GAS PAINS: Tom Ewell had this to say: “Gas prices here in the
Hudson Valley are ranging from $2.69 to $2.75 a gallon as of this
morning (Monday, March 5) but chances are the price will go up
again before the end of the day.”

“The reason given for the sudden constant rising prices are that
refineries are switching over from the winter blend with MTBE in it
to the summer blend without MTBE and they say it costs more to make
the summer blend.

“You would think it would be the other way around. The only
consolation out of this is that I’m sure all the oil big wigs and
their families have to pay the same price as the rest of us peons
when they fill up – ain’t that a shame.

“Who I really feel sorry for are the refinery workers and fuel
delivery people that catch hell from all sides and they have
nothing to with the high prices.

“Regarding your article last week on the effect the heavy snow
has on the ecology – the real big question is, does the heavy snow
hurt or help the leek crop?”

Meanwhile, we also had an e-line from Benny Pessia: “Talk about
gas pains – come to sunny California and pay $3.05 for regular gas.
And we live a stone’s throw from the Chevron Refinery.”

ROGER HANE: A while back we has written about a book currently
being researched on Roger Hane.

Roger, a native of Bradford, was a gifted illustrator. His works
include the covers of the books “The Chronicles of Narnia.” He was
murdered more than 30 years ago by a group of kids who wanted to
steal his bike.

A friend of his, Bob Hunsicker, says “Everything is coming
together with new information and art coming in on a regular basis.
Every week there seems to be a new discovery. I recently went to
Florida where I discovered more of Roger’s work. I was able to
photograph over 60 shots of Roger’s original and copy work down
there.

“I’ve started the second pass on the layout. When completed the
book should have 300 images.”

We’ll let you know when the book is done.

BUZZ WORD: Our ears have now glommed onto a new catch phrase –
“paradigm shift.” See if you don’t pick up on it in various media
reports.