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APALACHIN • OWEGO • NICHOLS
TIOGA CENTER • NEWARK VALLEY
YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER • www.TiogaWeb.com Volume 28 DECEMBER 2013 Number 12
PRESORTED STANDARD
US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #9 APALACHIN, NY
CARRIER ROUTE POSTAL CUSTOMER
BROWN ENTERPRISE AND MARKETING 7830 STATE ROUTE 434
APALACHIN, NEW YORK 13732
CAMPVILLE • BARTON • CANDOR
SMITHBORO • CATATONK
The Newark Valley Holiday Magic Festival will be held on Saturday, December 14, from 3:00 to 8:00 pm. Above: Santa arrives at last year's festival.
"A Victorian Christmas" is the theme for this year's O Tannenbaum Holiday Showcase at the Tioga County Historical Society Museum at 110 Front St. in Owego. Beautifully decorated six-foot trees, three-foot trees, wreaths, and other items are on display as part of a silent auction. Final Bid Night is December 14. The museum is open Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, and Sunday 11am-3pm during the event. The Gold sponsor of the event is Tioga Downs Racetrack.
O Tannenbaum Holiday Showcase
FRESH CUT TREES
BIG DIPPER TREE STAND
Open Daily 9-9 till Christmas
HAND MADE WREATHS
AVAILABLE FOR ORDERING
Big Dipper Tree Stand, Rt 434, Apalachin, NY
Owego's Holiday Showcase marked the start of the holiday season in Owego last month. Above: Al Fargnoli of Sweeney's Market in Apalachin gave wagon rides after dropping off Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Tioga County Council on the Arts on Front Street where they enjoyed visiting with the children (below).
Join the festivities as the Village of Owego comes to life during the "Lights on the River" Friday, December 6, when Santa Claus throws the switch at 6:00 pm to light up the village just like he did before (pictured at right). The event concludes with a fireworks display at 8pm in Draper Park.
DECEMBER 2013 TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS PAGE 2
Tioga County's
COMMUNITY
PRESS Volume 28 Number 12
December 2013 © 2013 Published by
Brown Enterprise And Marketing 7830 State Route 434
Apalachin, New York 13732 Phone (607) 625-2222 or
(607) 72-PRESS E-mail: [email protected]
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
TELL THEM YOU SAW IT IN THE
COMMUNITY PRESS www.CommunityPress.us
The Ti-Ahwaga Community Play-
ers will present Philip Grecian's ad-
aptation of Jean Shepherd's "A
Christmas Story" on December 7, 8,
and December 12, 13, 14, 15 at the
Ti-Ahwaga Performing Arts Center,
42 Delphine Street in Owego.
"A Christmas Story" portrays the
riotous trials and travails of young
Ralphie Parker on his quest for the
one thing he wants for Christmas: a
Red Ryder BB gun. His requests for
the gun are reproved with a "you'll
shoot your eye out" by his parents
and even his teacher so he's not real
sure he's going to get it. On top of
that, skirmishes with his brother and
the school bully leave him wonder-
ing if he'll make it to Christmas.
"Something about this show draws
me back year after year," director
Kathy Harris said. "It's warm and
familiar, yet every new batch of ac-
tors keeps it fresh and fun. For me,
directing "A Christmas Story" is like
spending time with old friends you
only see once a year. It's like coming
home for the holidays."
The cast includes Jamie Cornell
as Ralph (the narrator), Doug Benish
as the Old Man, Nichole Langton as
Mother, Camden Dyer-Decator as
Ralphie, Devin Cornell as Randy,
Brendan Cornell as Scut, Thad Rob-
ertson as Flick, Cameron Cole as
Schwartz, Laura Robertson as Esther
Jane, Julia Langton as Helen, and
Jane Nichols as Miss Shields.
Shows start at 8pm on Thursday,
Friday and Saturday, and 2pm on
Sunday. General admission is $20
for adults, $10 for children 12 and
under. Friday admission for students
with ID cards is $10. Sunday admis-
sion for seniors 60+ is $17. Fine
wines, beers, soft drinks and snacks
are available to enjoy at your table
during the show.
The show is underwritten in part
by Cuttermen Marine Services, LLC.
To reserve seats, call the Ti-Ahwaga
Performing Arts Center at 687-2130.
For more info, go to
www.tiahwaga.com
Ti-Ahwaga Community Players
Present "A Christmas Story"
From left, Jamie Cornell as Ralph (the narrator), Camden Dyer-Decator as Ralphie, Doug Benish as the Old Man (with his beloved leg lamp), Devin Cornell as Randy, and Nichole Langton as Mother on the set of "A Christmas Story," which opens at the Ti-Ahwaga Performing Arts Center in Owego on Saturday, December 7.
DECEMBER 2013 TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS PAGE 3
HOMETOWN AUTO SALES & SERVICE
and
OUR GARAGE GET YOUR CAR READY
FOR WINTER
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
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Apalachin 625-5345
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Mon–Fri 8am–5pm Sat 8-noon Oil Changes • Tires •Batteries & All Repairs
SALES open Mon – Fri 9-5; Sat 10-2 PLOW TRUCKS ~ SUV’s ~ PICKUPS ~ CARS VANS ~ DUMP TRUCKS
From the staff of “Hometown Auto” and “Our Garage”
Van Dervort Repair And Rebuild Service
185 Shady Hill Road, Apalachin 625-4658 PICKUP AND DELIVERY AVAILABLE
Lawnmowers, Small Engines - Repaired Alternators, Starters, Generators, Motors - Rebuilt
TIME TO GET YOUR
SNOWBLOWER
CHECKED OUT
AND READY
FOR WINTER
“90 Years of Being like Family” 8 Delphine St., Owego, NY 687-1803
www.warmcomfort.com
From our family to yours: Best wishes for the love and peace this
season brings. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah
38 Main St., Nichols, N.Y. 13812 • (607) 699-7478
STAY WARM THIS WINTER
Kerosene Heater Supplies and Repair Heaters – Electric & Kerosene Bagged Coal
Weather Striping Window Repair Wood Pellets
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
Local Pantry Provides Thanksgiving Baskets
The volunteers of the Park
Terrace Food Pantry on Glann Road
in Apalachin prepared 125
Thanksgiving Baskets last month,
serving over 400 people, a 16%
increase from last year.
