The Odessa File: Features of Schuyler County

Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel
16 N. Franklin St., Watkins Glen, NY 14891
607-535-6116
www.watkinsglenharborhotel.com

WATKINS GLEN, July 4 -- Friday was the first day of the IndyCar Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen weekend at Watkins Glen International, and as such it was fairly low-keyed.

Garage work was the norm early in the day before Firestone Indy Lights took to the track for qualifying. Today (Saturday) things get really busy, with IndyCar practice and qualifying, a 30-lap Indy Lights race, and SCCA Speed World Challenge races.

Sunday wraps things up with IndyCar practice, an F2000 race and then the weekend highlight: the IndyCar race, starting at 12:30 p.m.

Photo at right: Most workers in the garage area were concentrating on cars Friday, but not everyone. This fellow's scooter needed a little attention, too. (Photo by Liz Fraboni)

Left: Fence sign sounds a cautionary note. Right: The stands on Friday were awaiting the arrival of weekend spectators. Campers were starting to arrive at WGI Friday, and traffic was expected to pick up significantly today (Saturday). (Photos by Liz Fraboni)

WATKINS GLEN, July 1 -- Watkins Glen International and WENY-TV will combine forces to present an Indy-Pendence Kick-Off Celebration on Friday, July 3rd at Clute Park from noon to 9:30 p.m., culminating in a fireworks display.

The event will have a combined Independence Day and IndyCar Series theme in honor of the Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen, July 3-5.

The Clute Park gathering will feature plenty of carnival food, rides, merchandise and games, and an appearance by IndyCar Series drivers Justin Wilson and Robert Doornbos, who will be on the main stage in the park for a Q&A with fans from 3-3:30 p.m.

The Celebration is one of several weekend activities in the Watkins Glen area. The WGI track will be hosting six races from four different series, as well as other activities.

WATKINS GLEN, June 29 -- -- The Lake Country Players’ Understudies will present “A Broadway Revue” from July 17-19 at the Watkins Glen High School Auditorium.

Tickets are $6 for adults, and $4 for seniors and students at the door. For more information, call (607) 207-5374.

The revue features love songs from a variety of hit Broadway shows. The Understudies, The Lake Country Players’ teen division, are being directed by Sarah Butler.

MONTOUR FALLS, June 29 -- The 1st Annual Charitable Chicken Cook Off and Chicken Dinner Sale will be held from 12:30-11 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at the Montour Falls Moose Lodge.

Proceeds will benefit the Schuyler Outreach Food Pantry. The cost: $8.00, with advance tickets available. The event is open to the public. There will be live music throughout the day, a 50/50 drawing and a cook-off contest.

For more information or to enter the cook-off, contact Mike Donnelly at the Moose Lodge, 535-4741.

Schuyler Outreach assists individuals and families in need with food, clothing, utility and prescription assistance, and much more. For more information about Schuyler Outreach, contact Catholic Charities at 535-2050.

It was a great day Wednesday on Seneca Lake for windsurfing and sailing -- a summerlike day with steady breezes that churned up the water, creating small whitecaps.

WATKINS GLEN, June 25 -- The Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel and the American Red Cross Blood Services will host a Summer Kick-Off Blood Drive.

The drive will be held on Tuesday, June 30th from noon to 6 p.m. at the hotel, located at 16 North Franklin Street, Watkins Glen. All donors will receive a free t-shirt, and door prizes will be given away. Donors can enter to win a $250 Gas Card with their Points For Pints cards.

Low blood-donor turnout has impacted several drives in this area, according to Red Cross officials who are asking donors to give blood as soon as possible to strengthen the blood supply to avert a summer shortage. All blood types are needed, but type O in particular. Health providers regularly seek a five-day supply of type O negative blood, the universal donor, to remain ready to respond to any sudden and unpredictable needs.

You can call 1-800 GIVE LIFE (1-800 448-3543) or 607-330-2607 to make an appointment .

MONTOUR FALLS, June 24 -- The Schuyler County Historical Society will be hosting a book signing event at its one-room schoolhouse, the Lee School, on Saturday, July 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Six area authors, including Barbara Bell, Virginia Bruckner, Gary Emerson, Carol Fagnan, Tony Ingraham, and Frank Steber will be available to sign books and chat, and the Lee School will be open to tour.

The Lee School is located on State Route 14 in Montour Falls. For more information, call (607) 535-9741 or e-mail info@schuylerhistory.org

WATKINS GLEN, June 25 -- The annual Thunder in the Glen street festival will return to Watkins Glen's Franklin Street on Friday, Aug. 7, from 4-9 p.m.

Thunder in the Glen will feature food vendors, NASCAR collectibles, show cars, live entertainment from local bands, children’s entertainment, and a Classic Car Show.

An addition this year: the “Thunder in the Glen Prize Card.” Participants will have their cards stamped at local businesses to enter a drawing for various prizes. This year’s grand prize includes a pair of tickets to Watkins Glen International’s Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen & Zippo 200 on Sunday, August 9th. Additional prizes include gift certificates to local businesses and racing merchandise.

Thunder in the Glen is coordinated by Watkins Glen Promotions of the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, with volunteer help from across Schuyler County. For more information or to volunteer, contact Carole Pierce, Director of Special Events for Watkins Glen Promotions, at (607) 535-3003 or go to http://www.watkinsglen.com/promotions/thunder/

WATKINS GLEN, June 25 -- The committee for Thunder in the Glen has scheduled a fund-raiser for the August 7th event. The fund-raiser will take place Sunday, June 28th at Bleachers Sports Bar and Grill, 413 North Franklin St., Watkins Glen, beginning at 2 pm.

Tickets for the fund-raiser are $15. This includes a burger, fries, and beverage from Bleachers along with a chance to win prizes. The grand prize: a pair of Reserved Grandstand tickets with Jumbotron view for the entire weekend at Watkins Glen International’s Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen & Zippo 200, set for August 6-9. Winners do not need to be present to win.

WATKINS GLEN, June 21 -- A festival record 95 boats -- two at a time -- took to the water of the Seneca Harbor Marina Saturday for a rainy Watkins Glen Waterfront Festival Cardboard Boat Regatta.

This was the 16th annual festival, which is staged by Watkins Glen Promotions. Winners were named in various categories by judges perched on the pier, watching closely as the contestants crossed the finish line.

Fastest Elapsed Time Single hull - two or more people -- Not All In the Family
Fastest Elapsed Time Multi hull - two or more people -- SS Schuyler I
Fastest KIDS Boat under 12 -- Liquid Wisdom
Fastest TEENS Boat – 13-18 -- Rectangle
Best Construction – SS Cutterhead
Best Lookin’ Boat – Yellow Submarine
“Titanic” Sinking -- Getaway
Best Boat Name – Queen of DeNile
Best “Theme” – Operation Guthrie
Judges' Choice – Screamin’ Seamen
Goody’s Headache Award -- Tinky Winky
Schuyler County Chairman’s Cup – SS Schuyler I

After a long morning rain, the weather broke at the outset of the regatta -- and stayed dry for about a half hour. Then the rain returned in varying degrees of intensity. But the crowd -- not as large as in past years, but still sizable -- seemed undeterred, and the contestants were clearly having fun.

Top: A boat entered under the name His Tabernacle churns toward the finish line.

Bottom: Completion of each race was followed by disposal of the waterlogged and no longer useful boat.

Visitor Abby Haeffner from Washington, D.C. saw her first Cardboard Boat Regatta.

A boat team from Watkins Glen High School poses for a photo amid some foot traffic.

The breakwater, shown here Friday night, will likely be clogged with people today (Saturday) as they vie for a good spot from which to watch the Cardboard Boat Regatta.

WATKINS GLEN, June 20-- The 16th Annual Watkins Glen Waterfront Festival got under way Friday evening with food vendors, a T-shirt stand, a community drum tent and registration for today's Cardboard Boat Regatta.

The Regatta -- highlight of the festival each year -- will start at 2 p.m. A parade of boats from Lafayette Park will be held at noon, and the boats will be on display from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the waterfront. A total of 89 boats had been registered by about 8 p.m. Friday.

The highlight of the festival's Friday night activities was the constant drumbeat coming from a tent in the Seneca Harbor Park at which members of the community could jump in and play one of several styles of drums as part of a group. When one drummer dropped out, another jumped in. This was the One Heart Community Drum, an interactive entertainment that began at the 1995 North East Regional Rainbow gathering in the Finger Lakes National Forest.

Over the years, this family-oriented entertainment has been featured at various local events and community festivals throughout the Finger Lakes and Central New York. Organizer Steve Calkins has collected a number of hand drums that he brought along, so that people who did not possess a drum could join in. And they did.

Some festival goers today (Saturday) will arrive by rail on the Finger Lakes Railway -- in plenty of time to see the Seneca Power Boat Association's 1:30 p.m. Pirate Run Parade in the waters off of Seneca Harbor Park.

Entering its 6th year, the 2009 Pirate Run is organized by the Seneca Power Boat Association (SPBA). This year organizers are expecting 70-plus power boats. The event benefits the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of the Southern Tier; and last year raised over $10,000.

When organizers discovered that both the Waterfront Festival and Pirate Run were scheduled for the same weekend, they joined forces. Paper Vs. Power, the ads say, but of course the cardboard boats won’t really be racing against the power boats. But they will be sharing the lake and will be in very close proximity, separated by only the Watkins Glen breakwater.

The Waterfront Festival and Cardboard Regatta take place in the Seneca Harbor Park and the Seneca Harbor Marina. The Pirate Run will be visible from the shore and the breakwater.

The Finger Lakes Scenic Railway will make a stop to collect paying passengers in Himrod, adjacent to The Eagle Hotel, at 9:30 a.m. today. They will arrive in Watkins Glen by 11:30 a.m. The return trip will leave Watkins at 5 p.m. and arrive in Himrod at 7 p.m.

