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YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER • Volume 35
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www.CommunityPress.us
DECEMBER 2020
O Tannenbaum at the Museum
Number 12
Holiday Season in the Village of Owego the passage of the 19th Amendment, the Tioga County Women’s Suffrage Committee decorated the window in two parts. The eastern window nods to our historic forebears who fought for women’s suffrage and the advancement of equality. In the western window, more modern elements that pay homage to the work being carried out in the 21st century. This window was made possible by the Tioga County Women’s Suffrage Committee. A special thanks to Adam
O Tannenbaum, the annual holiday display and auction event of the Tioga County Historical Society, is being held at the Tioga Historical Musum now through December 12. Trees, wreaths, and other items donated by the community are on display throughout the museum as part of a silent auction. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic,
there will be no entertainment events during O Tannenbaum. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The final bid night for O Tannenbaum is Saturday, December 12. The museum will be open until 8:00 pm on Dec. 12. Bidding ends at 7:00 pm. The Tioga County Historical Museum is at 110 Front Street in Owego.
Local Child Care Center Invites Community to Support Local Children With remote learning and hybrid school schedules emerging as a critical way to practice social distancing this school year, everyday life, especially for children, has been disrupted. If you’re a parent or caregiver with a child home from school, you know firsthand the added challenge of keeping your children focused and occupied during the unforeseeable break from in-person learning. PlayYard Concepts Inc, a non-profit childcare center based in Apalachin, is encouraging the community to come together with a video contest called “It’s a Great Day to Teach Kids Something New,” in which members of the community can create fun, educational videos for children to enjoy and learn from during their extra time at home. From an athome fitness exercise to a DIY craft or cooking class, these educational videos can keep your children moving forward
during the pandemic. The top submitted videos will be offered cash prizes as well as showcased on PlayYard Concept Inc.’s website. “This year has not been easy as a parent,” said Christine Benjamin, administrator of PlayYard Concepts Inc. “With the remote learning and hybrid schedules this school year, it is causing additional stress among both children and parents. Parents are more eager than ever to keep their kids busy and provide them with educational, physically engaging and brain-fueling activities. We invite the local members of the community to help us in creating unique, fun and educational videos to prompt kids to get creative with the activities they can enjoy at home.” To submit a video and join in on the “It’s a Great Day to Teach Kids Something New” video contest, visit www.playyardconcepts.org/
During this year’s holiday shopping season, a series of community-based arts initiatives brighten the Village of Owego. Community Art Banners This year, the traditional Lights on the River Banners have been replaced with 27 custom community art banners decorating Front and Lake Streets which bring color and joy to downtown Owego. The banners were created by local individuals and families, and express the theme “Winter Wonderland.” Decorated Empty Window Fronts Window 1 - Former Hand of Man, 180 Front Street, Owego - In honor of the passage of the 100th Anniversary of
Weitsman, Upstate Shredding - Weitsman Recycling, for opening this space. Window 2 - Former Tioga Trails, 50 Lake Street. Walking west on Main St., a display features a Kwanzaa-inspired mudcloth artwork and display; around the corner is a series of 2- and 3-D artworks by artists Suzanne M. Lachman and Michael Husted. Lake Street windows feature landscapes by Donna Cheresnowski, a hand-painted mural by Ann Pellegrino, and work by Carol Livermore. This window was made possible by the following artists: Kathye Arrington, Donna Cheresnowski, Michael Husted, Suzanne M. Lachman, Carol Livermore, and Ann Pellegrino. A special thanks to the Building Owner and Property Manager, El-Sayed Mohammad and Phil Brailsford respectively.
Food Drive - Dec. 12
Tioga County Establishes Police Reform & Reinvention Collaborative Martha Sauerbrey, Chair of the Tioga County Legislature announces the establishment of the Police Reform & Reinvention Collaborative as directed by Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order of June 12, 2020. This process will be structured according to the guidance provided in the New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative and will require community input and participation, along with an assessment of Policing Policies. A completed plan must be submitted to the Department of Budget by April 1 or funding will be withheld. Maintaining public safety is extremely important and is one of the essential roles of government. In order to achieve that goal, there must be mutual trust and respect between police and the communities they serve. Last month, Tioga County offered a Community Wide Survey available to all Tioga County citizens. Plans for a community wide zoom
meeting are underway and this discussion will address policies and procedures of the Sheriff’s Department and other recent changes in the law. The process for the Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative will be as follows: • Review the needs of the community served by The Tioga County Sheriff’s Office and evaluate the department’s current policies and practices. • Establish and evaluate policies that allow police to safely perform their duties. • Involve the entire community in the discussion by way of a public survey and possible zoom community meetings. • Develop policy recommendations resulting from this review. • Offer information for public comment. • Present the plan to the local legislative body to ratify or adopt it. • Certify adoption of the plan to the State Budget Director on or before April 1, 2021.
Croton Hose Co. #3 1950 Ward LaFrance Fire Engine Croton Hose Company #3 of the Owego Fire Department will host a food drive in partnership with the Tioga County Rural Ministry on Saturday, December 12, 9:00 am until 3:00 pm. During this time, nonperishable food items may be dropped off at the Croton House Co. #3 Fire Station on the “Flats” at 8 Talcott Street. “With the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, we recognize the holidays are a tough time for many in our community,” said Company #3 President Thomas Donovan III. “The food drive is another way we can help our neighbors in these trying times.” In addition to the food drive, Company #3 has donated $500 to the Rural Ministry that was matched by an anonymous company member bring-
ing the total donated to $1,000. “Core” food items that can be donated are the following: canned whole or crushed tomatoes, canned beets, canned sauerkraut, stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, pasta sauces, canned tuna, peanut butter, stuffing, pasta (not elbow macaroni or spaghetti), low-sugar cereal, flour, sugar (brown and white), salad dressing, soup. Croton Hose Co. #3 is the largest fire company in the Owego Fire Department and turned 176 years old this year. Affectionately known at the “Flat Rats” the company remains in its home on Talcott Street serving the Village of Owego and surrounding areas with fire protection services as part of the Village of Owego Fire Department.