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J.R. Dill personnel were kept busy Sunday behind the bar.

Wine & Spirit event raises SOS funds

BURDETT, Jan. 30-- Supporters of the Spirit of Schuyler turned out in force Sunday for the second annual Wine & Spirit fund-raiser at the J.R. Dill Winery along State Route 414.

The event featured wine tastings and a free wine glass, live music, and food. Beer was also available for purchase.

The Spirit of Schuyler is a local organization that helps arrange emergency services for county residents in times of need.

All ticket sale proceeds, in addition to one third of all wine sales during the event, will benefit the Spirit of Schuyler -- a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Tickets holders entered a drawing to win a mixed case of J.R. Dill wine, and other prizes were available through raffles.

Live music was provided by the duo of Tom Bloodgood and Mark Stephany.

Photo in text: Raffle items were part of the event.

Mark Stephany, left, and Tom Bloodgood performed.

Hydrofracking hearing set in T-burg

Special to The Odessa File

TRUMANSBURG, Jan. 23 -- The Town of Hector will sponsor a public hearing on hydrofracking from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Trumansburg High School auditorium. Residents of the town will be able to voice their opinions and insights on this controversial method of gas extraction.

Only Hector residents and/or property owners will be allowed to speak, and comments will be limited to three minutes per speaker. Participants and attendants are being asked by organizers to refrain from applause and to provide clear and concise comments pertaining directly to the issue at hand. Hector Town Supervisor Ben Dickens will serve as moderator.

Those wishing to speak will sign up at the door.

The meeting comes after requests for such a forum by the Hector Clean Waters Initiative, and presentation of a petition requesting that the Town Board enact a ban or a moratorium on hydrofracking.

Lakewood, Watts honored at SWCD's annual meeting

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 21 -- The Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) held its Annual Luncheon at the Elks Club in Watkins Glen on January 20 and presented the Conservation Farmer of the Year Award to Lakewood Farms, owned by the Stamp family of Reading, and the Service Award to Mark Watts, District Manager of the Chemung County SWCD.

Soil and water improvement projects accomplished in 2011 were also reviewed for an audience of 85 people that included local officials, farmers, and other landowners. “The mission of the conservation district is to protect and enhance the natural resources of the county for present and future generations and we work with many different groups to accomplish this," said Jerry Verrigni, SWCD District Manager. "We are especially proud of our farmers who work hard to control pollution and protect nature, and the Stamps are one of the most deserving of recognition."

Lakewood Farms overlooks the west side of Seneca Lake and includes 220 acres, 75 planted to 15 varieties of grapes. The family also operates a farm winery, Lakewood Vineyards, one of the largest in the Finger Lakes. Some of the practices that the Stamps use to protect the environment include mulching, cover crops, diversion ditches and vegetated headlands to reduce soil erosion; an agrichemical mixing facility to prevent potential spill pollution; recycling of agricultural plastic containers; and nutrient and integrated pest management practices that include regular soil and petiole testing, pest scouting, and evaluation of pesticides for runoff potential.

The Stamps were one of the first farms in the county to participate in the Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) program, a statewide program to help farms operate environmentally sound and economically viable businesses. “AEM is an approach that is integral to our farm’s management. We continually strive to improve our soil and water resources and farm in the safest manner possible,” said David Stamp, who oversees vineyard operations.

Eight members of the family are actively involved with the farm, and along with Dave they include Dave’s mother, Bev Stamp, wife of the late Monty Stamp; Chris Stamp, Bev’s oldest son and the winemaker; his wife Liz, who oversees the winery tasting room; daughter Theresa and daughter-in-law Kay, who work in the winery, and Ben and Abby Stamp, two of Chris and Liz’s children, who work on the farm when they are at home. Two other family member help out occasionally – Mike Stamp, Bev’s other son, is the wildlife manager, and Amelia Stamp, Chris and Liz’s third child, assists now and then in the winery.

The Stamp family is very active in community development, with family members having served in leadership roles with town government, the Chamber of Commerce and the county Farm Bureau, to name just a few. “You won’t find a more generous, warm, hard-working, community-minded farm family in the county, and we are very proud to acknowledge their environmental leadership with this award,” said Elaine Dalrymple, SWCD District Field Manager.

Mark Watts received the 2011 Service Award for all the help he has provided to the Schuyler SWCD over the years. Mark is well known in the region for his ability to get environmental protection projects done in efficient and cost-effective ways and for sharing equipment, funding and people to nearby Districts. There are many programs in Schuyler County such as stormwater management, grazing, and cover crops that would not exist without his assistance, say SWCD officials.

“Mark is an extremely knowledgeable, creative person who is a leader in the field of natural resource management, and we deeply appreciate all the help he provides to our District,” said Verrigni.

Photo in text: From left to right: State Assemblyman Christopher Friend; Mark Watts, District Manager, Chemung County SWCD, recipient of the 2011 Service Award; Bev and Dave Stamp of Lakewood Farms and Vineyard, recipients with other Stamp family members of the 2011 Conservation Farmer of the Year Award; Anthony J. Specchio, Chairman of the Schuyler County SWCD Board of Directors; and Tim O’Hearn, Schuyler County Administrator. (Photo provided)

Health Foundation receives donation

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Ja. 18 -- Schuyler Hospital’s Health Foundation was recently presented a $2,500 donation from the Watkins-Montour Lions Club.

The donation will be used toward the full renovation of the Seneca View Skilled Nursing Facility, which is currently under way.

“The Watkins-Montour Lions Club has re-invented itself into a more vibrant and engaged local service organization," said Bill Little, Executive Director of the Health Foundation. "It’s exciting to see the energy, enthusiasm and commitment of new and longstanding members as they donate their service to this community, and especially gratifying and rewarding to see those efforts yield such a generous gift returned to their community and to their hospital. We can’t thank the local Lions enough!”

Anyone interested in donating may contact the Foundation at (607) 535-8879 ext. 226, or give on-line at www.schuylerhospital.org

Photo in text: Watkins-Montour Lions Club President Jim Swinnerton (left) gives the Lions Club donation to Schuyler Health Foundation Board Chair Rob Swinnerton. (Photo provided)

Hearing focus: Community service club

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, Jan 17 -- A public meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19 in the Community Room of the Odessa Municipal Building to explore ways a new community service club might be formed to serve the Village of Odessa.

Glenn Larison will function as facilitator for the meeting. Among the expected topics: Does the Village of Odessa need, and can it benefit by, such a club; and if so, how would such a club be structured and what specific community needs should it address?

Larison said he hopes many residents of Odessa and the surrounding area will attend and share their perspectives.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day film examines the drive for equality by the disabled

By Jessica Brogdon

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 17-- Scores of community members gathered at the Glen Theater doors Monday, eagerly waiting to see The Arc of Schuyler’s free screening of “Lives Worth Living.”

While many celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day for his activism in the civil rights movement, locals commemorated how he inspired those around him, including the disabled.

The afternoon began with a cordial welcome from Jeannette Frank, the Executive Director of The Arc. Following a brief introduction by former Arc Executive Director Jim Wilson, a 1960s civil rights activist, the film “Lives Worth Living” began.

The movie was inspirational, showing the attentive audience the long hard drive for equality that disabled Americans faced after World War II. Shocking images portrayed the limited choices available to the disabled within America along with their persistence for the Americans with Disabilities Act.

At the end, the silent audience seemed to need a moment to wrap their heads around what they had witnessed. Wilson then led a discussion about the parallels between the civil and disability rights movements. He reflected on his experiences demanding the right to vote for blacks in Alabama as well as his fight with polio. If one thing, everyone walked away with a new insight about their rights to equality.

The Arc Director of Communications, Holly Baker, was enthused about the turnout at the theater.
“I counted roughly 80 people who came, which is a lot more than we expected,” she said.

Copies of the movie are available for purchase at www.storylinemotionpictures.com.

Extension plans Hydroponics Class

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Jan. 16 -- While we usually think of soil as a requirement for growing plants, you can actually successfully grow plants without it! Hydroponics, literally “working water,” is a way to grow plants without soil by supplying all needed nutrients in the plant’s water supply.

Dating back to the 1600s, the hydroponic method provides better control over nutrient levels, reduces water use because it is a closed system, and allows for agriculture and gardening in places where soil-growing is not possible.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Schuyler County is offering a Beginning Hydroponics workshop, “Grow with the Flow,” on Thursday, Feb. 16 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Human Services Complex in Montour Falls. Bryson Clark from Upstate Hydroponics and Garden Supply will instruct participants on the basics of how to get started in hydroponics.

Pre-registration is required by calling 607-535-7161 by Feb. 10. There is a $5 fee for the workshop.

A social hour in the lobby area outside the hotel ballroom preceded the Gala dinner.

Winter Gala draws crowd; local leaders are honored

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 14 -- The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce's 123rd Annual Celebration -- titled Winter Gala -- packed the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel ballroom Friday night.

It was a night of food and beverages, camaraderie, music and awards. The Chamber presented its annual Community Spirit Award to Ken Wilson, its Lifetime Achievement Award to the insurance industry's John Senka, and its Leader in Business Award to Doug Hazlitt and his sister, Leigh Triner, owners of Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards.

The emotional high point of the evening was the presentation of the second annual Max Neal Award, given to a committed and dedicated representative of the Chamber. It went this year to the late Debra Whiting, former chairperson of the Chamber Board who died in a motor vehicle accident on June 30.

The award was accepted by Whiting's husband, Dave, who said he wished his wife were there to accept it, and added: "This really is an award recognizing the support of the community. None of what Deb and I have done was done on our own ... We just wanted to build a great community in Schuyler County."

The gala, sponsored by Visions Federal Credit Union, featured a Silent Auction, a Live Auction, a Casino Lounge and live dance music.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce President Rebekah LaMoreaux welcomes the diners to the Gala.

At the Gala: From left, Jamie Johnson, Jim Wilson and Paul Clifford.

Left: State Senator Tom O'Mara. Right: Community Spirit Award honoree Ken Wilson.

Schuyler County Legislature Chairman Dennis Fagan.

Left: Former Corning Classic Chairman Jack Benjamin. Right: U.S. Rep. Tom Reed.

Left: Businessman Junior Specchio. Right: Liz Stamp of Lakewood Vineyards.

Left: Danielle Hautaniemi of Cooperative Extension. Right: Corning Enterprises' Tom Tranter.

Annual Steak Dinner to benefit The Arc

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Jan. 13 -- The Montour Moose Lodge on Route 14 in Montour Falls will again host an annual Steak Dinner to benefit The Arc of Schuyler on Saturday, Jan. 28. For more than 20 years, the Moose and The Arc have partnered to coordinate this fundraising event.

Dinner service will run from 5 p.m. until about 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $13 for adults and $6 for children ages 5-12. Adult meals include a strip steak, baked potato, vegetable, salad, and dessert; while youth meals include sides and a half steak. Children under age 5 may choose a hamburger or hot dog with fries and a dessert for a free choice donation.

Since this is a sell-out event; purchasing tickets in advance is encouraged. You can buy them at the Montour Moose Lodge or at The Arc of Schuyler, 203 Twelfth St., Watkins Glen.

Over the years, the Montour Moose Lodge has helped The Arc raise $60,000.

The view from Odessa Fire Chief Mike Tomassi's seat at the State of the State address.

Tomassi, Kennedy attend State of State

Special to The Odessa File

ALBANY, Jan. 10 -- Bill Kennedy, Director of Emergency Management in Schuyler County, and Mike Tomassi, Chief of the Odessa Fire Department, were invited to attend Governor Andrew Cuomo's State of the State Address in Albany on Wednesday, Jan. 4.

The two men, along with State Police Officers, National Guards, Sheriff's Deputies, DEC officers and officials of the New York State Department of Transportation, were invited by the Governor's Office as representatives of individual departments and in gratitude for the assistance given to areas in need of help after the destruction of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

Governor Cuomo, at the address, thanked all of those who volunteered their time and efforts to help in the wake of the storms.

Tomassi said his and Kennedy's seats were on the main floor, within sight of the governor and of a television screen carrying the governor's image.

"I would like to thank all the volunteers from the Odessa Fire Department who gave up their time away from their jobs and family to help others in their time of need," said Tomassi of the post-hurricane effort. "I'm proud to serve with a great group of people."

Gallery book signing to feature Czarnecki

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 12 -- Poet and publisher Michael Czarnecki will discuss his experiences leading to his new book, "Journeys on US 20," during a book-signing event at the Franklin Street Gallery on Friday, Jan. 13 from 5:30-7 p.m. The Gallery is located at 209 N. Franklin St, Watkins Glen.

In the autumn of 1996, Czarnecki traveled 20 days on America’s longest road and wrote a book about his adventures, “Twenty Days on Route 20.” Fifteen years later, he once again traveled the length of US 20, this time in the spring, and wrote about it in this latest volume.

Smoke rises from the fire scene at about 2:30 a.m. Monday.

Fire destroys barn near Beaver Dams

BEAVER DAMS, Jan. 9 -- Firefighters from several departments were called to the scene of a barn fire early Monday morning alongside Rt. 414, just north of Beaver Dams.

The cause of the fire, which leveled the barn, was not announced. A fire investigator on the scene had just arrived after the flames were subdued, and so had no immediate information. The barn, officials said, was owned by Harold Mattison and was insured. Three small calves, they added, died in the blaze.

Fire units from Beaver Dams, Monterey, Town and Country, Montour Falls, Watkins Glen and Odessa, along with Schuyler Ambulance, were called to the scene after 1 a.m.

"It's a real smoker," said one, noting that burning hay in the barn was kicking up the plumes dominating the sky above the site. A prefab home, a trailer and various other equipment just yards away from the barn were not burned.

Photo in text: Firefighters in the shell of the building, after the flames were subdued.

Firefighters entered the barn's remains, clearing out debris and tamping down hot spots.

Montour Library to host The Magic Book

MONTOUR FALLS, Jan. 6 -- The Montour Falls Memorial Library kicks off the New Year with a program at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 titled The Magic Book, an interactive theatrical journey to a whimsical library led by actress Camilla Schade.

Children of all ages will delight in the story, which engages their participation and their imagination at all levels. The cost is free, thanks to the program made possible by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes and funded by The Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and Finger Lakes Inc.

The Montour Falls Memorial Library is located at 406 West Main Street, Montour Falls, in the heart of the Glorious “T” Historic District placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1978. The library’s rich history is evident in the exterior and interior architecture as well as in its Historical Resource Room.

The library is a member of the The Southern Tier Library System, a regional consortium of public libraries in New York State.

Photo in text: Actress Camilla Schade (Photo provided)

Part of the ceremony consisted of the unveiling of a plaque to be affixed to the building. Developer Bruce Nelson (center) addresses the crowd after removing a cloth cover from the plaque.

Former Grammar School rededicated in Montour Falls

MONTOUR FALLS, Jan. 6 -- Scores of people turned out Thursday night for the rededication of a building -- exactly 90 years after it was originally dedicated.

The former Union Grammar School, later the Montour Falls Grammar School and, ultimately, the Rural Urban Center has been recast in the past year as an apartment building and, soon, home to the My Place Child Care Center.

The building was renovated by developer Bruce Nelson, who also has the remake of the Montour House on his list of accomplishments. Nelson was on hand Thursday, helping to unveil a new plaque that will be affixed to the front of the building. It reads "Union School. Jan. 5, 1922. Rededicated Jan. 5, 2012."

The structure, at 208 W. Broadway in Montour Falls, was first dedicated as a school on Jan. 5, 1922. Now, with the building's apartments fully occupied and the Child Care Center about to open, Nelson and other local dignitaries decided to mark the occasion with a celebration that included music, food, and self-guided tours of the structure -- including one of the apartments.

Montour Falls Mayor John King opened the ceremony -- held in front of the building on a brisk evening -- by saying it was "a special occasion for Montour Falls," which is "proud of its history and architecture."

Schuyler County Administrator Tim O'Hearn said the county was "proud of its role in this," which included partnering with Nelson, the village, the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development (SCOPED) and the state government to bring the renovation to reality. The county had owned the building before selling it to Nelson.

Kelsey Jones, executive director of SCOPED, reminisced about how his desk chair used to slide along the slope of his office floor when his agency occupied a space on the third story of the building. SCOPED now operates in Watkins Glen.

Andrew Tompkins, executive director of the Schuyler County Historical Society Museum, outlined the history of the old school building, from its days as an educational institution (from the 1920s into the 1950s), to its role as the Rural Urban Center, to its being vacant after the county found other locations for the agencies that had worked there. Now, he said, it is time to celebrate its return "to a useful purpose once again in the community."

Rebekah LaMoreaux, president and CEO of the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, outlined Nelson's development accomplishments and the various awards he's won, and introduced him to the crowd. Nelson in turn said he was "real happy to be able to play a part in this," and praised the partnerships of the various entities involved.

A final prayer was delivered by the Rev. Michael Hartney. Also on hand was Scott Estes, a representative from Assemblyman Chris Friend's office, and Congressman Tom Reed -- who arrived just after the ceremony but in plenty of time to mix with the crowd after it moved indoors for food, drink and the tours.

"Sorry I'm late," said the Congressman. "I was tied up in a couple of meetings. But I want to say hi to everyone." And he did, visiting the second floor lobby, an adjacent meeting room, and the open apartment, located on the third floor.

The evening was, in sum -- in the words of Mayor King -- "a milestone in the long historic journey of this building."

Photos in text:

Top: Schuyler County Administrator Tim O'Hearn addresses the gathering from atop the front steps of the building.

Second: An enlargement of a Montour Falls Grammar School diploma is on display in the building.

Third: Montour Falls Mayor John King opened the ceremony with some remarks.

Bottom: A cake sits undisturbed at a food table during the celebration.

Left: From left, Developer Bruce Nelson, Congressman Tom Reed and the Rev. Michael Hartney in an apartment that was on display during the rededication. Right: Rebekah LaMoreaux, president and CEO of the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, was among the speakers.

Congressman Tom Reed, left, and Montour Falls Mayor John King meet upon Reed's arrival.

Watkins gains $15K waterfront-plan grant

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 4 -- The Village of Watkins Glen has been awarded a $15,000 grant for a waterfront development plan through the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program of the New York State Department of State

The grant application was prepared and submitted on behalf of the village by the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development (SCOPED) as part of the 2011 Consolidated Funding Application administered by the newly formed Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council.

The goal of this project is to further refine key elements of the Watkins Glen Lakefront Management and Development Strategy that was completed for the Village in 2010. These proposed elements include a walking and biking trail and boardwalk on Seneca Lake; development plans for the Seneca Canal to include a marina, restaurant, boat storage, public launch, housing and promenade; as well as plans for the development of a Village-owned lakefront parcel to include a Natural History Interpretive Center near Queen Catharine Marsh.

The project has also received preliminary approval for funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission, and has committed matching funds from the Village and SCOPED.

“The goal of this work is to further refine architectural and engineering plans for development of the Seneca Lake waterfront, which is obviously one of the key assets of the community,” said Kelsey Jones, executive director of SCOPED. “We have seen a number of individual improvements to the waterfront in recent years, including the Seneca Harbor Station Restaurant, the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, Seneca Harbor Park and Clute Park. This project will look to link these amenities along the waterfront together and provide better connections to the historic Franklin Street commercial district.”

Added Watkins Glen Mayor Mark Swinnerton: “The Village welcomes this funding that will help in implementing the recently completed Watkins Glen Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan. The Village and SCOPED continue to successfully partner on a number of projects to capitalize on the attractions that make Watkins Glen a center of activity for residents and visitors alike.”

Former Rural Urban Center, once a school, will be rededicated at Jan. 5 ceremony

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 31 -- The longtime Rural Urban Center in Montour Falls -- once a grammar school -- will be the site of a rededication on Thursday, January 5th, exactly 90 years after it was originally dedicated.

The Nelson Development Group LLC has been renovating the structure, turning it into an apartment complex and home to the Schuyler County Child Care Coordinating Council and a day-care center.

In 1922, the Montour Falls Union Grammar School officially opened its doors to students in grades K-8 in Schuyler County. It represented free education in the village as families transitioned from home-based education to a public system. In 1958, the last 8th grade class graduated and students were merged into a centralized school system.

Between 1967 and 2008, the building housed various county offices and agencies, including Cooperative Extension.

The formal rededication, set for 6 p.m. Thursday at the building -- located at 208 W. Broadway Street in Montour Falls -- will feature remarks by Chamber of Commerce President Rebekah LaMoreaux; Developer Bruce Nelson; Schuyler County Administrator Tim O’Hearn; SCOPED Executive Director Kelsey Jones; Montour Falls Mayor John King; and Schuyler County Historical Society Director Andrew Tompkins, and a blessing by the Rev. Michael Hartney.

A reception will immediately follow the ceremony.

Photo in text: The former Rural Urban Center in Montour Falls, once a school and now an apartment building. A child-care center will soon open downstairs. (File photo)

6th annual Celebrity Guest series set

Special to The Odessa File

DUNDEE, Dec. 29 -- Glenora Wine Cellars has announced plans for its Sixth Annual Celebrity Guest Chef Series at Veraisons Restaurant. The Thursday night series begins on January 5 and continues until April 26.

Each Thursday, a pasta dish will be prepared by Veraisons with help from a local Guest Celebrity Chef . A portion of the proceeds each evening will be donated to the charity of the Chef’s choice. At the end of the program, Glenora Wine Cellars matches the donation to the charity that brings in the most patrons. Over the last five years, Glenora Wine Cellars has donated more than $7,000 to local charities.

Each person who attends receives a fresh garden salad, a bread basket at the table, and unlimited trips to the pasta station. At the pasta station, diners receive custom-made dishes of pasta. A selection of homemade sauces and ingredients -- including an array of meats, fresh vegetables, garlic and herbs -- are available there.

Pasta Night at Veraisons runs from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.. Reservations are recommended by calling 1-800-243-5513. Cost is $17.95 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

For a complete lineup of this year’s Celebrity Guest Chefs, visit the events calendar at www.glenora.com.

Glenora Wine Cellars, a pioneer in the renaissance of the Finger Lakes wine industry, has been producing award-winning wines for more than 33 years. In 1977, Glenora was the first winery to open on Seneca Lake. Today the property offers a 30-room inn (Inn at Glenora) and a gourmet restaurant (Veraisons) joining the winery on the 40-acre estate.

3 computer classes planned at library

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 26 -- JobLink trainers will offer three computer classes at the Watkins Glen Public Library, 610 S. Decatur Street, on Tuesday evenings in January. All classes are at 7:15 p.m.