Each year the number of requests
for baskets has risen since the pantry
opened in 2004. This year's baskets
were made possible by the food
drive conducted by the Scouts and
leaders of Troop 43, the residents of
Tioga Terrace, and many other
generous donors who help the pantry
throughout the year.
A sincere "thank you" to all who
support the Park Terrace Food
Pantry.
Volunteers from the Park Terrace Food Pantry meet to put the Thanksgiving Baskets together.
Your help is needed with the
Apalachin Lions Club annual
collection of NEW or LIKE NEW
toys for distribution to needy
families in the Apalachin (13732),
Campville (east to county line) and
Little Meadows, Pa (18830) area.
Collection barrels are in the lobby
of the Apalachin Elementary School,
Tioga Hill School, Apalachin
Pharmacy, Apalachin Library, and
White Tails (in Little Meadows)
until December 11
With the generous support of
many individuals, and organizations
the Lions have been helping needy
families for over 50 years with food
and gifts during the holidays. The
Lions thank you for your support.
For more info, call 625-2365.
Lions Club Toy Collection
As part of the O Tannenbaum
Holiday Showcase Fundraiser, the
Tioga County Historical Society is
open for extended hours which will
include: Tuesdays - Saturdays, 10am
to 5pm, and Sundays 11am to 3pm.
These hours are in effect through
December 14.
The O Tannenbaum Holiday
Showcase runs through December
14. The theme is a “Victorian
Christmas” with more than 150 trees,
wreaths, and other items up for bid.
Antique toys are also on display.
For more information, call 687-
2460 or visit tiogahistory.org. The
museum is at 110 Front St. in
Owego, and will be closed
December 23 through January 1.
Tioga Museum Extends Hours
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 our area for many
years and he is looking forward to
talking to his many young friends so
he will know what they want for
Christmas.
To talk to Santa call 625-HOHO
(625-4646) between 6pm and 8pm
on December 2, 3, or 4.
Santa Phone 625-HOHO
DECEMBER 2013 TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS PAGE 4
HOUSE FOR RENT APALACHIN: Four bedroom, 2 bath, 2400 sq ft on 6 acres. Rent $950 mo. 2 month security. Call 607-372-3644 12/13 GOOD CLEAN USED FURNITURE: Bought and Sold every Saturday from 10am to 3pm. 129 McMaster St. Owego 607-242-6560 01/14 TILE WORK: over 40 years experience, walls, floors, counter tops, water dam-aged walls tub areas, shower stalls re-paired. Quality Tile Tony 607-744-7853 01/14 TOP DOLLAR PAID: Wanted! Old fish-ing tackle, lures, reels, etc. Some items worth $500. and more!!! Call me first, collector not a dealer so I pay more. Walt 687-5750 06/14 NEED IT CLEANED OUT or hauled away? We just charge less for one room to whole house. Also garages barns & sheds. MK’s Affordable Cleanouts 607-217-7455 01/14 BUYING: Buying Antiques & Vintage Collectables, paying highest prices and I come to you! Call Dave at 607-240-9546 07/14 DENT REMOVAL: door dings, hail dam-age, dents removed without harm to car finish! Olympic Detailing 607-625-2332
DOG BOARDING: Pleasant Valley Dog Kennel, 5367 State Route 38, Newark Valley, NY 13811. 35 years in business, indoor/outdoor runs. Daily rates $14 one dog, $21 two dogs same run 607-642-8776 12/13 FOR RENT: 1 Bedroom Apartment on the 2nd floor. Right in the heart of Histor-ic Downtown Owego, NY Close to Laun-dry mat, shopping, sight seeing, walking, parks, restaurants and so much more approx. 850 sq ft No Smoking or Pets!!! Rental agreement for 1 yr Application with references and credit check Call And leave message 607-427-1736 WE CAN HELP!: We can help with your cleanouts—hauling –local moves –house cleaning and lawn care. Free Estimates. Call 607-699-0212 11/13 SLEIGH BED: Twin sleigh vintage bed with mattress, plow for wheelhorse, and a very nice futon. Each $100. Call 570- 623-2562. 11/13 SNOWBLOWERS: Now in stock. Ariens Snowblower pre-snow sale. Joe Signs Equipment, Rt. 17C, Owego. 12/13 WANTED: Your classified ad for our December 2013 issue. Please send in form below by November 25.
FULLY INSURED
Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Replacement
Windows Plumbing Electrical Painting Papering
Decks
ALL HOUSE
REPAIRS!
THE HOUSE DOCTOR
Call Dave -
607-625-2677
ANE
EAMLESS
UTTERS
• GUTTERS • FASCIA
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625-4076 • Free Estimates • Fully Insured •
• Family Owned Since 1976 •
• Garry • Kevin • Rory •
ALLEN MEMORIAL HOME, INC.
Funeral Service
Established in 1884
511-513 East Main Street
Endicott, New York 13760
(607) 754-0110
For Pre-Funding, No Payment,
Traditional & Cremation
Options
Call or visit us at
www.allenmemorial.com
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)
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, fax 625-2111) 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.
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NAME: __________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________
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PHONE: _______________________________ Enclose check or money order for $25 Payable to B.E.A.M. and mail to: COMMUNITY PRESS, 7830 State Route 434, Apalachin, N.Y. 13732
If you, or a friend or family member, are not receiving the COMMUNITY PRESS in the mail now and would like to receive it every month you can subscribe now!
Martin Plumbing & Heating
Quality Reliable Service 3908 Waverly Road, Owego,
New York 13827
(607) 687-1295 FURNACES
BOILERS WATER HEATERS
GOULDS WATER PUMPS PLUMBING FIXTURES
SEWER & DRAIN CLEANING WATER CONDITIONING
AIR CONDITIONING
“ON THE RUN
AROUND THE
CLOCK”
DECEMBER 2013 TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS PAGE 5
In your home pet sitting and training to meet your needs.
Fully Insured (607) 972-3531 www.DoggyDooRight.org
Serving Tioga & Broome County For over 20 years!
