There’s nothing quite like a rainy and cold Wednesday afternoon to get me in the mood for the rest of the week.

I would like to congratulate the Norwich City Police Department and the Chenango County Sheriffs for their work in Saturday’s successful drug bust. I know a lot of effort goes into that line of duty and too often goes unrecognized. I’ve heard a great deal of criticism about local law enforcement in the past from people who have no place to criticize. When something monumental happens locally, I hope many of those nay-sayers hold their tongues.

I also appreciate the irony of this bust happening across the street from a property the city is trying to sell. How could a Realtor spin this? “Colorful and eccentric neighbors located in a lively, surreal neighborhood.” I’d go for that. If anyone has any great business ideas and the know-how of property ownership and rehabilitation, I would love to see that building on North Broad go to good use. I have great ideas and vision, but my pockets only go so deep. Tomorrow, I plan on buying a cup of coffee first, then if I have any change left over, maybe a vacant building.

I would also like to congratulate the high school student I saw walking to school this morning who, before crossing the road, stopped and looked both ways making sure that I saw him and giving me a chance to stop and let him cross safely. You’re one of a kind in this town and because of it, you will have a much better chance of living a longer, happier life. It’s great to know that it was an elementary lesson of looking both ways that left the impact, not the front end of my car.

On that note, I’m looking forward to going home for the evening. Like I mentioned, it’s cold and rainy… so it’s chicken noodle soup for dinner tonight.

Patrick Newell

Sherburne-Earlville is preparing for its final two football games of the season. While the focus is on Ilion this Friday, the sting of a 6-0 loss to Canastota last Friday must remain. On paper, the Marauders wind up as co-champions of Section III’s Class C South Division, but again, they are on the outside of the playoffs mix. Despite a 5-2 record – tied for the best record in the division – the tie-breaking formula proved unfavorable.”It’s unfortunate the way things are, but the playoffs are not going to happen, and we need to prepare for our crossover games,” said S-E coach Mike Jasper. Playing at home and as the only team in control of its playoff destiny, the Marauders struggled with the muddy footing, and struggled even more to move the ball against Canastota’s defense. For the game, S-E had less than 90 yards of total offense, by far its lowest output over the past two seasons.

Speaking of playoff formulas, some numbers crunching will take place this weekend if Norwich’s football team is unable to win at Chenango Valley Saturday. Norwich is the lone team in Section IV’s Division III with an unblemished mark, and is in position to win its second outright division title in three seasons. In the event of a loss, it is possible that NHS, CV, and Oneonta would finish in a three-way tie for first place.

Congratulations to Otselic Valley’s girls. Tuesday afternoon, the Vikings edged Brookfield to clinch its first Section III postseason berth in at least 10 years – maybe longer. The Vikings have three games left this week – all against opponents where OV would likely enter the game as a favorite. If OV does indeed win those three contests, it would head to the postseason with a 10-6 mark. Those 10 victories would exceed the total wins over the previous four years combined. “I’ve been saying all along that this team had a good shot at 10 wins,” said OV coach Kevin Springer. “I still believe that, and if we can end the season on a four-game high, there is a good shot we’ll host a sectional playoff game.”

According to our statistics, Greene’s varsity soccer teams have the most prolific scorers in the area. Senior Alex Driscoll just became the boys’ all-time leading scorer last weekend against Oxford. His four goals against the Blackhawks pushes his season total to 30, and his career total to 104 – three better than 1999 graduate, Jordan McMullen. On the girls’ side, sophomore Paige Wilcox is on pace to become the school’s all-time leading scorer. She already has 37 tallies this season and better than 60 for her two-year varsity career. In two short seasons, Wilcox may already be the girls’ all-time leading goal scorer.

Follow Patrick Newell on Twitter @evesunpat

Jeff Genung

• Just had a great interview with my old pal (and fellow Blackhawk alum, albeit a few years after me) author Dustin Warburton, who always returns to Chenango County with some exciting news. This time around, it looks like he’s thisclose to getting his McDonough-inspired horror script turned into a movie – and shot in McDonough! Here’s hoping. A feature film shot in the Land of the Bullthistle? That would be amazing. I’ll have a complete story coming up soon.

• I should also mention that I finally got to meet Dustin’s classmate, friend and illustrating partner, McDonough native son Nathan Gorman. Always nice to put a face with a name.

