Five years of training and practice are starting to pay off for Jonathan Fisher, a punter for Oakfield-Alabama Central School.

According to his father, Kurt Fisher, he's been invited to Senior Camps at Division I schools, such as Syracuse, Rutgers, Louisville, W. Virginia and Illinois.

Currently, Fisher is ranked the #1 punter in New York on MaxPreps.com.

"He's put in a lot of time and effort," said Kurt Fisher. "It's nice to see it paying off for him."

This summer Fisher will be attending Senior Camps to showcase his talents in front of college coaching staffs.

He finished the 2009 season with 19 punts for 888 yards and a 46.7-yard punting average.

So far his invites for Junior Days include one on Feb. 20 at the University of Pennsylvania and on Feb. 27 at Syracuse. He'll also be participating in an upcoming session with college coaching staffs in Buffalo.

Fisher is on the verge of striking the big time in college football a season after another O-A product, Matt Waldron, put together a big year as the #1 kicker at Virginia Tech. Waldron made all 58 of his point-after attempts and 20 of his 23 field-goal attempts, with only one of his misses coming within 40 yards. He scored 108 points for the year.

At about 3:40 minutes into this video, you can watch Fisher practice his kicking during half-time of O-A's playoff game at Cal-Mum.

Everybody likes a little friendly competition, right? And if it's for a good cause, all the better!

These guys definitely feel that way:

Half of them are pictured above...

...and here's the other half!

High schoolers from all over Genesee County are getting involved in "Change for Change" (C4C), a fundraising project for United Way of Genesee County. Student government reps from Batavia High School, the NYS State School for the Blind, Oakfield-Alabama High School and Pavillion Central School gathered in the BHS auditorium Yesterday to kick-start the project. 

The Leadership-In-Action Class at Oakfield-Alabama will be hosting a Going Bald for Bucks event for the Roswell Cancer Institute. You will have to collect donations from sponsors, and in return for these donations you will have the choice to have your head shaved to a clipper setting of one inch or you can have ten inches of non-chemically damaged hair which will be donated to Locks of Love. The shaving of the head is to honor cancer patients who lose their hair due to radiation or chemotherapy.

If you are interested, the application/pledge form can be found at the Oakfield-Alabama High School location and on the Hornets website; www.oahornets.org.  There will be a link called Bald for Bucks which will take you to the forms.

The forms and money are due to the Oakfield-Alabama High School office by March 12, 2010. Make sure the pledge form is signed, and has sponsors listed for you.

The date of the event will be March 26th, 2010 from 1:15pm-2:30pm.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Tracy Schlagenhauf or Cindy Kowalik at 948-5211.

Oakfield-Alabama School Address:

7001Lewiston Road

Oakfield, NY 14125

The Leadership-In-Action Class at Oakfield-Alabama will be hosting a Going Bald for Bucks event for the Roswell Cancer Institute. You will have to collect donations from sponsors, and in return for these donations you will have the choice to have your head shaved to a clipper setting of one inch or you can have ten inches of non-chemically damaged hair which will be donated to Locks of Love. The shaving of the head is to honor cancer patients who lose their hair due to radiation or chemotherapy.

If you are interested, the application/pledge form can be found at the Oakfield-Alabama High School location and on the Hornets website; www.oahornets.org.  There will be a link called Bald for Bucks which will take you to the forms.

The forms and money are due to the Oakfield-Alabama High School office by March 12, 2010. Make sure the pledge form is signed, and has sponsors listed for you.

The date of the event will be March 26th, 2010 from 1:15pm-2:30pm.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Tracy Schlagenhauf or Cindy Kowalik at 948-5211.

Oakfield-Alabama School Address:

7001Lewiston Road

Oakfield, NY 14125

The Leadership-In-Action Class at Oakfield-Alabama will be hosting a Going Bald for Bucks event for the Roswell Cancer Institute. You will have to collect donations from sponsors, and in return for these donations you will have the choice to have your head shaved to a clipper setting of one inch or you can have ten inches of non-chemically damaged hair which will be donated to Locks of Love. The shaving of the head is to honor cancer patients who lose their hair due to radiation or chemotherapy.

If you are interested, the application/pledge form can be found at the Oakfield-Alabama High School location and on the Hornets website; www.oahornets.org.  There will be a link called Bald for Bucks which will take you to the forms.

