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BPW recognition: 10 members, 388 years

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, May 9 -- On February 26, 1940, close to 100 women from local businesses and professions sat down for dinner at the Glen Springs, a facility long since gone in the Village of Watkins Glen.

A charter had been drawn and presented for the inaugural meeting of the Watkins Glen Business and Professional Women’s Club. By September 1940, the organization had grown to 137 members.

From the beginning, the members sought to raise funds for scholarships, and that effort grew to three $500 annual scholarships. This year a new scholarship for women wanting to further their education was added and will be awarded during National Business Women’s Week in October 2008.

Ten local members of WGBPW will be recognized with over 388 years of membership with BPW/USA at the May 19 meeting. They are: Gloria Hutchings (20 years), Martha Evans (31), JoAnne Krolak (32), Mary Ellen Morgan (33), Marjorie Stermer (37), Janice Brew (40), Margery Thyer (40), Helen Swank (41), Mildred Denson (52) and Rosanna Smith (62).

Schuyler Hospital accepting applications for its annual summer M.A.S.H. Camp

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, May 6 -- It’s a twist on summer camp for kids. This one is for kids interested in health care.

M.A.S.H. Camp, or Medical Academy of Science and Health, is for junior high students who spend two days in the real world of hospital health care. This summer, Schuyler Hospital in Montour Falls will host M.A.S.H. Camp on July 15-16.

The hospital is co-sponsoring the camp with the Central New York Area Health Education Center (CNYAHEC) and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

“This is our 7th year offering M.A.S.H. Camp at Schuyler Hospital." said Michelle LaDue Benjamin, Director of Community Relations for Schuyler Hospital. "We see this as a unique opportunity for our local young people to spend time working with dedicated health professionals who are excited to share their knowledge and experience with the kids.”

M.A.S.H. Camp is open to students entering 8th or 9th grade this September. Enrollment in the camp is limited to 12 students. Application packets are available by calling 607-535-8879 or at www.schuylerhospital.org

Students must write an essay stating why they want to attend M.A.S.H. Camp. The essay must be included with the application form and submitted by June 13. A registration fee of $15 will be required following acceptance.

Students attending camp must have up-to-date immunizations and a tuberculin skin test (PPD), including documentation from a physician.

Richard Merchant, Interim Executive Director for CNYAHEC, noted that M.A.S.H. Camp helps young people to consider career opportunities they might not otherwise be aware of. “This year we will be co-sponsoring 15 M.A.S.H. camps across our 14-county Central New York region," he said. "Without the support of our local hospitals and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, we would not be able to reach this important target group with such an innovative, hands-on program.”

Wilson leaves Foundation, rejoins bank

WATKINS GLEN, April 30 -- Kenneth Wilson, who has been serving as the Schuyler Health Foundation Executive Director in the wake of his retirement from banking nearly two years ago, is leaving the Foundation and returning to the HSBC Bank USA, N.A. branch in Watkins Glen on May 5 as a corporate sales officer.

“We are pleased to have Ken rejoin HSBC Bank,” said Anthony Fraboni, vice president and Watkins Glen branch manager of HSBC Bank. “Not only is Ken a highly skilled banker, but he is recognized as a pillar in our community, and I am confident that his leadership and expertise will serve the bank well.”

Wilson has more than 32 years of banking experience with HSBC/Marine Midland, and held several senior positions while previously with the Watkins Glen office -- including branch manager/vice president.

Wilson retired from HSBC in June 2006 and has spent nearly two years with the Health Foundation, where he helped coordinate and develop fund-raising efforts to benefit Schuyler
Hospital in Montour Falls.

“I am delighted to be returning to my banking roots, and I look forward to renewing old friendships and creating new ones,” Wilson said.

Wilson is a lifelong resident of Watkins Glen, graduating in 1964 from Watkins Glen High School. He received his bachelor of arts in Business Administration/Economics from Elmira College in 1973, and has been actively involved in leadership roles for numerous organizations throughout Schuyler County and the Southern Tier.

HSBC Bank USA, N.A. and its sister bank, HSBC National Bank USA, have more than 460 bank branches throughout the United States, with about 380 in New York state.

Seneca View enhances dining program

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, April 29 -- Schuyler Hospital’s Seneca View Skilled Nursing Facility, located in Montour Falls, is now offering an Enhanced Dining Program for some residents.

The unique, home-like dining experience was implemented earlier this year, thanks to an anonymous donation.

Served by Seneca View Management Staff, residents enjoy soft music, linens, fine china and an upscale menu, complete with cocktails. In addition, new features, such as bread makers, are being added to the facility’s other dining rooms.

Photo in text: Seneca View Skilled Nursing Facility resident Evelyn Herman enjoys wine with lunch as part of the facility's new Enhanced Dining Program. (Photo provided)

Chamber hosting third roundtable

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, April 28 -- In response to positive feedback received after its first two roundtable sessions, the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce will host a third Eggs at Eight business roundtable discussion at 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, at Classic Chef’s on Route 14, Montour Falls.

The discussion, hosted by the Chamber's Business Education Committee, will focus on the topic “Developing a SWOT Analysis” and will be facilitated by Helene Chaika Fausold of Chaika Unlimited.

A realistic business decision scenario will be used as the basis for an analysis of probable Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats in the decision making process. SWOT analysis is applicable and beneficial for a variety of organizations, including not-for-profits and boards of directors.

The cost is $10 per person, which includes a full-breakfast of one’s choice. Seating is limited and reservations are required by Monday, May 12.

For more information or to reserve your space, contact the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce at 607-535-4300 or email reception@schuylerny.com

Hospital welcomes medical student

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, April 25 -- In an area fighting the “brain drain,” Schuyler Hospital is working to bring more doctors to rural areas through a partnership with the Rural Medical Education (RMED) Program of Upstate Medical University at Syracuse University.

Fourth-year medical student Dr. Rebecca Dreher (pictured at right) is spending the next nine months working in family practice with Dr. Stephen Spaulding in Montour Falls, as well as working in surgery, anesthesiology, orthopedics and other areas of Schuyler Hospital.

“Because I’m the only student here, everyone is very eager to teach,” said Dr. Dreher, whose education includes a semester of nursing at Onondaga Community College, and a degree in environmental and forest biology from SUNY Environmental Science & Forestry.

“That’s one of the advantages of the RMED program,” said Dr. Spaulding. “The students get the benefit of more hands-on experience -- including surgery -- at a small, rural hospital.”

A Baldwinsville native, Dr. Dreher is enjoying the beauty of Schuyler County, and is learning the challenges of being an independent student, setting up her own schedule to fulfill the requirements of the RMED program.

“Rebecca is very interested in learning,” Dr. Spaulding said. “She is very conscientious, very sharp, and people like her.”

Because students are in an area for nine months, “they treat patients longitudinally over time, an experience they wouldn’t get at the Medical Center,” said Dr. Spaulding. “They get to know the patients, and get a sense of what it’s really like to be a doctor and have their own practice.”

According to Dr. Spaulding, at least 30 percent of students who participate in the RMED program go on to become doctors in rural areas.

Spaulding is one of four family physicians who serve as preceptors at Schuyler Hospital, helping to teach tomorrow’s doctors through the RMED program. Many other physicians also assist in precepting the students.