Learn how to download free library ebooks on January 10th, find out how to set up and use a Skype account on January 17th, and hone your skills with Microsoft Word in Part 3 of Word Training on January 24th.

For more information, or to pre-register, contact the library at 607-535-2346 or watkins@stls.org

The former Office for the Aging building in Montour Falls: site of the planned Quinlan's Pharmacy.

Wayland pharmacy to expand operation to Montour Falls

Quinlan's firm is buying OFA building

MONTOUR FALLS, Dec. 23 -- The defunct Montour Pharmacy will soon have a successor just a block away.

Quinlan's Pharmacy, a family-owned operation with a store in Wayland and medical equipment outlets in Canandaigua and Geneseo, is in the process of buying the former Office for the Aging building on Main Street in Montour Falls with an eye toward opening a pharmacy and retail goods outlet in that 3,200-square-foot building. It also plans to sell wheelchairs, hospital beds and other medical equipment.

Jessica Pompeo, the firm's director of operations, said it intends to start renovations on the OFA building soon and to open for business within six months "and possibly as soon as March 1." The plan calls for Quinlan's to hire some of the personnel who worked at the Montour Pharmacy.

The structure, county-owned and vacant for the past three years, is a block west of the now-vacant Montour Pharmacy, which closed Dec. 6 after the business was sold to CVS by Henderson Drugs -- a small regional chain. The Montour Pharmacy building, owned by a Henderson holding company, can't be used as a pharmacy for a year under terms of the business sale.

That's where the OFA building came in -- with Montour Falls Mayor John King, Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development Executive Director Kelsey Jones and other officials pushing hard to find a pharmacy interested in moving there.

There was, as it turns out, substantial interest.

"I was shocked at the level of interest," said Jones, who said several pharmacies responded to calls put out through a statewide pharmacy network. Ultimately, Jones said, "we felt most comfortable with Quinlan's."

The firm is owned by John Quinlan (pictured at right), who joined his father Thomas in the business full-time in the 1990s, a decade after Thomas had founded it.

Pompeo, the director of operations, joined the firm two-and-a-half years ago after spending five years with Henderson Drugs -- including "quite a bit of time," she said, at the Montour Pharmacy. Accordingly, she is acquainted with the staff that worked there, and has contacted a number of them about returning to work at the new pharmacy.

"They're excited, and so are we," she said, noting that there will likely be five full-time employees and perhaps five part-time workers.

Quinlan and Pompeo, along with Lanny Doud of the Rochester Drug Company -- the Quinlan firm's drug wholesaler -- were on hand Thursday morning at the OFA building with various village and county officials to announce the pending sale of the building to Quinlan's. Present from Schuyler County were Mayor King, SCOPED's Jones, Legislature Chairman Dennis Fagan, Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup, Montour Falls Village Board member Jim Ryan, Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rebekah LaMoreaux, and Schuyler County Administrator Tim O'Hearn.

O'Hearn, when asked what the building's purchase price is, said that was not available for public release since the final paperwork had not yet been signed. But he said price was not an issue, and that the contract is expected to be finalized soon.

Doud, the Rochester wholesaler (pictured at right), was helping to measure the store and figure out its future layout. As it stands now, a load-bearing wall separates the building into two halves. But Pompeo said the wall will be removed -- with support posts in place -- so that the store "will be an open square" with an office and possible consultation area in a room located in the northeast corner. The pharmacy will be in the building's rear, traditional among most American drugstores.

Several of the dignitaries on hand welcomed the Quinlan operation, with O'Hearn saying "I think it should be emphasized that this was a perfect example of the partnership that needs to take place in an economic development world."

Mayor King expanded on that, first listing a number of good things happening in the village -- a veterinary service being prepared on Rt. 14, the Humane Society of Schuyler County's new facility in the former Kurtz Enterprises building, the Gateway project that will beautify the intersection of Rt. 14 and Main Street, the Montour House renovation, the renovation of the former Rural-Urban Center, a rededication ceremony there on Jan. 5, and the opening of a Child Care Center there. He then noted the blow felt by the community upon the closing of the Montour Pharmacy. Officials and residents alike had received little advance word of that development, and felt a significant sense of loss with the demise of a store that had been part of the social fabric of the village for decades.

King credited Nick Anagnost, longtime owner of the Montour Pharmacy -- who had sold it to Henderson Drugs nine years ago -- with providing direction "on how to get started" on the search for another pharmacy. He said an ad hoc committee of county and village leaders and SCOPED was formed as part of the effort -- which paid off "with several offers. We'd love to have them all, but we settled on Quinlan's as the best solution."

John Quinlan said the search was "a perfect example of how a community can come together. When you put your heads together, you can accomplish anything."

Pompeo (pictured at right) said the agreement with Quinlan's was "a great fit for the community. I'm sure it will be wonderful." She noted that delivery service would be part of the operation, as it was at the Montour Pharmacy. "And if we get in here quickly enough, I don't think it will be a hard thing for people to come back" -- a reference to pharmacy accounts that were transferred to CVS in the Montour Pharmacy sale.

"I hope we can meet people's expectations," she said. "I think we can."

Added Montour Falls Trustee Ryan: "This is truly a Christmas gift to the community."

Officials said the opening date will be contingent on how quickly paperwork filed with various state agencies is approved. No significant delays are expected since Quinlan's is an established pharmacy and medical equipment firm.

Filling the store with merchandise -- and in particular pharmacy items -- can be accomplished in days, Pompeo said. Cosmetic work -- preparing the store by painting it, installing new carpeting, and laying out the shelving and other operational units -- will take time. Toward that end, she said, workers "with sledgehammers" will start the preparation work soon.

Photos in text:

Top: From left: Quinlan's Director of Operations Jessica Pompeo, Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce President Rebekah LaMoreaux and Montour Falls Mayor John King

Next three photos: From top: Quinlan's Pharmacy owner John Quinlan, the Rochester Drug Company's Lanny Doud, and Quinlan's Director of Operations Jessica Pompeo.

Freeze Indicators add element of safety

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 20 -- Motorists and pedestrians in Schuyler County have an extra level of safety with the installation of IceAlert™ freezing indicators.

Schuyler County Highway Superintendent Greg Mathews said the freeze indicators are an additional way to remove the element of surprise regarding freezing roads and sidewalks.

“The most treacherous conditions are during the transition from wet to freezing surfaces,” Mathews said. “These indictors will give pedestrians and motorists another reminder to use caution when the conditions are changing.”

The IceAlert™ system comprises 6" diameter indicators that change color from white to blue as temperatures approach freezing. Motorists and pedestrians are alerted to the dropping temperatures and are made aware that ice may be present or forming.

Chris Bond, PE, director of Structures for Hunt Engineers, Architects & Land Surveyors, P.C. worked with Greg Mathews and members of his highway crews to determine the best locations for the devices.

Photo in text: Schuyler County Highway Superintendent Greg Mathews, right, and Hunt Engineers' Chris Bond with an Ice Alert sign. (Photo provided)

Library speaker to discuss Women in Finland

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 20 -- Maija DeRoche will offer an illustrated presentation on "The Status of Women in Finland: Throughout History and Today" at Books Sandwiched In at the Watkins Glen Public Library, 610 S. Decatur Street, on January 11th at noon.

While women have always been strong characters in traditional Finnish sagas, a recent study also determined that Finland is one of the best places in the world for a woman to live. Finnish women gained the right to vote in 1906, have excellent access to education and health care, and play a significant role in government.

This program is free and open to the public. The Friends of Watkins Library will provide coffee, tea and dessert. For more information, contact the library at 607-535-2346 or watkins@stls.org

Libraries plan Slavic Art classes

Special to The Odessa File

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Dec. 20 -- Guest artist Svetlana Baldwin of Corning will offer Traditional Slavic Art classes on two days in the coming New Year at the Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library, Odessa, and at the Watkins Glen Public Library, 610 S. Decatur Street.

The first class -- featuring Byelorussian Straw Applique -- will be he held on Saturday, Jan. 7 at the Odessa library at 10 a.m. and at the Watkins Glen library at 1 p.m.

The second class -- featuring Ukrainian Reverse Painting on Glass -- will be held on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Odessa library at 10 a.m. and at the Watkins Glen library at 1 p.m.

Baldwin, a native of the Ukraine, has taught workshops at 171 Cedar Arts Center in Corning and at Mansfield University. All materials will be provided, and the workshops are free, but pre-registration is required by calling the libraries at 607-594-2791 (Odessa) or 607-535-2346 or emailing odessa@stls.org or watkins@stls.org

This classes are made possible with Quick Arts funds from the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes Inc. and is administered by the ARTS of the Southern Finger Lakes.

Some holiday safety tips from the Sheriff

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 17 -- With the Christmas and holiday celebration season in full swing, Schuyler County Sheriff Bill Yessman has provided some safety tips to help everyone have a safe and enjoyable holiday season.

"With the increased demands on our time and attention this time of year," Sheriff Yessman said, "we are more vulnerable to crime. Take a few moments to review the following tips and go out shopping and celebrating, confident that you are prepared."

Parking Lots:
--When walking through parking lots, be aware of your surroundings.
--Always park where there is plenty of light between your car and the store.
--Keep your car locked and have your keys in hand before you go to your car.
--Before leaving your vehicle, make sure there isn’t anything of value in sight, including cell phones, GPS units, and holiday purchases.

Shopping:
--Shop with a friend or relatives; there is safety in numbers.
--Don’t leave your purse unattended (even for a few seconds) in your cart.
--Don’t carry large amounts of money. Keep money in a front pocket.
--Only carry one or two credit cards and make sure you secure them after use.

Shopping with Children:
--Always supervise your children in public places. Accompany young children to the restroom.
--Teach young children to go for help if they get separated from you. Teach them to look for a cashier or uniformed security guard.
--If you must allow your teenage children to shop without you, have them take a friend, check in with you on a regular basis, and have a set time and place to pick them up.

Shopping Online:
--Making purchases online is a way to avoid the crowded shopping centers, but use caution.
--Only shop at sites that begin with “https.” That designates the site as secure.
--Stick with established retailers and retailers from our local community with a presence online. Shopping locally is good for the local economy and more secure.
--If you are shopping with an unfamiliar retailer, look them up on the Better Business Bureau website or do a Google search for complaints regarding the retailer
--Keep tabs on your account online; check off receipts and watch for any unauthorized activity.

At Home:
--Don’t display your gifts where they can be seen from a window or doorway.
--Lock doors and windows when you leave the house.
--Use only UL-listed extension cords, lights and Christmas ornaments. Don’t overload outlets or electrical boxes.

Driving:
--When celebrating away from home, don’t drink and drive.
--Choose a designated driver before heading out.
--If hosting a party, provide refreshments for designated drivers and arrange transportation for guests who should not drive home.
--If possible, avoid driving during the early and late evening hours on Christmas and New Years.
Protect yourself and passengers by wearing a safety belt at all times, in case of a crash.

"Please remember," says Yessman, "that if you are a victim of crime, you should contact your Sheriff’s Office or other law enforcement immediately. If we all follow these common sense tips, we can enjoy a safe and merry Christmas and a happy holiday season."

Photo in text: Sheriff Bill Yessman

Schuyler programs earn Arts Council grants

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Dec. 16 -- Several Schuyler County-based organizations have received Arts Council of the Southern Finger Lakes grants through the council's 2011 QuickARTS: Community Arts Money in a Jiffy! program.

QuickArts was developed to fund a broad range of arts and cultural projects in the region. Twenty-one applicants were awarded a total of $9,142 for arts and cultural programming in Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben counties.

Recipients in Schuyler County included the Dutton S. Peterson Library in Odessa (two grants totaling $700), the Montour Fall Memorial Library ($500), the Old Havana Courthouse Theatre ($500), the International Motor Racing Research Center ($500), and the Watkins Glen Public Library (two grants totaling $700).

$500,000 Main Street grant awarded for Watkins Glen

Special to the Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 15 -- A $500,000 grant through the 2011 New York Main Street Program has been awarded for the Village of Watkins Glen, it has been announced by Julie Chevalier, Executive Director of Community Progress, Inc. (CPI).

CPI partnered with the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development (SCOPED) in preparing the grant application and will partner with SCOPED in administering the two-year program. The award will be used for improvements on Franklin Street.

“The Lake Front Corridor is an integral component of the county’s economy as it stands as the gateway to our Finger Lakes Region,” said Chevalier. “This will assist the county’s tourism industry and provide financial support to our local business owners to make façade improvements and to provide for additional upper-story living. In developing viable communities, we are able to expand the economic opportunities, as well.”

“This award and the projects it will fund perfectly complement the ongoing work that SCOPED is undertaking in the Village of Watkins Glen with our community partners,” added Kelsey Jones, Executive Director of SCOPED. “We have a number of economic development initiatives currently underway in the Village, including street enhancements and lakefront development, and upgrades to Franklin Street properties will be key to their success.”

Watkins Glen Mayor Mark Swinnerton said the village's residents and business owners “welcome this news. The first award to the Village in 2006 saw great improvements made to building facades, storefronts and second-floor apartments. Together with the State’s recent designation of the Franklin Street Historic District, this grant will insure that we’ll continue to see great things happening in Watkins Glen."

This will be the fourth collaborative partnership between CPI and SCOPED in allocating NYMS funding. The previous three awards covered two separate programs in the Village of Montour Falls and one in the Village of Watkins Glen.

Cantata to be performed in Montour Falls

MONTOUR FALLS, Dec. 13 -- Thirty-five area singers have been rehearsing for two months in preparation for the Montour Falls Community Christmas Cantata at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18 at the Montour Falls Baptist Church.

The Cantata is called "God is With Us," and retells the venerable Christmas story in song and narration. This year's Cantata also features a 12-person Youth Choir singing Natalie Sleeth's "Jazz Gloria." Both groups are directed by Kim Laursen, and accompanists are Sara Caldwell, Renee Riley and Richard Little. Sam and Matt Norton will be sound engineers for the production.

Many choir members will sing solos and duets in the pre-service music starting at 7:10. The public is invited to come and enjoy what Laursen called "this wonderful musical gift to our community."

Candlelight Vespers Service set in Odessa

ODESSA, Dec. 13 -- The 62nd annual Candlelight Vespers Service will be held at the Odessa United Methodist Church at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18. The public is invited.

A 14-voice choir under the direction of Mrs. Kim Laursen will present a service of lessons and anthems. Soloists include Sara Caldwell, Kevin Greuber and Kim Laursen. The prelude will be played by Mary Wolfe, and Rick Price will accompany the choir.

The Vespers service is a tradition begun by the late Lou Sand, who directed the choir in Odessa for 52 years. Reader for this year's Vespers is Odessa Mayor Keith Pierce. A reception following the service will be served by Nancy Sauberan and Liz Learn.

The bar was a popular spot at the Hazlitt 1852 Winery during Saturday's party.

Seneca Santa party: Fun & a good cause

HECTOR, Dec. 11 -- It's become a tradition -- a beacon of sorts, pointing the way toward the Seneca Santa program.

It is the annual Seneca Santa party at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Winery in Hector, which raises money for the non-profit Christmas gift-giving program -- a program that provides presents at Christmas for Schuyler County families in need.

There was, as usual, plenty of camaraderie at Hazlitt's, and plenty of food provided by various county eateries, and plenty of live music. The music was provided by familiar faces such as Willie Hayes, Lou Cicconi, Scott Muir, Mark Stephany, and Mickey Collins, and by a couple of new faces this time: Bob and Dee -- Bob Walpole of Romulus and Dee Specker of Ithaca.

While the duo was performing, a couple of other musicians were asked who they were. "I don't know," they said, with one adding: "But they're good." (For the record, their websites note that each has had a long and notable musical career, with performances from coast to coast. Dee specializes in vocals and the violin, and Bob plays guitar and sings.)

Elsewhere in the building, volunteers were helping dispense wine to the party-goers. The vols included county officials such as Tim O'Hearn and Tom Gifford, and Watkins Glen International officials such as Michael Printup and Ryan Mosher.

The event has raised thousands of dollars for the Seneca Santa program annually. Final totals were not available from this year's party as of Saturday night.

Photos in text:

Top: Volunteer servers included (from left) Dominick Franzese, Tim O'Hearn and Tom Gifford.

Bottom: The Hazlitt Red Cat -- symbol of the vineyard's popular Red Cat wine -- was posing with many a partygoer at Saturday's gathering.

Bob Walpole and Dee Specker, performing at the party as Bob & Dee.

Watkins Glen Village Board member Wayne Weber (left) and musician Lou Cicconi (right) were among the many people at the Seneca Santa party.

Hospital Auxiliary plans House Tour

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Dec. 5 -- Limited tickets are still available for the Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary’s Holiday House Tour on Sunday, December 11th. It will run from noon-4 p.m.

Although tour locations will not be announced until the day of the tour, homes include three contemporary ones in Watkins Glen, and three historic structures in Montour Falls, as well as recently renovated luxury apartments and high-end lakeview hotel rooms.

Some names you’ll hear connected to the locations include Franzese, Chicone, Royce-Cole, Cook, Jackson, Mallory and Trader.

Pre-sale tickets will be available through Friday, December 9 for $15 per person. Pre-sale tickets are available at the Schuyler Hospital Gift Shop, Wags to Riches, the Seneca Lake General Store, and Famous Brands. Day-of-event tickets are $20, and will be available only at the Watkins Glen Public Library – where the tour kicks off.

Although participants can tour homes in any order, tickets must be turned in on December 11th for wristbands and tour information at the Watkins Glen Public Library before beginning.

The House Tour is being presented by the Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary, to benefit Schuyler Hospital.

For more information, contact Auxilians Midge Franzese at (607) 535-6635 or Joanne McLaine at (607) 535-4858.

Vehicles and floats make their way north on Franklin Street during the parade.

It was time once again for the Watkins Village Christmas

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 29 -- Music, food, improvisational acting, reindeer, alpacas, a tree lighting, a chili cookoff, a parade and fireworks were all part of Friday evening's Village Christmas in downtown Watkins Glen.

The event, presented by Watkins Glen Promotions, was an evening full of activities, food and crafts on Franklin Street -- which was closed to traffic while attendees wandered the street from one side to the other, taking in the sights and scents.

There was live entertainment sponsored by Captain Bill’s, Jerlando’s Ristorante and Ultimate Sound throughout the evening at Learn Motors on Franklin Street -- starting with a group from Watkins Glen Schools and later featuring karaoke. Up the street at the Village Hall, the Lake Country Players presented improvisational theater throughout the evening on the building's second floor -- in the new Village Board meeting room.

A new feature was the lighting of a Christmas tree, taking place in the lot across from Learn Motors -- where the tree was erected the night before. The lighting was followed by the annual Visions of Sugar Plums Christmas Parade along Franklin Street, heading north. It was sponsored by Visions Federal Credit Union.

The parade, led by law-enforcement vehicles, featured fire trucks from various area departments, marchers, floats, and finally Santa and Mrs. Claus -- who afterward were available for children to visit at the Seneca Lake General Store.

Santa’s elves, Kathie and Mickey, were back this year personalizing Christmas ornaments at Cabins to Castles Real Estate, and up and down Franklin Street were food vendors, several offering chili that was part of the festival's annual Chili Cook-Off.

The evening concluded with a Winter Wonderland fireworks display, sponsored by the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel and held over Seneca Harbor Park

Photos in text:

Sights in the parade, from the top: A Montour Falls firetruck in the parade; a Sheriff's Department car driven by Andrew Yessman; and The Grinch.

A nativity scene, provided by Schuyler Hospital.

In the parade: Frosty and Rudolph.

Members of the Lake Country Players presented Improv Theater in the Village Hall.

The Village Christmas Tree, right, is reflected on a car parked nearby.

Santa and Mrs. Claus were the final parade highlight.

Fatal accident shears pole, snarls traffic

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 3 -- A one-car accident at Decatur and 8th Streets at the beginning of Friday's Watkins Glen Village Christmas resulted in the death of the driver, Kenneth M. Scott, 42, of Tyrone.

Police said the accident -- caused by "an apparent medical emergency" -- sheared off a utility pole, downed power lines and snarled traffic being routed on Decatur because of the festival.

Police said the accident occurred at about 5 p.m. when Scott had "an apparent medical emergency and left the road" -- striking and breaking the pole, and bringing down lines.

He was transported by Schuyler Ambulance to Schuyler Hospital and pronounced dead. He was the father of Army Spc. Christopher J. Scott, killed Sept. 3 in Afghanistan.

The police department was assisted at the scene by the Schuyler County Sheriff's Department, State Police, the Watkins Glen Fire Department and Schuyler Ambulance.

Brown U. student interns at Gallery

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 24 -- Internships offer unique and valuable hands-on learning opportunities to students preparing for a career. They allow for a partnership among the interning student, the educational institution, and organizations in the community to build relationships that can benefit all three players.

In June 2011, Brown University junior and Burdett native Grace Dalrymple -- a Watkins Glen High School graduate -- joined the Franklin Street Gallery and Gift Shop for a six-week summer internship.

Grace, a Visual Arts major at Brown (located in Rhode Island), was aided by a Brown Internship Award, offered to the school's students pursuing career-related summer internships. Through this program, she received income while benefitting from the internship experience.

Under the tutelage of Arts Coordinator Cynthia Hill, Grace learned about managing an art gallery. Some days she was solely responsible for opening, operating, and closing the gallery. This entailed customer service, building relationships with artists, and assisting with administrative tasks, such as inventorying items. Grace also helped with the gallery’s exhibits and events.

“Cynthia taught me how to approach customers and talk to them about the art,” Grace said. “I also learned how to set up an exhibit, how and where to hang and display work, and how to make decisions about what work should come off the floor or be brought out.”

According to Grace, Cynthia wasn’t her only teacher. “I appreciated the people -- being able to learn from the visitors and the artists who came into the gallery by talking with them,” Grace said. “I got the chance to talk to artists like Bob Gillespie and Steve Cooper and find out how they’ve become successful.”

“Grace absorbed a lot of knowledge in a brief time here,” Hill said. “She provided great assistance and helped us get started on some projects that have certainly helped enhance the gallery.”

After completing her education at Brown in 2013, Grace plans to explore opportunities as a school art teacher or at a non-profit organization. She will spend her spring semester in Europe studying art history.

The Franklin Street Gallery and Gift Shop is a community arts center in Watkins Glen operated by The Arc of Schuyler, a non-profit organization that provides supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc offers various internship opportunities. Find out more at www.arcofschuyler.org or call The Arc’s Human Resources Department at 607-535-6934.

