist/Pianist Shirley Moon; and Office Secretary Onalee Clark.

• 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 c hurches. In Hammondsport, adult Sunday School has resumed in the undercroft, led by Jim Walling, at 10 a.m.

Last week in Hammondsport after the worship service, the following officers of the Hammondsport church were elected: Robert Domras for his second term as an Elder of the church; Rose Mishrell as Deacon; and Orren Baisch reelected as a Deacon.

Pastor Ann Waasdorp + announced that a Touch of Brass, a musical group from Rochester way, will again be visiting Hammondsport, with the date and time to be announced.