Society presents living history

Creating Footsteps Between the Past and the Present, a living history program will be presented by the Montezuma Historical Society at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 23, at the Historic Mentz Church.

Guest speaker will be Gary Bell from Michigan giving a talk on his family, early settlers of the area, who helped establish and build the church. Rodney Jones, also from Michigan, will be demonstrating how the church was timber-frame constructed. Guitarist Dave Bell from Ohio will round out the program with some old- time country church favorites.

A dish to pass dinner will be served following the program on the church lawn. Barbecue chicken will be available for $5 per person. The public is invited to attend; the church is located at Mentz Church and McDonald roads off Route 31 between Port Byron and Montezuma.

For more information, contact Cheryl Longyear at 776-8632.

Youth Theater prepares for tour

Merry-Go-Round Playhouse is gearing up for its Summer Youth Tour, which performs at churches, parks, libraries, civic and senior centers throughout Auburn, Cayuga County and across central New York.

This year#'s production, sponsored by First Niagara, is “The Commedia Princess and the Pea” by Lane Riosley. The 2006 tour will debut July 13 at the Thousand Island's Park Library and continue with performances through Aug. 9.

Komarisky exhibit at Chamber

Paintings by Elizabeth Komarisky will be on display at the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce during July and August. The vibrant exhibit, featuring mostly watercolors, can be seen at from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, at 36 South St.

Komarisky was born in Auburn and was educated by Prof. Walter K. Long, Mildred Haight, George Kimik and Robert Hoffman. She graduated from Auburn Community College in 1969.

Komarisky taught at the Cayuga Museum of History and Art and at Holy Family School. She moved to Florida and taught at Indian River Community College as an adjunct professor of art for 20 years. She maintained a studio-art gallery in Vero Beach, Fla. Since recently returning to Auburn, the artist has focused on water colors of the local landscape, as well as pet studies, florals and still lifes.

Artists or groups interested in exhibiting at the Chamber of Commerce may call 253-5288 or 252-7291.

Ride for the Red Cross next month

Fire up your motorcycle and join the Ride for the Red on Saturday, Aug. 12. The 80-mile tour hosted by the Cayuga County Chapter of the American Red Cross, begins at NYSEG, Veterans Memorial Highway, near Route 5 and 20 with registration at 10:30 a.m. The ride finishes at the Polish Falcons in Washington Street, Auburn, for a chicken barbecue, entertainment, legal beverages, raffles and door prizes. The Fest at the Nest is indoors and open to the public.

Cost per rider is $25 and passengers are $20. Both fees include a barbecue dinner and special gift from the Red Cross. Pre-registration is preferred. Contact the Cayuga County Chapter at 252-9596 or chapter@ccredcross.org.

All proceeds for the event will benefit the disaster services of the chapter.

- From staff reports