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NOVEMBER 2019
Volume 34
Fire Destroys Apalachin Home
NY State Police Sgt. Robert Bloom receives treatment for smoke inhalation after saving an Apalachin man from a burning building. (NYS Police photo) On November 1, fire destroyed the Apalachin home of Gary and Bonnie Zisko at 58 West Brookside Avenue in Tioga Terrace. The Ziskos lived there
STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #9 APALACHIN, NY
with their their children, Jamie and Jeff. Jeff Zisko, who is bedridden, was saved from the fire by the quick actions of NYS Police Sergeant Robert Bloom III who was on his way to the Broome County Academy Graduation to play with the pipes and drums - and dressed in a kilt - when he noticed smoke at Tioga Terrace. Once on scene, Sgt. Bloom discovered that a bedridden male was trapped inside the burning building. Sergeant Bloom, along with Gary Zisko and one of Zisko’s neighbors, entered the burning building. They were able to successfully get Jeff into a wheelchair and out of the house. The four men - Sgt. Bloom, Gary Zisko, Jeff Zisko, and Zisko’s neighbor were taken to area hospitals for smoke inhalation. The Apalachin Fire Department responded to the scene, with assistance from Campville, Vestal, and West Corners fire departments. A “Zisko Family Fire” GoFundMe page with a goal of $10,000 has been established to help the Zisko family with termporary housing, rebuilding, and medical expenses not covered by insurance.
Number 11
Fallen DOT Worker Honored
The family of New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) worker Dennis “Matt” Howe last month attended a ceremony at DOT’s Owego facility to officially designate a portion of Route 17 the “Dennis ‘Matt’ Howe Memorial Highway” and to dedicate a stone menorial in honor of Howe’s life. On March 18, 2019, Howe passed away from injuries sustained when a tractor-trailer collided with his DOT truck as he and his team were performing highway safety work on Route 17. Howe,
Fallen Owego Policemen Honored
On October 13, a memorial in honor of two fallen Owego policeman was dedicated at a ceremony at the Owego Police Station. Both men were killed in the line
Veterans Day Ceremony November 11, 11:00 am Courthouse Square Owego
45, is survived by his wife, Alycia Haus, children, Bre and Dalton, his parents, grandparents, and siblings. State Senator Fred Akshar said, “While nothing can undo this tragedy, today we came together as a community and ensure that Matt's memory and legacy remains a part of our community and serves as a reminder to all to take extra care on our roads and highways to prevent future tragedies from taking place.” The “Dennis ‘Matt’ Howe Memorial Highway” is on Route 17 between Exit 63 in Lounsberry and Exit 62 in the Village of Nichols.
of duty: Officer Forrest Allen Hall was killed July 17, 1869, and Officer Isaac Wiltsie was killed October 13, 1969.
NOVEMBER 2019
TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS
PAGE 2
Apalachin Lions Peace Poster Contest Winners
With Jason - Saturday Nov 16th OPEN THANKSGIVING DAY! EAT IN ONLY
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Owego Middle School student Kaelyn Katchuk and Vestal Middle School student Sindi Xindi and their families were guests of the Apalachin Lions at the club’s meeting on October 23. The two students were winners of the 32nd Annual Peace Poster Contest, Journey of Peace, sponsored by the Apalachin Lions and Lions International. More than 51 students participated in the contest. The winning posters will
now go on for judging at the Lions district level. If selected, they will be forwarded to Lions International for judging against entries from over 150 countries. Lion Terry White presented the winners with a $50 savings bond. Lions President Leigh Ericson expressed the Apalachin Lions’ appreciation to teacher Jolene Williams from Owego-Apalachin Middle School for the time and effort she expended on this project.
Annual Winter Coat Drive The Apalachin Lions are collecting clean, useable winter coats for those in need through November 24. The coats can be left at St. Margaret Mary’s Church on Pennsylvania Avenue in Apalachin - leave coats on the table at the right as you exit Mass; at the Apala-
chin United Methodist Church at 303 Pennsylvania Avenue in Apalachin; at the Apalachin Library during regular hours; and at Johnson’s Pools and Spas in Owego. The Apalachin Lions thank you for your support.
