CLIFTON - Nicholas Pierce, 26, moved last Thursday to Batavia, Ohio, from his apartment on Ludlow Avenue.  His friends held a week of mourning, as Mr. Pierce has moved outside of the I-275 circle, and it is unsure whether he will be seen again.

"Nick says he'll come down to visit all the time, but I don't see how he'll get his dog sled down Route 50," said Arthur Williams, 25.  "I assume everyone in Batavia travels by dog sled."

David Crawley, 28, Mr. Pierce's former roommate, still has hope.  "We were all going to take a road trip to New Orleans this spring, and Batavia can't be that much farther," he said.  "Everyone thinks I'm crazy, but when the roads give out, maybe we can charter a helicopter."

Mr. Pierce was unavailable for comment, as the lone telegram cable to Batavia is out of repair.