“It is my responsibility as a doctor to pass on what I’ve learned,” said Dr. Spaulding. “Other doctors helped to train me, so I want to help train others.”

Photo in text: Dr. Rebecca Dreher (Photo provided)

Effective Time Management seminar set

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, April 24 -- Helene Chaika Fausold of Chaika Unlimited will be offering a seminar titled "Effective Time Management" on Tuesday, April 29th, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the SCOPED Conference Room, 2 North Franklin Street, 3rd floor, in Watkins Glen.

This seminar will offer insight into how we can overcome the challenge of multiple demands by focusing on goal management as well as traditional time-management strategies. Participants will learn how to prioritize tasks, juggle multiple activities, and regain a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

The cost is $40. Reservations are requested and can be made by contacting Helene at 607-351-8024 or at hcfausold@stny.rr.com

Developing customer loyalty ...

This is the fifth in a series of columns. Helene Chaika Fausold works with individuals, businesses, and organizations to improve effectiveness and achieve sustainable results. She may be contacted at hcfausold@stny.rr.com, 607-351-8024, or via her website at www.chaikaunlimited.com. Questions, comments, and inquires are welcome!

By Helene Chaika Fausold

Customer Loyalty as a Goal to Improve Business

As we anticipate the upcoming busy season and look forward to our local economy taking an upswing, consider these questions:

• Will your customers return to visit Schuyler County?
• Will they brag about your business and their experience to others?
• Are they willing to pay more for your services or products?
• Are they forgiving about your mistakes?
• Do you and your employees truly understand your customers’ expectations?

Addressing these issues will ensure that customers will return. They will talk about their good experience to a few others who will, in turn, patronize your business. On the other hand, they will tell multiple people if they have a less than positive experience. Unfortunately, you may not hear that feedback. Most unsatisfied customers never tell you why they don’t return; they simply don’t come back.

Several factors are essential to developing customer loyalty; here I will touch upon three points.

First, we know that customers often make decisions based on emotion rather than need. Outstanding customer service providers are always aware of their customer’s emotions, and they know how to respond appropriately.

Second, a good customer service provider will learn to discover the wants and needs of the customers, and get them to realize your company can meet those needs. Negative emotions such as skepticism and unhappiness can be replaced with confidence and satisfaction. There are many opportunities each day for building positive relationships which will, in turn, build customer loyalty.

Finally, a barrage of emotional reactions can be a reality in service interactions. It is important that customer service providers understand and have the necessary tools to effectively reduce and manage stress.

Developing a strategy for customer loyalty is critical to improving your bottom line. It is much more costly to seek out new customers than to keep current ones. By developing the traits of an excellent customer service provider, your business will develop a powerful connection to your customers and the results will be positive and sustainable.

Offering coaching, seminars, and consultation to individuals, organizations, and businesses that are seeking to utilize potential to achieve sustainable results.

To visit our website, click on the logo above or here. For more information, e-mail hcfausold@stny.rr.com or phone (607) 351-8024.

Chaika Unlimited is a member of the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce and offers a member-to-member discount.

Wine & Grape group bestows honors

Lakewood Vineyards' Liz Stamp wins Unity Award; Wagner Vineyards, Red Newt Bistro's Deb Whiting among other honorees

Special to The Odessa File

GENEVA, March 31 – The New York Wine & Grape Foundation said a big “Thank You” to several individuals and businesses at its annual “Unity Banquet” on Wednesday, March 26 at Belhurst.

The Unity Banquet was the highlight of a three-day conference, the 37th Annual Wine Industry Workshop, for members of the New York grape and wine industry. The Foundation is a statewide, not-for-profit trade association representing grape growers, grape juice manufacturers, wineries and others in the Lake Erie, Niagara Escarpment, Finger Lakes, Hudson River, Long Island and other regions.

The Unity Banquet was created 20 years ago as a way to recognize, encourage, and celebrate cooperation among grape growers, wineries, grape juice producers and others to advance the entire industry. “Diversity is our strength, and unity is our power,” said Foundation President Jim Trezise. In addition to the “Unity Award,” several others have been added in different categories over the years.

The 2007 “Unity Award” was presented to Elizabeth “Liz” Stamp (pictured at right) of Lakewood Vineyards, who the Foundation said in a press release "has worked tirelessly to promote cooperation and collaboration among industry members through her participation and leadership in various groups. She has served as President and Treasurer of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, created the concept of the 'Deck the Halls' holiday weekend that has now been copied by other wine trails throughout the state and country, shares her knowledge and experience with others as a speaker, and judges in various wine competitions."

The “Industry Award” -- presented to an individual who has made a major contribution in advancing the interests of the New York grape and wine industry -- was dedicated to State Senator Catharine Young, Chair of the Agriculture Committee.

The “Grower Award”, which recognizes vineyardists who have made exceptional contributions to the New York grape and wine industry, was presented to the Simmons Family of Penn Yan.

The “Winery Award” -- recognizing wineries which have advanced the widespread recognition and quality reputation of New York wines -- was presented to Wagner Vineyards on the east side of Seneca Lake. Bill Wagner, who celebrated his 80th birthday last year, "has always been an intrepid pioneer as a grape grower, winery owner, restaurant creator, and micro-brewery founder," the Foundation press release said, adding: "While Bill remains involved in the business, his son John and daughter Laura have taken on more of the responsibility, always keeping Wagner at the forefront of constructive change."

The “Research Award” for major contributions in research and education to benefit the New York grape and wine industry was presented to Dr. Terry Bates of Cornell University’s Lake Erie facility. Terry is the viticulture research specialist in the largest grape growing region in New York State, and east of the Rockies.

The “Restaurant Award” -- for excellence in promoting New York wines as part of a fine dining experience -- was presented to Deb Whiting, chef/owner of Red Newt Bistro on the east side of Seneca Lake. With her winemaker husband Dave, "Deb has created a true destination for people who love local, fresh, creative, healthy foods," the Foundation wrote, adding: "She is also a tireless promoter of local products, having served as President of the Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty and always participating in Senator Hillary Clinton’s 'New York Farm Day' to promote New York as an agricultural state."

The “Retailer Award” recognizes wine stores which do an exceptional job in educating consumers about the quality and variety of New York wines. The 2007 award was presented to Marketview Liquor in Rochester, where owner Mike Palmieri and his staff feature a broad selection of New York wines.

A “Distributor Award” recognizing extraordinary support of New York wines was presented to the Opici Wine Group, which represents a broad array of New York wineries and has broad distribution within and outside of New York State. Last fall, Opici acquired Finger Lakes Premium Wine, adding several popular brands to its portfolio.

The “Consumer Award” recognizes individuals who enthusiastically support New York wines and enjoy wine in moderation as part of a healthy and happy lifestyle. The 2008 award was presented to Peter Parts of Rochester, "who with a team of colleagues has built the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition into a highly respected event and showcase for the New York wine industry," the Association concluded.

Photo in text: Elizabeth Stamp (File photo)

Masters drawing winners announced

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, March 12 -- David Bartone of Burdett was the Grand Prize winner in The Arc of Schuyler's Masters Tournament raffle and giveaway.

