Friday Oct. 16 6-10p.m. at Darien Lake Theme Park you can experience the "spooky" side of the park. Open Sat. noon-10p.m. and Sun. noon-8 p.m.

Friday night Bingo at St. Mary's Church. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. game begins at 7:30 p.m. Split pots, progressive pot, raffles and food available. All proceeds benefit the children of St. Joseph School.

Friday night there is a Ghost Walk at the Engine House in Batavia. Learn about Batavia's dark side. Guided tours led by cloaked guides with laterns. There are two tours, 8 p.m. and 8:30 pm. Reservations required. The cost is $10-20. Call 585-344-2550 ext. 2613

Saturday there is a Halloween Candlelight Cemetery Tour at the Batavia Cemetery. Cost is $10-20. For more information call, 585- 343-0248

Saturday is the Holiday Hollow Halloween and Pirate Festival in Corfu from 11-5p.m. Click here for more info.

Saturday the 10th annual GCASA Awards ceremony is being held at the Holiday Inn at 6:30 pm. Cost is $30.

Sunday at the Stewart Steiner Theater, "Colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf" by Ntozake Shange will be showing at 7:30 pm. Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for students, GCC Faculty and senior citizens $3.

This morning I heard the news of the new open burn policy effective Oct. 14. Here is the link from the DEC Web site regarding the new regulations.

What do you think about the new policies?

Here is the press release

Saturday October 17 at St. James Episcopal Church, 405 E. Main St.  there will be a Pasta Dinner to benefit Ray Patnode, Jr. Donations will help defray medical and prescription expenses for a Heart Transplant.

The dinner is from 5-7 p.m. Take-outs are available. There will be a 50/50 raffle and Chinese Auction. 

Tickets are available in advance by contacting Chris Ryon, 585-905-1411 or 585-742-2071. If you would like to send donations please contact Chris.

Saturday evening at the Oakfield-Alabama High School, the late 1st. Lt. Harmon J. Norton, Dr. Kenneth Bradt, Dr. Robert B. Diasio and Donald R. Carroll were inducted into the O-A Hall of Fame.

The Hornets' gymnasium was filled with about 100 friends and family of the inductees.

O-A students, Jennie Beverly, Leah Snyder, and Ashley Colopy introduced each inductee with a short bio. Wess Audsley, CEO/Director of the Genesee/Wyoming YMCA introduced Donald Carroll.

First Lt. Norton’s grandson, Harmon Norton accepted the award on behalf of his grandfather. He came all the way from Texas because of a quick Google search on his grandfather's name. 

He said the first thing that came up was the article from The Batavian. Once he started reading, he realized it was about his grandfather. He contacted Joe Cassidy, the Oakfield Town Historian, and arranged for a visit.

It seems as though he's been following his grandfather around, from enjoying the same hobby of airplanes and piloting, to being where, a 100 years earlier, his grandfather grew up -- in Oakfield. He thanked The Batavian for its story.

"Without your article, I would not be here today.”

When Dr. Bradt came to the podium, he not only got the audience laughing but enlightened us about the impact others have on your life and decisions. He started with a joke about making just a few notes for his speech while pulling out paper upon paper. Then he joked about his popularity with his female classmates, but sweetly gave the credit for his happiness to his wife of 62 years, Thelma.

He ended his speech challenging the audience to give some thought to the people who have made a difference in your life and to tell them how they influenced you.

Dr. Diasio was unable to attend the event. His classmate, Jan Witkowski,  who accepted the award for Diasio, said “We all knew Bob was destined for great things. We called him Doc from the very beginning.”

YMCA official Audsley shared memories of  Carroll and the struggles Carroll had as a child.

“He will do just about anything for people looking for help,” said Audsley. He said Carroll’s drive to help others is so they don’t have to go through what he went through.

The picture above is of previous and new inducted members. Below are this year's inductees by themselves.

The audience stood up as Carroll walked up to the podium with tears of gratitude flowing down his cheeks.

