CHEERS to Mark Maggy for sharing his knowledge of celiac disease in such an impressive way that a member of the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America felt compelled to write an article about it. Lynn Rainwater was visiting relatives in the area when they stopped in at Maggy Marketplace in Dannemora, having heard that the store carried gluten-free products. Rainwater said they had barely started looking at the display when Maggy came over and introduced himself and explained that he himself was diagnosed with celiac disease a couple of years ago and showed them some of the products available. Rainwater, who is editor of the Alamo Celiac newsletter in Texas, found Maggy extremely helpful. As for the store, Rainwater wrote: "What a fortuitous discovery! A convenient market with more gluten-free products than most metropolitan stores where I have shopped."

JEERS to bicyclists who believe they do not have to follow the rules of the road. First, let's be clear on the fact that bicyclists are entitled to certain rights while on the road, which have been debated and restated in various forums in the newspaper during the past couple of years. The City of Plattsburgh has taken positive steps to accommodate bicyclists and will be taking more in the future. Meanwhile, though, we've heard of three incidents over the past couple of weeks in which cyclists darted in front of moving vehicles or, in one alarming case, cut off a senior citizen using the crosswalk at City Hall Place and Bridge Street. In another incident, a bicyclist crossed in front of traffic at the South Catherine Street-Broad Street intersection just as the light for South Catherine turned green. After the motorist first in line pulled out and nearly collided with the bicyclists, both people exchanged profanities before heading their separate ways. We are concerned about the safety of pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists alike and do not want to report on an accident in which someone is hurt from a careless or inconsiderate act. Bicyclists, please review the law, as well as proper etiquette, for traveling in traffic, and please remember that, in a collision with a motor vehicle, the cyclist is not going to win.

CHEERS to everyone who had a hand in the success of the 12th-annual Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration, held this past weekend. It takes almost a full year of effort to put the celebration together; organizers barely pull off one year's festivities when they have to start planning the next. Hundreds of volunteers are needed to keep the activities going, including some willing to dress up in period clothing. Area civic organizations, youth groups and schools all participate. And it's paying off — the commemoration has grown into a tremendous tourist draw, and we love seeing a local event with such a strong focus on history, since it's one of this area's greatest assets.