Community Press - December 2022

O Tannenbaum Holiday Display &Auction On Display Now Until December 17

The Annual O’Tannenbaum Holiday Display and Auction is open at the Tioga County Historical Society Museum in Owego, Tuesday Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, until December 17.

On display are 40 Christmas trees and 13 wreaths, all decorated with different themes and ready for you to bid on. There is also a display of architectural toys.

Special events at the museum on Saturday, December 10 include Mr. and Mrs. Claus from 12:00 to 3:00 pm, Children’s Crafts from 12:00 to 3:00 pm, and Music by Nino Samiani from 12:00 to 2:00 pm

On December 17, the last day of O’Tannenbaum, there will be music by the OFA Choir from 12:00 2:00 pm, Mr. and Mrs. Claus from 12:00 to 3:00pm, and Children’s Crafts from 12;00 to 3:00 pm.

At 7:00pm on Saturday, December 17 the auction bidding closes, and the raffle drawings will take place.

The Tioga County Historical Society Museum is at 110 Front Street in Owego.

For more information, call the museum at 607 687 2460 or email museum@tiogahistory.org.

Call Santa Phone 607 625 HOHO

Although he is very busy this time of year, the Apalachin Lions Club persuaded Santa Claus to take phone calls for three nights in early December.

Santa has been happy to do this for the children in the area for many years. He is looking forward to talk-

ing to his many young friends again, so he will know what they want for Christmas.

To talk to Santa call 607 625 HOHO (607 625 4646) between 6:00 and 8:00 pm on December 5, 6, and 7.

OWEGO IS OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS Owego’s Lights on the River celebration returned to the Village of Owego on Friday, December 2, 2022. This year’s Lights on the River started with the turning on of the village’s holiday lights, and ended with a fireworks display at 8:00 pm. Pictured above: snowflake lights on the Court Street Bridge in downtown Owego (File photo).

Some of the architectural toys on display during O Tannenbaum

Left: Tree donated by the Kiwanis Club of Owego. The decorations include Kiwanis ornaments featuring local landmarks.

Above: The 2022 Kiwanis ornament features the Coburn Free Library. Ornaments are available at Van Horn Jewelers on Lake Street in

50 YearsAgo

It’s December 1972. Apollo 17 astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt spend 75 hours on the moon and unveil a plaque that will stay on the moon. Signed by Apollo 17 astronauts and President Nixon, it reads, “Here man completed his first exploration of the moon, December 1972 A. D. May the spirit of peace in which we came be reflected in the lives of all mankind.” This mission ends the Apollo Moon Program which cost $25 billion, and included six manned trips to the moon. A seventh, Apollo 13, returned to Earth without landing on the moon due to a ruptured oxygen tank.

The White House says the bombing of North Vietnam will resume until accord is reached.

An earthquake destroys Managua, Nicaragua.

Charles Atlas, inventor of an isometric system of muscle building dies at the age of 79.

Former President Harry Truman, 88, dies in Kansas City.

The survivors of a recent plane crash in the Andes Mountains admit they ate the raw flesh of passengers who had died at the time of the crash or died later in an avalanche or of cold and starvation. The passengers were members of a rugby team which had charted the plane for a tour of Chile.

An Eastern Airlines plane crashes in the Everglades during an approach to Miami airport. Seventy five of the 176 people onboard survive the crash.

Life Magazine ceases publication after 36 years.

Baseball player Roberto Clemente dies in a plane crash during a mission to help earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

The Tioga County Planning Board studies the possibility of the Town of Owego taking over Hickories Park.

The Owego Village Board of Trustees gives approval to First City National Bank to construct a new $250,000 building next to its present one at the corner of Lake and Front Streets. The old bank building will be torn down and replaced with a park.

Vestal’s old Erie Lackawana Railway Station is moved from North Main Street to the site of the former Loblaw Grocery Store on the Vestal Parkway. It costs $5,700 to move the station which was built in the early 1800s. It was a Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railway station until the DL&W merged with Erie in 1960. The station will be refurbished as a museum.

In Owego, formal charges are filed against two stores for violating “blue laws” which prohibit the sale of certain items on Sundays.

In compliance with state requirements on simplifying local names of school districts, the “Central School District 1 of the Towns of Owego, Tioga, Nichols, Candor, and Newark Valley” is changed to “Owego Apalachin Central School District.”

Top tunes include Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone by the Temptations, Clair by Gilbert O’Sullivan, Me and Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul, I’m Stone in Love with You by the Stylistics, and You’re So Vain by Carly Simon.

Movies playing in local theaters include “Young Winston,” “Bonnie and Clyde,” “Lady Sings the Blues,” “Cancel My Reservation,” “1776,” “Scrooge,” and “Snowball Express”

Merry Christmas and Happy New

Apalachin Lions Christmas Basket Program

The Apalachin Lions will again be holding their Christmas Basket effort for those needing assistance in the Apalachin, Little Meadows, and Crestview Heights areas.