Back to School Program 2019 The Apalachin Lions Foundation celebrated another successful year with its Back to School Program which was held at Boscov’s in Binghamton. The Lions served 28 families, and total of 77 children. The Lions received a grant from the
Tioga Downs Regional Community Foundation which enabled them to give each child $100. Families then enjoyed shopping at their leisure. Fun time was enjoyed by all those who participated.
Brothers for the Cross Breakfast Meeting - Nov 7 Brothers for the Cross will hold their next breakfast meeting at 8:00 am on Thursday, November 7, at the Blue Dolphin on Route 434 (off I-86 Exit 66) in Apalachin. At this meeting the Brothers for the Cross will host a representative from Visions to discuss Medicare options.
Brothers for the Cross is a non- denominational Christian Men’s Group that includes folks from all of the Southern Tier area. For more information, call David Springer at (607) 206-4941 or John Calkins at (607) 785-3543.
Christmas Cantata - Dec. 8 Apalachin, NY (607) 625-3131 or (607) 754-2541
We bring our samples to your home or business to see in your lighting conditions. Free Consultation ~ Free Installation
A Christmas Cantata will be held at 7:00 pm on Sunday, December 8, at the First United Methodist Church of Newark Valley, 63 S. Main Street in Newark Valley.
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“ON THE RUN AROUND THE CLOCK”
Come and hear the 45-voice choir made up of singers from 15 different churches in the area. Light refreshments will follow. Tioga County's
COMMUNITY PRESS
Volume 34 Number 11 November 2019 © 2019 Published by Brown Enterprise And Marketing 7830 State Route 434 Apalachin, New York 13732 Phone (607) 72-PRESS or (607) 625-2222 E-mail: press@tiogaweb.com www.TiogaWeb.com
Publisher/Editor ---------- Fred J. Brown Jr.
Published monthly RECEIVED BY MORE PEOPLE IN TIOGA COUNTY THAN ANY OTHER NEWSPAPER • The Community Press, nor its advertisers are not responsible for typographical errors in articles or ads. • Submitted articles are not guaranteed placement but are printed on a space available basis. THIS PAPER IS FREE. IT IS PAID FOR BY THE ADVERTISERS PLEASE SUPPORT THEM
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NOVEMBER 2019
TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS
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Local Student Selected for All-National Honor Ensemble Vestal High School senior Matthew Mihalko will join the “best of the best” for the National Association for Music Education 2019 All-National Honor Ensembles November 7-10, 2019, at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Matthew has played the trumpet since fifth grade. As a sophomore and junior, he was selected for the New York State School Music Association’s All-State and has participated in the Broome County Music Educators Association festivals. He has soloed with the Endicott Community Band, and volunteered his time playing for area senior citizens with the Vestal High School Brass Quintet. The All-National Honor Ensembles consist of a concert band, symphony orchestra, mixed choir, jazz ensemble, guitar ensemble, and modern band. Students were chosen through an audition process. Selected students will be rehearsing a challenging repertoire in preparation for performing under the direction of six of the most prominent conductors in the United States.
607-754-0707 19 Delaware Ave Endicott, NY 13760 • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INSTALLATIONS •
NO JOB TOO SMALL General Home Repairs Basic Chores
Call Barry Vallequette at: 607-725-7556
Leaf Pickup in the Town of Owego On November 1, the Town of Owego Highway Department started picking up leaves (ONLY leaves), weather permitting. Only leaves in bio-degradable paper bags are accepted. Bags will not be picked up if there is other debris in them. Plastic bags will not be picked up. Loose leaves will not be picked up.
There will be no return trips through neighborhoods that have already received pick up service. All bagged leaves must be at the curb during this timeframe. There will be no brush pick up this fall. If you have questions, contact the highway department at 687-2641.
