Session outlines water project options

Watkins Glen Mayor Mark Swinnerton updated a gathering of about 70 area residents Saturday on the progress of plans to replace outdated water treatment plants in Montour Falls and Watkins Glen. Swinnerton, present with other village officials and with engineers in the Watkins Glen High School auditorium, said that of the options being considered by the group, the one most appealing to them is a facility that would be shared by Watkins Glen and Montour Falls, with the capacity to expand to include outlying municipalities. He said the preferred spot so far for such a plant, among a half-dozen locations considered, is along the eastern shore of the canal across from the high school property -- a choice backed by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. A similar session is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11 at the Montour Falls Fire Department. And yet another meeting is being planned for January, Swinnerton said, at which time the final site selection and more details as to funding and administration will be explained.

Photo: Watkins Mayor Mark Swinnerton at Saturday's meeting.

2 Glen wrestlers win at NV tourney

Watkins Glen High School wrestlers Brandon Gould (left in photo) and Ian Chedzoy (right) placed first in their respective weight classes Saturday at the annual Larry Goodrich Memorial Tournament at Newark Valley High School. Four other Senecas posted second-place finishes. Sports.

Street of Shops offers variety

The annual Street of Shops Christmas Bazaar at the First Presbyterian Church in Watkins Glen on Saturday offered what it always has over its 20-years-plus existence: a selection of goods at indoor "shops" -- an Apothecary, a Crafters Corner and a Popcorn Parlor, among others. Visitors could also purchase tasty lunches and sweet treats: brownies, cookies and other confections. In addition, there were raffle items donated by various area businesses.

Photo at right: One of the "shop" signs.

Watkins Glen holds its Village Christmas

The annual Watkins Glen Village Christmas was chilly and dry Friday night -- a pleasantly wintry event featuring a tree lighting at Gifford Park, near Milliken's Corner (right); a "Visions of a Christmas Past" parade on Franklin Street with fire trucks, police vehicles, scouts, several floats, and Santa and Mrs. Claus; live music; vendors, dancers and -- at evening's end -- a fireworks display. For more photos, click here.

Photo at right: The village Christmas tree at Gifford Park. The star atop the tree was made by village trustee Scott Gibson.

Shutter is an NJCAA All-America selection

Tompkins Cortland Community College freshman Morgan Shutter -- an Odessa-Montour High School graduate -- has been named to the Division III All-America 2nd Team by the National Junior College Athletics Association following a soccer saeson in which he led TC3 in scoring and to an undefeated regular season. He was also the Mid-State Athletic Conference Player of the Year.

Left: Morgan Shutter (Provided)

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.

Schumer visits Glen, touting brewery bill

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer visited Rooster Fish Brewing in Watkins Glen Monday morning to voice his support of legislation that would cut federal excise taxes levied on small breweries by 50%. Government.

Left: Senator Charles Schumer

Report: No 'dire need' for 3rd bridge

The Watkins Glen Village Board Monday night heard a report from Hunt Engineers on a study Hunt conducted on the need for a third bridge in the village to ease traffic congestion. The $14,500 study was approved in September by a 3-2 board vote. The conclusion by the firm's Chris Bond and Jeremy Glen (right): Their analysis "didn't show a dire need" for such a bridge, which would extend from near the high school property, go over Glen Creek and connect with either Perry or Porter Streets. Bridges now exist on Franklin and Decatur Streets. However, Bond and Glen said a bridge could alleviate congestion if Franklin or Decatur were closed to traffic due to accident or special event, and agreed to watch for grants that would reduce the local cost of such a structure. Trustee Tony Fraboni, who with Paul Clifford opposed the study, reiterated his opposition Monday, saying a bridge wouldn't "accomplish anything." Trustee Scott Gibson appeared to doubt its feasibility, saying "the issue I have" is that even with a third bridge, traffic "would still have to go over to Decatur. If Porter or Perry went through to Fairgrounds Lane" on the village's south end instead of being blocked by the school property, "it would be a slam dunk."

