NOT SO: Quite a few astute readers of Round the Square pointed
out a teeny tiny error in a recent column about McKean County’s
weather which said that Penfield had the highest elevation this
side of the Mississippi.

Close but no cigar, many readers told us. Actually, not even
that close!

Penfield is the highest point east of the Mississippi – on
Interstate 80!

Still, it is far from being the highest point east of the
Mississippi not only on the East Coast but even in Pennsylvania –
or so our readers told us. Never one to ignore some interesting
information, however, we found our mail filled with tidbits about
geography.

But first, let’s set the record straight. Tim Hannon put it most
succinctly, “Your final note in today’s RTSðneeds a word
locationðchanged around. You printed: ‘Note: The highest spot east
of the Mississippi River is on Interstate 80 between Penfield and
Clearfield. … Move ‘is,’ and it becomes true: ‘highest spot east of
the Mississippi River on Interstate 80ðISðbetween Penfield…”

Tim continues, “Highest point in PA is Mount Davis. Locatedðin
Somerset County, 3,213 feet (located in an almost direct line from
Bradford, downðonðPennsylvania’s southern border. Has a ‘fire
tower’ observation deck, view is outstanding).”

“That area also has two of Frank Lloyd Wright’s homes – arguably
his most famous, Falling Water (Fallingwater?); and a lesser known,
but exquisite example of his genius,ðKentucky Knob.”

We also heard from the Rev. Paul Fields who tells us that sign
on Interstate 80 is frequently misinterpreted: “This sign is often
misphrased. There are higher spots in the east than at that site.
The White Mountains for example. The sign actually says, ‘The
highest spot ON INTERSTATE 80 east of the Mississippi.'”

We also heard from Fred Richter, the reader who had passed along
an explanation of McKean County’s weather which we found very
instructive. Fred wrote a second time to point to his error and
offer an apology.

He adds, “I would not want to offend the people in Mount Davis,
Penna., nor the people in Mount Washington, N.H.”

Fred also pointed out that he should have included Lake Superior
with lakes Michigan, Huron and Erie in the western bodies of water
that effect our weather.

As you might expect, we received much more input on this
subject. We hope to conclude tomorrow.