For more information on the Waterfront Festival & Cardboard Boat Regatta, visit www.watkinsglen.com/festival/festsched.htm.

• 10 a.m. -- Food Court and vendors open
• Noon -- Parade of Boats
• 12:30-1:30 p.m. -- Boats on display at Seneca Harbor Park
• 1:30 p.m. – Parade of the Pirate Boats – Sea Wall
• 2 p.m. – Brave Heart SPBA Start
• 2 p.m. – Cardboard Regatta
• 5 p.m. – Awards

Top: Music lovers young and old participated Friday evening at the One Heart Community Drum entertainment tent.

Bottom: Loueda Bleiler waves as she and daughter Alyssa visited the Waterfront Festival Friday.

The Malabar VII powers in to the pier after an evening cruise Friday on Seneca Lake.

DANSVILLE, NY – The Board of Regents of the New York State Education Department has awarded a museum charter to the Finger Lakes Cultural & Natural History Museum Project -- a facility that will be built at an as-yet-undesignated site in the region.

On June 25th, the Finger Lakes Museum Board of Trustees will host an invitation-only event at the New York Wine & Culinary Center in Canandaigua to celebrate the charter and to launch a search for a location on which to build. The target opening of the museum is 2014.

A 40,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art, eco-friendly museum building is being planned to become a world-class tourist attraction. The price tag is estimated to be $40 million to $50 million. A five-year strategic plan has been written and implemented to guide things along.

More than 20 different sites have been proposed by various Finger Lakes counties in an effort to attract the project. Those sites will be publicly announced at the June 25 event, which is being catered by the wine and culinary center, Wegmans, and a number of Finger Lakes wineries as their contributions to the effort.

Among the site proposals is one in Schuyler County -- on 100 acres of county-owned land in the Town of Orange. According to a spokesman for the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development (SCOPED), the parcel meets the size requirement (50 to 200 acres) and is, as the museum trustees would like, in a wildlife setting. It is also located 12 miles from Route 86 -- accessibility from a major thoroughfare being important to the success of the project. But it is not, the spokesman noted, actually alongside a Finger Lake -- a setting that would be ideal.

The venture is an initiative to create a world-class educational institution to showcase the cultural heritage and natural history of the 9,000-square-mile Finger Lakes Region. The museum charter paves the way for the formation of a not-for-profit corporation and the launch of a fundraising campaign.

The project is being modeled after the combined aspects of the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake and The Wild Center in Tupper Lake.

Board of Trustees president John Adamski said this project is unique in that it combines heritage with ecology and will interpret the historical impacts of human interactions between the two. Exhibits are planned to include an immense freshwater aquarium shaped like a typical Finger Lake that visitors will be able to walk through to view native fish species, and a display that will show the 11 Finger Lakes being formed by a melting glacier.

Other exhibits will examine Native American and Mennonite culture, early colonization, and the histories of agriculture, viticulture, and commerce. Outdoor exhibits and a trail system will feature live specimens of native wildlife like bald eagles, beavers, otters, black bears, and the legendary Seneca White Deer in natural settings.

Special focus will be given to invasive species such as lamprey eels, purple loosestrife, and zebra mussels, and will illustrate their effects on native habitats.

Photo in text: Seneca White Deer would be among the native wildlife featured in outdoor exhibits at the Finger Lakes Cultural & Natural History Museum. (Photo provided)

ODESSA, June 13 -- The Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library will open its 2009 New York State Summer Reading Program -- "Get Creative @ your library!" -- at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 30. The program is for children from kindergarten through the 3rd grade.

The program will continue Tuesday, July 7 with a visit from the Schuyler County Dairy Princess, followed July 14 by a Make-n-Take T-shirt Day where the children will be designing their own t-shirts.

The Summer Reading Program will conclude on Tuesday, July 21 with special musical guest Tom Sieling from Ithaca. There'll be contests and light snacks. Not only are the younger children invited to attend this session, but the library will have a special reading program and contests for pre-teens, teens and adults. To register early, call the library at 594-2791.

WATKINS GLEN, June 13 -- "Be Creative @ the Library" is the theme for the Summer Reading Program at the Watkins Glen Public Library.

The program, aimed at kids ages 5-12, will kick off on Wednesday, July 1 at 10 a.m. with "Creating Sculptures" and continue on July 8, 15 and 22, all at 10 a.m..

Two special performances are scheduled -- onr Tuesday, July 14th with singer Nan Hoffman and on Wednesday, July 29th with dancer Rebecca Rabideau. A special treat for the pre-school crowd is a visit from the Very Hungry Caterpillar on Tuesday, July 28th at 10 a.m.

"Express Yourself @ Your Library" is the theme for the Teen Summer Reading Program this year. On July 8th, 15th and 22nd at 7 p.m., teens are invited to make jewelry and keychains, explore soap carving and foam sculpture, and showcase their voices or talents.

Registration is requested but not required. Sign up at the library or call 535-2346. Check out the library website at www.watkinsglenlibrary.org for further information.

The visits by Hoffman and Rabideau are supported in part by New York State Decentralization funds administered locally by the ARTS of the Southern Finger Lakes.

MONTOUR FALLS, June 10 -- The Finger Lakes Parkinson Disease Support group will meet Thursday, June 18 at 1:30 p.m. in the Silver Spoons Café at the Schuyler County Human Services Complex, 323 Owego Street, Montour Falls.

Nicole Pagano, RPH,DPH and a pharmacist at the Corning Wegman’s, will discuss the current classes of drugs available to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. She will address drug interactions and answer questions.

The support group is open to individuals with Parkinson disease and their care partners and family members. Pre-registration is preferred by calling the Office for the Aging at 607-535-7108.

This effort is co-sponsored by Schuyler County Office for the Aging and RVSP of Schuyler/ Yates Counties.

MONTOUR FALLS, June 8 -- The public is welcome to attend the Annual Picnic of the Schuyler County League of Women Voters on June 24 at Carol Bower’s Home, Cass Road, Montour Falls.

Betsey Swan, President of the League of Women Voters of New York, will present “How a Bill Becomes a Law.”

The luncheon will be held at 11:45 a.m. and the cost is $12. Reservations are requested by June 20th and should be made by contacting Mary Barnes at 535-6400; Nancy Herzig at 535-6667 or 535-1841 or Shirley Kohena at 546-2641 or jerry@htva.net.

MONTOUR FALLS, June 8 -- Volunteer members of the "Retiree Environmental Stewardship Program" (RESP) recently completed a 10-week series of workshops focusing on environmental issues, resulting in the decision to raise public awareness about the proper recycling of rechargeable batteries.

In an effort to reduce the accumulation of toxic materials in landfills, the volunteers will conduct a campaign titled “Know Your Batteries,” which will focus on public education about the various types of household batteries and their proper disposal.

RESP is a collaborative effort of RSVP, Cornell University, Chemung EMC and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County.

Older adults interested in participating in community volunteer opportunities should contact Schuyler-Yates RSVP serving Schuyler and Yates Counties at (607) 535-7105 for further information.

MONTOUR FALLS, June 7 -- The Montour Falls Fire Department's annual parade went off under sunny skies and in front of a crowd lining both sides of Main Street Saturday afternoon -- and as usual it was a hit.

The appreciative crowd watched dozens of firefighting units, several marching bands, a bagpipe unit, old cars and tractors, and various floats move along Main Street from the base of the falls, through town and across Route 14 toward the carnival grounds.

There, the final day of the Firefighters' annual carnival was in full swing, with rides, games, music and food. With Friday night's rain but a memory, the turnout was sizable.

Photo in text: A dancer in a group behind the float of His Tabernacle Family Church.

MONTOUR FALLS, June 5 -- Have you ever wondered if the antique knickknack your grandmother gave you is worth anything? How about that old ring in the drawer?

The Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary and Health Foundation have teamed up with O’Shaughnessy Antiques and other local antique experts for Antiques and Tapas at the Montour House on Saturday, June 13.

Your $50 ticket entitles you to bring one antique item for a free, informal appraisal, a complementary glass of wine, and a tapas dinner. Tapas is a series of hearty hors d’oeuvres. There will be also be live music, and additional antique appraisals for up to five items total for $10 each.

Later in the evening, donated items will be auctioned off, with the proceeds to benefit Schuyler Hospital.

There will also be a grand prize coin toss elimination, where everyone has a chance to win a floral-pattern gold and diamond ring valued at nearly $700.

O’Shaughnessy Antiques and Fine Arts Gallery, which recently opened on Franklin Street in Watkins Glen, is also donating a bottle of Rothschild Opus One, a similar bottle of which recently brought over $1,000 at auction.

Space is limited, so make your reservation soon. Contact the Schuyler Health Foundation at 535-8879, ext. 226 or e-mail Terrie Sautter at Sauttert@schuylerhospital.org.

Photo in text: Deb Pierce (left) and Loiuse O’Shaughnessy display the vintage Rothschild wine and antique diamond ring that will be featured at Antiques and Tapas at the Montour House on June 13. (Photo provided)

WATKINS GLEN, June 3 -- The Schuyler County Child Care Coordinating Council has scheduled a Babysitting course for youths who are interested in babysitting.

The course will take place at the Watkins Glen Middle School Cafeteria from 1-3 p.m. June 30th, and again at the cafeteria from 1-3 p.m. July 14.

Registration is required (by June 26 for the first course and by June 30 for the second) by contacting Kathy Ector at 535-7964. Cost is $15.

Parents are always looking for “helpers” who can assist with the care of their younger children while they are busy with time-consuming tasks. Organizers say that the information provided during this course will help prepare youths for that task.

Topics will include child development, marketing, play and snack ideas, promoting positive discipline, shaken baby syndrome and emergency preparedness. Participants will receive a certificate upon completion of the course.

