Highs and lows: Some of the best, worst of the week
Here are some of the best – and worst – of the week:
BEST
CVCS MUSICAL – Congratulations to the Cassadaga Valley School District for its rendition of “The Wizard of Oz.” We want to highlight this year’s show for two reasons. First, it was probably the largest cast the school has ever had with 80 students on stage alone (not counting the pit band or the stage crew). The second reason is this was the first musical production by Melissa Beichner and Nicole Zenns at Cassadaga Valley. The two replaced Joe Braeger and John Cross, who both retired last year. It’s not easy following teaching legends like that, but the two new teachers, along with the many parents, volunteers and students, did an amazing job. Twelve years ago Beichner was a student on that same stage under Braeger. Today she is the director at her alma mater.
PAW PATROL BIRTHDAY – Most boys turning 4 years old want some toys or video games. But for Skyler Novaro of Silver Creek, he had friends bring gifts for the needy dogs and cats at Lakeshore Humane Society for his Paw Patrol birthday party. That’s one generous boy. We also compliment his grandmother who is raising him to think of others, including animals, first.
MEALS ON WHEELS – On Monday, County Executive Vince Horrigan visited the Dunkirk/Fredonia Meals On Wheels as part of Community Champions Week. He noted about 200,000 meals were served over the past year in Chautauqua County alone. That would not be possible if it weren’t for the many volunteers who patiently go out every day, delivering meals to people who often can’t make their food. We applaud the volunteers who, year in and year out, make sure that seniors and others are eating healthy, nutritious meals. They are Community Champions!
WORST
TWO WEEK BREAK – On this page earlier this month we complimented the Pine Valley School District for its decision to follow the BOCES master calendar. We noted that it is in the best interest of the students and could create more shared opportunities if all schools followed that calendar. Now Fredonia, which currently has a split break, is considering going to a two-week break next year. The reason? It’s what the Fredonia Teachers Association wants. School board members should reject this request. It’s not what’s best for students, particularly those enrolled in the BOCES program. It’s only best for teachers.
Highs and lows: Some of the best, worst of the week
Here are some of the best – and worst – of the week:
BEST
BOWLING FUN – Last weekend was the qualifying tournament for “Beat the Champ.” The weekly bowling competition airs every Saturday at 4 p.m., with an encore Sunday at 11 p.m. on WBBZ-TV, showcasing the best bowlers in Western New York who qualify to compete. Last weekend was a qualifying tournament at Lucky Lanes in Fredonia. A qualifier for high school bowlers will take place Sunday at noon, 2 and 4 p.m. for a chance for students to be on the “High School Challenge” edition of “Beat the Champ.” The top four bowlers will make the show. Air dates have not been announced, but we know there are plenty of people who will be tuning it when the show is broadcast. We’re glad that “Beat the Champ” has returned to the local area.
OPERA HOUSE FILMING – March 10-11, Fredonia native and up-and-coming country music star Ruthie Collins was at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House, filming for her new music video “Dear Dolly.” On the night of March 11, Collins opened the doors for the public to come in and help her film the video. The Opera House was jam-packed, with lines out the doors. After about an hour of filming, Collins rewarded those in attendance with a free concert. It was a magical night. If you want to see a short clip of Collins making the music video, go to the OBSERVER’s Twitter feed (@TheObserverNY). CMT has already told her they want to debut the video when it’s finished. We look forward to seeing it!
SLUSH RUSH – 5k races are popular in our area, but not so much in March. But that didn’t stop more than 200 people from turning out to compete in the annual Slush Rush on Sunday at SUNY Fredonia. The event is in memory of Xylia Peterson, an international student who graduated from the college, worked as a secretary for the Fredonia Vice President of Administration but later died in an automobile accident. The event raised $1,500 which goes toward a scholarship in her memory. We applaud all those who donated and participated in this year’s run.
WORST
OPEN RECORDS EXEMPTION – As part of national Sunshine Week, the annual celebration of access to public information, The Associated Press filed freedom of information requests with the New York Legislature’s top four leaders, asking them to disclose their schedules and emails from Feb. 1-7. Both Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate and Assembly declined to disclose their schedules and emails, citing rules that don’t require it. These items should be public record. That’s what freedom of information is all about.
