HIT: To the local celebration of Harriet Tubman Day. The American heroine was honored at the Tubman Home with song, dance and words that were a fitting way to remember a woman who made Auburn her home.

That said, we wish the Tubman Home had put a little more effort into getting the word out about the event. This newspaper was contacted about it just a few days before.

In the end, though, the day was a nice reminder to pay a visit to the Tubman home on South Street.

Sometimes, it's easy to forget the history we have here in our own backyard.

MISS: To the pathetic performance of the Syracuse men's basketball team in the Big East Tournament. Yes, the Orange are young and have dealt with injuries all season, but that's no excuse against a Villanova team they beat earlier this season.

Syracuse led Villanova by 11 in the first half and looked on their way to securing a probable NCAA Tournament bid, but the Orange went into hibernation and let the Wildcats shoot the lights out in the second half.

So it's likely the NIT for Syracuse. If hoop fans want to see New York teams in the NCAAs, they can watch Cornell and Siena, and possibly Colgate, which can get in by beating American University.

HIT: To the manner in which future Gov. David Paterson is conducting himself as he prepares to take office next week.

Paterson's remarks Thursday made it clear that he is not about grandstanding. He simply likes to work on the business of government, which is what this state needs.

HIT: To the completion of the new firehouse in the village of Skaneateles.

It's been a long time coming as the project was delayed over where to put it and how much it would cost, but now that the grand opening is here, Skaneateles residents can take pride that their fire department has the latest and best facility.