I got goose bumps. The moment seemed magical.

I felt hopeful and strenghtened as I listened to comments about Carroll's community contributions, and knowing all the inductees -- past and present -- have given above and beyond for others.

My husband even felt uplifted. The ceremony made me realize that people don't remember the material things as much as they do the moments spent with those they really care about.

Danielle Eckert 22, of Batavia, has volunteered more than 500 hours in Genesee County and the number keeps rising.

Batavia High School gave Eckert a scholarship for college based on good character, commitment and community service. Today she has been nominated by her employer, Target, as "Best in Community." One nominee out of each Target district will be chosen to visit the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Tennesee.

"I was shocked because I didn't even know about this program," Eckert said, "but I was extremely happy and thankful."

She hopes she is selected so she can change the life of a child.

Her love for helping others started when she was in fourth grade. She helped out at a game night at Robert Morris Elementary.

"I just remember really enjoying helping other kids and getting to meet a lot of new people. It made me want to keep volunteering."

Eckert has a special place in her heart for volunteering and said it comes from her mother.

"In sixth grade I started doing the Walk for Juvenile Diabetes because my mother suffered from it. When she died, I was in seventh grade and I knew that I really wanted to continue doing what I could. It was sort of a remembrance for her, and it just grew from there."

While she maintains a busy schedule juggling work and events, she also makes time for her church, The Pentecostals of Genesee: United Pentecostal Church, in Batavia.

"The most important thing I gain is knowing I've made other people happy."

She is currently working on a talent show through Target to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy.

"It's still in the works and (needs) a lot of ironing out."

Volunteering isn't just about the rewarding experience for yourself, but also the effect it leaves on those you help.

" I remember one time when I was at work, a child around 10 ran up to me and asked, 'Do you remember me? You were the person in charge of my group at church.' She reassured me how much fun she had and (said) she was hoping to come back and work with me again. It's a nice reward when people remember you and look forward to seeing you at another event."

Eckert believes everyone should volunteer at least once in their lifetime. She said although she may be young, it seems everyone in general is too consumed with themselves.

"I've noticed people don't even really smile at each other or appreciate others. I think it's good to work together in a group, get to know people in your community, and help others."

She has a passion for art as well and is working on starting an art club with kids in second to fifth grade.

Here is a glimpse of some of the events she has volunteered for: YMCA Healthy Kids Days; Jackson School's Breakfast with Santa; Quiznos Subs; Children's Christmas event; craft fairs; Christmas in the City; National Night Out, Genesee County Fair; juvenile diabetes; Light of Hope (cancer support); fundraisers for troops/military support; and various church events

Disclosure: Tasia Boland is employed by Target.

There's a new enterprise in the former Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co.'s distribution site in Batavia, which was based in the Crickler Business Building. SolarX now occupies this property, located at 319 W. Main St., as its primary distribution center.

SolarX sunglasses and ornaments are sold in mall kiosks nationwide.

Ben Mancuso, managing director at Chas. Mancuso & Son, Inc., represented both sides of the transaction.

"We have repositioned the facitily as a full-service business center," Mancuso said, "since the transition we have signed deals (with) 35,000 ft. of warehouse/distribution space and 4,000 ft. of executive office suites.

Tenants share a receptionist, conference rooms and lunch rooms. Given the current climate, we are pleased with the activity and very happy to have SolarX operating in Western New York."

When people have a strong motivation that drives them to devote all their time and effort to something worthwhile, they are bound to find happiness; at least this is the case for Batavia resident Donald R. Carroll, who has spent countless hours helping local youth.

He is one of four inductees for the Oakfield-Alabama High School Hall of Fame ceremony, which takes place the first weekend in October.

For the last 35 years, Carroll has lived by his motto, “Pay it forward.” He graduated from Oakfield-Alabama Central School in 1974. Instead of following the trend of going off to college after getting his diploma, Carroll decided to join the workforce and focus on his passion for helping less fortunate children.

