Event to honor memory of Jeff Johnson
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

BATH - The annual Relay for Life traditionally is an opportunity to celebrate cancer survivors; it also is an opportunity to remember and celebrate the lives of people who have lost their lives to cancer.

This year's Bath-Hammondsport Relay, set to kick off July 11 at the Hammondsport Firemen's Park, will celebrate the life of Jeff Johnson, who owned and operated The Gold Mine Jewelry Junction in Bath until he lost his battle with cancer in 2007.

Johnson will be remembered particularly through The Gold Mine Jewelry Junction's "Brightest Light" award, which will be given to the individual who raises the most money for the Relay. All funds are donated to the American Cancer Society in support of cancer research.

The Brightest Light award is designed by Lisa Fox of the Jewelry Junction and will be awarded during closing ceremonies at 7 a.m. July 12.

On July 11, opening ceremonies for the Bath- Hammondsport Relay for Life begin at 6:30 p.m., with the traditional Survivors Lap scheduled for 7 p.m. At 10 p.m., participants will light luminaria along the track in memory of people who have died from cancer, as well as in honor of cancer survivors. A sample luminaria form appears on page 18 of this edition of The Courier.

All-night events follow, including a scavenger hunt, a frozen t-shirt contest, entertainment by DJ Jerry Karns, square dancing and live music. There also will be gift certificates for area restaurants and golf at Bristol Harbour, and passes to the Curtiss Museum and the Corning Museum of Glass.

This will be the ninth Relay for Life in Steuben County, where participants have raised nearly $1 million since the first event in 2000.