COLONIE — Fresh off a Section 2 title, the Guilderland soccer team is nowhere near finished with its season. The Dutch have struck gold, and the players seem to be performing at a higher level each time they step on the field.

The outgoing director of Community Caregivers praised his successor, Kathy Burbank, as “very knowledgeable, very connected to the community."

“I told him, ‘Leave the store now,’ and I repeated that twice,” said Steven Irwin who witnessed a burglary in his store.. “As soon as he heard my voice he ran.”

GUILDERLAND — Polly Smith Cure, a World War II Army veteran, described by her daughter-in-law as “a grand lady,” died on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, 2013, at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center, embraced by the love of her family. She was 89.

ALTAMONT — Chester “Chet” Deleskiewicz, a family man and railroad worker, died at home Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013. He was 69.

Mr. Deleskiewicz was born in Albany on April 10, 1944. He was the son of Mollie Deleskiewicz and the stepson of George Fortulakis.

He worked 33 years for Conrail before retiring in 2003.

High school students explore reality as they perform in a Lucille Fletcher thriller.

Stoic men, many of them soldiers, silently wept when a father spoke of his son being killed in action. He wept, too, and said later that the contribution to the Wounded Warriors Program hit home.

GUILDERLAND CENTER — Described by her daughter as “stern but loving,” Marie F. Shank was an immaculate housekeeper and a deeply religious woman.

She died on Monday, Nov. 4, 2013. She was 87.

GUILDERLAND — Howard O. Towle taught his two daughters the value of money and education — resources he lacked in his own childhood — while, through his hard work and compassion, he served as a model for generosity.

He died on Friday, Nov. 1, after a short illness.  He was 88.