HIT: To a group of apprentice masons who brought their skills to Auburn this week.

Two teachers and 14 students came from their school in Liverpool to put in a day of work replacing old mortar in the stonework at the local Veterans Memorial Park.

Local veterans groups cheered the effort, as the volunteer labor helped move the project along at no expense, and the students - used to building things for practice and then tearing them down - took pride in taking part in a construction project that will stand for generations.

HIT: To Community Development Block Grant money that will be used to repair curbs and sidewalks in the city of Auburn.

The city has identified high-needs areas where curbs and sidewalks are broken, unsafe or missing altogether.

The latest round of improvements will target parts of Capitol, Cayuga, East Genesee and Morris streets.

MISS: To the incredible number of fraudulent tax returns being filed in New York state.

The state comptroller's office this week said that more than 3,000 tax returns - claiming refunds totaling about $13 million - have been stopped in just the first quarter of the year. Sure, a lot of people make honest mistakes on their returns, but the state is also catching scammers using fake Social Security numbers or false claims of dependent children.

HIT: To a local gathering this week aimed at breaking down stereotypes. The event was held as part of the World Economic Forum's campaign to debunk stereotypes about Islam through interfaith dialogues. People met at an Auburn home this week to discuss the past, present and future of race and religion around the world.

Attendees came away with a better understanding of people who are “different” from them, and that's always a positive thing.