WATKINS GLEN, June 1 – Thousands of books for all interests and all ages will be offered during the annual Friends of the Watkins Library Used Book Sale, June 11-13.

As in past years, the Friends is partnering with The Arc of Schuyler County to present this sale to the reading community.

Many of the book selections are sorted alphabetically, and other items such as videotapes and puzzles also are offered.

Book sale hours will be Thursday, June 11, and Friday, June 12, from 4-8 p.m. and on Saturday, June 13, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The sale is at The Arc, 203 12th St., Watkins Glen, adjacent to Watkins Glen High School.

WATKINS GLEN, May 30 -- Cargill Salt employees, in conjunction with the Cargill Cares Committee, have presented the Watkins Glen Public Library with a $430 check to add to a book endowment established last year.

Income from the endowment will purchase a title annually on topics related to the outdoors. Library Director Harriet Eisman noted that this year’s book, Peter Capstick’s Africa: a Return to the Long Grass, has been very popular.

The check was presented on May 29 by Eric Hallman, Environmental, Health & Safety Manager representing the Cargill Cares Committee, and Lynn Sortore, Maintenance Planner, representing Cargill employees who made contributions at a “Safety and Marksmanship Day” sponsored by the company.

“We are extremely grateful for the support from Cargill and its employees, especially in this time of budget cuts at the State level,” said Eisman. "Our community of readers will benefit from this endowment for many years to come."

Cancer Survivors walk around the Watkins Glen High School track as part of the opening ceremony. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

WATKINS GLEN, May 30 -- Hundreds of people, young and old, were on hand at the Watkins Glen High School athletic field Friday evening for the third annual Relay For Life of Schuyler County -- a celebraton of the lives of people who have had or are battling cancer.

The event, which stretched from early evening Friday to midday today, featured speeches, a Survivors' walk, luminaria in memory of lost loved ones, music, games, and a small network of tents to house those participants staying overnight. Theme of the event: "Racing on the Road to Recovery -- Driving for a Cure!"

The opening ceremony featured speeches by various Relay officials, and a welcome from Watkins Glen Mayor Judy Phillips -- who literally uttered simply "Welcome" into the microphone since she had lost almost all of her voice to some malady that struck her earlier in the day.

Featured speakers were Rebecca and Bobby Franklin, who spoke of Bobby's long battle against colorectal cancer. Rebecca said they had used up all traditionally available regimens, and are now seeking alternative treatments of a test nature.

Bobby, a former Odessa Fire Chief, thanked everyone for attending, and in particular a group of firefighters in dress uniforms who were lined up along the track. They all saluted Bobby as he passed by at the head of the walk by Cancer Survivors around the track.

Relays for Life started 20 years ago, and have spread to communities around the country. Schuyler residents utilized one in Horseheads before creating their own. It helps generate funds through various means to aid in the fight against cancer.

More than 40 teams were formed to raise pledges, for instance. There were also food sales at the Relay, face painting, raffle baskets, a book sale and bingo.

Highlights Friday included a karate demonstration by the Four Dragons group, Locks of Love haircuts, and a musical performance by the 12th Street Players from the Arc of Schuyler.

Scheduled events today (Saturday) were to include an all-you-can-breakfast from 6-9 a.m., a Cardboard Car Race at 10, and Closing Ceremonies and awards at 12:30 p.m.

The public is invited to attend at $4 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under.

Bottom: Kara Blaha and her brother John were participants in the Relay for Life.

Left: Watkins Glen High School senior Emily Wickham sings The National Anthem. Right: Former Odessa Fire Chief Bobby Franklin, in t-shirt, hugs one of the several firefighters on hand to honor him. Franklin has been fighting colorectal cancer. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

Left: From left, campers Taylor Thoman, Katie Ray and (back to camera) Melody Stadelmaier. All three are Odessa-Montour students. Right: Charles Peacock arrives in martial arts gear. There was a demonstration later of karate by the Four Dragons group to which Peacock belongs.

Firefighters from around the county salute Bobby Franklin as he passes by on the Survivors Walk.

Among the Relay features: a karate demonstration by the Four Dragons group of Watkins Glen. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

WATKINS GLEN, May 28 -- Cargill Salt in Watkins Glen has announced it is making an additional $16,000 in donations to fight hunger in the region, providing funds to seven local nonprofit organizations.

The hunger-relief agencies will use their respective funds to purchase food and supplies for their programs serving the community.

The organizations are the Addison Food Pantry, the Bradford Food Pantry, the Dundee Area Food Pantry, The Odessa-Montour Food Pantry, Grace Lee Memorial Wesleyan in Beaver Dams, the Schuyler Food Pantry and the Trumansburg Food Pantry. Cargill Watkins Glen provided separate funding to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier in March.

“Our corporate responsibility extends not only to our own operations but to our wider communities,” said Don Chutas, manager of Cargill's Watkins Glen location. “As a food company committed to nourishing people, Cargill is making this donation to help hungry families.”

The Watkins Glen efforts are part of a $5 million donation the Cargill national headquarters announced in December 2008. Hunger relief agencies are facing a growing demand for their services at a time when donations are shrinking. As a result, Cargill committed funds at global, national and local levels to provide immediate hunger relief to area nonprofit organizations.

For more on Cargill’s global corporate efforts, see Cargill’s Corporate Responsibility (Citizenship) Review at http://www.cargill.com/about/citizenship/citizenship.htm

MONTOUR FALLS, May 28 -- Schuyler Hospital has wrapped up its third annual Schuyler Steps Out walking challenge Wednesday, with the Sullivan Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross walking away as the new “Grand Champion.”

The Red Cross team concluded the 12-week program with a team of 10 walkers taking over 18 million total steps. They raised the bar from last year’s high of an average 14,500 steps per person per week to 14,900 steps per person per week.

In addition, the Red Cross saw its office refrigerator transform during the course of the Steps Out program to include healthier foods. Team captain Tess Pollack lost 40 pounds during the program.

The Red Cross team plans to use its winnings to “pass on” the changes they’ve implemented. They will purchase fitness equipment to send home with the middle-school-aged attendees at their “Happy Hearts, Healthy Bodies” summer camp.

Members of other teams also reported weight loss, reduced use of medication, gym memberships, healthier habits, positive lifestyle changes, and generally feeling better.

-- Shirley Blakeman, Watkins Glen International, who lost over 20 pounds and shed 2 pant sizes during the program;

-- Anita White, Sidle Insurance, who pushed herself to better her steps each week, from 14,500 steps at the start of the program to 18,500 at its conclusion;

-- Lee Morris, Boy Scout Troop 2000, who rearranged his schedule to get at least three walks in every day.

Named “most improved” by her team was Judy Butterfield, Watkins Glen Village Office. Despite struggling with fibromyalgia, Judy was determined to walk on the team, and strove to do “a few steps more” each week. At the end of the 12 weeks, Butterfield reported feeling better, having less pain, and is even continuing to keep her pedometer with the intention of continuing to improve her steps.

“I have progressed so much further than I ever imagined a year ago,” Butterfield said. “Walking has helped reduce my pain immensely. So I can only consider continuing. Even not walking for a couple of days brings back my stiffness and pain.”

Overall, participating teams tallied a record 673 million total steps, or 337 thousand miles – the equivalent of 13 1/2 trips around the Earth. An average of 662 people from 33 teams participated in the 12-week program, developed to get people up and active in the late winter and early spring.

The program is sponsored by Schuyler Hospital, Wal-Mart and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

For more information on the Schuyler Steps Out program, contact Michelle Benjamin, the hospital's Director of Community Relations, at (607) 535-8879 or go to www.schuylerhospital.org

Photo in text: From left, Jacob Roth, Katey Cheplick, Tess Pollack and Zack Pipe accept the Schuyler Steps Out 2009 Trophy on behalf of the Sullivan Trail Red Cross team. (Photo provided)

WATKINS GLEN, May 26 -- Work by motorsports artist Greg Davis of Westline, PA, will be displayed at the International Motor Racing Research Center this summer, kicking off with an evening reception on Friday, June 12.

Davis also operates a vintage car restoration shop and competes in SCCA regional competition with a Laser F-Vee.

The opening of his show coincides with the Watkins Glen Historics at Watkins Glen International, June 12-14. The free reception will be from 6-8 p.m., and all are invited.

Davis’ subject matter is almost exclusively sports and formula car racing. He works mainly with pen and ink wash and watercolors.

“The functional beauty of these machines, the personalities and the history associated with the events involved has always inspired the artist in me," he said. "Some of my subject matter is based around the black-and-white photography that was so prevalent in the earlier racing magazines. I feel this era has a mystique and romance that these photos tend to project and I try to convey that through these images.”

Hosting a show of work such as Davis’ reflects the Racing Research Center’s commitment to the preservation of the history of motorsports through collections of books, photographs, films, documents, personal papers, magazines, fine art and other materials.

The Center is located at 610 S. Decatur St., Watkins Glen. It is open year-round, Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A rainbow appeared Saturday afternoon as a storm moved toward Ithaca. This photo was taken near Enfield, on a hill overlooking the valley to the east that includes Ithaca. The woman in the picture was a guest at a party celebrating the recent marriage of Steve Bauman and Gail Fink.

WATKINS GLEN, May 25 -- A unique Chevrolet Corvette, originally owned by A.J. Foyt’s long-time sponsor and friend, the late Jim Gilmore, is being offered by raffle by the International Motor Racing Research Center at Watkins Glen.

Painted “hugger orange,” the color used on the Gilmore-Foyt Indy cars, this unique collector car has fewer than 19,000 miles on the odometer and is in showroom condition.

The car comes with complete documentation as to its original ownership, including an original insurance card, the application for title in Gilmore’s name, owner's manual, service records and the original window sticker.