• Brian’s all excited to be covering his first trial – the felony burglary trial of Daniel Sabines of Oxford. Hard to believe it was 20 years ago I was covering mine – the murder trial of Mark Wilcox, accused (and convicted) of beating his infant son Brandon to death. Misty water-colored memories …

• Only three days until the DEADline for our annual “Ghastly Ghost Stories” contest (which, I might add, was won by now-successful author Dustin Warburton when he was but a high school lad). We’ll publish a selection of them next Thursday in our “Pumpkin Vine” special section leading up to the Norwich Pumpkin Festival next weekend. Think you can scare the wits out of your fellow Evening Sun readers (and not just via ‘30 Seconds’)? Here’s your chance! Check out the official contest rules here.

Julian Kappel

What an amazing weekend.

Now I’m sure anyone who has been keeping up with my blogs/column of last week is probably sick of hearing my preach the glory of Autumn, Halloween and everything that falls within that realm of amazing, but hark, I am not done yet.

This past weekend was absolutely fantastic and it was really all due to the fall/Halloween activities that I participated in with a few fantastic friends.

Friday night was relatively calm, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more wonderful. A few of us got together in the loft of my garage, played some cards and sipped a few cold ones. We went to bed early and I for one had a wonderful night’s sleep.

Saturday was when the real fun began. For myself it started with a trip to Oxford to cover the homecoming parade and Suicide Prevention and Awareness 5K run and walk. I admit that it took a lot of effort to drag myself from bed that morning. I had left the window open in bedroom which meant outside of my comfy blanket cocoon it was absolutely freezing.

However, despite the greatest desire to roll over and drift back to sleep I shivered my way into multiple layers of clothing and made my way south.

It was worth it. I was very impressed by the job Danielle did in organizing the event and as always I was proud of one of the small communities that make up this county in accomplishing something truly worthwhile and important.

Afterwards my mother and I went to breakfast at Carmen’s which was fun as always.

Then I went home and took a nap. It was wonderful.

I was up by 2 p.m., however, and my friends and I began to rendezvous for our Halloween adventure. Four of us had attended the Rogers Haunted Hill two years ago and we have been absolutely itching to return. Last year we were unable due to various circumstances, but it only served to heighten the anticipation.

It was so strange because when we attended two years ago we were absolutely horrified and annoyed at the length of the line. We literally stood in that line for three hours in the cold complaining about the circumstances. However, when my friend Chris called me Saturday to discuss the timing and I discovered we had the same inkling.

“It starts at 7 so we should leave the house at 8 so we can wait in line,” he said.

“Heck yeah, sounds like a plan,” said I.

Crazy? Yes we are. But we had had so much fun waiting in line the first year. Joking, singing, talking to everyone else resigned to the same fate. It was incredible and totally became part of the experience. Sure it was three hours in line for a 10 minute tour, but it was absolutely worth it.

This year was no different except for the fact that we were 10 strong instead of four. And it was raining. But it was fun all the same and I think we were honestly the champions of bringing everyone’s spirits up.

The wonderful thing about my group of friends is we love meeting new people and we have no shame. We will talk to everyone and our goal is to make sure everyone is having just as much fun as we are. I believe we succeeded.

Any-who, we had a great time and the Haunted Hill was fun as always … they really do an amazing job.

The next day we took it down a notch but stuck with the fall theme. Chris (one of the first three people I met when I moved to Norwich) his girlfriend Michelle (who is a wonderful woman … and wonderfully patient) and I made a trip up to Critz Farms to check out their annual corn maze. Again it was raining, but nothing that a few umbrellas couldn’t handle.

Besides the Maize-Maze (which amazes me to no end) they also had a healthy supply of everything apple. We were able to try apple cider bottled that day, I bought a half of a peck of fresh picked apples to make a pie, and we received a free serving of apple fritters for completing the maze (also amazing).

Did I mention the six different hard ciders they brew on site? Yum.

Happy Monday!

Brian Golden

It seems local law enforcement had itself a busy weekend, from the looks of things. Between the Norwich City Police Department’s North Broad Street drug bust – with assistance from the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office – and a pair of alleged multiple felony offenses in New Berlin and South New Berlin, it was all I could do to type fast enough in the hours leading up to deadline. Not that I’m complaining, of course. Better to have too much on my plate rather than not enough, and it certainly looks like I’ll be able to fill my personal quota of news stories for the week, which is always a good thing.

Speaking of the weekend, I had a great time rehearsing with the band on Saturday (not such a great time driving home in the pouring rain and fog). There’s simply nothing that compares – musically speaking – to learning a new batch of songs, especially with the number of gigs we have lined-up over the next couple of months. Not to mention it’s always great to see the guys – and gal – that make up Master Thieves. And I’m really excited to check out the Syracuse Music Awards (a.k.a. the ‘Sammys’) come November 11. The band continues to keep its collective fingers crossed in hopes for that elusive Album of the Year award, and we’re also in the running for the Peoples Choice prize, to boot.

