HAMMONDSPORT HAPPENINGS

• On Tuesday, April 15, there will be a meeting of the Hammondsport Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors at 8 a.m. All members are invited to help plan the summer agenda.

• Wednesday, April 16, retired teachers and staff of Hammondsport Central School will meet at the Chat-A-Whyle restaurant in Bath for breakfast and fellowship.

• A Career Day was very successfully held in the middle of March at the Curtiss School. Several members of the community came to the school to speak with the children about their respective professions. They included: Bill Fries, Jr. (Fire Fighter), Dr. and Mrs. Cranmer (doctor and nurse), Chris Ritter (mechanic), Angel Turner (social worker), Shelly Day (pharmacist), Eladio Martinez (corrections officer), Tom Harris (manufacturing), Jennifer DiTomasso (banker), and Brenda Personisius (florist). Thanks go to all of the presenters who graciously gave their time to talk with the students and to Eartha Onyiriuka and her staff at Career Development in Painted Post for organizing this event again this year.

• Sylvia Sable and Joshua Synder have been named as Students of the Quarter at Hammondsport Central School. Named by their teachers for the second marking quarter, they are honored thus for their outstanding contributions to Hammondsport Central School. To be eligible, students must be in grades 9- 12, hold a Class A Pass, and maintain an 85 or higher average. Both students will go on to college after high school. Sylvia will go to Cornell University, taking biology and society, with plans to go on to medical school. Joshua's future plans are to attend Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio, studying sports medicine.

• Hammondsport Central School District will have a vacancy for trustee on its Board of Education (the seat held by James Zimar) as of June 30, 2008. To hold the position of trustee, one must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, be able to read and write, and have residency in the school district for at least one year prior to the date of the election. Anyone interested in running for this position may pick up an election packet at the district office. The deadline for filing a petition is next Monday, April 21, at 5 p.m. Anyone wishing to vote in the election who is not already registered with the county or the school district may come to the district office on May 8 between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. to register to vote.

• Chris Brown, Superintendent, was happy to introduce two former Hammondsport Central School graduates whose names have been added to the 2008 Hall of Fame. Those in attendance included relatives, friends and community members. The Hall of Fame members are Richard Young, who earned his doctorate from Virginia Tech in a NASA researchers program before becoming a NASA analyst at Lockheed Martin, specializing in aircraft structure. In 2006, Young became a principal in the aircraft aging and durability project. The other new member is William R. Bills, who led the HCS tennis team in 1976 and 1977 County Championships. He was County Singles Champion in 1975 and 1977. In addition he played soccer and basketball for Hammondsport and tennis for Alfred State University. Bills also developed the Junior Lakers Program at H'port, as well as basketball and softball teams for incarcerated youth at the Department of Corrections. Both inductees received plaques displaying their pictures and accomplishments that will be hung on the walls of Hammondsport Central School.

• In celebration of Read Across America Day on March 3, local dental surgeon Sam Pennise read the book Arthur's Tooth to Mrs. Webster's kindergarten class. The children enjoyed the story about the trials and tribulations of being the only person in the class who had never lost a tooth. In its 11th year, Read Across America Day is an annual event established by the National Education Association in honor of the birthday of Dr. Seuss. The purpose of the day is to inspire reading and a love of books in children.

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.

St. Gabriel's is very happy to announce that Father James Jaeger will serve as our sacramental minister beginning in September. Father Jaeger is currently at St. Anne/St. Gregory in Palmyra, New York, and will be fulfilling his commitment to the Air Force during the

summer months. The dioceses +

will be assigning our parish and interim sacramental minister for the months of July and August very soon.

Youth group meeting tonight, April 13, in McGill Hall at 7 p.m.

Everyone is invited to a delicious smorgasbord dinner at the Centenary United Methodist Church, 3 West Washington Street, Bath, on Saturday, April 19, from 4-6:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for ages 12 and up; $6 for ages 6 to 11; and free for ages 5 and under. All proceeds go to support the Turning Point Food Bank of the Catholic Charities in Bath.

Why do non-Catholics who were married before need an annulment before they can be married in the Catholic Church? Or do they? Take advantage of the Catholic call-in to get an answer to simple or complicated questions. Call 1-888-4SPIRIT on April 22 anytime between 2-8 p.m.

• 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 the Rector on Sunday are the following members: C. Van Houten, chalice; N. Forenz, acolytes; C. Van Houten and Mary White, readers; J. and L. Grillo, ushers.

Monday, April 14, book study at the Rector's home at 7 p.m.; Al-Anon meeting at the church at 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 15, Bible study at the Rector's home at 7 p.m.

Friday, April 18, is movie night at the Rector's home starting at 6 p.m. Please bring a dish to pass. Plates and beverages are provided.

• 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 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.

On Saturday, April 19, there will be a PNC (Pastor Nominating Committee) Meeting in Hammondsport at 9:30 a.m.

On Sunday, April 20, there will be a coffee hour at the Hammondsport Church following the 11 a.m. worship service.

• Mitchellsville United Methodist Church, 8421 County Route 13, Bath, with new pastor, Rev. Ed Spencer. Services are Sundays at 8:55 a.m. There is Sunday School for children and youth during the second half of worship time, and a Coffee Hour with refreshments after the worship service. On Wednesday evenings from 6-8 p.m., there is a soup supper and Bible studies.