Photo in text: Grace Dalrymple, Brown University student, interned at the Franklin Street Gallery from June through August. (Photo provided)

Justine Hulbert models a halter-top prom dress originally purchased at Macy's. All the clothing modeled Monday night came from the Wags to Riches store on Franklin Street.

Fashion Show highlights Wags to Riches

Watkins-Montour Zonta Club conducts annual clothing display

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 22 -- Stylish but inexpensive clothing from the racks of the Humane Society of Schuyler County's Wags to Riches store on Franklin Street in Watkins Glen was the focus Monday night of the Watkins Glen-Montour Falls Zonta Club's second annual fashion show at Lakewood Vineyards.

The club, which last year featured vintage clothing, termed this show the "Women Move the World -- Shop 'Til You Drop Fashion Show." But it wasn't limited to women's fashion. There were also four men models strutting their stuff: Paul Marcellus, Ted Palevsky, Ken Wilson and Mike Stamp. They were greeted with appreciative applause from the all-female crowd. There were about 50 women present.

The Wags to Riches store, a business started by the Humane Society in 2009, is located at 313 N. Franklin St., its third location since opening. It rents a storefront renovated by Jim Guild after a downtown fire two years ago -- a location that Society official Ginny Yeager said Monday night is "our forever home."

The store depends on donations of merchandise. It is, said Humane Society President Georgie Taylor, "an upscale resale boutique." The sale of that merchandise contributes to the Society's fund raising -- essential now as the Society works toward opening (and completing the renovation of) a new centralized animal clinic and shelter in the former Kurtz Enterprises property on Marina Drive in Montour Falls. The purchase price of the Kurtz building, Taylor said, was $275,000, with the entire project costing a good deal more.

"We're very grateful to the Zonta Club for allowing us to participate in this show," said Taylor. "It helps to showcase what we sell at the store." The store's items, said Yeager, include crystal, china, shoes, purses, jewelry, books and clothing -- "several items of which you sampled this evening."

The fashion show, preceded by a social hour with finger foods, wine and cider, featured 13 models in various modes of attire -- from casual to formal to a wedding dress. Live acoustic music was provided before the show by Margaret Rindge on autoharp and Jeff Doren on guitar.

The models included Marion Webster, Zontian Parliamentarian; Rose Ann Simpkins, Zontian Ex-Officio and Director; Terry Galvin-Canioto, Zontian Treasurer; Peggy Sibley, Zontian 1st Vice President and Membership Chair; Paul Marcellus of the Colonial Inn & Motel; Carinne Wolford, Zontian President; Terri Remmers and Ted Palevsky of the Magnolia Place Bed and Breakfast; Max Neal of the International Motor Racing Research Center; Ken Wilson of Chemung Canal Bank and Keller Williams Realty; Mike Stamp of E.C. Cooper Insurance; and Watkins Glen students Justine Hulbert and Lydia Myers.

The fashion show moderator was Judy Lampman, a Zontian Past President.

Photos in text:

Top: Humane Society officials Ginny Yeager, left, and Georgie Taylor addressed the audience.

Middle: Pre-show music was provided by Margaret Rindge on autoharp and Jeff Doren on guitar.

Bottom: Carinne Wolford -- who oversaw last year's Vintage Clothing Fashion Show -- donned a vintage dress for Monday's event.

Left: Terri Remmers in a gold lace party dress. Center: Paul Marcellus in a casual outfit that included green cargo pants, a woven leather belt, a Banana Republic striped shirt, and a Lewis Creek vest. Right: Max Neal models a two-piece outfit designed by Karen Whong of the R&M Richards Design Group.

Left: Model Lydia Myers wears a Demetrios designer wedding gown of satin brocade and pearl. Right: Ken Wilson models a gray pinstripe jacket by Joseph Banks, a beige shirt by Geoffrey Bean, a patterned tie and a beige patterned scarf.

NY Transit unit recognizes Schuyler

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 21 -- An “Achievements in Marketing” award was presented recently by the New York Public Transit Association to Schuyler County Mobility Manager Amber Simmons, along with Tina Hager and Jane Davis, Mobility Managers from Chemung County and Steuben County, respectively.

The award -- presented at the association's annual conference in Saratoga Springs -- recognized the regional cooperative transportation education and public information efforts of the three Mobility Managers as demonstrated through the recently published “Need a Ride?” 2011 Tri-County Bus Map and Guide.

The guide is available at all Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben Workforce New York locations, as well as at other offices and organizations in Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben Counties, and through public transportation providers. The easy-to-use guide is intended to make transportation more accessible to all residents of the area, simplify transit use to all local riders and increase transit ridership.

Mobility Management is an approach for organizing and coordinating transportation resources in order to provide efficient and accessible services. You can find out more online at: www.ihsnet.org for Steuben and Chemung Counties and www.schuylercountytransit.org for Schuyler County.

Schuyler County Transit, operated by The Arc of Schuyler, was also recognized as a nominee for Rural System of the Year in recognition of the successful completion of its inaugural year of public transportation operations.

Photo in text: From left, Mobility Managers Jane Davis, Chemung County; Amber Simmons, Schuyler County; and Tina Hager, Steuben County. (Photo provided)

Firefighters after the flames were extinguished.

Fire damages auto shop near Junction

ALPINE JUNCTION, Nov. 19 -- Fire in a bay area of a recently opened auto sales and repair shop Friday afternoon destroyed two vehicles and left substantial damage to the building.

The fire at Arin's Auto on State Rte. 13 just south of Alpine Junction began shortly before 3 p.m. Within minutes, firefighters from five departments -- Odessa, Montour Falls, Mecklenburg, Newfield and Town & Country -- were enroute, with Burdett firefighters on standby at the Odessa station.

Odessa Fire Chief Mike Tomassi said the blaze occurred when workers were draining gas from the tank of a Dodge Caravan which was up on a lift for some repair work. A hose was carrying gas from the vehicle's tank to a bucket on the floor when a worklight fell and its bulb broke next to the bucket.

The broken light ignited the gas, with the flames melting the bucket, Tomassi said. The burning gas then ran along the floor and jumped upward to the van, melting its tires and setting the vehicle ablaze. The flames then moved to another vehicle in an adjoining bay and then to the building's walls and up to, and across, the ceiling.

It reached a storage area and burned oil containers and auto parts, but stopped short of reaching the building's offices, located in the front of the structure. Thick black smoke curled out of the bay doors and up high above, and was visible for miles.

Tomassi said the van and the second vehicle, a Mercury Sable, were destroyed, and that a third vehicle -- a Chevy pickup truck in the rear of the bay area -- received minor damage. The building's rear area and equipment, he said, were a 75% loss, with girders in the ceiling warped by the heat. The office area received some water damage.

Tomassi said firefighters were on the scene for about three hours.

The building, he said, was insured. A code enforcement officer was on site early in the evening to determine what steps needed to be taken to restore the building to an operational state in the future.

Photos in text:

Top: Smoke curls out from the Arin's Auto building on Rte. 13.

Bottom: A firefighter climbs a ladder leading to the hoist where the van burned.

Schuyler 4-H Robotics Team wins 3 awards

Special to The Odessa File

CORNING, Nov. 18 -- Schuyler County’s 4-H Robotics Team, the Servo Slammers, participated in the First Lego League Corning Regional Qualifier hosted at the Corning Community College gymnasium on Saturday, Nov. 12, and won three awards.

Servo Slammer members present were Mitchell Gascon, Jordan Lees, Brennan Lees, Trevor Dunn, Dylan Cooke, Wyatt Brower and Wrett Brower, along with teen mentors Tanner Ort and Emily Johnson and Coach Roger Ort.

The team competed in four events that focused around a scenario of contamination in the food system: public presentations, teamwork, robot building/programming and a mat/field challenge.

The team's awards included the Team Rising Star Award, Best Coach and Best Team Mentors.

For additional information or if you are interested in joining the team or finding out more about the opportunities available for youth in Schuyler County, call Cornell Cooperative Extension Schuyler County at 607-535-7161 and ask for Roger Ort.

Photo in text: Members of the team at the CCC competition. (Photo provided)

Schuyler Transit seeks rider feedback

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 15 -- Complete this sentence: “I ride the bus because –”.

This is the simple instruction on Schuyler County Transit’s new customer survey being offered to its fixed route service and Dial-A-Ride service users.

In its year of operation, Schuyler County Transit has been collecting statistical data about its ridership, including the busiest times of transportation use and most frequented stops. The new survey seeks to gather a different but equally important kind of data: why are people choosing to ride the bus?

“The 'I ride the bus because' survey is already helping us see how using public transportation is helping people in their daily lives,” Schuyler County Mobility Manager Amber Simmons said. “Many people who don’t drive or own a vehicle are finding that public transit is an economical and convenient way to get to their medical appointments, run errands, visit friends, and get to work.”

For many riders who do not own or drive vehicles, public transportation is fulfilling vital transportation needs. “I don’t drive and I use the bus to get from Odessa to my job in Watkins Glen,” rider Jacob Goossen said.

Some riders are finding public transportation a temporary alternative to using their car. “When my car is at the shop, I ride my bike,” Robert Tarlach of Burdett said. “The bus is a convenient way to get up and down the hill to Watkins Glen, and I love being able to use the bike rack on the buses.”

Grover Schoenfeld of Watkins Glen has been a frequent Schuyler County Transit rider since it started operation in August 2010. He uses public transit at least once a week to shop at Wal-Mart or visit friends in Montour Falls. Like many others, he also uses the Dial-A-Ride service at least twice a month to meet doctor’s appointments outside of the county. “The drivers are very helpful and friendly,” Schoenfeld said.

Schuyler County Transit will continue offering the “I ride the bus because” survey cards through the end of 2012. Surveys are available now on transit vehicles and can be dropped in the bus fare box when exiting the bus. Surveys are also available to submit online at www.schuylercountytransit.org.

Schuyler County Transit is operated by The Arc of Schuyler through a contract with Schuyler County. The Arc is a local charitable organization providing supports to people with autism and other developmental disabilities. Call 607-535-3555 for more information about Schuyler County Transit.

Children's author Eleanor Russell Brown, right, offered her books and artwork for sale.

Holiday Bazaar offered varied attractions

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 13 -- Crafts, food, raffles, beauty products and other items were on display and for sale Saturday at the annual Visions of Sugar Plums Holiday Bazaar at the St. Mary's of the Lake Center on 10th Street in Watkins Glen.

The event -- with a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus a highlight at midday -- offered lunch foods and baked goods, a cake booth, and vendor booths. Among the booth items: art, children's books, jewelry, maple products, pottery and other gifts.

Santa and Mrs. Claus set up shop in a side room called Santa's Workshop, where children could hear stories, watch movies, play games, get their faces painted, and visit with Santa.

There was also a silent auction featuring various treasures.

Photo in text: Dolls adorn a vendor's table at the bazaar.

Among the bazaar vendors was Angela Cartwright of Lodi, who creates pottery.

Hospital holding blood drive on Nov. 14

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Nov. 10 -- Schuyler Hospital’s next Red Cross Blood Drive is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 14 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Seneca View Activities Room.

As part of the Red Cross’ “Turkey-A-Day Giveaway,” all presenting donors in November can enter to win a $50 grocery store gift card, which can be used toward a turkey and all the trimmings for the holidays.

Gravediggers played prominently in an opening scene that led to a rousing song.

LCP's Sweeney Todd ends 3-day run

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 13 -- The Lake Country Players production of Stephen Sondheim’s famous tale of blood and revenge, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” concluded Sunday afternoon with its third and final performance in the Watkins Glen High School Auditorium.

The production was a musical thriller that followed Benjamin Barker (alias Sweeney Todd), a man returning to London 15 years after he was wrongly imprisoned and sent to Australia by the lascivious Judge Turpin. While speaking with his former landlady, Mrs. Lovett, Barker learns of the unfortunate circumstances that led to his beloved wife, Lucy, taking her own life, and he seeks revenge on Judge Turpin.

What followed on stage Sunday -- and before that on Friday and Saturday nights -- was a head-spinning tale of love and betrayal, twisted and perverse good intentions, and mistaken identity. Despite the fact that the plot was rife with murder and gore, much of it was delivered with a sense of humor that kept theater patrons laughing through scenes that might otherwise have had them squirming in their seats.

The production was directed by Beth Clark, with musical direction by Michelle Banach and Shayne Jones.

The cast included:

Sweeney Todd: Shayne Jones

Mrs. Lovett: Christa Perz

Tobias: Angus Zerbey

Anthony: Brenton Whiting

Johanna: Kristen Heins

Judge Turpin: Jose Gomez

Beadle: Kevin Greuber

Beggar Woman: Tesha Truesdail

Pirelli: Joseph Zerbey

Jonah Fogg: Michael Truesdail

Chorus: Anthony Curren, Autumn Cervoni, Barbra Lavelle, Carlyn Grebleski, Charlie Cole, Damita Chamberlain, Dana Roberts, David Scott (Sweeney Understudy), Dustin Spencer (Anthony Understudy), Erin Bond, Gene Holleran, Holly Campbell (Beggar Woman Understudy), John Coates, Kate Winslow, Kyle Bond, Marcus Zerbey, Melissa Neufer, Melissa Norton, Michelle Schaffer, Mikayla Lucas, Nicole Jimerson, Rose Decamp, Sam Norton, Sandra Rhodes, Sarah Norton, Stephanie Rhoads.

The Lake Country Players is a local theater organization which has been operating in Schuyler County for over 30 years. The group encourages new members to become involved both on the stage an behind the scenes. If you’d like to join, attend one of its monthy business meetings; you can email lakecountryplayers@gmail.com for details. You can also find information at the group's website, http://www.thelakecountryplayers.org/, or look it up on Facebook.

The production is presented through special arrangements with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are provided by MTI.

The project is made possible in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts’ Decentralization Program, administered locally by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.

Photos in text:

Top: Shayne Jones (as Sweeney Todd) and Christa Perz (as Mrs. Lovett) perform a duet during the Sunday performance.

Middle: Anthony (Brenton Whiting) and Johanna (Kristen Heins) share an intimate moment during a dress rehearsal.

Bottom: Members of the chorus: Dana Roberts (left) and Damita Chamberlain at dress rehearsal.

Festival of Lights will honor loved ones

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Nov. 10 -- Schuyler Hospital’s Auxiliary will hold its annual Festival of Lights on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Seneca View Skilled Nursing Facility.

Lights can be purchased for the festivities in memory of a loved one, in honor of a special friend or family member, to celebrate a special event, or as a just-thinking-of-you message.

Proceeds go to the Auxiliary. Lights must be purchased by Nov. 23.

The ceremony will feature music and brief remarks before the lights go on around the courtyard of Seneca View.

To donate to the Festival of Lights, pick up a form at the Hospital Gift Shop, or download a form from www.schuylerhospital.org.

Big raffles on tap at November Splendor

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Nov. 10 -- One of the most popular features of November Splendor is the big raffle prizes. The 2011 event will not only continue that tradition – but top it.

The dinner dance -- scheduled for Nov. 19 at the Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen -- is sponsored by the Schuyler Health Foundation and the Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary. Proceeds from this year’s event will go toward a full renovation of the Seneca View Skilled Nursing Facility.

Raffle prizes include: a TV, Wii & DVD player; a catered dinner or cocktail party; a weekend on Market Street in the Corning Gaffer District; an overnight stay at the Harbor Hotel; a wine rack with wine; a cruise with Seneca Sailing Adventures; a lottery tree, and -- the grand prize -- a trip for two to Las Vegas.

The evening also features cocktails, dinner, and dancing to the live music of “NY Rockin’ Revue.”

Event sponsors include The Bonadio Group, Bower Catering and Bower Farms, Elmira Savings Bank, Hunt Engineers, Keegan Associates, The Manning and Napier Foundation Inc., The Harbor Hotel, the Watkins Review/Dundee Observer, Jerlando’s, and Welliver.

Reserve your tickets by calling (607) 535-8879 ext. 226, or on-line at www.schuylerhospital.org

Library to host iPad, smartphone classes

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 8 -- JobLink trainers will offer two free classes -- at 10 a.m. on Nov. 12 and Nov. 19 at the Watkins Glen Public Library, 610 S Decatur Street.

On November 12th, learn how to "Test Drive an iPad". Whether you own one or want to learn more about them, this small, hands-on class will guide you through the basics and many of the bells and whistles of the Apple tablet, and tablets in general. Participants will each have an iPad to work with.

On November 19th, "Smartphone vs Smartphone" will guide participants through the new world of smartphones--be it iPhone, Android or Blackberry. Appropriate for beginners, but also for those who want to get the most out of their phone.

To register, or for more information, call 607-535-2346 or email watkins@stls.org

Workshop creations: Treasure Books

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 8 -- A free Treasure Book program will be offered at the Watkins Glen Public Library, 610 S. Decatur Street, on Saturday, December 3rd at 1 p.m.

The class offers you the opportunity to make a one-of-a-kind Treasure Book at the library -- which is providing old books to be transformed into works of art during the workshop. Each book will have a niche pre-carved into the back that can be painted, decorated, and filled with keepsakes, photos and other items.

Participants will gather items they would like to include in their books, and together with the instructor will transform the books into treasures. Bring in photos of a memorable trip, old stamps, broken jewelry, small stones, buttons, dried leaves, acorns -- the possibilities are endless. Use your imagination! The visiting artist provides technical advice and design pointers as well as paints, inks, some decorative papers and the special glues needed to make it all come together.

The program is being led by visiting artist Mary Beth Dolan from Rochester. It is free and open to all thanks to a Quick Arts grant from the Community Foundation of Elmira/Corning and the Finger Lakes administered by the ARTS of the Southern Finger Lakes.

It will be offered at the Peterson Library in Odessa on the same day, December 3rd, at 10 a.m.

To register in Watkins Glen, call 607-535-2346 or email watkins@stls.org. To register in Odessa, call 607-594-2791.

Dennis Morris was a coffee server at the supper, and Joe Fazzary was a diner.

Hundreds turn out for annual church supper

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 5 -- More than 300 diners enjoyed the First Presbyterian Church of Watkins Glen's annual Harvest Supper Saturday in the church basement. The building is located at the corner of Decatur and Sixth Streets.

Ken Wilson was greeting incoming diners, John James and Dennis Morris were pouring coffee, and a bevy of workers were busy in the kitchen, keeping the food coming and cleaning the dishes, while others directed diners to the buffet stations -- where food was waiting in large bowls at a salad table, in pans at the main-course table, and on plates at a dessert table.

The event is a popular fall fixture, a fund-raiser for the church and an attraction for its food -- turkey and roast beef, various salads, peas, mashed potatoes and gravy, squash, and delicious pie. It is a Thanksgiving-style meal that helps set an early tone of celebration for the upcoming holiday season.

Photo in text: Greeter Ken Wilson welcomes a diner.

Left: Town of Tyrone supervisor candidate Alan Hurley was among the politicians present at the dinner. Right: Montour Falls Mayor John King was one of the helping hands.

Bonnie and Jim Howell were among the many diners present.

Helpers were keeping busy in the kitchen, trying to stay ahead of the dirty dishes.

The Harvest Supper filled the church basement with hungry customers.

Firefighters pass debris down the roof.

Firefighters douse Rt. 79 blaze

Passing ambulance team calls in alarm, evacuates building's 11 residents

BURDETT, Nov. 2 -- Firefighters extinguished a fire in a multi-family dwelling early Wednesday morning on State Rt. 79 northeast of Burdett -- after an ambulance team passing by had called it in and evacuated all 11 people from the dwelling.

Fire officials said the call came in at 2:58 a.m.: a fire at 4807 Route 79, just south of the junction with the Fitzgerald Road. The response was so prompt that the blaze -- which began in a chimney -- was put out before it could do much interior damage, although one apartment will require remodeling.

The fire spread from the chimney to the eaves and "a little into the attic" of the two-section, two-story, three-apartment structure, damaging trusses and ceiling in the attic, said Burdett Fire Chief Jason Kelly.

The call was placed by the Schuyler Ambulance team of Tony Longbucco and Jessica Conklin after Conklin spotted the fire as they were passing by on the way back to Watkins Glen from a transport run to Cayuga Medical Center.

"Jess saw it first," said Longbucco, who was driving the ambulance. "She asked 'Did you see that? It looked like it might be a fire.' So I stopped and backed up" -- and they verified it. They called it in, then rousted the 11 residents from bed -- five at the rear of the structure and six near the front -- after pounding on doors. A woman answered the door at the building's front section, and a man at the rear. Longbucco said he literally awakened some of the residents in their beds.

"It was a good save," said fire investigator Dale Jaynes. "We were lucky that ambulance was passing by and caught it. Otherwise there might have been loss of life."

Burdett firefighters were on the scene first, and were joined by personnel from the Watkins Glen, Montour Falls and Hector departments. Odessa was on standby at the Burdett station.

The 11 residents spent the remainder of the night with next-door neighbors. The Red Cross was expected to assist in placing them in other locales today.

Aside from the one apartment's damage, the rest of the dwelling will soon be livable, Chief Kelly said.

"With a three-apartment building like that, to lose just one ... we're happy with that result," he said.

Photos in text:

Top: A firefighter reenters a second-story window on the north side of the house after grabbing some equipment outside.

Middle: Two firefighters work on the roof.

Bottom: The Schuyler Ambulance that was the first vehicle on the scene. Its team called in the fire and evacuated the building's residents.

Odessa Library membership drive under way

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, Nov. 1 -- The Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library's Friends of the Library is holding its annual membership drive this week and next in the lobby of the Tompkins Trust Company branch office on Main Street.

Library board members and volunteers will be situated in the lobby during business hours from Tuesday through Friday, Nov. 1-4, and from Monday through Thursday, Nov. 7-10. They will be signing up new Friends and renewing “old friendships.”

Available for purchase will be a rack of gently used books -- 50 cents for paperbacks and $1 for hardcovers. In addition, there will be chances on a wall hanging on which Christmas cards may be displayed, and free applications for library cards (which may be electronically scanned in any of the 48 member libraries in the Southern Tier Library System).

This year's theme is “The Season of Thanksgiving -- We are thankful for our Library Friends." There will be several surprises to promote the theme. There will also be a bake sale in the bank lobby on Nov. 3, 4, 9 and 10.

Tom Bloodgood, right, and son Ben perform on the porch of their home at 7th and Decatur.

Costumed kids out in force on Halloween

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 1 -- Trick-or-treaters were out in large numbers Monday night in Watkins Glen and other villages in Schuyler County, taking advantage of mild temperatures and dry conditions to fill their Halloween bags with candy.

