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---------------------
For this week's Seneca
Harbor Station specials, click here
or on the logo below.
To
reach the website of the Seneca Harbor Station and Captain Bill's,
click here.
To read about the Seneca Legacy, the boat that replaced the Columbia,
click here.
--------------
Senka
Agency
Summer is here.
John and Flo say: Let
Us Insure All Your "Toys" -- golf carts, personal watercraft,
motorcycles, ATVs, boats, and RVs
Progressive and
The Senka Agency
A Great Team!
Main Street, Odessa, NY
Telephone 607-594-3335.
---------------
Click on the ad above
to visit the Visions Credit Union web site -- you deserve a financial
partner that has your best interest in mind!
---------------
Click on the ad below
to go to the Red Newt website.
Current Menu at WWW.REDNEWT.COM
3675 Tichenor Road, Hector NY (607)546-4100
---------------
For your convenience,
we have installed the link below to make donations to this website easier.
Now you can utilize your PayPal account or your credit card.
--------------
To reach the Rosemary's
Legacy vacation rental website, click here
or on the ad below:
---------------
We also have
a Business Card Page. Click here.
----------------
Click on the ad below
to go to the United Way of Schuyler County website.
---------------









---------------
For your convenience,
we have installed the link below to make donations to this website easier.
Now you can utilize your PayPal account or your credit card.
--------------
We also have
a Business Card Page. Click here.
--------------
Menu
Now -- for a full Savard's
menu, click on the ad above or click here.
------------------
We also have
a Business Card Page. Click here.
----------------
Curly's Restaurant is
a page sponsor -- of our People Page. People.
Other page sponsors:
Business -- Sidle
Insurance
Sports -- Learn Motor
Co.
Features -- Watkins
Glen Harbor Hotel
Government -- Attorney
Daniel Fitzsimmons
Schools -- Watkins
Sporting Goods
Forum -- Glen Harbor
Marina
------------------
To reach the FOWL website, click on the logo above.
-----------
To go to Jim Guild's Famous Brands website, click on
the drawing above or here.
-----------------
To reach the Odessa Government
Page, click here or on the logo
below.
---------------









---------------
The IBEW Local 241 is a sponsor of
this website
We also have
a Business Card Page. Click here.
---------

----------

To reach the website of the Five Rivers Council, Boys Scouts
of America, click here or
on the logo above.
--------
Click below to see Lottery
Numbers
---------------
To reach the Watkins Glen School District
website, click here.
--------------
Check this out:
www.cayugawomenshealth.com
-------------
Contact this website at:
chaef@aol.com
----------------
4
Novels by the editor
Island Nights
Excerpt here.
The Islander
The entire novel:
Prelude-Chapter
4
Chapters
5-13
Chapters
14-21
Chapters
22-29
Chapters
30-36
Chapters
37-44.
Cabins in the Mist
Excerpt here

The Maiden of Mackinac
Excerpts Maiden
and here and here.
---------------

Rachel's Challenge
Note:
The editor attended a couple of presentations Nov. 5 of the Rachel's
Challenge character education program -- a morning assembly and an evening
gathering with adults and students, both at Watkins Glen High School
-- and came away with some thoughts and some photos. For a look, see
Rachel.
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|
 
Click on the ad below
to go to Schuyler Hospital's website.



Garage work was the major activity at midday Friday at WGI. The IndyCar
drivers take to the track for practice and qualifying Saturday.
|
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Governor is honorary starter for Sunday race
Governor
David Paterson will be the honorary starter for Sunday's Camping
World Grand Prix at The Glen IndyCar race. This will mark his
first visit to Watkins Glen International. That race, to be
run in the afternoon, is one of several this weekend at the
track. Others on tap: Firestone Indy Lights, the SCCA Speed
World Challenge and the F2000 Championship Series. For more
photos, see Features.
Left:
Gov. David Paterson |

Click on the ad below to reach the
Arc's website.



