[News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#med heads]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]



(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


Today on News 7 at 5, a Pulaski County man was shot and killed in Roanoke last night. We'll have the details.
(----------------)

and more Anthrax is discovered in the U-S. This time it's in the midwest. [Weather-Head]
[ANCHOR=Jacey]
[SS=None]


We begin November with a sweep of warm air as temperatures made their way into the mid-seventies today... and we're expecting more of the same as we end the work week.

[Medical-Head]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#med heads]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]


Also today, we will see on investors on Wall Street are reacting to news of a possible settlement in the Microsoft anti-trust case...
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

and Joy Sutton will be along with news of a program that uses a unique method to help curb teenage pregnancy rates.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]


[open]
[SUPER=#4063; Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Jean1;]
[SUPER=@Jacey1;]
[SUPER=@Mike1;]


[Video-Open]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
(------------)
[VO-NAT ]


Word tonight that more U-S Ground troops could be sent to Afghanistan.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:09:01 ]
[IN Q=]

((DONALD RUMSFELD/DEFENSE SECRETARY: WE HAVE A NUMBER OF TEAMS COCKED AND READY TO GO.. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF HAVING THE RIGHT KIND OF EQUIPMENT TO ET THEM THERE AND THE LANDING ZONES IN PLACES WHERE'S IT'S OSSIBLE TO GET IN AND GET OUT.))
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=GET IN AND GET OUT.]

(------------)[5-Sirgany-Live]



[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=News 7]


Meanwhile here at home... more Anthrax scares.
Word tonight that Anthrax may have been found at a postal facility in the Midwest.
And in Washington.. lawmakers work toward making airlines safer-
We have two reports tonight... beginning with Aleen Sirgany in Washington. She joins us live with the latest.
[LIVE=Newspath FULL]
[SUPER=01-Aleen Sirgany/CBS News;]
[SUPER=05-Washington, DC;]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]
[SUPER=01-Rep. Chris Shays/(R) Connecticut;]
[Super=03-New York, NY;]
[Super=01-Rudy Giuliani/New York Mayor;]
[SUPER=05-Washington, DC;]
[OUT Q=back to you.]

((IN WHATS EXPECTED TO BE A CLOSE VOTE ON HOW TO IMPROVE AIRLINE SAFETY IN THE WAKE OF SEPTEMBER 11TH, THE HOUSE DEBATED WHETHER OR NOT TO MAKE BAGGAGE SCREENERS FEDERAL EMPLOYEES. DEMOCRATS SAY YES: REP. RICHARD GEPHARDT/D-MINORITY LEADER: "This should not be a time of politics as usual. this should be a time to do what's right for the american people and the airline system."
THE WHITE HOUSE FAVORS HAVING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ONLY SUPERVISE SCREENERS. REP. CHRIS SHAYS, R-CT IN NEW YORK, HEALTH OFFICALS SAY IT NOW APPEARS THERE IS NO LINK BETWEEN MAIL AND THE 61-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WHO DIED FROM INHALATION ANTHRAX. SHES THE ONLY PERSON KILLED BY THE BACTERIA WHO HAD NO CONNECTION TO THE POSTAL SERVICE OR THE MEDIA. AUTHORITIES CONTINUE TO QUESTION HER FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES. Rudy Giuliani/NYC Mayor: "People have been interviewed for 2 reasons: one is the criminal investigation and the other is to make sure they have no symptoms, they're being tested properly." AND THE SCARE SPREADS: JUST OUTSIDE WASHINGTON, ANTHRAX WAS DISCOVERED IN THE MAILROOM OF THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. AND IN THE MIDWEST THE BACTERIA WAS FOUND IN A KANSAS CITY MAIL ROOM AND IN A PRIVATE MAIL CENTER IN INDIANAPOLIS. THE PENTAGON, IN THE MEANTIME, HAS SENT MORE TROOPS TO THE FRONT LINE. AND THE WHITE HOUSE NOW SAYS THE MILITARY WILL NOT HALT ITS CAMPAIGN FOR THE MUSLIM HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN. ))



