There was in September. But October, November, December and January have surprised everyone, and revenues are fantastic. That's despite the fact that three riverboats are closed.

Since the hurricane, we're actually doing very good here. There was (no revenue) in September. But October, November, December and January have surprised everyone, and revenues are fantastic.

Although we are on the road for much of November, December and part of January, if we can pick up some early road wins it will certainly help to have home-court advantage down the stretch, especially having five league games at home and traveling for just three in February and March. With the strength of every team in our league, there is no letting down and every game has to be treated with a championship effort.

Our sales dropped $3,400 in November, $7,600 in December, $10,000 in January, $27,000 in February and $27,000 in March. None of my other locations have seen a drop in business - they are each averaging 2 percent growth.

The last dying days of summer, fall coming on fast. A cold night, the first of the season, a change from the usual bland Maryland climate. Cold, thought the boy; his mind felt numb. The trees he could see through his bedroom window were tall charcoal sticks, shivering, afraid of the wind or only trying to stand against it. Every tree was alone out there. The animals were alone, each in its hole, in its thin fur, and anything that got hit on the road tonight would die alone. Before morning, he thought, its blood would freeze in the cracks of the asphalt.

September is the new October,