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat …”

Finally made it through “Jaws” last night (my third attempt, as I fell asleep the first two times), by far one of my favorite (and most quoted) motion pictures of all time. It’s funny how, even after all these years, the classic tale of man versus shark holds up, both visually and emotionally. What’s truly scary, however, is the fact that it probably won’t be long now until someone comes along and (not-so-brilliantly) decides to reboot the franchise (see the epic failures that were “The Karate Kid” and “Clash of the Titans,” for example). Sorry, but I can’t help myself. And every time I hear of another reboot (“Total Recall” and “Red Dawn” immediately spring to mind) I want to throw my hands up in disgust. Originality would go a long way towards filling those movie theaters, Hollywood, if you can hear me.

I hope everyone is prepared for the initial shock of seeing Christmas decorations on display so early. Yesterday, I overheard Wal-Mart employees discussing where holiday displays are going to be set up and what should be seen when the Halloween costumes are gone. I’m not a Scrooge (usually), but I’m not looking forward to two months of the Christmas season.

If holiday commercialism doesn’t do enough to beat the holly-jolly spirit out of me, every year, beginning November 1st, my wife manages to find a radio station that plays 24 hours of Christmas music, or at the least, she plays it using the CD player, which is why I dread long car rides around this time of year. Yes, there are a few that I enjoy, but I can’t believe how many variations of “Silent Night” have been compiled. Again, I want to ensure people that I’m not an anti-holiday killer of all things joyful, but two months of Holiday decorations and music is just a little much (though I do know of online radio stations that play 24 hours of Christmas music year round, so I’ll consider myself lucky. I guess that’s my silver lining).

But right now, I’m looking forward to Rogers’ Haunted Hill, which is scaring people beginning tonight and picking up again tomorrow night. I wrote about it in yesterday’s blog, but it’s something that bears repeating. I hear it’s supposed to storm tonight, so maybe it would be the perfect night to go. I can’t wait for it and hope to see a lot of people there.

On a lighter, more optimistic side of things, a cat in Ohio has been successfully rescued from the dashboard of a mini-van after a woman accidentally hit the animal. Don’t worry animal lovers, the cat’s OK. I’m not sure how this is possible either, but who am I to question good news. I just thought it was pre-weekend news worth sharing (and so didn’t CNN – It’s amazing what CNN will report when people get tired of hearing the latest political gossip).

Jeff Genung

• And a torrential downpour just in time for the weekend …

• In other news, I just got back from a retirement luncheon for Evening Sun sales associate Linda Green, who has left her post after 16 years catering to the needs of Chenango County businesses. Linda and her longtime cohort, err … colleague Peggy Elliott were the backbone of the newspaper’s advertising department for years. At lunch today, I jokingly referred to their tenure as the “Peggy and Linda Show,” but boy how I miss both of them. Friends, colleagues, surrogate mothers both. Happy retirement to both you and Chuck, Linda … you certainly deserve it!

• Here’s a random, probably unpopular thought: Must we raise awareness about everything? I get it already, I’m aware!

• Heading into the weekend, Julian’s covering the homecoming parade in my native Oxford tomorrow (somehow I got my wires crossed and sent him down today, but sometimes it’s fun to confuse the newbies), and Frank and Pat are off to what looks to be an exciting football game in Sherburne tonight. Be sure to check Monday’s paper for all the details – and photos.

Patrick Newell

John Stewart served as master of ceremonies for an emotional remembrance and dedication Wednesday afternoon just outside the Norwich High School tennis courts. Stewart, who has coached 28 sports seasons in tennis and swimming, unveiled a memorial plaque in honor of former tennis player Krissie Collier, was passed away suddenly this past June. Collier played varsity tennis throughout her high school career, and was at the top of the doubles lineup for most of those years. Collier was situated on court four, and that court was renamed “Krissie’s Court.” It was heartening to see such a large contingent of family, friends, and most of Norwich’s sports teams attend the dedication. And, despite the forecast of rain, not a drop of the wet stuff appeared. Big kudos to Sarah Stewart, who organized the dedication, and to Norwich’s director of athletics, Steve Griffin. “Griff” has not taught in the classroom for a number of years, but he didn’t forget how to give a speech. His poignant recounting of experiences with Krissie moved many people in attendance to tears.

I don’t mention Afton sports that much, but the boys’ soccer team has made some small inroads toward respectability. For most of the program’s existence (at least six or seven years by my count), the Crimson Knights were almost penciled in as a win for the other team before the contest was ever played. Second-year head coach Todd Dancesia inherited a team last year that not only had little to no success the previous year, but little experience. Now in year two of Dancesia’s tenure, the Knights nearly upset Walton twice (Walton is among the top three teams in the MAC), lost six games by one goal, and earned its first-ever wins over Sidney and Oxford over the past week and a half. Afton could be a program to watch in the MAC within the next couple of years.