Highs and lows: Some of the best, worst of the week
Here are some of the best – and worst – of the week:
BEST
AT THE RACES – Congratula-tions to Dunkirk’s Lucas Hallick, Chris Michalski, Mike Deland and Jose Morales. The quartet finished fifth in the boys 4×400-meter relay event last weekend at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s Indoor Track and Field Championships at Cornell University. And to top it off, Morales today will make school history as he becomes the first Marauder to compete at the New Balance Indoor Track and Field National Championship Meet today in New York City. Good luck to him!
BUSINESS HONORS – Congr-atulations goes out to Charles St. George. St. George, who recently retired from St. George Realty, was honored this past week by the student-run Business Club at SUNY Fredonia by being selected the Business Person of the Year. St. George spent 61 years in the realty business. He’s also done a lot of volunteering in the community and was previously mayor of Fredonia. It was a good choice by the Business Club.
STRONG ADVOCATE – This past week, 12-year-old Willow Daly-Griffen of South Dayton was in Washington, D.C. But it wasn’t just to see the national monuments. Willow was selected by the Tourette’s Association of America to be part of the Youth Ambassador Program for the Ninth Annual National Advocacy Day, which ran Tuesday to Thursday. Willow has Tourette Syndrome, sometimes referred to as a Tic Disorder. “I want to show the world who I am deep inside and not have people just notice my tics and not taking me for who I am,” she said. Willow added that she will continue to advocate for other youth with tics.
WORST
ON THIN ICE – On Tuesday, March 8, temperatures reached 62 degrees in Western New York. That’s a pretty remarkable high in early March. But apparently some die-hard fisherman thought it was still cold enough to go ice fishing. Volunteer firefighters were called to Chautauqua Lake after one fisherman fell though the ice and another was stranded. Ice fishing is a great sport when it’s cold out. But don’t go fishing when it warms up. You’re not only putting your own life at risk, you’re risking the lives of volunteers who have to go rescue you.
Highs and lows: Some of the best, worst of the week
BEST
STOCKTON’S STAR – On Sunday, WKBW (channel 7) will broadcast the 54th annual Variety Kids Telethon from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. One of this year’s celebrity children is 9-year-old Morgan DeGolier of Stockton. Two years ago it was discovered Morgan had Ewing’s Sarcoma, a small round blue cell tumor. It is a rare disease in which cancer cells are found in the bone or in soft tissue. Today she is cancer-free, but is still receiving treatments at the Women and Children’s Hospital. Tune in Sunday to hear more of Morgan’s story as well as those of other children who are battling various childhood diseases. And if you are able, consider donating to the telethon, which helps support a number of area organizations.
BASKETBALL SEASON – Congratulations goes out to the Fredonia Hillbilly boys basketball team for winning the Section 6 Class B-2 title. The team fell three days later for the class B title to Olean, but it was still a good season. We also congratulate other area teams who came close in winning titles, including the Fredonia Hillbilly girls who lost in the B-2 finals, the Silver Creek Black Knights boys who lost in the C-2 finals and the Chautauqua Lake Thunderbirds boys who lost in the C-1 finals.
WRESTLING UP – Congratulations to Fredonia wrestlers Dakota and Dalton Gardner. Dakota, a senior, came in second place while his younger brother Dalton, an eighth grader, placed fifth. Fredonia Central School has a long history of wrestlers who have made it to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association wrestling championships. The Gardner boys represented their school well.
WORST
TAKE AWAY HIS GUN – Steven Scroger, 29, of Concord, is accused of shooting his 4- and 6-year-old stepchildren with a BB gun as a “punishment.” The same day that was reported, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced she was pushing legislation to ban guns from domestic abusers. If Scroger is found guilty, he should be banned from owning all firearms, including BB guns. We are strong believers in the Second Amendment, but anyone who intentionally shoots a child should lose that right.