I might
be out of touch for a while ...
It looks
like I might run into problems updating this website on a daily basis
while I'm on vacation. Sponsors
------------
Anyone
caring to advertise ... check out our low ad rates, ranging from a
couple of bucks for a classified to a reasonable rate for a prime
location, such as a spot in this center column. Other spots are available
just about anywhere on the website. Advertising
rates.


Kids get some exercise climbing at the Clute Park festival.
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Clute hosts festival
An
Indy-Pendence Day Celebration -- a combination Independence
Day and IndyCar themed festival -- was held Friday at Clute
Park in Watkins Glen as a kickoff to the race weekend. Food
vendors, music, games, and activities for kids were available
to park visitors. The evening culminated in a fireworks display.
Left:
A young driver operates an IndyCar simulator
at Clute Park. |

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Store opening now set for July 11th
Preparations
are taking longer than expected for the planned opening of the
Seneca Lake General Store in the old Ace Hardware building on
North Franklin Street in Watkins Glen. So the hoped-for July
4th debut has been pushed back to July 11th, owner Jim Guild
reports. |


Some of Friday's bikers parked near the carnival ground grills while
chicken dinners were being prepared there.
|
|
Bikers gather in Montour, tour track
Scores
of motorcycle enthusiasts were on hand Friday for the first
day of the two-day Bike Rally being held at the Montour Falls
Carnival Grounds. Vendors were on hand, music was provided by
DJ Tom Strong, and the bikers were looking forward to an early-evening
tour of the Watkins Glen International racetrack. The Rally
was to conclude Saturday with a breakfast at the Montour Falls
Fire Hall, contests, and awards.
Left
top: John Dahl drives as son Erik grabs a tennis
ball from a cone, part of a Rally contest Friday.
Left
bottom: Biker Jeremey Brown dons his helmet. |



Easy-click access to our
Inside Pages




Veraisons Restaurant is serving breakfast,
lunch and dinner! Let Chef Orlando Rodriquez and his culinary crew
take care of you. Click here for details.

|
|
Follow the Warriors
The
Southern Tier Warriors semipro football team starts its season
July 11th at home on Odessa-Montour's football field. Catch
the action.
July
11th: Home vs. Glens Falls Greenjackets
July 18th: Home
vs. Ithaca Aggression
July 25th: Home
vs. Western NY Cougars |
All home games will begin at 7:30 p.m.

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Rotary honors Specchio as Paul Harris Fellow
The
Watkins-Montour Rotary Club named Tony Specchio (left) a Paul
Harris Fellow Thursday at the club's weekly luncheon meeting.
The award goes to people who provide "tangible and significant
assistance to the furtherance of better understanding and friendly
relations among peoples of the world." Specchio, a Korean
War veteran, a former Town of Reading supervisor, a former county
legislator, and Committee Chairman of the Schuyler County Soil
& Water Conservation District, has organized Memorial Day
and Veterans Day services and parades in Watkins Glen for 40
years. On hand for the honor were 15 family members, including
his wife, Annabelle.
|


Congressman Eric Massa talks to constituents at the fire hall.
|
|
Subjects range wide in Massa town-hall talk
Congressman
Eric Massa discussed topics ranging from health care reform
to wartime torture to the economy to the wine industry during
a town hall meeting Tuesday at the Montour Falls Fire Hall.
Government.
Left:
Congressman Eric Massa |

Running for a good cause
A note from the editor: My
youngest son, Dave, and his girlfriend, Ali Piacente, are training
for the Marine Corps Marathon held later this year near their Washington,
D.C. home. This year they are running to raise funds in the fight
against cancer, specifically in memory of Ali's cousin, Jonathan Kaufman,
and Dave's mother, Susan Bauman Haeffner. For a look at their training
and goals, click here.


115 East Fourth Street, PO Box 30, Watkins
Glen, NY 14891
Proudly Representing:

6905 Route 227, PO Box 550, Trumansburg,
NY 14886
In order to visit the E.C.
Cooper website, click here.
To visit the
FLFCC website, click here.

