IN THE NEWS: That Zippo story is sure making the rounds:

Kathleen Yerdon Atkins writes, “What a pleasant surprise I had
Sunday morning when I opened up my Marietta Daily Journal to see a
nearly half page article featuring my hometown and the Zippo/Case
Swap Meet, complete with pictures!”

“It must have been the day for Bradford to be in the news
because later that afternoon, the Weather Channel was featuring a
segment on devastating July storms, and Bradford was mentioned
again as video showcased the damaging storm and destruction of the
Kinzua Bridge.

“It’s always good to see Bradford in the national news,
especially when it’s for something other that cold
temperatures!”

Stacey Moyer writes, “While browsing through the Sunday paper in
my home in Courtland, Va., I found an article about my hometown of
Bradford. The article is titled ‘Enthusiasts and the curious fired
up over Zippos in PA.’

“I was thrilled to see that small town Bradford made it into the
Virginian Pilot, one of the larger newspapers for Hampton Roads in
Southeastern Virginia.

“The article spoke of people who traveled to Bradford for the
swap meet and of their affection for Zippo lighters. … Let me say
it was a great taste of home since this is the first year I have
not been in town for the Swap Meet/Summerfest.”

Lastly for today, Lola C. Schneider of Deltona, Fla., writes: “A
little bit of Bradford was brought back to me this morning when I
opened my newspaper, the Dayton Beach News Journal, and found the
enclosed article on the second page. I was aware this Swap Meet was
taking place … but was pleased it was getting such wide
coverage.”

“I remember George Blaisdell very well as he was a neighbor when
I lived on the corner of Williams Street and Edna Avenue and he
lived at the top of our hill. He would stop and visit often on his
way home. His chauffeur, Lewis Zandi, often gave my children a ride
to school in bad weather.

“I was playing a game on the internet and saw a handle (Zippo)
and couldn’t resist inquiring as to how he had chosen that name,
thinking perhaps he was from Bradford. I said I was from where they
made Zippo. He replied, ‘Oh, Bradford, Pa.’ and he went on to
explain he was an avid collector of Zippo lighters.”