By Tony Daniels
It�s time again. No, not just for another one of my columns, friends, it�s back to school time! I�m sure the Pine Oaks youngsters are excited, and I�ll bet the parents are, too! On a parenthetical note, I wish there were some way to denote winking in print, because I totally would have winked at the end of that last sentence. And not in the creepy way, either, in the jolly, fun-loving way. Although I suppose one can be both creepy and fun loving. Little Richard, for instance. He sure seems to have fun. But I�m getting ahead of myself.
Since this is our �Back to School� issue, I want to take this opportunity to offer some back-to-school safety tips. First, remember that a new school year means more pedestrians. The schools do employ crossing guards, but sometimes that�s not enough. So drivers, be on the lookout for any students you see trying to cross the street. Do not hit them with your car! Even if they�re throwing rocks at you.
Second, business should be aware that with less free time, students are going to spend the precious moments they have away from school loitering. So take any precautionary steps you feel necessary to keep away all roustabouts and sel�om-do-wells and prevent riff-raffery.
Third, Back to School (BtS) means Back to Afterschool Activites, Such As Soccer Practices and Marching Band (BtAASASPaMB). That�s been the motto of the Pine Oaks Neighborhood Watch for nigh on 45 minutes, and it�s one we take seriously. I guess there�s not really a safety tip to go along with that, other than parents should make sure their children are actually at those activities, and not at their friend�s house injecting god-knows-what into god-knows-where. Military surplus stores sell a variety of tracking equipment, and peace of mind can be had for less than you�d think.
Just follow these safety tips, and you�ll get a �B-plus� from me! (Like my 9th grade geometry teacher, I don�t give out A�s).
Keep watching everything around you!
Tony
By Marcus Eddy, Senior Class President
Hello. My name is Marcus Eddy and I�m the Senior Class President at Rt. 237 High School (Go Fighting Van Burens!) When Mr. Stillman approached me about writing this monthly column, I jumped at the chance. Even though I�ve already applied to several colleges and cannot put this on my application, the opportunity to address you, the citizens of Pine Oaks, and inform you of all the events at the high school was rewarding enough. And I can always put it on my resume later.
We have a big year ahead at Rt. 237. Football games this fall (or marching band, for anyone who does all that); baseball, lacrosse and field hockey in the spring; various theater performances, and all those dances! If there�s anything that you folks in the community would like to see or hear from me or anyone else from the high school, let me know. I may have some �guest columnists� from time to time if my class president duties take up too much of my time. And I�m happy to serve as your representative in the high school. I want my fellow students to know what the community thinks about our various outreach efforts, like our upcoming Junior Class car wash to help raise money for this year�s prom (and also the homeless). It�s guaranteed fun for everyone, except probably the homeless. But hey, maybe we�ll get them yo-yo�s or something to let them join in, too!
Go Fighting Van Burens!
Marcus Eddy, Rt. 237 Senior Class President
Fighting Spirit...p. 4
Neighborhood Watch...p. 4
Message from the President...FRONT
Pine Oaks Book Club...p. 3
Welcome Wagon...FRONT
This Month in Pine Oaks...FRONT
Young Person's Perspective...p. 5