ILLBURN, N.J. - When 17-year-old Dina Schiff decided to play hooky, she figured her parents would write her a note. After all, she was spending the day with them. But Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, helped her out instead.
Lieberman, in town for Democratic Party fund-raisers, dropped by the Millburn Diner to shake hands yesterday and ended up sitting down with Dina and her parents and having a cup of coffee and a tunafish sandwich.
Dina, a student at Morristown-Beard High School, revealed that she was playing hooky, but only because she hadn't been feeling well the last few days.
Lieberman asked if she would get in trouble. ''Do you want to write me an excuse?'' she asked. He readily agreed.
''My history teacher might let that go,'' replied Dina, laughing.
Lieberman's note, scrawled on a paper napkin, read: ''This is to certify that Dina Schiff and I discussed political issues. 10/19/00. Joseph Lieberman.'' (AP)