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
• Draperies
• Top Treatments
• Vertical Blinds
• Mini Blinds
• Cellular Shades
• Roller Shades
• All Top Brands
NORTHERN LIGHTS
LAMP SHOP BRING YOUR LAMP IN FOR
A NEW FABRIC SHADE
LARGEST SELECTION IN THE AREA
• New Tiffany Style Lamps •
• Porcelain Garden Night Lights •
• Floor Lamps • Table Lamps •
• LAMP REPAIRS • www.NorthernLightsLampShop.com
105 S. Duane Ave.
Endicott, NY
607-748-1447 877-506-7678
Hours: T-F 9-5; Thurs 9-7 Saturday 9-5
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Tim & Tyson –Saturday Dec 21st (Every 3rd Saturday of the month)
Karaoke Saturday Jan 4th (First Saturday of the month)
The Terrace The Friendly Neighborhood Tavern
Rt. 434, Apalachin, New York 625-3935
Serving Lunch & Dinner or Just a Snack! Stop in and try our Homemade Soup Specials
Tuesday-Steak Nite • Wed - Shrimp Nite • Thurs - Clam Nite
Celebrate New Years Eve at the Terrace
With a Special Steak Dinner
High Adventure Trek of a Lifetime
A crew of Boy Scouts from
Troop 221 in Vestal is preparing for
a backpacking trek at Philmont in
July of 2014.
The group of eight scouts and
three adults will hike through the
wilderness at the High Adventure
Philmont Scout Ranch in New
Mexico practicing their hiking,
orienteering, and wilderness survival
skills. The group will spend the first
couple of days in advance of the trek
getting acclimated to the altitude.
Base Camp is at 7,000 feet above sea
level, and the scouts will hike to
elevations nearing 12,000 feet.
Vestal is a little over 1,000 feet
above sea level.
Along the way the crew will visit
program areas to try gold mining,
roping, black powder riflery, skeet
shooting and climbing. Throughout
the trek they will be carrying their
“homes” in their backpack.
Training and preparation for this
adventure is a yearlong process for
Chet, Preston, Jay, Joey, Andy, Josh,
Hunter and Eric along with the adult
leaders of Mr. Haefner, Mr. Isaacs,
Mr. Lethin, Mr. Moore (all pictured
above).
On December 29, the First Pres-
byterian Union Church, North and
Temple Streets in Owego, will offer
a jazz service of worship on Sunday
morning at 10:00 am, followed by a
coffee and tea social in the Fellow-
ship Hall. The public is invited to
attend.
Featured artists will be two of the
Southern Tier’s most popular jazz
musicians, Larry Lolli, a string musi-
cian and retired music teacher at
Johnson City High School, and Doug
Beardsley, a major jazz influence
with over five decades experience as
a keyboard artist. Doug’s musical
style has been inspired by Bill Ev-
ans, while Larry is a string generalist
who is equally as comfortable per-
forming with orchestras and jazz
groups. The service will be led by
the Rev. Bob White.
Jazz Service at Owego Church - Dec 29
The Food Bank of the Southern
Tier announces that from now
through December 31, Tioga Downs
Casino Racing & Entertainment will
sponsor the 4th Annual Turkey Drive
to ensure that local families in need
can enjoy a plentiful holiday meal.
Tioga Downs will maximize eve-
ry donation to this year’s Annual
Turkey Drive by doubling it. Not
only has Tioga Downs provided a
generous $10,000 donation to kick-
off the annual campaign, but they
will also match all donations up to
$20,000. Funds raised help acquire
turkeys for distribution through the
Food Bank’s network of hunger-
relief agencies including food pan-
tries and soup kitchens across the
Southern Tier.
“The holidays are a time of joy
that typically involve sharing meals
with our loved ones, but so many of
our neighbors right here in the
Southern Tier are struggling. Many
families are faced with very limited
food budgets and some are even go-
ing without,” said Food Bank Presi-
dent and CEO Natasha Thompson.
“Thanks to the generosity of Tioga
Downs, community members can
have a huge impact on the lives of
families in need this holiday season.
Doubling the donations to this
year’s campaign goes a long way in
the fight against hunger.”
To support the Turkey Drive, go
to www.foodbankst.org to make a
secure online donation. All donations
are segmented by county. 100% of
donations raised in each county stay
in that county. The Food Bank dis-
tributes food to people in need
through a network of more than 160
member agencies including food
pantries and soup kitchens Broome,
Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga
and Tompkins counties.
For more information, visit the
Food Bank’s website at
www.foodbankst.org or call (607)
796-6061.
Tioga Downs Helps with Turkey Drive
DECEMBER 2013 TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS PAGE 6
5780 Route 434, Apalachin, NY 13732 TOWING (607) 625-5653 RENTALS (607) 625-9904
Wish you a Safe and Happy
Holiday Season!
New Homeowners Insurance
John A. Sykas - Skyline Services 891 Pennsylvania, Little Meadows, Pa.
We can insure your home for market value or an agreed amount.
Non smoker discounts.
WORK COMP • NY DBL • BUSINESS • FARM OWNERS • AUTO • TRUCKERS
6845 Route 434 , Apalachin, New York Hours: Mon-Fri 9am to 7pm, Sat 9am to 1pm (CLOSED SUN) 625-2129
24 Hour Emergency Prescription Service 7 Days a Week - 725-6359
Merry Christmas
&
Happy New Year
(CLOSED CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS DAY)
Chaps
Helmets
Chainsaws
Protec-tive
Wedges Hatchets Gloves
Chains Bars
Oil & more... FULL LINE OF POWER EQUIPMENT
Boots
Ear Protection
RT 17C WEST, 3951 WAVERLY RD., OWEGO, NY 13827
(607) 689-0330 www.JoeSignsEquipment.com “QUALITY SALES & SERVICE SINCE 1947”
CHAINSAW
HEADQUARTERS
Forty-nine students from Tioga Cen-
tral High School completed their training
to become YES! LEADers. YES!
LEADers are middle and high school
students who teach elementary school
students about skills they need to resist
drugs and alcohol, the importance of
positive self-esteem in making safe
choices and effectively handling peer
pressure.
The YES! Launch training program
teaches YES! LEADers how to be role
models for younger students through
team activities and educational sessions
Trained YES! LEADers are substance-
free role models for younger students,
who use their leadershiop skills to devel-
op resistance skills in elementary school
children through interactive activities
and age-appropriate entertainment.
