A belated CHEERS: to Elizabethtown-Lewis Central School and any others that arranged to have their students participate in the Special Olympics torch celebration as it passed through North Country communities earlier this year. ELCS Principal Scott Osborne made an announcement explaining the purpose for the Special Olympics and then encouraged classes to line up along the school's driveway to cheer the participants, which included two of ELCS's wheelchair-assisted students. The exercise had to have been elevating for any students or spectators along the route with any kind of disabilities. Besides, educating our public about people with special needs benefits us all and gives everyone a more empathetic attitude.

CHEERS: to two passers-by who were Johnnys-on-the-spot for Press-Republican photographer Rob Fountain last week when his car broke down at the intersection of routes 9 and 9B just north of West Chazy. Fountain, who was hobbled by a sprained ankle, was trying to get his disabled car off the road and onto the shoulder, when two young men almost immediately pulled up, pushed the car to safety, hopped back into their own car and drove off. When people appear that way, like angels, out of nowhere, they probably don't think that much about the gesture. To the victim, however, they are virtually sent from heaven. We've always said that, if you have to break down somewhere, the North Country is as good a place as any.

CHEERS: to the many organizations that, through cooperation among themselves, are forging great economic progress for the North Country even in these difficult times. Last week, we learned that Imeco Cables Inc. of Canada is establishing a manufacturing site at the Air Industrial Park in the Town of Plattsburgh, likely to take advantage of Nova Bus and Bombardier as potential buyers of its products. Among the agencies that had a hand in attracting and siting Imeco are the Development Corp., the Plattsburgh North Country Chamber of Commerce, Crossborder Development Corp., the Labor Department and OneWorkSource. There was a time in Clinton County when companies interested in locating here would be greeted with competitors for their attention, who would try to undercut and outmaneuver one another. These days, the spirit of camaraderie prevails, and everybody is helping to land the prospects, no matter where they wind up.

CHEERS: to the Fashion Exchange in Plattsburgh for its fine window displays. There aren't many stores left in downtown Plattsburgh that have windows in which to show off their wares. But the Fashion Exchange does, and its high-profile site near the corner of Boynton Avenue and Beekman Street always has mannequins decked out in color-coordinated outfits that fit the season. It's a good draw for the store and a pleasing sight for passing drivers.