Manzer, Stocum join Arc Board

The Arc of Schuyler has announced the appointments of Schuyler Hospital President/CEO Andy Manzer and Watkins Glen Postmaster Donald Stocum to its Board of Directors. People.

A column by State Senator Tom O'Mara

New York State Senator Tom O'Mara graces our pages with a weekly column from Albany. This time: "Don't let 'Cyber Monday' spoil the season." Column.

Left: State Sen.Tom O'Mara

Dream Barn actors offer Holiday Cabaret

The Dream Barn Productions acting troupe -- consisting of youngsters 6-18 years of age -- entertained an appreciative audience with a Holiday Cabaret Saturday night at the Dream Barn theater on County Road 14, just east of Catharine Corners. The kids presented holiday songs and skits, including scenes from the play "A Charlie Brown Christmas." The show was presented again Sunday afternoon. Admission at the door was $5, with no extra charge for cookies and hot chocolate.

Service honors Elks 'departed brothers'

The Watkins Glen Elks Lodge held its annual memorial service Saturday honoring those Lodge members who passed away in the past year. Songs, prayers, a guest talk by Rev. William Lutz of Elmira, and the presentation of symbolic candles to relatives of the "departed brothers" highlighted the ceremony. A dinner followed in the Elks dining hall.

Area youths excelling at Robotics tourneys

Cornell Cooperative Extension Schuyler County-sponsored Robotics teams are finding success in the world of Robotics competitions. Next up for two of the teams: a tournament in Rochester, which could lead to a much larger event in St. Louis. See SchuyLines.

Left: Trophy won by a Schuyler County 4-H team at a CCC qualifying tournament.

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

Shopping small ...

Shoppers were encouraged to buy locally Saturday, and parking was at a premium in downtown Watkins Glen. Results of a Shop Small Bingo contest sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce will be announced later. Grand prize was a gift basket (left).

O'Mara 'hopeful' after meeting in Albany

State Senator Tom O'Mara (pictured at right) and Assemblymen Phil Palmesano and Chris Friend -- along with a group of other legislators whose districts would be impacted by a State Office of Mental Health reorganization plan that would, among other things, curb inpatient services at the Elmira Psychiatric Center -- met with representatives of Governor Andrew Cuomo Nov. 26 to plead the case in support of the EPC. O'Mara said after the two-hour session that he was "hopeful" that the Cuomo administration will "go back and take another good, hard look at the case we're making for a stronger role" for the Psych Center. O'Mara and other area leaders have been protesting the reduced role as devastating to the quality of mental health care in the region and to the local economy.

A holiday message from Odessa's mayor

Odessa Village Mayor Keith Pierce tells us about some holiday plans in the village, including a special mailbox for sending letters to Santa Claus. Message.

Left: Mayor Keith Pierce

On Thanksgiving ...

The editor takes a look a Thanksgiving from a personal, ever-changing perspective. Column.

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

Schuyler man draws life sentence

A Schuyler County man, Daryl Vonneida of the Town of Dix, was sentenced in federal court in Rochester to life in prison Nov. 25 following conviction by a jury on 14 counts related to the sexual exploitation of children, including production of child pornography, transporting minors in interstate commerce for illegal sexual activity, and possession of child pornography. Government.

Photo at right: Daryl Vonneida

400 on hand to honor Thurston

About 400 friends, family members and admirers turned out Nov. 23 for a service at the Watkins Glen Fire Department honoring the memory of Ernie Thurston, who died Nov. 14 at his home in Port Orange, Florida, at the age of 61. A fire department service (Thurston was a firefighter and assistant chief), military service (he was in the Air Force in the Vietnam era) and stories from fellow workers and friends highlighted the ceremony, held in the department's emptied bays. Thurston , who recently retired from the International Speedway Corporation, had a varied career that included serving as a Schuyler County deputy, as the county Fire Coordinator, and as a Schuyler County legislator, and working at Watkins Glen International.

