HIT: To SS. Peter and John Episcopal Church on hosting a series of discussions on the economy. Economic issues can be difficult for anyone to understand, and in these times knowledge can be very important.

So it's great to see a way for people to learn why the economy is faltering and what could happen in the future in a way that is casual and comforting.

MISS: Brr! When did winter start? The freezing temperatures of the last few days and, ugh, snow flurries, are a less-than-subtle reminder that winter is sooner than you think.

Usually, you hope the calendar says November before you start to see the white stuff, but as anyone who has lived in central New York knows, there is no telling how early in the season snow might start falling.

The weekend forecast is for more autumn-like temperatures, so we should be able to rake all those fallen leaves without bundling up like it's January.

HIT: To the Paul F. Vitale Co. for bringing some of its heavy construction equipment to the Westminster Nursery School in Auburn this week.

What a thrill for these children, to be able to see close up and to touch equipment that their toys resemble. Imagine back when you were 3 or 4 years old, having the opportunity to ride on a real backhoe, it would be the memory of a lifetime.

This was a nice way to give children a chance to have some fun and learn a little bit at the same time.

MISS: To the upcoming departure of Moravia school superintendent William Tammaro. Tammaro, who has been with the district for nearly nine years, is taking a superintendent position with the Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES starting next year.

Tammaro's pending departure leaves the school district without leadership during the middle of the academic year.

Hopefully, Moravia will find a worthy successor soon to build upon the success that Tammaro started.