Wow. Seven weeks have already flown by since school started. We've seen the temperature rise and fall and rise again several times, the leaves are turning, and it's almost the end of the regular season for our cross-country, field hockey and football teams and time for sectionals.

Oh yeah, and time for parents of young children, especially, to pick out the dreaded Halloween costumes. It also means it's time to buy candy for the trick-or-treaters, which is a dilemma because I really don't want to wait too long and get all the leftover stuff, but I don't want it in the house to be a temptation, either. I've found that it works best if I buy the candy I don't like, such as Peppermint Patties and Twizzlers. I'm not sure if my cute little visitors like them either, but they can always pass them on to others who do.

Lots of activities, meetings and sports are coming up in the next few weeks; be sure to check your school news notes. Of note is the annual High School Performing Arts Hall of Fame concert, which will be held in the auditorium Oct. 27, featuring our high school band and chorus, and inducting Wendy Williams Berry of the Class of 1982 (also inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame) and Stephen Lee of the Class of 1972. Two days later on the 29th, the middle school fall concert will be held - same time, same place. Both concerts are free and open to the public.

Our music department does a fantastic job with our students, and the concerts are always entertaining and well done.

The After-Prom Committee is busy preparing for the annual Election Day barbecue dinner and bake sale to be held from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4, at the high school cafeteria. Pre-order tickets are available now from any parent of a junior; you may also order by contacting Class Advisor Maribeth Lefevre at the high school.

Chicken dinners are $7, pulled pork dinners are $8 and both include salt potatoes, coleslaw, beans and a beverage. Be sure to stop by the bake sale table to pick up a delicious dessert as well; it's your choice to either eat-in or take-out, and don't forget to make your choice at the polls.

Parent volunteers are needed to make this dinner its usual success; please contact Kim Quigley at 246-8092 if you can help or e-mail the committee at wapc2009@yahoo.com.

There are lots of other events coming up to raise funds for the after-prom party and lots of ways parents can help; more information will be coming your way in the near future.

Also on Nov. 4 is the monthly meeting of the Weedsport Association of Parents and Teachers (A.P.T.) at 6:30 in the high school board room; it's moved up a week due to the Veterans Day holiday.

The A.P.T. would like to thank everyone involved with our kick-off fundraiser (Zap-a-Snacks) in making it a great success; orders will be available for pick-up on Parent-Teacher Conference Day, Nov. 10. The A.P.T. encourages everyone to continue saving Campbell's labels and Box Tops for Education to help earn classroom supplies.

Please stop in to any meeting and see what A.P.T. is all about. There's a great bunch of parents involved and more people at meetings means more great ideas to help our school district.

Weedsport's USO Veterans Day Show is returning at 10 a.m. Nov. 7, at the elementary school and 11 a.m. in the high school gym.

If you've never been to one of these shows, you are in for a huge treat. The students put many hours of work into preparing the ceremony, music and performances and our local veterans are most certainly worthy of our recognition and gratitude.

Finally, I'd like to mention School Board Recognition Week Oct. 20 through 24. My dad was a member of the Weedsport school board for 20 years, so I've had a first-hand look at the dedication and fortitude needed to serve.

The next time you see Allan Breese, Norm Chirco, Mary Kae Brentlinger, Bob Scarbrough or Debby Schwarting, please let them know how much their hard work is appreciated.

Wendy Bates has lived in Weedsport all her life and loves to write about her community