PRESIDENTIAL PAWS: Rick Frederick sent us an e-mail about his
cat – William Howler Taft, who won the McKean County SPCA Calendar
contest.

William Howler Taft’s photograph – with a portrait of his
namesake William Howard Taft – appears in the calendar in
November.

“On a whim, I mailed a copy of the calendar, along with a cover
letter of explanation, to the Governor of Ohio, Bob Taft, who is
the great-grandson of former President and Supreme Court Chief
Justice William Howard Taft.”

Governor Taft was quite thrilled to receive the calendar. In a
letter he sent me just before Christmas, he stated: “To my
knowledge, this is a ‘first’ in two ways. At least it is the first
time anyone has told me that a cat was named for my
great-grandfather, and it is also the first time I recall seeing my
great-grandfather’s picture on a calendar with a cat.

“Now, I must say that ‘Taft’ is one of the most distinguished
cats I have ever seen. He actually looks proud to be wearing a red,
white, and blue kerchief! I am sure President Taft would have been
pleased.”

No doubt he would think it’s the cat’s meow, we think!

KNIFE NOTES: Kay Zelinski of Kersey, a former long-time Bradford
resident, has unearthed a set of six stainless steel knives made by
the “Robinson Knife Co., Bradford, Pa.”

She found them among her mother’s possessions, and was wondering
if anyone has information about this company.

HORNE UPDATE: Frances Williams sends along a clipping from the
Good Old Day magazine about Bradford native Marilyn Horne – who has
a birthday coming up this month.

Actually, it was an advertisement of two Marilyn Horne
recordings – one a Christmas collection with Ms. Horne accompanied
by the Mormon Tabernacle choir; the second, a collection of
lullabies from around the world.

“Two classic recordings from one of the most beloved opera
singers of all time!” the ad says.

RTS fans would undoubtedly remember that Bradford’s famous
mezzo-soprano retired from opera because of the strain on her
voice. She, however, continues to sing songs in other genres.

We can’t wait the hear the recordings ourselves.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “First Amendment and access rights don’t enforce
themselves any more than others. They’re only ours if we exercise
them against those willing and able to deny them.”

So said Tom Curley, president and chief executive officer of the
Associated Press.