Bartone won a day trip for two to the 2008 Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia next month. Bartone and a guest will travel on a round-trip private jet from Rochester with 38 other Masters fans on Thursday April 10. Guests will receive first-class service, breakfast and refreshments on board the aircraft, shuttle to the golf course, enjoy a one-day Masters Golf Tournament badge, and return to Rochester at 7:30 p.m. The trip is made possible through a donation from Relph Benefit Advisers in Pittsfield.

Second-place winner of a cash prize of $500 was William White of Ithaca. Third-place winner of a cash prize of $250 was Tom Wickham of Hector. Randy Harmon of Bolivar was the winner of two season badges to the LPGA Corning Classic.

The raffle was a first-time event that The Arc hopes to continue next year. Funds raised support The Arc's programs and services in Schuyler County.

The Arc, which provides supports and services to 300 individuals with disabilities and their families, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Visit The Arc's website at www.arcofschuyler.org

Benjamin joins Schuyler Hospital staff

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Feb. 28 -- Schuyler Hospital has announced the addition of Michelle LaDue Benjamin to its staff as Community Relations Director.

Benjamin brings a wealth of public relations and marketing experience to the post, which she began on February 25th.

"We are excited to have Michelle on staff," said Rick Stelzer, President and CEO for Schuyler Hospital. "Her community connections and marketing background will be tremendous assets as we progress in our mission to serve this area. Hers is a very familiar face and voice to area residents and business people."

With a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/Communications, Benjamin's professional background includes Community Relations Manager positions with Watkins Glen International and The Arc of Schuyler, Recycling Coordinator for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County, and most recently, Tourism Director for the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce.

A resident of Montour Falls, Benjamin is on the Board of Directors for the Watkins-Montour Rotary Club and The Lake Country Players, and is the President of the Friends of the Catharine Valley Trail.

Photo in text: Michelle Benjamin (Photo provided)

Alumni group attains charitable status

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 16 -- The Watkins Glen High School Alumni Association has received charitable status under Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Having public charity distinction makes the Alumni Association eligible to receive tax deductible bequests or gifts.

Forms for making donations can be found on the Association’s website, located on the Internet at www.watkinsglenalumni.org

According to a spokesperson, the Association will be offering scholarships again this year, and is seeking donations in support of that effort.

Plans are also under way for the annual Alumni Banquet, set for June 28. The 25-year class will be publishing advance ticket sale information. The Association’s website will also be a source for that data.

Hart, Krog, U.S. Salt honored as SCOPED holds its annual gathering

MONTOUR FALLS, Feb. 7 -- Networking, a buffet dinner, the presence of the area's business elite, and the presentation of awards were all featured Thursday night as the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development held its Annual Program in the Montour Falls Fire Department community room.

Honored by SCOPED were the developers of the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel -- David Hart and Peter Krog, who were both on hand for the dinner. Their business -- Hart Hotels Inc. of Buffalo -- was named by SCOPED as Developer of the Year, while U.S. Salt was presented the Green Business of the Year Award for its move from natural gas to wood chips.

More than 125 business and political leaders were present for the program -- the second annual one.

Displays in a corner of the room featured computerized photos of how the hotel will look upon completion -- which is scheduled in a few months.

Hart said plans now call for the hotel to open in May -- but in a gradual fashion leading to a grand opening in August. "We'll start slowly," he said, "and try to get our legs under us before the grand opening. But I imagine the hotel will be pretty busy during the summer." Planners a year ago had hoped for an April opening, also gradual.

Drawings of the U.S. Salt property on Salt Point Road in Watkins Glen, including plans for installation of a wood chip storage facility and a conveyor belt from there to the Power House, signaled the importance of the project to SCOPED -- whose executive director, Kelsey Jones, noted the cheaper nature of wood chips as a fuel.

Jones kept the selection of the honorees secret from attendees until the formal announcement -- although he said that Hart and Krog had been notified in advance.

Photos in text:

Top: Hotel developer David Hart talks to Watkins Glen Mayor Judy Phillips.

Bottom: Hotel developer Peter Krog.

Left: Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce Tourism Director Michelle Benjamin, who will be joining Schuyler Hospital as its Community Relations Director at the end of the month. Right: Watkins Glen businessman Doug Thayer.

Left: Montour Falls Mayor Donna Kelley. Right: SCOPED Executive Director Kelsey Jones.

Left: Charles Peacock, SCOPED Empire Zone Coordinator. Center: Elizabeth Stamp, president of the SCOPED Board of Directors. Right: State Senator George Winner.

Left: Schuyler Health Foundation Executive Director Ken Wilson. Right: Schuyler County Legislator Stewart Field.

Left: Schuyler County Administrator Tim O'Hearn. Right: Insurance veterans David Sidle, left, and Doug Hagin.

Left: Watkins Glen International President Craig Rust. Right: Schuyler County Legislature Chairman Tom Gifford, left, and Legislator Dennis Fagan.

Glenora's Dry Riesling wins Gold at Alsace

Special to The Odessa File

DUNDEE, Feb. 7 -- Glenora Wine Cellars has received a Gold for its 2006 Dry Riesling at the Riesling du Monde (“Rieslings of the World”) competition in Alsace, France. There were 300 wineries from 13 countries that entered the competition.

“This continues Glenora’s remarkable success with the wonderful Riesling grape variety,” said Steve DiFrancesco, Glenora Wine Cellars Winemaker. “Riesling is the highest volume product produced by Glenora.”

Glenora Rieslings earned a total of 24 awards in competitions last year.

Glenora Wine Cellars has been in the wine industry for 30 years. It was the first winery on Seneca Lake, in the heart of New York’s Finger Lakes Wine Country. Today the property features a 30-room inn (Inn at Glenora) and a gourmet restaurant (Veraisons) along with the winery on a 40-acre estate.

Family of Friends goal: $140,000 for scope equipment

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Jan. 31 -- With over 140,000 new cases of colorectal cancer in the United States each year, it is extremely important for every healthcare organization to have the right tools for early and accurate diagnosis. To that end, Schuyler Health Foundation has chosen to raise $140,000 for the purchase of state-of-the-art gastroscopic and colonoscopic equipment for Schuyler Hospital’s Surgical Department through their 2008 Family of Friends Annual Fund Campaign.

According to a hospital spokesperson, the scopes will provide the 460-plus patients of Schuyler Hospital who come in for these tests every year and their physicians with superior imaging and picture clarity, reduced procedure times, and increased comfort. The new equipment, the spokesperson added, will also help Schuyler Hospital continue to save the lives of its many patients through early diagnoses and treatment of illnesses and disease.

Leading the appeal again this year will be Campaign Chair Max Neal. “The generous culture of
this region and its commitment to Schuyler Hospital,” said Neal, “is evidenced by the
exceptional financial and volunteer support it generates year after year to the Annual Family of
Friends Campaign. And it is through these generous contributions and support that Schuyler
Hospital is able to continue delivering the high level of professional care that makes it unique in
today’s extremely competitive health care environment.”

Also lending support to the 2008 campaign will be Honorary Chairs David and Carol Bower (pictured above). David, a member of the local agricultural community, joins his wife Carol of Carol Bower Catering in chairing this campaign, because they both believe in the importance of
having Schuyler Hospital in their community.

“We are pleased to be a part of the project to bring this state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to our community,” the Bowers said in a statement. “We encourage everyone to contribute to this worthy cause.”

