Watkins girls top ND, 45-25, reach semis

The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team -- led by Amanda Pike's 20 points -- defeated Elmira Notre Dame 45-25 Friday night in the WGHS Field House to advance to the semifinals of the Section IV, Class C Tournament. The Senecas, now 15-4, will play the winner of Friday's Lansing-Candor game on Tuesday at 7 p.m., once again at the Field House. Sports.

Left: Watkins' Amanda Pike

O'Mara, Palmesano honor Swaney

State Senator Tom O’Mara and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano welcomed Schuyler County resident Philip J. Swaney, Sr. -- a decorated Vietnam War veteran -- to the State Capitol on Wednesday to salute him for his drive to establish a statewide program, now known as the “Honor Our Heroes Program,” that recognizes veterans who have been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Coast Guard Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and Silver Star. An official Legislative Resolution sponsored by O'Mara and Palmesano and approved unanimously by the Senate and Assembly honors Swaney, in part reading: “Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad, Philip J. Swaney, Sr. demonstrates his love for his country and merits, forevermore, the highest respect of his State and Nation.”

And inside ...

Auditions are set in early March for roles in the Lake Country Players' production of "Aesop's Foibles," open to children 5 to 18. Features.

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For Part 1 of "Schuyler County and Me," reprised, Click here.
For Part 2, click here.
For Part 3, click here .
For Part 4, click here.
For Part 5, click here.

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The Editor's Columns

Cracking down on welfare fraud

Schuyler County has saved more than $1 million in a crackdown on welfare fraud initiated 10 months ago with the appointment of Deputy Craig Bianco (right) as a fraud investigator working with the Department of Social Services. A press conference trumpeting that savings and the arrest in the past 10 months of 23 individuals on fraud-related charges was held Thursday in the county Human Services Complex in Montour Falls, just down the hall from the Social Services offices. Present were County District Attorney Joe Fazzary, Bianco, Sheriff Bill Yessman, DSS Commissioner Joanne Fratarcangelo, DSS Fraud Unit Supervisor Tammy Brown and several members of the County Legislature -- which initiated the program in 2014 by approving the investigator position. Fraud.

Palmesano to Cuomo: Unlock school-aid runs

Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, in accord on the issue with Assembly colleagues and education advocates, delivers a message to Governor Andrew Cuomo: Release the school-aid runs. Government.

Left: Assemblyman Phil Palmesano

Rotary honors Rhodes as Student of Month

Odessa-Montour senior Adrianna "Addi" Rhodes was honored Thursday by the Watkins-Montour Rotary Club as its O-M Student of the Month for February. Rhodes was introduced by O-M Superintendent-elect Chris Wood, who said the honoree -- a 3-sport athlete and class leader -- is "thoughtful, caring and kind," and "a go-getter who flies under the radar.' She is treasurer of the O-M chapter of the National Honor Society, and a member of Student Council, the Senior High Band and her church Youth Group. She plans to attend SUNY Oneonta or Sage College and major in Occupational Therapy.

Photo at right: Addi Rhodes

4-H recruits kids for robotics program

The 4-H robotics program, now in its 5th year, held an open house Thursday night at the Human Services Complex in Montour Falls to drum up interest with an eye toward recruiting new participants aged 8-18. The program, which attracted 40 kids last year, including a half-dozen for the first time in the 14-18 age group, teaches basic robotics construction and programming through Lego products for the younger kids, and encourages more advanced construction by the older ones. A new season is upcoming, and will include basic lessons, participation in the State Fair, one competition for the younger kids (8-14) late in the year, and several for the older ones. Roger Ort, who oversees the program, said the ultimate goal of the program is to set some participants on a career path that includes engineering. The Human Services Complex serves as the meeting place for the 8-14 age group, Ort said, but "we're looking for a home for the older kids" because they and their robotics take up more space.

Harbor Hotel donates $20,000 to Red Cross

The Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel presented a check for $20,000 to the Red Cross Tuesday, proceeds from the 4th annual Ice Bar event at the hotel. Check.

Left: Red Cross exec Joel Robinson at the hotel Tuesday.

Nothing to write about ...

The editor tries to come up with a suitable column topic, and finds the well is dry. Column.

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Anyone caring to advertise may contact the publisher, Charlie Haeffner, at publisher@odessafile.com for information and rates.

Some photos from along Seneca Lake

Geese like those on the left were plentiful Friday east of the breakwater at Seneca Harbor in Watkins Glen, but gone on Sunday. But there were other subjects to photograph, and so Liz Fraboni and editor Charlie Haeffner did. Those photos, along with contributions from Joe Fazzary, Tom Phillips and Marianne Morin, populate a page devoted to Seneca Lake and its shoreline.

To see the photos,
click here.

This month's column from the Valicenti firm

The Elmira company offers us a look at one of its regular newsletter features -- a monthly column titled 'Bull and Bear Bulletin' -- along with a list of its services. Valicenti.

