Here are some of the best - and worst - of the week:
BEST
FORESTVILLE FALL FESTIVAL - Mother Nature may not be cooperating, but this weekend people in Forestville will be out in full force to celebrate the annual Fall Festival. You can come for breakfast with pancakes served from 8 a.m. until noon at the Forestville Methodist Church; or for lunch or dinner, with a pork dinner served at St. Rose Lima Church from noon to 6 p.m. There will be a cupcake contest at 12:30 p.m. with judging at 2 p.m. and the auction at 3 p.m. Don't forget about the meat raffle at the J. Carter Knapp American Legion beginning at 7:30 p.m. Sunday will be a chicken barbecue at noon and the parade at 1 p.m. For children, there will be pumpkin painting, face painting, corn hunt and many other activities.
AWARD WINNERS - Congratulations to OBSERVER Lifestyles Editor April Diodato and Sports Editor Craig Harvey. Both placed in this year's New York State Associated Press Assocation's annual writing contest. Diodato won second place in the entertainment category for her article "The show must go on," a preview of Joan Rivers' visit to the Lucille Ball Festival. Harvey won third place in the sports writing category for his article "Nobles wins 500th game" regarding Pine Valley girls basketball coach Tim Nobles' historic victory. This was the first time Harvey won an AP award, while it was the second award for Diodato. Last year, Diodato won third place in the features category for the article "Ghost stories" which examined possible ghosts at the Dunkirk Lighthouse. We are proud of both of their accomplishments.
FORESTVILLE SUPERINTENDENT - We wish good luck to outgoing Forestville Superintendent John O'Connor in his new position as the Erie 2 Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES assistant superintendent for management services and we also welcome new Superintendent Charles Leichner, who was the middle/high school principal at Forestville. Forestville, like many schools, needs to look at changes in order to stay viable. About seven or eight years ago, Forestville rebuffed efforts from Fredonia about becoming a consolidated district. Perhaps the time has come to revisit it.
WORST
BILLS BLOWOUT - Sunday the Buffalo Bills lost to the New England Patriots 52-28. It was a loss like many over the years. But this year was supposed to be different. This year the Bills had a much improved defense with free agent signing Mario Williams and top three draft pick Marcell Dareus. They've even got Dave Wannstedt, former head coach of the Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears, serving as defensive coordinator. And yet with all that going for them, they gave up the most points ever in a half. This week, they're facing the San Francisco 49ers, who many believe are the best team in the NFC. Just remember, the Bills haven't made the post season since Fredonia was their home for training camp. Coincidence? You decide.