Veterans Day - November 11 Veterans Day 2019 will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, November 11, in the Glenn A. Warner Memorial Hall of Owego Post 1371, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Sunday in all churches throughout Tioga, Bradford and Susquehanna Counties. “Bells of Peace” will ring 11 times at 11:00 am Monday. The public and veterans are invited to the VFW-Owego “To Honor All Veterans Who Served” and “Community Leaders Who Supported Veterans In a Special Way” with two new Veterans Memorials, Hometown Heroes Banners in two communities, Newark Valley Historical Society’s dinner for Northern Tioga County veterans and a legislative resolution of appreciation for retired Tioga County Veterans Service Officer John Holton. Inside the VFW at 11:00 am, a bugle call by Dean Moran of the VFW Honor Guard will signal the exact time of the WWI Armistice 101 years ago. Flags at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial will be at full staff because it is a day to honor living veterans. Remembrance wreaths will be displayed at the memorials. VFW Post 1371 Honor Guard will post the colors assisted by veterans from Tioga Post 401 American Legion, Vi-
etnam Veterans, Marine Corps League and Modern Warfare. Invocation. Star Spangle Banner will be sung by Andrea McBride. Gold Star Mothers and Families and POW/MIAs will be remembered. The sound system will be provided by Gordon Ichikawa. Veterans of Modern Warfare President Danielle Ingram will talk about her efforts to designate Rt. 17C in Tioga County as Gold Star Family Memorial Highway. Roll of Honor of Tioga County veterans who died since Memorial Day will be read. Troop 60 Eagle Scout Ryan Trenchard will show his Scout Project “Burial Sites of all Tioga County Fallen Heroes.” Two significant anniversaries will be remembered - 10th for the Rt. 38 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway of Valor and the 32nd for the Tioga County Veterans Memorial - both dedicated on Veterans Day. Remember to bring service memorabilia and stories. Marie Ward will have her WWII Scrapbooks. Contact is VFW Post 1371 Memorial/ Veterans Day Chairman Jim Raftis jraftis2@stny.rr.com
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NOVEMBER 2019
TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS
PAGE 4
Veterans Care Package Program - Nov. 11 SERVING NEW YORK • PA & MARYLAND
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On Monday, November 11, the Vestal Elks Lodge #2508 and WBNG-12 are partnering to hold a donation drive for the Veterans Care Packages Program. The event will be held rain or shine at the Vestal Elks Lodge at 2071 Vestal Parkway West, from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm. WBNG-12 will be there doing live broadcasts thruout the event. Want to bring a donation but don’t feel like getting out of your vehicle? There will be a “drive thru” donation tent set up. Smiling veterans will will come up to your vehicle to receive your donation. The Vestal Elks Veterans Committee has been shipping care packages for 12 years to local soldiers stationed overseas. So far, over 13,000 soldiers have benefited and enjoyed these goodies. An average of 15 soldiers help the recipient share the box - with a mind boggling 20,000 pounds of treats sent so far. The veterans committee cited that all items are donated, and every monetary donation goes back into the program. To date, over $33,000 has been paid for shipping costs, with each box weighing an average of 30 pounds. Wrapping durability is essential, as many of these boxes are dropped out of helicopters to
the ground or onto flight decks. Some of the most requested and needed items are: jerky, Slim Jims, spam, tuna/chicken in cans or pouches, single serve nuts, single serve protein mixes, single serve water flavoring packets, single serve coffee or hot cocoa, powdered Gatorade, energy and granola bars, summer sausage, high quality socks, travel size pain relievers (Tylenol, Advil), Icy Hot or Ben Gay, batteries (AA or AAA), DVDs (new), handheld video games, travel size games, puzzle books. Monetary donations are also needed to help with the high shipping costs. Along with sending out monthly goodie boxes, the committee puts on a yearly Veterans Day dinner at their lodge to honor local veterans. They also host an ice cream social for all the residents at the Oxford Veterans Home, as well as host a Christmas party, complete with presents, for the residents in the Alzheimers unit. Every returning soldier and their family are always invited to the Vestal lodge and given dinner to honor their safe return and service. For more information, contact Mindi at (607) 259-3814.
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Coleman & Daniels FUNERAL HOME LLC
6519 Rt 434 Apalachin, NY 607-625-3010
300 Main Street Endicott, NY 607-785-0411
NEED IT HAULED MOVED CLEANED: Local moving cleaning, houses, garages, attics, outbuildings, Buy sell antiques Furniture Estates 607-699-0212 or 607414-1036 12/19 TOP DOLLAR PAID: Wanted! Old fishing tackle, lures, reels, etc. Call me first, collector not a dealer so I pay more. John (607) 321-4085 01/20
HELP WANTED: Apply in person TuesSat 7:30-2:30 at Gigi’s Place, Main St Apalachin WANTED: Your classified ad for our November 2019 issue. Please send in form below by October 25.