Left: Andrew R. Clark, Valicenti vice president of Investment Research/Portfolio Manager.

A column by State Senator Tom O'Mara

New York State Senator Tom O'Mara provides us with a weekly column from Albany. This time: "Medicaid audits remain maddening for taxpayers." Column.

Left: State Sen.Tom O'Mara

Craig tops Qualifier, advances to States

Watkins Glen High School bowler Lucy Craig topped the field Friday at the Section IV State Qualifier in Binghamton, earning a spot in the State Bowling Tournament in Syracuse in two weeks. Sports.

Left: Lucy Craig (File photo)

This week's deals at Famous Brands

We are carrying the weekly ad showcasing the latest deals available at Jim Guild's Famous Brands store on Franklin Street in downtown Watkins Glen. For a look, click here.

Contests set for Watkins Glen Election Day

While other villages in our area are devoid of contested races in the March 18 elections, Watkins Glen has several. The ballot released by Village Clerk Donna Beardsley shows the following candidates and their party affiliations:

Mayor (4-Year Term):
Scott D. Gibson (current trustee, Listening Party)
Samuel Schimizzi (Democrat and People's Choice Party)
Richard Scuteri (Concerned Taxpayers Party)
Trustee (4-Year Term, 2 seats)
R. Mark Swinnerton (current mayor, Listening Party)
Kevin Thornton (Democrat and People's Choice Party)
Gary Schmidt (Democrat and People's Choice Party)
Robert Mahoney (Concerned Taxpayers Party)
Eric Johnston (Concerned Taxpayers Party)
Village Justice (4-Year Term)
Keith A. Caslin (Republican & Listening Party)
Connie Fern Miller (Democrat and People's Choice Party)
Michael Nyre (Family and Community Party)

Watkins boys rally, win IAC title

The Watkins Glen boys varsity basketball team, down 36-26 at halftime, rallied to defeat previously unbeaten Whitney Point 59-50 Thursday night in the Interscholastic Athletic Conference Large School championship game.

The contest, at Tompkins Cortland Community College, drew a large contingent of Watkins fans who watched their team catch up to the Eagles in the third period and pull away in the fourth by scoring the game's final eight points. The Senecas are now 15-1 heading into the Section IV, Class C tournament. Whitney Point, in Class B, is 17-1. Sports.

Right: Watkins Glen's Keith Rekczis reacts at the end of the game.

Odessa-Montour unveils Honor Roll

The Odessa-Montour Junior-Senior High School releases its list of High Honor and Honor Roll students for the third marking period of the 2014-15 school year. Honors.

Mayor could ask Dugo to help on transition

The Watkins Glen Village Board Tuesday night, in a meeting otherwise light on action, lauded the role of Nick Dugo (at right in file photo) as Village Justice for 28 years, and raised the possibility of extending his stay a couple of weeks beyond the March 31 end of his term in order to help in the transition to a new justice. The post is up for grabs in the March 18 village elections. An extension would be at the request of the mayor, with Dugo's acceptance, and would -- Village Clerk Donna Beardsley said at Tuesday's session -- help whoever is elected undergo proper classes and training without a huge backlog of cases building up. Deputy Mayor Scott Gibson said Dugo "has done a remarkable job for us. We thank him for his service."

Reisingers, 2 others honored

Karen and Rick Reisinger, owners of Reisinger’s Apple Country in the Town of Dix, receive the Conservation Farmer of the Year Award at the annual meeting of the Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation District. Merit Awards go to Art Austin of the County Highway Department and Daniel Thorpe of the Town of Hector Highway Department. Awards.

Left: Rick and Karen Reisinger

Arc annual dinner held

Many diners ventured out in Monday evening's cold weather to attend the annual Arc of Schuyler Spaghetti Dinner at the Montour Moose Lodge -- where there was plenty of heat and food. The dinner helps raise funds for the Arc as it provides supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Enhanced GP Fest expected in Sept.

An enhanced schedule of activities is expected to extend this year's Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival through the Sept. 11 weekend. Festival..

O-M gives joint football the go-ahead;
Wood sworn in as superintendent

The Odessa-Montour School Board on Feb. 12 approved without opposition or comment a joint football program with the Watkins Glen School Distict -- whose board had approved it Monday night. The O-M Board also approved the appointment of High School Principal Chris Wood as the district's next Superintendent of Schools, his new job to start on April 1. Wood was selected by the Board from a finalist pool of three candidates, winnowed down from more than a dozen applicants. The football program will move forward now with an ad seeking coaches, and after that will come input from students on a new team name, color, and mascot. Said Wood of the joint program: "This is good for us and the community. The overarching thought of the students is that they want to play football. The students drove this decision." O-M's last football season ended prematurely due to a lack of enough players. Added Lou Condon Jr. (photo inset), the Watkins football coach for the past few seasons and on hand at Thursday's board meeting: "There are good things to come. This is exciting."