Jerry Gapp, Chair of the Schuyler Health Foundation Board, is also thrilled that the Bower family will be representing Schuyler Hospital during the 2008 campaign. “Dave and Carol have always generously supported Schuyler Hospital both financially and through their many hours of
volunteer service," Gapp said. "We are pleased and honored to have them chairing this year’s appeal.”

Previous Family of Friends campaigns have raised a total of more than $1.1 million in the last
decade. Those interested in making a contribution to this year’s campaign should contact Ken
Wilson at the Schuyler Health Foundation Office at (607) 535-8879 ext. 228.

Photo in text: David and Carol Bower, Honorary Chairs of the campaign. (Photo provided)

Arcangeli farm wins recognition

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 19 -- The Arcangeli Farm/Country Critters has been named winner of the 2008 I Love My New York Farmer Award in the Other Livestock Division.

The nomination was made by the The Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce, which also successfully nominated Hoffman Farm / Sunset View Creamery for the same award in the Dairy Division in 2007.

In the nomination, John and Marjorie Arcangeli were described as true givers to the community; hosting free tours to hundreds of youth groups, like the Girl and Boy Scouts and after-school programs. John Arcangeli was a volunteer firefighter with the Burdett Volunteer Fire Department until he was injured on duty, leaving him disabled.

Winners for the I Love My NY Farmer award, selected by NY Farms, must live and sell within New York State; produce a quality product; be a good steward of the land; be a good neighbor; serve the community, and “go the extra mile.”

Chuck Franzese, left, shakes hands with Vic Franzese and congratulates honoree Joe Franzese.

Franzeses, Haeffner honored at banquet

To see a written copy of Haeffner's speech, click here.

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 12 -- Three area residents were honored Friday night at the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce's 119th Annual Banquet. It was held at the Watkins Glen Community Center, with more than 400 people present.

Charlie Haeffner received the 2008 Community Spirit Award, and Joe and the late Helen Franzese received the 2008 Lifetime Achievement in Business Award.

Haeffner, the man behind The Odessa File on-line newspaper, was introduced by Annette Martin, president of the Watkins Glen Business & Professional Women's Organization, who outlined Haeffner's life as she found it through "googling" on the Internet. The BPW had nominated Haeffner for the award -- one of two nominations in his name.

According to one of those nominations, Haeffner “has created a unique platform to disburse news and acknowledge achievements about the Schuyler County community and residents. He has become the leading recognized news source for Schuyler County.”

The Odessa File, wrote another nominator, “keeps us connected to the community at large and, more importantly, keeps individuals connected to each other. He has made a huge impact on our community in how we receive our news.” His one-man site is supported solely by donations and advertising. (To see a written copy of Haeffner's speech, click here.)

Founder of the Glen Motor Inn and Montage Restaurant, Joseph J. Franzese (age 93) was introduced at the banquet by his nephew Dominick. Present for the ceremony were four generations of the family.

Franzese and his wife, Helen, established their facility as the first motel unit in Schuyler County in 1948. The business began as the Glen Motor Court, with a Texaco gas station that was also a coffee and souvenir shop.

In 1967, the business became the Glen Motor Inn, with 40 motel rooms, a full-service restaurant, cocktail lounge and pool. As their nomination read, “Joseph and Helen became internationally famous hosts to celebrities from entertainment, politics, auto racing and society.” The Franzeses branched out, building in the 1980s what is now the Villager Motel, owned and operated by family members.

In 1957, the Franzeses donated 76 acres of farmland to build the Watkins Glen Golf Course. In addition to hosting the Glen Motor Inn Invitational for over two decades, the Glen Motor Inn also sponsored a men’s softball team which won the 1959 New York State Men’s Softball Championship.

In their local community, Joseph served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce, and was also involved with the Knights of Columbus and the Watkins Glen Elks Club. Both Joseph and Helen were involved with St. Mary’s of the Lake Church, and Helen also sponsored many young girls in their first “Little Miss” Beauty Pageants.

Now operated by son and daughter-in-law Vic and Linda Franzese and granddaughter Nancy Sutterby, the Glen Motor Inn celebrated 70 years of business in 2007.

Emcee at the banquet was new Chamber of Commerce president Philly DeSarno. Dance music was provided by Lou Cicconi and Friends. The National Anthem was performed by Odessa-Montour High School students Ceinwen Stermer and Jessica Goossen.

The banquet was catered by Bower Catering, with bar service by the Hill Top Inn. Schuyler County District Attorney Joseph Fazzary -- noting he had "hoped to be doing this wearing a robe," a reference to his recent unsuccessful run for a seat on the State Supreme Court -- presented the Invocation.

The banquet -- the Chamber's major fund-raiser -- also featured silent and live auctions. Guest Chefs included William Cornelius, John Pulos and Bill Tague.

Banquet sponsors included Visions Federal Credit Union (Invitation and Program Sponsor), Schuyler Hospital (Decorating Sponsor), Glenora Wine Cellars (Bar Sponsor), Casella Waste Systems (Band Sponsor), Chemung Canal Trust Company (Awards Sponsor), and Financial Institutes of Schuyler County (Silent Auction Sponsor).

Photos in text:

Top: Dominick Franzese, left, helps his uncle, honoree Joe Franzese, to the podium to accept his award.

From second photo to bottom: Silent auction table; State Senator George Winner greets Watkins Glen Mayor Judy Phillips; Schuyler County Legislator Stewart Field (left) and Bill Haeffner, son of honoree Charlie Haeffner; county business notables Ken Wilson (left) and John Senka; and banquet Guest Chef William Cornelius.

Left: Musician Tom Bloodgood helped entertain Friday's gathering. Right: Atty. John Hayes.

Left: Schuyler County Public Defender Holly Mosher. Right: Chamber of Commerce president Philly DeSarno, left, with Odessa-Montour student Jessica Goossen.

Left: Assemblyman Tom O'Mara. Right: Lou Cicconi, whose group provided dance music.

Mark Stephany provides some pre-dinner music.

Left: Schuyler County Administrator Tim O'Hearn. Right: Mike Stamp of the E.C. Cooper insurance firm.

Left: Banquet worker Sara Scott. Right: Esther Heichel and Mike Learn.

Arc of Schuyler celebrating 30 years

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 27 -- The Arc of Schuyler, a Chapter of NYSARC, Inc., will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2008, and plans are well under way to honor the organization, its early founders and the people supported by the organization.

The Arc provides a wide variety of programs and supports for people with developmental and other disabilities in Schuyler County.

According to James Wilson, executive director of The Arc, the organization was founded by a small group of parents in 1978. These parents were challenged by a lack of services for their sons and daughters once they graduated from high school.

"Many of these young people were traveling to Chemung or Tompkins County to receive supports, but due to budget constraints, transportation funding was basically eliminated and people had no way of getting to the programs that did exist," said Wilson. That was the impetus for the creation of a chapter of The Arc in Schuyler County.

In Wilson's words, "These parents were fighters. They were people who knew that they and their children had a right to services and supports. These parents and siblings reached out to others who had confronted similar barriers and in the process became a chapter of NYSARC, Inc., which is the largest non-profit organization in the country that is governed by parents and family members of people with developmental disabilities."

