Community Press - June 2024

Memorial Day 2024 Celebrated in Owego

“Strawberry Magic”

Owego’s 42nd Annual Strawberry Festival June 14 and 15 in Downtown Owego

The three-day event will run from June 13 to June 15 at two locations. For the June 13 event, a Strawberry Festival 5K Walk / Run will take place by the bandshell at Hickories Park in Owego, N.Y. Hosted by the Historic Owego Marketplace and Tioga State Bank, and with

Medals from Tri-Town Insurance and Rotary volunteers, the event offers a timed 5K Walk / Run along with live music offered underneath the bandshell. The Rock and Run will run from 5-9. On Friday, June 14, the Block Party returns to downtown Owego. With things set up downtown, things kick off at 5pm with live music, food, and entertainment for adults and children. Headliner Stone Senate will return from Nashville, Tenn. to the Courthouse Stage this year, along with other seasoned performers arriving to entertain on three stages throughout the evening. The fireworks display will illuminate the river at 9:30pm. On Saturday, the parade steps off at 9:30am with Jim Raftis Sr. and Dick Franz, both longtime volunteers in Owego, serving as the parade’s Grand Marshal(s). Following the parade, guests and entertainers will fill the streets for a day filled with music, children’s activities, vendors, roaming characters from Paw Patrol, an activity center hosted by the Owego Nazarene Church, and so much more. Visit www.owego.org for all things festival.

Fred J Brown Photo

Fred J Brown Photo

Fred J Brown Photo

Fred J Brown Photo

Fred J Brown Photo

Fred J Brown Photo

Fred J Brown Photo

Fred J Brown Photo

Fred J Brown Photo

At the Apalachin Library

719 Main Street, Apalachin (607) 625-3333

Open: Mon, Tue, Thurs 10am-7pm, Fri & Sat 10am -2pm www.apalachinlibrary.org

Mahjong

Mondays, 2-4pm

Don’t know how to play this tile-based game yet? Don’t worry, we’ll teach you! No registration is necessary, and all are welcome.

Storytime

Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30am

Join Miss Wendy for read alouds, singing, playing, dancing, and crafts. Tuesday and Thursday each week are the same theme. Note: there will be no Storytime from June 25-July 4 (resume July 9).

Tech Tuesdays with Tina Tuesdays, 11:30am-1:30pm

Drop by for some one-on-one help on the computer and other devices.

Zen before Zzzzs Tuesdays, 6:30pm

Grab your yoga mat and join yoga instructor Sheehan Shotwell for an inspiring yoga practice each week. No registration is necessary, and all are welcome.

Pokémon Club

Saturday, June 1, 11am-1pm

Senior Sampler-1950s and 1960s Trivia Friday, June 7, 11am-1pm

National Knit (& Crochet) in Public Day

Saturday, June 8, 11am-1pm

Bring your own project.

Evening Book Club

Thursday, June 13, 6:30pm

The book is Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. Place a hold for this book in the catalog or find it on Libby and Hoopla as an eBook or audiobook. No registration is necessary, and all are welcome.

Book Barn Sale

Monday, June 17 - Saturday, June 29 All books with YELLOW STICKERS are 50% off!

Apalachin Library Board Meeting Tuesday, June 18, 6:15pm

Members of the community are always welcome to attend.

Afternoon Book Club

Thursday, June 20, 1pm

“The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides. Place a hold for this book in the catalog or find it on Libby as an eBook or audiobook. The July book will be “My Cousin Rachel” by Daphne du Maurier. No registration is necessary, and all are welcome.

Mobile Food Pantry June 26 inApalachin

The Apalachin Lions and the Foodbank of the Southern Tier will hold a Walk-Up Mobile Food Pantry on Wednesday, June 26, from 10:00 to 11:00 am at St. Margaret Mary’s Church, 1110 Pennsylvania Avenue in Apalachin.

Pre-registration is required.

You can register Tuesday, June 25, at 8:30am until full (there is a limit of 125 registrations). To register, phone 2-1-1 or go to www.foodbankst.org/cfd

Bring a cart or bags to carry your food.

Tioga County Government Services Expo - June 21

The Tioga County Legislature is hosting the first ever Tioga County Government Services Expo on Friday, June 21. The community is invited to attend the event from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at 70 Delphine Street in Owego. The event is free to the public.

The Government Services Expo is an event featuring the services provided by the county to help the people better understand how county government works for the community. Attendees will have

an opportunity to learn what services the county provides, meet the employees who do the work on their behalf, and hear about some of the exciting projects that are underway. There will be displays and large equipment on display (Touch a Truck) plus there will be popcorn and cotton candy for those young at heart.

A Ribbon Cutting will be held at 10:30 am hosted by the Tioga County Chamber of Commerce.

A 60th year anniversary ribbon cutting and rededication ceremony was held on May 18 for Owego Gymnastics & Activity.

