Thumbs up to the Unadilla Valley six graders, their social studies teacher, Lynn Greco, and “The Place.” They put on a magnificent and interesting display of culture and heritage at their “International Night” Tuesday evening. It was great to see kids so excited about learning their own history and the history of their classmates. The kids worked very hard and the community definitely made it worth while by coming out to support this event. The pride exuded from the student’s faces, and from their families, for a job well done. – MHM

Stereotypes. Everybody’s got them. Are they right? Who’s to say. It’s hard to overcome stereotypes when they are being followed. People from downstate have them about those who live upstate and vise versa, and before you know it, everyone’s being looked at in a way that may not be true. Especially with the issue of NYRI and the power lines, we need to show that we are not all uneducated country bumpkins who only have fun while cow tipping. We all really need to pay attention to our actions, especially in public, and be sure we’re not living up to another person’s stereotype. Let’s not make a bad name for all of those whom you represent. – NM

At the May informational meeting in Norwich with New York Regional Interconnect, a number of questions were dodged or simply ignored by project manager Bill May. Many inquiries from the audience about the company’s power line proposal were met with May’s blanket answer that “it will be in the Article VII application.” The application is in and there are surely limitless questions to come. Thumbs up to our state legislators who saw this situation brewing and called for a senate hearing that will force NYRI to answer to elected officials in a public forum. Kudos to the choice of venue as well, the Norwich High School. The problem needs to be addressed head-on where the most obvious show of resistance has been waged. Hopefully the 1,000 that came out in May will be back on the 15th, and with any luck, they will leave feeling slightly more satisfied. – JFM

Thumbs down to the influx of criminal stupidity that seems to take precedence during holiday weekends. I am no saint, but the acts that occurred during the Memorial Day weekend were despicable. Public urination, disorderly conducts, drunk driving, and domestic disputes were all committed in the memory of a case of beer and hopefully not in the remembrance of the men and women who died for this country. Barbecues are fun, partying is fun, and mixing in some class and discretion on Memorial Day weekend is not too much ask. – MHM

Thumbs up to the Bullthistle Hiking Club for putting forth the effort to help keep Mother Nature clean. The club’s second annual local celebration of National Trails Day encourages children and adults to participate in a hike and clean up of trails at Bowman Lake. Good job for encouraging the community to get outdoors, and make the best of what Chenango County has to offer. – NM

Since former Sherburne pastor Lewis Lee allegedly ran away with a local teen, I’ve had plenty to write about. The stories, and not just mine, have been spectacular in detail if only because details have been made available by everyone involved since the beginning of news coverage. I’ve heard and reported upon the hotel-room “wedding” Lee allegedly performed with his teenage bride, and the exact number of times the inappropriate couple consummated their relationship while in this county. In all but a few accounts, the teen’s name has continued to be printed along with the allegations, and as one would expect, the public has lapped it up. Although it is a reality that sex and details pertaining to it sells, it is a shame that this story has to coincide with what really is the most important news in this county in years – the prospect of high power lines being constructed. The order of importance our front page placed on the issues yesterday was the example to be followed, and I can only hope one very sensational story, though obviously important, doesn’t steal any thunder from one that needs top billing. – JFM