Since its founding in 1978, The Arc has been a major force in Schuyler County. With a professional workforce of 155 people, The Arc is one of the largest private sector employees in the county.

It provides residential options and supports to individuals in eight homes around the county that vary in size. These homes operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, The Arc offers a wide variety of vocational and employment services to people with disabilities through Glen Industries. The Arc also provides day habilitation, and educational and clinical supports to individuals who may not be ready for a vocational setting.

All of this is supported by a large transportation network that gets people to and from various settings and activities. Families receive supports from The Arc through respite and recreation programs provided by the agency. Services through the schools, social services and other agencies are coordinated by professional support personnel at The Arc.

The Arc will celebrate its 30th Anniversary in 2008 with many events and success stories about the people who make up The Arc. These events and stories will be announced and told in the coming months. According to Wilson, "we have a rich history and a wealth of information to be shared. The Arc represents the best in our community -- success, individual triumph, persistence and a legacy of families and friends supporting individuals who need support. We plan on celebrating all of that in 2008."

In addition, Wilson himself will be celebrating 30 years as executive director of The Arc of Schuyler in 2008.

Part of a wall is pulled down by a backhoe operated by WGI president Craig Rust during a media gathering at the racetrack Wednesday afternoon.

Press Tower coming down; Media Center project starts

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 19 – WGI President Craig Rust took the controls of a backhoe Wednesday and pulled down a ceremonial corner of the track's old Press Tower -- an outmoded, ill-fitted building being replaced by a modern Media Center 30 yards away.

The symbolic wreckage -- to be followed this week and next with demolition of the building by WGI crews -- brings to an end the storied history of a building that no longer served the needs of an expanding press corps. It was a structure without air conditioning, without enough electrical outlets to serve the growing corps of media computers, and without much charm.

It was, Rust conceded, kind of "ugly" in an era of bright and colorful architecture -- and had to go in order to move forward in an ever-changing communications world. Its replacement will be a $4 million, state-of-the-art Media Center expected to be completed in June of 2008. The Center will be a two-story structure that will presumably disdain the boxy nature of the old building.

Parenthetically, the old Press Tower, located as it has been alongside pit road, prevented the addition of a couple of pits -- a move desirable for the track's key NASCAR and IndyCar races. Now those additions can be made.

After Rust was done with his backhoe work, several members of the media and WGI staff took a whack at the building -- with a sledge hammer. That too was symbolic -- an opportunity to vent their longstanding frustration with the old structure.

The Press Tower has been one of the most recognizable landmarks at WGI since its construction in 1971 -- a date that makes it the second oldest structure at The Glen behind the Main Operations Building. Among its features were two sets of metal stairs affixed to the building's rear -- which provided access to a second floor and to a rooftop that provided properly credentialed spectators with a great view of the track's final turn and Front Stretch straightaway. The only catch: the climb was not for the weak or easily winded.

The old 4,000-square-foot building was once part of a modernization project requested by Formula 1 that included widening the road surface of the entire track, relocating the start-finish line and building new pits and garage. The Press Tower also housed timing and scoring for The Glen until 2006, when Race Control was added to the top of the Front Stretch Grandstand.

Over the course of its 36-year history, the Press Tower hosted national and international media, along with officials from virtually every major racing series -- including NASCAR, IndyCar, Grand-Am, Formula 1, CART, Trans-Am, Can-Am, IMSA and SCCA.

The new Media Center -- -- on which construction began with footer work this week -- will be located 30 yards east of the Press Tower. It is being built in an area previously fenced off for use by high-end team recreational vehicles.

Artist renderings of the new building are being finalized and are expected to be released in mid-January.

Testimonials from national media and staff about the old Press Tower:

§ “While preserving the heritage of motorsports is important – keeping this historic building is not one of those cases… On a more serious note, as we have stated in the past, we are very happy to be able to construct a new facility and believe it will be well received and appreciated by the media that have been coming here over the years.” -- Craig Rust, President of Watkins Glen International.

§ “I remember the Press Tower when I covered my first race at The Glen -- the 1974 Formula 5000 weekend -- and was very impressed by the circuit’s media facilities. By the time the track reopened in 1984, the building had seen better days. We made a number of improvements over the years to keep up with the requirements of the media. I’ve got many great memories of the Press Tower, but it’s great that WGI will be replacing it with a bigger and better structure.” -- J.J. O’Malley, former WGI public relations (1984-1998) and current Senior Editor of RacingOne Multimedia (formerly ISC Publications).

§ “It always reminded me of some naval vessel. Going up those stairs, I found myself imagining the sound of an air-raid siren. Sitting upstairs, sweating, I often felt the urge to say, ‘Aye, aye, captain.’” -- Monte Dutton, Gaston Gazette.

§ “It’s the end of one of the great French fry racks ever built. Somewhere, an Eagle Scout will lament the demise of his project.” -- David Poole, Charlotte Observer.

§ “I will give Watkins Glen International credit. Nowhere else on the NASCAR circuit could be found the 'Presidential' restroom facilities. And if you didn't know, the words were right there on the door to remind you. Also, the Glen's staff is one of the most resourceful. Even up until August 2007, leftover fans from Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse -- brought in five years ago by a public relations representative when the air conditioning failed -- could still be found in use!” -- Jim Utter, Charlotte Observer & www.thatsracin.com

§ “When I first heard the building would be demolished, it was just a feeling of pure, unbridled joy. My sweat glands thank WGI.” -- Steve Vesey, Sport Director, WETM-TV (Elmira, NY - NBC Affiliate).

§ “The tower was always cramped, hot, or cold as the case may be, but it was always home on race weekends. On big race weekends it was fun to observe the media horde hovering as lunch time approached. It was like watching drivers jockeying for position on a restart. As the old tower goes down, I remember it fondly for providing shelter from the elements and a place to meet and spend time with friends.” – Terry Day, WETM-TV (1984-1999).

§ "Drivers, press and support staff won't suffer hypothermia during October press conferences or lose 20 pounds in August by merely standing still anymore, but there will be an element of sadness when the old Press Tower comes crashing down. Aside from serving as a landmark at the race track, some of the best drivers in the last 30 years gathered there and, personally, I met and talked to some of the best people in the industry inside that shack." -- Chris Gill, Corning Leader.

Photos in text:

From top: WGI president Craig Rust at the controls of the backhoe; WETM-TV's Steve Vesey hammers the building exterior; Rust is surrounded by media; Schuyler County racing historian Bill Green; crew members work on the foundation of the new Media Center.

Chamber board elects members, officers

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 26 – The Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce has voted in seven new directors to its Board, plus a new Executive Committee. The new Board members and officers will take office January 1.

The 2008 Executive Committee includes: Carmella Hoffman, Chair; Rick Stelzer, 1st Vice Chair; Tom Phillips, 2nd Vice Chair; Fred Ciaschi, Treasurer; Rob Halpin, Secretary; and Immediate Past Chair, Marianne Shoemaker.

Directors re-elected to the Board include: Craig Rust, Watkins Glen International; and Jim Guild, Famous Brands Outlet.

New Directors include: Suzanne Murphy, O’Susannah’s Quilts and Gifts; James Kuehl, Hunt Engineers and Architects; Anthony Fraboni, HSBC USA; Thomas Merrill, Thomas G. Merrill Professional Land Surveyor; and Debra Whiting, Red Newt Cellars & Bistro.