The forms and money are due to the Oakfield-Alabama High School office by March 12, 2010. Make sure the pledge form is signed, and has sponsors listed for you.

The date of the event will be March 26th, 2010 from 1:15pm-2:30pm.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Tracy Schlagenhauf or Cindy Kowalik at 948-5211.

Oakfield-Alabama School Address:

7001Lewiston Road

Oakfield, NY 14125

Computer Class open to the public!!!

What?

A FREE computer class to learn about Facebook, and Microsoft Word

When?

February 18th, 2010

6:00 pm-8:00 pm

Where?

OACS High School

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Sponsored by the OACS Leadership-In-Action Class

It was showtime last night at Oakfield-Alabama High School and the Drama Club was ready to shine for the community. And it did.

The teens have been preparing to perform two plays since October, putting in two-hours days until recently when they started practing three to four hours a day. The plays lasted around two and a half hours with two brief intermissions in between acts.

The first one was about the first Thanksgiving, from the point of view of a young man named Dwayne, who had not done his homework the previous night. Due to his lack of studying, Duane's understanding of the first Thanksgiving was a little skewed.

He was not prepared when his teacher called on him to give a synopsis of that celebrated mealtime. In Dwayne's eyes, the Salem witch trials took place at the same time as the first Thanksgiving. He also believed football was invented by the pilgrim men as a way for them to relax and be lazy while the women did all the work. In the end, Dwayne's teacher got so fed up with his inaccuracies she asked him to stop.

The second play was about the Brookshire family's annual Christmas letter. Mrs. Brookshire asked her family to help her write it but they declined for various reasons and excuses. So she gave up and decided to write it herself.

We then got a glimpse of the big events that happened during the year as she wrote them down in her letter. In the end, the rest of the family realized how important writing the letter was to Mrs. Brookshire, and they helped her finish it.

The following are some video clips from some interviews I conducted with some of the main characters.

Every year Oakfield-Alabama Middle-High School hosts a Veterans Day celebration. They invite anywhere from 15-25 veterans from around the area to come and give a presentation on how the military has changed their lives and what it was like to be in the military. If the veteran went to war, he is asked to bring memorabilia such as metals, helmets, etc.

This year they had approximately 18 veterans come and share their stories. Several generations were represented. Some of the veterans included in this year's program were James Neider, Pastor Mark Perkins, Red Robinson, Leonard Gordon, Ray Cianfrini, Clayton Fry and Wallace Kornow.

The event is coordinated by Patricia Trinder, a middle school math teacher, who is running it for the first time by herself. When asked why she wanted to take over coordinating the event she said “I've always felt it was a special thing that needed to be continued.” She'd helped run it in the past, but when Darlene Bakos retired she handed the reins totally over to Trinder.

We asked some of the veterans if they thought other schools should hold events like this one.

“I hope that other schools and communities would really take time to educate people of the value of their veterans,” said Cianfrini.

Kornow, a fellow Oakfield veteran, said, “I think every school should take the opportunity to invite their local veterans to this kind of program.”

Oakfield-Alabama would be delighted to see other schools in the area hold events like this one. If you would like to learn more about Oakfield's celebration, please contact Patricia Trinder. You can email her at ptrinder@oahornets.org

With Oakfield-Alabama and Cal-Mum trading scores through the first three quarters of their quarterfinal sectional playoff game tonight, and both teams seemingly able to run the ball at will, it became evident as the fourth quarter started that the winner would be decided when one defense or the other made a stand and stopped a drive.

And that's exactly what happened.

On its first drive of the fourth quarter, the Hornets couldn't get past the Red Raiders 40 yard line and Cal-Mum took over on downs.

Minutes later, the Red Raiders were in the end zone and with a two-point conversion, and obtained what would prove to be an insurmountable lead, 30-21.

The Hornets would score one more touchdown, but fall short by two points, 30-28.

"It came down to them just pounding the ball at us and not getting away from what they do best," said Hornets Head Coach Brian Palone after the game. "They made the plays when they needed to make the plays."

The two-point margin can also be explained by two failed point after attempts. In the second quarter, kicker Jon Fisher hit an upright, and in the third quarter, a high snap spoiled the attempt.

The Hornets got off to a quick start when Fisher placed a perfect onside kick down the far sideline and OA scrambled and took possession of the ball.

The offense then marched the ball 45-yards down the field for a score and a 7-0 lead. Matt Osmancickli scored that TD on a one-yard run.