Among Gilmore’s many businesses was Abraham Chevrolet located in Miami. In 1984, he received authorization from then-general manager of Chevrolet, Robert Stemple, to have two specially painted Corvettes produced at the factory. One car went to Foyt, and the other was for Gilmore.

The car is equipped with virtually every factory option available at the time, including the Z51 Performance Package, AG9 Six Way Power Drivers Seat, AU3 Power Door Lock System, L83 5.7 Liter V8, UJ8 Delco-Bose AM/FM Stereo with Cassette, V01 Heavy Duty Radiator, Z6A Defogger System Rear Window and 622 AUU2 Saddle Leather Bucket Seating.

“This unique, eye-catching Corvette offers our members and friends the opportunity to win a very rare car while supporting the Center at the same time,” said IMRRC President J.C. Argetsinger. “I’m sure it will be a repeat of last year’s sell-out.”

The Center’s 2008 raffle car was a Cobra Replicar, with a completely rebuilt Ford 390cid “big block” engine.

Cars selected for the Center’s annual raffles reflect the facility’s commitment to the preservation of the history of motorsports through collections of books, photographs, films, documents, personal papers, magazines, fine art and other materials.

Tickets for the Corvette are $60 each or two for $100, with only 1,984 tickets to be sold. The winning ticket will be drawn on Saturday, Nov. 14.

Tickets can be ordered on-line at www.racingarchives.org, by telephone at (607) 535-9044, by mail and at the Center. Tickets also will be available at the Center’s tent at Watkins Glen International during major race weekends. Tickets are tax deductible to the extent allowed by the IRS.

WATKINS GLEN, May 21 -- A new opportunity for the arts and artists is coming to Watkins Glen.

Within the next month, the Franklin Street Gallery, Gift Shop and Community Art Center
will be opening at 209 Franklin Street in Watkins Glen. The building and storefront are located next to the former Fire Station on the north end of Franklin Street, a short distance from both the new Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel and the Seneca Lake waterfront.

The Gallery will have display space for artists in different mediums with an emphasis on work from the Finger Lakes region. Currently the work of two local artists, Linda McIntyre and Bob Gillespie, is being displayed in the Gallery windows.

The Gallery will be owned and operated by The Arc of Schuyler, a non-profit organization that many know as a provider of support to people with developmental disabilities in the community. The Arc’s
involvement is because of its ownership of the building and because it has an interest in bringing the art experience to all individuals no matter what their life challenges might entail. Artists with
disabilities will be a part of the Gallery and included as members of a larger artist community.

The Gallery will run as a non-profit entity under the auspices of The Arc with the assistance of an Advisory Committee and volunteers and will be supported by donations, grants, sales commissions and fees. Classes and courses will be offered at the Gallery over time. Periodically, individual exhibits and shows will be held at the Gallery by invitation.

Jim Wilson, executive director of The Arc, is excited about this new endeavor for lots of reasons. “First and foremost, this is a great opportunity for artists, visitors and the community in general," he said. "Our building is in a great neighborhood and the Gallery will just add to what else is going on -- The Glen Harbor Hotel, Glen Mountain Market, the Glen Theater, Storylines Bookstore and a number of antique shops.”

Wilson also believes that art is a great way for people to express hope and share talents that many times go unseen or unrecognized. “We aren’t going to overemphasis the involvement of artists with
disabilities, but we are going to make sure that there is an integration of their work. The bottom line though, is that this will certainly add to the atmosphere and vitality of the village as a major tourist
destination.”

Hours of operation and staffing will evolve as the Gallery develops and grows, but initially there will be weekend hours. Anyone who has an interest in supporting the Gallery or volunteering in some
capacity can contact Misty Jones (mjones@arcofschuyler.org) at 607-535-6934.

MONTOUR FALLS, May 20 – It’s a new and unique event in an old and unique setting.

Schuyler Hospital’s Auxiliary and Health Foundation invite the public to their brand new fund-raising event – Antiques and Tapas – on Saturday, June 13 at the historic Montour House.

The Montour House, on Main Street in Montour Falls, is still undergoing renovations, so dress casually and wear comfortable shoes for this one-of-a-kind event. Your $50 admission ticket gets you a tapas meal, local wine, music by the Satterly Hill Band, an antique appraisal, and a chance at the grand-prize coin toss.

Attendees are also asked to donate an item for an antique auction, to be held at the end of the evening.

Attendance is limited, and reservations are required by June 8th to the Schuyler Health Foundation, at (607) 535-8879.

MONTOUR FALLS, May 20 -- The Business and Education Committee of the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the New York State Fire Academy, will host its first Health Care Forum at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 27 at the Fire Academy, Route 14 and College Avenue, Montour Falls.

“Health Care Forum: Real Problems with Health Care/Real Solutions for New Yorkers” will be presented by Tim Clune, Health Care Bureau Chief from the Office of the Attorney General.

The rising cost of health care is a concern to businesses, families and individuals throughout New York. Residents and businesses pay an enormous amount of money in health care-related expenses. One of the goals of the Health Care Bureau is to make sure that the coverage that is being paid for is actually being provided.

Mr. Clune will discuss how the Health Care Bureau can be of assistance in that regard and will share some examples of what the Health Care Bureau has done to further that mission. He will answer questions regarding health care expenses and coverage.

There is no cost to attend. However, seating is limited, so make reservations no later than May 26. For more information or to reserve, contact the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce at 607-535-4300 or email rebekah@watkinsglenchamber.com.

(The final weekly report on the Schuyler Steps Out walking conpetition is presented here by Michelle Benjamin, communications director for Schuyler Hospital, which co-sponsors the event.)

MONTOUR FALLS, May 19 -- Here are the final tallies for Schuyler Steps Out 2009. (One team left to report.)

Sullivan Trail Red Cross held onto the lead to the finish, despite the best efforts of Famous Brands and Troop 2000, with Wal-Mart right on their heels! Lakewood is still king of the wineries, with Glenora, Atwater and then Hazlitt in the running. E.C. Cooper edged out Sidle Insurance. Watkins Glen HS rules over the MS and ES, though CCC beat out all the schools -- age before...? The Watkins Glen Village Office tops the Schuyler County government team.

In all, an average of 661 walkers logged 672,797,825 steps over 12 weeks! Reports are still coming in about those who improved from under 100,000 steps each week to at least 200,000 steps a week! Some lost pounds. One team is continuing the program on its own, to keep each other motivated toward getting fit!

(Place this week/last week, organization, team name if different, walkers, 12-week cumulative average)

1/1 SULLIVAN TRAIL RED CROSS, 8 walkers, 1,784,779
2/2 FAMOUS BRANDS, Famous Feet, 16 walkers, 1,670,419
3/3 BOY SCOUT TROOP, 9 walkers,1,591,609
4/4 WAL-MART, Team WalMart, 37 walkers, 1,562,978
5/5 LAKEWOOD VINEYARDS, Team Lakewood, 9 walkers, 1,367,692
6/7 GLENORA WINE CELLARS, 18 walkers, 1,288,685
7/6 ATWATER VINEYARDS, The A Team, 10 walkers, 1,248,623
8/30 CORNING COMMUNITY COLLEGE, 7 walkers, 1,237,084
9/8 WATKINS GLEN HS, Wacky Walkers, 28 walkers, 1,217,439
10/9 EC COOPER INSURANCE, 7 walkers, 1,202,074
11/10 SIDLE INSURANCE, 6 walkers, 1,191,192
12/11 HAZLITT 1852 VINEYARDS, 7 walkers, 1,111,750
13/12 HARBOR HOTEL, 7 walkers, 1,098,682
14/13 CATHOLIC CHARITIES, 9 walkers, 1,041,357
15/14 WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL, Blue Rail Gang, 19 walkers, 1,013,452
16/15 WATKINS GLEN MS, 6 walkers, 1,010,604
17/31 ODESSA-MONTOUR SCHOOLS, OM Walking Warriors, 7 walkers, 990,794
18/16 WATKINS GLEN VILLAGE OFFICE, Village People, 16 walkers, 973,231
19/20 DUTTON S PETERSON LIBRARY, Word Walkers, 8 walkers, 929,797
20/18 SCHUYLER HEAD START, Head Start Stompers, 17 walkers, 925,885
21/19 WATKINS SPORTING GOODS, 13 walkers, 921,967
22/17 SCHUYLER HOSPITAL, 168 walkers, 920,086
23/21 SCHUYLER COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Hearty Hikers, 73 walkers, 881,741
24/22 BULLFROGS & BUTTERFLIES RELAY TEAM, 4 walkers, 830,128
25/32 CHEMUNG CANAL TRUST, 9 walkers, 823,391
26/23 WATKINS GLEN ES, 14 walkers, 814,664
27/24 WATKINS-MONTOUR LIONS CLUB, Good Stepping, 17 walkers, 810,454
28/25 GLEN BAPTIST CHURCH, 10 walkers, 807,784
29/26 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Watkins Walkie-Talkies, 7 walkers, 782,305
30/27 HAYLOR, FREYER & COON INC., Team Haylor, 7 walkers, 769,263
31/33 SENECA DENTAL, Seneca Six, 6 walkers, 696,556
32/29 CATHARINE COURT APARTMENTS, 8 walkers, 398,041
33/28 WEIGHT WATCHERS *
* not yet reporting

SAVE THE DATE -- Schuyler Steps Out Wrap-up & Awards Ceremony.
Wednesday, May 27
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Seneca View Activities Room
All are welcome to attend!

And don't forget to turn in MVPs & VIPs, as well as your SUGGESTIONS Form, no later than this Friday!

Congratulations and thank you, everyone!

-- Michelle

(The following was provided by the Schuyler County Health Department as a public service.)

WATKINS GLEN, May 14 -- Cool but sunny Spring weather is an ideal time to take a walk. It’s recommended for adults to get 30 minutes of exercise a day, five days a week. Children should get 60 minutes of exercise, every day. Walking can be done by almost anyone of any age.

