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DAVID F. SHERMAN

Managing

Editor

+ RED HANDED - Last week's Meet the Candidates night hosted by the Sweet Home Board of Education was not without its comic moments.

Incumbent Doug Galli began his brief presentation by stating how much he enjoys being affiliated with Sweet Home, then told the audience why. It seems he was driving a few hours earlier on the Thruway, admittedly talking on a cellular telephone without benefit of a hands-free device. That's against the law. Galli was pulled over by a state trooper who asked if he knew why the stop was made. Galli admitted his error. Then the trooper asked him where he got the baseball-style cap he was wearing, which bore the name of Sweet Home.

Galli explained that he was a member of the Board of Education, as well as the father of two district students.

"The trooper told me that as a Sweet Home graduate, he would have a difficult time writing me that ticket," Galli explained to the audience. "He let me go with a stern warning. So that's why I love this district."

+ I LOVE NY - Planning your summer vacation? Free copies of the 2007 "I Love New York" travel guide and vacation map are now available at Assemblyman Jim Hayes' (R-Amherst) office, 5555 Main St., at Cayuga Road, Williamsville. The travel guide contains information about activities and attractions and a detailed map of the state. Phone numbers for hotels, restaurants, and attractions also are included. To request a copy of the free guide and map, contact Hayes' district office at 634-1895 or e-mail the assemblyman at hayesj@assembly.state.ny.us.

+ POPPIES FOR SALE - Members of VFW Post 416 will be selling poppies throughout May to benefit disabled and needy veterans, as well as widows and orphans of deceased members. Post members will be selling at Quality Markets, at Main Street and Union Road in Williamsville, and at Wal-Mart at 5033 Transit Road, near Sheridan Drive. Also, on May 24 and 25, poppies will be sold at the Amherst Center for Senior Services, 370 John James Audubon Parkway.

by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

+ SQUIRREL REPELLENT - Living on the third floor of a house, I thought I was safe from two things: flooding and rats. Yes, I expected some mice in the attic, but as for their larger "cousin," I figured I was safe from their attack on my food. But what I forgot about was their "distant cousin," the squirrel. Last week an intruder made its way into our kitchen. My roommate called me at work, saying someone, or something, had broken into the kitchen.

She described the bagels and English muffins that had been torn apart and scattered around the kitchen. Some pieces had dropped behind the radiator, which is below the window where a 2-inch hole had been gnawed through the screen. We assumed it was a squirrel and closed the storm window.

Forced to open a window during Monday's warm temperatures, my roommate caught the pest trying to get in again, attacking our already damaged screen. Does anyone have any suggestions for discouraging squirrels? I don't think we can make it through the summer without our windows open. And, no, there was no more food left out, enticing the animal.