HAMMONDSPORT HAPPENINGS

• Monday, April 21, at 5 p.m. was the final time when a person could file a petition to fill the vacancy on the Hammondsport Board of Education and run in the June 20, 2008, school board election. Anyone over 18 years of age and a citizen of the USA, not already registered with Steuben County or with the school district, may still register to vote in the June 20 election. Registration will be held at the district office on Thursday, May 8, between the hours of 12-8 p.m.

• The Bath Area Writers Group would like to see more Hammondsport writers attending their roundtable readings and critiques. Meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the Empire Room of the Dormann Library, West Morris Street in Bath. The next meeting in on Tuesday, May 8, from 7-9 p.m.

• The Jack Lisi Youth Award winners have been selected and they will be honored on May 2 at the annual Jack Lisi Award Banquet at the Bath Presbyterian Church. This well-known award is a named for a former local law enforcement officer. The public is invited and tickets for the banquet are available from the Courier Advocate office in Bath, Hornell Concern for Youth, and the Corning Area Youth Center. Tickets must be purchased before May 2.

• The annual Bath- Hammondsport Relay for Life has had its kickoff. The July 11 and 12 event is open to all and connects communities in a fight for cancer. It is a very special time when walkers, including those who have survived cancer, think about relatives and friends who have passed on from the awful disease. Save the dates - more details to follow in the months ahead.

• Thirteen high school students from four area high schools are involved with the Steuben County Youth in Government at this time. Students, their schools, and sponsoring legislators include the following. Addison Central: Michael Andersen and Charlene Carpenter, with their sponsoring legislators, Dan Farrart (for Andersen) and Robert Nichols ( for Carpenter); Campbell- Savona: Anthony Brusso with sponsoring legislator Tom Schwartz from Corning; Jessica Adams and Jason Kieffer, both with sponsoring legislator Joseph Hauryski from Campbell; Christopher Taft with sponsoring legislator Scott Van Etten; Canisteo-Greenwood: Katrina Kneale and Shannon O'Brien, both with sponsoring legislator Randy Weaver; Hammondsport Central: Hannah Shippee, with sponsoring legislator David Stachnic; Elizabeth Reardon, with sponsoring legislator Don Creath of Corning; Brian and Lynne Stachnic, both with sponsoring legislator Phil Roche from Corning. The Steuben CountyYouth in Government met on Thursday, April 24, in Bath's Dormann Library. Students worked with Public Works Commissioner Mr. Spagoletti, then took a landfill tour with Mrs. Kastner. After lunch they worked with historian Ms. O'Dell, then had their final meeting of the day in the County Law Office with Mr. Ahrens. The last meeting of the school year 2007-08 will be the annual simulated legislative session.

• I have really, truly decided to plant some pansies this year - IF I am able to find the seed of violas, the tasty and lovely ancestor of this current favorite. I have enjoyed reading about them in a favorite daily paper. It is reported that there are around 500 species of violas, including all the wild violets, but only two caught the eye of a botanists early in the 1800s. They are viola tricolor and viola cornuta. They are the ancestors of the modern large-flowered pansy.

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.

Many Catholics from here took an informal trip to Rochester on April 22 to visit the Sacred Heart Cathedral, with shopping later.

Several CSCP women plan to spend 40 inspirational hours in the relaxed atmosphere of Notre Dame Retreat House, on Canandaigua Lake, on May 2-4. For more information or to make a reservation, call the parish house or Nancy Lynch at Notre Dame Retreat House.

The date of the next Parish Forum had been changed from later in May to next Sunday, May 4. All parishioners are members of the forum and are encouraged to come and take part in the planning of the summer events. The meeting follows the 11 a.m. mass in McGill Hall.

Youth Group will meet today, the 27th, at 7 p.m. in McGill Hall.

Thank you to James Kolodziejczak for planting the Easter flowers on the parish grounds. They look so great.

We are so grateful to Dave Peterson for providing guitar accompaniment and cantoring the weekend masses while Bill Grimmer was on vacation. Dave's music is always appreciated!

• 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.

Saturday, May 3, St. James will offer their annual Mother's Day smorgasbord supper from 4-6:30 p.m. Menu: roast beef, ham, chicken, meat loaf, plus a variety of casseroles, fruit, varied salads, veggies, assorted breads, dessert and beverages. A complimentary glass of wine will be available to those age 21 and over. Adults, $7.50; children ages 3- 12, $3; and free for children younger than 3. Chairwoman is Nancy French.

• 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.

There is a 3 p.m. organ recital in memory of Gertrude Blanchard at the Hammondsport Methodist Church on Sunday, May 4. There will be performances by local organists, and light refreshments will be served following the concert. A freewill offering will be taken to support missions. The church has a handicapped entrance at the rear of the building. For more information, contact Carol Edsall at 569-2095.

• 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.

The church is collecting for One Great Hour of Sharing. Members are reminded that if they have not made a contribution and would like to share with those in need, to place your gift in a marked envelope.

• 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.

Did you know that prayer candles have become big business? Sales of prayer candles have increased from 15-20% annually since 2002. An item in the New Your Times back in late January 08 gave a fascinating update on the increased popularity of prayer candles. According to the article, Hispanics have long lighted them for loved ones and for luck. But "devotional candles" are increasingly used by many groups and for many purposes. The article went on to state that candles, also called prayer novenas and semana, burn year round in many homes but are especially popular during holidays. Sadly, they are a key part of memorials for missing children, victims of abuse and soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, they are a growing part of the two billion dollar candle market in the USA!