Folks that don't know any better have a false impression (from the media) about New York State. Mention the words to anyone on the planet and the only images that comes to mind are a kaleidoscopic mental stew of "Kojak", "The Godfather", and "Miracle on 34th Street". In other words NEW YAWK CITY -- and it's environs.

Wrong image!

Most of New York State is cows, trees, mountains and water in various impoundments. And the people? Not much different than country folks anywhere. Just cover over the road signs and ignore the accents and a stranger zapped in ala Trekkie transporter couldn't tell if he was in Rockcastle Country, Kentucky, The Great Smokies or the toolies of Michigan's U.P. or in Maine.

So here is a true story out of the New York State headlines that will be familiar to anyone who ever read "The Beans of Egypt Maine" or a story from Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi.

Sprinkled among the neat, prosperous farms, the hunting lodges and the placid small towns straight out of Norman Rockwell paintings are the usual mix of American eccentrics we all recognize. 

This is just one story:  The Ward Boys of Madison County, New York.