For his first organized project, he partnered with the Genesee/Wyoming YMCA to raise money to send kids to camp. The fundraiser was successful for 23 years.

Erik Fix, branch director of the Genesee/Wyoming YMCA said Carroll has collaborated with the organization over the years on many different occasions. Fix said most recently they have combined efforts on Don’s Secret Santa fundraiser to give gifts to children at Christmas time.

This fundraiser started because Carroll wanted to ensure every underprivileged child he was aware of was not disappointed on Christmas morning. This project has recently been expanded to provide grade school kids with supplies for school and winter coats.

Shortly after the camp fundraiser, Carroll switched his focus to helping students with college expenses. He started a 5k and 10k run in Batavia that ended in 2005 to support the Genesee Community College Foundation.

In 1997 he was named Geneseean of the Year (A person who has made an outstanding contribution to the community, contributed or volunteered beyond the call of duty and who is a resident of Genesee County) by the Chamber of Commerce.

Donald R. Carroll, the quiet, shy orphan who by chance grew up in Oakfield, NY, has become a true “Guardian Angel” of the less fortunate children of Genesee County.

Donald credits his success to having grown up in Oakfield and attending OACS where one individual in particular took a special interest in him. Donald will always be indebted to Coach Bill Burns for guiding him in high school, and getting him his first job as a counselor at YMCA Camp Hough. Coach Burns taught him by example about lending a hand, "paying it forward."

OA Alumni HOF dinner details: 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 3. at OA Middle High School. Tickets are $17. How to get tickets:

• 1. Write your check to "Dollars for Scholars"
• 2. Put "Hall of Fame" in the memo area
• 3. Mail check to -- Hall of Fame Treasurer, OACS, 7001 Lewiston Road, Oakfield,  NY 14125

Sometimes we get so caught up in our everyday tasks, we tend to forget those who've helped create the life Americans enjoy.

Like the late 1st Lt. Harmon J. Norton, for example, who served his nation admirably during the Great War.

He graduated in 1913 from Oakfield-Alabama High School and served in the Marine Corps. He was widely regarded as one of the best fliers in America. Joe Cassidy, the Town of Alabama historian, will be representing Norton at the O-A Hall of Fame induction ceremony at 5 p.m. Oct. 3.

After graduating high school, Norton studied law at the Detroit College of Law. For two years during college he was a clerk for the New York State Legislature and the Constitutional Convention of New York State. In 1916, he joined the military and two years later he was appointed as an officer in the air branch of the Marine Corps.

During World War I, Norton served as a flying instructor at various air bases throughout the country.

The lieutenant was known as an able and skilled aviator, an "ace" famous among his fellow officers and aviation enthusiasts.

Along with piloting planes, Norton also represented defendants in court martial trials. His success in court had him traveling to different parts of the country to defend men facing court martial.

In 1923, his focus was back on aviation. He was appointed to command a newly established land airplane squadron at Pensacola, Fla.

Captain J.J. Raby, Navy Commandant at the time, described Norton as a pilot of long experience and sure ability especially in landing planes. Raby also noted him as an exceptional all-around officer particularly valuable to aviation.

Norton became the aviation liaision officer in the Marine Corps of the expeditionary forces. This position is responsible for handling all matters between the force and its flying section. His skill at making short trips quickly and manipulating safe landings on hazardous fields were the primary reasons he was selected for the job.

Norton was going to compete in the Schneider Trophy, a prize competition for seaplanes. But he died in 1926 when a military plane he was testing crashed into the Potomac River.

Norton's grandson, who lives in Texas, and granddaughter, who lives in Florida, plan to attend the ceremony.

Kenneth Bradt, Ph.D, is one of four inductees for the Oakfield-Alabama High School Hall of Fame ceremony the first weekend in October.

They will be introduced to students at a pep rally Oct. 2 and recognized publicly at that night's football game.

