WRIGHT — Walter O. Mickel was an able hunter and operated a pheasant farm where he raised dogs and hatched game birds.

Mr. Mickel of Benninger Road died Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, at his home with his wife and daughter by his side. He was 80.

Guilderville swimmers Kelly Gao and Caroline Conforti competed at the state championships last weekend at Ithaca College.

A handful of area soccer players were named to their respective All Star teams.

On Christmas Eve, people from different religions and parts of the world shared a meal of Mexican molé and margaritas in Sub-Saharan Africa.

These local students recently distinguished themselves:

The American Red Cross Blood Services is holding these local drives in December:

— On Saturday, Dec. 7, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Masonic Lodge 85 in the dining room, 421 Kenwood Ave., Delmar;

“It’s a meditation on the power of friendship," says Altamont's librarian about Breadcrumbs, one of the books recommended for winter reading.