Traffic had to crawl along the Watkins Glen streets, the stream of kids and their parents along the roadways was so constant. And there was plenty for the kids and parents to see and do, other than just collect candy.

The Watkins Glen Fire Department once again dressed up its fire station with a maze of creatures and spiders and headstones -- all designed to elicit shrieks from visitors guided through the station by department personnel.

A few blocks away, in Lafayette Park, a mini-festival was under way on and around the park bandstand, with a puppet show, various games and plenty of food, all through the efforts of the Lakeview Assembly of God Church. Said a church spokesperson: "We wanted to brighten Lafayette Park, and welcome residents of Watkins Glen in to have some fun."

Up Decatur Street, on the corner at 7th Street, a tradition continued: a Halloween concert on the front porch of the Tom and Libby Bloodgood home, the musicians consisting of Tom and sons, along with a couple of Wixson boys, playing guitar and drums and performing a number of songs to a generally large audience on the lawn. The crowd favorite: Monster Mash.

*****

Photos in text:

Top: A sizable "spider" hangs from the ceiling of the Watkins Glen fire station, waiting to scare Halloween visitors to the department's annual fright-inducing Haunted House.

Bottom: One of the fire department helpers, Victoria Wixson, who donned a clown costume for the evening.

A youngster is entertained by a puppet show at the Lakeview Assembly of God's evening of fun at Lafayette Park.

RSVP by Nov. 5 for November Splendor

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Oct. 30 -- As the weather turns colder and the leaves change, it’s time for an annual fundraiser for Schuyler Hospital: November Splendor.

The dinner dance -- scheduled for Nov. 19 at the Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen -- is sponsored by the Schuyler Health Foundation and the Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary. Proceeds from this year’s event will go toward a full renovation of the Seneca View Skilled Nursing Facility.

RSVP by Nov. 5 by calling (607) 535-8879 ext. 226, or get your tickets on-line at www.schuylerhospital.org

November Splendor includes cocktails, dinner, dancing to the live music of “NY Rockin’ Revue,” and raffle prizes.

Event sponsors include The Bonadio Group, Bower Catering and Bower Farms, Elmira Savings Bank, Hunt Engineers, Keegan Associates, The Manning and Napier Foundation Inc., The Harbor Hotel, the Watkins Review/Dundee Observer, and Welliver.

A Spirit of Schuyler patron studies photos by Bill Bauman that were part of the silent auction.

New venue, same goal for Spirit group

WATKINS GLEN, Oct. 30 -- They visited Hidden Valley by the score Saturday -- supporters of the Spirit of Schuyler. The venue was different from years past, but the highlights were the same.

There was plenty of food, raffle items galore, door prizes, some intriguing silent-auction items up for bid, live music, and an overriding sense that the Spirit group's ultimate goal -- to provide relief to Schuyler County families in need who are trying to help themselves -- is an increasingly worthwhile one.

The Spirit of Schuyler (SOS) party -- known as The Gathering -- had for the past 15 or so years (since it started as a way to help the Seneca Santa gift-giving operation) been held in the garage/office at the home of Tony and Harriett Vickio on Route 329 outside of Watkins Glen. But over the years the event had grown with the organization, and finally outgrew the confined spaces of the garage, even with tents added for dining space.

So this year The Gathering -- a chief fund-raiser for the organization -- was held at the Hidden Valley dining hall, a spacious site that provided plenty of room for dining, for perusing raffle and auction items, and for chatting with fellow SOS supporters. There was also live music provided, as at past Gatherings, by a group headlined by Willie Hayes, Brett Beardslee and Lou Cicconi, joined this time by Brett Powell.

The food, as always, was a highlight of the day -- all homemade by volunteer chefs. In addition to trays and slow-cookers full of food brought in from outside, turkey and sausage with peppers and onions were cooked on site, and rolls were provided by the Glen Mountain Market. Beer, wines, soda and water were all available.

Photos in text:

Top: Visitors knew from the ringing of a bell whenever a donation was made at Saturday's Gathering.

Bottom: Hosts Tony and Harriett Vickio confer during The Gathering.

Left: Rocco Scaptura and Judy Phillips chat during The Gathering. Right: One of the items up for bid in the silent auction: a wine holder.

The take-out table was a popular spot, with a long line early in the evening.

St. Mary's Fall Harvest Dinner is a hit

WATKINS GLEN, Oct. 25 -- The annual Fall Harvest Dinner at St. Mary's Parish Center drew its usual large turnout Monday -- hundreds of people partaking of roast pork prepared by Rick Savard, along with plenty of trimmings.

The dinner, a staple of the community now for 14 years, is put on by members of St. Mary's of the Lake Church and raises funds for the church.

Volunteer helpers waited on tables, delivering plates of food, pouring coffee, and wheeling dessert trays around the large dining room. Also popular was a take-out table operated by several men and women.

Photo in text: Lou Cicconi, left, and volunteer coffee pourer Joe Fazzary chat at the dinner.

Left: Volunteer helper Susan Bleiler, who delivered desserts to diners. Right: The food distribution table was set up like an assembly line.

Chris Zimmer illustrates a point during a conversation with a fellow diner.

WGHS Interact to host Thanksgiving dinner

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Oct. 19 -- The annual Interact Thanksgiving dinner will be held on Sunday, Nov. 13 from 12-2 p.m. in the Watkins Glen High School cafeteria.

The event will be held just prior to the Lake Country Players’ performance of Sweeney Todd at 2:30 in the High School auditorium.

Each year, students in the school’s Interact club cook and serve this free dinner as an act of gratitude to the community. All community members are invited to enjoy roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, squash and homemade pie.

E-mail Marie Fitzsimmons at mfitzsim@wgcsd.org or call Nancy Loughlin at 535-8100 for reservations.

Tony Pulos Memorial Breakfast set

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Oct. 17 -- Schuyler Hospital is inviting area residents to a pancake breakfast in honor of Tony Pulos on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 6-10 a.m. in the Watkins Glen Elementary School Cafeteria.

The breakfast is open to all, and is paired with the AMBA Blood Draw to also serve those who’ve fasted for the blood tests.

Cost is a $5 donation per person, with proceeds going to the hospital’s Tony Pulos Memorial Fund – used for landscaping around the facility.

For many years, Anthony “Tony” Pulos was the owner and operator of Chef’s Diner in Montour Falls, where he served meals to generations of Schuyler County residents. He also chaired Schuyler Hospital’s Board of Directors for over 25 years. Since 2007, Schuyler Hospital has honored Pulos’ memory by serving a traditional pancake breakfast for the people of the Schuyler County community.

For more information, contact Schuyler Hospital at (607) 535-7121, or go to www.schuylerhospital.org

The Commemorative Garden at The Arc of Schuyler.

Arc dedicates garden to its former executive director

WATKINS GLEN, Oct. 13 -- More than 50 people -- Arc of Schuyler employees, clients and friends -- gathered Wednesday to honor Jim Wilson with the dedication of a Commemorative Garden at The Arc.

Wilson is the longtime and now retired executive director of The Arc. The Garden is located next to the parking lot across the street from the organization's primary building on 12th Street in Watkins Glen.

The weather was threatening Wednesday, so the dedication was moved inside -- where speeches and a ribbon-cutting were held, and music played.

Wilson was present to acknowledge the honor, and to tell those assembled that now -- from the perspective of retirement and time away from The Arc -- he sees "how much everyone is doing every day at The Arc. I'm amazed at all the good work being done. I appreciate it in some ways a little bit better now."

Speaking in honor of Wilson was his successor as executive director, Jeannette Frank, who said Wilson "symbolizes unity, bringing people together, recognizing people for their similarities, not their differences."

She quoted various Arc clients, one of whom said "Jim always wanted to hear what you had to say. He helped people work things out."

Terri Swartwood, involved in Arc activities since 1979, said she has been "lucky to have a friend like Jim," and told him: "I'll always be here for you."

Arc board president Jay Hoffmeier noted that the garden possesses a boulder weighing 600 pounds. "Jim was the rock of the organization," he said, "so it's a great metaphor."

Music was provided by Larry Tanner, who with the help of Arc music director Casey Mallow composed an arrangement titled "Blues for Jim."

Photos in text:

Top: Retired Arc of Schuyler Executive Director Jim Wilson stands before the ceremonial ribbon he later cut. The cutting ceremony was held inside due to inclement weather outside.

Bottom: Wilson with Arc friend Terri Swartwood.

The Arc of Schuyler's Larry Tanner, left, performs "Blues for Jim," accompanied by music director Casey Mallow.

Quilts adorned walls and were draped over chairs in the Montour Falls Village Hall.

Quilt show raises library funds

MONTOUR FALLS, Oct. 11 -- Exactly 100 quilts from 28 different area sources were on display Saturday and Monday on the second floor of the Montour Falls Village Hall.

The display was set up by the Montour Falls Memorial Library, part of its fund-raising. The quilts -- of all shapes and sizes, and some themed -- were not for sale. But they were a visual treat, and perhaps an inspiration for visiting quilters to try creating a certain style or size. In return, small donations were being urged to help finance the operation of the library.

The quilts were draped over the old church pews and modern chairs that have populated the room since the Old Havana Courthouse Theater opened there this past summer. And they were hanging on walls, covering windows, and placed on the theater stage.

One was hanging on the front of the theater's piano -- perhaps fitting. This was a themed and rather historical quilt, made of pieces of costumes that were utilized in Mark Twain -- The Musical, a play that ran periodically from 1987-1995 at the Elmira College Domes.

The quilt was created by Maija DeRoche, who said her daughter Lisa had worked on the Mark Twain staff and secured a number of worn-out costumes and scraps of others as they were being toted to the dumpster after the musical had left Horseheads and relocated to Hartford, Connecticut. She passed the material along to her mother

The quilt depicts scenes from the drama -- without any specific pattern, says DeRoche, who noted it was "just a fun project."

Of the area residents providing quilts for the display, some are quilters and some purchased the items or received them as gifts.

Photo in text: The Mark Twain-themed quilt created by Maija DeRoche.

Quilts were draped over old church pews and modern chairs in the second-floor room.

JobLink courses planned at library

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, Oct. 6 -- The Dutton Peterson Library in Odessa has announced a schedule of upcoming JobLink classes at the library. They are:

Facebook for Beginners – Monday, Oct. 24, from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Smartphone vs. Smartphone – Monday, Oct. 31, from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Test Drive an iPad – Monday, Nov. 7, from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

To register or for more information, call the library at 607-594-2791.

JobLink is made possible through a federal American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Broadband Technology Opportunity Program award administered by the New York State Education Department.

Art by regional artists such as Robert Gillespie was on display Saturday at the Center.

Center marks 50th anniversary of Formula One racing at Glen

WATKINS GLEN, Oct. 6 -- It was 50 years to the day Saturday since the first Formula One race was run in Watkins Glen.

And the International Motor Racing Research Center -- keeper of regional racing history -- marked the occasion in a number of special ways.

The Center -- which has been celebrating The Glen's 20 years of Formula One racing (1961-1981) all year long -- featured as its centerpiece Saturday two notable motor racing authors: Michael T. Lynch and Gordon Kirby discussing America’s World Champion drivers, Phil Hill and Mario Andretti.

Lynch, co-author of “American Sports Car Racing in the 1950s,” focused on Hill, World Champion in 1961. He spoke, with accompanying power-point photos, before several dozen race fans who gathered in the Watkins Glen Elementary School auditorium.

Kirby followed with a talk about 1978 champion Andretti, subject of Kirby's book “Mario Andretti: A Driving Passion.”

Before the talk, Kirby presented signed copies of his book to the Center, and to author Michael Argetsinger, who has chronicled the history of Watkins Glen F1 racing in a new book, “Formula One at Watkins Glen: 20 Years of the United States Grand Prix, 1961-1980.”

Argetsinger reciprocated by signing a copy of his book for Kirby.

The day's celebration began at 10 a.m. with the opening of the Center and the start of a fall clearance sale of duplicate materials from the Center's archives, including books, race programs, posters and magazines.

Films of early racing at the Glen played throughout the day in the adjacent Media Room.

Argetsinger -- businessman, race-car driver and author -- was present throughout the day, as well, discussing and signing his new book. He has also written biographies of racecar drivers Walt Hansgen and Mark Donohue.

An art show, “The Art of Formula One,” was also featured, formally opening in the late afternoon. The show highlighted the works of several artists working in different formats, including watercolors, photography and sculpture.

Following the speeches by authors Lynch and Kirby -- talks that dwelt on the careers of Hill and Andretti, highlighting their world championships -- the Center hosted a reception honoring the artists and the speakers.

Lynch’s “American Sports Car Racing in the 1950s,” co-authored with William Edgar and Ron Parravano, is known as the definitive work on the era. The book has won numerous awards, including the Dean Batchelor Award.

Lynch is noted for his work on the history of Ferrari race cars and is a contributing editor to Cavallino and a regular contributor to Forza, both Ferrari-specific publications. He has written for many other motorsports magazines and motorsports event programs.

Kirby, too, is a winner of the Dean Batchelor Award, for his Andretti biography. The book also won the Independent Publishers Book Award in the sports/recreation division.

Other drivers about whom Kirby has written books include Bobby Rahal, Rick Mears, Greg Moore and the Unser family. With Emerson Fittipaldi, he wrote “The Art of Motor Racing.”

Photos in text:

Top: Author Gordon Kirby, left, presents a signed copy of his book to the Center. Accepting it was Maxine Neal, the Center's Director of Administration. Author Michael Argetsinger, center, and Kirby exchanged signed copies of their books.

Center: Author Michael T. Lynch addresses an audience of about 60 race fans in the Watkins Glen Elementary School auditorium. His subject: racing's Phil Hill.

Bottom: This cake was a centerpiece in the Center reception that followed the talks by Kirby and Lynch.

Arc plans Burdett residence, will sell house in Odessa

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Sept. 29 -- The Arc of Schuyler recently purchased a home on Tug Hollow Road in the village of Burdett and is selling its community residence on Church Street in Odessa.

The development of the new home and the sale of the house in Odessa are steps in The Arc’s plan to operate its residences more efficiently and offer the benefits of smaller home settings to the people it supports.

The house on Church Street in Odessa has been operated as a community residence since 1981. At that time, the two-story wood framed structure was the alternative to institutional care, designed to accommodate 13 people who needed ample living space.

“A lot has changed in the past thirty years,” said Jeannette Frank, Executive Director of The Arc. “People with developmental disabilities need privacy to thrive just like anyone else. Smaller homes with single bedrooms and accessible designs are what is desired and required today by the people we support and their families.”

In February 2011, five residents of the Church Street house moved into a smaller ranch style home on Decatur Street in Watkins Glen. In early 2012, The Arc hopes to have the remaining six residents at Church Street moved into their new home in Burdett.

“Selling the Church Street residence and operating two smaller homes will ultimately help us save money and other resources at a time when we’re facing very difficult federal funding reductions,” Frank said.

The Arc is taking steps to address the needs of aging individuals by planning for appropriate home modifications at all of the residences it operates.

Renovations will be made to the recently acquired home in Burdett that will allow people residing there to “age in place” as their medical needs progressively change. Modifications will include accommodations for people who may develop mobility or visual impairments as they age.

El Rayess Architects is the architectural company working on the renovation project, and American Precision is the construction company implementing the renovations.

Both the construction of the house on Decatur Street and the purchase of the house in Burdett are made possible by financial support from the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. Money from the sale of the Church Street house will help offset the construction costs of the house in Burdett.

For more information about The Arc of Schuyler, call 607-535-6934, or visit www.arcofschuyler.org.

Woman collecting food for flood victims

ODESSA, Sept. 29 -- Helen Darling of 505 Church St., Odessa is accepting donations of food for distribution to flood victims in the Owego area.

Ms. Darling has been providing food to an independent organization operating in a storefront on Lake Street in Owego. She said the organization, run by volunteers, has been distributing food and clothing to area residents struck hard by the recent flooding.

She said she will be making her next trip to Owego "when I get enough food collected." Anyone interested may contact her by phone at 607-594-2249.

Passion prevails, catcalls fly as DEC conducts LPG hearing

WATKINS GLEN, Sept. 28 -- An estimated 600 people turned out Tuesday night for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation public hearing on the proposed LPG Storage Facility on the west side of Seneca Lake.

And the gathering, in the Watkins Glen High School auditorium, was at times a raucous one -- especially at the outset, when outspoken project proponent David Crea, a chemical engineer, was booed loudly and heckled and urged from the podium in an outpouring of emotion by dozens of people in the audience.

The hearing was conducted by the DEC to gather input as it heads toward its final decision on whether to approve the request by Inergy Midstream, owner of the U.S. Salt plant on Seneca Lake, to store millions of gallons of liquid propane gas in salt caverns deep beneath the land on the west side of the lake. The plan includes construction of a brine pond near the junction of Routes 14 and 14A north of Watkins Glen.

Opponents have for months voiced concern over truck and rail traffic, over safety issues, over the effect of the plan on the burgeoning Seneca Lake wine industry and tourism. They have cautioned about the possibility of underground accidents, mishaps with the brine pond, and the negative effect that related traffic might have on tourism. The opponents, many organized under the umbrella of a group called Gas Free Seneca, were out protesting near the site of the hearing long before it started Tuesday. They were picketing with signs near the intersection of Decatur and 12th Streets.

Inergy, meanwhile, has maintained that storage of LPG in salt caverns is not only safe, but has been done alongside Seneca Lake for 50 years. Company president Bill Moler spoke briefly Tuesday, saying the project will "add more capital, more tax base" and higher paying jobs to the economic landscape. He said propane is traditionally more expensive in New York than elsewhere in the country "because it's difficult to get the product up here." Storage in the caverns, Inergy has maintained, would lower the local cost of the fuel.

More than 80 people signed up to speak at the hearing, but the three-hour time frame was expected to force many of them to submit written statements to DEC, which agency officials said would be given equal weight.

Many spoke in opposition -- such as bed-and-breakfast owner Gita Devi, who said she has "many concerns" relating to the project and that it could "open the door to other drilling and spell an end" to tourism as a viable and important part of the area economy.

But when anyone in favor of the project spoke, there was a chance, given the passion engendered by the subject, that the catcalls would start.

Crea -- who works for U.S. Salt but said he is "not a company shill" -- absorbed a large amount of abuse almost as soon as he started, for his face is known to opponents. He has, in recent weeks, spoken in favor of the project at governmental sessions at which Gas Free Seneca has sought official support for its position.

When he said Tuesday that he was speaking for "the silent majority," members of the audience -- at first a few, and then a good deal more -- cut loose with heckling and boos. A moderator cautioned that "this is just going to slow us down," prompting shouts of "give him just three minutes" and "No, two,"and "No, one."

Crea tried to abbreviate his remarks, saying further study of the cavern-storage issue "makes no sense," which prompted more cries for him to sit down. Finally he did.

In contrast, a proponent who spoke briefly and softly in favor of the project was greeted with polite applause, perhaps partly because he was done in under a minute. On the other side of the spectrum, a speaker who decried the project as unsafe drew a standing ovation from scattered pockets of the audience.

TV reporters were on hand, covering the early remarks and then interviewing selected opponents and proponents afterward in the hallway outside the auditorium. One opponent, Lou Damiani of Gas Free Seneca, expressed the tenor of the evening when he told such an interviewer that "it is up to (Inergy) to prove to us" that what it proposes is safe and desirable. "They're soft-selling what they're doing, getting a foot in the door. Make no mistake. It's an industrialization of the Finger Lakes."

Anyone wishing to submit a written comment on the project may do so by sending it to David L. Bimber, Deputy Regional Permit Administrator, c/o NYSDEC, 6274 East Avon-Lima Road, Avon, NY 14414-9516.

Photos in text:

Top: Members of Gas Free Seneca picket at corner of 12th and Decatur Streets, near the Watkins Glen High School.

Second: Bill Moler, president of Inergy, addresses the audience.

Third: David Crea, an early speaker who was heckled and booed.

Fourth: Lou Damiani of Gas Free Seneca as he was interviewed by a TV reporter.

Along the trail

This sparrow was spotted by photographer Liz Fraboni while she was out on the Catharine Valley Trail on Sunday morning, Sept. 25 -- a beautiful day in Schuyler County.

Hospital, Head Start offer Kid Zone at fest

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Sept. 26 -- Schuyler Hospital is once again striving to get kids more active -- this time teaming up with Schuyler Head Start for a “Get Moving” Kid Zone -- at Watkins Glen Promotions’ annual Falls Harvest Festival on October 8.

Kids and their parents can find the two agencies at the corner of Owego and Main Streets in Montour Falls during the Festival, from 1-5 p.m. It’s fun and free.

“We want kids to be encouraged to unplug, get moving, and learn that exercise can be fun,” said Michelle Benjamin, Director of Community Relations for Schuyler Hospital. “Head Start is a perfect partner – because they are also focused on education, good health, and play.”

For more information, contact Schuyler Hospital at (607) 535-7121, or email info@schuylerhospital.org.

A trailer with fake smoke inside taught safe exit strategies. Here a young girl exits through a window.

Strong Kids Safe Kids a hit

WATKINS GLEN, Sept. 25 -- The weather turned pleasant and, accordingly, the crowd turned out Saturday at Clute Park for the annual Strong Kids Safe Kids gathering.

The event, which is both entertaining (with music, dancing and games) and educational (with information booths and hands-on learning facilities) drew a large crowd through its four hours.

The one-day, free event featured a magician, a clown, DJ Tom Strong with his assortment of modern music, Zumba instruction, eye screenings for youngsters, foster parent signups, up-close looks at fire trucks, a trailer containing fake smoke that stressed exit strategies in fires, and a Schuyler Hospital booth with activities and information to help families prepare for any emergency -- including packing an emergency kit.

There were also an exercise course for kids, and a free lunch, and skateboarding, and various informational booths aimed at exposing youngsters to safe activities that might help in their development into teens and adults.

Strong Kids Safe Kids, organized by the Schuyler County Task Force on Child Abuse, is carried out with the cooperation of various agencies and service groups in and near the county. Each child participating visited a set amount of booths in order to receive his or her free lunch.

Strong Kids Safe Kids began in 1996 in Lafayette Park in Watkins Glen, but the event outgrew that locale and moved to Clute Park in 2002.

According to accompanying literature, the purpose "is to provide the youth of Schuyler County with safe, fun activities that are interactive and educational...Our targeted audience is typically preschool, elementary and middle school youth." No items are sold at the event, "and all activities done by community agencies must be free for all youth participants."