Captain Dinosaur Report

Structure Fire on George Street in Owego May 18, 2024

On Saturday, May 18, at about 3:45pm Owego Fire and Rescue was dispatched to a structure fire on George Street.

The first reports were received indicating heavy smoke pouring from the second story of a single family, wood frame home. Residents had evacuated and were safe.

The weather was warm and cloudy with little wind. Owego Engine 804, Engine 803, and Heavy Rescue 851 responded and initiated an attack with handlines into the building.

Apalachin, Campville, and Newark Valley were called for mutual aid and supported Owego at the scene. About 35 fire fighters from the combined departments were on the scene. Additional lines were brought into operation and

the fire was quickly brought under control. There was water and smoke damage to the interior. The fire was brought under control in about 20 minutes and extinguished and overhauled 2 hours later.

Assisting at the scene were Owego Emergency Support Services, Fire Police, Owego EMS and Owego PD.

Owego units were back in full service by 7:00 pm after the equipment was cleaned and reloaded. There were no serious injuries, and everyone returned safely.

The successful operation is due to the combined efforts of multiple departments working as a single team. The ongoing training using the NYS fire service guidelines and courses enhance cooperation and efficient execution.

Photo by: FJ Brown lll

Photo by: FJ Brown lll

Owego Mural Restoration

The Iconic Owego Sign on the Northside of the JJ Newberry building that houses the Early Owego Antique Center is finally getting a facelift! The mural was painted in 2005 by Tim Tarbox (left) of Owego. Stephen Whitman (left) and Bruce Greig (right) pictured below are doing the restoration of Tim’s design. Tim was contacted to create an updated design for the mural, a few new features will be added to the mural.

Mobile Food Pantry - June 26 inApalachin

The Apalachin Lions and the Foodbank of the Southern Tier will hold a Walk-Up Mobile Food Pantry on Wednesday, June 26, from 10:00 to 11:00 am at St. Margaret Mary’s Church, 1110 Pennsylvania Avenue in Apalachin.

Pre-registration is required. You can register Tuesday, June 25 at 8:30am until full (there is a limit of 125 registrations). To register, phone 2-1-1 or go to www.foodbankst.org/ cfd. Bring a cart or bags to carry your food.

Above: The mural 2024 Below: The mural in 2002

Fred J Brown Photo

Fred J Brown Photo

Fred J Brown Photo

Fred J Brown Photo

Fred J Brown Photo

Fred J Brown Photo

50 YearsAgo - June 1974

It’s June 1974. A new law in New York State allows drivers to go right on a red light if there’s a sign allowing it.

Dr. Henry M. Heimlich develops the Heimlich maneuver.

Actress Elizabeth Taylor, 42, is granted a divorce from her husband, actor Richard Burton, 48.

Russian ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov defects while on tour in Toronto, Canada.

Alberta King, mother of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is shot and killed in a church in Atlanta.

The Owego-Apalachin school budget is rejected in a second vote, 1,579 to 1,088.

More than 900 students graduate from Broome Community College.

Twenty-eight contestants enter the Little Miss Apalachin Contest at the annual Apalachin Firemen’s Field Days. The winner is Kathy Young, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Young of Apalachin.

New York State gives the Village of Endicott two plans to alleviate traffic problems on Main Street. One of the plans calls for tearing down the building in which Pat Mitchell’s Ice Cream store is located. Endicott Mayor Joseph Caldwell says, “Knocking down Pat Mitchell’s would be like demolishing St. Patrick’s Cathedral.”

IBM Endicott announces plans to hire 500 people by the end of the year. That would bring the total

number of employees to 9,500.

Kopernick Observatory in Vestal is dedicated. A container of Polish coins and soil is sealed behind the cornerstone.

Six New York State Regents examination answer sheets are stolen in Brooklyn. Nine Regents exams are cancelled. Most local schools are giving their students Regents credit for the courses.

In Owego, The Hand of Man opens on Front Street. Owners Pat and Roger Hansen have restored the inside of the building to resemble a 19th Century general store.

At Owego Free Academy, 304 students receive diplomas.

The Owego-Apalachin school budget finally passes on the third vote, 1,275 to 768. School officials are relieved.

We’re listening to “Band on the Run” by Paul McCartney and Wings, “The Streak” by Ray Stevens, “You Make Me Feel Brand New” by the Stylistics, and “Sundown” by Gordon Lightfoot.

Friday night TV shows include “Sanford and Son,” “The Brady Bunch,” “The Brian Keith Show,” “Good Times,” “The Six Million Dollar Man,” and “The Odd Couple.”

Movies playing at local theaters include “Where the Lilies Bloom,” “The Lords of Flatbush,” “Daisy Miller,” “Old Yeller,” and “The Incredible Journey.”

Catholic Charities to Relocate Nichols Office

Catholic Charities of Tompkins/ Tioga (CCTT) will be relocating the Nichols office to a new location in the next month.