But the home team answered right back, bringing the ball down to the one-yard line, where Trevor Haut was able to shove his way into the endzone. Cal-Mum tried for a two-point conversion, so the score was 7-6.

On its first possession of the second quarter, OA again looked like an offense with an unbeatable run game, taking the ball down the field until Matt Osmancickli capped the drive with a one-yard TD rush. After Fisher missed the PA, OA's lead was 13-6

Cal-Mum answered right back, putting a long drive together that ended with a Trevor Haut three-yard TD run. Jon Cappotelli carried the ball in on the two-point conversion, giving his team a one-point lead, 14-13.

OA grabbed back a one-point margin when a high snap on a Cal-Mum punt attempt was kicked out of the back of the end zone for a safety. That made the score 15-14 Hornets.

Both teams scored again in the third quarter. But with a muffed extra point attempt and a successful two-point conversion, Cal-Mum was able to convert another two-point try, so now the Raiders were up 22-21.

The Raiders were able to stop Oakfield-Alabama on its fourth-quarter drive and immediately answer back with another touch down. This time it was on a 19-yard pass from Mike Anderson to Dan Whiteside, plus they tacked on two-more points. The Hornets found themselves in a bit of a deep hole, down 30-21.

But OA kept fighting, engineering another drive that culminated in a one-yard rush by Osmancickli and an extra point from Fisher, making it 30-28, which is how the game would end.

The Hornets got off to a slow start this season with Coach Palone taking over the program for the first time and finding himself with few returning seniors. Palone and other coaches around the league will tell you that OA has been a team that has improved greatly every week as the season progressed.

Palone said tonight he's proud of the progress his team has made.

"I thought this was the best game we played all year and that’s all I can ask of them, to just get better every game," Palone said.

NOTE: About the video -- yes, I miss my high-def camera. It won't be repaired for another six weeks.

Saturday evening at the Oakfield-Alabama High School, the late 1st. Lt. Harmon J. Norton, Dr. Kenneth Bradt, Dr. Robert B. Diasio and Donald R. Carroll were inducted into the O-A Hall of Fame.

The Hornets' gymnasium was filled with about 100 friends and family of the inductees.

O-A students, Jennie Beverly, Leah Snyder, and Ashley Colopy introduced each inductee with a short bio. Wess Audsley, CEO/Director of the Genesee/Wyoming YMCA introduced Donald Carroll.

First Lt. Norton’s grandson, Harmon Norton accepted the award on behalf of his grandfather. He came all the way from Texas because of a quick Google search on his grandfather's name. 

He said the first thing that came up was the article from The Batavian. Once he started reading, he realized it was about his grandfather. He contacted Joe Cassidy, the Oakfield Town Historian, and arranged for a visit.

It seems as though he's been following his grandfather around, from enjoying the same hobby of airplanes and piloting, to being where, a 100 years earlier, his grandfather grew up -- in Oakfield. He thanked The Batavian for its story.

"Without your article, I would not be here today.”

When Dr. Bradt came to the podium, he not only got the audience laughing but enlightened us about the impact others have on your life and decisions. He started with a joke about making just a few notes for his speech while pulling out paper upon paper. Then he joked about his popularity with his female classmates, but sweetly gave the credit for his happiness to his wife of 62 years, Thelma.

He ended his speech challenging the audience to give some thought to the people who have made a difference in your life and to tell them how they influenced you.

Dr. Diasio was unable to attend the event. His classmate, Jan Witkowski,  who accepted the award for Diasio, said “We all knew Bob was destined for great things. We called him Doc from the very beginning.”

YMCA official Audsley shared memories of  Carroll and the struggles Carroll had as a child.

“He will do just about anything for people looking for help,” said Audsley. He said Carroll’s drive to help others is so they don’t have to go through what he went through.

The picture above is of previous and new inducted members. Below are this year's inductees by themselves.

The audience stood up as Carroll walked up to the podium with tears of gratitude flowing down his cheeks.

I got goose bumps. The moment seemed magical.

I felt hopeful and strenghtened as I listened to comments about Carroll's community contributions, and knowing all the inductees -- past and present -- have given above and beyond for others.

My husband even felt uplifted. The ceremony made me realize that people don't remember the material things as much as they do the moments spent with those they really care about.

