HAMMONDSPORT HAPPENINGS

• Several weeks ago I started an article on how to save your Thanksgiving-Christmas cactus for another holiday season. Well, finally, here's the rest! One can save a Christmas cactus for years, according to a story I read. Marty Hair of the Detroit Free Press revealed the secrets of Ara Basherian, who still enjoys a cactus his motherin law gave him 20 years ago! "It kept growing and we kept putting it in larger pots," said Basherian, identifying one important secret. It lives in a sunny spot in his den, which is another. His wife jokes that her husband and the cactus are "simpatico," and they say it certainly seems content. Sporting fuchsia-colored flowers that last for weeks, a Christmas cactus requires just a little sunshine and a little drink of water. It likes to be dry after flowering and can survive without any care for about two weeks. The plant can use slightly more water as it forms buds and flowers, but never so much that the soil stays soggy. When summer comes along, take it outside and put in a shady spot. But bring it back inside before fall frost comes along.

• On Tuesday, Feb. 12, there will be a Wine County Senior Citizens Valentine dinner and program at the United Methodist Church. Sue King and Marilynne Eckel have arranged the program. Speaker will be Kathy Burns from RSVP talking informally on preparing for emergencies.

• On Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 9 a.m., retired teachers and staff from Hammondsport Central School will meet for their monthly breakfast at the Chat-AWhyle in Bath.

• The Hammondsport Women's Club meets on Valentine's Day, Thursday, Feb. 14, with hostess Anne Green. Assisting her are Lynn Domras, Marilynne Eckel, and Janet Hallahan. Proprietors of the Chocolatier shop of Hammondsport, W. Raymond Olenzale and Deborah Rader, will entertain the group.

• Members of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce will hold their monthly meeting from 8-9 a.m. at the Visitor's Center in downtown H'port on Tuesday, Feb. 19. All members are urged to attend.

• Local Steuben ARC on the Bath-Hammondsport Road has been named by both The New York State Society for Human Resources Management and Best Companies Group, an independent organization, as "One of the Best Companies to Work For" in the area. This honor recognizes the best places to be employed, benefiting the local economy and business.

• President's Day, honoring the Feb. birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, is celebrated next Monday, Feb. 18, though the date is not the official birthday of either Abe or George. When I was growing up early in the 20th century, the two famous men's birthdays were celebrated separately, with each having a special holiday. Back then we alternated between Feb. 12 and Feb. 22 each year as the day when we were off from school. Times change- though what's really changed, as I write this on Super Tuesday, is having a woman and an African American running for president!

Hammondsport church news

The Lenten message this week is at 12 Noon at St. Gabriel's, with the Rev. Sandra Curtis from St. James preaching. A light lunch follows.

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

Once again during Lent, St. Gabriel's Church is sponsoring Operation Rice Bowl. That is the Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services and asks Catholics to reach out in solidarity with the poor around the world through the traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, learning and giving. Rice bowls will be sent home with children in the religious education classes. They are also available for all parishioners to take from the table at the back of the church.

Just a word about the Catholic Church's Joseph's Hammer. Back in 2004, St. Gabriel's created this community volunteer organization that provides homes services for neighbors in need. The group's volunteers include the young and the old, churchgoers and nonchurchgoers alike. From washing windows to building wheel-chair ramps, the group endeavors to bring assistance to those nearby. Last spring, a volunteer brought the problems of a young woman in our community, who was overwhelmed by serious obstacles, to Joseph's Hammer. In her early 20s, paying her way through a local community college and working two part-time jobs, she was suffering from severely disfigured teeth that gave her constant pain. All members of Joseph's Hammer wanted their 116th project to be oral surgery and dentures for her. The group agreed that renovating this young woman's smile and relieving her constant pain was a worthy project. The conclusion next week!

• 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.

Looking ahead to the week after next, mark your calendar for these events:

Monday, Feb. 18, the Southeast District meets at Branchport at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 20, there is a 6 p.m. potluck dinner at the church, followed by the Passion Resurrection with Father Phil Kuhn at 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 22, is movie night at the Rector's home on 10 Shethar Street. Dish-to-pass supper at 6 p.m. followed by a movie.

• 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.

This week during Lent, the church encourages all to pray for world concerns, world leaders including those from Iraq and Liberia, refugees from disasters, our country and its leaders.

• 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.

Thanks to all who came to

the special coffee hour last

+ Sunday to help Lynn and Bob

Domras, who later this month will be involved in mission work in Mississippi. John Wilderman, who had planned to join them, will not be able to do so because of health problems.