[5-Afghanistan]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Enduring Freedom]


As the war rages in Afghanistan, there is another kind of war being fought between the U-S and the Taliban.
It's a war of words and public relations. Kimberly Dozier has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Kabul, Afghanistan; :00]
[SUPER=01-Kimberly Dozier/CBS News; :40]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=CBS NEWS Islamabad]

((A hail of bombs dropped north of Kabul along the Taliban front lines. Answered by venemous words, allegedly penned by America's enemy number one. This faxed letter to the Arab satellite channel Al Jazeera is signed by one Osama bin Laden. It tries to stir hatred in Pakistan against the Christian world.

(praying)

It appeared just in time...to make it into all of the Friday newspapers across the Arab world - and just in time for the traditional protests on the Muslim day of prayer.
Score one for a media campaign of hatred.

(today quetta protests)


These Pakistanis in the border town of Quetta didn't need any more incentive. Nor did the hundreds of Pakistani tribesman crossing into Taliban territory to fight against America.

(on/camera)

So far, press coverage from this part of the world has been fairly negative. Now that it looks like US attacks will continue through the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the White House has decided to open another front in the ongoing public relations war.
The Taliban also claimed that it had shot down an American plane a charge the Pentagon almost immediately denied. But thats not how it usually works.

(cutaway Washington briefing room)

These briefings in Washington are often held when people of this region...are fast asleep.
The goal now is to answer claims like this, by the Taliban ambassador here...

(SOT Translator for Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, Taliban ambassador to

Pakistan)
"We have a few American citizens with us. . they have been arrested "
With a response in real time here in Islamabad, and also in London - not five hours later.

(bombing)


Washington's realized these direct hits may win some territory, not hearts and minds. KD, CBS News, Islamabad))

[5-Roanoke-Murder]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=501-04 1:00:03]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation]


Roanoke Police are looking for a shooting suspect in an early morning killing.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

28-year-old David Lee Tickle was shot in the back just after
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

midnight on Hunt Avenue in northwest Roanoke. He died at the scene. His girlfriend Candy and a friend were waiting for him in a car as he visited a friend.
Tickle never returned,
[SUPER=03-Draper;]

Candy's mother says David and her daughter lived in this mobile home with her on Pine Run Road in Draper for the past six months. She says they recently got an apartment together in Pulaski. Candy's mother says she has no idea who or why anyone would want to hurt David. Roanoke Police ask anyone with information about the shooting to call the Crime Line at 344-8500.
(------------)


[5-English]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=501-14 1:07:15]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A week before he was supposed to be tried for the capital murder of his stepfather, a Charlottesville man has entered a plea to first-degree murder.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rocky Mount;]


23-year-old Charlie English pleaded guilty to murdering and robbing 61-year-old Ralph English last year.
He'll be sentenced by a judge in January.... and could receive up to 50 years in prison, under his plea agreement.

Commonwealth Attorney Cliff Hapgood accepted the plea for a couple of reasons. He says while the evidence showed the stepson took part in the murder... it would have been hard to prove Capital murder-
(---------)
[Talent=Jean]

because Hapgood says the evidence did not show that Charlie English held the shoelaces used to strangle the victim.
Two of Charlie English's friends have already been sentenced for their roles in the murder.

[5-Diverted-Plane]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Bomb Threat]


F-B-I officials say there was no bomb aboard a Northwest Airlines flight that was diverted to Detroit today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Romulus, MI]


Flight 191 from Washington's Reagan National airport as on its way to Minneapolis.. when a passneger found a threatening note.
The plane was escorted by fighter jets to Detroit... where an FBI spokeswoman says a search showed the plane did not pose a threat.
Officials are still investigating the passengers and crew.
None of the 78 people on board was hurt.
(------------)

[(toss to R)]
(toss to Jacey)[Robin-Tease]