SEND US YOUR CLASSIFIED ADS
You can advertise your garage, yard or other sales, events, or items wanted or for sale here in the Community Press, the paper with the largest distribution (by US Mail) in the Owego market area. The same low rate for both commercial or personal family ads. Only $5 for the first 20 words. 1 WORD PER SPACE (add $1 for each 4 additional words)
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Send your classified ad to: COMMUNITY PRESS 7830 Route 434, Apalachin, NY 13732 Make check or money order payable to "BEAM" or drop off your ad at Beam Electronics in Apalachin. phone 625-2222 NAME ________________________________ PHONE ________________ ADDRESS ____________________________________________________ CITY __________________________ STATE ________ ZIP ____________ The Community Press goes to press on the first Monday of the month. Your classified ad should be received no later than the fourth Wed of the previous month.
NOVEMBER 2019
TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS
PAGE 5
Owego Barbershop Celebrates 50 Years
Open: Tuesday-Sunday 7am to 3pm CLOSED MONDAY
NOTICE: we will be closed Nov 25– Dec 2 www.facebook.com/gigisplaceapalachin
On October 21, Andy & Son Barber Shop in downtown Owego celebrated its 50th year in business. Andy Romano opened his barber shop at 26 Lake Street in 1969, and his son Matt has joined the business. As part of the celebration, Andy and Matt offered haircuts at the 1969 price of $1.25. To thank the communi-
ty for 50 years of support, Andy and Matt donated the proceeds to the Tioga County Boys & Girls Club. Many of Andy and Matt's customers also made donations, and together they raised $1,400 for the Boys & Girls Club in Owego. Congratulations to Andy & Son Barbershop on their 50th Anniversary!
Happy Thanksgiving, friends
Remembering to be Thankful
Scott Smith & Son 8 Delphine St. Owego, NY
687-1803
www.warmcomfort.com
4 Generations of Being like Family
Holiday Showcase 20% OFF EVERYTHING!
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Charles Mead of Newark Valley gets his hair cut by barber Andy Romano during the 50th Celebration of Andy & Son Barbershop.
for Owego’s Holiday Showcase! Nov 9th, 10am –5pm
Owego Historic Home Tour - Dec. 7 The Owego Historic Home and Building Tour will be held on Saturday, December 7. A General Admission Tour will be from 12:00 to 3:00 pm. A Members-Only Candlelit Tour will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Homes and buildings available to visit include - 35 Lake Street, 2nd floor - 42 Lake Street, 2nd & 3rd floors - 244 Main Street - 250 Main Street
- 344 Main Street Also, the Parkview Inn will have one room open for visitors during the afternoon tour only, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 each, $20 for members of the Tioga Arts Council. All proceeds benefit the Tioga Arts Council. For more information or to buy tickest, call TAC at 687-0785 or visit www.tiogaartscouncil.org.
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NOVEMBER 2019
TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS
PAGE 6
Vestal Elks Donate to Kopernik Observatory Located at
1819 Orwell Hill Road (SR 1036) Orwell, PA. www.HTTM.org or email: info@httm.org
HTTM’s Board of Directors thanks everyone who visited the museum this past summer making our 20th anniversary a great success. In 2020 the museum will be open on Saturdays from May 16 to August 29 from 10 to 4 p.m. See www.HTTM.org in March for the museum’s 2020 schedule of Saturday programs and weekday workshops. HTTM is a member agency of the United Way of Bradford County, Pa. Promotion is funded in part by the Bradford County Tourism Promotion Agency.
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The Vestal Elks Lodge #2508 recently donated $750 to the Kopernik Observatory & Science Center for their new Science Park. The park will have a playground that will highlight and help kids to understand that science and engineering are a huge part of everyday life. Thes donation was raised at the Elk
Lodge’s recent Welcome Back BBQ for their members and guests. Tanya Hasbrouck, one of the organizers of the event, along with Exaulted Ruler John Pooler presented the check to Kopernik Observatory & Science Center Executive Director Andrew Deskur.
