Candles of hope

Toni Lyman and her daughter Isabella light their candles at the vigil for autism held Wednesday evening at the Orange County Arboretum in Thomas Bull Memorial Park. The event, sponsored by Parents Run A.M.O.C. (Autism Move-A-Thon Orange County) and the Mental Health Association in Goshen, is part of the groups’ desire to spread awareness about this neurological disorder that affects 1 in 166 children in this country. Orange County Legislator Frank Fornario of Chester also attended because, he said, he was moved by parents who came to the Legislative meeting earlier the month. With so many children with autism being bused to other counties for the services needed to treat the disorder, Fornario said he would work to make these services available in Orange County. (Photos by Linda Smith Hancharick)