IN THE NEWS: Is Bradford truly the “”icebox of Pennsylvania””?
We always thought that “”honor”” belonged to Kane![neWLine]

A reader tells us a question on this “”icebox”” was part of a
contest published in the recent edition of Pennsylvania
magazine.[neWLine]

“”If you know which McKean County town has been dubbed the
‘Icebox of Pennsylvania,’ add 2,”” was an item in the contest
called, “”What kind of Pennsylvanian are you?””[neWLine]

The answer: “”Bradford is referred to as the ‘Icebox of
Pennsylvania’ because it’s the coldest spot in the
state.'””[neWLine]

We thought it was funny that not only did you get to add two
points for knowing where the “”Icebox”” is, but had to subtract
four points if you didn’t know what an icebox is![neWLine]

We still believe, though, that Kane is always a degree or two
colder than Bradford.[neWLine]

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NEW ONE: We had to pass this along: Pennsylvania has a state
fossil. (No, not your mother-in-law.)[neWLine]

We learned this factoid from the same quiz in the same edition
of Pennsylvania magazine.[neWLine]

“”If you know the significance of Phacops rana to Pennsylvania,
add 10.””[neWLine]

Phacops rana became the state fossil of Pennsylvania on Dec. 5,
1988. “”It is a fossil organism known as a trilobite which is part
of an extinct category of jointed-legged animals related to crabs,
lobsters, shrimp, spider and insects,”” according to the
magazine.[neWLine]

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BEN FRANKLIN: We’ve always thought Ben Franklin was the coolest
of the founding fathers. Our chauvinism about him being a
Pennsylvania was squashed, however, when the same Pennsylvania
magazine noted that Franklin was actually born in Boston, and
Philadelphia became his “”adopted hometown.””[neWLine]

In any case, Philadelphia is celebrating Franklin’s 300th
birthday this year with a host of festivities and
events.[neWLine]

The magazine also included a quiz in which readers would match
up famous writers with some of their quotations – and we know Ben
came up with some dandies.[neWLine]

Here’s a few:[neWLine]

– He who waits until fortune is never sure of
dinner.[neWLine]

– Being ignorant is not so much a shame as being unwilling to
learn.[neWLine]

– God helps those who help themselves.[neWLine]

– There are three things extremely hard – steel, a diamond, and
to know thyself.[neWLine]

– Search others for their virtues, thyself for thy vices.