The Hall of Fame honors will take place Oct. 3 at the O-A Middle-High School. Dinner begins at 5 p.m. with the ceremony following.

Bradt has had an illustrious career. To prepare for it, he attended Syracuse University with an interest in chemistry but found he was more intrigued by people’s decisions and behaviors. He quickly switched his major and earned his bachelor's and master’s degrees in psychology.

In 1951, he earned his doctorate in psychology at Illinois' Northwestern University.

After getting his education, Bradt achieved the rank of first lieutenant in the Army Medical Service. He served as chief clinical psychologist at the Army Hospital at Camp Atterbury, Ind., and later became a research psychologist with the Department of Defense in Washington, D.C..

During the '70s Bradt counseled CIA employees coping with unfamiliar, unpredictable and potentially dangerous situations. For his work, he received the Intelligence Medal of Merit from the CIA director for outstanding contributions to agency management.

For 21 years, Bradt shared his knowledge and wisdom with students at George Washington University, the University of Virginia and George Mason University.

In 1981, he was teaching at George Mason University and originated one of the first graduate-level courses in organizational leadership in the country.

In 2004, he was elected Fellow in the American Psychological Association in recognition of outstanding and unusual contributions to the science and profession of psychology. 

The other inductees are Dr. Robert Disasio, Donald Carroll and 1st. Lt. Harmon J. Norton, who will be represented by Joe Cassidy, the Town of Alabama historian. Some previous inductees will also be attending.

Tickets go on sale in late August at the school’s main office or from committee members. The public is welcome.

Dr. Robert B. Diasio continues to make an everlasting footprint in the medical field. He has traveled all over the United States sharing his knowledge and passion in medicine and pharmacology. But his education started here in Genesee County where he graduated from Oakfield-Alabama as valedictorian in 1963.

Since then he has received recognition from colleges and major medical centers and was selected twice as "Best Doctor in America." And the recognition keeps on coming. On Oct. 3 at Oakfield-Alabama Middle School he will be one of four inductees attending the O-A High School Hall of Fame ceremony.

His passion may have come from his parents, Joseph and Clara Diasio, who were longtime physicians in Oakfield.

After high school he ventured on to receive his B.A. from the University of Rochester and an M.D. from Yale University School of Medicine in 1971.

Then he came back home to do internal training at Strong Memorial Hospital. He was a Fellow in Medical Oncology and in Clinical Pharmacology at the National Cancer Institute. For eight years he was a professor at the University of Alabama School of Medicine and was also the Newman H. Waters Chair and director of clinical pharmacology.

He has published more than 200 manuscripts, written reviews and has contributed chapters in several major medical textbooks.

He is the Director of the Mayo Clinic Center in Minnesota and holds the positions of William J. and Charles H. Mayo Endowed Professor as well as Consultant and Professor of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. His work at the center includes research on pharmacogenetics/pharmacogenomics as applied to cancer therapeutic agents. His lab is now beginning to expand into other cancer therapeutic agents and other neoplasms.

Check back tomorrow for a closer look into Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Kenneth Bradt.

The large corner desk was covered with at least 10 stacks of paper. But Pamela Buresch doesn't panic at the sight or the cluttered book shelves or the memo board tacked over with stuff.

As administrator of student assessment and data analysis for the Batavia City School District, she's responsible for oodles of projects linked to these paper trails. And she says she knows what's in each pile.

"I love my job," she said with a warm smile and a calm, focused attitude.

These days, the lifelong educator is busy coordinating district and state assessment programs for pre-K through 12th grade. The work involves analyzing test scores, student results, state reporting and testing protocols. She also looks at data to determine where students did well or need further instruction.

State assessments are conducted each year in grades 3 to 12 to measure how well students are learning. There was testing in January and there will be more this month as well as in June and August.

When it comes to testing, Buresch analyzes each question. If students do poorly on a test she looks at all angles. How was the question worded? How much of this was covered in class? The answers help educators improve the tests.