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TOWN OF OAKFIELD PARK EXPANSION

HALLOWEEN PARTY

**RAIN OR SHINE**

SATURDAY OCTOBER 31, 2009 FROM 1:00-4:00 PM

ELROY D. PARKINS (LITTLE LEAGE) PARK

DRAKE STREET, OAKFIELD, NY

COME JOIN US FOR AN AFTERNOON OF FUN!!

1.   CHILDRENS HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARADE

2.   BOBBING FOR APPLES

3.   FACE PAINTING

4.  HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN PATCH PHOTO BOARD (BRING YOUR CAMERAS)

5.   PARK DEDICATION

6.   TOWN SCAVENGER HUNT WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED

7.   MUSIC BY DUCK ‘n COVER (weather permitting)

CHILDREN WISHING TO BE IN THE PARADE SHOULD ARRIVE AT 12:45; PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED ACCORDING TO AGE CATEGORIES AS FOLLOWS:  0-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.  They will parade around the park. 

All children must be accompanied by an adult.  A FREE hot dog and drink will be provided for each child.  Parents/Guardians may purchase hot dogs with a drink for $1.50 each. 

Each child will receive a complimentary “goodie” bag.

 Contact the Town Clerk, Melissa Haacke at 585-948-5835 ext. 1 or www.townofoakfieldny.com  for further information.

TOWN OF OAKFIELD PARK EXPANSION

HALLOWEEN PARTY

**RAIN OR SHINE**

SATURDAY OCTOBER 31, 2009 FROM 1:00-4:00 PM

ELROY D. PARKINS (LITTLE LEAGE) PARK

DRAKE STREET, OAKFIELD, NY

COME JOIN US FOR AN AFTERNOON OF FUN!!

1.   CHILDRENS HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARADE

2.   BOBBING FOR APPLES

3.   FACE PAINTING

4.  HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN PATCH PHOTO BOARD (BRING YOUR CAMERAS)

5.   PARK DEDICATION

6.   TOWN SCAVENGER HUNT WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED

7.   MUSIC BY DUCK ‘n COVER (weather permitting)

CHILDREN WISHING TO BE IN THE PARADE SHOULD ARRIVE AT 12:45; PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED ACCORDING TO AGE CATEGORIES AS FOLLOWS:  0-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.  They will parade around the park. 

All children must be accompanied by an adult.  A FREE hot dog and drink will be provided for each child.  Parents/Guardians may purchase hot dogs with a drink for $1.50 each. 

Each child will receive a complimentary “goodie” bag.

 Contact the Town Clerk, Melissa Haacke at 585-948-5835 ext. 1 or www.townofoakfieldny.com  for further information.

TOWN OF OAKFIELD PARK EXPANSION

HALLOWEEN PARTY

**RAIN OR SHINE**

SATURDAY OCTOBER 31, 2009 FROM 1:00-4:00 PM

ELROY D. PARKINS (LITTLE LEAGE) PARK

DRAKE STREET, OAKFIELD, NY

COME JOIN US FOR AN AFTERNOON OF FUN!!

1.   CHILDRENS HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARADE

2.   BOBBING FOR APPLES

3.   FACE PAINTING

4.  HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN PATCH PHOTO BOARD (BRING YOUR CAMERAS)

5.   PARK DEDICATION

6.   TOWN SCAVENGER HUNT WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED

7.   MUSIC BY DUCK ‘n COVER (weather permitting)

CHILDREN WISHING TO BE IN THE PARADE SHOULD ARRIVE AT 12:45; PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED ACCORDING TO AGE CATEGORIES AS FOLLOWS:  0-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.  They will parade around the park. 

All children must be accompanied by an adult.  A FREE hot dog and drink will be provided for each child.  Parents/Guardians may purchase hot dogs with a drink for $1.50 each. 

Each child will receive a complimentary “goodie” bag.

 Contact the Town Clerk, Melissa Haacke at 585-948-5835 ext. 1 or www.townofoakfieldny.com  for further information.

TOWN OF OAKFIELD PARK EXPANSION

HALLOWEEN PARTY

**RAIN OR SHINE**

SATURDAY OCTOBER 31, 2009 FROM 1:00-4:00 PM

ELROY D. PARKINS (LITTLE LEAGE) PARK

DRAKE STREET, OAKFIELD, NY

COME JOIN US FOR AN AFTERNOON OF FUN!!