[11/01/2001]
[SS=NONE]ROBIN IN WX-CENTER


The start of November didn't shock us with cold air to warn us of winter to come... in fact the new month begins quiet with warm temperatures for us. Overnight lows were in the upper thirties this morning but as soon as 11 A-M rolled around, the sunshine along with some southwest breezes began working.
In fact right now we are stilling dealing with breezy and even windy weather through Roanoke and Lynchburg with winds upwards of 13 miles an hour. Galax, Greensboro and Hot Springs all racking up 8 mile an hour winds and Richlands and Beckley both in the 13 mile per hour category.
Today's warm and mild weather continues into Friday with highs mainly in the lower seventies, more breezy conditions and sunshine in store.
Our dry weather pattern marches on but there may be a few sprinkles to speak of... we've got that coming up. [WXPRO/FULL] WEATHER TODAY TOMORROW FORECAST

[SS=NONE]ROBIN TOSS BACK[Tease#1]



[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=Tease1]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Coming up after this break, we'll see why state election officials think they can avoid some of the problems Florida experienced in the last election,
(--------------)

[VO] and Joy Sutton will join us with news of a different kind of program that helps young people avoid teenage pregnancy.


(--------------)

[Closed captioning]

[Commercial Break #1]




[5-Danville-Fatal]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]


One person is dead after an accident in Danville this morning.
It happened just before noon at the intersection of Fairview Drive and Riverside Drive.
Police say 80-year-old Virginia Lawson pulled onto Riverside Drive and was struck by a truck heading west.
Mrs. Lawson was pronounced dead at the scene.
No charges have been filed. The investigation is continuing.

[5-Microsoft]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Microsoft]


A tentative deal in the Microsoft anti-trust case- but what it entails we don't know.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 23 plus pad]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]


Terms of the settlement are under wraps..
Those close to the talks tell reporters the specific language is still being worked out.
Not only that .. but attorneys general representing 18 states must still sign off on the deal.
Many of them have been pushing to break up the software giant.
If there is no settlement.. the next stage of the trial is decided how to punish Microsoft.
(------------)


[5-Provox]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=501-07 57:56]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Meanwhile Microsoft is recognizing the work of a Roanoke company.
If Provox has its way, your computer's keyboard will soon become obsolete. [Toss Across the Set]
Business Reporter Jennifer Miele is here to tell us more.
Jean, Provox's technology is really on the cutting edge.
[LIVE=JEN MB SET FULL]
[SUPER=@jennifer1]


In fact, its software is tapping into a seven billion dollar medical transcription market. ((ROLLCUE:...))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat sound: Hello, my name]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;:00]
[SUPER=01-Steve Bennington/Provox CEO;:25]
[RUNS=45]
[OUT Q=innovative solutions award.]

(( [nat sound: HELLO,MY NAME IS MARK LUCAS, I'M THE FOUNDER OF PROVOX TECHNOLOGIES IN ROANOKE, VA.] [RUNS07]
Mark Lucas is the co-founder of Provox technologies.
His company developed software that translates the spoken word into text.
Provox Chief Executive Officer Steve Bennington reports more than 350 physicians across the country already use the software.
[SOT]

((STEVE BENNINGTON: WE'VE HAD A RECORD SALES GROWTH EVERY MONTH SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.)) [RUNS03]
And Provox plans to keep growing.. in fact, Bennington says the company will triple its 27-member staff by the end of next year.
The company's success caught the eye of Microsoft last week. Out of 77 nation-wide nominees, Provox was given the prestigious Innovative Solutions Health Care Award. ))
(---------------)
[LIVE=JEN FULL]


Typically, doctors pay medical transcriptionists about 700 dollars a month.
Lucas says his software can do the same work, and be leased monthly for a third of that cost. [Toss Across the Set]
Jean.