Photo in text: Youth from the Four Dragons martial art facility in Watkins Glen were on hand, offering demonstrations.

Left: Jangle the Clown entertained. Right: Games like putt-putt golf were available.

A computer (bottom right) that scans a young child's eyes, checking condition, was utilized by the local Lions Club during Strong Kids Safe Kids. The screen shows the reading of a young girl's eyes, and details their condition (which was excellent).

Bishop completes his visit to Schuyler

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Sept. 20 -- Former Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold completed his visit to Schuyler County with a ceremony Sunday, Sept. 11 at Saint James' Episcopal Church in Watkins Glen.

Bishop Griswold is the son of 1948 Grand Prix winner Frank Griswold, Jr., and was honored by the International Motor Racing Research Center on Decatur Street at its Historic Weekend reception on Friday, Sept. 9.

Pictured, from left, are: The Reverend Michael Hartney, Rector of Saint James' Church; Bishop Griswold; and Bishop Prince Singh, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester.

Breast cancer call-in event scheduled

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Sept. 19 -- October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

To celebrate, The Cancer Services Program of Schuyler, Chemung and Steuben Counties is offering “OktoberBreast 2011,” a breast cancer awareness live call-in event.

Tune into WETM-TV on Thursday, Oct. 6 from 5-6:30 p.m. to get your questions answered, and to find out more about screenings for breast cancer, as well as -- for women and men -- colon cancer.

Uninsured women age 40 and over may be eligible for a free mammogram and pap test. Uninsured women and men over age 50 may receive colon cancer screenings.

For more information, contact the Cancer Services Program hotline at (866) 442-2262.

Hospital schedules 2011-12 blood drives

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Sept. 16 -- Schuyler Hospital has scheduled Red Cross Blood Drives through the end of the year and into 2012.

Upcoming blood drives are scheduled for:

Monday, November 14, 2011

Monday, February 20, 2012

Monday April 23, 2012

Monday, June 25, 2012

All drives are held 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Seneca View Activities Room.

Appointments are not needed, but are encouraged. Call the Schuyler Hospital Lab at (607) 535-7121 ext. 2207, for an appointment, or for more information.

The Town of Catharine office building on Park Road, Odessa.

Open house celebrates town's facility

ODESSA, Sept. 15 -- The Town of Catharine marked the construction of its new office and courtroom facility with an open house Wednesday afternoon and evening.

The town office, in a renovated home across from Catharine Park -- located on Park Road, south of Grant Road -- opened in part a year ago, with the town council and town and village courts sharing a meeting room.

The court now has its own facility in a section of the home that was a garage, plus an expansion. Court activities -- town and Odessa Village -- moved in about a month ago, according to Village Justice Ronald Goossen, who was on hand for the open house.

The town offered Wednesday's visitors a macaroni and cheese meal with vegetables and beverage. Among the early visitors were Schuyler County Administrator Tim O'Hearn, Odessa Mayor Keith Pierce and County District Attorney Joe Fazzary.

Posted on bulletin boards was the timeline of the building:

--November 2000: The public voted to allow the Town of Catharine to create a reserve fund not to exceed $500,000 for the purpose of building/purchasing a town hall/community room.

--April 2009: Purchased the property at 5182 Park Road at a cost of $161,504.31 (including legal fees and filing fees).

--January 2010: Engineering fees $2,375.

--January 2010: Legal notices for bids to remodel building $224.94.

--March 2010: Signed contract with Streeter Associates to remodel at a cost of $77,000.

--March-August 2010: Paid $8,948.60 to Streeter Associates for overages and extra work not in the original contract.

--September 2010: Installation of handicap lift for $11,118 (includes electrical work needed).

--August 2011: Paid to Minteer Construction $9,800 to do new roof and eaves troughs.

Total cost of new town hall: $268,595.85.

--April 2011: Contracted with Minteer Construction to remodel garage and add a courtroom, conference rooms, utility room and restroom at a cost of $66,200.

--April 2011: Received from NYS Justice Courts Assistance Program a grant for the Village Court of $30,000 and for the Town Court of $30,000.

--August 2011: Paid to Minteer Construction $950 for extras not included in original contract (stairs outside sliding glass doors, relocation of electric meter, change in position of door in justice chambers).

Total cost of courtroom after grant: $7,150.

Total cost of entire building: $275,745.85.

Photo in text: From left: Open House visitors included County Administrator Tim O'Hearn, Town of Hector Supervisor Ben Dickens, and County District Attorney Joe Fazzary, fresh off a Republican Primary victory Tuesday in his campaign for election to the County Judge post.

Odessa Village Justice Ronald Goossen in the new courtroom at the Town of Catharine offices. Town and Village justices share the courtroom.

Falls Harvest Festival set for Oct. 8

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Sept. 14 -- The fourth annual Falls Harvest Festival will cap off a day full of activities on Saturday, Oct. 8 with fireworks displayed over the 156-foot-high Shequagua Falls in the heart of downtown Montour Falls, the festival's location.

The fireworks finale will follow a free outdoor concert by The Joe Crookston Trio, performing from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

This year's festival runs 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. and features contests galore -- Grape Stomping, Pie Eating, Scarecrow, and Pumpkin Carving Contests -- and seasonal activities. Bring your carved pumpkin and gussied up Scarecrow to the Festival, register at the main tent and you could win a prize.

You can also register in advance for the second annual Classic Car Show. Last year’s line-up included a 1931 Model A Ford and a 1969 Plymouth Barracuda, to name a few.

The festival’s usual fun can be had in Schuyler Hospital’s and Headstart’s Kid Zone, a petting zoo of goats, miniature horses and Alpacas, a “jumpy” castle and by watching a live demonstration by chainsaw sculptor Mark Watson. Live music acts perform throughout the day on the Music Stage while attendees shop from a market of food, craft and farm vendors. The Mechanics Club will be offering legal beverages throughout the day and evening.

The event is sponsored by Watkins Glen Promotions, a 501-C3 corporation operated by a board of volunteers focused on the planning and management of quality special events in Schuyler County. Located in downtown Watkins Glen, the organization also hosts the popular annual Cardboard Boat Regatta Race, the Grand Prix Festival and Village Christmas.

For more information, or to obtain contest entry information, call (607) 535-3003 or visit the festival's web page at http://www.watkinsglen.com/promotions/harvest/

Schuyler Museum refurbishment begins

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Sept. 13 -- Painters and carpenters from Heritage Builders/Perfect Painters out of Ithaca have started the exterior refurbishment of the Schuyler County Historical Society's Brick Tavern Museum.

Museum officials say that Heritage Builders, which has more than 30 years of experience refurbishing historic properties, was chosen by the museum's Board of Trustees after a rigorous selection process. The job entails the removal of flaking paint from old brick, replacement of any water-damaged wood trim, refurbishment of window shutters, the painting of window frames and doors, and flashing and gutter work, along with any other pressing concerns.

Funds for the refurbishment have been raised by the 50th Anniversary Capital Campaign, to which many people have contributed. The campaign, officials say, has raised $104,000 for various projects the Society must undertake to preserve Schuyler history.

"The Society," said museum director Andrew Tompkins, "would like to thank all of the wonderful supporters out there for their help. Refurbishing and maintaining the Museum, the Society’s biggest asset, will insure many more years of preserving and exhibiting Schuyler County history."

Anyone wishing to contribute may learn how by visiting www.schuylerhistory.org.

Photo in text: At work on the museum exterior. (Photo provided)

Motorcycles in the procession make their way along a flag-laden Franklin Street in Watkins Glen.

Procession carries fallen soldier home

SCHUYLER and YATES COUNTIES, Sept. 11 -- Firefighters lined up along the roadways in Montour Falls and Watkins Glen Saturday morning to pay homage as a procession carrying the body of fallen U.S. Army Spec. Christopher J. Scott passed by on its way home.

The 21-year-old Tyrone man and Dundee High School graduate was killed in action in Afghanistan on Sept. 3. On Saturday, police, firefighters, Patriot Guard riders and spectators along the procession route -- which started at the Elmira-Corning Regional Airport -- paid their respects as Scott was carried home.

The procession traveled through villages along Rt. 14, including Montour Falls and Watkins Glen. Spectators watched from sidewalks as the hearse carrying Scott was accompanied by law enforcement cars, fire trucks from throughout the area, and hundreds of motorcycles, many manned by members of the Patriot Guard -- an organization that supports those who risk their lives for American freedom.

The route went from the airport, along Sing Sing Road to Hickory Grove, and up State Route 14 north (through Veteran, Millport, Montour Falls and Watkins Glen), then along State Route 14A through Reading Center to Dundee. It ended at the Baird Funeral Home in Dundee.

As requested by organizers, many people lining the route carried American flags, both large and small.

After the long procession passed through Watkins Glen, several spectators there, asked for their thoughts, had similar reactions. "It's so sad," said three different people. Added one: "Such a young man. It's just awful. But the procession was beautiful."

Calling hours will be from 2-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13 at the funeral home. The funeral service will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Dundee Central School, 55 Water St., Dundee.

****

Photos in text:

Top: Youngsters hold a flag in preparation for the arrival of the procession in Montour Falls. From left: Conner Ryan, Trinity Trojanowski and Maria Brubaker. In the background are Rachel and Tom Trojanowski of Montour Falls.

Middle: A U.S. Army hearse near the front of the procession carries the remains of Christopher Scott to Dundee.

Bottom: Scott Brubaker holds a U.S. Flag aloft atop a Montour Falls fire truck parked alongside the procession route.

Firefighters line up along Route 14 in Montour Falls to pay their respects.

The front of the long procession enters the heart of downtown Watkins Glen.

The procession passes by in Watkins Glen on its way to Dundee.

Cars make their way down Steuben Street and past the Flatiron Building on the way to North Franklin Street. This was part of the original race course.

Grand Prix Festival draws crowd to Glen

WATKINS GLEN, Sept. 10 -- Threatening skies failed to shed a drop of rain and the sun broke through on occasion Friday as the annual Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival unfolded under ideal conditions -- and drew a large crowd throughout the day to the village.

Food and merchandise vendors were busy, parked and passing vintage cars were drawing lots of attention, cars of various classes were following the route of the original village race course -- which ran along the main thoroughfare of the village -- and honors were being bestowed.

Among those was the Legends of the Glen designation to race-car driver/engineer extraordinaire Bill Milliken, who at 100 years of age made the trip from his Buffalo home to be present for the induction (see story on Sports). The Legends is essentially a hall of fame consisting of drivers, car owners and others who have had a significant impact on racing at the Glen.

Milliken, a participant in the first-ever race along Watkins Glen's roads -- and the unfortunate victim of an overturn that was immortalized in the name of that fateful corner (Milliken's Corner) where it occurred -- as well as chief steward later at Watkins Glen Grand Prix races and an aviation and automotive engineer of renown, was a popular choice for this honor, judging from the crowd that gathered on and around the bandstand at Lafayette Park, site of the ceremony.

He was inducted with Mario Andretti, who could not attend. Andretti was a highly popular figure in his heyday, when he was winning several seasonal championships, including one in Formula One.

****

Other honors bestowed on Friday were two inductions into the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Drivers Walk of Fame. One went to George Morris, who raced at various competition levels for 50 years, with significant success at The Glen. He was on hand to receive his certificate, along with family members that included his eldest son, John, who told the crowd gathered along Franklin Street that "this is a great honor for my dad and the family."

George Morris spoke briefly, too, standing on a street corner near the Post Office, above the chiseled stone with his name embedded in it -- an honor secured within the sidewalk in the days leading to the festival.

"It wasn't hard at all" to do what he had done for so many years, he said. "It's not a great accomplishment. I had fun racing. I enjoyed almost every moment of it. And those moments that weren't fun were easily outweighed by those that were."

****

Up the street a few minutes later, in front of the Famous Brands store, another Walk of Fame stone was unveiled -- with the introduction coming from a member of the Walk of Fame, racer-writer Michael Argetsinger, on hand from his Chicago home to honor the induction of his brother, Peter.

Peter, present with his wife of 37 years, Sjoukje Schipstra, and their son J.C. (James Cameron) Argetsinger, was surprised by the honor. His wife had known about it, as had his son (who had flown in from California), as had the rest of the Argetsinger clan. Brothers J.C., Sam and Michael and sister Louise were present to witness the occasion and to pose for a group photo afterward.

Peter Argetsinger -- who was captain at Watkins Glen High School of the football, wrestling and track teams (Class of 1967) -- made his mark in racing by claiming a Formula Four championship in England and by winning at Watkins Glen. He and his wife -- who he met at the 50-yard line of the WGHS football field when she (as an exchange student from the Netherlands and the Homecoming Queen) presented him (as captain) with a bouquet of flowers -- live now in Sebring, Florida, with summers in the Southern Tier.

Michael, in introducing Peter, said the honoree was "a wonderful brother and a major talent."

Peter told the gathered crowd that it was "a great honor" and that he couldn't have run in "all of those races without the support of my wife."

Sjoukje, for her part, said that after attending WGHS, she had had to return home to the Netherlands, but that Peter visited there "and I started to think this (relationship) might be going somewhere." Now, 37 married years later, they have two grown children (a daughter, Kimberley, couldn't make it to the Glen from California) and a union that Michael summed up like this:

"It's one of the great love stories."

****

Those ceremonies were preceded by one in front of the County Courthouse, where J.C. Argetsinger, president of the International Motor Racing Research Center on Decatur Street, was introducing the son of the winner of the first Watkins Glen race. That contest was claimed by Frank Griswold, Jr. -- whose son, The Most Reverend Frank T. Griswold III, the 25th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, was on hand as Argetsinger rededicated the start-finish monument located across Franklin Street from the Courthouse.

Bishop Griswold was in town not only for the rededication ceremony, but to oversee a ceremony two days later at Saint James' Episcopal Church in Watkins Glen on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

****

Elsewhere in the village, among the crowds eyeballing the vintage vehicles parked here and there, customers were entering various shops -- including Eddie Peters' Village Variety on North Franklin near Fourth Street, a shop known for its racing memorabilia. Asked if he had been busy, he said: "Oh, yeah. I've been selling a lot of racing items."

Music was also on the agenda, with the Unusual Suspects performing in the afternoon in the parking lot next to Bleachers bar and grill, and with various groups scheduled in the evening at other venues, including the Village Marina.

The day concluded after sunset with fireworks at the entrance to the Watkins Glen State Park Gorge.

Photos in text:

Top: The food tent run by Jerlando's in front of its restaurant was a popular spot at the festival.

Second: Walk of Fame honoree George Morris.

Third: Michael Argetsinger, facing camera, hugs his brother Peter upon Peter's induction into the Walk of Fame.

Bottom: Bishop Frank T. Griswold III, son of the winner of the first Watkins Glen road race.

Moe Colunio talks to customers at her ice cream truck.

Among the many features at the festival: caricatures by Jon Haeffner.

The Unusual Suspects perform in the parking lot beside Bleachers.

Starter Dale Terry waves the checkered flag for cars just finishing a run on the original race course. The start-finish line of that course was in front of the Courthouse, where Terry was situated.

A gathering of mayors

All of the living mayors of Watkins Glen -- five previous ones and the current one -- gathered Tuesday, Sept. 6 at the newly renovated Municipal Building for a group photo, an item lacking in the village records. From left: Mike Coolican, mayor in 1983 at the age of 34 (youngest in the village's history); Richard Scuteri (1984), Amedeo Fraboni (who served the unexpired portion of the term of Jonas VanDuzer, who died in office after being elected to a two-year term in 1985); Bob Lee, who served from 1987-2005); Judy Phillips (who succeeded Lee, serving from 2005-2010); and Mark Swinnerton, the current mayor, elected to a four-year term in March.

Chicken BBQ

The Odessa American Legion Post 676 held its annual Labor Day Chicken Barbecue Monday, Sept. 5, a popular stop for area residents taking it easy on the holiday. The Legion also holds a barbecue on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, with proceeds from both events going to Legion programs. Above, members of the Legion Auxiliary oversee the food table, putting together in-house and take-out meals.

Before the storm

This sunset caught the eye on Saturday, August 27, a few hours before the edge of Hurricane Irene brought persistent rain and some wind to the Southern Tier. The photo was snapped in Odessa, looking out along Rt. 224. A few hours later, Odessa lost power -- in the middle of the night. It was restored by the time most people were rising Sunday morning.

Firefighters hose down a hot spot after bringing the blaze under control.

Fire destroys Hector home

HECTOR, Aug. 26 -- Fire late Thursday night destroyed a home in the Town of Hector.

The blaze at the residence of Arthur Woodard likely began with an electrical short, said fire investigator Dale Jaynes.

Firefighters from five departments raced to the scene at 4561 County Road 1, near the intersection with the Warners Corners Road. On hand were the Valois-Logan-Hector department, which arrived first and found the house fully involved in flames; and the Burdett, Trumansburg, Lodi and Watkins Glen departments.

Jaynes said Woodard was outside in the yard near his garage, sipping a beer, when he noticed flames coming out of the rear of his house. In the course of the blaze, the heat ignited the garage, gutting and charring it.

Lost inside the garage was a car. Another vehicle was destroyed while parked behind the house.

The house was not insured, said fire officials who were awaiting the arrival of Red Cross personnel who would help Woodard temporarily relocate.

Photo in text: A Chevrolet stands charred after igniting in the blaze at Arthur Woodard's home.

Left: Firefighter douses flames in a section of tree that kept flaring up. Right: The fire's heat melted a couple of receptacles along the roadway.

A downed line was sparking near the rubble of the Woodard house.

Firefighters work to douse a hidden pocket of stubborn flames.

A car and other materal inside the garage were burned.

A chimney and framing were all that remained of the house after the fire.

Odessa library plans JobLink classes

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, Aug.25 -- The Dutton S. Peterson Library in Odessa is offering the following JobLink classes in the coming weeks.

Microsoft Word Part 2 (builds on basic Word class) – Friday, Sept. 16, 1:00-2:30 PM

Excel Basics (must have basic computer skills) – Friday, Sept. 23, 1:00-2:30 PM

Excel 2 (builds on basic Excel) – Friday, Sept. 30, 1:00-2:30 PM

Facebook for Beginners – Monday, October 24, 6:00-7:30 PM

Smartphone vs. Smartphone – Monday, October 31, 6:00-7:30 PM

Test Drive an iPad – Monday, November 7, 6:00-7:30 PM

To register or for more information, call the library at 607-594-2791. JobLink is made possible through a federal American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP) award. It is administered by the New York State Education Department.

Incoming freshmen from Hobart and Willliam Smith Colleges take a lunch break at the Logan Community Center.

College kids get a taste of the Forest

LOGAN, Aug. 24 -- They gathered at midday Tuesday at the Logan Community Center -- nearly two dozen students from Hobart and William Smith Colleges taking a break from hiking and camping in the Finger Lakes National Forest.

This was their second of four days in the forest, part of a pre-Orientation Week for incoming freshmen -- a chance for them to experience the outdoors and to bond with some of their new classmates.

They were under the guidance of Hobart Assistant Dean David Mapstone, who has led similar excursions to the forest now for five years. And each year the kids take a break one day to eat a hearty lunch at the Community Center, courtesy of the group of local people who work to keep the Center -- a former church that had once fallen into disrepair -- an operational and vital part of the community.

It was also a chance for the kids to hear firsthand about the forest from a couple of the rangers who work there.

For most of the students, this was a first taste of the Finger Lakes Forest, and even of Upstate New York. Each, after eating, introduced himself or herself. They all told where they hail from, what their majors might be at college, and what hiking or camping experience they might have.

Several of the students were from New York City, and one said that before coming up here, "the only trees I had ever seen were the ones in Central Park."

Few were planning to major in Environmental Sciences or the like. "That's not why they're here this week," said Mapstone. "This isn't for class credit. The kids opt to come here for the camping activities, and to get to know each other."

There were students from downstate and out of state, one from Buffalo and a couple from Rochester. Most had some outdoor experience, but not extensive. Helping guide them, in addition to Mapstone, were four mentors -- upperclass students with more experience.

They all gathered at school on Sunday, then traveled to the forest Monday morning. After three overnights and about 18 miles of hikes, they were to return to Hobart and William Smith on Thursday and, said Mapstone, "fold into the regular orientation that starts Friday."

After lunch Tuesday, they were treated to talks by the Finger Lakes National Forest's Chris Zimmer (the Assistant District Ranger) and Paul Widowski (the District Wildlife Biologist). Each spoke about his background and about the missions of the 16,000-acre forest -- their primary objective being "to manage the wildlife habitat."

The kids listened, and asked questions, and eventually -- the talk completed -- returned to the business at hand: hiking in the National Forest, and camping, and bonding.

Photos in text: Assistant District Ranger Chris Zimmer (top); Hobart Assistant Dean David Mapstone (left) and District Wildlife Biologist Paul Widowski.

Stella Award recipient Nancy Wilder, right, and volunteer Nancy Dean, who was a close second behind Wilder in hours served. (Photo by Alice Crispell)

Watkins library honors its volunteers

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Aug. 19 --The Watkins Glen Public Library honored its volunteers Wednesday night with a dinner at Carol Bower's organized by library Volunteer Coordinator Judi Richards.

For most hours served, Nancy Wilder was presented with the Stella Award, named for Stella Fraboni -- who for many years earned that honor. Nancy Dean was a close second with Barbara Hubbell right behind her.

Close to 60 volunteers assist the library in many capacities, making it possible to offer night and weekend hours throughout the year.

Photo at right: Volunteers go through a buffet line at the dinner. (Photo by Alice Crispell)

Schuyler Head Starts receives Target grant

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Aug. 13 -- Schuyler Head Start recently received a grant from Target to introduce a music and movement class to the children of Head Start featuring performer Judy Stock, known as Ms. Judy.

The program will run for six weeks beginning this fall.

Ms. Judy has been performing for over 25 years at various children’s venues. She uses songs, rhyming, instruments, counting and finger play to help children get ready to read. The children never know what she is going to pull out of her "music bag." It could be another instrument, another bag or even another friend who came along to share in the fun.

Schuyler Head Start serves 102 children and families in Schuyler County. It is headquartered in the Human Services Complex in Montour Falls.

South Wind entertains seniors at the Forever Young Camp.

Seniors camp out at Hidden Valley

WATKINS GLEN, Aug. 13 -- Twenty senior citizens are spending the weekend at Hidden Valley, spending the nights in cabins (and in one case a tent) during Schuyler County's first-ever Forever Young Camp.

