GUILDERLAND — Since July, the Guilderland Neighbors for Peace have been making their presence known along busy Western Avenue every Monday night during rush hour.

Between 5 and 6 p.m., members of the group stand on the corner of routes 20 and 155, holding up signs to protest the war in Iraq. As cars whiz past Guilderland’s major four-corner intersection, many drivers honk their horns, as they watch the peace vigil in any weather — sunshine, wind, or rain, and, soon enough, even snow.
How long will they stand on the corner and protest"

Until the war ends, the group says.

Guilderland Neighbors for Peace was founded by Patti Schardt, Chris Lapinski, and Liz Allen, three woman who think America has no business in Iraq.
"It started with just the three of us standing here," said Schardt during Monday’s vigil. "Now our mailing list has grown to 43"We talked about how upset we were about the war, and then we started doing this."

The women say they were inspired by other local peace groups like the Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, Veterans for Peace, and Women Against War.
"We were driving around in a car one day and talking about the state of the world"and we realized we had no voice in Guilderland," Lapinski told The Enterprise. "There are some things going on in Albany, but nothing out here."

Allen was unable to attend last Monday night’s vigil due to family obligations.

The group has growth by attracting other peace protesters who drive by the vigil each week.
"My husband passed by and saw them one day and we started coming here every week," said Barbara Wickham about herself and her husband, Steve. Previously, Wickham said, they participated in Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace functions.

Steve Wickham said the group has grown considerably in the past month.
John Baideme said he’s a commuter and that he "hopped off the bus" once he saw the vigil. Baideme is now active with the group, too.
"We’ve had a very positive response," said Lapinski.

During one 60-second period on Monday, The Enterprise counted 14 drivers honking as they passed. Some gave a quick timid beep, others held onto the horn and let out several long, wailing beeps, while still others, simply gave a few salutatory beeps in rapid succession.
Every car honk incited smiles and cheers from the peace protesters who were holding up signs calling for the war to end, urging the return of American troops, entreating "Honk for Peace."

In addition to the weekly Monday-night peace vigil, the Neighbors for Peace have a monthly meeting at the Guilderland Public Library. Those interested can find out more about the peace group at www.guilderland.neighbors4peace.org.

Other peace vigils are also being held regularly in the area. The Altamont peace vigil is held every second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. on Route 146 in front of Orsini Park in the village, and a Bethlehem peace vigil is held every Monday evening from 5 to 6 p.m. on the corner of Kenwood Avenue and Delaware Avenue in Delmar.
"Now people know we’re out here and expect to see us with our signs," said Schardt.