To see the Draft Compact that will be used to guide the new program, click here.

Now available on Kindle: The Maiden of Mackinac

This story -- which spans 700 years and ranges from our region to Northern Michigan -- tells of a quest for the truth behind a legend ... the legend of a Native American maiden reputed to be centuries old. It was written by Charlie Haeffner, and is available now on Kindle at Amazon.com. To see the ad, click here.

Left: Cover art by Jon Haeffner

Visit Jerlando's Ristorante & Pizzeria

Three locations: in Watkins Glen, Horseheads and Montour Falls

Click here or on the photo at left to go to the Jerlando's website. There you will find information about all three locations, plus menus.

Left: The front of the recently renovated Jerlando's at Franklin and 4th Streets, Watkins Glen

O'Mara, Palmesano give updates on Albany

State Senator Tom O'Mara and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano were guest speakers Thursday, Feb. 12 at the weekly luncheon meeting of the Watkins-Montour Rotary Club -- where they touched on a number of issues in Albany, including the demise of Sheldon Silver as Assembly Speaker, the governance of Andrew Cuomo, the Start-Up NY campaign, and other topics. Joining in the event were members of the Schuyler County League of Women Voters, which sponsors a Candidates Night each fall, and goes into the schools each spring, helping to register new voters.

Rotary honors Wixson as Student of Month

Watkins Glen High School senior Victoria Wixson was honored Thursday, Feb. 12 by the Watkins-Montour Rotary Club as its WGHS Student of the Month for February. Wixson was introduced by teacher Kaz Popovich, who described the honoree as "meticulous" and a "take-charge" person, whether in business class, as president of Varsity Club, on the Yearbook staff or on the swim team, where she was an IAC All-Star. Victoria also was the only female on the Watkins boys lacrosse team last year, and plans to play on the same team again in the spring. She will attend SUNY Oneonta in the fall and pursue courses in Business and Fashion Design.

Odessa's latest report on water quality

To see the Village of Odessa's latest Water Quality Report, click here.

Valentine's Day humor from Ron Havens

The Catharine Corners cartoonist weighs in with some offbeat humor inspired by the romance of Valentine's Day.

Stocum named chair for Arc Spaghetti Dinner

Watkins Glen Postmaster Don Stocum (pictured at right) has been named chairman of The Arc of Schuyler’s Annual Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser at the Montour Moose Lodge. The dinner will take place on President’s Day, February 16 starting at 5 p.m. For details, see People.

Watkins School Board OKs joint football plan

The Watkins Glen School Board Feb. 9 unanimously backed the planned merger of the district's football program with that of Odessa-Montour's. The O-M Board is scheduled to vote on the issue Thursday night. Schools.

Left: Board vice president Kelly McCarthy, who ran the meeting.

6 minors charged after 911 pocket call

Six minors were "arrested and issued appearance tickets" for Town of Dix Court early Sunday morning, Feb. 8 after being found in possession of alcohol at a party at 2940 Townsend Road, Watkins Glen, says the Schuyler County Sheriff's Office, which was alerted to the party through an inadvertent 911 call that "the host had accidentally dialed in his pocket" at 3:14 a.m. With the call, "dispatchers could hear commotion in the background but no one would answer the dispatcher," so the phone was traced and a Sheriff's car sent to the scene. The arrestees -- each facing a fine or a fine and community service -- range in age from 16 to 18. The Sheriff's Office said it is "still searching for the party or parties who provided alcohol."

'Snowmobilers, stay on designated trails'

HECTOR, Feb. 5 -- With recent abundant snowfall making for great snowmobiling conditions, Finger Lakes National Forest officials are cautioning that the only Forest Land areas where snowmobiles are permitted are on designated trails "per Federal Law." Those people in violation may be fined and have their machines impounded.

“With the recent snowfall, we have seen an increased amount of users going off trails and trespassing on private land," said Jodie L. Vanselow, District Ranger. "Snowmobilers need to ensure they have permission to be on private land.”

Weather permitting, snowmobile use is allowed on designated trails within the Finger Lakes Forest from Dec. 15 to March 15.

Fish-stocking program restored

Due to increased interest by residents who own ponds, the Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is restoring a fish-stocking program abandoned several years ago. Six species of fish will be available to order (largemouth bass, channel catfish, fathead minnows, rainbow trout, hybrid bluegill and triploid grass carp). Also available for purchase: fish food and materials to help clear ponds of algae. Fish will be delivered in boxes with oxygen-injected water. The order deadline is May 15. Delivery is May 22. For price information and an order form, visit the SWCD website, www.schuylerswcd.com, or call 535-0878.

Photo in text: Scenes like this might follow the stocking program. (Photo provided)