Office for the Aging Director Tammy Waite said OFA modeled the camp after one in Delaware County that is now in its third year. "The first year they had 20 participants, too," she said. "Then they had 40 in the second year, and were hoping for 70 this year."

The event offers a variety of activities to the campers. Friday afternoon they were entertained by the dulcimer group South Wind, featuring Kate LaMoreaux, Betsy Galbraith and Dannie Brown. Wine and cheese were served, sponsored by the Watkins-Montour Lions Club.

A barbecue dinner sponsored by the Spirit of Schuyler followed, and then came a campfire with story-telling. "There will be s'mores and ghost stories," said Waite.

Raffles were also planned, with gift packages and signed copies of Tony Ingraham's book "A Walk Through Watkins Glen: Water's Sculpture in Stone." Ingraham was present for the event.

Saturday was to start with a flagpole ceremony, followed by a breakfast sponsored by Link to Life and activity sessions featuring steel drums, herbal gardening, a nature hike, jewelry making and digital photography. After lunch and a leisure period, sessions were scheduled in aqua aerobics, canoeing, cooking, yoga, and archery, followed by dinner and another campfire with a sing-along. In the event of inclement weather, alternate activities were planned.

After breakfast on Sunday, the participants were set for a roundtable discussion about senior activities and goals with Lynn Varrichio of the Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency. Camp was to conclude at 10:30 a.m.

Photos in text:

Top: A tent fronts one of the Hidden Valley cabins. Two seniors were planning to camp out in the tent, while 15 were going to sleep in cabins. Three were commuting to the camp from home.

Bottom: Tony Ingraham, author of "A Walk Through Watkins Glen."

Smallidge to receive Tech Transfer honor

Special to The Odessa File

ARNOT FOREST, Aug. 10 -- Peter Smallidge, New York State Extension forester working out of Cornell University, director of Cornell’s Arnot Teaching and Research Forest, and director of the Cornell Maple Program, will receive the Technology Transfer Award, one of seven national awards from the Society of American Foresters (SAF).

Founded in 1900 by Gifford Pinchot, SAF is the national scientific and educational organization representing the forestry profession in the United States.

The Technology Transfer Award recognizes outstanding achievement in technology transfer, implementation, and extension by a Society of American Foresters member, as evidenced in the recipient’s career or involvement in SAF Working Group or science program activities. Smallidge will receive the award at the 2011 SAF National Convention Nov. 2-6 in Hawaii.

Smallidge, SAF said, is being honored in recognition of his record of delivering high-quality Extension materials in print, online, and in person, as well as for his ability to connect with a wide variety of audiences. He is credited with developing the first and longest-running Internet outreach program -- the ForestConnect webinar series, started in 2007. The success of the program earned him the Association of Natural Resources Extension Professionals’ Gold Level Award for Individual Program Leadership in 2009.

Photo in text: Peter Smallidge (Photo provided)

Firefighters work at ventilating the roof at the Lisk Road residence.

Fire leaves three homeless; man injured

ODESSA, Aug. 6 -- Firefighters from six departments battled a blaze Friday afternoon that damaged the first floor and gutted a large portion of a basement apartment in a home several miles northeast of Odessa.

The fire, which began about 1:30 p.m. at 3335 Lisk Road, occurred in the kitchen of the downstairs apartment, occupied by a daughter of the building owner, Robert States, who lived upstairs with his wife. The split-level ranch is located a mile or more north of Hosenfeld Road in the Town of Catharine.

Odessa Fire Chief Mike Tomassi said a cookstove was left on, and that a plastic bottle of cooking oil standing nearby melted and spread, igniting the fire. A male friend of the family was burned on the hand and stomach when he attempted to put the blaze out by dousing it with water and a blanket, Tomassi said. The man was airlifted from Odessa to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse for treatment.

When Odessa firefighters arrived at the fire, the home -- on a knoll on the west side of the road, and with an attached two-car garage -- was "well involved" in flames, the chief said. A second alarm brought mutual aid from the Mecklenburg, Montour Falls, Enfield, Watkins Glen and Burdett Fire Departments.

The blaze was knocked down quickly, but Tomassi said probably three-fourths of the downstairs apartment was scorched. An airtight wall prevented flames from jumping to a storage room. There was also damage to the floor above, and to the roof.

Tomassi said the Red Cross had been notified, and would help the States family find other lodging pending possible rebuilding and repair of the home. The structure was insured, he said.

The Schuyler County Fire Investigation team assisted at the scene. The Newfield Fire Department provided standby coverage for Odessa during the blaze.

Photos in text: Firefighters spray the north end of the home, at an entrance to the basement (top), and pour water into the basement through a window in the front.

A firefighter trains a hose on the north end of the home.

Lions congregate at Carol Bowers' for their annual picnic.

Lions gather for their annual picnic

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Aug. 2 -- The Watkins-Montour Lions Club held its annual summer picnic recently at the lakeview home of caterer Carol Bowers along Cass Road.

The stormy day provided an interesting backdrop in the photo below -- a rainbow behind new Lion President Jim Swinnerton's 1974 Corvette Stingray -- a car that won first place in its division at the 2011 Hector Fair car show held this past weekend.

Photo at right: Lion Kate LaMoreaux with her 2-year-old granddaughter Iris. (Photos provided)

Rainbow appears to point to Lion President Jim Swinnerton's Corvette Stingray

Ron Havens with his Rat Rod car at the Hector Fair car show.

Hector Fair closing day features car show

HECTOR, July 31 -- The annual three-day Hector Fair drew to a close Saturday night after a day that featured a car show, a chicken barbecue, rides, games, displays, a book sale and, finally, fireworks.

The afternoon car show, featuring sleek modern autos, '50s vintage classics and Rat Rods like Ron Havens' 1952 Cadillac, drew steady attention in the field where they were parked along Route 414.

The Rat Rods, Havens explained, are vehicles that don't measure up in appearance or value to the flashy show cars that are the norm. "They're more like cars that are kind of crappy," he said.

His own vehicle was one he bought 35 years ago from the Town of Tyrone -- which had no more use for it. It was sitting parked, unused, behind town property, he said, and he asked about its availability.

"And they said to take it, please. I tried to start it and it caught right away," he said. "So I bought it for $100."

Havens, a resident of Catharine Corners, used the vehicle back in his younger days for partying, and had a Ghostbusters logo painted on its side at one point. Now it is a flat gray, and winner at a few shows of Rat Rod trophies.

Next to the area designated for the show, the final day of Hector Fair rides and games was in session, with a late afternoon break leading to the final night of fun ... and then fireworks

Photo in text: A 1957 Chevrolet on display at the Hector Fair.

Left: Jangle the Clown with a friend at the Humane Society of Schuyler County's tent at the Hector Fair. Right: One of the Hector Fair rides in action Saturday afternoon.

Various customized, themed PT Cruisers were on display at Clute Park.

PT Cruisers pay their 9th visit to Clute

WATKINS GLEN, July 31 -- The ninth annual PT Cruisers gathering at Clute Park was its usual hit Saturday, with dozens of plain and fancy Cruisers on display in a show of camaraderie by their owners that benefits the Children's Miracle Network.

Each year, money from show registrations, from raffles, and from an evening auction earn money for the Children's Miracle Network -- an amount totaling about $20,000 over the event's first eight years. Auction items are donated by businesses and by event participants..

The auction was being held Saturday night at Watkins Glen International's Media Center following a dinner there for the PT Cruisers owners. Those same people would return Sunday morning for a brunch, followed by a chance to drive their vehicles for three laps around the WGI racetrack.

The weekend is overseen by the Empire State Cruzers organization, a self-described "fun club that raises money for charity." The group, based in Rochester, helps draw PT Cruisers to Clute Park from around the state and from Ontario, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio and other states.

Photo in text: One of several lines of PT Cruisers on display in the park.

The Montour Falls Fire Department marches in the parade.

Hector Fair parade draws a crowd

HECTOR, July 30 -- The highlight Friday on the second day of the annual Hector Fair was the traditional parade up Route 414 to the fairgrounds.

Fifteen fire departments participated, along with a couple of musical groups, a line of tractors, vintage cars, a Dance/Twirl group, and three politicians seeking office. Spectators were seated and standing on both sides of the road, and packed in tightly near the reviewing stand fronting the fairgrounds.

The fire departments were from Valois-Logan-Hector, Burdett, Watkins Glen, Tyrone, Odessa, Lodi, Trumansburg, Enfield, Ovid, Interlaken, Montour Falls, Himrod, Hammondsport, Mecklenburg and Beaver Dams. Schuyler Ambulance was also represented.

The politicians were County Judge candidates Joe Fazzary and Dennis Morris, and County Treasurer incumbent and candidate Margaret Starbuck.

The fair -- a popular spot Friday night with its rides, games, displays, vendor tents and plenty of food -- concludes tonight (Saturday). Gates open at noon. The main feature this afternoon is a car show, while fireworks will dot the sky tonight after dark.

Photo in text: Among the fire departments on hand was Burdett, carrying a full contingent of youngsters on top of a vehicle.

County Judge candidate Joe Fazzary was riding in an antique Montour Falls fire vehicle.

Left: County Treasurer incumbent and candidate Margaret Starbuck. Right: County Judge candidate Dennis Morris.

Rides at the fair were lit as the sun set Friday following the parade.

Kids of all ages were enjoying themselves on the Hector Fair rides Thursday evening.

The annual Hector Fair gets under way

HECTOR, July 29 -- The annual Hector Fire got under way Thursday evening at the Valois-Logan-Hector Firemen's Field along Route 414.

The fair, which continues through Saturday, features plenty of food, various rides, and a number of games of chance. There are displays and a book sale, as well.

Highlights of the three-day event include a parade along Route 414 at 7 tonight (Friday), an auto show Saturday afternoon, and a fireworks display after dark on Saturday. The fair reopens at 6 tonight, and at noon on Saturday.

Photo in text: Sarah Wickham, left, and Chelsea Kennard on one of the Hector Fair rides.

Fun at the fair is easy to find -- on the rides (left) or on a slide.

The South Wind group entertained a young audience.

South Wind entertains kids at library

ODESSA, July 27 -- The final reading program session of the summer at the Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library was held Wednesday, and it was a musical one.

Kindergarten through second-grade students from the Summer Rec program at Odessa-Montour visited as they have been once a week, this time to listen to South Wind, a musical group whose appearance was sponsored by the library and the Chemung Canal Trust Company.

Members of the group -- Dannie Brown, Betsy Galbraith, Carolyn Hoover and Kate LaMoreaux -- performed various songs for the kids, utilizing such instruments as a dulcimer, guitar and bongo.

The library has other things planned for the summer: an in-house used book sale from Aug. 6-13 during library hours; and a "Community Picnic" on Friday, Aug. 12 from 4:30-6 p.m. as part of the library's 25th Anniversary celebration. Storybook character Curious George will attend, along with "Uncle Joe and the Rosebud Ramblers." Hot dogs, chips and lemonade will be available. The event is free and open to the public.

Photo in text: Library mirror reflects the South Wind performance.

Sign welcomes Bon Ton Roulet bicyclists to the grounds of the Watkins Glen schools.

Bicyclists brave long day, hard rain

WATKINS GLEN, July 26 -- The Bon Ton Roulet bicycle tour -- a weeklong journey to Southern Tier communities that starts and ends in Cortland -- encountered more than long hills through picturesque locales Monday. It encountered a nasty storm.

About 650 bicyclists -- the largest number in the event's 15 year history, about 10 years of which have included Watkins Glen as a stop -- were journeying on the second day of the tour from Ithaca to Watkins when they encountered the mid-afternoon cell that swept through the region with heavy rains and strong winds that felled limbs and power lines.

"We were about here," said John Smith, pointing to Route 96A on a map -- the crossover from Interlaken to Route 414. Smith was biking with fellow Boston-area residents Brian Scheff and Frank Row. "The lightning was striking to our left, here," he added, pointing to forest land. "There was a lot of lightning, and a fair amount of tree damage." The three men, by then soaked, finally found shelter at the Wagner Winery on Route 414, which was a designated rest stop.

Cortland residents Christine McNeil and Mary McNeil -- sisters-in-law -- said a lot of the cyclists, including the two of them, took shelter in that winery, while others found protection in barns and garages.

Almost all of the cyclists were on the Watkins Glen High School and Elementary School grounds two hours later, where they were talking about the day. The school is the gathering point each year when the Bon Ton riders visit Watkins Glen.

One man, standing near the elementary school, was explaining to another rider how he had already arrived at the campsite by the time the storm struck -- "and I lay there spread-eagled in my tent, trying to hold it down because the wind was just ... WHOOSH!!"

Ride director Al Hastings of Auburn said the rain itself was not a big issue because "you have it every so often. But with a storm like that, you worry about the lightning. It was pretty typical of when you have a storm" -- with all the riders scattering in search of shelter.

Some bicyclists weren't too happy when they arrived at WGHS to find that their clothing bags -- carried there by truck -- had been offloaded before the storm and weren't covered. They were, in a word, soaked. Accordingly, the bag owners set up clothes lines, and dried clothing on fencing and on a piece of nearby playground equipment. They didn't seem to dwell for long on the setback, looking ahead instead to the following days.

After a dinner in the WGHS cafeteria served by the Watkins-Montour Rotary Club Monday night and a breakfast served there the next morning by the local Lions Club, the bicyclists would be on their way to Hammondsport, Geneva (for two nights), Skaneateles, and back to Cortland on Saturday.

Photos in text:

Top: Christine McNeil, left, and Mary McNeil -- sisters-in-law from Cortland -- took shelter from the rainstorm at the Wagner Winery.

Middle: From left, Boston area cyclists Frank Row, John Smith and Brian Scheff strung a clothes line to dry their clothes.

Bottom: A piece of playground equipment served the purpose of drying clothing soaked by the storm.

The charred and smoldering remains of the pickup truck.

Fire destroys truck on Lower Foots Hill

ODESSA, July 25 -- Fire of undetermined origin destroyed a 2000 Chevy 4x4 pickup truck Sunday afternoon outside Odessa.

The four-door vehicle, owned and operated by Rickie Jochem, was just pulling into Jochem property at 2723 County Route 7, the Lower Foots Hill Road, with a load of roofing material for the house there when the vehicle caught fire under the hood.

Fire officials said Jochem -- who noticed a problem in the final few yards of his approach to the home -- thought at first it was a faulty hose leaking steam, and then possibly faulty brakes. But upon reaching the property, he realized he had a fire, let his three passengers out of the vehicle, wheeled it around the lawn clear of the house and trees, and secured a fire extinguisher. It failed to put out the flames, though, and the fire spread.

Firefighters from Odessa and Montour Falls responded. The fire -- sending thick smoke skyward that was visible for miles -- was extinguished quickly. Then firefighters hosed down the truck to ensure that a gas supply still in the tank would not erupt.

Housing materials in the bed of the truck were charred along with the vehicle, but a trailer carrying a pallet of rolled roofing was salvaged.

Fire Investigator Tim Hudson, called to the scene, said that "nothing is jumping out" that would indicate what caused the blaze.

Photo in text: Fire Investigator Tim Hudson examines the engine, looking for a fire cause.

Schuyler artist receives French bursary

Special to The Odessa File

Melita Greenleaf has been selected as the recipient of the 2011 Fondation Tenot Bursary, a scholarship that will fund a month-long artist residency at camac Centre D’Art, Marnay Sur Seine, France. The residency will take place during August 2011, culminating in a group exhibition.

The camac Centre D’Art is located in an ancient priory enclosed by garden walls on the banks of the River Seine. The tiny village of Marnay Sur Seine has 230 residents and is located in the Champagne Region, one hour from Paris.

The camac and its adjacent botanical garden were founded in 1999 with assistance from Frank Tenot, noted jazz critic, publisher, radio host, and mayor of Marnay. Before that, the priory had been the home of Daniel Fillipacci, where in the 1960s he welcomed guests including Duke Ellington and Billie Holliday.

Today, camac hosts approximately 30 international artists annually and has affiliations with the Banff Center for the Arts, Canada and the Chelsea College of Art, London, UK.

Greenleaf is represented by Galerie Aqui Siam Ben, Vallauris, France, and teaches sculpture and pottery at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan. She is a graduate of Watkins Glen High School, Finger Lakes Community College, and SUNY New Paltz. Her work can be seen at www.melitagreenleaf.com

Photo in text: Melita Greenleaf at the opening of her Solo Exhibition in Vallauris, France in June 2010. (Photo provided)

School teacher Ichabod Crane starts worrying as Sleepy Hollow women tell him about the Legend of the Headless Horseman.

'Sleepy Hollow' ends its 3-day run

ODESSA, July 23 -- The Lake Country Players presentation of the musical "Sleepy Hollow" concluded its three-day run Saturday afternoon with its final performance in the Odessa-Montour High School auditorium.

The play was directed by Manley Gavich.

Joe Zerbey had the lead role of Ichabod Crane, while Mikayla Lucas portrayed Katrina Van Tassel.

Other performers included Manley Gavich as Brom Bones, Tyler Walrath as Yost, Andy Blanchard as Farmer Stuyvesant, Melissa Neufer as Mrs. Van Tassel, Anika Hummel as Mrs. Van Hudson, Erin Bond as Widow Van Dorn, Peyton Westlake as Mrs. Trenkler, Ashley Vann as Greta, Dana Roberts as Hilda, Sam Norton as a Sleepy Hollow boy, and Lindsey Fiori as the Ghost of a Woman in White.

The play tells in words and music the story of school teacher Ichabod Crane, new to the community of Sleepy Hollow, who runs afoul of strongman Brom Bones over the affections of Katrina Van Tassel. It also deals with the legend of the Headless Horseman, who is said to be constantly searching for his lost head.

For more information about Lake Country Players, visit www.thelakecountryplayers.org, call 607-227-6823 or e-mail lakecountryplayers@gmail.com.

Photos in text:

Top: Manley Gavich and Mikayla Lucas as Brom Bones and Katrina Van Tassel.

Bottom: Joe Zerbey as Ichabod Crane (left), Sam Norton and Dana Roberts perform a dance.

Left: Andy Blanchard as Farmer Stuyvesant and Erin Bond as Widow Van Doorn. Right: Tyler Walrath's Yost has some trouble affixing the dunce-cap strap under his chin.

Wine Festival ends its weekend run

15th annual event at WGI honored memory of Debra Whiting

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, July 16 -- The 15th annual Finger Lakes Wine Festival at Watkins Glen Inernational concluded Sunday with a large crowd buying wine -- often by the case -- and enjoying culinary classes, wine seminars, cooking demonstrations and live enternatinment.

The festival kicked off Friday night with the Yancey’s Fancy Cheese Launch of the Lakes -- a traditional party featuring togas, Finger Lakes wines, cheese and fireworks.

The Saturday and Sunday events offered a variety of attractions and also served as a celebration of the life of Red Newt Winery and Bistro co-owner and executive chef Debra Whiting, who died in an auto accident on June 30.

Whiting was an ambassador of the food and wine of the Finger Lakes Region as well as a huge supporter of the Finger Lakes Wine Festival. Her efforts helped the festival grow in size and stature. Accordingly, said festival officials in a press release, "this weekend (is) the perfect time for WGI to pay tribute to a wonderful person."

Festival-goers had two opportunities to be part of the celebration. The first was to raise a glass during a special toast for Whiting prior to the blessing of the festival during the Yancey’s Fancy Launch of the Lakes. The second was to watch a touching pictorial presentation of her life that was on display on the second floor of the Media Center on Saturday and Sunday.

"The proceeds from on-site ticket sales for the Launch of the Lakes," the press release said, "will be donated to the Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty in the memory of Debra Whiting. More information about the organization can be found by visiting their website, www.flcb.org."

For further information about the festival, visit the official website at www.FLWineFest.com or the official Facebook page, www.FLWineFest.com.

Child Care Center planned in former Rural-Urban Center

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, July 11 -- Plans are under way for establishment of a child care center in the former Rural-Urban Center in January 2012.

The child care center, under the auspices of the Schuyler County Child Care Coordinating Council, is being planned as part of developer Bruce Nelson's renovation of the Rural-Urban building, which over the years has seen use as a school and as a structure housing various county departments and agencies. It is located at 208 Broadway.

Nelson is creating eight apartments on the upper stories of the building, and various retail and business space on the ground floor.

The child care center's mission, says the Coordinating Council, "will be to provide affordable, dependable, quality child care that meets the identified community needs for care, enabling parents to be or remain employed."

The child care facility will be located on the lower level of the building, in what has been an auditorium. According to Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rebekah LaMoreaux, the Coordinating Council has signed a long-term lease and is in the process of securing a grant.

Coordinating Council Executive Director Debbie MacDonald expanded on the financing. “A grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission will provide funds for building renovations," she said. "We will be seeking to raise additional funds for start-up expenses.”

Additionally, she said, the Council has some creative ideas that will help parents afford the cost of care -- such as receiving tax benefits up front as opposed to claiming the credit at tax season; employer sponsored slots, and fund-raising opportunities.

The Council started advertising Friday for a program director, LaMoreaux said, a position that will be full-time. Food service will also be established in conjunction with existing regulations.

Child care, the Council says, "will be available based upon need, potentially offering care from very early morning until midnight, seven days a week. Drop-in care will be available to accommodate the needs of local residents, as well as tourists."

There will be a wide range of activities available for the children, the Council added, which will encourage "normal progress in the development of cognitive, social, emotional, physical and language skills."

Added Schuyler County Administrator Tim O'Hearn: "The availability of affordable, quality daycare is a measure of the strength of a community. I am thrilled to see this much-needed resource being developed in a former county facility as we complete our plans to repurpose these properties. I look forward to the development of the center and the critical role it will play in supporting the continued growth and prosperity of our county."

The Schuyler County Child Care Coordinating Council serves as a child care resource and referral agency for parents, child care providers, businesses and community members by offering and communicating services that benefit children and families. The Council is a not-for-profit organization, governed by a board of directors and chaired by Joann Fratarcangelo. For more information about it, visit www.sccccc.org.

Firefighter on the ladder checks for possible hot spots after the flames had been extinguished.

Blaze damages home near Odessa; 50 firefighters respond

ODESSA, July 4 -- Fire caused by an electrical short in a wall heavily damaged a one-story home Monday afternoon just outside Odessa, down a long winding driveway from Mitchell Hollow Road in the Town of Montour.

The blaze at the home of John Hall at 2001 Mitchell Hollow was phoned into firefighters at 2:03 p.m. by a daughter of Hall's who lives nearby. Firefighters arriving on the scene found flames visible on the exterior of the building, near an entrance.