Photo in text: Schuyler County Sheriff Bill Yessman speaks at the ceremony.

For more on this, see SchuyLines.

Church Holiday Bazaar features crafts, food

The annual Odessa United Methodist Church Holiday Bazaar Nov. 23 featured vendors selling dolls, photographs, wood birds, baked goods, jewelry and other items. There were door prizes, and Santa Claus visited. Also popular: lunches from the church kitchen.

WGMS lists honor roll for 1st marking period

The Watkins Glen Middle School releases its High Honor Roll, Honor Roll and Merit Roll for the 1st marking period of the 2013-14 school year. Honors.

States pleads guilty; sentencing Jan. 23

Larry States, 41, of Montour Falls, former chief of the Monterey Volunteer Fire Company and a former sergeant with the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Department, pleaded guilty Nov. 21 in Schuyler County Court to Grand Larceny, Third Degree, a class D felony.

States was charged with stealing money from the fire company while serving as one of its officers, including during the time he was chief. Sentencing, set for Jan. 23, could bring a maximum sentence of seven years in state prison.

His wife, Kimberly States, 47, of Beaver Dams, also charged with stealing money from the fire company while serving as its treasurer, has already pleaded guilty and faces sentencing on Dec. 5.

The couple were accused of stealing more than $100,000 from the fire company during a five-year period.

Photo in text: Larry States (Photo provided)

Rotary honors Guild as O-M Student of Month

Odessa-Montour senior Hayley Guild was honored Nov. 21 by the Watkins-Montour Rotary Club as its O-M Student of the Month for November. She was introduced by High School Principal Chris Wood, who said the honoree -- new to the district last year -- "is an energetic, intelligent and outgoing young lady" who has "established herself as an academic all-star" and "a leader in the classroom and out." She is a member of Interact, All-State chorus, and the Senior Leadership Cabinet, and is in the Top 5 of her class. She plans to attend SUNY Geneseo to study Elementary Education.

Chamber elects new officers, directors

Members of the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce elected officers and directors and heard reports on the financial health of the organization Nov. 20th at the Chamber's annual meeting at Red Newt Cellars in Hector. Business.

Planning Board OKs two projects

The Watkins Glen Planning Board on Nov. 20 gave final site-plan approval to two projects: the Dunkin' Donuts parking lot expansion, and the planned development of the Watkins Glen Apartments for the elderly in the Middle School. Government.

WGHS lists honor roll for 1st quarter of year

The Watkins Glen High School releases its High Honor Roll and Honor Roll for the 1st quarter of the 2013-14 school year. Honors.

Drug arrests announced

Schuyler law enforcement agencies report a number of drug arrests in an ongoing investigation into meth activity in the county. People.

Matt Gill is once again our Schuyler Fall MVP

Watkins Glen High School cross-country runner Matt Gill has been named The Odessa File Schuyler Fall MVP for the third consecutive year. A story on that and a list of our Schuyler All-Stars can be found on Sports.

Left: Matt Gill

Guys & Dolls ends run

The Lake Country Players' presentation of “Guys & Dolls” completed its two-day, three-performance run Nov. 16 in the Fetter-Brown Auditorium at Odessa-Montour High School. Features.

Left: Michael Truesdail as gambler Nathan Detroit.

Bazaar, craft show mark holiday season

The annual St. Mary's Holiday Bazaar at the Parish Center in Watkins Glen drew a large crowd Nov. 16, as did a craft show at the Montour Falls Fire Department. Seasonal and year-round items were for sale at both, along with baked goods. Santa visited the Parish Center at noon to chat with kids and get their Christmas gift requests.

Left top: Dolls were among the items for sale at the Montour Falls Fire Hall craft show.

Left bottom: Alpacas were on display outside St. Mary's Bazaar.

Odessa's latest report on water quality

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