O-M golfers claim division title

The Odessa-Montour boys varsity golf team clinched the IAC Small Schools South Division title Wednesday when it defeated Edison 246-311 in a match on the Mark Twain Golf Course. Sports.

Houseknecht honored in Albany ceremony

ALBANY, May 16 -- Virginia Houseknecht of Watkins Glen -- a long-time Cornell Cooperative Extension educator and leader in Schuyler County and the founder of the Southern Tier Parkinson's Disease Support Group -- was honored Tuesday night in Albany as a 2012 "Woman of Distinction."

The annual Women of Distinction program allows each senator statewide to select one honoree from his or her respective legislative district. Senator Tom O'Mara selected Houseknecht as this year's honoree from his 53rd Senate District following her nomination by Barbara Hubbell, Director of Community Solutions for the United Way of the Southern Tier.

"It's a well-deserved tribute to one of our region's outstanding citizens," said O'Mara. "It's a testament to her career as an educator and to her personal response to Parkinson's disease." The support group she founded, O'Mara said, "has been a remarkable source of encouragement, inspiration and strength to so many others."

WG students present their Spring Concert

Watkins Glen High School band and chorus members Tuesday night presented a Spring Concert of instrumental and vocal music. For story and photos, see Schools.

Budgets pass; incumbents and Halpin win

The budgets in the Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour School Districts were approved by wide margins Tuesday, while at O-M, incumbents Karen Rock and Damita Chamberlain were re-elected to three-year terms on the School Board, and were joined on the board by attorney Rob Halpin.

The budgets passed 374-142 in the Watkins Glen district, and 281-118 at Odessa-Montour. In the O-M board race for three seats, Halpin had the most votes, 307, while Rock garnered 260 and Chamberlain 236. Challenger Richard Horgan had 208 votes. In Watkins Glen, incumbent Mike Myers (right) drew 420 votes and newcomer Kelly McCarthy 395 in an uncontested race for two seats.

O-M also passed library and bus propositions, leading Superintendent Jim Frame to say "this is what you call a good day." At Watkins Glen, Superintendent Tom Phillips said passage of the budget by 72%-28% was "huge affirmation of the direction in which the district is moving."

The O-M budget called for a 2% increase in the tax levy, while the increase at Watkins was 2.49%.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen School Board member Mike Myers

Legislators endorse
an 8-district plan

Schuyler County legislators have endorsed an 8-district plan that won't change the size of the Legislature or require a referendum. Government.

This week's deals at Famous Brands

We are now carrying the weekly ad showcasing the latest deals available at Jim Guild's Famous Brands store on Franklin Street in downtown Watkins Glen. For a look, click here.

Seneca Lake Wine and Food is set for June

An inaugural event, Seneca Lake Wine and Food, is scheduled for June 2nd and 3rd, 2012 at Clute Park in Watkins Glen. Business.

Jazz sounds fill auditorium at O-M

The Dr. Frank Brown-led Swing Into Jazz performers at the Odessa-Montour auditorium Monday night offered the sounds of Big Band standards and music from the Jazz greats. Schools.

Left: Members of the Josh Condon Trio perform. (Photo by Don Romeo)

A column by State Senator Tom O'Mara

New York State Senator Tom O'Mara graces our pages with a weekly column from his Albany office. This week the title is "Righting terrible wrongs." Column.

Left: State Sen.Tom O'Mara

WGHS holds its prom at Logan Ridge

The tuxes were on, as were the gowns -- the traditional garb for a school prom. But this one -- Watkins Glen High School's prom -- took a different path from tradition. Instead of holding it in the high school gym as they have for years, the students gathered Saturday night at Logan Ridge Estates, a former residence that serves as the locale for special events. Prom.

Alums get together on the O-M B-ball court

Odessa-Montour alums who played basketball at the school while they were students there gathered again Saturday in the O-M gym for a pair of Alumni Basketball Games -- one that drew seven females (necessitating the use of three males), and the other that drew 19 males. Each game was four quarters of 10 minutes each, and the players looked like they were having a blast. Chief referee was O-M Athletic Manager Chris Wood, who said the alumni games were the first at the school since the 1990s, and that he hopes they become an annual event. Sports.

