Death Notice: Jesse Wolfe

Jesse R. Wolfe, 65, of Odessa -- longtime owner of Wolfe's Garage -- died at his home on Thursday, Sept. 4, after a long battle with cancer. In accordance with his wishes, there will be no prior calling hours or funeral service. For the complete obituary, click here.

Don't shoot the bison: 2 down, charges loom

Two of four bison moving about our area after being released from a farm near Ithaca were illegally shot and killed Wednesday, and their remains recovered from freezers Thursday for return to their owner, Greg Reynolds. Schuyler County Undersheriff Breck Spaulding reports that two men are responsible for the shootings, and could face charges of criminal mischief and cruelty. Spaulding's message to the public: Don't shoot the bison, or you face legal trouble. For more, see Features.

Left: A buffalo -- or more properly a bison -- is watched closely by a cat in Schuyler County, near Burdett. (Photo provided)

Thursday Scoreboard

Boys Soccer

Odessa-Montour 2, Newfield 0 Bath 3, Watkins Glen 0 (Tournament 1st-round game; consolation game is Saturday)

Volleyball

Odessa-Montour 3, Groton 2 Waverly 3, Watkins Glen 0

Stories and photos on Sports

Left: Watkins Glen's Taylor McCarthy serves Thursday against Waverly.

Watkins football team ready as opener nears

The Watkins Glen High School varsity football team opens its season Saturday afternoon at Newark Valley. Judging from recent pre-season action, the team appears ready for battle. For a story, see Sports.

After 50 years, their love story is ongoing

Edward and Alice Kimble celebrate their 50th anniversary on Sept. 6th. As messages from their children attest, the couple's story continues to be one of love and devotion. People.

Left: Edward and Alice Kimble on their wedding day, Sept. 6, 1958.

Glen board takes next step toward trail project

The Watkins Glen Village Board takes another step toward the Catharine Valley Trail extension on Decatur Street, and approves a fee increase for the Friday night skating program. Board.

Left: Watkins Glen Village Board member Wayne Weber

Glen school projects are under budget

The Watkins Glen School Board, meeting Tuesday night, heard that the $4 million in building projects at the district's schools are nearing completion, and coming in $600,000 under budget. For details, see Board.

Schumer visits Montour to discuss the issues

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) visited the Schuyler County Human Services Complex in Montour Falls Wednesday as part of a daylong trip around the state. Among topics discussed with 40 constituents at the Complex were water-sewer grants, Medicare, natural-gas contracts (he favors funding an expert to advise Southern Tier residents about such pacts' pitfalls) and Vice-Presidential nominee Sarah Palin (who the Senator said should be studied closely to determine her ability to be President. The pregnancy of Palin's daughter? Irrelevant, he said)

Among those on hand Wednesday were Schuyler legislators, Schuyler Administrator Tim O'Hearn, Watkins School Superintendent Tom Phillips, and Elmira Mayor John Tonello, who asked if grant money is available to do something about his city's outmoded City Hall. Not likely, said Schumer: "The federal government is terrible at building buildings."

Wednesday Scores

Boys Soccer

Watkins Glen 9, Waverly 0

Girls Soccer

Odessa-Montour 7, Groton 1 Waverly 5, Watkins Glen 0 Trumansburg 3, Newfield 1

Stories and photos on Sports

Area schools are back in session

The hallways were periodically abuzz with students, and in-between, teachers were back at their lecterns, educating their young charges. It was the first day of school Wednesday at Watkins Glen High School -- a relief to one student who said she needs "structure" in her life, and clearly not appealing to others who were frowning or muttering as they traversed the halls. But mixed reviews or not, the show will go on.

Left: Watkins senior Ellie Fausold

It was a beautiful day for a holiday ...

The weather was perfect Monday -- an agreeably sunny and comfortable Labor Day. Families gathered throughout the region to celebrate the last holiday of the summer, and among the popular spots were the cottages and homes alongside Seneca Lake. Powerboats and sailboats were on the water, adding a touch of noise and motion to a placid scene. These photos were snapped down the hill from Valois, along Lake Street.

Glen firefighters rally, edge Burdett, 12-11

The annual softball game between the Watkins Glen and Burdett firefighters came down to the last inning Sunday as Watkins scored three runs in the top of the 9th to post a 12-11 victory. The rivalry, as always followed by a cookout, drew a sizable crowd to Burdett -- a gathering that cheered and jeered with enthusiasm.

The contest, which celebrates its 20th anniversary next year, has been won by Watkins most years; one Burdett firefighter estimated that the Glen has prevailed roughly two-thirds of the time. Burdett left the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th when Chief Jason Kelly lined to shortstop for the final out.