[5-Voting]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=501-03 1:19:46]
[GRAPHIC=Election 2001]


150 thousand voter guides will be in polling places around Virginia Tuesday to make sure voters know their rights and how to solve any voting problems.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :11]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]


It's all part of a joint effort by the State Board of Elections, the N-double-A-C-P, and both major political parties.
Their message is simple: Virginia is NOT Florida.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:50:15]
[IN Q=It covers the various things]

((CAMERON QUINN/STATE BD. OF ELECTIONS: IT COVERS THE VARIOUS THINGS THAT VOTERS WOULD WANT TO KNOW IF THEY WERE HAVING A PROBLEM AT THE POLLING PLACE ON ELECTION DAY. SUCH AS THE FACT THAT IF YOU DO SHOW UP WITHOUT ID THERE IS AN AFFIRMATION FORM THAT YOU CAN SIGN IN ORDER TO VOTE.))12
[SOT 11:54:44]

((STEVE CALOS/CTR. FOR OPEN & ETHICAL GOVERNMENT: WE FEEL THAT WHAT HAPPENED IN FLORIDA CANNOT HAPPEN IN VIRGINIA. I THINK THAT'S GENERALLY AGREED. BUT NEVERTHELESS, THE STATE HAS NOT SAT COMFORTABLY BACK DOING NOTHING. THEY CONTINUE MOVE FORWARD, THEY CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE.))15
[SUPER=01-Cameron Quinn/State Bd. of Elections; :00]
[SUPER=01-Steve Calos/Ctr. for Open & Ethical Government; :13]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=to reach out to people.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :28]


New this year, some new voting machines will be tested in some localities on Tuesday.
The legislature adopted new "two corner" standards for deciding voter intent on the old punch card ballots.
"Overvotes" will be caught at the polling place and voters can revote.
And, Virginia law already allowed "conditional ballots" to let voters who do NOT appear on the list at the precinct to vote, and give the registrar until the next morning to make sure they're legally registered.
(------------)



[5-Teen-Outreach]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=501-10 1:03:29]
[GRAPHIC=]


It's been named one of the most effective programs in the nation for preventing teen pregnancy.
But what makes the Teen Outreach Program unique is that it doesn't focus on sex education but rather on community service and leadership.
[ANCHOR=JEAN 2 shot]


Health Check Reporter Joy Sutton has details.
[ANCHOR=Joy 2 shot]


Jean,
Every year nearly 900-thousand teens get pregnant.
[ANCHOR=JOY FULL]
[SUPER=@JOY1;]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Roanoke has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the State. But in the 12 years that the Teen Outreach Program has been in the Valley those numbers have declined.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=See how this is double spaced]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;00]
[SUPER=01-Darius Jessup/William Fleming Student;18]
[SUPER=01-Cheri Hartman/Family Service of Roanoke Valley;45]
[SUPER=01-LeTasha Randolph/William Fleming Student;1:18]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=some of things she's doing]

((
(///// SOT /////)
[NAT SOT10:09]
[IN Q=See how this is double]

((SEE HOW THIS IS DOUBLE SPACED --COME BACK OVER)) [RUNS02]
[OUT Q=come back over]


Darius Jessup is rather attached to the kids in this 3rd grade class at the Roanoke Academy of Math and Science. A school he once attended but now volunteers at as part of the Teen Outreach Program through William Fleming High School.


(///// SOT /////)
[SOT27:48]
[IN Q=I feel kind of good coming back]

((DARIUS JESSUP/WILLIAM FLEMING STUDENT: I FEEL KIND OF GOOD COMING BACK HELPING OUT ANOTHER ONE OF ME.. AS A YOUNG PERSON. I FEEL LIKE I'M INFLUENCING THEM)) [RUNS08]
[OUT Q=like I'm influencing them]


That's exactly what the Teen OutReach program hopes to accomplish by getting teenagers involved in volunteer work. The idea is that if you connect teens to the community in a positive way they will take themselves more seriously -- and set goals for themselves.
The belief is that hope is the best contraceptive --and according to a recent national study it seems to be working.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT31:34]
[IN Q=In the study of 700 student they found]