Great Holiday Gifts Begin
With Our Gift Cards

Now offering Tanning Packages!
For details, go to the New Image page by clicking on the ad above
or here.


Click here or on
the ad above to go to the SCOPED website

Looking to advertise?
We have some attractive ad rates for just about any need. For
a list of the rates, see Advertising.

| |
|
Hungry?
Check out the Village Take Out menu
That's right.
You can call up the Village Take Out Menu anytime, because we
carry it on this website. And keep up-to-date on the changes
owners Bob and Shelly Landon are instituting at the restaurant.
Menu.
|
Large Cheese Pizza, 4-9 p.m.
Wednesdays, $6.99

Vacation
Bible School
New friends - Amazing crafts
Wild games - Lip-smacking snacks
Mind-blowing Bible adventures
& incredible music
Location:
Odessa Baptist Church -- Maple Avenue, Odessa
Crocodile Dock will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on July 13-17
For more information, call:
Director Kristi Pierce at 607-592-4009



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|
The Italian-American Festival at Clute Park
The annual Italian-American Festival
will be held on:
Friday,
Saturday and Sunday, July 31 and August 1 & 2, 2009
Clute
Memorial Park, Rt. 414, Watkins Glen, NY
--------
See
website for details by clicking here.
--------
|



Hydrant Flushing set
The Village of Odessa Department of Public Works will be flushing
hydrants on July 6th. The purpose of the flushing is to clean and
remove sediment. You may notice low water pressure and cloudy or colored
water during this time. The water will be safe; however, you should
refrain from doing laundry until late evening. If you have any questions,
please contact the Village office at 607-594-2100.
Kristi A. Pierce, Clerk-Treasurer

Blood Banks in July
July 6 -- from 1:30
p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at BPOE Elks Lodge, 300 North Madison Ave, Watkins
Glen
July 14 -- from 9:30
a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Schuyler County Human Services Complex, 323 Owego
St., Montour Falls


The Hepcats perform at the Clute Park Pavilion
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Rain forces concert into Clute Park Pavilion
Tuesday
night's Watkins Glen Concert in the Park was forced from Lafayette
Park to the Clute Park Pavilion by a rainstorm that moved through
the area a half-hour before the scheduled start of the music.
Featured performers were the Hepcats Big Band, a group of musicians
from around the region. Once the move was made, the Pavilion
became a popular spot, attracting more than 150 music lovers,
including quite a few who took to the dance floor, stepping
lively to the band's tunes. This was the Tuesday concert series'
second performance of the summer season.
Left:
Dancers at the concert, and a couple of band members. The Hepcats
have been performing for 10 years. |

|
|
Man
drowns in Seneca Lake
Michael
S. Novak, 50, of Chambers Road, Beaver Dams, drowned Tuesday
in Seneca Lake after sinking underwater while trying to retrieve
a canoe that had drifted away from a breakwall near the Cargill
Salt plant. The Sheriff's Office said Novak was canoeing with
a friend's 11-year-old daughter and had stopped at the breakwall,
with the pair exiting the craft. When the canoe drifted away,
Novak entered the water to retrieve it, and disappeared. Emergency
personnel called to the scene found him underwater, and tried
unsuccessfully to revive him. |

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The latest column by State Sen. George Winner
State
Senator George Winner graces our pages with a column produced
from his Albany office -- a regular feature. This week the subject
is "More Reasons Why." Column.
Left:
State Senator George Winner |


Watkins Glen High School graduate Mark Fraboni receives his diploma
from School Board President Tom Richardson.
|
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Watkins Glen graduates 109 in Class of '09
The
Watkins Glen High School graduation ceremony Saturday afternoon
in the school auditorium saw diplomas bestowed on 109 students
in front of a capacity crowd. More than four dozen awards were
presented. For details, see Schools.
More photos are here. |

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|
O-M bids farewell to the Class of 2009
The
Odessa-Montour High School commencement exercises Friday night
saw 45 students graduated (including an exchange student honorarily)
before a large crowd in the Fetter-Brown Auditorium. Hopes for
the traditional outdoor ceremony were dashed by stormy weather.
Schools.
Left:
The graduates onstage in the Fetter-Brown Auditorium |
Additional
graduation photos can be found here.