Superintendent Margaret Puzio said student achievement data plays an increasingly important role in educational reform.

“Our new Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is known for using academic performance data to innovate," said the superintendent. "He closed down poor-performing schools in Chicago based on data and reopened them with new staff. For example, a doctor consults blood test results before treating a patient. In education, we need to know what students already know before we try to teach them.”

Buresch agreed.

“For us, it’s all about the learning,” Buresch said. “It’s all about using the data to help the students improve.”

New York now has so-called Value-added Growth Reporting. It asks administrators to examine each student individually instead of grouping them by grade or class.

When assessing a child's progress over time, they can compare, say, his or her progress in fourth grade to what it was in third.

The school report cards are published twice a year and are now available online. They are one tool in gauging abilities and achievement gaps when considering ethnicity, economic status, English proficiency and disabilities.

Over the years, each of Batavia’s schools have been named among the high-achieving, gap-closing schools.

Getting out and visiting these classrooms is something Buresch does eagerly. She says it reminds of her of the days when she was the principal of Batavia High School.

“I miss it,” she said about the daily interaction with students. “(But) it’s nice to still have an impact (as an administrator). ... I really love it, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else."

Andrea Bennion is a fourth grader at Jackson Elementary with a passion to get involved, and it influences her actions in and outside of school.

Her talents range from playing the flute in band, piano at home, earning awards in Girl Scouts, entering book competitions, swimming at GCC and soccer in the summer.

Bennion's mother Brenda was thrilled to find out her daughter was selected as a top scholar for The Batavian. You could see how proud she was by watching her expression as her daughter talked about all the activities she is involved in.

"She is an all around good girl," said Bennion's mother. "She is my energizer bunny, she keeps me going."

Bennion is a go-getter and is very humble in all she does. Piano is her favorite instrument to play and she hopes to one day learn to play the guitar like her father, Mike.

She loves all the projects assigned in fourth grade and is excited to attend middle school because her sister has told her many great things about it.

When Bennion isn't playing an instrument or competing in the Page Turners Competition, she can be found in the kitchen cooking omelets and pancakes, or if she isn't cooking  she munches her favorite foods: bacon or Chinese.

She loves reading The Tinkerbell series books because she enjoys getting to know all the different fairy characters.

In the summer she will be out on the soccer field hoping she doesn't see any snakes. Snakes are her greatest fear, and she would definitely scream if she saw one.

One day we could see Bennion being a kindergarten teacher or an artist. Which ever she picks she will go on to do great things, and will always be reminded of her mother's strengths, because her mother is her hero.

Be sure to check out the video of Bennion playing her piano.

When Ethan Thompson, resident of Oakfield, speaks to you, he moves you because he sees you. He looks right at you, and his words are strong like his eyes. After speaking with him you can tell his spirit is on fire for God.

How can I make my mark for God? Was a question that pushed forth his Web site youthinactionmag.com.

“Encouraging this generation to get in action,” is his drive and tagline for the site.

Thompson said the site is to encourage and give positive ideas for Christian teenagers.

Thompson went to the library once a week for a year, reading about how to build and manage your own Web site. He brings in his own income from selling things here and there on EBay.

“If I don’t make any money, then whatever,” said Thomas who continued by saying its more about the positive message he wants to send.

“I wanted to make a bigger difference in the world,” said Thompson, “I wanted to have an outlet to express my feelings and things.”

A year ago the site was basic HTML and Thompson decided to hire someone to design something new.

Thompson who enjoys web developing more than design said in a year from now the site will have more content, and more podcasting. He hopes to have a writer other than himself.

His parents are very supportive and help proofread and review the content of his articles. He gets their viewpoint and said it is always great to have different perspectives on an idea. Right now he is seeing about 50 visits a day and said when he has a new article posted the site gets much more attention.

“It’s an ever-changing process,” said Thompson, “You can never have a perfect Web site because technology is always changing.”