((IN THE STUDY OF 700 STUDENTS --THEY FOUND THE STUDENTS WERE ACTUALLY 50-PERCENT LESS LIKELY TO GET PREGNANT IF THEY WERE IN TEEN OUTREACH PROGRAM --IT'S AN OUTSTANDING FIND --AND THEY'VE REPLICATED THAT FINDING OVER AND OVER AGAIN)) [RUNS12]
[OUT Q=and over again]


In Roanoke the same results were found, students involved in the program were not only less likely to become pregnant --they are also less likely to be sexually active.
(///// SOT /////)
[NAT SOT22:31]
[IN Q=We're just cleaning-up the]

((WE'RE JUST CLEANING UP THE FARM --DOES IT LOOK GOOD... IT LOOKS PRETTY GOOD)) [RUNS05]
[OUT Q=it looks pretty good]


William Fleming Senior LeTasha Randolph says she wants to be a good role model.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT25:11]
[IN Q=It makes me wanna carry myelf in a way]

((IT MAKES ME WANNA CARRY MYSELF IN A WAY THAT THEY WILL SAY I WANT TO BE LIKE HER --OR I WANT DO SOME OF THINGS SHE'S DOING)) [RUNS08]
[OUT Q=things she's doing]))
[ANCHOR=Joy Full]


This year more than 100 high school students will be involved in the program from Roanoke City and County.
The programs is a partnership between the schools and Family Service of the Roanoke Valley.
[ANCHOR=Jean/Joy 2 shot]


Jean, The program is offered in 35 communities throughout the U-S.


[Tease#2]



[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]


Coming up next on News 7 at 5, we'll see how the stock markets finished the day.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus we will meet a woman from North Carolina who refuses to let her blindness keep her from expressing her patroitism.

(------------)
[COMM-#2][Stats]

[11/01/2001] [CK/ESS]FIVE BACKGROUND
[CK/CHYRON/VIEWERNET]
[SUPER=#578; Burnt Chimney]

VIEWERNET LOCATION
[CK/WXPRO]WEATHER MAPS WEATHER FORECASTS EXTENDED FORECAST
[WALK OVER FOR 2 SHOT TOSS]

[Tease#3]



[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=Tease3]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Still to come in Sports,
(--------------)

[VO] the Roanoke Dazzle has picked up a dozen more players. Mike Stevens will be along to tell us who is on the list.
(-------------)



[Streaming Video]

[5-Marketwatch]


[ANCHOR=Jan]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Stock Market]


On Wall Street today, investors investors ignored more bad economic news and focused on the technology sector following word of a tentative settlement in the Microsoft antitrust suit.
Alexis Christoforous has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/CBS Marketwatch]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=News 7 at 5.]



[S5-Dazzle]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=5pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-100 15259TC]
[GRAPHIC=TICKER]


Welcome everybody to the Thursday night ticker.
[GRAPHIC=NBDL]

The National Basketball Developmental League held its inaugural draft just outside of Atlanta today.
[GRAPHIC=DAZZLE]

The Roanoke Dazzle and the league's 7 other teams each picked 12 players to join the four allocated guys they already had on the roster. These players will practice in Georgia tomorrow before opening training camp here in Roanoke at Hollins University next week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Suwanee, GA; :00]

The Dazzle used their top pick in the draft to select former University of Alabama star Artie Griffin. He has played under head coach Kent Davison in both the CBA and the United States Basketball League.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=He's like...]
[SUPER=01-Artie Griffin/Dazzle's Top Draft Pick; :00]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=...A DREAM."]
(------------)

[GO TO PINNACLE PAGE 1000] The Dazzle's 12 picks today include a couple of intriguing players. Lee Wilson, who played at Arkansas is a six foot 11 inch center who weighs 306 pounds.
(------------)

[GO TO PINNACLE 1001] In the sixth round, the Dazzle took JaRon Rush from UCLA. He was cut by the Seattle Supersonics last Thursday. Cornelius Jackson played at Marshall. And Terry Sellers is 7-2, but he only weighs 220 pounds. The Dazzle's home opener is November 18th at six o'clock.