In order to prepare for this relocation, the non-profit will be closed for all Outreach services from Monday, May 20, to Friday, June 7. This closure includes the food pantry, clothing/diaper/personal care item availability, emergency financial services, and the community kitchen.

Anyone who needs assistance during this time will need to make alternate arrangements or visit www.foodbankst.org for a list of available food pantry sites.

Services will resume beginning Tuesday, June 11, at 9:00am at 932 West River Road, Nichols, NY.

“We want to let our clients and

neighbors know that this is just a temporary suspension of our necessary services,” says Renee Spear, Executive Director for CCTT. “We are looking forward to welcoming the public in our new space and continuing to work in solidarity with our community to support all people in need.”

Spear adds that there will be plans for an upcoming Grand Opening celebration.

For the past 12 years, CCTT has leased a portion of a building at 139 Roki Boulevard in Nichols, NY, where they provided many services to individuals and families throughout the entire county as well as surrounding areas. New address beginning June 11: 932 West River Rd, Nichols, NY 13812 Hours: Tues – Fri; 9-12, 1-3

Vestal High School Students

Recognized in Scholastic WritingAwards

Four Vestal High School students have been recognized for excellence in writing in the Scholastic Writing Awards regional contest.

Congratulations to Alesha Khan, Faris Shamma, Margaret Wood, and Sindi Zhou who have been recognized for excellence in writing as part of the 2024 East Region-at-Large Scholastic Awards. Altogether, the students won one Gold Key, four Silver Keys, and two Honorable Mentions.

Sindi Zhou won a Gold Key and a Silver Key award, while Alesha Kahn was awarded two Silver Keys and an Honorable Mention. Margaret Wood also won a Silver Key award and Faris Shamma received an Honorable Mention. As a result of her Gold Key win, Sindi Zhou has qualified to compete for a National Scholastic Writing Award Vestal High School English faculty instructing these students are Mitzy Benjamin, Jennie Drexler-Smith, and Tina Nyschot.

WeddingAnniversary

Ti-Ahwaga Community Players Present

“Sunday in the Park with George”

Ti-Ahwaga Community Players upcoming production is the musical “Sunday in the Park with George.”

The musical showcases “the days leading up to the completion of Georges Seurat’s most famous painting, “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” Seurat is struggling to make meaningful art and maintain a relationship with his lover, Dot. Amid the scorn of the artistic community, Seurat’s artistic ability thrives while his love diminishes. A century later, Seurat’s descendant – named George and also an artist – finds himself burnt

out and in search of what artistic path to follow, but he finds the answer to his future in the past.

One of the most acclaimed musicals of our time, this won a Pulitzer Prize and was nominated for an astounding ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

This production opens June 14 and runs for three weekends before closing on June 30.

Ti-Ahwaga Community Players is at 42 Delphine Street in Owego. For more information, call 607-687-2130 or email info@tiahwaga.com.

NOW HIRING

Apalachin Family Care is hiring for a Billing Assistant in their Apalachin office. Experience Preferred but will Train the right person. Please email resumes to apalachinfamilycare@yahoo.com You can also fax it to 607-625-4846 or you can mail them to our office at: Apalachin Family Care 6889 Route 434, Apalachin, NY 13732-3503

Tioga Downs to Host Benefit Concert for Vets - July 11

Tioga Downs Casino Resort will donate 100% of ticket sales to the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group Nichols, NY – Tioga Downs Casino Resort is presenting a benefit concert featuring the hard rock band Night Ranger to help raise funds for the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group (STVSG) on July 11 at 8pm.

All proceeds generated from ticket sales will be donated to the STVSG and Tioga Downs owner Jeffrey Gural will personally match the donation.

“We’re grateful to have the opportunity to host Night Ranger while raising funds for this amazing nonprofit,” said Gural.

The STVSG offers a comprehensive network of resources tailored to veterans, service members, and families spanning across the Southern Tier of New York and the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania.

“We’re looking forward to cele-

brating the important work of the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group and hope you will support them by buying tickets and enjoying a fun concert,” said Gural.

Tickets for the concert are $20 and can be purchased at the Tioga Downs Gift Shop or online through Ticketmaster.

For more information about concerts at Tioga Downs, please visit www.tiogadowns.com.

ABOUT: Tioga Downs Casino Resort is the premier gaming center in the Southern Tier. The property features more than 890 slot machines, 28 table games, and six poker tables. The resort is also home to some of the most competitive harness racing in the state of New York at its historic 5/8 mile racetrack. Families can also dine at one of its four restaurants, including the popular P.J. Clarke’s. You must be 21 years of age or older to play at the resort. Please play responsibly.

Mowers

Darlings Celebrate 50th

Pete and Jill Darling celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on June 1st. Pete is the pastor of Faith Christian Fellowship church in Apalachin.