Village of Owego to Utilize CodeRED Emergency Notification system The Village of Owego has contracted with OnSolve to license its CodeRED high-speed notification solution. The CodeRED system provides village officials the ability to quickly deliver messages to targeted areas or the entire village. Michael Baratta, Mayor of the Village of Owego, cautioned that such systems are only as good as the telephone number database supporting them. “If your phone number is not in the database, you will not be called.” One of the reasons the CodeRED system was selected is it gives individuals and businesses the ability to add their own phone numbers directly into the system’s database, this is an extremely important feature. “No one should automatically assume his or her phone number is included,” Baratta said urging all individuals and businesses to log onto the village website, www.villageofowego.com, and follow the link to the “CodeRED Community Notification Enrollment” page. You can also text OWEGO to 99411 to enroll your information from your mobile phone. Those without Internet access may
call the village clerk’s office at 6873555 to supply their information over the phone. Required information includes first and last name, street address (physical address, no P.O. boxes), city, state, zip code, and primary phone number. Additional phone numbers can be entered as well. All businesses should register, as well as all individuals who have unlisted phone numbers, who have changed their phone number or address within the past year, and those who use a cellular phone or VoIP phone as their primary number. Baratta explained, “CodeRED allows geographically based delivery, which means street addresses are required to ensure emergency notification calls are received by the proper individuals in a given situation. The system works for cell phones too, but we need to have an associated street address to provide relevant messages.” Baratta stated, “CodeRED gives those who want to be included an easy and secure method for inputting information. The data collected will only be used for emergency notification purposes.” Questions should be directed to the village clerk’s office at 687-3555.
At the Apalachin Library PROPANE FUEL OIL • KEROSENE
WOOD PELLETS & COAL by the Bag
Mahjongg Mondays, Nov 4, 11, and 18, 5:30pm New players are welcome. Story Hour and Lunch Tues. & Thurs., Nov 5, 12, 19, 10:30am For pre-schoolers and their adult. Books, crafts, songs, and more. Bring lunch and meet and talk with other families. The library will supply drinks and dessert. Yoga Thursday, Nov. 7, 12, and 21, 6:30pm Book Discussion Tuesday, Nov. 12, 1:00 pm
New Broil King gas grills in stock fully assembled Gas grill parts for all makes of grills in stock! Call for Furnace Installation Estimates
STEAM Tuesday, Nov 12, 6:30pm Make a rain cloud jar. Board Meeting Tuesday, Nov. 12, 6:30pm Bike Safety Saturday, Nov. 16, 11am-12pm Learn about bike safety. Let the librarian know that you will attend.
Friends of the Library Monday, Nov 18, 6:30pm Discuss new ways of fundraising and being involved in the community. New friends are always welcome. Book Discussion Monday, Nov. 25, 1pm STEAM Tuesday, Nov. 26, 6:30pm Working with a maze for marbles. Closed for Thanksgiving The library will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29. Santa at the Library Saturday, December 7, 10am-Noon Santa will be at the library, there will be cookies to decorate, and ornaments and cards to make. Stories, singing, and much more. New Pavilion The library’s new pavilion is almost done. Thank you to Assemblyman Christopher Friend for the generous funding that allowed our community to have this great asset.
NOVEMBER 2019
TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS
PAGE 7
NOVEMBER 2019
TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS
PAGE 8
A Perfect Day on the Susquehanna by Steve Beukeme, Village of Owego Historian
Serving Lunch & Dinner or Just a Snack! Stop in and try our Homemade Soup Sepcials
Tuesday –Steak Nite Wednesday - Shrimp Nite Thursday - Clam Nite
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1.75 L
I recently heard somewhere that people who live long and healthy lives often take time to play. I had spent the last several weeks working daily on a variety of home repairs to include some major tree removal and earth moving projects. Understanding that these can at times be fun, I had moved well beyond that notion and needed a break. I checked our local forecast and picked Friday September 20, 2019 as the perfect day to play. As forecasted, the day arrived. I waited for the cold morning temperatures and heavy fog of late September to lift before I lit out. The plan: Believing that the Susquehanna River in the Owego, New York, area was at its lowest point in three years or more, I decided to do some exploring in my kayak. I wanted to scope out some deep fishing holes, search for Native American artifacts on newly exposed gravel banks, go fishing, and search for the piles of the old Hiawatha Island steamboat dock that I read can only be found when the Susquehanna water level is very low. I prepared my trusty sit on toppaddle and pedal kayak, gathering some water, and some fishing tackle, I’m off. I depart via my homemade boat launch and headed down stream about 1.5 miles to the eastern tip of Hiawatha Island. Although I have made this round trip to Hiawatha some 20 times