HAMMONDSPORT HAPPENINGS

• Thursday, March 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., there is a Red Cross Blood Drive at the Hammondsport Fire Department. Walk-ins are welcome, but you may schedule an appointment by calling Eleanor Sample at 569-2063.

• Bob Worden, president of the Keuka Lake Association, reports that "the season's annual renewal campaign" is underway. Members' tax-deductible dues and donations assist the KLA in fulfilling its critical mission to "preserve and protect Keuka Lake and its natural beauty for future generations." Members' past support has been appreciated and critical to the many programs KLA has fostered. Worden says, "Invite a lake friend to join."

• The Curtiss Museum 2008 officers include: Jill Flynn, president; Marcia Coon, vice president; John Van Zanten, secretary; Gregory Hinz, treasurer; Traffer Dougherty, director; Trustees Ralph Brown, Dennis Carlson, Mardo Dougherty, Michael Doyle, Richard Honeyman, Bruce Inglis, Carolanne Marquois, Joseph F. Meade Jr., Joseph F. "Bud" Meade III, Paul Middlebrook, William H. Reed, Esq, Arthur H. Wilder, Thomas G. Snow; Honorary Trustees Jeanne Curtiss and Lee Robbins; Trustees Emeritus Carol G. Jenkins, Charles "Bud" Shaw, Robert Turissini, and Peter Baker, Esq; and Robert H. Cole (deceased), William E. Dougherty Jr. (deceased), and Jack Farmer (deceased).

• Thursday, March 27, in the south conference room of the Bath Legislature Building, the spring semester of the Steuben County Youth in Government meets at 8:30 a.m. The students will review and turn in their journal reports. At 9 a.m., they meet with Mr. Heffner of Planning; 10:30 a.m., they visit County Clerk Mrs. Hunter. Following 12 p.m. lunch, they will meet Mr. Greeley from the Probation Department. Their last meeting of the day will be at 1:30 p.m. with Ms. Burnside of the Jury Department.

Spring interns include the following students from Steuben County schools. Addison: Michael Andersen and Charlene Carpenter; Campbell-Savona: Jessica Adams, Anthony Brusso, Jason Keefer, an d Christopher Taft; Canisteo- Greenwood: Katrina Kneale and Shannon O'Brien; and Hammondsport: Hannah Shippee, Elizabeth Reardon, and Brian Stachnic.

• The 22nd Annual Sophomore Focus on Careers Day will be held at Corning Community College campus on Tuesday, April 1. The activity is being sponsored jointly by CCC, Career Development Council, Steuben-Allegheny BOCES, Steuben County Youth Bureau and eight participating schools: Addison, Avoca, Bradford, Campbell- Savona, Canisteo- Greenwood, Hammondsport, Haverling, and Jasper- Troupsburg. The planning committee consists of guidance counselors from the eight participating schools, representatives from CCC, Career Development Council, and the Youth Bureau. The planning committee is chaired by David Woolever, guidance counselor from Bradford.

• Read just the other day about what is the best way to decide the name of your child. This was datelined Albany. It seems New York residents like more familiar names. For instance, Michael and Emily were the most popular names back in 2006, according to data from the state health department. (In the same year, celebrities were going for the unusual, with Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes naming their daughter Suri, while soccer player David Beckam and former Spice Girl wife, Victoria, named their son Brooklyn.) According to NYS Health Department, the top ten most popular boys' names for 2006 were: Michael, Matthew, Joseph, Anthony, Christopher, Daniel, Ryan, Nicholas, Joshua, and Alexander. Michael has been the long-time popular name in New York, topping the list in 2004, 2000, 1995, 1990, and 1980; and ranking very near the top most other years. A total of 1,953 Michaels were born in the state in 2006, according to the Social Security administration. Girls' names vary more than boys' names, but Emily is a frequent favorite, along with Ashley, Jessica, and Jennifer. There were 1,307 Emilys born in NYS in 2006 and 21,118 across the country, according to Social Security records. Emily was also number one in 2004 and 2000. More names next week!

Hammondsport church news

Today is Easter Sunday in all area churches. At 6:30 a.m., there is a sunrise service at the head of Keuka Lake. All are invited to attend.

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

St. Gabriel's recently joined the Matthew 25 Ministries - Empty Pill Bottle Collection. This program has been started because in developing countries, medicines are dispensed into hands, pockets, handkerchiefs, tin cups, and any other available container. Please bring your empty pill bottles to church, with the labels removed, and leave them on the back table.

Everyone is invited to the upcoming meeting of the Joseph Hammer's advisors at the Roadhouse on Route 54. Bob DeSeyn will review the group's finances and grant applications.

Christine Kolo will review the 08 Community Service program. Dick Gardiner and Lynne Ricotta will review the county youth mentoring program. There are plans for Bath veterans to come to Hammondsport for a day of sun and a boat ride.

Thank you goes to all who took part last week in the Youth Mass and to Sandra Williams, who organized it. Youth participants were: Lydia Shippee, cantor; Gabriel Barone, alder server; Natalie Shippee, Victoria Yahn, Catherine Coon, readers; Audrey and Hannah Shippee, communion ministers; Colin Drain,

Arlene Yahn, gift bearers;

+ and Ruby Williams and

Jessica Anthony, violinists. Truly, it was a beautiful liturgy.

• 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.

Last week, the Palm Sunday service was held at 9 a.m., with the Liturgy of the Palms. On March 20, at 7 p.m., the Maundy Thursday Liturgy with washing of feet was held; on March 21, the Good Friday Liturgy with Reserved Sacrament; on March 22 at 4 p.m., The Great Easter Vigil began. March 23, 6:30 a.m., St. James will take part in the sunrise service at the head of the lake, with breakfast following at the Methodist Church; 9 a.m., the Sunday of the Resurrection with Holy Eucharist. Let the whole wide Earth rejoice! Death is concurred. We are free. Christ has won the victory.

On Saturday, March 29, from 4-6 p.m., there will be a chicken and biscuit dinner at the church. The menu includes mashed potatoes, vegetable, salad, dessert, beverage, and complimentary glass of wine. Adults $6, children 3-12, $3; under 3 are free.

• 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.

Sunrise service at the head of Keuka Lake today, followed by breakfast at the church.

Just a reminder that March has a fifth Sunday, and on those Sundays we have a different schedule entirely. There is one service at 10 a.m. and no Sunday School.

• 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.