Tioga Central's YES! LEADers are
also committed to helping their commu-
nity. Each year, they participate in a
variety of outreach activities that help
younger students. YES! Safe Choices for
Kids, a partnership between Senator
Libous and Lourdes Hospital, is now in
its 25th year. For more information, go
to www.YesSafeChoices.org.
Tioga Central YES!LEADers Complete Training
The students of Tioga Central
Elementary School do not have a
playground, and you can help them.
When you purchase any sweet treat
from Berry Bear Frozen Yogurt on Rt.
17C in Owego from December 4
through December 8, and present the
ticket below, 10% of your purchase will
go directly to the Tioga Central
Elementary Playground Fund.
If you are a community member or
local business interested in donating
directly to the Tioga Elementary PTO
playground fundraising drive, please
send it to: “Tioga/Nichols PTO
playground fund” Located at: Tioga
Elementary School, (c/o PTO) PO Box
241 Tioga Center, NY 13845.
Help Students Get Playground
The Owego Apalachin (OA) Founda-
tion for Excellence in Education’s annu-
al Wine and Beer Tasting event will be
held on January 17, 2014, 6:00 to 9:00
pm, at the Owego Treadway Inn.
Tom Westcott & Ultra Vibe will pro-
vide entertainment and local restaurants
will provide refreshments. Nearby win-
eries, breweries, and cheese houses will
showcase their products with samples.
Local businesses and residents generous-
ly provide a wide variety of goods and
services for the silent auction.
Tickets are available at Lawler’s Liq-
uor Store, Scott Smith & Son, and The
Kitchen Store. Pre-Sale ticket prices:
couples $40, singles $25, designated
driver $10. At-the-door ticket pric-
es: couples $45, single: $35.
www.OAFoundation.com.
Wine & Beer Tasting - January 17
A local student has been awarded a
full scholarship to a prestigious universi-
ty. JordanAnn Wilson, who will gradu-
ate from Seton Catholic Central High
School in Binghamton in 2014, has been
selected to receive a full scholarship to
play Lacrosse at Niagara University, a
Division 1 school. Niagara University, a
Catholic university in the Vincentian
Tradition, is located in Lewiston, N.Y.
“Only one young woman and one
young man were selected to receive
scholarships from Seton,” said Jor-
danAnn’s father Larry Wilson. “I am
proud of my daughter’s hard work, dedi-
cation and success. She has shown how
determination and effort lead to reward.”
Local Student Awarded Full Scholarship
COMMUNITY PRESS
Town of Owego Supervisor Donald
Castellucci Jr,'s 17th Annual Memorial
Blood Drive will be held December 19,
1:30 to 6:30 pm at the Owego Elks
Club. As in the past, a rigatoni and
meatball dinner will be served to all
donors. To make an appointment, call 1
-800-redcross or visit the website
www.redcrossblood.org.
The blood drive is held in memory
of Donald's parents, Donald and Grace
Castellucci Sr. The family asks that a
food item be brought to be donated to
Tioga County Rural Ministry. Cash
donations in the Donald and Grace
Castellucci’s memory are also accepted
and sent to the Rural Ministry as well.
Castellucci Annual Blood Drive - Dec 19
DECEMBER 2013 TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS PAGE 7
56 North Avenue, Owego, N.Y.
MA
TR
IX B
ED
HE
AD
FA
IRY
TA
LE
S
O
PI
GO
LD
WE
LL
M
OR
OC
CA
LO
IL
KM
S
Open: Monday – Saturday
Celebrating 33 Years in Business – Owners Kate & Betsy, along
with staff: Bob, Jen, Julie, Jennifer, Nickie, & Lyda
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
OPI Spa Pedicures (European Touch Chair – newest technology)
OPI Spa Manicures • Cuts Perms • Color • Highlights • Foils
Facial Waxing • and more …
Now using Goldwell Color
Tender Loving Care by Maureen
7 Lake Street, Owego, N.Y. (607) 687-2009
GREAT
HOLIDAY
GIFT
IDEAS
New York State American Legion
Commander Kenneth Governor brought
a message of "Service First" to the local
Legion Family in his visit to Tioga
County last month.
It's about reinvigorating the core mis-
sion to serve men and women in uni-
form, veterans and families, community
and nation, he said during dinner at
Owego American Legion Post 401.
A sign that the Department of New
York is on the right track in putting
"service first," Governor noted, is the
Americanism trophy that New York
walked away with at the Legion's nation-
al convention this past summer. "We
were honored for having the best Chil-
dren and Youth, and Family Assistance
Programs in the entire American Le-
gion."
The commander's visit was a joint
visitation with New York Auxiliary
President Barbara Corker and New York
Sons of the American Legion (SAL)
Detachment Commander John Chang.
Chang noted that, like the department
commander, his personal project this
year is to collect donations for the Na-
tional Emergency Fund, especially since
the fund helped so many New York fam-
ilies in the devastating wake of Hurri-
cane Sandy.
Corker said her project is to support
the American Legion's Operation Com-
fort Warriors, and for two reasons. First,
unlike other charities, 100 percent of
donations go directly to helping wound-
ed warriors. Second, it's important to
"show our warriors our love."
'Service First' to Area's Legion Family
Kenneth Governor, Department of New York commander, speaking during one of his stops across New York State. (Photo by Doug Malin)
A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held
on November 15 at First American
Realty at 54 Central Avenue in Owego
(across from Rite-Aid).
First American Realty, which is
owned and operated by Roger Katchuk,
is a full service licensed real estate
brokerage with membership with the
Greater Binghamton and Elmira/Corning
Association of Realtors.
The home of First American Realty is
a newly renovated, historical space that
was recently a warehouse. It w originally
being built in 1865 as a blacksmith’s
shop and carriage house.
A complete build out has been done in
an open concept/New York City
industrial theme. Much of the original
brick has been retained and the original
window openings that were boarded shut
have been opened up.
All new plumbing, heating and
electric has been installed. High speed
internet and the ability to stream real
estate listings and information from
computer to large flat screen
complement the office. Conference and
meeting areas have been created as well
as a break area kitchen and modern rest
rooms.
