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CARRIER ROUTE POSTAL CUSTOMER
BROWN ENTERPRISE AND MARKETING 7830 STATE ROUTE 434 APALACHIN, NEW YORK 13732
APALACHIN • OWEGO • NICHOLS TIOGA CENTER • NEWARK VALLEY
CAMPVILLE • BARTON • CANDOR SMITHBORO • CATATONK
YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER •
www.CommunityPress.us
AUGUST 2020
Volume 35
STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #9 APALACHIN, NY
Hiawatha Bridge Closed for Construction
Number 8
Ribbon Cutting at Cellar Deli & Bar
Fred Brown File Photo
Hiawatha Bridge, which spans the Susquehanna River near Hickories Park in the Town of Owego, is temporarily closed for reconstruction of two bridge superstructures. The bridge - also known as NYS Route 960J - is schedule to reopen by September 11. Detours will be posted. During the closure, motorists destined for Owego at exit 65 of NYS Route 17
are advised to be aware of lighted Variable Message Signs advising of exit restrictions and alternate exit routes. Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Pictured above: the grand opening of the Hiawatha Bridge in 1968 - 52 years ago! In the photo are the Melodeers.
A ribbon cutting was held on July 30 to celebrate the grand re-opening of the Cellar Deli & Bar at 196 Front Street in Owego. The Cellar Restaurant is one of the oldest restaurants in the Village of Owego, and has been operating since 1982 with a tradition of quality and excellence. After the 2006 flood, The Cellar moved to the street level. Offering nostalgic sandwiches from the historic “Old” Cellar Menu, and, with the blessing of Pat Hansen, the new
Cellar Deli & Bar will feature a few sandwiches from the iconic River Rose Café. The Cellar Deli & Bar announces new lunches, featuring Bob’s smoked meats, by the sandwich or by the pound. Eat in or take out, the Cellar Deli & Bar is open Thursday through Saturday at the following hours: Thurs. - Sat. 11am to 4pm, Thurs. - Sat. Happy Hour 4pm to 6pm, Thurs. - Sat. Dinner 5pm to 9pm, Sunday Brunch 10am to 2pm, and Sunday Dinner 2pm to 7pm.
Hose Team Makes Progress on Steamer Project Barbershop demolition, fundraising, and steamer evaluation underway.
Owego Hose Teams, Inc. is off and running with its recently announced steamer restoration and “steamer house” project. On Tuesday, July 14, hose team and Owego Fire Department members demolished the former Lloyd’s Barbershop at 99 North Avenue in preparation for the steamer building. The property and building currently owned by Applied Technology Manufacturing (ATM) have been used in previous weeks for fire department trainings to include roof ventilation, forcible entry, and ladder operations. The demolition was a collaboration with Steve Lounsberry of ATM; Taylor Garbage Service who donated the dumpsters; Global Industrial Services Inc. who donated the use of their heavy equipment; NYSEG; Village of Owego DPW and Code Enforcement offices; and Ice Cream Works who provided volunteers with cold treats after the work was done. The Village of Owego Board has yet to give final approval for the steamer house plans. The proposal was originally presented to the board in January of this year. The topic is once again on the board’s agenda for their July 20th regular meeting where final approval is being requested. The “steamer house,” mod-
eled after one located in Marathon, NY, will showcase OFD’s 1866 Amoskeag Steam Pumper and 1939 Sanford Hose Truck. Constructed of cedar wood frame and glass solarium walls for 360 degree viewing with steeple supporting an antique fire bell, the building will be located next to Owego Fire Station #2 on North Ave. presenting historical, educational, and training opportunities. The project will also bolster the North Avenue corridor improving an abandoned property while bringing foot traffic and tourists to the business district. Scott Edsall of Williams and Edsall Land Surveyors and Roger Katchuk of First Tioga Realty donated their services as part of the overall project proposal. Hose team members also met with Andy Swift of Firefly Restorations and Brian Fanslau of Maine Locomotive & Machine Works this month who evaluated the steam pumper currently housed at Owego Central Fire Station. Swift and Fanslau stopped off in Owego en route back to the state of Maine after picking up restored steamer wheels for comedian Jay Leno’s 1901 self-propelled steam fire pumper in Amish country. A deal is hoped to be reached for steamer’s restoration that includes a new boiler, re-
Tioga To-Go
Tioga County Tourism and the Tioga County Chamber of Commerce are partnering together to bring you Tioga ToGo. Tioga To-Go is a promotional effort to encourage the public to patronize restaurants in Tioga County by ordering meals to-go. “We have seen an uptick is carryout and delivery at some restaurants around the county,” said, Rebecca Maffei, Director, Tioga County Tourism. “We hope that promoting to-go services will offset the decrease in revenue that
has resulted from the limits on seating capacity inside restaurants.” Restaurants that are interested in participating in Tioga To-Go, can contact Lori Maley at 687-7440 or info@experiencetioga.com. To participate, restaurants must submit a link or hard copy of their regular menu, a to-go menu, or to-go specials. These will be listed on the Tioga To-Go website. Restaurants have the option to donate gift certificates totaling a minimum of $30 of any denomination, and in turn the gift certificates will be used for weekly prizes on Tioga To-Go social media platforms and the restaurant donating them will be promoted. “We are excited to introduce Tioga To-Go for people who prefer take-out to dining in at this time. We are encouraging locals and visitors to try something new and support our local eateries while maintaining safety with Tioga To-Go options,” said Sally Yablonsky, Director of Operations, Tioga County Chamber of Commerce. Tioga To-Go will be running for the foreseeable future in Tioga County to encourage safety while driving business
paired lamps, pump work, and a new tiller pole allowing members to hand pull the steamer as it was originally designed. The total project cost of the steamer restoration and “steamer house” is expected to be in upwards of $100,000. An account at Neighborhood Redemption Center on 5th Avenue, Owego was recently set up to aid the project. Individuals can return their bottles and cans at the redemption center and apply their return funds to the Owego Hose Team account there. Proceeds benefit the steamer project. Hose team member Joe Ward recently donated 30 garbage bags
full of cans to the effort. Individuals can also contribute to the project by participating in the hose team’s “Steam Booster” donor program. For a $100 tax deductible contribution name(s) will be placed on a cast iron bronze plaque that will proudly hang on the steamer house building. Donors will receive a letter and certificate thanking them for their donation. Donors can also purchase benches that will surround the steamer house. Information on the “Steam Booster” and bench program is available at the hose team’s website at www. OwegoHoseTeams.com.