Spindle items
JESSICA FINCH Associate Editor

• COSTUME TROUBLES - Happy Halloween to all The Amherst Bee readers. To all the trick- or- treaters, be careful on the streets - at least this year there aren't piles of tree branches in the way. Go to houses whose occupants you know, and check all treats before eating them.

It's been years - I won't say how many - since I have been trick-or-treating. In Marilla, there were only three or four houses we could walk to, so after making those stops first, we all piled into cars and drove to friends' and relatives' houses. Stopping, getting out, climbing back in. One particular year I was a Hershey's Kiss, probably the most cumbersome costume I ever chose. Climbing in and out of cars with accessories is never an easy task. Much like that car commercial where the boy hits his siblings trying to get out to use the bathroom, we often jabbed each other with swords, pitchforks or whatever fit our theme that year, often knocking off a hat or a mask.

• IT'S A GIRL - On Oct. 19, my sister, Karen, and her husband, Chris, welcomed their third daughter, Erin Carly. Prior to her birth we didn't know if she was a girl or boy. I was convinced it was a boy because Karen's pregnancy was completely different from her last two. But that proved, well, nothing. So Erin is now part of the family, making that five girls between my sister and my brother's families. She is tiny, cute and, if I may say so, perfect. Everyone is doing well and adjusting to life as a family of five.

• OPEN HOUSE - Bornhava has kicked off its annual Leaves and Dreams Giving Campaign. In its 24th year, Bornhava continues to serve children from birth to 5 years with developmental disabilities. The campaign helps support the care the school provides, at its center, 25 Chateau Terrace, Amherst; in children's homes; and in the community. Community open house receptions have been planned from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8 and from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12 at the center. For information, call Pat Cammarata at 839-1655.

by DAVID F. SHERMAN Managing Editor

• CANDIDATE PROFILES - I ncluded in this week's edition are profiles of all opposed candidates from your community who are facing election next Tuesday, Nov. 6. Letters were mailed to all candidates, whether they had opposition or not, on Oct. 10. These individuals were asked to supply a profile and statement written in the first person by Oct. 17. Opposed candidates who did not respond on time were contacted to make certain they received the letter. Lack of a published profile is either because the candidate did not comply with our request or because they have no opposition. The text supplied by each individual had only minor grammatical changes.

• ASK FOR ID - We recently received a telephone call from a reader who said her children were approached by a man with a camera who claimed to be from Bee Newspapers. He asked for their names, addresses and ages, and unfortunately, the children gave them to this man.

Readers should be aware that all reporters, editors and photographers working for Bee Group Newspapers have photo identification and have been instructed to wear their badges in public. We do not approach anyone without identifying ourselves.