The building is in a flood zone and all
the HVAC was raised to the ceiling and
receptacles were built 4 feet off the
floor. Carpenters elevated cabinets and
vanities and because of the open concept
they were able to reduce the amount of
studded walls needed.
The space now allows for real estate
seminars and lectures while at the same
time having a unique space to help
clients.
Ribbon Cutting at First American Realty
A Christmas Cantata celebrating the
Messiah's Birth will be performed on
Sunday, December 8, at 7:00 pm at the
Newark Valley United Methodist
Church, Route 38, Newark Valley
The Christmas Cantata, A Great and
Mighty Wonder, written by Tom Fettke,
will be performed by a combined choir
of singers from the churches of the New-
ark Valley area. It will be directed by
Jewel Griffith, with piano accompani-
ment by Brenda Yeier.
In case of inclement weather, the
performance will be held on Monday,
December 9, at 7:00 pm.
Christmas Cantata - Dec 8
DECEMBER 2013 TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS PAGE 8
Route 17 exit 63
In honor of Veterans Day, members of the Owego Kiwanis last month created a Star of Flags at the Kiwanis Flag Pole Circle on
Route 434 near the Hiawatha Bridge.
The Big Dipper Christmas Trees
& Wreaths has been a staple of the
Holiday Season in Apalachin for
almost two decades.
Owner and Operator Paul Kapr is
an avid tree lover and curator. He
has worked for years in the
landscaping and tree service
business. Selling Christmas trees is
just an extension of that excitement
and he is giving back to the
environment. For every Christmas
tree he sells he plants one at his
local tree farm. “It isn’t about the
money” says Kapr, “It’s about
planting trees, taking care of God’s
creation, and giving a quality
experience to our customers – a
fresh local Christmas Tree!”.
At the Big Dipper Christmas
Trees and Wreaths, customers get
the whole Christmas experience…
Christmas music, free hot cocoa,
candy canes, and fresh cut local
trees. They even load it up and tie it
down for you.
Their wreaths are also locally
custom handmade, fresh from our
trees. “Growing trees locally is at
the heart of it all,” says Kapr.
The Big Dipper Christmas Trees
& Wreaths is on Route 434 in
Apalachin, just off Rt. 17 Exit 66.
A Holiday Open House will be held on
Saturday, December 7, 10am to 3pm at the
Patterson Inn Museum, 59 W. Pulteney
Street in Corning. Admission is free.
Children’s activities include make and
take crafts, visit with Santa, face painting,
and storytelling. A soup and sandwich
lunch is available. Features of this event
are an Attic Treasures sale of holiday
items; mixed dozen cookie sale; a gift
boutique; raffles; three classical guitar
performances by William Groome; black-
smith demonstrations; hearth cooking;
mantles and windows decorated by the
Corning Garden Club.
www.pattersoninnmuseum.org
Holiday Open House in Corning - Dec 7
Big Dipper - A Christmas Tree Tradition
DECEMBER 2013 TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS PAGE 9
Route 17 exit 63
Johnson' Pools and Spas of
Owego has been granted a Bronze
Aard in the 2013 International
Awards of Excellence sponsored by
the Association of Pool and Spa
Professionals.
The award was for a freeform pool
project built locally in 2013 by
Johnson's Pools and Spas.
Features of the winning venture
include natural waterfalls, a swim-up
bar, a spill-over spa, an outdoor
fireplace, and stamped concrete.
The award is especially significant
as the gold and silver award winners
were firms in affluent and opulent
cities across the world, including
Dubai, UAE; Saint-Laurent-du-var,
France; and The Hamptons, New
York.
Johnson's Pools and Spas is
family owned and operated in
Owego since 1977. They are located
at 1088 Route 434. For more
information, call them at 687-2872
or visit www.johnsonspools.com
Johnson's Pools & Spas Wins Award
Life Choices Center of Broome County
has received a $2000 grant from The
George A. and Margaret Mee Charitable
Foundation to purchase new parenting
curriculum for their Smart Choices pro-
gram which is available to new or expect-
ing moms or dads in the community.
Life Choices Center is a nonprofit or-
ganization serving both Broome and Tioga
Counties (with office locations in Bing-
hamton in Owego)with free and confiden-
tial services for those facing an unplanned
pregnancy or related situation. Formed in
1992, Life Choices Center continues to
educate and equip local women and men
with the knowledge and resources needed
to properly care for their children.
The George A. and Margaret Mee
Charitable Foundation grant will be used
to purchase new parenting curriculum to
update the current materials used during
weekly Smart Choices classes and one-on-
one mentoring.
“Since implementing the updated cur-
riculum into our program,” said Executive
Director, Russ Smith, “inexperienced
moms and dads say they feel very prepared
to care for their children as they are en-
gaged in the modern and relatable up-to-
date videos. We appreciate the Mee Foun-
dation enabling us to revamp this valuable
program and positively impact the lives of
many children.”
Life Choices Center is accepting dona-
tions to further assist those facing an un-
planned pregnancy. For more information
on Life Choices Center or how you can
support its community efforts, please call
Laura at 607-205-8506 or visit their web-
site: www.LifeChoicesCenter.org.
Life Choices Center
Receives Grant
Students Fill Shoeboxes
for
Operation
Christmas
Students at Mrs. Reeves' 2nd Grade class at St. Patrick's School in Owego recently participated in Operation Christmas Child. The students filled shoeboxes with simple gifts, and wrapped the shoeboxes and the lids. The filled shoeboxes will be sent to needy boys and girls in other countries by Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian relief and evangelism organization led by Franklin Graham. For more information, go to www.samaritanspurse.org
DECEMBER 2013 TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS PAGE 10
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Vestal Central School District’s
Music Department is pleased to
announce that two Vestal High School
students have been selected by the New
York State School Music Association
(NYSSMA) for its All-State Conference
scheduled for December 5 - 8 in
Rochester.
Katie Glasgow, a junior, will be
singing with the Women’s Chorus
during the annual Winter Festival.
Selected as an alternate for one of the
band concerts is Paula Carris, a senior
trumpet player.