1.   CHILDRENS HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARADE

2.   BOBBING FOR APPLES

3.   FACE PAINTING

4.  HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN PATCH PHOTO BOARD (BRING YOUR CAMERAS)

5.   PARK DEDICATION

6.   TOWN SCAVENGER HUNT WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED

7.   MUSIC BY DUCK ‘n COVER (weather permitting)

CHILDREN WISHING TO BE IN THE PARADE SHOULD ARRIVE AT 12:45; PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED ACCORDING TO AGE CATEGORIES AS FOLLOWS:  0-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.  They will parade around the park. 

All children must be accompanied by an adult.  A FREE hot dog and drink will be provided for each child.  Parents/Guardians may purchase hot dogs with a drink for $1.50 each. 

Each child will receive a complimentary “goodie” bag.

 Contact the Town Clerk, Melissa Haacke at 585-948-5835 ext. 1 or www.townofoakfieldny.com  for further information.

TOWN OF OAKFIELD PARK EXPANSION

HALLOWEEN PARTY

**RAIN OR SHINE**

SATURDAY OCTOBER 31, 2009 FROM 1:00-4:00 PM

ELROY D. PARKINS (LITTLE LEAGE) PARK

DRAKE STREET, OAKFIELD, NY

COME JOIN US FOR AN AFTERNOON OF FUN!!

1.   CHILDRENS HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARADE

2.   BOBBING FOR APPLES

3.   FACE PAINTING

4.  HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN PATCH PHOTO BOARD (BRING YOUR CAMERAS)

5.   PARK DEDICATION

6.   TOWN SCAVENGER HUNT WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED

7.   MUSIC BY DUCK ‘n COVER (weather permitting)

CHILDREN WISHING TO BE IN THE PARADE SHOULD ARRIVE AT 12:45; PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED ACCORDING TO AGE CATEGORIES AS FOLLOWS:  0-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.  They will parade around the park. 

All children must be accompanied by an adult.  A FREE hot dog and drink will be provided for each child.  Parents/Guardians may purchase hot dogs with a drink for $1.50 each. 

Each child will receive a complimentary “goodie” bag.

 Contact the Town Clerk, Melissa Haacke at 585-948-5835 ext. 1 or www.townofoakfieldny.com  for further information.

TOWN OF OAKFIELD PARK EXPANSION

HALLOWEEN PARTY

**RAIN OR SHINE**

SATURDAY OCTOBER 31, 2009 FROM 1:00-4:00 PM

ELROY D. PARKINS (LITTLE LEAGE) PARK

DRAKE STREET, OAKFIELD, NY

COME JOIN US FOR AN AFTERNOON OF FUN!!

1.   CHILDRENS HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARADE

2.   BOBBING FOR APPLES

3.   FACE PAINTING

4.  HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN PATCH PHOTO BOARD (BRING YOUR CAMERAS)

5.   PARK DEDICATION

6.   TOWN SCAVENGER HUNT WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED

7.   MUSIC BY DUCK ‘n COVER (weather permitting)

CHILDREN WISHING TO BE IN THE PARADE SHOULD ARRIVE AT 12:45; PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED ACCORDING TO AGE CATEGORIES AS FOLLOWS:  0-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.  They will parade around the park. 

All children must be accompanied by an adult.  A FREE hot dog and drink will be provided for each child.  Parents/Guardians may purchase hot dogs with a drink for $1.50 each. 

Each child will receive a complimentary “goodie” bag.

 Contact the Town Clerk, Melissa Haacke at 585-948-5835 ext. 1 or www.townofoakfieldny.com  for further information.

When people have a strong motivation that drives them to devote all their time and effort to something worthwhile, they are bound to find happiness; at least this is the case for Batavia resident Donald R. Carroll, who has spent countless hours helping local youth.

He is one of four inductees for the Oakfield-Alabama High School Hall of Fame ceremony, which takes place the first weekend in October.

For the last 35 years, Carroll has lived by his motto, “Pay it forward.” He graduated from Oakfield-Alabama Central School in 1974. Instead of following the trend of going off to college after getting his diploma, Carroll decided to join the workforce and focus on his passion for helping less fortunate children.

For his first organized project, he partnered with the Genesee/Wyoming YMCA to raise money to send kids to camp. The fundraiser was successful for 23 years.