Completing their terms on the Board are: Marcia VanHorn, Matt Hayden, Jim Franzese, Hal VanSkiver, and Carol Bower.

Upstate Development Chair visits county

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 26 -- Daniel Gundersen, the Empire State Development Upstate chairman appointed by Governor Eliot Spitzer, met with Schuyler County leaders last week to discuss local projects on the horizon.

Also present at the November 21st session were Kelsey Jones, Executive Director of the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development (SCOPED); Thomas Gifford, Schuyler County Legislative Chair; Craig Rust, President of Watkins Glen International, and Kevin McLaughlin, Regional Director of Empire State Development for the Southern Tier.

Gundersen toured the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel under construction near the Seneca Lake waterfront. Afterward, Jones noted that Gundersen "certainly saw economic development in motion" -- noisy jackhammers breaking up pavement and concrete being poured for the hotel sidewalks.

In a meeting of the leaders with Gundersen, Gifford stressed the natural beauty and tourist magnetism of Schuyler County, as well as the economic development Schuyler is experiencing -- evident in a population increase and a growth in workforce numbers over the past couple of years.

Photo in text: From left, Kelsey Jones, Executive Director SCOPED; Daniel Gundersen, Empire State Development Upstate chairman; and Kevin McLaughlin, Regional Director, Empire State Development, with hotel in the background. (Photo provided)

BPW honors Morgan as 'Woman of Year'

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 25 -- The Watkins Glen Business and Professional Women/USA has honored Mary Ellen Morgan as its 2007 “Woman of the Year.”

Morgan -- a New York State BPW Second Vice President and a member of both the Watkins Glen and Penn Yan BPWs -- was presented with a framed certificate at the Watkins organization's Nov. 19 meeting.

The honor was bestowed on Morgan in recognition of outstanding achievement in her career, assistance she provides to other women in the advancement of their careers, guidance she provides to youth and young career women, and community service. She also received a BPW Woman of the Year pin, flowers and a gift certificate.

Morgan worked for the Elmira City School District as a Library Media Specialist for 32 years and currently works for Keuka College, where she supervises student teachers in local school districts of the surrounding counties, including Schuyler County.

Her professional career has also included Community School Programs and Adult Education Programs. She was nominated for the New York State Teacher of the Year award in 1998.

Morgan has been a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Organization for over 31 years. She served two terms as President of the Elmira BPW, was President of both the Watkins Glen and Penn Yan BPWs, and has served on various BPW committees. In 1993, she was selected as Elmira BPW’s Woman of the Year, and in 1995, she received the Chemung County Council of Women Award through Elmira BPW.

She is currently president of the Penn Yan Rotary Club, has been Rotarian of the Year, and was the 2003-04 recipient of Rotary's Paul Harris Fellowship. She is active with Keuka College’s Rotaract Club, an affiliation of Rotary International, and is also President of the Dundee Library.

She earned her B.S. in Education at SUNY Geneseo and an M.S. in Education at Elmira College. After retiring from the Elmira City School District, she and her husband, Dean, moved to Dundee. They have eight children, 18 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

When presented with the award by current Watkins Glen BPW Vice President Karen Cilley, Morgan credited the inspiration of her grandmother, Ellen Bridget McGuire, for her educational achievements. She also said that “the best thing we can do for other women is to give them credit for their experiences and encourage them to succeed.”

The Arc of Schuyler recognizes employees

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 12 -- The Arc of Schuyler recently recognized a number of employees for both their length of service and for the support that they have provided to the organization and people with disabilities.

Jeannette Frank, assistant executive director, was recognized for 28 years of service. Pat Wilcox, group leader in The Arc's Day Habilitation program, was recognized for 22 years of service. Kelly Leipold, director of quality assurance/corporate compliance, was recognized for 21 years. Carole Sullivan, group leader in The Arc's Day Habilitation program, was recognized for 17 years of service.

Sharon Clawson, direct support professional in The Arc's Home Services department, and Cathy Corso,direct support professional in The Arc's Day Habilitation program, were both recognized for 10 years of service.

Recognized for three years of service each were: Autmn Payne, direct support professional at one of The Arc's homes, and Rhonda Pratt, direct support professional in The Arc's Day Habilitation program. "Each of these individuals have been involved in assuring quality supports and services at The Arc, and we recognize their important contribution to the success of our organization and to the individuals we support," said Jim Wilson, executive director of The Arc.

The Arc is a private, non-profit organization, providing a broad range of supports and services to over 300 people with disabilities and their families in the Schuyler County community. For more information about The Arc and its services, call 607-535-6934 or visit The Arc's web site at www.arcofschuyler.org

Artist's rendition of the planned Dunkin' Donuts business at 311 S. Franklin St., Watkins Glen.

Here comes Dunkin' Donuts

Gets go-ahead from Watkins Planning Board; hearing set on Chinese restaurant

WATKINS GLEN, Aug. 16 -- The Watkins Glen Planning Board Wednesday night gave the green light for construction of a Dunkin' Donuts franchise facility at 311 South Franklin Street.

The approval came after a public hearing at which nobody had anything adverse to say about the project, and after the board had rejected a pair of Schuyler County Planning Commission recommendations pertaining to the site development.

Planning Board chairman Joe Fazzary said the two recommendations -- requiring a "super majority" of four board members to reject -- had seemingly nothing to do with the commission's responsibility to recommend on matters of countywide impact.

The two recommendations, delivered to the board Wednesday, called for the Dunkin' Donuts building to be moved closer to Franklin Street, and for additional handicapped parking spaces in the 16-space lot.

Code Enforcement Officer Gordon Wright said the recommendation to move the building was outside the realm of village code regulations, and would require a zoning variance -- while Dunkin' Donuts is already planning two handicapped spaces, which is one more than required by law in a lot of that size.

"Maybe these were good suggestions from (the Planning Commission's) perspective," said Fazzary after the board had rejected the recommendations in a 4-0 vote. "But I don't see any obligation on our part."

"It's a real stretch," he added, "to see any countywide impact here."

After the hearing was concluded, the board gave final site-plan approval to the project -- in essence giving its final blessing.

"Get your crews in there," Fazzary told Kurt Rappazzo of the MRB engineering firm of Rochester, which is representing the franchise-holder, Manish Patel of Victor. Patel already has one such franchise in Penn Yan.

"There are a lot of people interested in this," added board member Amedeo Fraboni. Then, referring to the board's insistence two months ago that the structure's initial design be altered to better fit into the style of the surrounding neighborhood -- and the board's requirements regarding drainage and signage -- he concluded: "I think we got what we wanted."

Rappazzo said site work would "hopefully" start within a month, with the project completed and the Dunkin' Donuts opened by April.

Chinese-Japanese Restaurant

The board gave preliminary site-plan approval to a proposed Chinese-Japanese Restaurant at the corner of Franklin and Sixth Streets, across from Savard's Restaurant in a building that currently houses Video Tech and Dan's Dugout.

The plan calls for the property to be purchased by Yang Zhi Liu, a native of China now living in Wayland, and the restaurant to be operated by him along with family members. He has said that he has a number of relatives in the food-service business.

