Here are some of the best — and worst — of the week:

BEST

SERVING SOUP — For about the 18th year, hundreds of gallons of soup were dished out in homemade pottery bowls last weekend at the Clarion in Dunkirk. The bowls ranged from $5-$40. The profits were donated to local food banks. In 2016, about $32,000 was raised. It is believed about the same was raised this year. The soup is made by Erie 2 BOCES students from scratch and the bowls are made by local potters as well as students from area schools. This is a tremendous fundraiser. We applaud everyone who has helped out, including organizers, the students, the artists and those who have come year after year to support the cause.

400TH WIN — Congratulations goes out to Fredonia State’s Jeff Meredith. The hockey coach recorded his 400th win last weekend. He’s had a lot of wins, but more importantly, he’s mentored a lot of young people in and outside of the hockey rink. Not many schools can boast to having a coach for that long. Fredonia State is lucky to have him all these years.

SOLD — Adam Pirtz and Isaac Gratto of Cockaigne Development, LLC have officially purchased Cockaigne, which has been closed since 2011. It’s going to take them a full year to get the ski resort ready, so their goal is to be open for the 2018-2019 ski season. Cockaigne is a wonderful ski resort. It’s exciting to finally get the business back open. We wish them the best.

WORST

PEEBLES CLOSING — Another store in the Dunkirk area will soon be shutting its doors. Peebles, which has been in Dunkirk since 2007, announced this week it will close on Jan. 20. This is the second retail store in Dunkirk to announce its closing. JC Penney closed earlier this year. About ten people will be out of a job, unless they transfer within the company. It means one less place to shop, one less place to do business. They did not state it, but it’s likely they felt they weren’t making enough sales to stay open. We always encourage residents to shop locally to support our community. Perhaps some other retailers will look at this area and see an opportunity to set up shop with the closing of two businesses.