Victorian Tea adds touch of class

The Schuyler County Historical Society Museum Saturday hosted its annual Victorian Tea, where attendees dressed up and were served tea and assorted small baked goods at one of two sessions, in the late morning and the early afternoon. At the morning session, Pat Forbes of Odessa was presented a bouquet of flowers from Stillman's Greenhouse for wearing the fanciest hat at the gathering. Among the several tables full of visitors was former county historian Barbara Bell, who has attended each such Tea since they began in the late 1990s. She said that she had a hand in their creation, having attended a Tea in Seneca County that she liked so much, she recommended the same kind of event in Schuyler.

Creative sale nets funds for Girl Scouts

Girl Scout Troop 40726 of Watkins Glen was earning funds through a bake sale Saturday in front of Wright's Beverages -- but with a creative twist. Among the goods were high-heeled cupcakes (right), duct tape-styled pens and pencils, fabric-flower hairpins and other colorful variations. Said a spokesperson: "Glen Mountain Market taught us how to design cupcakes and other baked goods," while a representative from Stillman's Greenhouse "taught us flower arrangements." The eight-member troop will utilize funds from the bake sale and an accompanying can collection to finance activities that coincide with the ongoing 100th anniversary celebration of the Girl Scouts. Also on tap: a celebratory Girl Scout Jamboree in Weedsport in July.

Recounting the history of the Chemung Canal

Teacher and historian Gary Emerson of Odessa was on hand Friday evening at the Franklin Street Art Gallery in Watkins Glen to sell and sign copies of his book, "A Link in the Great Chain: A History of the Chemung Canal" and to provide a history lesson, with slides, about the rise and fall of the canal. The canal, which ran between Elmira and Seneca Lake, passing through Montour Falls, opened in 1833 and operated until 1878, providing an important spur to the area's economic development. Emerson talked about the difficulties in maintaining the condition of the canal, and how the arrival of railroads with cheaper and faster transport helped hurry its demise. His book is available at the Schuyler County Historical Society and Chemung Valley Museums or from Emerson himself.

22 join Watkins Glen National Honor Society

Watkins Glen's National Honor Society membership grew to 60 Thursday night with the induction of 22 new members. Schools.

Left: Inductee Christopher Flood dons an NHS robe.

Now available on Kindle: The Maiden of Mackinac

This story -- which spans 700 years and ranges from our region to Northern Michigan -- tells of a quest for the truth behind a legend ... the legend of a Native American maiden reputed to be centuries old. It was written by Charlie Haeffner, and is available now on Kindle at Amazon.com. To see the ad, click here.

Left: Cover art by Jon Haeffner

Visit Jerlando's Ristorante & Pizzeria

Three locations: in Watkins Glen, Horseheads and Montour Falls

Click here or on the photo at left to go to the Jerlando's website. There you will find information about all three locations, plus menus.

Left: The front of the recently renovated Jerlando's at Franklin and 4th Streets, Watkins Glen

Labor of Love dinner is a success again

The annual Labor of Love Spaghetti Dinner at St. Mary's Parish Center in Watkins Glen was once again a success Thursday, with hungry diners filling the center. The event is in memory of Lindy Bond and Rosanne Paradiso, with all proceeds going to benefit the "Labor of Love" organization formed to carry on the good works of the two women by providing food, clothing and other basic necessities to those in need in Schuyler County.

Arc meeting yields honors, board chief

The Arc of Schuyler's annual meeting and reception Thursday night at the Harbor Hotel saw the election of Michael Stamp as Board of Directors president and the presentation of various awards. Stories on Features and Business.

Left: Michael Stamp at The Arc of Schuyler meeting.

A Decade of Stars

After covering Schuyler County high school sports for 10 years, the editor enlists the aid of an ad hoc committee in selecting 33 standout athletes as honorees on a team titled A Decade of Stars. For a look at the selections, click here.

Rotary honors Rundle as Student of the Month

Watkins Glen High School senior Alex Rundle (left) was honored Thursday by the Watkins-Montour Rotary Club as its WGHS Student of the Month for May. Rundle was introduced by teacher Sam Brubaker, who described the honoree as "a hard working, respectful young man" who this year "has stepped up and become a great leader" as part of the Save Our School movement formed by students interested in curbing teacher cuts. Rundle, who had a role in the school play "Mame," plans to join the U.S. Marine Corps following graduation.

