It’s not uncommon to cross paths a loose dog in Norwich. Naturally, I wasn’t surprised to find myself pulling my own dog’s leash to separate her from a potentially messy fight while walking her on Wednesday. Terrifying? You bet. Nobody wants to be in the middle of a dog fight, especially when one of those dogs isn’t restrained. Call it selfish, but I enjoy having all my appendages. Usually, I get upset and have choice words for the other dog owner in these situations. This time, though, was different. The owner was apologetic (gasp!). So apologetic that he tracked me down later to apologize again. Speaking from experience, it isn’t often dog owners go out of their way to “mend fences,” so to speak, for their rogue K-9. That’s why I say thumbs up, responsible dog owner.

– SM

When CBS News announced the death of broadcaster Morley Safer at 84 years old, I immediately reminded myself that he had just retired. For the past few years I figured the legend would pass away at his desk, on the job – but Safer had officially retired just last week after 46 indelible years in the business. According to the CBS, Safer’s health had been “in decline” when it announced his retirement. His wife, Jane Safer, told The New York Times he died of pneumonia. We lose rock-stars and and meaningful artist on what seems like a revolving weekly basis, Mr. Safer being the latest addition to the roll call of 2016's departed. Safer was not only a gifted writer, storyteller and journalist; he was instrumental in building the CBS News empire that we consider the gold standard of news reporting today. Safer is part of a dying breed of old school news writers that could write on any subject matter and make it hit home, his range was impeccable; and it'll be hard to feel the same type of loss in the future when today's news people reach their end. It's not everyday we loose a legend, but this week we sure did. Thumbs up this week to Morley Safer; I’m sure you and Andy Rooney have a lot of catching up tp do. And remind me in my senility not to retire.

–MSW

Thumbs up to the help I receive occasionally from the community in regards to sports. I cant express enough how great it is that some parents and coaches are extremely involved with our local sports teams. As I cover all of Chenango County sports, I cant possibly be in every place at once. Therefore, I have many coaches and parents who will, on their own accord, text me game updates and have even sent me pictures they have or others have taken of games which I am not at. With the effort I am putting in to help create the best sports coverage of our local sports teams, it is great to receive that backing from the communities for that added coverage. It truly helps make our coverage that much better. With that being said, congrats to all the seniors and their teams who have finished their season so far, and good luck to those still pushing forward into the post-season. I look forward to covering more wins in the coming weeks.

–CT