IT’S SPRING: We must wait each year for the “official”
pronouncement of spring, and it came on Monday. Joe Cucuzza stopped
by to tell us his family had picked the first mayflowers of the
year behind the old Valley Hunt Club in Lewis Run.

Joe was with his wife, Christe; children, Aaron, Clayton and
Michelle; and his “girlfriend” Cheyenne (that’s his dog,
folks).

This family tradition has been going on for years, for the
Cucuzzas (and for us).

ON WING: Another report of a big bird in the Coudersport area
today but, this time, an osprey rather than the American bald
eagle.

Jen Elliott wrote on April 19: “On 4/15 thru today 4/19 I have
seen an osprey fishing along the Allegheny River west of
Coudersport. I’ve never seen one up here in the mountains, I think
thisð bird of prey was blown off course w/ this Nor’easterðthat hit
the east coast. It’s a beautiful magnificent bird. I hope it
continues to stay in the area.”

We know osprey have been spotted on the Allegheny Reservoir and
near the Allegheny River near Salamanca, N.Y. Osprey were
reintroduced to this region by New York State environmental
officials some years ago.

RFK JR.: Just two days after he appeared in Bradford, Robert
Kennedy Jr. was featured on CBS Sunday Morning as part of a segment
on Rachel Carson’s book, “Silent Spring.”

Margie Holland sent us a note on his appearance.

Sunday’s show happened to fall on Earth Day and so it was
appropriate that the 1960s book would be a featured on the program.
Kennedy, as a recognized speaker on issues about the environment,
spoke about Carson’s impact on today’s movement.

We understand his program Friday in Bradford was a powerful
presentation on the problems, circa 2007, facing the planet. Let’s
hope Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center, program sponsor,
continues to bring provocative speakers to town.

SMALL WORLD: Gus Gocella writes last week: “Walking in Catoosa
National Forest hunting spring gobbler and I ran into Bradfordians!
Joe and Shelly Frontino came to Tennessee to hunt spring gobbler.
They are staying with friends who live near Deer Lodge, Tenn., the
Langleys. Don used to work with Joe at the USPS. Joe harvested his
gobbler on Tuesday this week and I am still hunting for mine.ðWe
are allowed four per season … I think!ðOnly want one.”