Guilderland School Board members' backgrounds informed the recommendations they made for closing a $2.7 million budget gap for next year.

GUILDERLAND — The four Guilderland High School juniors arrested for cyberbullying, a misdemeanor under a 2010 Albany County law, sat in a packed Guilderland courtroom last Thursday night.

Their cases were heard first by Judge Denise Randall, in her chambers, behind a closed door.

These local students have recently distinguished themselves:

We’ve all seen them, two elderly people sitting silently across each other in the restaurant or diner, staring past each other in a dull deadening silence.

How long have they been married? A long time.

Was it always like this? No.

GUILDERLAND — The Westmere Fire Department held its annual officer elections on Thursday, Dec. 5.

Civil officers for 2014 are:

— President Barry Nelson

— First Vice President Mike Koff;

— Second Vice President Anthony Cannistraci;

— Treasurer Don Burkett;

— Recording Secretary Mark Topper;

My husband, Jim, and I were enjoying a bowl of oatmeal before we started out to take a journey that was somewhat familiar yet totally new. We were waiting to hear our number called to board a tender for a journey full of sights and flavors of Grand Cayman. 

ALTAMONT — The public is cordially invited to worship with the Altamont Reformed Church family this Sunday, Dec. 15, when the chancel choir will perform special musical anthems celebrating the Advent and Christmas season.

St. John’s Lutheran Church at 140 Maple Ave. in Altamont has the following schedule for Sunday, Dec. 15: 

— 8:30 a.m. there will be an informal worship including modern and ethnic hymns plus a discussion of the format for the sermon; and

Two local members of the New York Army National Guard have been promoted:

— Nicholas Bellizzi from Altamont and serving with the Company B, 3-142nd Aviation is promoted to the rank of sergeant; and