HAMMONDSPORT HAPPENINGS

• Last Friday, Feb, 29 was a Leap Year addition to the usual 28 days in Feb. The extra day is added onto the calendar to keep it working properly. The 365 days of our calendar are meant to match up with the solar year, or the time it takes for the earth to orbit the sun. But actually, it takes 365 and one-fourth days: 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, 46 seconds. So the calendar year is little shorter than the solar year. Thus, every four years the calendar falls behind by a day - and we have to make a leap (day) or otherwise the difference would increase to 25 days after a century! The Leap Year corrects all! Who discovered this? The Egyptians. However, the idea wasn't formally inaugurated until Julius Caesar reformed the Roman calendar in 46 B.C. This calendar designated Feb. 29 as Leap Day.

• March 4 and 5, grades three and four have the New York State math exams. March 6, grades four, five, seven, and eight take the NYS math exam. March 7, grades five, seven, and eight take NYS math exams. Also, March 7 is the last day to sign up for ACTs.

• Spring sports begin on March 3 for Hammondsport Central School students. On March 7, the winter sports awards program will be held. Also on March 7 and 8, there is wrestling at Blue Cross Arena for states. On March 8, the All- County Festival is at Haverling Central School.

• Friday, March 7, at 4 p.m. the Steuben County Historical Society Dugald Cameron Chapter winter lecture series, held in Bath, will continue with "Keuka Lakes's Big Hotels and Resorts." The speaker is Kirk House. Saturday, March 8, at 12 p.m. is the historical society's spring membership meeting.

• Next Thursday, March 13, the Hammondsport Woman's Club holds its annual business meeting. Hostess will be with the evening will be Lucile Walbridge and Barbara Wells.

• Tuesday, March 25, is a day for all current and former Hammondsport Central School employees, and spouses, to mark on their calendar. Corning Hospital will be offering the Wellness Programs, a health evaluation through comprehensive blood profiles, in the high school gym from 6- 8 a.m. These tests can be helpful in detecting health-related problems in early stages, and are a solid step toward better health and well-being. To schedule an appointment, call Cindy Stocking, Curtiss School nurse, at 569-5200.

• A group from Rotary Club International, including five members from Europe, visited the Curtiss Museum recently. The visitors commented favorably on the quality of the exhibits and the professional atmosphere in the museum, plus the many accomplishments of Glenn Curtiss in his short life - May 21, 1878 to July 23, 1930 - which made him only 52 when he died. The Rotarians were so impressed with the museum, they assured their guides and museum director Traffer Doherty that they will be back again next year!

H-port church news

The Lenten message this week, March 5, is at 12 Noon at the Presbyterian Church with Maureen O'Neill, Pastoral Administrator of St. Gabriel's, delivering the message. 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.

Each Friday, Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 8:30 a.m. immediately following the 8 a.m. mass. Everyone is welcome to take part.

The second collection this weekend is for Catholic Relief Services. Through parishioners' generous support, the Catholic Church in the USA is able to respond to the many needs of those around the world who experience disease, famine, war, poverty, persecution and injustice. Gifts bring hope to suffering humanity.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, March 9, at 5 p.m., for the annual St. Patrick's party with music provided by Pat Kane. The parish provides corn beef, cabbage, and carrots. As in years past, each person or family is asked to bring a dish to pass. Sign up on the back table if you plan to attend.

• 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.

Assisting with the service today, the fourth Sunday of Lent, are L. Nichiporuk, chalice; C. Skinner and N. Forenz, acolytes; J. Grillo and C. Bidwell, readers; N. and P. Forenz, ushers.

Carol Bidwell has charge of the morning coffee hour today, March 2, after the service.

• 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 mission of the Hammondsport United Methodist Church is to lovingly reach out to all, share God's good news and help people become Christ-like members of the His family who love the Lord and bring glory to His name.

• 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 Hammondsport, adult Bible Study and Prayer at the Pulteney church on Tuesdays at 2 p.m.; adult Sunday School in Hammondsport, led by Jim Walling, at 10 a.m.

Today, March 2, the "Touch of Brass" will perform at the 11 a.m. service at the Hammondsport Presbyterian Church. A public breakfast will be held from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the church before the service, which is open to members and visitors alike.

On Tuesday, March 4, at

+ 6:45 p.m. at the Pulteney

Church, there will be a gathering to share in "remembering loved ones" and for developing an "in remembrance of" evening for Maundy Thursday.