Left above: Burdett Chief Jason Kelly swings and misses on a 9th inning pitch.

Left: Sisters Jackie Orr Bubb, left, and Jennifer Orr sported 'I Love Burdett Fire Department' shirts.

More historical nuggets from the O'Donnell file

Watkins Glen School Board member Brian J. O'Donnell provides us with more historical facts from his file of Watkins Glen School District days gone by. History.

The latest column by State Sen. George Winner

State Senator George Winner graces our pages with a column produced from his Albany office -- a regular feature. This week the subject is "Environmental Protection in 2008: Session Review." Column.

Left: State Senator George Winner

From the creative mind of Ron Havens ....

Conservatives beware. Catharine Corners' Ron Havens -- known for his politically charged statuary in front of his home -- weighs in with more cartoons. Toons.

2 more Ernie excerpts

With a movie about The Elmira Express, football great Ernie Davis (left), coming in October, we present two more excerpts from an unusual book about him. Ernie.

Left: Ernie Davis

In with new playground and out with the old

The new Watkins Glen Elementary School playground opened Thursday morning, just after its predecessor -- the old Goodrich playground -- was dismantled (see photo below). For photos of the new playground, see Schools.

Left: A youngster has some help on a slide at the new playground.

Crystal Ricks named Chamber president

The Search Committee of the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce has announced the appointment of Crystal Ricks (pictured at right) as the new Chamber President/CEO, effective Oct. 1. She succeeds Maxine Neal, who has been serving temporarily as president since the resignation early this year of Phyllisa DeSarno. "We are absolutely confident that Crystal’s leadership will lead the Chamber to new and broader horizons," said Rick Stelzer, chairman of the Chamber's Board of Directors. Ricks will move to Schuyler County from Childersburg, Ala., where she owns and manages a communications company. She has served with Chambers in Childersburg (as a consultant) and Sylacauga, Ala. (as Executive Director). She is a recent graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management (IOM).

High-tech show takes Johnson to Hollywood

Odessa-Montour High School graduate Erik Johnson is making webisodes that take him into the homes of some rich and famous personalities on the West Coast. For a story and photos, see Erik.

Left: Erik Johnson

More photos of our region by Liz Fraboni

Liz Fraboni of Watkins Glen returns to our site with another group of scenic photos snapped during her wanderings around Schuyler County. For a look, click here.

Left: Seneca Lake (Photo by Liz Fraboni)

First Street Construction Completed

WATKINS GLEN, Aug. 22 -- The First Street reconstruction in Watkins Glen is complete. The project, undertaken in conjunction with construction of the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, includes improved sidewalks and expanded parking -- an additional 28 spaces. The project also moved utility lines underground and improved road drainage. Funding came from the Village of Watkins Glen, along with a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission that was facilitated by the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development (SCOPED).

Watkins Glen Mayor Judy Phillips expressed satisfaction with the completed project. “All the time and effort we have put into pursuing the grant and scheduling the work has really paid off, “ she said. “The access to the new hotel and to the waterfront is greatly improved, and the additional parking will be a benefit to the community. The street lights still have to be installed, but the street is now open.”

-- Special to The Odessa File

Rotary introduces exchange students

The Watkins-Montour Rotary Club's weekly luncheon meeting Aug. 21 was highlighted by the introduction of this year's Rotary Exchange students (see above and here), and by a discussion of Health Care in America by Gerald Archibald (left), an independent financial auditor whose clients include the Arc of Schuyler. Archibald said our health care system is in crisis, and that there are a number of steps that need to be taken to improve its cost-effectiveness -- including a reduction in administrative costs and control over drug makers.

Exchange students: See Schools

Left: Speaker Gerald J. Archibald.

Death Notice: Michiel Barr

Michiel Barr, 52, of Bennettsburg died unexpectedly at her home on Tuesday, August 19. Calling hours were Monday, August 25, at the Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home, Watkins Glen. A funeral service was held at the First Presbyterian Church, Watkins Glen, on Tuesday. For the complete obituary, click here.

Watkins football team prepares for season

The Watkins Glen High School football team was on the practice field Wednesday afternoon, and we have a few photos from that session, along with a story. See Sports.

Left: Watkins Glen football player Cody Dahl at practice Wednesday

Watkins board focuses on parking issues

Parking issues of various kinds -- including tickets issued to residents parked in the wrong direction -- took center stage Aug. 18 at a meeting of the Watkins Glen Village Board. Government.