in the last couple of years, this day looks perfect. By 11am the temperature was already approaching 70 degrees, beautiful clear sky, and the Susquehanna River is as calm as bathtub water with what appears to be absolutely no current. I am glad about the lack of current, knowing all to well about the strain of the return trip with a typical swift current. Let the basking begin. The trip down river is a cavalcade of this Pangaea era river’s natural offerings. The show begins, I observe, I think: Is that a mink or a fisher on the shore? Maybe too small to be a fisher. There is a juvenile American bald eagle circling above me. Am I hearing other eagles in that tree? Maybe there is a new nest there in that tree since the eagle’s nest on Hiawatha Island seems to be gone now. Turtles on nearly every log sticking out of the water today, humph, I wonder if they like the water level this low? A large flock of ducks fly off long before I reach them. In turn, several blue herons let me quietly glide quite close to them as they stand like sentries waiting for their prey. Schools of minnow jumping out of the water-I wonder if a bass is chasing them, or are they just playing? As I approach the island I see six deer standing on the edge of Hiawatha Grove or the eastern bank where all the old growth trees are-they are just staring at me. They appear dark as their winter coats are developing. Soon they frolic into the woods. Earlier this summer I found my first Native American artifacts in the Susquehanna - a cool net weight and a flint shard from someone’s flint knapping work. I am hopeful to find more so I stop at several gravel banks. At one
gravel bank I also grab my fishing pole out of the kayak, no relics but I reel in an undersized smallmouth bass. That watermelon colored rooster tail spinner could be a winner today. I recalled reading in Emma Sedore’s book “Hiawatha Island: Jewel of the Susquehanna,” that when the Susquehanna is very low, you can see the piles from the steamboat dock. That dock was used between the 1870s and 1890s to drop off thousands of people onto the island. I am on the island now, I orient myself. I locate the distinct ornamental cedar that used to adorn the front right of the long ago demolished four story Hiawatha House hotel. I then locate the still visible but vegetation covered stone front steps that once led from the dock to the hotel. I walk down the river bank to where the dock should have been. Within a half hour I locate the first pile-it’s on the edge of the current waterlineabout 40 feet from the bank cut - then another and another. This is exciting, I locate nine altogether indicating that the front edge of the dock was at least 54 feet in length. I walk back up the riverbank and imagine thousands of people playing there on the 112-acre island. They are eating, drinking, laughing, falling in love, singing and dancing to live music, playing quoits, just enjoying this jewel. Back in the kayak on the north side heading west I commence the circumnavigation of the Big Island as it was once called before the 1870s. This was before Owego’s own Old Joe Shaw DeWitt - fire chief, community leader, and entrepreneur extraordinaire - told tales of the great Hiawatha (the man) having prophetic visions on the island. Tall tales or otherwise, I can’t help but hope to see some trace of that great leader or his apparition beckoning me to come and talk with him. I round the western tip of the island and head back upstream. Behind a thick wall of river bank trees Interstate 86 makes its presence known, but its unnatural sounds are not quite enough to take my mind away from Hiawatha Island’s deep and mesmerizing southern side. Often times and unexplainable by me, the southern channel defies the laws of nature by demonstrating a reverse current. I pass my fifth boating fisherman of the day, he seems to have just given up on fishing and looks to be sunbathing, I call to him, he indicates that all is well. Four hours into the trip I am now once again passing the eastern tip of the island as I head home. Two unaffected fawns startle me with their mere proximity as they browse on a bank off of Marshland Road. I continue to throw that watermelon rooster tail lure at various places. What? Wow, fish on, and that’s a big one. What a fighter, it’s got to be a smallmouth. Four jumps clear out of the water-yes, indeed a smallie. I land it, it measures 19 inches, released. Almost home now, what a day, what a perfect day.
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TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS
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Craft Fair - Nov. 23 A craft fair will be held on Saturday, November 23, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Apalachin United Methodist Church, 303 Pennsylvania Avenue in Apalachin (across from the fire station).
There will be a large variety of homemade crafts. Lunch will be available. A few tables are still available for rental. For more information, call Betty at 785-5378.
New Coats, Books to Needy Kids - Nov. 9 On Saturday November 9, from 10:00 am to 12:00 Noon, the Vestal Elks Lodge #2508 will be at the Apalachin Library handing out new coats and new books to needy kids. The Elks Drug
Awareness trailer will be in the parking lot. Elroy (the Elk’s mascot) will be handing out literature to everyone. The Apalachin Library is at 719 Main Street in Apalachin.
