NICE TREAT: Joan Kan Schmidt got a pleasant surprise in the
mail: Leeks!

Joan writes, “I want to thank Nancy Ezzolo of Derrick City for
the wonderful surprise package I received in the mail today. Yes,
folks, it was leeks. I was so happy. God bless you, Nancy Ezzolo.
Can’t wait to make my leek and potato soup, and I’m going to try
the dip recipe that you sent. I can’t thank you enough. Your
kindness is appreciated.”

SAME OLD: A couple of attentive travelers pass along some
information:

Tim Hayden writes, “Just returned from Pittsburgh Friday, 5/5.
Gasoline prices – Pittsburgh,$2.85; DuBois/Ridgway, $2.89;
Bradford, PRICELESS! ($2.99). Sometimes, the more things change the
more they stay the same. Happy motoring.”

And Susan dropped a line Monday: “Again we have the highest gas
prices in the area! Saturday – Johsonburg $2.84; Coudersport,
$2.89; Warren, $2.92; Bradford $2.99. Why can all the other areas
drop but Bradford stays the same?”

HALF MAST: The next official date for flying the flag at half
staff is fast approaching, so we thought we’d better pass along
this information.

The Bob Swanson Detachment #1102 Inc. of the Marine Corps
League, Mount Jewett, reports that half mast is required on May 15
for Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Here are the other dates throughout the year: On Memorial Day,
the last Monday in May, the flag should be at half mast until noon
when it is raised to full staff. Half staff is also required July
27, for Korean War Veterans Day; Sept. 11, Patriot Day; and Dec. 7,
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

MO MARILYN: Bradford native and opera star Marilyn Horne is
still on the singing circuit.

The Washington Post reported recently that Marilyn, a former Met
mezzo-soprano, will team up with Broadway legend Barbara Cook to
inaugurate the next season at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts
Center at the University of Maryland with a joint concert in
September.

“The pairing of the cabaret singer and the opera star is one of
several performances during the season that will explore the output
of female artists,” the Post reported.

“The center’s brochure being distributed today on campus
suggests 14 ways to experience the arts, all beginning with the
prefix ‘re’: reflect, rejoice, revisit, reward, replenish, for
example.

Marilyn’s performance with Barbara Cook comes under the heading
“rejoice,” according to the article.