Thomas attended St. Paul’s and is now home-schooled. Thompson has the discipline to set aside time for his school work, and completely focus on it until it’s done

“I don’t have to worry about walking to the next class, or lunch, or study halls,” said Thompson, “Mine is all a study hall.” 

Thompson chooses to take a stand against the question he says society demands, “How can I be satisfied or entertained?”

He talked about the negative aspect to social networking like Facebook and Myspace saying the sites allow you to be someone who is viewed as cool. It doesn’t matter whether or not you as a person agree with who you are choosing to be online, because online you can be anyone.

He is very active in his youth group at Genesee Country Church. He also has his black belt and loves mountain bike riding.

He spends about 4-5 hours a day on the computer working on his site.

“Your mind thinks your working, but your not really working, your not doing anything physical,” said Thompson. So after 4 or 5 hours he will enjoy his quiet time reading the bible, or thinking about his favorite verse, Romans 3:23. The verse sets up everything he does. 

What makes Ethan so true to the meaning of Christianity is his spirit to encourage others, and he is doing this in a big way, with his own Web site.

Although he loves this experience, he said he doesn’t want to get into Web design in college.

“I would want to major in Marketing or Broadcasting,” said Thompson. He likes to do tech related things and commented that he isn’t even sure if college is for him because of the costs. But the almost 15-year-old already sees the truth of the world and is doing something to encourage others is something a college degree could never teach anyways.

This week at Starbucks in Target, here in Batavia, if you bring in your own coffee mug, whether it is Starbucks or not, you get a complimentary coffee April 18-24. It will be Pike's Roast which is a medium roast! This includes free refills also!

April 21, 3 p.m. at the Batavia High School Library The BHS School Improvement Team will have a meeting. SIT involves teachers, administration, and parents working together for the betterment of BHS.

Tonight at the administration building at 7 p.m. there is a Board of Education meeting for Batavia City Schools.

Today’s economic hardships are leaving thousands of Americans in fear of losing their job, house, and lifestyle. For some losing their job could cost their life.

Eric Boland, age 24 of Batavia, was temporarily laid off from a HVAC company in Buffalo last month. Boland’s first thought of course was financies, but not those of rent, food, etc. it is for a disease that demands hundreds of dollars of month, Type 1 diabetes.   

“It costs about $785 a month just for my supplies that I need every day,” said Boland. “Plus my doctor visits once a month, and an insulin pump on average, is $6,000.” Boland said he was ecstatic when he found out he would be receiving his full medical coverage, which makes living with diabetes slightly easier.

Michael DiBacco is a 14-year- old who speaks with an honest heart. He knows it takes a lot of responsibility to manage his homework, sports, band, and still make time to play Star Wars Lego video games. 

His parents Mike and Mary Beth welcomed me with warm smiles and grateful hearts.

Mary Beth said they were very excited when they heard their son was selected as an excellent student. She said it is nice to be recognized when you are working very hard.

Michael is a student at Batavia Middle School who strives for good grades and feels angry if he isn’t successful. He loves Social Studies and is excited to learn about the Revolutionary War in class.  After school he is busy playing his saxophone in band, cross-country, track, and loves swimming and hanging out with the boys for the Norte Dame swim team.

Although he is nervous about the workload for his AP classes in eighth grade, he is excited for high school and being able to be involved in even more.

Michael has a difficult choice in choosing either Notre Dame or Batavia High, and is disappointed in the fact that Batavia High does not have a formal swim team. His father, who just bought a tripod to film his son’s swim meets, wishes there was an actual swim team at Batavia High.

Down the road from now we might see Michael as a forensic scientist or an architect.

Last night citizens of LeRoy and surrounding towns flooded the Gymnasium at LeRoy Village Fitness to listen and voice their concerns on teenage alcohol abuse.

The community forum was scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m., but started ten minutes late because people continued to pile into the gym.

Pastor Jack Hempfling was the moderator and gave a big thank you to everyone for coming out.