Left: Watkins Glen trustee Wayne Weber at the Aug. 18 session

Here are School Board meeting minutes

The Watkins Glen School Board met Aug. 18 in a regular session that featured appointments, approval of a tax levy, and other matters. For the full minutes, see Board.

Left: Watkins Glen School Board member Joe Fazzary

Some more area photos by Kayla Lukacs

Burdett-area resident Kayla Lukacs presents a selection of scenic black-and-white photographs from our region. Photos.

Left: Rock wall. (Photo by Kayla Lukacs)

Sheriff to residents: Call us if you need help

In the wake of a break-in at a local restaurant and after several complaints to the village about vandalism, Schuyler County Sheriff Bill Yessman told the Odessa Village Board Aug. 18 that such activities "are not unique to Odessa," and that they "come in waves" in communities around the county. "Hot spots pop up," he said. Nonetheless, night patrols have been increased in Odessa, he said, with one sergeant checking for activity behind the school, where some youths had reportedly been spending nights. "They see us up here and they think twice," said Yessman, who urged residents who see anything suspicious to call his office and report it. "I'd rather we answer 100 false incidents than one real one," he said. The phone number is 535-8222 or, in an emergency, 911, he added.

Early 20th century cars visit Watkins on tour

Two dozen members of the Horseless Carriage Club of America visited Watkins Glen Monday, Aug. 18, as part of a four-day tour of this area. The club features one- and two-cylinder cars from 1914 and earlier, transported by their owners to Painted Post by trailers this week and used on back roads in our area to visit Watkins Glen, Hammondsport, the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center, the Corning Museum of Glass, the National Soaring Museum on Harris Hill, Corning's Rockwell Museum and other locales.

The group, which toured Ohio Amish country last year, drew a lot of attention Monday from Watkins Glen residents who stopped to study the cars parked downtown on Franklin Street while the vehicles' drivers shopped and visited local restaurants for lunch.

Top left: A 1904 Rambler

Bottom left: Gas headlights were the method of illumination on early 20th century automobiles.

More photos of our region by Liz Fraboni

Liz Fraboni of Watkins Glen returns to our site with some more photos snapped during her wanderings around Schuyler County, with some extra photos from area festivals produced with an abstract flair. For a look, click here.

Left: Sunset on Seneca Lake. (Photo by Liz Fraboni)

Some more area photos by Kayla Lukacs

Burdett-area resident Kayla Lukacs presents a selection of scenic black-and-white photographs from our region. Photos.

Left: Blowing bubble. (Photo by Kayla Lukacs)

Steve O'Brien benefit held

A benefit was staged Saturday, Aug. 2, by Lou Gehrig youth baseball and softball in Buffalo on behalf of Steve O'Brien, brother of Watkins Glen's Jim O'Brien and Jane Olafson. Steve has ALS. A link here will take you to a website with further explanation.

Note: The O'Briens wish to thank all of you who donated. Donations are still being accepted through the above link.

Left: Steve O'Brien

New distillery planned for east side of Seneca

Construction is under way on a distillery planning to start production in the late fall on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake. For a story and photos, see Business.

Left: Distillery logo

Ribbon-cutting ushers in the Harbor Hotel era

Politicians, businessmen and other dignitaries were on hand at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel July 16th for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and party signaling the opening of the hotel. For stories and photos, see Business.

Bonnie Seeley is back with Schuyler column

Odessa's Bonnie Seeley returns to this website with another in a series of personal columns under the title "Schuyler County -- Around & About." See her thoughts on the Relay for Life and other events. Column.

Left: Bonnie Seeley

Ken Wilson, Jim Wilson, Art Richards named to Schuyler County Hall of Fame

Kenneth J. Wilson, James E. Wilson and Arthur H. Richards Jr. have been selected for inclusion in the Schuyler County Hall of Fame. Their induction will be in October. People.

Odessa issues its summer newsletter

The Village of Odessa brings its residents up to date on local happenings by issuing its Summer 2008 Newsletter. See Newsletter.

More old photos from the Kelly collection

We have some more photos from the collection amassed over the years by the late Bill Kelly. For a look, click here.

Odessa issues annual water quality report

The Village of Odessa updates its residents on their water supply with its annual Water Quality Report. Water

The What, When and Why of this website

Editor-publisher Charlie Haeffner updates readers on what makes this website tick. Site.

Left: Charlie Haeffner (Photo by Dave Haeffner)

Hungry? Check out the Village Take Out menu

That's right. You can call up the Village Take Out Menu anytime, because we carry it on this website. And keep up-to-date on the changes owners Bob and Shelly Landon are instituting at the restaurant. Menu.