HIT: To Joseph Camardo Day in Cayuga County, which was designated by the county Legislature for May 17. It's a well-deserved honor.

Professor Camardo has been a dedicated CCC faculty member for five decades where he taught and influenced thousands of students. Camardo also dedicated countless hours to numerous community organizations, especially as chairman of the Italian Heritage Society.

For all of that and so many other contributions Camardo has made Cayuga County a better place to live, we also salute him and say thanks for everything.

MISS: To a recent incident involving a dog that bit a girl and mauled another dog on Elizabeth Street in Auburn.

Fortunately, the girl did not appear to be seriously hurt, according to police reports. The other dog wasn't as lucky.

The dog's owners and all dog owners always need to remember that any canine can be dangerous, and people need to use common sense about leaving animals unattended.

HIT: To opening night at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse at Emerson Park.

The start of a new season at the theater is another sign that summer is almost here.

The playhouse has gained a well-deserved reputation for high-quality performances and its popularity continues to increase, bringing in more people from outside Cayuga County.

To everyone involved, we say “break a leg” for the 2009 season.

HIT: To a recent talk hosted by the Sterling Historical Society, where World War II veteran Fred Lockwood, of Hannibal, recalled his experiences in the Pacific theater.

Lockwood, 84, is one of a dwindling number of WW II vets that can tell their stories. That part of the nation's history still has an influence on our nation more than 60 years after the war's end.

We all should take a moment to listen to what WW II vets have to say - while we still can.