The purchase would be from Brett Van Amburg, who recently bought the property from the Lutomske family. Yang, also known as Jason, speaks limited English and was once again represented before the board by Julie Arnold, an associate of Van Amburg's.

Whereas the language barrier -- Yang speaks little English -- has been an inhibitor in the progress of the proposal, Wright told the board Wednesday that he has now been provided with the essential elements of a site plan.

Wright provided the board with an overview map of the property and with artist's renditions of the building as it is envisioned from the front and side -- although the color in the drawings is brighter than that being planned. Said Arnold to the board: "It will be a nice toned-down yellow, so it won't blind Savard's," a reference to a popular restaurant on the other side of Sixth Street.

Wright noted that Yang's plans call for a reduction in the size of the building, specifically at its rear. That answers concerns the board expressed last month about adequate dumpster space and adequate room for supply deliveries.

Wright said that from a site-plan standpoint, the materials submitted by Yang should be sufficient to meet the board's requirements. But even with preliminary site plan approval -- or for that matter final site-plan approval, if it comes to that -- "there will be a lot of remediation to turn a mercantile building into a restaurant." It will require so much work -- and careful monitoring, he noted -- that if and when completed, "you won't recognize it."

Next step is an appearance by Yang before the County Planning Commission on Sept. 13 at the Rural Urban Center in Montour Falls. Then comes a public hearing at the Sept. 19 Watkins Glen Planning Board session, starting at 7 p.m.

Photos in text:

From top: Planning Board Chairman Joe Fazzary (foreground) and board member Wayne Weber; Kurt Rappazzo of the MRB engineering firm of Rochester representing the Dunkin' Donuts franchise holder; board member Amedeo Fraboni; artist's rendition of the front of the proposed Chinese-Japanese restaurant; an overview drawing of the restaurant, showing how it fits into the surrounding land at Franklin and Sixth Streets; and Yang Zhi Liu of Wayland, who is proposing the restaurant.

Artist's rendition of south side of the proposed Chinese-Japanese restaurant, along 6th Street.

Ron and Donita Parmenter (Donita holding the Leader in Business plaque, and Ron behind her) pose with friends and family at the Chamber of Commerce party.

Parmenters receive Business award

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, July 19 – Donita and Ron Parmenter were honored Wednesday night with presentation of the “2007 Leader in Business” Award at the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce’s summer fund-raiser event.

The event was held at Bower Catering on Cass Road, overlooking Watkins Glen.

Nominated by John Senka of Senka Insurance Agency, the Parmenters have evolved their tire dealer/auto repair business from a rotary gas station employing one person to dealerships employing 70 people in Montour Falls, Odessa, Horseheads, Geneva, Batavia and Buffalo.

The Parmenters’ state-of-the-art tire retreading business in Odessa services customers – individuals up to large fleets – across the northeast, and is ahead of the environmental curve in waste reduction measures.

“I have been a close friend and neighbor of the Parmenters, as well as their insurance agent, for more than 24 years,” wrote Senka, who presented the award.

The evening featured a picnic, carnival games, and raffles.

--------

Here is John Senka’s speech, presenting Ron and Donita Parmenter and family with the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce’s 2007 Leader in Business Award:

Born and raised in Pennsyltucky-rural Athens, Ron Parmenter walked several miles to school each day. Even in winter. Not because there were no buses, but because he was not allowed to ride the bus, as he picked on everyone – especially the pretty girls.

After school, Ron hooked up the family mules and plowed the family farm, and hired out to neighbors. In the late 1950s, his dad bought a John Deere tractor and a lifelong love affair with John Deere and motors was born.

After high school, Ron worked at the local Ford garage. And in 1966, Ron was drafted. He did not run off to Canada, but served proudly, including a combat tour of duty in Vietnam.

After the war, Ron returned to Athens and bought a new 1970 Mustang Boss, which he still owns today. Ron is one of the few smart enough to keep their first car, and in good condition. I think it is valued at about $300k now. As I understand it, the people in Athens still talk about Ron’s escapades with that car.

When there was a job opening with Rotary in NYS, Ron’s family – as well as the citizens of Athens – encouraged him to move out of PA and take the job!

Ron began operating the Rotary gas station in Chemung, NY, on December 4, 1969. It was a small building with a 1 room store and 1 room living quarters. There were 4 gas pumps. He started with a box of tools and lawn chairs for furniture, and he borrowed $800 to start the business.

Ron was young, single, worked hard by day, and terrorized the citizens of Chemung at night with his Boss Mustang. Some folks in Chemung claim he used to race the Bodine brothers on the dirt roads.

Naturally, when Rotary had an opening in Elmira, the people in Chemung not only encouraged him to apply, but some say they took up a collection to move him! Ron ran two Rotary stations there, before moving to Watkins Glen in 1971 to open Ron’s Rotary. He rented the station for $7.50 per month, and was paid 2 cents for each gallon of gas sold.

In 1974, Parmenter Inc. was formed as a sole proprietorship. The original business consisted of an American Motors Company car dealership with Chevron Gas and 3 service bays, and soon after started selling Goodyear Tires.

It is significant to say that around this time, Ron married Donita Little, a local Millport girl. In analyzing the history of the Parmenter business, it appears the business really did nothing until then. Many say that were it not for Donita, Ron would still be pumping gas at Rotary!

In 1978, the company became one of the largest full-service tire centers in the region, adding the General Tire line. Corporate headquarters were at Route 14 now, but had 5 bay stations and a state-of-the-art facility as well as 20 company-owned fleet vehicles.

In 1985, the Parmenters bought the Horseheads store on Old Ithaca Road, which was totally renovated, and offers commercial and retail auto service, as well as a used car sales dealership.

The company’s retread facility became an integral part of the business in 1995. The TreadMaster Production Facility was built at the former Agway building in Odessa, and in 1996 a new warehouse and corporate offices were added at this location. If you’ve never seen the Parmenter buildings, I urge you to drive up and look it over. It is quite an operation!

In 2000, they added the Geneva Commercial Retail Center. In 2001, the Buffalo Commercial Retail Center, and in 2003, the Batavia Commercial Retail Farm. They now employ more than 70 people.

In closing, I’ve known Ron & Donita for 20 years – as friends, neighbors and professionally. Our children grew up together. Jason, Jeff and Joe – their sons – are all actively employed in the business. It wasn’t just handed to them; they work hard. Anyone that knows Ron or has worked for him knows it’s not easy – he expects a lot – but no more than he himself gives.

For the 24 years my wife Sandy and I have known Ron and Donita, we’ve seen them work 10-12 hour days not 5, but often 6 and 7 days a week. They are risk-takers and share their success with others within the community. They are good employers. The folks that work for them are not minimum-wage earners. They are paid well and receive generous benefits. The Parmenters are truly deserving of this award, and I’m proud to be a part of it.

Senka is in Million Dollar Roundtable

ODESSA, June 6 -- John T. Senka of Montour Falls was recently approved for membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Roundtable (MRDT) for 2007.

The announcement was made by Philip A. Harriman of CLU, ChFC. MRDT is the "premier association of financial professionals," an international association of the world's best life insurance and financial service professionals from 76 nations.

Members demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct, outstanding client service and sales excellence.