Woman of Distinction honor to Houseknecht

Virginia “Ginny” Houseknecht of Watkins Glen, a long-time area Cornell Cooperative Extension educator and leader, and founder of the Southern Tier Parkinson’s Disease Support Group, will be honored Tuesday, May 15, in Albany as a “Woman of Distinction” by the New York State Senate. People.

Left: Virginia Houseknecht

From a deep wellspring ...

In a busy time, a seemingly emotional time, eight lines of verse -- lines seemingly from nowhere -- are produced by the editor. His epitaph? Sponsors.

Speaker lineup set for Top Drawer 24 party

NFL executive Dennis Kayser and WETM sportscaster Steve Vesey are among the speakers set for the June 7th Top Drawer 24 party honoring outstanding Schuyler County student-athlete-citizens. Top Drawer.

Talk topic: Daytona Speedway

Daytona International Speedway will be the focus of a talk May 19 at the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen. Sports.

Watkins man charged in auto theft

A Watkins Glen man, Julian G. Andersen, 19, of County Rte. 17, was arrested and charged with third degree grand larceny, third degree criminal possession of stolen property and several traffic charges after leading Schuyler County Sheriff's deputies on a high speed chase along Wedgewood Road in the Town of Dix Tuesday that ended when he crashed into a culvert, the Sheriff's Office reports. Deputies said Andersen, driving a 1999 Audi reported stolen Monday, fled after the crash but was soon caught. He was arraigned in Reading Town Court and jailed in lieu of bond, and will appear later in Town of Dix Court.

Odessa firefighters have new Polaris ATV

The Odessa Fire Department has a new vehicle for fighting fires in the woods, for searches, for ice rescues, and for off-road emergency services. It's a 2012 Polaris Ranger XP 800 with dual seats, power steering, a 4500-pound winch, and various accessories. The $12,000 vehicle was purchased from department accounts, and accessories from more than $6,000 raised through a raffle. A transport trailer that will double for donning ice-rescue gear and for rehab during hot brush fires was also purchased -- from a firm in Georgia, where firefighters Andrew Yessman and Mike Hines traveled to pick it up. It will also be used as a smoke house to teach kids about fire safety.

"This equipment will help any other fire department in or out of the county for their needs," said Fire Chief Mike Tomassi. "I would like to thank the members and the officers for all the hard work and time spent to make this come true for the Odessa Fire Department."

Advance Auto Parts opens

A ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday morning, May 7 marked the official opening of the Advance Auto Parts store in the plaza housing the Tops and CVS stores on South Franklin Street in Watkins Glen. On hand for the ceremony were Schuyler County Administrator Tim O'Hearn, Watkins Glen Village Trustee Kevin Smith, and Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce president Rebekah LaMoreaux. Advance Auto Parts is a national chain headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia. Other area stores in the chain are located in Horseheads, Bath and Elmira.

WGHS makes Final 5, eyes $50,000 prize

The Watkins Glen High School art program will make at least $4,000 and possibly $50,000 as it earns a Final 5 spot in a Vans Footwear contest. Schools.

More historical facts about Watkins High

Brian J. O'Donnell provides another in a series of articles from the files of the Watkins Glen School District -- his 59th monthly installment. History.

Civil War soldier's words take center stage

"No Freedom Shrieker," a collection of letters written by Civil War soldier Charles Biddlecom to his wife during the war, was the focus April 26 at the annual meeting of the Schuyler County Historical Society at the Human Services Complex. The letters, discovered by Katie Aldridge in a barn on her Alpine farm and transcribed by her over two years, have been published -- with introductory chapters by Aldridge -- by Paramount Market Publishing of Ithaca. They tell the story of the Civil War from the perspective of an actual participant whose letters were stored in a box on the farm for generations and unearthed by Aldridge in 2008. She and her husband Matt read excerpts to the Historical Society gathering of about three dozen people. Aldridge, a notable runner who recently finished 50th among women in the Boston Marathon, will be in Gettysburg this weekend (April 28-29) for a book signing on Saturday and to compete in the Gettysburg North-South Marathon on Sunday.

Photo: Katie Aldridge with her book at the Historical Society meeting.