Wags to Riches
213 N. Franklin Street, Watkins Glen
A
unique boutique featuring new and gently used designer and brand name
women’s, children’s and men’s clothing, jewelry,
accessories, furniture and home decorative items
Thursday 1-5 p.m., Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. or by
chance.
Watch for expanded hours coming soon. Proceeds benefit the Humane
Society of Schuyler County




The Odessa Fire Department's new Rescue Vehicle.
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New rescue vehicle put into service in Odessa
The
Odessa Fire Department put a new $50,000 rescue truck into service
Friday -- a heavy-duty diesel successor to a gas-powered 1995
Suburban. The new vehicle, purchased through state contract
and a loan, was delivered by Robert Green Chevrolet of Monticello
last month, and then painted and outfitted. The old Suburban
will be used as the chief's vehicle, replacing a Tahoe that
will be sold.
Left:
Fire Chief John Jelliff |


Paul Harris Fellows
The Watkins-Montour Rotary Club named three new Paul Harris Fellows
at its annual changeover dinner Tuesday night. The honorees, shown
above, are (from left) Jeff Confer, Jeff Schultz and Don Stocum. For
details, see People.

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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 30th collection on this website. Toons. |


Red, white and blue
This boat was spotted by the editor as it motored toward a berth
recently in the Seneca Harbor Marina. The Miss Liberty, it is called
-- a craft with a fitting theme as the 4th of July weekend nears.

|
|
Warren qualifies for U.S. Swim Nationals
Watkins
Glen High School grad Courtney Warren (left), a student at Bucknell
University, qualified recently in Sewell, New Jersey, for the
USA Swimming National Championships and World Championship Trials
in the 100 Meter Backstroke. Her time was 1:03.82. She will
compete July 8 in Indianapolis. The winner of each event at
the National will represent the U.S. in the World tourney in
Italy later this year. |

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Finger Lakes Museum chartered; site sought
A
museum to celebrate the Finger Lakes' cultural and natural history
is being planned, with a site in the region to be determined.
Features.
Left:
Seneca White Deer |

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|
Warriors to open season on July 11
The
Southern Tier Warriors semipro football team opens its inaugural
season July 11th with a number of familiar names on the roster.
Sports.
Left:
Warriors at practice |

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A column by Odessa Mayor Keith T. Pierce
Odessa
Mayor Keith T. Pierce graces our pages with his second monthly
column. This time the subject is "The SCOPED Factor."
Column.
Left:
Mayor Keith T. Pierce |

|
|
Planning Board eyes hotel expansion plan
The
Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel sets in motion a plan to expand the
hotel by April 2010. Government. |


Sign maker Tony Vickio with Humane Society president Georgie Taylor
in front of the new Wags to Riches sign. (Photo
provided)
New store, new sign
Master sign maker Tony Vickio of Vickio Signs recently put the finishing
touches on the window sign for the Wags To Riches Boutique at 213
N. Franklin Street, Watkins Glen. The shop features new and lightly
used women's, children's and men's clothing, furniture, jewelry, housewares,
books, CD's and art. All profits benefit the Humane Society of Schuyler
County. According to Georgie Taylor, president of the Humane Society,
the shop is staffed entirely by volunteers and is open 1-5 Thursdays,
10-5 Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and other days by chance. For
more information, contact the Humane Society at 546-7710 or visit
its website at www.schuylerhumane.org.

