To the Editor:

As the holidays approach and we dash around frantically buying gifts for everyone, consider buying a family journal. Between Christmas, Hanukkah, and the New Year, congregate as a family and have each member no matter how old or young contribute something to share in the journal.

To the Editor:

I would like to know if any other people who live in Altamont, or Guilderland Center, or, of course, the Hilltowns, really enjoy the new paving/blacktop that was put down leading into Altamont. Myself, I think it is great, nice and smooth, a great improvement.

When my mother-in-law was alive and our children were young, they would look forward to our visits to see grandma and grandpa in West Hartford, Conn. My father-in-law was an accountant just like my father. They were both good with numbers and always looked for good investments.

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.