This is a story about three four great men from Kinderhook, NY: the suave Manetti, his mentor Coach Wilson, the author Washington Irving; the 8th President of the United States, Martin Van Buren and some ducks.

(First a bit of Kinderhook lore. According to legend there were many apple orchards near Kinderhook. As a matter of fact, back in the 1700s, apples from this area were packed in crates marked "Old Kinderhook" and were refer to as "O.K." apples. That's it for the historic tour.)

Now a bit about our hero Manetti. Manetti's great-great-great grandfather was the author Washington Irving and his great-great-great-great-great grandfather was the 8th President of the United States, Martin Van Buren.

In high school Manetti was the leader of a very dangerous street gang called the Van Buren Boys. A tough guy, Manetti was the thug of Kinderhook.

But there was a soft side to Manetti. He loved ducks and he had 8 of them - Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack.

Brave in the face of danger. Tender in the presence of ducks. Manetti was a study in contracts. How could Kinderhook's toughest guy be brought to tears at the sight of Glazed Duck with Clementine Sauce on the menu at Kinderhook Diner?

In the fall of 2003 college called and now it was time to make a choice. Bring Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack to the Hudson River or to BC?

What had happended to Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack?

Who really was Manetti?

The thug from Kinderhook or the suave BC man?

Was he tough or tender?

The day began sunny. A group of friends gathering for an autumnal pigskin ritual. Good company. Just like all the days before at BC ........

Than something happened.

In a BC mod, Manetti had to confront his past.

There alone on a table was Ouack and with one quick whack, Manetti was a Van Buren Boy again!