Brett Somerville is heading to West Point

Watkins Glen High School senior Brett Somerville, the son of Jim and Kristine Somerville, has received appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point as a member of the Class of 2016. For more details, see Schools.

Left: Brett Somerville (Photo provided)

Kambo gets planning, development post

Rocky Kambo (left) has been named the Director of Planning and Community Development for Cornell Cooperative Extension, Schuyler County. He has been employed by the organization as Community Development Educator since 2008. "We are very pleased to be able to retain an educator of Rocky’s knowledge and talents,” said Danielle Hautaniemi, CCESC Executive Director. “We trust that he will be a real asset to residents and municipalities.”

Watkins girls win IAC Large Schools title

The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team won its second straight IAC Large Schools championship Friday night when it defeated Lansing 45-28 at Tompkins-Cortland Community College. The Senecas scored 27 of their points on free throws. Taylor Chaffee led the offense with 15 points, while Angela Keough added 13 and Chelsea Lehman 9. Sports.

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.

SchuyLines has arrived!

SchuyLines.com, The Odessa File's sister publication designed to celebrate all things good about Schuyler County, is now online. For a look at the features-oriented website, just 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.

Fashion show takes center stage at O-M

Odessa-Montour High School juniors modeled prom gowns and tuxedos Thursday afternoon at a fashion show promoted by David's Bridal and Men's Wearhouse. It was held in the Fetter-Brown Auditorium at the school. The seven female and four male models were applauded by classmates in the audience who will soon be thinking about purchasing a gown or renting a tux for the late-April prom. Business.

Left: Brittany VanAmburg models a gown at the fashion show.

It was a labor of love

Reagan Reese, a 6-year-old first-grader at B.C. Cate Elementary School, has created 100 pillowcases for a school project, and is donating them to worthy causes. Schools.

Left: Reagan Reese with one of her pillowcases.

And the winner is ...

Schuyler County Sheriff William Yessman, center, was winner of the Schuyler County United Way quilt raffle. With Yessman are 2011 United Way campaign chairs Barb and Curt Connelly. The quilt was donated by O'Susannah's Quilts and Gifts in Watkins Glen. United Way is accepting donations to raise $128,000 to support 24 agencies serving Schuyler residents. Donations may be sent to P.O. Box 270, Watkins Glen, NY 14891.

A Valentine memory ... in snow and silence

Bonnie Seeley of Odessa brings to us a Valentine Story from her own past -- from a difficult time in which her spirits were buoyed by a romantic act. You can read it here.

Left: Bonnie Seeley

Quilters, food pantries featured

The generosity of quilters and the kindness of the folks who run Mustard Seed Ministries are featured on SchuyLines.com, The Odessa File's sister publication. For a look, just click here.

Lineups set for village elections

Tuesday, Feb. 14 marked the final day for submission of independent nominating petitions for candidacy in the Village Board elections set for March 20 in Schuyler County. In three villages -- Watkins Glen, Montour Falls and Odessa -- there are no contested races (unless a write-in campaign surfaces), while there are three candidates for two seats in Burdett. The lineup:

Watkins Glen (for two seats): Paul Clifford (incumbent) and Anthony Fraboni, both under the Listening Party banner.
Montour Falls (for two seats): Incumbents Philip J. Smith and James P. Ryan.
Odessa (for two seats): Thomas Letteer Jr. and Sally Hill.
Burdett (for two seats): Laurence Jaynes (incumbent), Ruth Givin (incumbent), and Diane White.

Not seeking re-election: Wayne Weber in Watkins Glen, and Peggy Tomassi and Timothy Hicks in Odessa.

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 "Search engine: not found." Column.

Left: State Sen.Tom O'Mara

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

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.

Students, shocked by job cuts, send S.O.S.

A group of Watkins Glen High School students upset with teacher cuts are taking the initiative -- trying to rally support for a movement to alter the state's budget plans. The group, called S.O.S., sought the support Monday night of Schuyler County legislators. Schools.

Left: S.O.S. representatives Alex Rundle, left, and Rob Rondinaro at the County Legislature meeting.

O-M unveils its 3rd Honor Roll of the year

The Odessa-Montour Junior-Senior High School releases its Honor Roll for the 3rd Marking Period of the 2011-12 school year. Honors.

On sharing the burden ...

There is talk afoot about our two local school districts combining forces in some sports, and in other areas -- or at least discussing the possibility. Sponsors.

Gallery hosts book signing and reading

The Franklin Street Gallery & Gift Shop, 209 N. Franklin St. in Watkins Glen, held a book signing Friday, Feb. 10 featuring author Frank Steber, who wrote Seneca Dawn and Seneca Sunrise, along with the upcoming Seneca Hope (about 19th Century landscape painter James Hope). After signing and selling copies of his books, Steber read excerpts from them to fans on hand for the occasion.

Conlon to step down as High School principal

Greg Conlon is retiring from his post as Odessa-Montour High School principal on July 1, a move approved by the School Board on Feb. 9th. Conlon, in education for 37 years as a teacher and administrator, is in his third year as principal at O-M after spending four years as principal at the B.C. Cate Elementary School. He says he feels "it's time to cut back," but wants to return to the classroom as a teacher, "which is my passion. I want to do some of that" as well as travel. Conlon, who lives in the Horseheads school district, will soon turn 59. Superintendent Jim Frame said no successor has been selected.

From the creative mind of Ron Havens ...

Conservatives beware. Catharine Corners' Ron Havens -- known for his politically charged statuary in front of his home -- weighs in with more cartoons, his 47th collection on this website. Toons.

Center to honor Elva autos on April weekend

Elva autos (left) will be discussed and honored April 21-22 with a Motor Racing Research Center talk and display, along with parade laps at Watkins Glen International. Sports.

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 56th monthly installment. History.