IT’S OFFICIAL: The Penn State Entomology lab has confirmed our
preliminary identification of that very large bug as a giant
waterbug.[neWLine]
Jim Clark, our local Cooperative Extension agent, sent the bug
away to the lab in hopes of getting the “”official”” ID. To be most
precise, the bug is “”Lethocerus, urhlei”” and it can cause a
painful bite.[neWLine]
These big bugs are sometimes called “”electric light bugs””
because they have a tendency to go to the light at night. In
addition, these giant bugs eat small fish but prefer
insects.[neWLine]
[neWLine]
V-GARDENS: Our recent columns on the Victory Gardens of World
War II prompted a phone call from Nancy Leichner of
Bradford.[neWLine]
Nancy tells us her family had a farm on Bolivar Run, the Cross
farm, and rented out three parcels to families from downtown
Bradford so they could grow Victory gardens.[neWLine]
Even after all these years, Nancy remembers the three names –
Gibbs, Van Sickle and Booth.[neWLine]
[neWLine]
NOT A DREAM: Kathleen McKinney of West Hills, Calif., got a
reminder of the old hometown the other day:[neWLine]
“”This morning at 1:45 a.m., I awakened, which is my usual
sleeping pattern, and went out into the kitchen to make a cup of
coffee. I then went back into my bedroom and thought I’d watch a
little TV while drinking my coffee,”” she writes.[neWLine]
“”The channel I turned on, I believe, was CNBC, and imagine my
complete surprise when I saw my old boss, the handsome George
Blaisdell, looking back at me.[neWLine]
“”The entire program turned out to be a very interesting 30
minutes or so, explaining how Mr. Blaisdell started the company,
the idea behind the making of the Zippo lighter, how he had secured
a patent on it and the problems and expense now incurred because
the Chinese are copying the lighter so well.[neWLine]
“”It showed the surroundings where the Zippo Manufacturing Co.
is now located. Seeing the beautiful hills of Pennsylvania, along
with seeing George Blaisdell and hearing, once again, about the
history of the Zippo lighter, brought back many nostalgic feelings
on this early Memorial Day morning, 2007.””[neWLine]
[neWLine]
TODAY’S QUOTE: “”A newsroom is a place that values sharp tongues
and sharper elbows,”” said Jeffrey Dvorkin, former ombudsman,
National Public Radio, 2005.
