LOCAL ANGLE: Bradford native Jackie Norton writes us: “You may
not be aware that there is a Bradford connection to the popular
movie ‘Pirates of the Carribean, Dead Man’s Chest.’ If you will
look at the credits at the end of the movie, under ‘special
effects,’ Industrial Light and Magic is listed.”

“In the names of IL&M’s crew is Peter Dalton. Peter is a
Bradford native who grew up on Mill Street. He showed a very early
interest in movies (making 8 mm home movies with themes) and has
parlayed this interest to a job as model maker for George Lucas’
ILM.

“He now lives in California, but still, I believe, has family
back in the general Bradford area. Thought that connection might be
of interest to your readers.”

FARRELL FARM: Marilyn Farrell Smith writes, “I have to share
with your readers re: the farm on Interstate Parkway Martha Gould
referred to is not Mack’s. It is the Farrell Dairy.”

“My sister Carol Henke and I personally went to two of the three
Foster Township schools. First, we went to Lincoln then to Lee
Driver. At that time I believe there also was Derrick City. I am
curious if Rew a.k.a. M.J.Ryan was also a Foster Township school
from that same time frame?”

HOW LARGE?: Bob McKenzie of Merritt Island, Fla., a former
Bradford resident, has a plausible explanation for reports that
Mars was to have appeared in the nighttime sky as large as the
moon. He passes along this more precise report:

” … earth is catching up with Mars in an encounter that will
culminate in the closest approach between the two planets in
recorded history. Reference made comparing Mars to the moon was as
follows: ‘At a modest 75 power magnification Mars will look as
large as the full moon to the naked eye.’ I assume that to mean if
one were to use a telescope with that magnification the two would
THEN be the same size.”

“… The encounter will culminate on Aug. 27 when Mars comes to
within 34,649,589 miles of earth and, next to the moon, will be the
brightest object in the night sky.”

No doubt, the “close” encounter is still pretty evident – two
days later. If you’re an eye witness, give us a report. No doubt in
Bradford, though, the stellar event was obscured by clouds.