CHEERS: to Monica Clark and the organizers behind an apparently successful attempt at re-establishing a Farmers Market in Saranac, which hasn't been in operation for at least 10 years. Clark has coaxed approval from the Saranac Town Council and the Adirondack Farmers Market Cooperative. Plans call for it to be open behind Saranac Town Hall on Route 3 Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. beginning June 28. Early offerings will include salad greens, herbs, onions and crafts, to be supplemented by other produce as the season matures.

JEERS: to dog owners who allow their pets to bark without restraint and, obviously, without regard to neighbors who are driven to distraction by the non-stop racket. We've received many complaints of this over the years, and it's hard to imagine anyone with any kind of sense of responsibility or courtesy allowing it to continue. One resident of the Town of Plattsburgh said he'd like to put a Letter to the Editor into the paper but doesn't for fear his uninhibited neighbor will "retaliate by having the dogs bark more." If the neighbor has the dogs that responsive, they belong in a circus, perhaps. Nevertheless, the point is well taken.

CHEERS: to Northeastern Clinton Central School senior Jonathon McDonald for being chosen 2008 Teen Volunteer of the Year by the Adirondack Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. Kim Werner of NCCS and Emillie LaMay of Plattsburgh High were runners-up. McDonald was chosen for his ability to motivate those around him to become involved in worthwhile projects. As two-year president of his school's Student Council, he is credited with inspiring students to raise money for such causes as peace in Darfur, the Clinton County Christmas Bureau and local fire and cancer victims. Congratulations also to the association for establishing and perpetuating this award. It encourages students to become better adults and citizens and rewards them for doing so.

JEERS: to a passenger in a taxicab in Plattsburgh last Wednesday who opened her back-seat window and apparently without a twinge of conscience launched a half-full milk-shake cup out the window onto the street. A motorist following the cab was so incensed that, as the cab was stopping to drop off his passenger, he approached the cab to inform the driver of his fare's imprudent behavior, whereupon the driver assured the man he'd take care of the cup. However, he drove off and didn't take any action on the breach, so the conscientious motorist retrieved the cup, himself, and placed it on the woman's porch as a reminder of her poor etiquette, if such a gesture would do any good. It's hard to believe that anyone would deem it appropriate to blithely let fly with such an ostentatious piece of garbage on a city street. Don't people like that realize that, even if they don't have the sense to be ashamed of their bad manners, other people may be observing and deeply resent the assault on the common good?