Katie is in Vestal Voices, under the
direction of Vestal High School Music
Teacher Austin Kiley, and Paula is in the
Golden Bears marching band, under the
direction of Band Director Gregory
Harris.
Vestal High School Students Selected
for NYSSMA All-State Winter Festival
The Apalachin Lions Club would like
to thank the community for the hundreds
of winter coats donated for those in need
during the First Annual Apalachin Lions
Coat Drive.
A special thanks to Blessed Trinity at
St. Margaret Mary’s, the Apalachin Li-
brary, Johnson’s Pools & Spas in
Owego, Physical Health and Perfor-
mance in Sweeny’s Plaza for collecting
the coats, and the Open Door Mission
Outreach for distributing the coats.
Lions Thank Community
DECEMBER 2013 TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS PAGE 11
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Happy Holidays
Congratulations to Christopher Kallin,
Child Support Enforcement Supervisor,
for being selected Tioga County
Employee of the 4th Quarter.
Christopher Kallin began his
employment with Tioga County in 1980
as a temporary Social Welfare
Examiner, and was made permanent in
1981. Chris was promoted to a
provisional Child Support Enforcement
Supervisor in 1987. This position
became permanent in 1989, and is the
position Chris currently holds.
As the Supervisor in the Child
Support Unit, Chris is responsible for
training and mentoring new staff. Chris
is the liaison for the Department of
Taxation and Finance, one of child
support’s administrative enforcement
remedies, and he is the liaison for
LabCorp, Child Support’s paternity
DNA testing partner. In addition, Chris
also accomplishes tasks of a support
investigator. Chris is responsible for
establishing paternity and support, and
enforcing child support orders. Chris has
an excellent relationship with custodial
and non-custodial parents, as well as
collaborative partners in the child
support process. He is very professional
and an excellent representative of the
department.
Chris and his wife, Kristen, reside in
Owego with their 2 daughters, Kendra,
17, and Makenna, 14.
Chris will be honored as the
Employee of the Quarter at the
Legislative meeting to be held on
December 10, at 6:00 pm in the Hubbard
Auditorium. All are invited to attend
and celebrate this occasion.
Employee of the 4th Quarter
CCE Tioga to Recognize "Friends of Extension"
The Annual Dinner Meeting of
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of
Tioga County will be held on Monday,
December 9, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm at the
Owego Treadway on Rt 17C in Owego.
The evening will include a buffet
dinner, a review of program highlights
from the year, and election of new board
members. In addition, the association
will give out board and staff
appreciation awards, as well as several
“Friends of Extension Awards.” These
awards will be given to community
members who have demonstrated
dedication and on-going commitment to
support CCE Tioga and its mission to
help improve the quality of life for
citizens of Tioga County.
Friend of Extension Award Nominees
are: 4-H Youth Development: Skip
Jackson; Family Development: Shawn
Yetter; Agriculture: Lisa Bloodnick;
Community Nutrition and Wellness:
Sister Mary O’Brien; Community
Development and Public Issues:
Barbara Riley; Campus Collaborator:
Michael Duttweiler; Spirit of
Extension: Tioga Opportunities, Inc.;
Friend of Extension: Kathy Roush; and
Board Recognition: Matthew Frisbie.
Invitations were sent to community
leaders, participants, board members,
partners, staff, and award recipients. If
you would like to attend, call Tina
Murphy at 687-4020. The fee for the
dinner is $21 per person.
Cornell Cooperative Extension
(CCE) of Tioga County is hosting a gift
making fair for children ages 6 to 12 on
Saturday, December 7.
The children will make unique and
high quality gifts like jewelry and mag-
nets made from recycled materials, natu-
ral dye batik, leaf print ornaments and
more. Drop your child off for the day at
10am and pick them up at 2pm.
Each child should come prepared
with a list of 5 people they hope to make
gifts for. Children will even have the
opportunity to prepare a healthy lunch
with the help of the nutrition staff. All
materials and food will be provided. Let
CCE know if your child has dietary re-
strictions.
The gift fair will be held at 56 Main
Street in Owego in the basement confer-
ence room. Cost of the day is $25 (lunch
included) $20 each for siblings. Call
Cornell Cooperative Extension, Tioga
County at 687-4020 or e-mail
[email protected] to register.
CCE Tioga provides equal program
and employment opportunities. Accom-
modations for persons with special needs
can be requested.
Nature's Gifts - Holiday Gift Making Fair for Kids
DECEMBER 2013 TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS PAGE 12
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Remember/Honor a Veteran
with a Christmas Wreath by Dec 14
You can help Wreaths Across Ameri-
ca reach their goal of community mem-
bers placing a Christmas wreath on vet-
erans' graves in the Community Press'
circulation area of Apalachin, Owego,
Nichols, Tioga Center, Newark Valley,
Lounsberry, Campville, LitttleMeadows,
Friendsville and Warren Center.
Local organizers hope 2013 will be
the year that a wreath is placed on every
grave on or before National Wreaths
Across America Day, Saturday, Decem-
ber 14. Here's how:
Veterans do Veterans memorials in
Owego, Nichols, Candor, Spencer Van
Etten, Waverly and The Valley. Church-
es donate a wreath for placement at cem-
etery entrances. Pastors are encouraged
to tell the wreaths story on Sunday, De-
cember 8. Their message: every time
you help wreath laying for veterans, you
are also honoring their families and pre-
paring a new generation to appreciate
America's freedoms.
Fallen Heroes grave wreath place-
ment by Gold Star Mothers and Families
or relatives. Veterans graves by their
families. Some veterans may have no
one because their family members may
be deceased or live out of area. For
them, volunteer to get a wreath, visit the
cemetery you are most familiar with,
find the grave of a veteran and place an
evergreen.
Veterans' graves have an American
flag, some have a flag holder, many have
a veterans memorial plaque on the back
of the headstone, or if the grave marker
if flat on the ground, look for a war era
inscription.
The mission of Wreaths Across
America is to Remember the fallen,
Honor those who served and Teach our
children that our freedom isn't free.