The Schuyler County Health Department has marked mile maps for every township as well as copies of the Catharine Valley Trail map and the Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben walking trails map.

Remember to protect yourself from ticks by using repellents containing DEET (read label carefully).

If you are interested in obtaining free copies of these maps, call the Schuyler County Health Department at 535-8140.

(The following was provided by the Schuyler County Health Department as a public service.)

WATKINS GLEN, May 14 -- This time of year, we start to spend more time outside, and ticks are a part of that outside environment. Ticks can carry a variety of diseases. The one that we see most often is Lyme disease.

This disease is carried by the tiny deer tick and if left untreated, can cause a number of health problems. The best practice is to protect yourself from tick bites.

-- Use an insect repellent that contains DEET (read label carefully)
-- Tuck pants into socks and shirts into pants
-- Stay away from tall grass, leaf litter and brush
-- A shower and shampoo may dislodge crawling ticks
-- The most effective method is a whole body exam and tick removal each night
-- Check your pets for ticks

If you have questions or concerns about Lyme disease or tick removal, call the Schuyler County Health Department at 535-8140.

(The following was provided by the Schuyler County Office for the Aging as a public service.)

MONTOUR FALLS, May 14 -- May is Older Americans Month and this year’s theme is “Living Today for a Better Tomorrow.” Together, we can work to give older adults the tools they need to make healthy decisions.

By 2030, one in every five Americans will be age 65 or older. Although the risk of disease increases with advancing age, poor health is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Many illnesses, disabilities and even death associated with chronic disease are preventable. Nearly 40% of deaths in America can be attributed to poor health habits such as lack of physical exercise, poor eating habits and smoking. Older Americans can prevent or control chronic disease by adopting healthy habits such as exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet and ceasing tobacco use.

While it’s important for older Americans to have good physical health, it’s equally important that they maintain good mental health. Nearly 20% of Americans, age 55 and older, experience depression and anxiety disorders. Studies have shown that engaging in social activities within the community can greatly improve mental health. In fact, research has demonstrated a strong relationship between volunteering and mental health and that volunteering provides older adults with greater benefits than younger volunteers. Benefits include improved mental and physical health, greater life satisfaction, lower rates of depression and lower mortality rates.

The U.S. Administration on Aging and its aging services network support a number of successful programs that are helping older adults live better today and in the future. Americans of all ages can celebrate Older Americans Month. Contact the Schuyler County Office for the Aging at 535-7108 to learn what services and opportunities are available for older adults in Schuyler County. Promote community, state and national efforts to serve older adults and find ways to enrich the lives of older adults who touch your life. By working together, we can improve the health and well-being of our nation’s older adults and pave the way for better health as we age.

WATKINS GLEN, May 12 -- The Schuyler County League of Women Voters will discuss the “Schuyler Housing Strategic Plan” at its next luncheon meeting, May 20 at the Watkins Glen International Media Center.

This will be a panel discussion on the implementation of the recently completed Housing Needs Assessment. Danielle Hautaniemi, County Planner, will lead the discussion.

A copy of the assessment document is available at www.sc-landuse.org or at the Planning Office in the Human Services Complex in Montour Falls.

Reservations are requested by May 17th and should be made by contacting Mary Barnes at 535-6400; Shirley Craver at 594-2334, Nancy Herzig at 535-6667 or 535-1841, or Shirley Kohena at 546-2641 or jerry@htva.net.

WATKINS GLEN, May 12 -- Local author Dudley Bishop will read from his new collection, "Dressing Merlydia--Addressing the Dream," at the Watkins Glen Public Library, 610 S Decatur St., at noon on Wednesday, May 27.

The collection -- published by Light & Shadow Publishing of Burdett -- explores the importance of creative inspiration and keeping one's dreams alive, especially in these difficult times.

Bishop, a graduate of the University of Florida Forest Conservation Program, is a writer, poet and artist and most recently worked as a member of the West End Gallery in Corning.

(The weekly report on the Schuyler Steps Out walking conpetition is presented here by Michelle Benjamin, communications director for Schuyler Hospital, which co-sponsors the event.)

MONTOUR FALLS, May 10 -- There is only one week left in the 2009 Schuyler Steps Out program. Teams will file their final reports on Friday, May 15th.

Some teams' motivation is wavering, and three teams still need to report in, so movement up the ladder is inconclusive as of this report.

Despite Famous Brands fighting to top the Red Cross, Red Cross holds onto the lead. On a side note, Red Cross is noting that their staff refrigerator is now filled with much healthier foods! In addition, all members of the Troop 2000 team topped 100,000 steps this week.

It's time now to start thinking about your team's nominations for MVP and Most Improved. Let me know if you need additional forms from those you received with your kick-off packet. Forms should be returned by Friday, May 15th. A wrap-up celebration will be announced soon!

Want more motivation? How about prepping for a 5k? Mark these on your calendar:
* The Arc 5k Walk-a-Thon, Watkins Glen -- Saturday, May 16
* Race for the Cure, Elmira -- Sunday, May 17
* Schuyler County Relay for Life, Watkins Glen -- Friday-Saturday, May 29-30
* Chemung County Relay for Life -- June 4-5
* Live Like Liz 5k, Watkins Glen -- Sunday, June 7

Keep stepping strong to the end!

(Place this week/last week, organization, team name if different, walkers, 11-week cumulative average)

1/1, SULLIVAN TRAIL RED CROSS, 10 walkers, 1,564,950
2/2, FAMOUS BRANDS, Famous Feet, 16 walkers, 1,488,967
3/3, BOY SCOUT TROOP 2000, 10 walkers, 1,414,298
4/4, WAL-MART, Team WalMart, 39 walkers, 1,408,799
5/5, LAKEWOOD VINEYARDS, Team Lakewood, 9 walkers, 1,244,532
6/6, ATWATER VINEYARDS, The A Team, 10 walkers, 1,135,769
7/7, GLENORA WINE CELLARS, Glenora Wine Cellars, 19 walkers, 1,123,060
8/8, WATKINS GLEN HS, Wacky Walkers of Watkins High, 21 walkers, 1,110,954
9/10, EC COOPER INSURANCE, 13 walkers, 1,065, 866
10/11, SIDLE INSURANCE, 6 walkers, 1,062,949
11/12, HAZLITT 1852 VINEYARDS, 8 walkers, 1,022,731
12/13, HARBOR HOTEL, 7 walkers, 970,354
13/14, CATHOLIC CHARITIES, 9 walkers, 926,079
14/15, WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL, Blue Rail Gang, 9 walkers, 922,078
15/17, WATKINS GLEN MS, 13 walkers, 900,774
16/18, WATKINS GLEN VILLAGE OFFICE, Village People, 17 walkers, 870,013
17/21, SCHUYLER HOSPITAL, 118 walkers, 850,574
18/19, SCHUYLER HEAD START, Head Start Stompers, 18 walkers, 848,905
19/20, WATKINS SPORTING GOODS, 13 walkers, 845,840
20/22, DUTTON S PETERSON LIBRARY, Word Walkers, 9 walkers, 834,588
21/23, SCHUYLER COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Hearty Hikers, 74 walkers, 799,305
22/24, BULLFROGS & BUTTERFLIES RELAY TEAM, 4 walkers, 765,353
23/26, WATKINS GLEN ES, 13 walkers, 749,217
24/28, WATKINS-MONTOUR LIONS CLUB, Good Stepping, 15 walkers, 735,277
25/27, GLEN BAPTIST CHURCH, 7 walkers, 726,715
26/30, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Watkins Walkie-Talkies, 7 walkers, 701,965
27/29, HAYLOR, FREYER & COON INC., Team Haylor, 6 walkers, 698,630
28/31, WEIGHT WATCHERS, 3 walkers, 487,842
29/32, CATHARINE COURT APARTMENTS, 10 walkers, 359,167
30/9, CORNING COMMUNITY COLLEGE*
31/16, ODESSA-MONTOUR SCHOOLS*
32/25, CHEMUNG CANAL TRUST*
33/33, SENECA DENTAL *

DUNDEE, May 7 -- Live Like Liz, Inc. has repeated as the Celebrity Chef winner in the 3nd Annual Veraisons Restaurant Celebrity Guest Chef Challenge.

The organization, devoted to raising funds in the fight against ovarian cancer, wins $500 for the title, its second in two years. This year's celebrity chef series began in January and concluded in April, with more than $2,200 raised for local organizations and charities.

Every Thursday local celebrities were front and center at the pasta buffet in Veraisons’ dining room to serve guests a freshly created dish of pasta. In return, Glenora Wine Cellars donated a portion of sales for the evening to the charity of the guest chefs' choice. Glenora Wine Cellars matched the winner’s raised donation.

“We are very pleased with the building charitable success of our Celebrity Guest Challenge,” said Gene Pierce, president of Glenora Wine Cellars. “Every year it gets more competitive, which means more money is raised for these well-deserved organizations.”

Participating organizations included: Glenora Wine Cellars (Breast Cancer Awareness), Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce (Visiting Center Facility), Dundee Central School (Dundee Jazz Band), Catholic Charities (Schuyler Teen Center), Watkins Glen School (Spirit of Schuyler), Soldiers & Sailors Hospital (The Cornerstone of Care Campaign), Live Like Liz Inc., Shelter of Hope, Yates County Chamber of Commerce (Keuka Comfort Care), Friends of the Outlet, Odessa-Montour After-School Base Camp Program, Schuyler Hospital Health Foundation, Millie’s Pantry, and the Lake Country Players.

