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JESSICA FINCH Associate Editor

+ ONCE IN A LIFETIME - I have taken the past week to reflect on The Amherst Bee's coverage of the Dalai Lama featured in the Sept. 20 edition. Thanks to some publication extensions we were able to get our articles and photographs into print, slightly more than an hour after he finished his keynote speech in the University at Buffalo's stadium.

When his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was announced and stepped onto the stage, it was a moment I know won't leave my memory. Seated in the press box it was hard to make out specifics on the stage but his presence was very clear with his maroon colored robe, large smile and exuberant greeting to all who had gathered.

I was seated among the many other media outlet representatives that had gathered to cover this historic event. I actually changed my seat four times before I was satisfied, making sure no beams were blocking my view of the stage.

Under a tight deadline I typed as he spoke, documenting the message I had anxiously been waiting for. Our stories, as well as photos by Joe Eberle, were transmitted electronically back to our office on Main Street.

Never had I been under such pressure as a reporter to meet a deadline but the anticipation, stress and careful planning was worth it because I am willing to bet that throughout my entire career this event will remain near the top of my "most memorable stories" list.