HAMMONDSPORT HAPPENINGS

• Last Friday, the first speaker for the Steuben County Historical Society was Robert Yott, speaking eloquently on the history of the Veterans Administration in Bath. He has also written a book on the subject.

• Hammondsport American Legion Auxiliary #407 meets at the Roswell McDaniels Post, located on Route 54, H'port today, Feb 3, at 2 p.m.

• Wine Country Toastmasters meet on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at the Steuben County Health Care Facility on County Route 113, Bath, from 7-8:30 p.m. Call 776-6813 for more information.

• Wednesday, Feb. 6, marks the start of the spring session of the Steuben County Youth in Government program. Beginning at 8:30 a.m., there will be an orientation briefing for participating students in the South Conference Building of the County Legislation Building in Bath. At 9:30 a.m., Mrs. Clark of the Public Health Department will greet students and at 11 a.m., Mr. Alderman of the Civil Service and Personnel will meet with them. Following a noon lunch, Social Services leader Ms. Biehl will meet the students for a tour of the County Office Building, after which students will return to their respective schools.

With the second semester about to begin, let's see how the students in the fall 2007 Steuben County Youth in Government program made out with their simulated resolutions. According to program leader Richard McCandless, seventeen resolutions were offered, which the students felt would do well for the county if passed. Thirteen passed, including one by unanimous vote, presented by Emily Johns of Haverling, for an intensive work program for jail inmates, to make good use of the inmates' time and help the local communities.

• Thursday Nighters meet at Hammondsport Central School on February 7 at 6:30 p.m. Please bring a dish to pass and your own table service. After the meal, Sherry Mast, wife of the pastor of the Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church, will speak on a 2006 trip to India.

• At the Hammondsport Chamber of Commerce annual meeting on January 23, held at the Visitor Center on Shethar Street, the guest speaker was Gordon Lamphere, new supervisor of the Town of Urbana.

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.

Both yesterday and today, Feb. 3, members of the parish's Youth Group are collecting canned goods and money following mass for the Hammondsport Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. Youth members will be positioned in the back of the church to accept donations. This is part of the national effort called Souper Bowl of Caring, held each year on Super Bowl Sunday. Thanks to all who give.

As proofing of St. Gabriel's new directory is completed, parish members are alerted that only members who had their pictures taken will receive a free copy. Extra directories may be ordered at the cost of $5 each. Members who would like to purchase a copy should sign the list on the back table. Please keep in mind that once the order for additional copies is placed, more copies cannot be ordered.

February 6, Ash Wednesday, begins the annual schedule of noontime ecumenical Lenten services in the Hammondsport community churches. On February 6, the service is at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church with Rev. Sandra Curtiss of St. James preaching. The worship begins at 12 p.m., with a light luncheon following.

All are invited to St. Gabriel's Ash Wednesday mass and soup supper on February 6 at 5:30 p.m. Ashes will be distributed at mass following a simple supper in McGill Hall. If you can make a soup, help set up, or clean up, please sign the list on the back table.

Both Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, March 21, are days of fasting and abstinence. All other Fridays during the season of Lent are days of abstinence - which means not eating meat. All persons 14 years and older are obliged to abstain. Fasting means eating only one full meal a day, with other meals consisting of smaller portions. Adults 18 to 59 are obliged to fast.

• 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.

On Sunday, Feb. 3, Bishop McKelvey makes his last visit to St. James before retiring. There will be baptisms and confirmations. Following the morning service, the Bishop and Mrs. McKelvey will join church members for a brunch in the undercroft, offering a time for conversation and a chance to say good-bye.

The Peace on Earth Christmas concert with Cecil Van Houten, held on December 23, was delightful. He shared his awesome talents in a wonderful way to begin Christmas. Thanks to Leah Nickiporuk and all who helped with the reception that followed the concert. And that morning, the Sunday School Angel Choir sang during the offering. Thanks to Lin Bretherton, Sunday School teacher, for making the wonderful angel costumes and helping the children prepare. Thanks to the Sunday School children for singing - St. James members and guests loved it!

• 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 Sunday School teachers include: PreK-1: Diane and Christine Albright; 2nd and 3rd: Carol Branchard and Ruth Barry; 4th to 6th: Amy Robinson; Junior-Senior High: Gloria Rowley: Adults: Jim Namara. Additional teachers and substitutes will be needed as the year goes on. Please let Onalee Clark.or Diane Albright know if you are willing to assist.

• 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 in the undercroft, led by Jim Walling, at 10 a.m.

Today, February 3 in Hammondsport, Bob and Lynn Domras will host a "Mississippi Mud" Coffee Hour following the 11 a.m. worship to raise funds for their upcoming mission trip to Missisippi.

During the Hammondsport annual meeting on January 20, the following committees were confirmed: The 2008 Audit Committee members are Jean Shepherd, chair; Ina

+ Wakefield, Milt Erb and Lyn

Chadwick as alternate. The 2008 Nominating Committee members will be a Chair appointed from Session plus Rose Mishrell, Jim Walling and Lynn Domras as alternate.