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Watkins Glen board okays 2-hour parking
The
Watkins Glen Village Board on June 15th voted to limit parking
in the 3rd Street lot to two hours. The lot -- which has operated
without a time restriction -- is behind the soon-to-open Seneca
Lake General Store being developed by Jim Guild, who had requested
the two-hour limit. Lot.
Left:
Jim Guild |
Watkins Glen School Board meeting summary:
Board.

|
|
More from and about the Historical Society
Brian J. O'Donnell provides another in a series of articles
about Schuyler County Historical Society activities, along with
some historical facts. History.
|

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|
Olafson repeats as Schuyler Spring MVP
Watkins
Glen High School sophomore Shelby Olafson is once again The
Odessa File's Schuyler Spring MVP. Olafson, a school-record-setting
High Jumper who finished sixth in the New York State Track and
Field Championships, also won the Spring MVP honor last year.
Sports.
Left:
Shelby Olafson |

|
|
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 24th
monthly installment. History. |

|
|
Sportsmanship Award goes to John Blaha
Odessa-Montour
senior John Blaha was presented Tuesday with the fifth annual
Susan B. Haeffner Schuyler County Sportsmanship Award, given
annually to one outstanding high school student-athlete in the
county. The award, presented by Odessa File Editor-Publisher
Charlie Haeffner, is named in honor of his late wife.
Left:
John Blaha with trophy. |


Bradford High School's Chelsea Houck, right, receives a plaque from
Bradford Superintendent Wendy Field.
|
|
20 students honored as Schuyler Scholars
Twenty
seniors from Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour and Bradford High
Schools were honored as Schuyler Scholars June 9th for being
in the top 10% of their class academically. Each was presented
with a plaque at a dinner at the Watkins Glen International
Media Center. Schools.
Left:
Speaker Tim O'Hearn, the County Administrator |


Top Drawer 24 honoree Cassie Fitch is presented a medallion by Brian
J. O'Donnell at Wednesday's gathering
|
|
Top Drawer 24 team is honored at State Park
Members
of The Odessa File's 4th annual Top Drawer 24 team
of outstanding student-athletes from the Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour
and Trumansburg school districts were honored May 27th at the
Watkins Glen State Park. Honored. |

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Odessa issues its summer newsletter
The
Village of Odessa brings its residents up to date on local happenings
by issuing its Summer 2009 Newsletter. See Newsletter.
|

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O-M unveils Honor Roll
The Honor Roll for the 5th marking period at the Odessa-Montour
Middle and High Schools has been released. For a look, click
here. |

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More photos of our region by Liz Fraboni
Liz
Fraboni of Watkins Glen returns to our site with another group
of scenic photos -- this time snapped near her home, on vacation,
in Spencer, and along the Catharine Valley Trail. For a look,
click here.
Left:
A busy bee |

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|
Exchange student Egli offers his 6th column
Odessa-Montour High School exchange student David Egli presents
his sixth in a series of columns, this time on similarities
in movies, music and fashion in the U.S. and Europe. Column.
Left:
David Egli |

Check out some WGHS videos
Maggie
Edgley's Video Production Class at Watkins Glen High School boasts
a creative group of artists. We've linked up with the class so that
you can have access to their video accomplishments. To visit the class
website, click here


|
|
Join the sponsorship team!!
You
can contribute to the operation of this website by clicking
on a Paypal link at the top left of most pages, or here:
Or
you can send a check or money order to:
The
Odessa File, P.O. Box 365, Odessa, NY 14869
A
list of our contributors can be found on the Sponsors
Page. |

|
|
A look at members of Schuyler Hall of Fame
A
continuing look at the membership roll of the Schuyler County
Hall of Fame, featuring plaques on display now at the Historical
Society Museum. Hall of Fame.
Left:
Schuyler Hall of Fame member Patricia Suits Ellison |


Schuyler County Health Check
Mill Creek Center
106 S. Perry St.
Watkins Glen NY 14891
Thursday nights, 6 to 8 p.m.
Free Health Care for the Uninsured
Appointments Preferred
Call 607-535-8145
http://www.sthealthministry.com/


Check out The Odessa File Business
Card Page here.

|
|
Some old photos from the Kelly collection
We
have some more photos from the collection amassed over the years
by the late Bill Kelly. For a look, click here. |

|
|
Odessa issues annual water quality report
The
Village of Odessa updates its residents on their water supply
with its annual Water Quality Report. Water |