(--------------)[S5-Series]



[ANCHOR=MIke]
[NEWSCAST=5pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-101 1:24:42]
[GRAPHIC=Yankees/Diamondbacks]


Game five of the World series is tonight in New York. The Yankees will go with Mike Mussina while the Diamondbacks will start Miguel Batista.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY; :00]


The series is tied 2-2 thanks to Derek Jeter's 10th inning homerun that gave the Bronx Bombers the win 4-3 last night.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Derek Jeter/Yankees Shortstop; :06]
[RUNS=:30]
[OUT Q=......will carry over"]
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=mike]
[GRAPHIC=ticker]

Coming up at six, the run down for week 10 of Friday Football Extra, a huge honor for Tech receiver Andre Davis and we will take you mountain biking at the Explore Park, all of that at six.

[5-Flag]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=America Responds]


Since September 11th, many Americans have tried to find something to do to express their patriotism. One woman in Franklin County, North Carolina, is letting her crocheting speak for her.
Cullen Browser has more on this modern Betsy Ross.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co., NC; :00]
[SUPER=07-Gerri Curtin; :14]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=what I want to do.]

(( DESPITE LIMITED VISION, GERRI CURTIN IS BUSY PLAYING THE ROLE OF BETSY ROSS. WHEN SHE WAS UNABLE TO FIND AN AMERICAN FLAG, SHE TOOK MATTERS INTO HER OWN HANDS.

(SOT-

"It's really about the only thing I can do on my own.") says Gerri Curtin.
CURTIN IS BUSY CREATING THE FABRIC OF AMERICA FROM HER FRANKLIN COUNTY KITCHEN. FOR THE NATIVE NEW YORKER, CROCHET IS HER WAY OF HEALING FROM SEPT. 11.

(SOT -

"I just felt so useless. There was nothing I could do and I wanted to help these people.")

WHEN HER FAMILY WAS UNABLE TO FIND A FLAG AFTER THE TERRORIST ATTACKS, CURTIN DECIDED TO MAKE ONE. THEN, WHEN HER SON-IN-LAW TOOK THE HOMEMADE FLAG TO WORK, CURTIN'S HANDIWORK HIT A PATRIOTIC CHORD. EVERYONE WHO SAW IT WANTED ONE, TOO.
THE RETIRED NURSE STARTED MAKING MORE FLAGS, DESPITE LIMITED EYESIGHT. FIVE YEARS AGO, CURTIN BEGAN TO GO BLIND AS A RESULT OF DIABETES.
WHILE SHE LISTENS TO TOM CLANCY AUDIO BOOKS, CURTIN USES A DOUBLE CROCHET STITCH TO CRAFT EACH FLAG IN ABOUT A DAY AND A HALF.
HER LIST OF FLAG CUSTOMERS KEEPS GROWING -- THERE IS CURRENTLY A FOUR-MONTH WAIT.
DESPITE ALL OF THE WORK INVOLVED, CURTIN SAYS SHE WILL NOT CHARGE MORE THAN $10 FOR THE FLAGS. SHE SAID THAT $5 BUYS HER SUPPLIES AND $5 IS DONATED TO THE SEPT. 11 RELIEF FUND.

(SOT -

"If I charge $50, there's going to be people who can't afford to buy one. It's not much, but every little penny can help for them.")

AS THE MOTHER OF A NAVY LIEUTENANT, CURTIN ALREADY OVERFLOWS WITH PATRIOTISM. THIS LATEST LABOR OF LOVE REVEALS HER TRUE COLORS.

(SOT -

"I don't do much because of my eyes and my legs. But now I have a reason. I can help somebody again and that's what I want to do.")))
[Close-ID] [5pm] SUPER=x4035; fax/copyright [SUPER=x4034;email/copyright]
by SS