HIT: To Joe Deverell, whose tribute to his late mother is noble and uplifting. Valerie Deverell died five years ago from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Deverell is paying tribute to her by paddling an Italian-made gondola on 150 miles of the Erie Canal to raise money for an organization that helps people that have ALS.

Deverell's efforts are a unique way to bring attention to a deadly disease and hopefully it will motivate people to make an effort to open their wallets and help.

HIT: To the start of a new Web site that is devoted to identifying local sites that were used in the Underground Railroad which helped lead slaves to freedom in the 19th century.

The Web site, called Following the Freedom Trail in Auburn and Cayuga County, gives a driveable route where residents and tourists can see dozens of Underground Railroad sites in the area.

It's a great way for the past to come to life and remember the sacrifices that were made to free enslaved people.

MISS: To the admission by a man in the county this week that he tried to run a motorcycle off the road with his car because his ex-girlfriend was a passenger on the bike.

An order of protection had already been issued ordering the man to stay away from the woman, but that didn't stop him from bumping the motorcycle with his car.

We're just glad that nobody was killed or injured by this reckless behavior.

HIT: To the renaming of the Casey Park recreation complex after former Auburn Parks and Recreation Director Michael Oropallo Jr.

Oropallo, who died earlier this year, was instrumental in getting the complex built in the 1970s and renaming the complex is a wonderful way to honor the memory of a person who served his city in so many ways.

Casey Park has grown and evolved over the past four decades but its mission, giving local children a place to ice skate, swim and play, remains. Renaming it for Oropallo is a way for future generations to know how it all started.