Here are some of the best - and worst - of the week:
BEST
SANTA'S HELPERS - We want to applaud both the Highway Superintendent Association and the area veterans clubs that donated toys to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots annual drive. Both these groups are making sure that families, who are having a difficult time this year, will have plenty under their tree come Dec. 25.
JOINING THE METS - Fredonia resident Marc Tramuta, who has been the National Crosschecker for the Toronto Blue Jays, has become the Assistant Scouting Director for the New York Mets. Under his new responsibilities, he will be involved in the Major League Baseball's draft, which takes place in June. Tramuta says in the four months up to the draft, he'll be flying from city-to-city daily, evaluating potential players. We wish him good luck in his new endeavors.
TEACHER'S BIRTHDAY - Although her birthday was earlier in the fall, we want to recognize Edna Kofoed, who recently celebrated her 102nd birthday and was featured in this past week's Senior Scene. Ms. Kofoed was Ripley Central School's first kindergarten teacher. Her first teaching assignment was at the one room School Number 11 in Volusia where she taught grades one through eight from 1933 through 1941. In 1943 she started Ripley's first kindergarten class in the old Union School on Ross Street.
WORST
FORGETTING THE IMPORTANT - How many times have we complained that we don't have enough time to finish our Christmas shopping, we don't have enough money to upgrade our cell phones, the weather's too cold or too warm, we have to work overtime when we wish we didn't have to. And then we look at Connecticut's school shooting and realize just how blessed we are. This weekend, hug your children, say hi to your neighbors, call your parents and tell them you love them. These are things we take for granted.