The Tioga County Veterans Memori-
al and Tioga County Union Memorial in
Court House Square will have wreaths
placed by Gold Star Mothers and Fami-
lies supported by veterans from Ameri-
can Legion Post 401 and their Ladies
Auxiliary and Sons of the American
Legion, Chapter 480 Vietnam Veterans
of America, Tioga County Marine Corps
League, Glenn A. Warner Post 1371,
Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies
and Men's Auxiliaries, Veterans of Mod-
ern Warfare of Iraq and Afghanistan and
Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civ-
il War.
American Legion Posts in Nichols,
Candor, Spencer Van Etten, and Waver-
ly and VFW Posts in Waverly and Sayre
and Waverly Friends of the Cemetery
will coordinate wreath laying and re-
membrance ceremonies.
Thousands of wreaths will be laid at
Arlington National Cemetery at 11am
Dec. 14, and 900 participating locations
in every state, Puerto Rico and 24 ceme-
teries overseas where Tioga County Fall-
en Heroes have been buried since World
War II.
Why wreaths during the holidays?
Gold Star Mothers and Family or the
families of veterans who have passed
just want to know all those sacrifices and
lost holidays were not in vain. Tioga
County has 172 fallen heroes from all
wars. There are an estimated 5,000 de-
ceased veterans in Tioga County.
Three videos on
www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/evednts/
blog explain Wreaths Across America.
Hear why it matters from the founder, an
American Gold Star Mother who lost her
son, and from the personal stories of
those who serve and sacrifice.
Local contact is Glenn A. Warner
Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars
Memorial Chairman Jim Raftis, 687-
4229, or [email protected]. All of
you in the community are our partners.
To complete the mission help is needed
from many individuals, families, veter-
ans, churches, and all organizations.
Participants are asked to report what you
are doing for a summary story.
Remember Pearl Harbor Dec 7
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is
Saturday, December 7. Five from Tioga
County were there that Sunday morning
in 1941. Owego's first casualty of WWII
was Seaman Delmar D. Sibley still
aboard the sunken USS Arizona. Four
others survived. One is living - Bill Ken-
nedy of Owego - and three are deceased
Army Combat Infantryman Richard
Hopkins of Berkshire, Army Cook Don
Stocks and Marine Buster Dunham, both
of Owego.
The American flags at the Tioga
County Veterans Memorial are flown at
half staff to honor those who died in the
attack on Pearl Harbor.
Veterans News
December 14 - Apalachin
A breakfast of decorated pancakes
with Santa will be held Saturday, De-
cember 14, 9am to 11am at the Apala-
chin United Methodist Church, 303
Pennsylvania Ave. (across from fire sta-
tion). The children can sit on Santa's lap
and let him know what they want for
Christmas. There is no charge for this
event.
December 21 - Newark Valley
Enjoy a Breakfast with Santa at the
Newark Valley Fire Station, Route 38 in
Newark Valley on Saturday, December
21, from 8:00 to 11:00 am. Free will
offering.
Breakfasts with Santa
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DECEMBER 2013 TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS PAGE 13
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Youth Group “Attacks” Cemeteries by Norma Paisley
Most folks wouldn’t get a great feel-
ing if they saw a bunch of teenagers in a
cemetery in late October. If those teens
had a variety of implements with them, it
would seem certain that they were up to
no good, but that wasn’t the case when
the Warren Center Baptist Church Youth
Group descended on four local cemeter-
ies on October 26.
It was a crisp Saturday morning and a
heavy layer of frost still remained at 8:00
am as the teens got started. They came
prepared with weed-whackers, lops,
hedge trimmers and other tools designed
to clean up some abandoned and over-
grown cemeteries.
While the majority of the group was
busy clearing brush and trimming trees at
a family cemetery, known as the
Brainard Cemetery, which had been ne-
glected so long that headstones were not
even visible, a few hung back near the
Warren Center Baptist Church and paid
tribute to our veterans. McKenna
Wheaton, her grandfather Fred Wheaton
and Jason Vandervort set about drilling
holes into the bases of the headstones of
veterans to ensure a firm receptacle for
the poles of the new flags that they
placed on each grave.
McKenna explained that the flags are
commonly stuck into the ground and
often tip over becoming victims of the
lawn mower or blowing away. The group
felt this service was important because it
makes the cemetery look nice and it’s an
honorable thing to do for our veterans.
Within only three hours the teens had
conquered four cemeteries including two
on Casterline Road just outside of War-
ren Center. In spite of the chilling weath-
er and the early morning task the group
was happy to perform. Renee Herb, lead-
er of the youth group says the group was
instructed to come up with a community
service and cleaning up the local ceme-
teries was one of the suggestions. Says
Herb, “We chose this service because
they (the cemeteries) are a neglected area
that needed to be addressed.” Address it
they did. The Brainard cemetery was
hardly recognizable as the same place.
Krista Jones admitted that she was not
part of the youth group but wanted to
help anyway because “the people buried
in the cemetery might not have family to
come and care for it.” The other group
members agreed this service was im-
portant for those who served and to make
the community look like someone cares.
The Warren Center Baptist Church
Youth Group is made up of twenty teens
aged 13-17. The group strives to be a
good example for other teens and to pro-
vide community services when and
where they can.
For more information about the youth
group or Warren Center Baptist Church,
call (570) 395-3422 or send an email to
DECEMBER 2013 TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS PAGE 14
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COMMUNITY PRESS
Tioga County would like to recognize
one of our own foster and adoptive fami-
lies, who have opened their hearts and
their home to many children over the
years.
Millie and Maurice Henning have
been foster parents for Tioga County
since 2001. During their 12 years as fos-
ter parents, they have fostered 46 chil-
dren and adopted six of them. They have
fostered children of all ages, from new-
borns to teenagers. Maurice has lived in
Tioga County since 1961, and Millie
moved to the area in 1998. They made
the decision to become foster and adop-
tive parents after Millie’s daughter, who
was eight at the time, asked if they could
do so. Millie was in foster care herself
from age one to age eighteen, and feels
that this experience gave her insight into
both the struggles the Hennings would
face as foster parents and the struggles
that children in foster care face. She was
especially interested in providing care
for sibling groups due to her own separa-
tion from her siblings. Millie did not
know she had siblings until placed in her
third foster home, where two of her sib-
lings were also placed. Millie later found
out that she has 12 brothers and sisters.