An open letter to the Apalachin Fire District Taxpayers Dear Apalachin Taxpayers, Fall is upon us and that means only one thing, it’s budget season. Perhaps there are a few other items going on, but we’ll focus on this for now. The Apalachin Fire District Commissioners held a public budget meeting on October 15th to discuss the 2020 budget. High level summary is that the tax levy increase will be within the “2% tax cap” law and will result in a tax levy increase of $6.09 per $100,000 of assessed property value. With an average assessed property value in the Apalachin Fire District of approximately $75,000, the average taxpayer will see a modest increase in 2020 of less than $5.00. Where the investment of your tax dollars goes has shifted significantly over the past few years and that trend continues into 2020. Specifically, the majority of increased funding will go directly towards increasing EMS staffing for our residents. We’ve also increased funding towards EMS education, invested in software to modernize how we schedule and manage volunteers, and improved insurance coverage for the district and volunteers. Offsetting the increased investments noted above, the board was able to save a significant amount of money in the maintenance of our facilities and vehicles by bringing this work in-house. We will also see a shift in funds allocated towards more principal on our bond facility versus interest and a one-time benefit from reallocating funds from our bond facility towards capital improvements at Stations 2 and 3 that are being planned now for work over the next decade. Our community benefits significantly from the board’s continued focus on long term planning to ensure we are the best stewards of your tax dollars. During budget season, the board did discuss the important topic of increasing staffing for EMS services to supplement our all-volunteer coverage from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am every night. After a comprehensive review of existing performance, the board declined to make this strategic change. To highlight some of the decision factors, it was noted that our existing investment of more than $250K an-
nually to EMS coverage results in our agency responding to all but a handful of calls per month. Of those few calls we are unable to turn volunteers out for, most are either requests to cover other agencies unable to cover their territory or are what we refer to as “Code 2” responses, meaning our 1st ambulance is already on a 911 response assisting another resident. While we all wish we could respond to every call, the system inherently relies on mutual aid from neighboring departments, just as they rely on us to assist them. There are two fundamental obstacles in supplementing staff in the evening hours; first it is cost prohibitive resulting in an estimated investment of $20-$80 of additional taxes per household, per year. This is a burden your commissioners did not think was prudent with such minimal gain and no guarantees of success. Second, and certainly not lost on us, is experience and data tells us any increase of paid EMS staff results in a significant decline of volunteer coverage. Essentially, we’d be chasing our tail and driving away the dedicated volunteers that serve thousands of hours annually to our community. Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank the many fire department volunteers that in addition to covering 911 calls, were out supporting our other community notfor-profits recently with traffic control for road races, trunks-of-treats at the elementary school, and educating our youth during Fire Prevention Week. We’re grateful for their continued dedication and sacrifice. Thank you all for supporting your local volunteer fire department. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out. In the interim, I’ll do my best to keep you all informed of what’s going on with your local fire district. Sincerely, Brian Rieber Chairman, Board of Fire Commissioners Apalachin Fire District (607) 765-2974 chairman@apalachinfd.com
Montour Family Apartments, L.P. 115 Raymond Street, Montour Falls
One, two and three bedroom units. All ground floor. Available for low income families, elderly and disabled persons of any age. • 15 minutes from Arnot Mall • Non-smoking facility • Rent is based on income • Includes heat, hot water, and garbage pick-up • Laundry on site. Montour Family Apartments, LP 19 Orchard Street, Spencer, N. Y. 14883 Office: 607-589-4630 TDD 800-662-1220
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NOVEMBER 2019
TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS
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Ski Club’s Annual Ski Sale - Nov. 24 NOW LOCATED AT 6278 Rte. 434, Apalachin
Margaret Karpel – E-mail: mkarpel@stny.rr.com
INDEPENDENT AVON REPRESENATIVE
Call today for an appointment (607) 625-3591
SELL YOUR MINERAL RIGHTS IN SOUTHERN TIOGA COUNTY N.Y.
