HAMMONDSPORT HAPPENINGS

• Today, May 4, is the final time to catch the Keuka Lake Players production of "Harvey," written by Mary Chase. The afternoon performance takes place at O'Malley's Hall in Bath's St. Mary's Church. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8.50 for seniors and students.

• The Bath Humane Shelter Volunteer Recognition Banquet was held last night, May 3, from 7-9 p.m. at the Bath Country Club. Thanks go to all who attended and help with lonely animals that miss having a family of their very own.

• On May 10 at the Bath Mossy Bank Nature Center, there will be a 7 a.m. bird walk led by Randy Weidner, with a breakfast following.

• The ARC of Steuben Board of Directors invites you to the annual membership meeting on Tuesday, May 13, from 6-9 p.m. at Corning's Radisson Hotel, 125 Denison Parkway East.

• Exactly two months from today, May 4, will be the 100th anniversary of Glenn Hammond Curtiss's flight of the Junebug. That flight forever brought the local born-and-bred aviator into the world's sight. He was the first pilot in America to have flown a preannounced public flight.

• The Hammondsport churches' combined Summer Vacation Bible School has been set for August this year. With the lateness of Hammondsport Central School graduation this year and then the Fourth of July celebration, it was determined to move the usual June week to later in the summer. Please mark your calendar for August 18 to 22.

• In order to preserve and protect the quality of the surface and ground water of Keuka Lake, Watershed Department Inspector Terry DeBuck notifies lake residents every three to five years that their lakefront property is up for inspection. This has been done every year since 1992, when a new waste-water code went into effect, Code103-10 (regular septic tank inspection in Zone 1). This inspection should be done April through October. A systems contractor must do the inspection and contact the Watershed Department when the inspection has been completed. It is the owner's responsibility to have the inspection done and there are penalties for not complying. Such cooperation in this matter will help protect water quality and property values in the Keuka Lake watershed.

• The Hammondsport- Bath branch of the American Association of University Women has two scholarships to give this year. The first one is open to 2008 high school graduates of these schools: Avoca, Hammondsport, Bath Haverling. Prattsburgh, and Wayland-Cohocton. Students in these schools will compete for the scholarship, worth $750. The second scholarship is open to a female graduate from one of the five schools who hopes to complete her interrupted BA degree. That scholarship is also worth $750.

• The latest Aerogram from Hammondsport's Glenn H. Curtiss Museum has an item that begins, "We recently received some exciting news from Ormond Beach, Florida." It continues by saying that in 2007, the local museum asked the Volusia Monument Company to create a Curtiss marker to be set in the Birthplace of Speed Park in Ormond Beach at the site of Curtiss's famous 1907 136 mph run. By using both the funding provided by Jeanne Curtiss and the Meade Foundation, the project has indeed been completed. Placed in February 2008, the stone now joins other similar markers in a very complementary way. The park is very attractive, located on high ground overlooking the beach itself. The grounds have a nice pavilion surrounded by several markers and a pair of very elaborate early race car sculptures. "The overall affect is very pleasing and an impressive effort by the community of Ormond Beach to commemorate a significant racing heritage," says the Museum. It closes with, "We can be very proud of this excellent and timely addition to what was already a very impressive presentation." There is a photograph of the marker, which reads: "Glenn Hammond Curtiss, Fastest Man on Earth." Underneath that line: "On January 24, 1907, on Ormond Beach, Curtiss set a land record of 136.4 mph on his V-8 powered motorcycle." He was considered the fastest man on earth until 1911. Shortly after his famous run, he entered the field of aviation. Today he is known as the Father of Naval Aviation and the founder of the American aircraft industry. There are plans afoot to have a dedication ceremony, probably this autumn, for the marker. Notices will be sent out to members when plans are finalized. Those traveling to Florida before fall, do try to stop and see this park- for without doubt, it is an excellent tribute to Hammondsport's Glenn Curtiss.

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.; Word and Worship Communion Service, Monday - Thursday at 8 a.m.; Mass on Fridays at 8 a.m.

Many of our parishioners have been enjoying 40 inspirational hours this weekend in the relaxed atmosphere of Canandaigua Lake at the Notre Dame Retreat House.

Easter flowers were given by the following parishioners: Marion French in memory of John French and other members of the French and Stenger families; Fred and Betty White in memory of the Hilt and

White families; Mary Ellen

+ Peck, in memory of Carl

Peck and the Peck and Wurth families.

Tuesday, May 6, from 6:30- 7:30 p.m., in McGill Hall, is the second meeting of Small Christian Communities. There were nine attendees at the first meeting, with a vision for the spirit of Spirit Alive! in our local parish. Come deepen your faith.

The Parish Forum will be held on Tuesday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m. in McGill Hall. (Note that the meeting was moved from May 4 as reported last week). All parishioners are members of the forum and are encouraged to take part in the planning of the summer events.

• St. James Episcopal: Located on the corner of Main and Lake Streets. The Rev. Sandra Curtis, Rector; Sunday Eucharist and Sunday School are at 9:00 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.

• 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.

Today, May 4, at 3 p.m. , the church will host an organ recital in memory of Gertrude Blanchard. There will be performances by local organists, and light refreshments following the concert. A free-will offering will be taken to support missions. The church has a handicapped entrance at the rear of the building.

The church office is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, with secretary Onalee J. Clark. The office phone is 569-2949. The church has a new e-mail address: humc@peoplepc.com. News editor is Roger Tompkins. The deadline for items is the 15th of each month.

• 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.

Next Sunday, May 11, the annual joint service in celebration of Pentecost will be held at the Pulteney Church, There will be a breakfast before the 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