A second alarm brought firefighters from Watkins Glen, Mecklenburg, Montour Falls and Town and Country. A total of 50 firefighters were on the scene for up to three hours.

One person -- another of Hall's daughters -- was home at the time, but was not injured. Hall was not at home -- had in fact been in the hospital for a couple of days.

Firefighters contained the fire "to the area of origin and the area above it," according to a press release, which added that there was also "extensive smoke and water damage in other areas of the house."

The structure was insured, "but is not habitable at this time," the release noted. The daughter who resided there will live with her sister.

One firefighter suffered heat exhaustion and was transported to Schuyler Hospital by Schuyler Ambulance.

Chief Mike Tomassi said the remoteness of the home hampered response time, as did the extensive amount of five-inch line that was needed, running from the final hydrant in the village limits out Mitchell Hollow and then along the lengthy driveway.

"If the hydrant were closer, we would've made a better hit," he said, meaning they could have curbed the fire sooner. The line sprung a leak along the roadway, but Tomassi said that didn't seriously impair the firefighting effort.

Firefighters extracted some of the residents' clothing and furnishings from the building after the fire was extinguished. Tomassi said he thought some of the personal possessions were salvageable.

The Schuyler County Fire Investigation Unit assisted at the scene, and the Red Cross was notified in the hope that it might provide assistance to the fire victims.

Photos in text:

Top: Firefighters cut loose with a hose atop the roof.

Bottom: A firefighter inside the house smashes out window framing. Clothing and other possessions were transferred through the opening to the lawn outside.

Left: A firefighter gets a look under the roof. Right: Firefighter Aubrey Tomassi confers with the chief -- her father, Mike Tomassi.

Singers from Freedom Village perform a patriotic number, with a solo by Jeremy Brothers (in white shirt at right).

Events honor America and mark Independence Day

WATKINS GLEN, July 3 -- An "Independence Day Celebration" for families and an "I Love America" concert full of patriotic songs and sentiments marked the Saturday of July 4th weekend in Watkins Glen.

The family-friendly "Independence Day Celebration" at Clute Park -- sponsored by WENY-TV -- offered children's inflatable slides and enough food vendors to sate any appetite. Hazlitt's 1852 Vineyards sponsored a tent where visitors could (as the advertisements said) "enjoy a Toast to Independence."

The beachfront was busy all day long on what turned into a pleasant summer day, and families were scattered around the park at picnic tables and grills.

After sundown, the main event -- fireworks -- drew the largest crowd of the day.

Down the street, toward the downtown, patriotism was a major theme of an "I Love America" concert put on by Freedom Village.

Honor guards from various American Legion and VFW posts participated, as did the Boy Scouts, but music was the centerpiece, provided by Freedom Village singers.

The branches of the U.S. Armed Forces were each celebrated in song, and an offering was taken to help support the Wounded Warrior Project -- which provides programs and services to severely injured service members during their transition from military to civilian life.

Photos in text: Singers from Freedom Village at the "I Love America" concert at Lafayette Park (top) and one of the food venues at the "Independence Day Celebration" at Clute Park (bottom).

A worker arranges fireworks near the shoreline at Clute Park. They were set off hours later, after sunset, to conclude the "Independence Day Celebration."

Left: Lafayette Park concert emcee Fletcher Brothers, the founder of Freedom Village. Right: Boy Scouts raise the flag near the beginning of the "I Love America" concert.

Honor Guard members from American Legion Post 676 in Odessa relax before participating in a ceremony at the start of the Lafayette Park concert.

General Store hosts book signing

WATKINS GLEN, June 26 -- Author Michael Capuzzo and the "star" of his book "The Murder Room" were on hand Saturday at the Seneca Lake General Store for a book-signing event.

Capuzzo was selling and signing paperback copies of his book, recently published after a run in hardcover. Also on hand was profiler Richard Walter, called by some "the living Sherlock Holmes."

The book deals with the world of expert crime-solvers in the form of the Vidocq Society, an organization where detectives gather to try and solve cold cases. Walter is part of the Society.

Capuzzo, in addition to his books (he also wrote "Close to Shore"), is editor and co-owner with his wife Teresa of Mountain Home Magazine, published in Wellsboro and circulated in the Southern Tier.

Both men appeared at the General Store for a similar event last fall, "and they enjoyed it so much they agreed to come back," said store owner Jim Guild.

The turnout was deemed by Guild to be "excellent." Almost all of the books Capuzzo brought with him to the signing were sold by the time he and Walter departed.

Photos in text:

Top: Author Michael Capuzzo chats with a fan in the Seneca Lake General Store.

Bottom: Profiler Richard Walter at the book signing.

A colorful evening sky

A rainbow made its appearance south of Odessa on the evening of Saturday, June 25, as storm clouds moved across the area, heading east. This photo was snapped from Speedway on the outskirts of Odessa.

Left: Anthony Curren portrays Freckles in "The Perils of Priscilla." Right: Sarah Schlueter-Eisman as the title character in "Priscilla."

Theatre offers The Perils of Priscilla

MONTOUR FALLS, June 26 -- The Old Havana Courthouse Theatre presented the fourth play of its inaugural season Friday and Saturday nights.

"The Perils of Priscilla" was the last in the Theatre's first-round schedule of four melodramas drawn from early in the 20th century and presented on the recently reopened stage on the second floor of the Montour Falls Village Hall.

It will be presented again during the next cycle of the four plays, which are staged -- one each weekend -- at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Next up for the Theatre will be "The Old Cookie Shop," which was first presented a couple of weekends ago.

Photo in text: Shayne Jones (left) as Harlowe Starbuck and Joe Edkin as Smedley Smidgin in "The Perils of Priscilla."

Garden to honor Arc's Jim Wilson

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, June 22 -- The Arc of Schuyler Board of Directors has announced plans to construct a Commemorative Garden in honor of The Arc’s retiring executive director, Jim Wilson.

The garden will be built on The Arc of Schuyler’s property at 210 Twelfth Street in Watkins Glen. Plans include a pergola, plants and a plaque to permanently commemorate what Arc officials say has been "Wilson’s integral role in making lives better for people with developmental disabilities and their families through his diligence and advocacy."

“This commemorative garden is the organization’s way of maintaining Jim’s presence at The Arc long after his retirement,” Harold J. Hoffmeier, president of The Arc of Schuyler’s Board of Directors said. “It will be a place for the people we support, our staff and friends of The Arc to enjoy and reflect on the powerful impact Jim had on us, Schuyler County and New York State.”

The garden will be a progressive development throughout this year and 2012, but the establishment of a pergola, benches, plaque and some plants are scheduled to be completed by the end of this summer.

Members and friends of The Arc of Schuyler are welcome to contribute to the construction of the garden. Donations may be sent to: Commemorative Garden, The Arc of Schuyler, 203 Twelfth Street, Watkins Glen, NY 14891.

Wilson has been the executive director of The Arc of Schuyler since the formation of the organization in 1978, almost 33 years. In that time the organization has grown to be one of the largest employers in Schuyler County and provides supports to hundreds of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

For more information about The Arc of Schuyler, call 607-535-6934, visit www.arcofschuyler.org or find The Arc on Facebook at www.facebook.com/arcofschuyler.

Photo in text: Jim Wilson

Jessica Boss Collins and her husband, guitarist Darcy Collins -- members of The BossTones -- were among Saturday's featured performers at The Fiddlers' Gathering.

Lakewood hosts Fiddlers' Gathering

WATKINS GLEN, June 19 -- The 22nd annual Old Time Fiddlers' Gathering, a staple for years at the Watkins Glen State Park, completed its two-day run Sunday at its new venue, Lakewood Vineyards, 4024 State Route 14, north of Watkins Glen.

The Gathering featured a Jamming Tent, Workshop Tents, and a Main Stage where the headliners performed. On Saturday, they included the duo of Phil Shapiro and Carrie Shore, The BossTones, and Keith Hunt. On Sunday, they included The Wastrels, Jackie Hobbs and the Clemens Tradition, George Harriger and Son, and Pat Kane and Finger Lakes Folk.

The Gathering is partly supported by grants from the New York State Council on the Arts, and from Schuyler and Steuben counties.

Flossie Daily (Kate Nicole Hoffman) prepares to slap the offending D.K. Molar (William Christoffels) as nurse Nova Caine (Holly Campbell) reacts.

Old Havana Theatre offers D.K. Molar: Devious Dentist

MONTOUR FALLS, June 18 -- The Old Havana Courthouse Theatre presented the third play of its inaugural season Friday and Saturday nights.

"D.K. Molar: The Devious Dentist" was another in the Theatre's schedule of four melodramas drawn from early in the 20th century and presented on the recently reopened stage on the second floor of the Montour Falls Village Hall.

"D.K. Molar" presented, as usual in these melodramas, a villain -- the title character -- portrayed by William Christoffels. He was doing something dastardly with his patients' gold fillings, a plot unearthed by heroine Flossie Daily (Kate Nicole Hoffman) and hero Phil DeTooth (Shayne Jones).

Holly Campbell portrayed Molar's nasty assistant, Nova Caine, while Tom Primerano (as Ivan Paine) and Sarra Solomon (as Polly Dent) rounded out the cast.

As in all of the Theatre plays, the action was interrupted a couple of times for giveaways -- of hats and T-shirts -- overseen by a wigged judge (portrayed by Joe Edkin). And there was, at the end, a pie in the face for the villain.

All plays in the series begin at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The next play, set for June 24-25, is "The Perils of Priscilla."

Photo in text:

Top: Phil DeTooth (Shayne Jones) reacts upon first seeing the love of his life, Flossie Daily (portrayed by Kate Nicole Hoffman).

Bottom: Nova Caine (Holly Campbell) gets a temporary lift from Phil DeTooth as Phil and Flossie Daily work to bring Caine and her boss, D.K. Molar, to justice.

Mayhem ensues as the cast struggles to gain control of a gun (held at left by D.K. Molar). From left: Williams Christoffels, Sarra Solomon, Shayne Jones and Tom Primerano.

The Seneca Harbor Pier House was a popular attraction Friday evening.

Music, lighting highlight Festival evening

WATKINS GLEN, June 18 -- Food, fun and music highlighted the opening Friday night of the annual Watkins Glen Waterfront Festival at Seneca Harbor Park. The festival centerpiece, the annual Cardboard Boat Regatta, is today (Saturday).

Friday night featured vendors, four different venues with live music, and a lighting of the harbor with a focus on the Malabar VII schooner True Love and on the Pier House.

Today, visitors can stroll the Concourse de Cardboard from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., checking out the cardboard boats and meeting the crews. The 18th Edition of the “Nearly Famous” Cardboard Boat Regatta starts at 2.

As always, it will feature Captains and Crews rowing their cardboard crafts from launch to breakwall to finish line, trying not to capsize. Not all will succeed. The number of registrants as of Friday night was 88.

All activities and entertainment at the Waterfront Festival and Regatta are free.

Photo in text: Lights of various forms were reflected on the sails of the True Love sailing vessel during Friday night's Lighting of the Harbor.

Among the entertainers at Friday evening's festivities was the Ithaca trio Tru Bleu. Shown above: Jennifer Giroux and Kip Opperman. Not shown: Paul Parks.

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Annual Used Book Sale concludes

WATKINS GLEN, June 12 -- Thousands of books for all interests and all ages were offered during the annual Friends of the Watkins Library Used Book Sale, which started Thursday and ran through Saturday, June 11.

As in past years, the Friends partnered with The Arc of Schuyler to present the sale to the reading community. The sale was held at The Arc.

Coordinator Glenda Gephardt said the number of books on hand grew significantly from past years. "It's easily up 50 percent from last year," she said at the outset of the sale. "We have three times as many cookbooks as any time before."

Proceeds support programs at the Watkins Glen Public Library.

Photo in text: The books were lined up and waiting for customers Thursday.

Left: A reflection in a large Historical Society mirror during the Victorian Tea. Right: Barbara Bell acknowledges her presence as her 91st birthday is announced.

Tea and Coffee take center stage

MONTOUR FALLS, Sunday, May 8 -- There was tea in the morning and afternoon, and coffee in the evening.

The tea was a centerpoint of the Schuyler County Historical Society's annual Victorian Tea, with morning and afternoon sessions in the Society's Museum on Rt. 14 in Montour Falls.

Gentlemen with white gloves dispensed tea into fine china cups at tables set up in two rooms, and ladies in period-style finery distributed scones and other delicacies. The event has become a popular Mother's Day weekend treat.

Among those present was County Historian Barbara Bell, who was feted with a singing of "Happy Birthday" to signify her 91st birthday.

*****

As for coffee ... In the evening, around the corner and up Main Street in the Montour Coffee House and Wine Bar -- part of the restored Montour House -- author Cynthia Neale was holding forth with a reading and discussion of her books, and in particular her latest novel, titled "Norah."

Neale, formerly from Schuyler County and now living in New Hampshire, previously wrote "The Irish Dresser" and "Hope in New York City." She specializes in historical fiction, and spends a great deal of time researching her subjects. All three books have dealt with Irish-American characters.

Anyone wishing to learn more about Neale or her books can visit her website, www.cynthianeale.com.

Photos in text:

Top: Historical Society director Andrew Tompkins was among the Victorian Tea servers.

Bottom: Author Cynthia Neale during her session at the Montour Coffee House.

Olivia Scata, portraying a lead character named Angie, sings a song.

Metaphasia ends its three-day run

WATKINS GLEN, May 7 -- The Lake Country Players' Jr. Players raised the curtain for a third and final time Saturday to present the musical Metaphasia in the Watkins Glen High School auditorium.

Metaphasia is, according to its promotional literature, "a contemporary musical for all ages, radically updated from the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale 'The Twelve Dancing Princesses.'"

The project was made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council of the Arts' Decentralization Program, administered locally by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.

The director was Tracy Gavich, who noted: "This show is much more challenging for the kids than any other youth show we have produced in the last few years. It is, in my mind, borderline operetta -- half of the show is songs!"

There were 30 members of the cast, mostly kids from 5 to 13, although there were a couple of older actors (age 18 and 20) playing parental roles.

The play ran under two hours, and featured a fantasyland, an evil princess, other nicer princesses, colorful costumes, and plenty of music and dancing.

The cast is as follows:

--Dana Roberts -- Synchra -- Lead singer, Girls singing group from Metaphasia
--Grace Wickham, Hannah Rosier -- Synchrettes -- Backup singers, Girls singing group from Metaphasia
--Olivia Scata -- Angie -- Lead, girl starting to turn into a teen
--William Yeater -- Howie -- Lead, Angie's younger brother
--Andy Blanchard -- Dad/King -- Dual role of Dad and King in Fantasyland
--Kara Wood -- Mom/Queen -- Dual role of Mom and Queen in Fantasyland
--Julee Gillemot -- Realtor Kelly -- Excited about selling house
--Kacie Wood -- Neighbor 1 -- Nosey Neighbor
--Tassia Garrison -- Neighbor 2 -- Nosey Neighbor
--Renee Wolverton -- Emmy Lou -- Homebuyer
--Angus Zerbey -- Drew -- Homebuyer
--Maria Scata -- Princess Layla -- "Air head"/silly Princess
--Kasey Lenzner -- Princess Crystallina -- Fairy Princess, Tinkerbell-ish
--Oliva -- Princess Rocksy -- Rock n' Roll Princess
--Victoria Blanchard -- Princess Heirabella -- Royal Princess, very elegant
--Phebe Wickham -- Princess Gretta -- Dutch Princess
--Gina Gavich -- Princess Geta -- Asian Princess, shy/reserved
--Rachel Becker -- Princess Brahma Bonnie -- Cowgirl Princess
--Maggie Coates -- Princess Little White Crow -- Navajo Princess
--Noelle Chamberlain -- Princess Ally McBaba -- Arabian Princess
--Hannah Pulis -- Princess Cleopatricia -- Egyptian Princess
--Char -- Princess Trishnakov -- Ballet Princess, Russian
--Hailie Searles -- Princess Devilla -- Evil Princess, greedy/selfish
--Craig Blanchard, John Coates, Marcus Zerbey -- Minion -- Devilla's evil helpers
--Angus Zerbey -- Woodcutter -- Fairytale woodcutter
--Julee Gillemot, Autumn Garrison, Renee Wolverton, Sierra Carbone, Craig Blanchard, John Coates, Angus Zerbey, Marcus Zerbey, Robin Zimba -- Howie's broken toys in closet
--Robin Zimba, Tassia Garrison, Autumn Garrison, Kacie Wood, Julee Gillemot, Renee Wolverton, Sierra Carbone -- Metaphasian Royal Subjects

Photos in text: A dance number in the second act (top): Andy Blanchard as the King with Kara Wood as the Queen and Angus Zerbey as a Woodcutter; and Gina Gavich as a princess.

Historical Society campaign hits $100,000

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, April 28 -- The Schuyler County Historical Society’s “50th Anniversary Capital Campaign” has reached $100,000 in gifts and pledges towards its goal of $150,000.

The capital campaign, which officially kicked off at an event last September at the Society’s Brick Tavern Museum in Montour Falls, reached the important milestone on April 13th and was officially announced at the Society’s April 26th annual meeting. The campaign will continue through the summer.

Under the leadership of campaign Chair Jean Hubsch and Co-chair Beverly Stamp, the campaign was undertaken to address what officials said were urgently needed upgrades and renovations at the Society’s museums. The Society owns and operates the Brick Tavern Museum (pictured), the Lee Schoolhouse in Montour Falls and the Wedgwood School in the town of Dix.

Said Brick Tavern Museum Executive Director Andrew Tompkins: “The reaching of this important milestone in our campaign, especially in today’s economic climate, is just amazing. Our membership, friends, and local businesses have been very generous to us and we’re so proud of them. Their belief in our mission, and their willingness to invest in Schuyler’s history, is a real testament to those who love little Schuyler.”

Trucks from Crane's Towing position themselves near the Seneca Legacy early in the morning.

Seneca Legacy goes back in the water

WATKINS GLEN, April 27 -- The Seneca Legacy entertainment vessel -- after a winter in drydock for inspection and painting -- was returned to the water of Seneca Lake Wednesday ... but not without some problems.

The process to return the 200-ton vessel from its trolley to the lake began at 6 a.m., when boat staffers -- owner Mark Simiele and his son Will, Bob Merrill, and Captains Tony Compese and Greg Updyke, among others -- started clearing debris and work apparatus from around the boat. Arriving a short time later were divers Terry Stewart and Tom Brooks,

Crane's Towing of Painted Post, which had pulled the vessel out of Seneca last fall, arrived at 6:43, and hooked up to the boat. With Simiele pushing on a trolley beam with a small tractor, the boat began its slow slide down the along the rail line embedded on shore (100 feet) and in the lake (230 feet). But then the vessel stopped.

Repeated efforts to get it to move -- including the divers rigging a pulley system on the end of the rail bed and back to the boat to apply pressure on the lakeside -- proved fruitless until almost 9 a.m., when Simiele applied gobs of grease to the rail line and rubbed it in. That did the trick as the vessel slid along the gentle rail slope and into the water -- almost all the way.

It still rested within the V-shape supports of the trolley, but what was needed was an engine start-up before it was freed. With a wind gusting from the east, Simiele noted, he didn't want the vessel drifting. Besides, it needed to power from its winter perch -- next to the Village Marina -- over to its regular berth on the far side of the Seneca Harbor Pier.

Alas, there was another problem: the batteries weren't powering up enough to get both the starboard and port engines going. The morning soon moved toward afternoon as efforts were made to charge what appeared to be the faulty battery out of a bank of four.

Had they ever encountered such a problem before? "Never," said Simiele.

Ultimately, as the afternoon arrived, temporary 12-volt batteries were obtained from a local auto parts store to replace the old battery bank, with an order for 8-volt batteries placed for the next day at an outlet in Binghamton.

Finally, at 2 p.m., the Seneca Legacy was running, and made the short trip around the breakwall to its usual berth.

Up next: A cruise Friday night for customers from Cornell. Simiele said he booked it long ago, when he thought he'd have most of April to paint the boat and get it into the water with plenty of time to spare. But the wet spring reduced the time available for painting, and put off the boat relaunch from last week to this week.

Between now and the cruise, he said, the vessel would be cleaned and restocked with liquor and soda.

Photos in text:

Top two: Boat owner Mark Simiele applies grease to the rail (above), and pushes on the trolley beam with a Kubota tractor.

Bottom: The Seneca Legacy reaches water after a winter in drydock.

Entertainer Brett Beardslee, microphone in hand, introduces a raffle item before calling out the winning number. Beardslee also played guitar and sang at the party.

Crowd turns out in Hector in support of Humane Society, Salty Dog Rescue Team

HECTOR, April 23 -- An estimated 300 people crowded into the Hector Wine Company building Friday night for a party in support of the Humane Society of Schuyler County and the Salty Dog Rescue Team.

Nearly $3,000 was raised through the raffle of scores of donated items. The proceeds will be shared by the two groups. The Salty Dog Rescue Team, run by Barb Cook, takes in surrendered dogs and finds new homes for them.

Music was provided by guitarist-singer-harmonica player Brett Beardslee, who also called out the winning numbers in the raffle near the end of the evening.

The size of the turnout, said Humane Society President Georgie Taylor, was "greater than I ever dreamed possible."

The donations of raffle items by local merchants, wineries and restaurants "were incredibly generous," said Taylor, "and the community support was simply overwhelming. Both organizations extend a huge thank you to all those who contributed to the success of the evening, and to the Hector Wine Company for hosting this event."

The Humane Society will soon embark on a capital campaign to finance the purchase and renovation of its next headquarters, a combination spay-neuter clinic, pet-adoption center and animal shelter in the old Kurtz Enterprizes facility on Marina Drive in Montour Falls. The closing on the property is set for mid-June.

The new property will, once work is completed, house 24 dogs and 34 or 35 cats, and lead to the closing and sale of the county-owned dog pound on Van Zandt Hollow Road in the hills outside of Watkins Glen. The Society took over operation of the pound in 2009, but the building is short on space and has proven inadequate to the needs of the county's dog population.

Photos in text:

Top: Moe Colunio and friend. The dog, a part Irish Wolfhound, belongs to Hector Wine Company co-owner Justin Boyette. Colunio helped coordinate the party.

Bottom: Schuyler County District Attorney Joe Fazzary and former Watkins Glen Mayor Judy Phillips were on hand.

Salty Dog Rescue Team operator Barb Cook welcomes the party-goers.