Sherburne-Earlville coach Mike Jasper said his team made a mistake at the start of last year when it used the wrong alignment in the backfield. Around the third game, Greg DuVall moved to tailback, and he became the downhill type of runner the team needed en route to a 6-3 season. Will Slentz became an effective runner as a wingback, and Cory Musician provided the tough inside yards at fullback. “We learned our lesson from last year,” Jasper said. During the preseason, the S-E coaching staff moved sophomore Austin Jasper from tight end to running back, even though Jasper had not played running back. Combined with Musician at fullback and the speedy Devven Ferris, the Marauders have perhaps the most balanced rushing attack in the area. “Austin is kind of an odd physical presence back there because he’s so tall,” Coach Jasper said of his nearly 6-foot-3 son. “We just didn’t have anybody to step into the role that Greg occupied last year. We have to get the ball into the hands of the kids that can do it for us.” Musician, Ferris, and Jasper are all on pace to eclipse 600 yards rushing this season, so the adjustments made at the start of the season are clearly working. So much so, S-E is a victory away from clinching its first Section III playoff berth.

Follow Patrick Newell on Twitter @evesunpat

Julian Kappel

What an exciting week. The weather has been fantastic: Beautiful at the beginning of the week and slowly cooling off as the leaves begin to fall. If you can’t tell by my column, I am very much looking forward to fall.

I did do some decorating yesterday but it wasn’t much. There’re a few graves and if you look closely in the front windows there’s another little surprise, but the rest is going to have to wait until this weekend to go up. Look forward to some fun, though.

My next big question is…what the heck is my costume going to be this year? I’ve been toying around with a few ideas and they all involve visiting a few Salvation Armys and consignment shops. Just a few ideas: The Doctor, Mal Reynolds or Harpo Marx. I have others as well but if anyone has any opinions let me know.

I recently started Sons of Anarchy and let me just say: Incredible. The characters are vivid and engaging, the action is balanced by scenes with true heart and most importantly the story is incredible. It’s one of those shows where by the end of an episode you just can’t believe how much has happened in only 45 minutes.

I have always enjoyed FX Originals; Nip/Tuck, Archer, The League, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and of course Rescue Me, and Sons of Anarchy measures up to its predecessors.

In other entertainment news …The Rum Diaries will be released in theaters at the end of this month and I honestly don’t know what to expect. On one hand I’ve been waiting for this movie to be released for over three years now and as it is adapted from one of my favorite novels, that’s a long wait. On the other hand, they removed one of the main characters, well, combined two main characters I suppose, and I’m just not sure how that’s going to play out.

But hey, I’m an optimist so, hooray!

Finally, I would like to take this chance to mention a very special woman in my life: my Grandma, Rea Calvert, who is 97 years young today.

She has been a constant source of inspiration to me over the years in every aspect of my life and I can think of no one who can measure up to her strength, resolve, dedication, compassion and love. She has been a dancer, typist, mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother and numerous other things during her amazing life and has excelled at every one. The story of her and my grandfather is one of the few, great true-love stories and has always helped me remember the good that is in every living person.

I love you, Grandma. Happy Birthday.

I can’t really complain about this week. It hasn’t been the greatest, but not bad enough to complain. I went to my first St. Bart’s spaghetti dinner, I’m seeing the Evening Sun newsroom with a ceiling for the first time, I established more contacts throughout the city and, in an unfortunate way, was incredibly entertained by some of the latest Chenango County Court hearings. A court furlough, by the way, is a great tool of optimal learning – the temporary satisfaction of using drugs now apparently outweighs the threat of a longer prison sentence. I didn’t know that.

A new Gamestop is opening at the south end of town and it’s amazing how quietly and quickly it happened. Was there even a sign of it a week ago? I’m not a video game person but for some reason, I’m excited about a Gamestop. I guess in the same way that I was excited about a new Byrne Dairy, even though I’ve been to a gas station/convenience store and laundromat before. I already can’t wait for the city’s next incoming business to make its irrelevant impact on me.

Getting into the Halloween spirit (pun intended), Rogers’ Haunted Hill is opening this weekend. If it’s anything like what Brian is saying, it should be great! I can’t wait to attend a haunted maze better than the ones from my childhood – which may have been put on by the senior citizens’ center. I don’t want to raise my expectations just to walk away from that maze with dry pants, so I’m sending out an ample amount of encouragement to organizers and volunteers at that event. Good luck!