Millie and Maurice treat all the chil-
dren who come into their home as
though they were their own. The family
eats all their meals together and spends
time together, including going on vaca-
tions as a family. Children who live in
the home have big birthday celebrations,
and get to sit at the head of the table and
be treated like kings and queens. Millie
remembers her own experience of being
told she wasn’t good enough because
she was a foster child, and the family
tries hard to prevent the children in their
home from being labeled this way by
others.
They do not use the words “foster
child” in the home, and welcome the
children as members of the family. Mil-
lie and Maurice agree that this mindset
makes saying goodbye harder when it is
time for the children to leave, but that it
is worth it. They believe that saying
goodbye to the children is the hardest
part of the job, but are happy to have
been able to maintain contact with many
of the children they’ve fostered over the
years.
When asked what advice they would
give to people considering becoming
foster parents, Millie says that kids are
placed in a foster home for a reason and
that she sees foster parenting as an op-
portunity to show them that life can be
different. Millie says that prospective
foster parents “better have a strong heart,
because it will get broken” [when the
children leave]. Maurice says that “the
Lord blesses us with the love of chil-
dren, but we still have to pray for pa-
tience”. Both Millie and Maurice de-
scribe foster parenting as being trying at
times, but worth it. Millie says “the more
kids, the merrier”, and finds the house to
be too quiet without children around.
Maurice feels that fostering “makes a
house a home” and that it has made his
life more complete.
Do you have room in your heart and
in your home? Join the team that care
about kids, the Tioga County Foster Par-
enting Program - because temporary care
makes a permanent difference. Help
provide Tioga County homes for Tioga
County kids. Tioga County is in need of
caring foster and adoptive families like
the Hennings, who are able to provide a
nurturing home for children, including
sibling groups, teenagers, and children
with special needs.
For more information about becom-
ing a certified foster and/or adoptive
parent, contact Janice O’Connell at the
Tioga County Department of Social Ser-
vices at (607) 687-8346 or
[email protected] or go to
http://www.tiogacountyny.com/
departments/foster-care-adoption-home-
finding-unit.html
Tax Preparation Bookkeeping
Business Consultant
DARLING TAX SERVICE Vicki Darling
Barbara Snyder
Phone (607) 625-4395 6276 State Route 434 Fax (607) 625-5488 Apalachin, NY 13732
Tioga County Recognizes
Foster & Adoptive Home
The Hennings at Logan and Mason’s adoption in September 2013. From left to right: Millie, Logan, Joseph, Mykal, Hon. Gerald A.Keene, Mason, Zachery, Maylee, and Maurice.
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A new contemporary Christmas
romance novel, Nothing Short of A
Miracle, by local author and Histori-
an for the Town/Village of Candor
Carol Henry, is available in digital or
print format.
Henry will hold a book signing on
Friday, Dec. 6, 4-6:30 pm at the
Candor Masonic Lodge on Rt. 96B
in Candor.
Henry’s other new release, Rib-
bons of Steel, a family saga based on
the Great Rail Road Strike of 1877,
depicts Candor in the late 1800s.
Henry's other books will also be
available. To reserve books in ad-
vance, call (607) 659-7661 or email
www.carolhenry.org.
Christmas Romance Novel Now Available Book Signing - Dec 6
Father Bill Moorby (4th from left) joins the Kindergarten and First Grade students and teachers of St. Patrick's School in Owego for a Thanksgiving Feast. The feast was held during the children's lunch hour on Friday, November 22.
Traditions At The Glen Casino
On November 14, 2013, Bill Walsh (above) announced that the Walsh Family, owners of Tra-ditions at the Glen in Endwell, NY, will be applying for a Casino and Gaming License from the State of New York. Traditions now joins Vista Hospitality Group in Bing-hamton and Tioga Downs Casino in Nichols for a chance to win big! Only one license will be is-sued by the state. Some time next year the state will spin the wheel, where will it stop?
DECEMBER 2013 TIOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY PRESS PAGE 16
Call Earl for an appointment 625-3015
1429 Main Street, Apalachin, N. Y.
19 LAKE STREET, OWEGO Specializing in fun and games for the entire family Holiday hours: Mon-Fri 10-6; Thurs till 7; Sat 10-4; Sun 11-4
We have the TOYS you’re looking for at competitive prices!
Shop where Santa shops!
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
Wishing all our customers a Merry Christmas and a
Happy and Healthy New Year. Holiday hours:
Christmas Eve. 10-6 Christmas Day. Closed
New Years Eve. 10-9 & New Years Day. 11-4
Friday Wine Tastings Thirsty Owl Dec 20 4-7pm
Homer Dec 27 4-7pm
Sweeneys Plaza, Rt 434, Apalachin
Gift Certificates Available
Case Discounts on non-sale wines
Tioga Downs Casino and owner
Jeffrey Gural wishes to thank the voters
of the Southern Tier for their
overwhelming support toward the
passage of Proposition #1 in last month's
election, allowing for 4 full-scale
casinos in Upstate New York.
Tioga Downs will be applying for a
license in the Southern Tier region.
Tioga Downs plans to build a new 136
room hotel, events center and expand the
gaming floor that will include table
games and a poker room.
According to Jeff Gural, Chairman
and CEO of American Racing and
Entertainment, the expanded facility will
provide over 600 construction jobs and
200 permanent jobs running the Casino
and hotel complex.
“We are very, very pleased with the
passing of Prop 1. The results were
overwhelming, especially from our
surrounding counties that understand
that legalizing full gaming will create
jobs in the Southern Tier and have a
positive impact on the economy. Tioga
Downs Casino has been a good neighbor
and will continue to give back to the
Southern Tier,” said Gural. Additionally,
the taxes paid by the new casino will
greatly benefit education across the
entire state.
On November 18, 2013, Tioga Downs
Casino held a special day of activities
and offers to celebrate the passage of
Proposition #1, which included the
groundbreaking for the new 275-space
parking garage and a special $5 buffet
for the public all day in the County Fair
Buffet.
Tioga Downs Casino is located
along the north side of NY Route 17/ I-
86, two miles west of exit 62 in Nichols,
NY.
Groundbreaking at Tioga Downs
November 18, 2013 - Groundbreaking ceremony at Tioga Downs for a new, 275-space parking garage.