Glenora Wine Cellars has been in the wine industry for more than 30 years, and was the first winery on Seneca Lake. Today the property offers a 30-room inn (Inn at Glenora) and a gourmet restaurant (Veraisons) joining the winery on a 40-acre estate

MONTOUR FALLS, May 3 -- Odessa-Montour held its annual Prom Saturday night, observing the theme "French Quarter Soiree" in a gathering at the Montour Moose Lodge.

With plenty of dancing and socializing following an evening for many of limousines and fancy dinners, the Prom culminated in the naming of Senior and Junior Courts.

Elected by his peers as Prom King from the Senior Class was Stephen Shisler, with Becky VanSkiver named Queen. John Blaha was named the Prince, Cassie Fitch the Princess, Adam Zimmer the Duke and Emily Hutt the Duchess.

Elected in the Junior Class were Stephen Taylor as King, Trissy Mace as Queen, Daniel Stephens as Prince, Stephanie Collins as Princess, Darren Sipes as Duke, and Kayleigh Robinson as Duchess.

Photo in text: From left, Bobby Hornick, Cassie Fitch, Becky VanSkiver and Stephen Shisler.

Left: Stephanie Collins and Dan Stephens. Right: Trissy Mace and Tom Dykshoorn.

WATKINS GLEN, April 29 -- Start packing up those books that you no longer have room for or an interest in.

The Friends of the Watkins Library Annual Used Book Sale is now accepting books, puzzles, videotapes and magazines. Donations may be taken to The Arc on 12th Street in Watkins Glen during business hours.

If you are unable to take your books to The Arc, leave a message for Glenda Gephart at 535-4844 and arrangements can be made to pick them up. The sale will be Thursday and Friday, June 11 and 12, from 4-8 p.m., and on Saturday, June 13, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Arc.

The following Sullivan Trail Chapter Red Cross blood drives have been scheduled for May.

May 7 -- 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Red Cross Chapter House, 911 Stowell Street,
Elmira.
May 11 -- 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at BPOE Elks Lodge, 300 North Madison Avenue, Watkins Glen.
May 12 -- 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at American Legion Post 154, 236 Scottwood Ave.,
Elmira Heights, in memory of Gene Martin, "Mr. Polka."
May 13 -- 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Horseheads Moose Lodge, 1133 South Main Street,
Horseheads.
May 13 -- 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Ingersoll Rand, 101 North Main St., Athens, Pa.
May 15 -- 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Arnot Ogden Medical Center, 600 Roe Ave., Elmira.
May 21 -- 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Red Cross Chapter House, 911 Stowell St., Elmira.
May 21 -- 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Waverly Barton Fire Department, Wm. Donnelly Parkway, Waverly, NY.
May 27 -- 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 442, 71 Old Ithaca Road, Horseheads.
May 30 -- 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Arnot Mall, 3300 Chambers Rd., Horseheads.

Note: Out of the 107,000 people in the Chemung and Schuyler County area, only 3,867 donate blood.

All current eligible and new donors may call the local Sullivan Trail Red Cross Chapter House at 734-3317 days or email betsy@redcrosselmira.org OR call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) OR visit www.donatebloodnow.org nights and weekends to schedule an appointment to donate blood.

ODESSA, April 25 -- A Cub Scout Day Camp for all boys going into the 1st to 5th grades will be held July 6-9 at Catherine Park in Odessa.

The camp will run Monday through Wednesday that week from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and on Thursday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

The camp theme will be science, with participants learning about a number of subjects in a "science lab" format. The "labs," as described in a camp press release, will be as follows:

BB and Archery Lab
You will have trained adults ready to teach the safety and techniques used. You will then have hands on use of the BB gun and Archery equipment.

Experiment Lab
You will do hands-on experiments – from growing crystals to making rockets.

Craft Derby Lab
You will be making hands on projects to take home each day.
You will also manufacture a space derby during the week. At the end of the week, you will race them against your fellow scientists.

Nature Lab
You will investigate your surroundings and experiment with ways of helping the environment.

Scientist Headquarters
We will meet together several times a day to get together to sing and talk.
Each day we will have a guest speaker to teach different ways science is used.

Family Picnic
Thursday will be our time to show our families what we have done. We will have a Family Picnic that will include a camp fire.

The cost is $70 for the week, with an early-bird fee by June 8th of $60. If an adult works at the camp all four days, the Scout from that family goes for $37.50. The fee includes an exclusive Day Camp T-Shirt and a collector’s edition Cub Scout Day Camp Patch.

For more information or an application to enroll, call Jennifer Morris at 546-4115 or 227-4216.

Meanwhile, an informational meeting is planned for May 4 at the Watkins Glen Elementary School cafeteria at 6 p.m.

WATKINS GLEN, April 23 -- Schuyler County staff will begin verifying real property data in the Town of Catharine under the supervision of town assessor Beverly Morley during the week of April 27th. The data verification effort is the first step in updating the town’s assessment roll for 2010.

The data collector will be verifying information on file for each property in the town. Inspections of data items including things like building style, construction grade, condition, and square footage will be conducted from the public right of way when possible.

In the event that there have been changes made to the property, or if certain information cannot be verified from the road, the data collector will go to the door and request an inspection. If no one is at home, the data collector will leave notification requesting that the property owner contact the County Real Property Tax office to arrange a time for inspection. Property owners wishing to schedule an inspection in advance can contact the office at 535-8118.

According to Real Property Tax Director Tom Bloodgood, property owners are not required to allow an inspection. “We hope that folks allow us to do the inspections, because the more cooperation we get, the better the data will be,” Bloodgood said.

Watch F1 races at Research Center

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, April 22 -- The International Motor Racing Research Center will again be opening its doors on most Formula 1 Sundays for race fans to watch the live Speed Channel broadcasts in the Center's Film Room.

The first race of the 2009 season to be shown at the Center will be the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, April 26. The broadcast starts at 7:30 a.m.

All remaining races will be shown except for the race in Japan in October and the race in Abu Dhabi in November, because of the broadcast times.

Everyone is welcome, and there is no charge.

The Center is located at 610 S. Decatur St., Watkins Glen. Call (607) 535-9044 for more information.

Mike Allen of the DEC carries the Bald Eagle toward the Seneca shoreline at Clute Park, followed by a throng of onlookers.

Back to the wild: Bald eagle released

WATKINS GLEN, April 13 -- The word had gotten around sufficiently to draw a crowd to Clute Park Monday, just before noon.

A Bald Eagle was going to be released at the park.

On a vacation week, with nothing much else on the docket, the event grew from one of general interest to one approaching something of a social event.

About 130 people were on hand as the eagle, found injured on Nov. 18 and rehabilitated over the winter, was prepared by the rehabilitators and by Mike Allen of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for release.

But let's start at the beginning.

On Nov. 18, Schuyler Sheriff's Deputy Nick Preston and the department's Animal Control Officer, Renee Hatch, found the eagle lying alongside County Line Road outside of Watkins Glen. The eagle, a female, was injured in a fashion never clear to anyone. Perhaps, Allen suggested, she had flown into some lines. In any event, she had sustained soft tissue damage to the wings and chest.

Two days later, she had made her way to the care of Jean and Len Soprano of Pennellville, north of Syracuse. They run a rehabilitation center there for wildlife. Their operation, said Allen, is a voluntary one licensed by the state.

The Sopranos delivered the eagle -- never named ("We don't name them," Jean Soprano said of her wildlife patients) -- to Clute Park late Monday morning. The media showed up, as did an ever-growing number of spectators who crowded around the Sopranos and Allen as they prepared the eagle for release.

(Being as young as it is -- barely a year old -- it does not yet have the white head and white tail-feather plumage that give such eagles a distinct appearance. That comes at about five years of age.)

Allen asked everyone to keep their distance as the bird was removed from its large cage, where she had been periodically thrashing about, anxious to be on her way. The Sopranos and Allen were attaching a transmitter to the eagle with a battery that would last about a year. They could thus track her meanderings -- keeping a (figurative) distant eye on her and learning something more, perhaps, about the habits of Bald Eagles in our area.

While they were tending to their preparations, the eagle had on a hood shielding her eyes -- likely to keep her as calm as possible.

As Allen cautioned the crowd: "Don't rush the bird or get too close. It could be an issue as far as stress is concerned."

Finally, the task completed, Allen carried the bird from the parking lot to the shoreline, the crowd fanning out behind and on the sides. Once at the shore, he introduced Preston and Hatch, and had Jean Soprano come out of the crowd to help remove the bird's hood. He explained that the bird was originally from a sanctuary on the north end of Cayuga Lake -- but that she was being released on Seneca because eagles after their first year are not welcome back home by adults who are nesting with newborns. A lake setting was selected, he added, because of the availability there of fish that eagles like to eat.

He cautioned everybody to move back a few paces since the bird, once released, might react in a less than friendly fashion -- with talons that possess 1,000 pounds per square inch of pressure. He also warned that there was "no guarantee" the bird would actually fly -- although she had in captivity.

The crowd inched backward, and Allen gave the eagle a boost skyward. She climbed slowly, gaining altitude, winging eastward, and then veered left, toward the west -- and like a wobbly plane setting down in the Hudson, glided toward the water and landed. Gulls were circling about, making noise, and the eagle tried to get airborne again, only to fail in the choppy waves. She started drifting toward shore, and then started swimming there, and pulled herself out of the lake.

Len Soprano moved in with a net, apparently thinking the eagle might need assistance, but she was having none of it, and took off again, flying low, toward the canal. Allen and the Sopranos followed her, and were over near the canal for awhile ... and then were seen heading back from there.

At last report, the eagle had flown inland, once again on its own -- heading toward the refuge of the nearby marsh.

Photos in text: The DEC's Mike Allen holds the eagle; Jean Soprano and Allen tend to the eagle before it was carried to the shoreline (photo by Jon Haeffner); Allen with the two people who found the eagle in November, Deputy Nick Preston and Animal Control Officer Renee Hatch; Allen sends the bird skyward.