The club provides food certificates

for families and toys or certificates for children age 15 years and younger.

If you think you qualify, contact the Apalachin Lions at: Christmas@ApalachinLions.org

Nichols, N.Y. The holiday season is finally upon us and Tioga Downs in Nichols started the winter festivities on Black Friday with a celebration running through December.

Winterfest offers fun for the whole family from 5:00pm to 8:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays through December 23.

Admission is FREE, and there are plenty of fun holiday activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Guests can take in the spectacular display of Christmas lights with horse drawn wagon rides around the track. Aside from the wagon rides, guests can meet Santa Claus and participate in Christmas Trivia. Once again, admission

is free!

For more events and activities, visit tiogadowns.com or the Facebook page at facebook.com/tiogadownscasinoresort for a complete Winterfest events and activities schedule.

Tioga Downs Resort Casino is the premier gaming center in the Southern Tier. It features nearly 900 slot machines, 28 table games, and six poker tables. The resort is also home to some of the most competitive harness racing in New York at its historic five eighths mile racetrack.

Families can dine at one of Tioga Down’s four restaurants.

Owego Church OffersABlue Christmas Service

For many people, the approaching Christmas holiday does not bring the joy that is advertised on TV and greeting cards. These people may be facing a holiday without someone who has been a part of their holiday memories for most, if not all, of their lives.

If you are mourning a loss this Christmas, the holiday excitement and seasonal lights can make you feel terrible.

The Very Reverend Trula Holly-

wood will provide a service on the longest night of the year, December 21, at 5:30 pm, as a “Space to Bring our Sadness to God” at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 117 Main Street in Owego. The service will include candle lighting as a Litany of Remembrance.

For more information about St. Paul’s Church in Owego, and additional services, go to www.stpaulsowego.org.

Wonderful Winter WildlifeActivity Day at Waterman Center

Join Waterman Center’s costumed guides on December 10 at 12:00 Noon for a winter themed activity day at the Waterman Center in Apalachin.

Satisfy your curiosity about how wild animals survive winter’s cold during a brief guided walk along a trail decorated with beautifully hand painted animals. After the walk, warm up in the center with refreshments, crafts, and stories read by Mother Goose.

The Family Reading Partnership

- Dec. 10

will be on site to provide every child with a free book.

Admission includes all activities, crafts, and refreshments. The cost is $5 per child 5 and up. Adults accompanying children and kids under the age of 5 are free of charge.

To register for the event or for more information call 607 625 2221 or go to : www.watermancenter.org.

Waterman Center is at 403 Hilton Road in Apalachin.

Pirate’s Christmas with Captain Nick Klaus

The Tappan Spaulding Memorial Library in Newark Valley will present “A Pirate’s Christmas with Captain Nick Klaus” on Saturday, December 10, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Children will listen to Captain Nick Klaus read pirate Christmas

stories and can get their picture taken with Captain Nick. Children will receive a free book.

The library is at 6 Rock Street in Newark Valley. For more information, call the library at 607 642 9960.

Historical Society’s

Dinner Honors Jim Raftis

After the colors were presented by the Color Guard of the Glenn A. Warner VFW Post 1371, a blessing was given by Fr. Lewis of Blessed Trinity Parish. Entertainment was provided by Valley Harmony, a four member male quartet, two of whom sang the Star Spangled Banner. Kathy Briggs spoke about her efforts to support the “Wreaths Across America” program.

The veterans enjoyed a wonderful meal with ample homemade desserts available as well. Marcia Kiechle and dinner crew were busy throughout the evening.

The Newark Valley Historical Society hosted a dinner for veterans at the Newark Valley Fire Hall on Friday evening November 11. Although this was originally for veterans from the townships of Newark Valley, Berkshire and Richford, the invitation was expanded to all veterans from the county. This brought the number up to 75 to 80 making it one of the best attended. The Veterans Dinner goes back 14 years with the first two taking place at the Newark Valley Depot, now the Ray Shaver Depot. It was very crowded and quite chilly which prompted the Society to make a change of venue.

In his opening remarks, Jim Tornatore, the Mayor of the Village of Newark Valley, thanked the veterans for their service and the sacrifices that they have made on behalf of the country.

The Master of Ceremonies was Jim Raftis, Sr., who has worked for 68 years on behalf of veterans in Tioga County. After thanking all those who came, he made a roll call for the vets from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. All theaters of war were represented except for WWII.

The evening ended with a presentation of a plaque given by Marcia Kiechle on behalf of the Newark Valley Historical Society to Jim Raftis which read “Given in recognition of your untiring efforts to document the sacrifices of our veterans and convey the importance of these sacrifices to the general public.”

