Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.

— Jean Baptiste Alphonse Karr, Les Guêpes, 1849

The French have a saying: The more things change, the more they stay the same.

BERNE — Paul Zuk — a farmer, a mechanic, a woodworker — was a man of many talents, all cultivated through hard work and shared with generosity.

Ceremonies abound this year to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorists’ attacks. They are listed in our community calendar and described in our letters and news pages.

Rains swamped gardens this summer and gardeners swamped the cooperative extension with questions about their ailing plants.

A letter-writer this week has said the new manager of the convenience store in Altamont, Dave Singh, should fly the American flag daily.

Jefferson Award winner
Rapsard served as Santa to thousands



GUILDERLAND — Kenneth J. Rapsard was a man who made deep and long-lasting commitments — to his work, to his family, to his community.

Tolmie mourned
Free spirit who lived life on the edge



ALTAMONT — A dull gray sky spit rain on Fredendall Funeral Home Friday morning. Inside, somber rows of mourners hugged each other and wept.

GUILDERLAND — The dominant discussion at last Tuesday’s school board meeting was debating ways to streamline meetings.