Senka is president of the Senka insurance agency in Odessa.

And now a word from … the author in me

By Charlie Haeffner

ODESSA, 2004 -- When I was a child, I dreamed of someday making a living writing.

My future, I liked to think, was in the creation of novels.

I loved to be transported by novelists of my childhood to other worlds -- of danger, of beauty, of drama, of sports, of pathos.

I loved nothing better as a present than a good book.

If I got nothing but books for Christmas, that was okay by me. Keep the socks and the underwear and the ties, thanks. Just give me those books.

Eventually, I stumbled into journalism as a profession -- employed what I knew of writing, and learned something more about it every day.

Then, eventually, I stumbled out of journalism and, in my spare time, tried my hand at writing the novel I had longed to produce so many years before.

I didn't really think I could do it -- but I tried.

My first effort, I must say, was something approaching atrocious.

A friend I had worked with -- a fellow journalist -- read it and critiqued it, and found me wanting.

I tried writing another book, though, after a suitable period of mourning for my mutilated ego. What I produced was better … but still not very good.

Then, a couple of years later, I was inspired one night -- imbued with a spirit -- to write about an island my family and I had frequented when I was a very young boy.

The island is called Bois Blanc -- "White Woods" in French. It's located in Northern Michigan. I guess it never left my soul; was just waiting to emerge. And in a torrent of words, I fashioned a story based on my memories.

I showed it to only a couple of people outside my immediate family, but the reaction was encouraging. One professed to love it, and one wanted a sequel.

And so I tackled that sequel. It was quite an exercise, for I took some mythology, some religion, and a healthy dose of family history, and mixed it all together. That it came out coherent amazed me. But lacking confidence, I put it on the shelf.

About this time, the spirit moved me to do more than write about the island. One October, when the snow could conceivably have been falling there, I herded my family into our van and traveled to Bois Blanc. We stayed in a little shanty which -- had winter decided to visit -- would have left us easily frostbitten. But the days turned to Indian Summer, and the three-day stay was glorious.

From that visit, we established contact with people I had known in my childhood, forty years before, and lined up lodging the next summer in a house in the heart of the island's sole municipality -- a village called Pointe aux Pins (Point of Pines or, more commonly, simply The Pines).

With that visit in my experience bank, I went back and revised portions of the sequel, since part of it was set in the current day. I wanted things in the book reasonably reflecting reality, even though the story had fantasy elements.

And then the book went back on the shelf.

In the ensuing two or three years, my family established a routine -- an annual visit of two or three weeks each summer on the island. Along the way, my eldest brother started going there, too, with his family -- also after forty years of absence.

And along the way, that sequel got pulled down from the shelf and dusted off and read by extended family members, and judged acceptable, even though I had turned family history upside down as a matter of plot device. And eventually I was emboldened to take advantage of emerging technology -- the ability to publish my own works relatively inexpensively through the Internet.

And I became that author I had long before wanted to be -- published, with the fruits of my labor within sturdy, shiny covers.

To say that I am commercially successful would be untrue. But I have readers up there on the island and on the nearby mainland, and readers among a retirement community to which my mother belongs in Florida, and readers among old friends, and readers in my wide-flung family of cousins.

Most of them seem to like the books. Some are positively effusive.

Eventually, I wrote a third novel, set on the island but unrelated to the first two. It involves a portal and famed gangster John Dillinger and an old farmer I remember from my island childhoods who is long since deceased.

I published the story -- like the others, in paperback -- and circulated it on and near the island.

Again, success measured in numbers eluded me.

And then I started another novel -- about an Ojibwe woman born more than 700 years ago … and still alive today. It's called The Maiden of Mackinac, Mackinac being an island not far from Bois Blanc -- a tourist mecca of sorts. I circulated a hundred laser-printed, spiral-bound copies, and plan on publishing in traditional book form soon. Maybe the numbers will be there this time.

Maybe.

And yet … I can't but feel that success is not always in the numbers.

Sometimes success is simply in the doing.

For instance, will this website ultimately capture enough readers and enough advertisers and enough sponsors to make it worth a continued effort?

I don't know.

But even if it doesn't, does that make it a failure? Or is the success in the trying -- in, first, the dreaming, and then in the doing?

****

The books I wrote and published and circulated in Northern Michigan -- a region called the Straits of Mackinac -- go by the following titles:

Island Nights, subtitled Book One of the White Woods Chronicles.

The Islander, subtitled Book Two of the White Woods Chronicles.

And, finally, Cabins in the Mist.

The first book was originally titled Summer Nights, since I was moved to write it on a summer night reminiscent of those on the island of my childhood. I changed the name to Island Nights at the suggestion of a retired professor who frequented the island. It wasn't that he didn't like the original; it was that I didn't, and asked for replacement candidates.

The second book was originally titled Autumn of the Moose, again not anything I particularly liked. The title was keyed to a plot point, but of course any prospective reader wouldn't know that. And so it seemed lacking. I'm kind of partial to its current name because of its simplicity and the question it might raise in a reader's mind as to whom it refers. Ambiguity I like.

The third title, Cabins in the Mist, came easily -- was my first choice for that book, and it held. Since key scenes occur at the site of some old rundown cabins in the island interior -- purportedly used by Dillinger after he had undergone plastic surgery back in 1934 -- and since the site serves the narrative as the aforementioned portal, the title worked.

And my newest concoction, The Maiden of Mackinac -- well, that title was in place before I ever wrote a word. That was a case of the title driving the narrative -- waiting for the narrative to catch up to it.

Those first three books are available, actually, in places other than the Straits region. I have some copies, listed in a Classified on this website. And you can purchase them online through Borders.com, Walmart.com, Amazon.com, and Xlibris.com.

You can just sign on to one of those sites, type Haeffner in the search box, and hit the button. Presto, there should be a listing of the books, with ordering instructions. The author's name appears as A.C. Haeffner. That's me -- my formal tag. The A and the C are my initials, but more importantly they belonged to my father and grandfather and great-grandfather and so on. Tradition won out.

Anyway, that's how you find the books.

Not that I'd push them on you.

I'm not really pushy.

But I'd say they're pretty good.

Entertaining, I think.

And thought-provoking.

And well written.

But don't take my word for it.

No, no. Don't do that.

Do this instead:

Find out for yourself, if you'd like.

And then let me know what you think.

The Glory Girls

A professionally bound, hardcover book was published two years ago to commemorate the state title won by the Odessa-Montour girls basketball team. Copies were given to each player on the team, and a number were sold to parents, friends and relatives.

There are still some remaining -- a limited-edition run of a high-caliber keepsake.

Titled "The Glory Girls," it contains 160 pages and nearly 200 photos. The book contains articles, interviews, game-by-game statistics, first person accounts from a couple of players (including state Class D Player of the Year Stefanie Collins), views from the players' parents, and much more.

If you wish to secure a copy, call the book's co-publisher, Charlie Haeffner, at 594-3594, and then send him a check or money order made out in his name for $29 plus $4 shipping. Mail it to: Charlie Haeffner, P.O. Box 365, Odessa, NY. Be sure to include your address and, if possible, a phone number.

There are also a handful of the books available with special, leather-like covers. The cost of those: $49 each plus $4 shipping.\

And for a look at one of the key chapters in the book, go to Features.