Here are some of the best - and worst - of the week:
BEST
RUNNING SIDE BY SIDE - The Silver Creek Central School District has approved another sports sharing agreement with an area school. The Silver Creek girls and boys track team was approved to partner with the Forestville Central School District. This is because there's not enough students at either school to have competitive teams. Sounds like they're headed in the right direction.
FIGHTING CANCER - Recently, the Chautauqua Lake Central School District held a homecoming pep rally where CLCS secondary principal Josh Liddell had his head shaved by student Aili Makuch. Makuch has lost of her hair as a result of her battle with pediatric cancer. Meanwhile, the student body raised $2,700 for the family to help with expenses. This is one homecoming rally the students will always remember!
BROOKS ER - Brooks Memorial Hospital will soon have new leadership for its emergency room. Currently, FDR Medical Services manages the emergency room, but the company has decided to end its contract. Because of this, starting Oct. 29, Professional Emergency Services (PES), under the leadership of CEO Dr. Mark Pundt, MD, and Medical Director Dr. David Janicke, MD PhD will assume responsibility for the management of the emergency department. PES also manages the emergency department at Lake Shore Health Care Center in Irving as well as the physicians assistants at Gowanda Urgent Care. We salute FDR for their hard work, but look forward to PES serving in Dunkirk.
WORST
APPLE CROP - If you've purchased apple cider this fall, you might have felt a bit of sticker shock. Apple cider is quite pricey compared to previous years. If you wanted to go apple picking, it was next to impossible to find some places locally. The warm March followed by the April frost killed off nearly all apple buds in our area. Jane Falcone of Falcone Farms in Forestville stated the farm they own has never had this few apples in the past 50 years. We knew this would be the case all summer long. But knowing it doesn't make it any easier. Homemade apple pie, apple sauce and fresh pressed cider are some of the best things about the fall. Hopefully next year will be better. And the wait will make the apples that much tastier next year.
