In November 1997, we were involved in an accident on an icy road in Apalachin. A young State Trooper responded to the call. He was a courteous, concerned and helpful young man. Truly a credit to his profession.

Your volunteer fire department was on the scene also and they were wonderful and helpful also. They checked everyone out to make sure that no one was seriously injured and also gave out some helpful advice.

Beck's Tioga Towing towed our vehicle and we thought we were very fortunate in having such an honest and thoughtful man (John Beck). Not all people are in business just for the sake of making money. We found him to be honest and willing to do anything possible to help us feel at ease.

I would like everyone to know that we were blessed with three of a kind -- all aces! Our thanks and eternal gratitude to all who took part in helping at the scene of the accident.

The following e-mail was sent to the Newark Valley Historical Society in November 1997. The community of Readstown, Wisconsin is celebrating their 150th anniversary. The community was founded by residents of Tioga County and anyone who can prove that they have a family tie to these individuals will be given the royal treatment. The Newark Valley Historical Society is doing what it can to assist.

My name is John H. Sime. I tend to be a local historian in Readstown, Wisconsin. Tioga County has been of great interest to me for years. Readstown was founded in 1848 by Daniel Read, who was born in Tioga County in 1789. That's about all I know about him. His father was named Daniel Read as well and is mentioned in a history of Tioga County which our local historical society bought. I did some research on the 1840 census of Tioga County and the family seems to have been located around Candor. Also, a family named Bliss was quite prominent in starting this place as were families by the names of Hale, Holcombe, Kellogg. I found all these names in the 1840 Tioga Census. The names are still extant here.

Anyway, 1998 is the 150th anniversary of Wisconsin and of Readstown. We are looking for anyone who is (or maybe thinks he/she is) a relative of Daniel Read or the Blisses or anybody who helped found Readstown. We are going to have a big festival, and such a person could be our guest of honor. We would put them up and feed them and parade them at the ceremony. Ask around. We are serious. The big ceremony will be Labor Day, 1998.

'The Apalachin Lions Club would like to thank the following groups for their participation in our Christmas Basket Program.

Boy Scout Troops 43 and 32, Girl Scout Troop 195, and Cub Scout Packs 43 and 32 for their door to door collection of toys and food .

The Apalachin Elementary School (AES) November - December Cross level for coordination of the AES food drive and the student body for their donations of food and toys.

The special efforts of teachers and students of the Tioga Hills Elementary

School to help the Apalachin Lions Club collect toys and food.

The Apalachin Post Office for their food collection from the entire Apalachin area.

Giant Markets on Main St. ,Vestal for giving us a great deal on turkeys.

Principal Bill Motsko and AES for providing a storage facility for the food.

The AES Teachers and Staff for providing new gifts for the teenagers on our list.

The Apalachin Lions who provided new gifts for children on our list.

St. Margaret Mary's Church for providing a storage and wrapping facility for an entire week before delivery.

Brownie Troop 480 for their help in sorting toys.

Mrs. Gina Williams for giving a large number of candy bars and washing many of the stuffed toys that were donated.

Vestal Elks Lodge #2508 and F.S. Lopke Construction, the Apalachin Postal Carriers, and three anonymous donors for donating over $1000 toward turkeys and other expenses for the Christmas Basket Program.

Girl Scout Service Unit 610 of the Tioga Hills Elementary School for providing new winter hats and mittens.

All of the Lions members and wives who collected, wrapped, sorted, boxed, donated and delivered 70 baskets to needy families in the Apalachin Area.