Erik Fix, branch director of the Genesee/Wyoming YMCA said Carroll has collaborated with the organization over the years on many different occasions. Fix said most recently they have combined efforts on Don’s Secret Santa fundraiser to give gifts to children at Christmas time.

This fundraiser started because Carroll wanted to ensure every underprivileged child he was aware of was not disappointed on Christmas morning. This project has recently been expanded to provide grade school kids with supplies for school and winter coats.

Shortly after the camp fundraiser, Carroll switched his focus to helping students with college expenses. He started a 5k and 10k run in Batavia that ended in 2005 to support the Genesee Community College Foundation.

In 1997 he was named Geneseean of the Year (A person who has made an outstanding contribution to the community, contributed or volunteered beyond the call of duty and who is a resident of Genesee County) by the Chamber of Commerce.

Donald R. Carroll, the quiet, shy orphan who by chance grew up in Oakfield, NY, has become a true “Guardian Angel” of the less fortunate children of Genesee County.

Donald credits his success to having grown up in Oakfield and attending OACS where one individual in particular took a special interest in him. Donald will always be indebted to Coach Bill Burns for guiding him in high school, and getting him his first job as a counselor at YMCA Camp Hough. Coach Burns taught him by example about lending a hand, "paying it forward."

OA Alumni HOF dinner details: 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 3. at OA Middle High School. Tickets are $17. How to get tickets:

• 1. Write your check to "Dollars for Scholars"
• 2. Put "Hall of Fame" in the memo area
• 3. Mail check to -- Hall of Fame Treasurer, OACS, 7001 Lewiston Road, Oakfield,  NY 14125

Sometimes we get so caught up in our everyday tasks, we tend to forget those who've helped create the life Americans enjoy.

Like the late 1st Lt. Harmon J. Norton, for example, who served his nation admirably during the Great War.

He graduated in 1913 from Oakfield-Alabama High School and served in the Marine Corps. He was widely regarded as one of the best fliers in America. Joe Cassidy, the Town of Alabama historian, will be representing Norton at the O-A Hall of Fame induction ceremony at 5 p.m. Oct. 3.

After graduating high school, Norton studied law at the Detroit College of Law. For two years during college he was a clerk for the New York State Legislature and the Constitutional Convention of New York State. In 1916, he joined the military and two years later he was appointed as an officer in the air branch of the Marine Corps.

During World War I, Norton served as a flying instructor at various air bases throughout the country.

The lieutenant was known as an able and skilled aviator, an "ace" famous among his fellow officers and aviation enthusiasts.

Along with piloting planes, Norton also represented defendants in court martial trials. His success in court had him traveling to different parts of the country to defend men facing court martial.

In 1923, his focus was back on aviation. He was appointed to command a newly established land airplane squadron at Pensacola, Fla.

Captain J.J. Raby, Navy Commandant at the time, described Norton as a pilot of long experience and sure ability especially in landing planes. Raby also noted him as an exceptional all-around officer particularly valuable to aviation.

Norton became the aviation liaision officer in the Marine Corps of the expeditionary forces. This position is responsible for handling all matters between the force and its flying section. His skill at making short trips quickly and manipulating safe landings on hazardous fields were the primary reasons he was selected for the job.

Norton was going to compete in the Schneider Trophy, a prize competition for seaplanes. But he died in 1926 when a military plane he was testing crashed into the Potomac River.

Norton's grandson, who lives in Texas, and granddaughter, who lives in Florida, plan to attend the ceremony.

Kenneth Bradt, Ph.D, is one of four inductees for the Oakfield-Alabama High School Hall of Fame ceremony the first weekend in October.

They will be introduced to students at a pep rally Oct. 2 and recognized publicly at that night's football game.

The Hall of Fame honors will take place Oct. 3 at the O-A Middle-High School. Dinner begins at 5 p.m. with the ceremony following.

Bradt has had an illustrious career. To prepare for it, he attended Syracuse University with an interest in chemistry but found he was more intrigued by people’s decisions and behaviors. He quickly switched his major and earned his bachelor's and master’s degrees in psychology.

In 1951, he earned his doctorate in psychology at Illinois' Northwestern University.

After getting his education, Bradt achieved the rank of first lieutenant in the Army Medical Service. He served as chief clinical psychologist at the Army Hospital at Camp Atterbury, Ind., and later became a research psychologist with the Department of Defense in Washington, D.C..