The Bald Eagle gains altitude soon after its release.

Before long, though, it was coming down to land on the water.

The eagle tries to lift off from the water, but settles back onto the waves. (Both photos by Jon Haeffner)

After exiting the lake, the eagle flew low toward the canal.

Eric Mack as The Cat in the Hat "leads" the Pit Band in the opening sequence of Act 2.

Seussical ends its 3-day run

WATKINS GLEN, March 29 -- It's all over.

The Watkins Glen High School production of Seussical the Musical -- a fast-paced, entertaining couple of hours -- was presented for the final time Sunday afternoon in the WGHS auditorium.

The three-day run attracted enthusiastic crowds -- the last of which gave a standing ovation at the end.

The musical -- full of memorable songs and memorable characters -- is based on stories created by Theodor Geisel, a children's author best known as Dr. Seuss.

Cast List (in order of appearance):

Cat in the Hat -- Eric Mack
Horton -- Ian Remmers
JoJo -- Shannon Hazlitt
Gertrude McFuzz -- Haleigh Wixson
Mayzie LaBird -- Jaimie Sedlack
Sour Kangaroo -- Sami Eisenhart
Mayor of Whoville -- Andy Blanchard*
Mrs. Mayor -- Emily Wickham
General Genghis Khan Schmitz -- Shane Absalom
Bird Girls -- Delaney Hodges, Hasniyah Larayos, Caroline Likoudis
Wickersham Brothers -- Cameron Fitch, Jacq Goehner, Thomas Wickham
Grinch -- Marshall Secord
Judge Yertle the Turtle -- Zachary Dvornicky
Vlad Vladikoff -- Billy Brennan
Cindy Lou Who -- Vanessa Tran
Whos / Jungle Creatures -- Sarah Bond*, Jenna Gimbar, Taryn Hayes, Sarah Huey*, Kelsey Johnson*, Meredith Johnson, Marguerite Kellogg, Elena Likoudis, Nicole Long, Stephanie Monroe, Emily Pazar*, Rachel St. Julien

* These students also understudied lead parts.

Photos in text: Andy Blanchard and Emily Wickham as The Mayor of Whoville and Mrs. Mayor; and Tom Bloodgood performs with the Pit Band.

Left: Jacq Goehner does a flip with the help of fellow Wickersham Brother Thomas Wickham. Right: Samantha Riley performs with the Pit Band.

Sarah Huey sings during a group number late in the play.

Left: Delaney Hodges, one of the Bird Girls. Right: Ian Remmers as Horton.

From left: Marshall Secord, Zachary Dvornicky and Nicole Long as Hunches.

Shannon Hazlitt as JoJo in a musical number late in the play.

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Photos from Saturday night:

From left: Jaimie Sedlack as Mayzie LaBird, Haleigh Wixson as Gertrude McFuzz and Caroline Likoudis, Hasniyah Larayos and Delaney Hodges as The Bird Girls.

Eric Mack as The Cat in the Hat and Jaimie Sedlack as Mayzie LaBird.

Directors Tim and Michelle Benjamin address the audience after Saturday night's performance, with Ian Remmers on the far left, next to Eric Mack.

Eric Mack as The Cat in the Hat addresses the crowd at the start of Act 2.

A large portion of the cast in a number near the end of the play.

Music Director Sarah Matthews at the piano.

Left: Cam Fitch slides between Jacq Goehner's legs during a dance routine by the Wickersham Brothers. Right: Ian Remmers as Horton poses in the spotlight.

Hasniyah Larayos checks her Bird Girl makeup backstage during intermission.

Jaimie Sedlack backstage during intermission.

Sami Eisenhart (foreground) and Nicole Long at the makeup table.

Andy Blanchard as the Mayor of Whoville, with Emily Wickham (Mrs. Mayor).

Shannon Hazlitt as JoJo.

Shane Absalom, in character as General Genghis Khan Schmitz.

Rachel St. Julien in a dance sequence.

Left: Ian Remmers as Horton. Right: Zachary Dvornicky.

The Cat in the Hat and JoJo in a scene from Act 1.

Left: Haleigh Wixson as Gertrude McFuzz. Right: Shannon Hazlitt as JoJo.

Grant provides air-bottle filling station

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, March 23 -- The Odessa Fire Department has received a $33,250 grant that allowed the purchase and installation of a new air-bottle filling station and a compressor.

The grant, from the 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has provided a system used to replenish air used by firefighters when they are fighting fires and operating in other hazardous environments where they cannot breathe ambient air.

“This grant allowed the Odessa Fire Department to upgrade its air bottle filling system with minimal impact to the taxpayer," said Fire Chief John Jelliff. "Without this grant, we would not have been able to replace this vital piece of equipment due to existing costs within the fire department operating budget. It is a win-win for both the taxpayer and the fire department. The old equipment we were using to fill our air bottles was over thirty years old. In order to fill the old system with air, we had to transport large storage air bottles to neighboring fire stations to refill them.

"The new system allows us to generate breathing air on-site, eliminating the need to transport the large bottles.”

Total cost of the equipment was about $35,000. The department, responsible for 5% of the cost, spent $1,750 on the project.

The Odessa Fire Department has received grants in the past from the Firefighters Grant Program that were used to purchase defibrillators, self-contained breathing apparatus, two-way radios, hose and an emergency generator for the fire station.

“It is doubtful that without this grant program we would have been able to purchase any of this needed equipment without seeing a substantial increase in the fire tax levy to district taxpayers,” Jelliff added.

National Forest reports fish winter kill

Special to The Odessa File

HECTOR, March 18 -- A long winter of ice cover, causing oxygen depletion in ponds in the Finger Lakes National Forest, has killed many fish species, according to a press release from Finger Lakes National Forest officials.

This phenomenon, called “winter kill,” is caused by several factors, the release said: the depths of the pond, the population level of fish in the pond, and decomposition of the aquatic vegetation which uses up valuable oxygen the fish need.

“This is a natural event and not unusual, and happens every five to ten years," said Fisheries Biologist Steve Roy. "We plan to survey and restock the ponds this spring and summer.”

Springtime also brings increased garbage and trash dumping in the national forest, the release noted.

"If you see such activity," it said, "please contact the Forest Office at 546-4470. Illegal dumping costs taxpayers money in clean-up fees and diverts our staff from important resource management activities. The fines for illegal dumping can run up to $250. Last year, volunteers cleaned up two truckloads of household and construction waste on a one-mile stretch of road on Earth Day.

"Please help us keep your forest free of trash. If you need to get rid of tires, refrigerators, sofas, televisions, and used paint, please contact your local town or village. Many of them have special days each year where you can drop off items for free."

The release also reminded horse riders that horseback riding on trails "is restricted until May 1st. The restriction is due to muddy conditions and the resultant damage that can occur to the trails from horse use. During this time, horseback riders will be riding along the roads, so please be courteous as you pass."

Dancers conclude a musical number.

O-M's Music Man ends run

ODESSA, March 15 -- The three-day run of the Odessa-Montour spring musical The Music Man ended Saturday night before a large audience in the Fetter-Brown Auditorium at the high school.

The play was presented twice Saturday -- at a matinee in the afternoon and in a finale at night.

The play was under the direction of Kim Caldwell, with Shari Louch serving as assistant director, and Donna Christoffels as accompanist. Linda Brown was in charge of costumes, and Karen Gunning's art club painted scenery. The O-M Fine Arts Boosters sponsored the production.

Among the cast members were the following:

Professor Harold Hill -- John Blaha and Adam Zimmer
Marian, the Librarian -- Jessica Goossen, Kayleigh Robinson
Mayor Shinn -- David Egli
Mrs. Shinn -- Maggie Lucero
Mrs. Paroo -- Kara Wood, Alyssa Bleiler
Winthrop -- Joel Kelly, Manley Gavich
Barbershop Quartet -- Dylan Salzer, Derek Morgan, Brandon Keagle, Sam Capozzi
Marcellus -- Anthony Curren
Tommy -- Martin Eccleston
Charlie Cowell, anvil salesman -- Josh Markley
Ethel Toffelmaier (and the choreographer) -- Katie Griggs
Zaneeta -- Bekki Lauper, Grace Terry
Gracie -- Amanda Williams
Amaryllis -- Amy Fudala, Madison Lodge
Conductor/Constable -- Brian Stamp
Ladies: Bethany Smith, Hannah Capozzi, Ashleigh Rouille, Megan Cook, Nicole Colunio, Taylor Carey, Stephanie Letteer, Tyler Little, Erin Terry, Ashton Stadelmaier
Salesmen: Ryan Muller, Philip Roberts, Aaron Fisher, Taylor Gilbert, Joe Markley, Tyler Walrath

In addition, there were about a dozen fifth, sixth and seventh graders in the Boys Band, directed by Michelle Voorheis.

Photos in text:

Top: Professor Harold Hill's band marches across the stage, led by Martin Eccleston.

Bottom: Manley Gavich as Winthrop concludes his "Gary, Indiana" solo.

Left: Pit Band members Susan Bleiler, left, and Gail Fink. Right: Adam Zimmer and Jessica Goossen create a spinning dance move.

David Egli's Mayor Shinn has words with Martin Eccleston's Tommy Djilas. At left is Maggie Lucero, who portrayed Mrs. Shinn.

Left: Pit Band member Lou Cicconi adjusts his light. Right: In the afternoon matinee, Joel Kelly portrayed Winthrop.

Director Kim Caldwell

In the Saturday matinee, Kayleigh Robinson was Marian, shown on the foot bridge with John Blaha's Harold Hill.

Andy Campbell, in charge of the sound system.

Adam Zimmer as Professor Harold Hill directs the newly-formed band.

The Barbershop Quartet greets Jessica Goossen's Marian the Librarian.

Dancers go airborne during an energetic sequence.