Odessa department has a 'new' tanker

ODESSA, April 10 -- The Odessa Fire Department recently placed a 2003 Freightliner 2,000-gallon water tanker truck into service, replacing a 1982 tanker that was taken out of service due to severe structural issues in 2008.

At that time, the department realized it couldn't afford a new vehicle (price range $120,000 to $200,000) since it was already committed to payments on a rescue truck for four years. After raising some funds through the sale of a Chevy Tahoe, the department sought and found (in Utah) a truck chassis to serve as a replacement for the old one, and employed LaFrance Equipment Corp. in Elmira Heights for the fabrication and installation of the tank, pump and body.

The department utilized some parts and equipment from the old tanker, and used an existing pump. The total cost of the partially new, partially refurbished vehicle: $60,000.

"The purchase of this vehicle," the department wrote in a press release, "was vital to maintain the Fire Department's ability to provide fire protection adequately to its 81-square-mile district, 95% of which is rural and does not have a water system."

Battery Recycling Program offered

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, April 8 -- Schuyler County Cornell Cooperative Extension has recently partnered with Call2Recycle® to offer a free rechargeable battery and cell phone recycling program in Schuyler County.

Call2Recycle® is the only free battery and cell phone collection program in North America and has been responsible for diverting over 60 million pounds of rechargeable batteries from landfills since 1994, according to a Cooperative Extension press release.

Rechargeable batteries contain heavy metals such as nickel, cadmium, mercury and lead which can be harmful to water supplies if not disposed of properly.

“Right now many people just throw rechargeable batteries in the trash because they don’t know what to do with them,” says Jenna Hicks, Environmental Science Educator with Cooperative Extension. “This is something we hope to change. We realize that if the program isn’t convenient and free, we will only get subpar participation. We want to address both of these issues, and that is why we decided to work with the Call2Recycle® program.”

Collected materials are recycled into new batteries, stainless steel products and other items with nothing going to the landfill, according to Call2Recycle®.

“It’s a win-win situation. You reduce your garbage bill and save landfill space. What’s not to like?” asks Hicks.

Rechargeable batteries and cell phones can be dropped off Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cooperative Extension office in the Human Services Complex, 323 Owego St., Montour Falls. For more information, contact Hicks at 535-7161 or by email at jlh254@cornell.edu.

Aerial view of Marina Drive. The animal clinic-shelter will be in the Kurtz building.

Humane Society project is 'Go'

Offer to Kurtzes accepted; capital campaign ahead

MONTOUR FALLS, April 3 -- The Humane Society of Schuyler County's plan to purchase and renovate the Kurtz Enterprizes building on Marina Drive in Montour Falls and consolidate and expand Society operations there is now "all systems go," says Society President Georgie Taylor.

The purchase offer of $275,000 to Jim and Kim Kurtz was accepted Thursday, Taylor said, and the closing set for June 15. "We're hoping to begin renovation shortly after that," she added, "and finish in December."

"It's a done deal," she said. "So now it's all systems go."

The capital campaign will begin in late May or early June, with a goal of $350,000. That number, Taylor noted, "is a little scary, but we think we have a lot of community support. We've crossed the biggest hurdle" -- the purchase itself.

Also important to the overall effort is the sale of the Society's spay-neuter clinic on County Rt. 10 in the Town of Catharine, for which Taylor said "we'll be looking for potential buyers."

The town-based clinic was the original focus of the Society's plan to renovate and expand. But when the Town Council applied a string of conditions to the project -- which Taylor said would drive the project cost up -- the Society fastened its attention on the Kurtz property, approached the Montour Falls Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, and secured approval to move ahead.

"The village," said Taylor, "was great to work with."

The new property will, once work in completed, house 24 dogs and 34 or 35 cats, provide spay-neuter services, house an animal adoption center, and serve as an Education Resource Center (with an eye to instructing visiting classes from local schools). It will, Taylor hopes, increase volunteerism in the Society because of its centralized location.

It will also lead to the closing and sale of the county-owned dog pound on Van Zandt Hollow Road in the hills outside of Watkins Glen. The Society took over operation of that outmoded county-owned facility in 2009, but the building is short on space and has proven inadequate to the needs of the county's dog population.

Meanwhile: A pre-campaign benefit organized by Barb Cook's Salty Dog Rescue Team in support of the Society will be held at the Hector Wine Company from 5-9 p.m. Friday, April 22. Music will be provided by Brett Beardslee, and there will be food and raffles. The Salty Dog Rescue Team takes in surrendered dogs and finds new homes for them.

Photo in text: Humane Society President Georgie Taylor

From left: Adam Rice, Homer Wixson, Throsby Wells, Braedan Fitch and Brenton Whiting during an Act 2 musical number.

'How to Succeed' ends its 3-day run

WATKINS GLEN, March 27 -- "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" -- the Watkins Glen High School Class of 2011 spring musical -- concluded its three-day run Sunday with an afternoon performance in the WGHS Auditorium.

The matinee completed a week in which the cast and crew staged four dress rehearsals and two evening performances leading to the finale.

Once it ended, the participants planned to break down the set and attend a cast party to celebrate.

In all, over 30 students from freshmen to seniors were in the play. They began rehearsals in January, immersing themselves in the early 1950s with music, choreography and costumes and a world of male executives, female secretaries, nepotism and treasure hunts.

The main story focused on J. Pierrepont Finch, a window washer who uses a book to guide him on getting ahead in the business world -- and quickly rises up the corporate ladder. Along the way, he meets the philandering boss, his whiny nephew, one sexpot secretary, and another who becomes enamored with him at first sight.

Through fast talking, fast thinking, and lots of comedic maneuvering, Finch’s journey to the top reveals what really goes on within the “Worldwide Wicket Company.”

Michelle and Tim Benjamin of Montour Falls directed. Leads included Jacq Goehner as Finch, Shannon Hazlitt as his lovestruck love interest, Rosemary; Throsby Wells as the bumbling boss, J.B. Biggley; Haleigh Wixson as the boss’s “bubble headed tomata,” Hedy LaRue; Zach Dvornicky-Raymond as the boss’s nephew, Bud Frump; and Jenna Gimbar as Rosemary’s tough-talking best friend, Smitty.

Music Director Sarah Matthews led the pit band, including Bernie Riley, Tom Bloodgood, Dennis Morris and Alex Rundle. Vicki Kosthorst was Vocal Coach. Choreography was by students Emily Pazar, Kelsey Johnson, Marguerite Kellogg, and Haleigh Wixson.

The book was by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert. Music and lyrics were by Frank Loesser. The show was based on How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying by Shepherd Mead, and produced in cooperation with Music Theater International.

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

Cast List (* denotes seniors)

J. PIERREPONT FINCH: Jacq Goehner*
GATCH: Adam Rice*
JENKINS: Brenton Whiting
TACKABERRY: Braedan Fitch
PETERSON / OVINGTON: Josh Hamelin
JB BIGGLEY: Throsby Wells*
BRATT: Thomas Wickham*
BUD FRUMP: Zach Dvornicky-Raymond*
MR. TWIMBLE: Sam Richardson*
TOYNBEE: Homer Wixson
POLICEMAN: Daniel Cornelius
WOMPER: Chris Flood*
ROSEMARY: Shannon Hazlitt*
SMITTY: Jenna Gimbar
MISS JONES: Marguerite Kellogg
HEDY: Haleigh Wixson*
MISS KRUMHOLTZ: Kelsey Johnson*
BOOK VOICE: Sarah LaMascus
TV ANNOUNCER: Elena Likoudis
SCRUBWOMEN: Sarah Huey,* Sarah Bond,* Emily Pazar*
WICKETTE GIRLS: Stephanie Rhoads, Chelsea Kennard, Rachel St. Julien, Kelsie Hamelin
SECRETARY CHORUS: Haley DeNardo, Elise Groll, Maggie Myers, Alexis Nicole Naylor, Sarah Wickham

Photos in text:

Top: From left: Alexis Nicole Naylor, Elise Groll and Shannon Hazlitt.

Second: Bud Frump, the boss's nephew (Zach Dvornicky-Raymond) is hauled away near the end of the play. Removing him are, from left, Sam Richardson, Adam Rice and Daniel Cornelius.

Third: From left: Haleigh Wixson, Chris Flood and Jacq Goehner in the final scene.

Bottom: Dennis Morris performs as part of the pit band.

Marguerite Kellogg as Miss Jones belts out a song.

Marguerite Kellogg, foreground, leads the cast of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" in a song at the Rotary luncheon.

Benjamin honored as Paul Harris Fellow

Award comes after her 'How to Succeed' cast entertains Rotarians

WATKINS GLEN, March 25 -- Michelle LaDue Benjamin was honored Thursday at the Watkins-Montour Rotary Club's weekly luncheon with the Paul Harris Fellow award, presented by Rotary for "service above self."

Harris was the founder of Rotary International more than a century ago.

Benjamin was given the honor after the cast of the upcoming Watkins Glen High School musical, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" -- which she and her husband Tim are directing -- had performed songs for the Rotarians.

Benjamin, the community relations director at Schuyler Hospital, has long been a driving force in the Lake Country Players and involved in such community projects as the Grand Prix Festival, the Catharine Valley Trail and the Rotary Exchange Program. She and her husband have hosted seven exchange students.

She was surprised by the Paul Harris award ("I'm floored ... speechless," she said), but noted that she was "proud to be here" at a time in which she could share the honor "with my kids" -- the "How to Succeed" cast. The play runs this weekend on Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 in the WGHS Auditorium.

Photo in text: Michelle Benjamin, left, was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary officials Jim Dix (right) and Ed Cullen.

Jon Haeffner creates a caricature at the Watkins Glen Public Library.

Caricaturist demonstrates his art

SCHUYLER COUNTY, March 6 -- Two groups of people got a chance Saturday to see how a caricaturist works.

Jon Haeffner of Odessa demonstrated his art at two sessions -- in the morning at the Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library in Odessa, and in the afternoon at the Watkins Glen Public Library.

Haeffner, a graduate of Odessa-Montour High School and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, has been an active freelance artist since 2000, when he began supplementing his schooling doing caricatures. His other talents include pre-production animation, figure drawing, storyboarding, animatic character designs, illustration, 2D Animation, 3D Modeling, 3D Animation and computer graphics.

He created caricatures for his library audiences Saturday and had them, in turn, try their hand at it based on instruction he had provided them. They used him as a subject.

The presentations were free and open to the public and made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the ARTS and administered locally by the ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.

Photo in text: Nan Letteer with her caricature of Jon Haeffner drawn during the morning session at the Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library in Odessa.

Left: Josh Lynch works on a caricature of Jon Haeffner after Haeffner had drawn one of him (foreground) at the Odessa library. Right: A caricature of the caricaturist drawn by Bonnie Schweizer during the morning session.

The charred remains of the Human home on County Rt. 18.

Fire destroys a home and car, but not a Dix resident's spirit

TOWN OF DIX, Feb. 15 -- The wind was whipping across the fields and up the road; it was an ally now, on Monday afternoon. It had dispersed the smoke, and reduced the smell of charred wood, charred metal, and other charred materials at the home of J.C. and Sally Human.

The wind had been an enemy earlier that day, carrying the flames that had sparked up on the porch of the double-wide mobile home, lifting them, encouraging them and sending them through the structure.

Now J.C. was standing near what had been the porch, looking north across the leveled remains -- across what had once been a residence. A largely burned car was parked behind him. It was about 1:30 p.m., four hours after the first sparks. A couple of friends were searching by hand through the rubble of the home, looking for some of the things that J.C. had long collected.

"Look here," said one friend, carrying a charred briefcase from around the back corner of the house. He approached the trunk of the car -- the trunk had avoided the flames -- and, setting the case there, opened it to reveal a collection of State Quarters inside, their small display boxes still retaining their sharp blue color, their sheen.

"How about that?" J.C. Human said, lifting out one of the boxes and flipping it open. "Huh. Still warm," he added.

Earlier, four rifles he had collected over the years -- what looked like three antiques and a bb gun -- had been retrieved, as well. On one, the stock was charred wood, extra crispy. He held another aloft -- a single-barrel shotgun -- and snapped it open, peering down the barrel and nodding.

"My father got this in trade back in 1942," he said. "Had it in the family ever since."

Human and his wife are both retirees who have lived on the property there -- at 1500 County Rt. 18, just south of the Beaver Dams-Moreland Road in the Town of Dix -- for the past 40 years. They had previously resided in a smaller, narrower trailer on the southern end of the property, which is bordered on the back by a small creek ("It dries up in the summer," said Sally Human) and, beyond that, by a large field, pure white in the winter.

"Had this home for 16 years," she said. "A double-wide. At least, it was."

The double-wide burned Monday morning, starting in the area of a freezer on the porch. "They said it was a plug," J.C. said. He was under the trailer on the other end, doing some maintenance work, when it started.

"I heard a pop," he said. "And then I crawled out, and saw it burning. I called to my wife, and she dialed 911. But it took a while for the first fire truck to get here."

Mrs. Human was sitting in the centrally located living room, watching TV, when the fire began. "I didn't hear any 'pop,'" she said. "But I thought I heard something, and went to the bedroom (located near the porch), and when I opened the door, I saw it was full of smoke. So I grabbed the phone and got out of there" -- not taking anything else with her.

The wind whipped the flames to a frenzy, so that by the time firefighters could make it there, the outcome was a foregone conclusion. The blaze was helped along when a couple of small propane tanks used with a grill ruptured, J.C. said.

Fire units arrived from several area companies, including Beaver Dams, Watkins Glen, Montour Falls and Odessa. The Beaver Dams chief, Tim Hudson, said the wind, the distance from the station, and the construction of the home limited what firefighters could do. "It was quite involved when we got there," he said.

Now, in the aftermath, in the afternoon, J.C. was in a surprisingly good mood. Some boxed, plastic Hess trucks he'd collected had been located in the north end of the building, which still retained a partial framework. The Hess trucks had been untouched by the flames. But some collectable German steins had been singed, blackened along the edges.

A motorist slowing down to look at the wreckage tried turning around a few yards past the Human property, and got stuck in the snow and mud at the side of the road. J.C. and another man tried to push the car free, without success. But one of J.C.'s friends on hand had a truck and a chain, and managed to pull the car free.

"He was really in there," said J.C., smiling as the car drove away. He was seemingly at peace despite the morning's loss. One plus, he said, had been the arrival a short time before of an insurance adjuster who didn't have to stay long to sort out the extent of the damage.

So, J.C. said, the double-wide will be replaced, as will Sally Human's car, a 2004 Sable parked adjacent to what had been the porch. Its engine was charred, its front seat and dash destroyed. But the back seat seemed unblemished, as was the trunk. J.C.'s car, a similar mid-sized model, was parked farther away, a few yards to the south.

"Good thing it wasn't closer," he said, "or we'd have lost that, too."

So where exactly would the Humans be staying now? That was no problem in the short term, J.C. said.

"We'll be staying with neighbors tonight," he said. "We have great neighbors."

And after that?

"After that ... we'll see," he said.

Photos in text:

Top: J.C. Human digs through the debris of his home.

Bottom: The charred engine of Sally Human's car.

J.C. Human with one of the guns retrieved from the wreckage of his home.

Design shows the location and number of trees in the Main Street plan.

Montour Falls seeks DEC tree grant

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Feb. 8 -- The Village of Montour Falls -- recognizing that there has been a significant loss of trees along Main Street over a period of time -- has commissioned a Tree Planting Plan from Delta Engineers and Haas Landscape Architects.

This Tree Planting Plan is being developed in conjunction with the Transportation Enhancement Program project currently under way in downtown Montour Falls.

To further the implementation of the Tree Planting Plan, the Village of Montour Falls is pursuing an Urban and Community Forestry Grant with the Department of Environmental Conservation to subsidize the purchase of the trees recommended in the plan. If the Village obtains the grant, it will speed up the timeframe in which new trees could be planted along Main Street.

The proposed design (shown above) will -- according to organizers -- complement the other improvements that will occur in the downtown over the next year.

Village officials say they welcome any comments that the community may have regarding the proposed design, and wish to include the public’s comments as part of the process. All comments should be directed to Charles@scoped.biz as soon as possible.

Girls in Kelsey Wood's History class watch a film in the International Motor Racing Research Center after Tuesday's speeches. The class is studying local racing history.

Center is celebrating 50th anniversary of Formula One racing at Watkins Glen

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 19 -- The International Motor Racing Research Center kicked off a year-long celebration Tuesday -- a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first Formula One race at Watkins Glen.

Dignitaries from village and county government, racing royalty in the person of Jean Argetsinger, and students from a Watkins Glen High School history class studying the history of local racing were on hand for speeches and a cake-cutting.

Speeches were presented by Racing Center President J.C. Argetsinger, Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup, Racing Center Historian Bill Green and Racing Center Director Mark Steigerwald. They reminisced about the history of Formula One racing at Watkins Glen, about the role of the Center in promoting that history, and about the celebration. Speaker Argetsinger unveiled the Center's celebration logo, created by Ben Hendee, a graphic artist and motorsports artist who lives in Unadilla, NY.

Mario Andretti, although unable to attend Tuesday's kickoff, is serving as honorary chairman of the celebration. Andretti raced in the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen in the 1970s and was Formula One world champion in 1978.

The celebration will include displays and exhibits at the Center, including every race poster for the full race run of the Watkins Glen F1 series, which lasted from 1961-1980, and the original paintings by English artist Michael Turner used for the race program covers from 1969-1980. A 50th anniversary celebration poster created by graphic artist Nick Phoenix will be released in the spring.

"Formula One put Watkins Glen on the international racing map, a place of respect it holds to this day," J.C. Argetsinger said. "The local community is proud of this rich and exciting history, and visitors to the Center prove time and time again that the Watkins Glen years are important to their racing memories, too."

A series of Formula One cars will be featured at the Center through the year, starting with a historic Cooper Climax T51 Formula One vehicle due to arrive soon. Sir Jack Brabham drove that car to victory in the 1959 Sebring race to clinch his first of three World Championships. The vehicle is owned by racing author Joel Finn, a friend of the Center.

The longstanding monthly speaker series, Center Conversations, will focus on Formula One racing. The talks will start with one on Feb. 26 featuring historian Green and author Michael Argetsinger. Celebrated motorsports writer Pete Lyons will speak on April 16, discussing his coverage of Formula One racing in Europe across the years.

Racing great Bobby Rahal will talk May 7 about his racing experiences in Formula One and at the Indianapolis 500, which is celebratng its 100th anniversary this year.

Other highlights will be the Sept. 9 Grand Prix Festival, and the launch of a new book by Michael Argetsinger titled "Formula One at Watkins Glen: 20 Years of the United States Grand Prix 1961-1980." It is a venture between David Bull Publishing, the Center and author Argetsinger, with all profits going directly to the Center. The book, still in development, will be on sale at the Center.

Photos in text:

From top: Center President J.C. Argetsinger unveils the celebration logo; Racing Center Director of Administration Max Neal (left) and Watkins Glen Mayor Judy Phillips; WGI President Michael Printup.

The Schuyler County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. Seated, from left: Gail Sgrecci, Stephanie Bergen (president), Sue Gigliotti and Tina Hazlitt. Standing, from left: Brett Chedzoy, Harold Russell, Ben Dickens, Barlow Rhodes, Matthew Glenn, Bob Dibble and Ed Gates.

Farm Bureau celebrates membership drive

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 5 -- The Schuyler County Farm Bureau Board of Directors had a luncheon meeting Tuesday, which was not unusual. What was unusual was their menu and the celebration that accompanied it.

The board, meeting in the conference room of the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development (SCOPED), had roast beef, various vegetables, a rich potato salad, and a choice of cheesecakes as a means of celebrating a New York State-leading membership drive. Lunch normally is more along the lines of hot dogs, it was explained

The Schuyler County Farm Bureau -- as it had the year before -- met its membership goal for 2011 before any other county in the state. And it did so on Dec. 6th. "It's practically unheard of in the annals of the Farm Bureau to do that so early," said one board member. Last time, it led the state with a February completion date.

The goal was a membership of 246 of the county's estimated 400 families, up 3% for the second consecutive year. Memberships are for a duration of one year. It took "a big push" to reach the goal so soon, said one board member.

The Schuyler County Farm Bureau, on a website, notes that it "gives farmers and non-farmers alike the opportunity to be part of an organization dedicated to supporting and enriching agriculture. It provides an opportunity for individuals interested in the food system, land issues and rural living to join together and make their voices heard."

Photo in text: Membership Committee members involved in the successful drive included, from left, Ken Bell, Stephanie Bergen and Ed Gates. Not pictured: Committee member Elaine Dalrymple.

Arts Coordinator hired at Gallery

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 30 -- Cynthia Hill has been hired as the Arts Coordinator at the Franklin Street Gallery and Gift Shop in Watkins Glen, replacing Peter Greaves -- who recently moved from the area.

The coordinator is responsible for managing the Gallery and Gift Shop and for coordinating art education and enrichment opportunities that are offered there for the Schuyler County community and for aspiring artists with diverse life experiences. In addition, Hill will be responsible for assisting staff and individuals at The Arc of Schuyler, the operator of the gallery, in the development of art programs and experiences.

Most recently, Hill has been a visiting artist, instructor and curator for Corning Community College and has overseen the development and implementation of dozens of Mural Painting projects created through partnerships with non-profit and civic organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Elmira College, has served on the Board of Directors for the Community Arts of Elmira, and has years of experience as an event coordinator and special exhibit curator.

“I’m excited for the unique opportunity to bring exposure to the talented artists of this region and to promote cultural and creative energies within this community art center,” said Hill. “Being a part of the ongoing revitalization and development of the village of Watkins Glen and the Schuyler County community is both exciting and fulfilling.”

Jim Wilson, executive director of The Arc, added: “There has been a resurgence of, and an increase in, cultural opportunities in this area over the past few years as both tourists and locals explore and ask for more diverse things to do in their leisure time. We’re glad to be a part of that movement.”

The Franklin Street Gallery and Gift Shop has been open for about a year and a half. The Arc became involved because of the opportunities to enrich the lives of people with developmental disabilities through art, and because of the chance to provide a unique service to local artists and the community. Call 607-535-2571 or visit www.arcofschuyler.org to find out more about the gallery as well as volunteer opportunities and to sign up for monthly email updates. The gallery can also be found on Facebook.

Photo in text: Cynthia Hill at the Franklin Street Gallery and Gift Shop. (Photo provided)

Fire in the kitchen ... Put a lid on it

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

Special to The Odessa File

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

The Indian of the Lake

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.

It was in the possession of an official there.

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.

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