Jim served in the US Army in Korea from 1952 to 1954 as a company clerk for the 21st/171st Station Hospitals.

Margaret Mary’s Church in Apalachin, the Apalachin Li-

brary, Johnson’s Pools & Spas in Owego, and the Apalachin Methodist Church for collecting the coats, and to the Open Door Mission Outreach for distributing the coats for 2022.

At

the

Apalachin Library

719 Main Street, Apalachin NY 607 625 3333 www.apalachinlibrary.org

Preschool Story Time

Through Dec. 22

Preschool Story Time will continue through Dec. 22. It will begin again on January 3 and 5, 2023.

Baby Story Time Thursdays, 10am

This program is geared towards very young children.

Book Discussion

Thursday, December 15, 1pm

The book discussion groups will meet together for a special holiday party. Please read The Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg. Place a hold in the catalog for yourself or ask a librarian to do it for you. There are also a few copies in the library. If you are not in a book discussion group but would like to attend, please do. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP.

Library Hours during Holidays

The library will be closed Saturday, Dec. 24 and Monday, Dec. 26, and will reopen Tuesday, Dec. 27.

The library will be closed Saturday, Dec. 31 and Monday, Jan. 2 and will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.

Empire Passes Renewed

The library’s Empire Passes have been renewed for another year. Don’t forget to borrow them. The library also has passes to the Ithaca

Science Center and the Museum of the Earth. Good things to do while the kids are home during the holidays.

Knitting & Crocheting

Tuesday, January 31, 2023, 1pm

If you enjoy knitting and crocheting, you are invited to a new craft group to enjoy the company of others with the same interests. The group will meet on the last Tuesday of the month at 1 pm starting on January 31st

Yoga

Tuesdays in January, 6:30pm

The library will offer yoga classes on Tuesdays beginning January 2, 2023. Sheehan diMichiei Shotwell will return as instructor.

Hats, Mittens, and Scarves

The library is once again collecting donations of hats, mittens and scarves to give away. If you are looking for a project, please consider this one.

Featured Author for December

The Featured Author for December is Craig Johnson who is an American author who writes mystery novels. He is best known for his Sheriff Walt Longmire novel series. The books are set in northern Wyoming.

7830 Rt 434, Apalachin, N.Y. 13732

Nichols, NY (November 29, 2022)

Giving Tuesday held extra special meaning for community organizations throughout the area. The Tioga Downs Regional Community Foundation awarded $1.1 million in grants to 54 nonprofits across Broome, Tioga, Chemung, and Bradford Counties as a way to acknowledge the support Tioga Downs has received from the community this year. Grant recipients were announced during an evening celebration held at Tioga Downs Casino Resort on Tuesday, November 29.

This year’s recipients, which include arts organizations, family services providers, and animal rescues just to name a few have made incredible strides in promoting economic and community development in the counties that surround Tioga Downs.

“It feels incredible to honor the organizations that hold our community together especially on Giving Tuesday,” said Tioga Downs owner Jeffrey Gural, whose mother’s family was from Binghamton. “This foundation allows us to support people who are changing lives in the cities, towns, and villages our guests call home.”

The Tioga Downs Regional Community Foundation aims to fund groups that advance charitable, religious, literary, scientific, and educational purposes in Broome, Tioga, Chemung, and Bradford (PA) Counties. This year’s $1.1 million in award money is a new record for the charitable arm of Tioga Downs.

The foundation received an overwhelming response when it issued its grant application earlier in the year, with so many nonprofits deserving of funding to strengthen economic and community development as the region continues to recover from the COVID 19 pandemic.

Tioga Downs Resort Casino is the premier gaming center in the Southern Tier. It features nearly 900 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 five eighths mile racetrack. Families can dine at one of four restaurants. You must be 21 or older to play at the resort.

The recipients from Tioga County, NY, are: A New Hope Center; Berkshire Community Association; Camp Ahwaga Association; Candor Emergency Squad, Inc.; Catholic Charities of Tompkins/ Tioga; Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tioga County; Empire State Special Needs Experience, Inc.; Kali's Klubhouse, Inc.; McKendree United Methodist Church Open Hearts Dinner; Owego EMS, Inc.; Southern Tier Music Teachers Association; Stray Haven Humane Society & SPCA; Tioga County Boys & Girls Club; and Waterman Conservation Education Center.

A “Breakfast with Santa” will take place on Saturday, December 17, from 8:00 am to 12 Noon at the Newark Valley Fire Department, 7151, Route 38 in Newark Valley.

There will also be a “Toys for Tots” toy giveaway.

Come and meet Santa and your local fire department while eating breakfast and getting toys.