During the '70s Bradt counseled CIA employees coping with unfamiliar, unpredictable and potentially dangerous situations. For his work, he received the Intelligence Medal of Merit from the CIA director for outstanding contributions to agency management.

For 21 years, Bradt shared his knowledge and wisdom with students at George Washington University, the University of Virginia and George Mason University.

In 1981, he was teaching at George Mason University and originated one of the first graduate-level courses in organizational leadership in the country.

In 2004, he was elected Fellow in the American Psychological Association in recognition of outstanding and unusual contributions to the science and profession of psychology. 

The other inductees are Dr. Robert Disasio, Donald Carroll and 1st. Lt. Harmon J. Norton, who will be represented by Joe Cassidy, the Town of Alabama historian. Some previous inductees will also be attending.

Tickets go on sale in late August at the school’s main office or from committee members. The public is welcome.

Today is Fun Day at Oakfield-Alabama, but unfortunately for two students, it was a little more painful than fun.

One student suffered a reported facial cut and another a broken collar bone, resulting in ambulance calls to the school.

Principle Lynn Muscarella said the accidents were unfortunate, but unusual. This is the sixth year of the event, which comes right before finals.

"We've had minor cuts and scrapes before, but nothing like this," said Muscarella.

The day starts with an awards program, is followed by lunch and then fun and games in the field.

Muscarella praised the quick response and professionalism of the ambulance personnel who responded to the calls for the minor injuries.

She also praised the student council which organized the event and said the students have done a great job each year of putting it together.

"They do a tremendous job of putting together a structured program," she said. "This year we had lots of students participate, which I was happy about."

Kerry Hoffman, age 27, of Bergen, the former band director of Oakfield-Alabama High School has been arrested and charged with sexual abuse in the third degree.

Hoffman is accused of abusing a female student.

Besides the five misdemeanor counts of sexual abuse, Hoffman is charged with one count of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of official misconduct.

WBTA's Dan Fischer spoke with Oakfield-Alabama Superintendent Christopher Todd, who said Hoffman voluntarily resigned when the allegations surfaced in March. Todd said parents in the district were immediately notified of the allegations.  School officials became involved when information came forward that raised concerns about Hoffman's conduct with the student.

Juvenile Officer J.K. Dehm of the Sheriff's Office said in a release, "During a period from February 2009 to March 2009 Kerry Hoffman acted in a manner likely to be harmful to a child less than seventeen years old."

Hoffman was arraigned in the Town of Oakfield by Justice Graham and released under supervision.

There is a National Technical Honor Society Induction tonight at GCC at 6:30 p.m. for students from all area schools  who attend Vocational BOCES .

Richard Dunlap, former treasurer for the Oakfield-Alabama Little League, was sentenced to five years in prison today, the Buffalo News reports. Dunlap was accused of stealing as much as $30,000 from the organization during his time as treasurer. He was then alleged to have used the money to purchase, among other things, child pornography.

From the Buffalo News:

A tearful Richard L. Dunlap, 40, of Batavia, apologized for his crimes but was immediately remanded to the custody of prison officials by the judge.

Federal agents said Dunlap stole thousands of dollars from the Oakfield-Alabama Little League Association and used the money to buy child porn, adult pornography, a family vacation to Florida and other items.

Dunlap, 40, of 9 Irving Parkway, Batavia, plead guilty last September to the possession of child pornography, according to a Daily News article from October. Dunlap had also been granted a plea bargain for the theft charges and was ordered to pay $5,559 in restitution, funds that Little League officials found arbitrary.

 This was a pretty easy call for the folks that pick the Players of the Week in Section 5.

Oakfield-Alabama's Tim Smith put up sick numbers against a solid opponent and because of that was named Class C Offensive Player of the Week.

He is the second local player in a row to earn the honor as Andy Ruddock won in Class B last week.

Smith's Hornets had a slim 7-0 lead at Notre Dame on Saturday and he blew up in the second half en route to a 28-6 win.

Smith gained 185 yards on the ground, picking up 25 carries. The number of carries alone is an amazing number in O-A's offensive system.

He had 79 punt return yards and intercepted two passes and returned them for 54 yards.

His 6-yard TD run in the second quarter put the Hornets on top before he added a 21-yard touchdown run and broke a 31-yarder on a fourth-and-1 that set up his 8-yard score.

Smith has 489 yards and seven touchdowns this season.