NOW FOR CASH
CALL 772 538-1870
or email jerry@flacondocpa.com
Owego Community Gardens II Housing 1 BEDROOM UNITS NOW AVAILABLE - No Smoking Complex Garbage Pick-up • Furnished Appliances Community Room Activities • Free Off Street Parking Electric Utility Allowance • Laundry Room Heat, Hot Water, and Garbage Pick-up Included
Rent is based on income for qualifying persons 62 years old or older or disabled of any age. 19 Orchard Street, Spencer, N. Y. 14883 Office: 607-589-4630 TDD 800-662-1220
The Triple Cities Ski Club (TCSC) will hold its 38th Annual Ski Sale on Sunday, November 24, from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm at the Knights of Columbus, 136 Park Avenue in Binghamton. The sale is open to the public and gives sports enthusiasts an opportunity to buy and sell downhill and cross-country skis, boots, poles, bindings, clothing, plus snowboarding, skating, hockey, camping, biking and other equipment. In addition to used equipment, ski shops and vendors from ski resorts will be selling equipment and clothing at discounted prices. For those interested in selling items, drop off times are Saturday, November 23, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm and 8:00 to 9:30 am on Sunday, November 24. Sale items must be brought to Knights of Columbus at the designated times. The registration fee is 50 cents per item and 20% commission for items sold. Pickup times (to retrieve unsold items) after the sale are Sunday, November 24, 4:30 to 6:00 pm and Monday, November 25 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Sellers can check online during the sale to see if items have sold. TCSC is a 350-member year-round
club with numerous outdoor and social activities planned each month. Nonskiers join the club to participate in nonskiing events. Singles and those new to the area join the club to meet new people. An information table will be available for people to join TCSC at $15 a year, which affords members discounted prices at area ski resorts and opportunities to go on ski trips at group rates. This year the line-up of ski trips will be a week-long Ski Race Camp in Killington, VT; day trips to Elk Mountain, PA; Windham Mountain, NY; and Bristol Mountain, NY; a week-long European trip to Zermatt, Switzerland; a weeklong western trip to Beaver Creek/Vail, CO; and a mid-week trip to Killington, VT. Club meetings are held at Knights of Columbus, 136 Park Avenue in Binghamton on the first Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm, September through May. For more information call Wayne Matthews at (607) 621-9605 or email Sale@TripleCitiesSkiClub.com or www.TripleCitiesSkiClub.com
County Legislature Meeting - Nov. 12 The 11th regular meeting of the Tioga County Legislature will be held at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, November 12, in the auditorium of the
county office building at 56 Main Street in Owego. If you require any accommodation or auxiliary aid, call 687-8240.
IS YOU CAR READY FOR VACATION?
TIRES • BATTERIES • OIL CHANGES CAR CLEANING & POLISHING
NEED A TOW? IN AN ACCIDENT? REQUEST THE POLICE TO CALL BECK’S! • Daily & Weekly Rentals • Direct Billing to Insurance Co. •
5780 Route 434, Apalachin, NY 13732 Rental
625-9904
Towing 625-5653
members call us directly
NOVEMBER 2019
TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS
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NOVEMBER 2019
TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS
Christmas Shop in Little Meadows
Sweeneys Plaza, Rt 434, Apalachin
White Wines
Riesling Gewurztraminer Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Grigio The Christmas Shop in Little Meadows will open this year for a limited run starting the Friday after Thanksgiving. The shop offers a selection of handcrafted items perfect for decorating and gift giving. The Christmas Shop will be open the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after Thanksgiving (November 29 and 30 and December 1) and the following weekend (December 7 and 8). Hours are 9:00 am to 4:00pm. The Christmas Shop is on Cemetery Road in Little Meadows.
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OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Open on Thanksgiving Day 10 am - 5 pm
Red Wines Pinot Noir Zinfandel Syrah
Gift Certificates Available • Case Discounts on non-sale wines
O Tannenbaum O Tannenbaum, the 17th annual holiday display and auction, will take place November 8 through December 14, Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, at the Tioga County Historical Society Museum at 110 Front Street in Owego.
Sip & Shop at the VFW - Nov. 21 The Auxiliary to VFW Post 1371 will sponsor a Sip & Shop event from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday, November 21, at Post 1371, 207 Main Street in Owego, across from the Tioga Theater. Sip on your favorite beverage, for purchase, while you shop with various
vendors. Need a pie for Thanksgiving? The Auxiliary will have some for sale. There will also be soup and sandwiches available at the concession. This event is open to the public. Everyone is welcome to attend.
www.NikosAutoDetailing.COM
1429 Main Street, Apalachin, N. Y.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS
Call Earl for an appointment 625-3015