Here are some of the best - and worst - of the week:
BEST
MUSIC AND WINE - This year, The Guess Who will be the headlining guest at America's Grape Country Wine Festival Aug. 11 and 12. The festival will be held at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds. The Guess Who has been in the music business for 40 years and had many hits, including "These Eyes," "American Woman" and "Share the land." Opening for the band will be Dunkirk/Fredonia's own Sean Patrick McGraw. Tickets are on sale now. It will be a fun time for sure!
REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL PROGRESS - We don't know if it will happen or not, but we want to applaud state Sen. Cathy Young and Assemblyman Andy Goodell for continuing to push for a bill that would allow for a regional high school. Even though Brocton and Westfield are talking more about merging, that shouldn't end a discussion for a regional high school. But before a regional high school can be evaluated, the state needs to make it so it's a possibility.
SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES - There are some new and returning faces to our area school boards. Unlike our cities, towns and villages, school board officials do not receive pay for what they do. They also are under the microscope to cut costs where ever possible, yet make sure our schools are giving quality education. We wish all the new candidates good luck in their endeavors and hope they will remember the people who elected them as well as the children they will now help educate.
SADNESS
UNTIMELY DEATH - John "Jack" Dillenburg, 73, lost his life earlier this week when his van collided with a tractor trailer. Dillenburg had previously been the mayor of Forestville, a county legislator, the clerk of the county legislature and the supervisor of Arkwright. A committed Democrat, he worked tirelessly for his party throughout the years. He was also willing to take on state issues if he felt things were unfair. In 2006, when Dillenburg was suing New York state for payments in lieu of taxes on state-owned land, it was a David vs. Goliath-type of event, which he won the first round. We know death is inevitable for all, but when it ends so suddenly, it makes it that much more painful.