A new Odessa Fire Department website
is being developed. For a look, click here

Check out the Village of Odessa's Odessa
File page. Here.

|
|
The What, When and Why of this website
Editor-publisher
Charlie Haeffner updates readers on what makes this website
tick. Site.
Left:
Charlie Haeffner (Photo
by Dave Haeffner) |

And also:
For
Corning Community College news, click here.
Area
schools' Honor Rolls are here.
Area
historical photos can be found on History.

|
|

Click
here or on the ad above
to reach the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce website
--------------------------------

Click on the photo above to go to the Vedder
& Scott Funeral Home page.
------------
Theresa
James has been appointed by CCC's Regional Board of Trustees as
the school's director of Workforce Development. CCC.
For more CCC news,
click here

Click on the logo above to go to
the CCC website, or click here.
CCC Phones: (607) 962-9CCC
(800) 358-7171 NY & PA
-------
Click here
or on the ad below to go to the Hidden Valley website

-------
New locale

Now located at 108 N. Franklin St., Watkins
Glen, with a Sushi Bar. For take-out orders, call 607-535-7024 or
7025.
-----------
We also have a Business
Card Page. Click here.
----------------
Menu
Click on the ad below to see the VTO
Menu

----------------

The Elizabeth Amisano Ovarian Cancer Education
Fund
Live Like Liz, Inc.
P.O. Box 434
Watkins Glen NY 14891
www.LiveLikeLiz.org
LiveLikeLiz@yahoo.com
---------

| We
have growing numbers, low ad rates
Check out our
advertising rates -- a bargain in today's promotional world
as we reach a growing audience. We get more than 3,000 visits
a day, more than 20,000 a week, and the numbers keep rising.
Catch the wave; become an Odessa File advertiser.
Rates. |
----------------
We also
have a Business Card Page. Click here.
------------------

| Sponsors'
Page
Check out our list of readers
who have contributed to keeping this site going. Sponsors.
The number of visits to this
site has been steadily growing -- more than 3,000 daily, and more than 20,000 a week
-- as readers in 48 states and dozens of countries check out
what's happening in Schuyler County.
Statistics
are from an online tracking service, DeepMetrix Live Stats. |
-------
We also have a Business Card
Page. Click here.
--------

|
An eternal message
of lights, hope and faith
The week following
Susan Haeffner's passing was fraught with signs -- most of
them light-based, and one in the form of a vision. Here the
editor relives those days in an effort to pass along a message
of hope and faith. Message.
Above:
The Aurora Borealis (From the Internet--as
seen in Scandinavia) |
-----------

|
Oh, the famous
faces I've seen
The editor has been
thinking about fame (a commodity foreign to him personally), and
about the famous people he has encountered. Some thoughts on the
subject. Famous. |
|
The Sound
and the Silence: A Memoir
Some things in life can mean a great
deal -- can embody hope and dreams ... and memories. The sailboat
is one such thing for the author. Silence. |
---------

-----------

A
book titled "A Walk Through Watkins Glen: Water's Sculpture in
Stone" by Tony Ingraham is on sale at stores and shops in Watkins
Glen and Ithaca.
------------
|
Some sports
stories and essays inside
Check out our sports related stories
and essays, located at the bottom of the Sports
Page. |
|
Some special
feature packages
From stories of life years ago along
Steam Mill Road, to stories by the editor -- you can find them
at the bottom of Features.
|
---------


The editor's long search
for some childhood icons
When
he was a child, the editor let fear get the better of him while he
was watching a pair of beloved TV heroes in peril. The scar from that
experience lingered for decades. For a journey through what the editor's
son calls "a weird obsession," click here.
Above:
One of the heroes in question.
--------

Now on sale through online booksellers and from the
author: The Trail Folk of Xunar-kun: Book
Two in the Tellings of Xunar-kun Series by Tina Field Howe. See details
at www.AlysaBooks.com
|