In her introductory remarks, LeRoy Central Schools Superintendent Cindy Herzog, said it is all about perspective. We all come with many perspectives, we all wear different hats. She connected with the audience by sharing her own experiences.

She is a mother of five, ages 22, 20,16,14, and 13. She talked about a time when her teenage daughter was out one night and she received a phone call in the early morning hours from the police.

“When you get that phone call you can hardly breathe,” she said.

She talked about her husband always putting on the news in the morning, and the fear she feels every time they mention the teenage arrests.

“I fear every time on R News, it’s going to be one of our kids.”

David Markham, Executive Director of GCASA, tugged at the hearts of the listeners when he answered the question of “Why do I care?” He cares because he lost his 5- and 8-year-old, because of someone making a wrong choice. A drunken driver killed his children.

As he spoke he took the time to pause and let the audience reflect when he said today they would be 22 and 25.

He said we must focus on changing the community norms and attitudes, and decrease access.

Markham brought up a great point about the media reacting to the incident with Janet Jackson, at the Super Bowl. Everyone made a big deal about part of her breast being exposed, but there wasn’t anything wrong with the 22 beer commercials that were shown during the Super bowl.

Today teenagers have access at their fingertips; it is up to parents to decrease access.

Chris Hayward, LeRoy chief of police presented a slide show full of statistics showing the kids who are drinking the most are the age group 13-15.

The Village Police have seen a 131 percent increase in drug and alcohol related arrests since 2003. This is not including DWI arrests.

In 2008 the 13-21 year-old populations represented 53.5 percent of those arrests. Of those arrests the 13-18 year old population represented 73 percent.

On a national level 22.4 percent of eighth graders and fifty percent of seniors consumed alcohol in the last month from data from 2007.

There were 23 underage drinking incidents in LeRoy since May of 2008. One of the incidents in November was a 15-year-old was so drunk she couldn’t walk or stand up, so her friends just left her. Hayward gave praise for the parent who was out looking for their daughter, if they didn’t, who knows what might have happened.

Part of the message was parents must be responsible and get involved. They asked for places for teenagers to go. Seventy one percent of American youth say their parents are their leading influence.

Sixty percent of LeRoy students have used alcohol in their lifetime.

‘We have great kids,” said Hayward, “Some of our kids are making bad choices, choices that could result in death."

It is not about their character, he said, it’s about their choices.

Jackie Whiting, of LeRoy said she is all about the good choices but really pressed the panel with this question, “What are we going to do to offer better choices?” Now that the community is all here showing their concern what are the next steps to take was her main point.

Herzog responded by saying we are a big community that wants to do a lot of things, but the resources are not there. People in the audience were shaking their heads as soon as Herzog said we accept all ideas.

Ed Bishop, a parent who has spent 40 years in public education agreed there needs to be activities for the kids. He asked a powerful question about parenting.

“Most parents do not know,” he said referring to their child’s activities and whereabouts.
“Do you know?” he said.

One parent asked about the emphasis of arresting teenagers for marijuana. She works at Bryon-Bergen and said she knows kids are getting high before class in their cars.

“Pot is extremely accessible,” she said.

Hayward responded saying three weeks ago there was an arrest for possession of marijuana. He said it is a little bit tricky when it comes to making arrests with marijuana but there are arrests being made for it.

It takes a community to raise a child, one woman said and it took a community forum to realize the seriousness of preventing underage drinking in LeRoy.

The organizers gave everyone two folders full of statistics and pamphlets with advice and articles on underage drinking.

Also on the panel: Dana Berg, student, Ed Bishop, parent, Joe Englebert, Jr/Sr High Principal, Lisa Heywood, Parent, Father Michael Rock, St. Peter’s Church.

A note of interest, as I was walking to my car a couple were talking about the pool located in the Village Fitness, talking about how small it is. Then they went on to talk about how the community pool is getting taken away, and said, "Well now the kids won’t even have that."