And on Friday night:

Harold Hill's band plays its first notes.

Left: John Blaha as Harold Hill meets Marian the Librarian on the Foot Bridge in a romantic scene. Right: Anthony Curren as Marcellus goes airborne during a dance sequence.

David Egli and Maggie Lucero play Mayor and Mrs. Shinn.

Left: Josh Markley as Charlie Cowell tries to impress Kayleigh Robinson's Marion. Right: Brian Stamp as The Constable.

John Blaha, Joel Kelly and Kayleigh Robinson.

Left: Alyssa Bleiler. Right: Joel Kelly as Winthrop.

Kara Wood as Mrs. Paroo.

Dance numbers are a key part of the Music Man production.

Kayleigh Robinson as Marian the Librarian talks to John Blaha's Harold Hill.

Joel Kelly leads a song-and-dance number

The play's finale.

Italian American Fest sets 2009 plans

Elects officers, announces dates

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, March 11 -- Planning for the 2009 Schuyler County Italian American Festival, set for July 31 and Aug. 1-2 at Clute Park, Watkins Glen, is well under way.

At its November 2008 meeting, the Festival organizing committee re-elected Charlie Scaptura as president and chairman and John Vona as the vice president. Rocco Scaptura was re-elected to the secretary post, and Shirley and Len Salvatore return as treasurer and assistant treasurer, respectively.

Additionally, 12 event chairmen have also remained faithful to the organization. Most will continue to lead committees with which they have been involved for many years. A few are serving in a new or different capacity. The staff has been meeting monthly since November.

“The tough economic times our country is experiencing affects everyone and every organization, and the Festival is no exception,” Charlie Scaptura said. “The Festival’s monetary assets are lower than they have been in many years, and if the organization does not receive considerable support from our very generous local community, the future of this event is questionable, at best. In spite of that, in 2009 we are going forward with plans to offer all of the usual events and entertainment that our visitors have come to enjoy.”

With a commitment to focus on “family,” the Festival staff and the village of Watkins Glen in 2008 prohibited outside alcohol on the Festival grounds at Clute Park, and the Festival staff provided a large, comfortable and inviting “beer & wine garden” where alcoholic beverages could be purchased and consumed.

The response was overwhelmingly favorable, and problems experienced in the past were non-existent, Scaptura said.

“That practice will continue this year as we continue to emphasize the family-friendly experience,” he said.

This year’s Festival will be the 30th consecutive event.

“We are determined to celebrate this milestone by offering the biggest fireworks display that the area has ever seen,” Scaptura said.

For more information, or to contact Festival staff, visit www.watkinsglenitalianfestival.com.

This artwork by senior Chloe Taylor showed a lion from one direction, and a tiger from the other.

Exhibit features youth art

WATKINS GLEN, March 9 -- An exhibit celebrating Youth Art Month featured artwork by Watkins Glen students Saturday at the Arc of Schuyler storefront at 209 N. Franklin St. in Watkins Glen.

The exhibit -- sponsored by The ARTS of the Southern Finger Lakes and supported by The Arc and other businesses -- had dozens of examples of Watkins students' artistic efforts adorning the walls.

Finger foods were available, and jazz music was provided by Southside High School students Jimi LaDouce and Ryan Scalia, along with The Arc of Schuyler's recreation supervisor, Casey Mallow.

Jazz musicians performing at the art exhibit were Jimi LaDouce on electric bass (left), Ryan Scalia on drums, and Casey Mallow on guitar.

This watercolor was by freshman Kristen Kerr.

This watercolor was created by sophomore Kylee Carrigan.

Left: A colored pencil drawing by senior Ryan Yaskulski. Right: A mixed medium work by senior Catey Patterson.

Mark and Michelle Simiele were among the 400 people at the Chamber gathering.

Chamber Celebration: A photo album

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 10 -- More than 400 people were on hand Friday night for the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce's 120th Annual Celebration, staged this year at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel.

Awards highlighted the night, with former Chamber president Maxine Neal receiving the annual Community Spirit Award, and Jean Argetsinger and her late husband Cameron being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Food was plentiful at food stations -- a departure from the traditional seated dinners of previous years, back when the celebration was held at the Community Center. And drinks were plentiful, as well.

For the 11th year, the celebration featured a silent auction.

Music was provided by Blue Lou and the Moonlighters -- a group that included Lou Cicconi, Tom Bloodgood, Mark Stephany and three other musicians. Cicconi said the group is not a regular one, but gathered for this event.

Photo in text: Facing camera from left are County Judge J.C. Argetsinger, Watkins Glen Mayor Judy Phillips and Watkins Glen Police Chief Tom Struble.

Left: Michelle Benjamin speaks to WGI President Craig Rust. Right: Attorney John Hayes.

Left: The Chamber's Miranda Polmanteer. Right: Teachers Marcy Estey and Sam Brubaker.

Carmella (center) and Ron Hoffman were among those present.

Dr. James Norton visits with honoree Jean Argetsinger.

Left: Chris Scata. Right: Mark Stephany sings as part of the Lou Cicconi group.

'Keep the Wreath Blue' deemed success

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 7 -- Schuyler County's fifth annual Holiday Fire Prevention Program, "Keep the Wreath Blue," was called a "huge success" by county Emergency Management officials.

Under the program, firefighters replaced a blue bulb on wreath displays with a red one for each structure fire in Schuyler County during the holiday season. This reminded residents to be mindful of fire safety.

Five blue bulbs were replaced, two fewer than the year before.

"Our goal is to keep the wreath blue for the entire season," the Emergency Management unit said in a press release, but added: "We did decrease the number of fires" this year.

The release said the structure fires resulted in losses of $46,200 on properties valued at $640,000. There were no injuries to firefighters, and "two very minor injuries" to residents.

"This outstanding result is a direct reflection of the commitment volunteer firefighters have to providing the utmost service to their communities and the residents of the county," the release concluded.

Website offers sex-offender information

WATKINS GLEN, Aug. 22 -- Schuyler County Sheriff William Yessman, in conjunction with area school superintendents, is now making available on the Schuyler County Sheriff’s website a "citizen friendly, easy to use, Schuyler County sex offender registry, enabling citizens to search for the presence of registered sex offenders and predators in proximity to their homes, place of work, schools and day cares," the Sheriff's Office has announced.

The Sheriff's Office, in a press release, said the information "is being provided to the citizens in a form they can easily use any time, day or night, via the nation’s leading sex offender registration and notification solution, Offenderwatch™.

"Citizens may enter any address of interest to them," the press release said, "and see a map and listing of offenders within a defined radius of that address. Then, they may register the address to be continuously monitored by the Sheriff, who will send to them an email alerting them if an offender or predator should register an address within their defined radius of their registered address. Citizens may confidentially register as many addresses as they like, at no cost to them.

"The purpose of the program is to lessen the anxiety of citizens by proactively alerting them should an offender/predator move within proximity to them, and to enhance the security and safety of Schuyler County citizens. The program also enables the Sheriff to verify that offender addresses do not violate any safety buffers that may be implemented around protected institutions in the county, such as schools, day cares and churches.

"Citizens can access the Offenderwatch™ registry 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the Schuyler County Sheriff’s web site at http://www.schuylercounty.us/sheriff.htm"

Note: The following is a public service announcement from the Schuyler County Office of Fire and Emergency Management.

The majority of accidental fires in the home start in the kitchen. Property damage could be drastically reduced if people only knew what to do when confronted with a kitchen fire. Schuyler County Emergency Management suggests the following steps when confronted with a fire in the kitchen.

If the fire is confined to a pan on top of the stove, slide the lid across the pan and leave it there. Do not attempt to move the pan outdoors because you may burn yourself or spread the fire.

-- Never throw water or flour on a burning pan. Water will spread the flames and flour will actually explode!

-- Do not turn on the exhaust fan over the stove. This would suck the fire inside the walls of your home. If the fire is in your oven, turn off the heat and leave the door closed to cut off the fire’s air supply.

-- Install a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Make sure its easily accessible in the event of a grease or oven fire. When purchasing a fire extinguisher for kitchen use, make sure the extinguisher is rated for Class ABC fires to insure its acceptability for use on kitchen fires.

If the fire is too large to safely cover, or for your fire extinguisher, leave the house immediately and call the fire department from a neighbor's telephone. Trying to fight a fire yourself when its too large can cause far more extensive damage and can result in more serious, unnecessary injury.

As a preventive action, keep your cooking appliances – including stovetops, burners, oven and broilers -- clean. Built-up grease can flare up easily, causing dangerous and damaging fires. And keep combustible materials – paper towels, dish towels, paper bags, cookbooks, and food packaging – away from the stove or other heat source. Keep your kitchen fire-safe.

For more information, contact your local Fire Department or go to this website on the Internet: http://www.schuylercounty.us/911E.htm

WATKINS GLEN, March 30 -- This photo -- an old aerial view of Seneca Lake -- was shown to the editor while he was visiting the Legislature office in the Schuyler County Office Building.

The editor didn't see it at first -- but does now: the unmistakable shape of the lake, a lake named after an native American tribe. The shape looks like that of an Indian, kneeling perhaps, with head bowed, and a feather at the upper, northernmost point of the visible profile.

"Cool," said the editor when he finally recognized the outline. And interesting. So he snapped a picture of the picture for presentation here.

Chased by a madman

When you hit the road for vacation, you aren't always assured of smooth sailing. Herewith a tale of terror on the highway -- as it really happened. Features.

Chased by a madman

Chased by a madman When you hit the road for vacation, you aren't always assured of smooth sailing. Herewith a tale of terror on the highway -- as it really happened. Features.

Chased by a madman

Chased by a madman

When you hit the road for vacation, you aren't always assured of smooth sailing. Herewith a tale of terror on the highway -- as it really happened. Features.