ON APPLES: John Roynan of Ridgway was on his way out the door to
pick his apples when we caught up with him last week.

He, too, believes the widespread absence of apples this year has
to do with a bad frost in May that took out so many blossoms. We
related the same sad story yesterday after speaking with Bill Jones
of Rocky Ridge Orchards, Kane.

John said, too, that a lack of honey bees could only be partly
to blame for the state of the apple crop since other pollinators –
other bees, butterflies for example – are still available for
pollinating duties.

He added, “Nature’s funny.” Sometimes you will have lots of
apples on your trees, and other people will not. Such things do
seem to run in cycles.

As for the berries, blackberries apparently flourish in rainy
conditions. And, we certainly had a hot and dry early summer.

TODD EVANS: Does that name ring any bells?

Don Smith of Bradford dropped by on Thursday with a small hand
mirror which appeared to be a promotional item for this Todd Evans
who apparently sold office supplies.

Pictured was a large book that said, “Common Ledger,” and text
that read, “De Luxe, loose leaf systems a specialty, Masonic
Temple, Bradford, Pa.”

“Call me up,” it also read, along with a phone number – 1525.
Given the few digits, you can perhaps deduce how many years ago
this item was distributed. Amazing how long some of these older
gadgets last.

MARCH 31, 1926: Tina Smith of Port Allegany also stopped in with
a couple ancient newspapers that apparently had been used as house
insulation. Her daughter, Brandilyn Smith, had found them during a
remodeling job.

Our favorite headline is, “3.75 Per Ct. Medicinal Beer Draws
Anti-Saloon Protest” – a sure sign of the times.

“While the nation seemed to get a kick today out of the approval
given by the government to sale of 3.75 per cent medicinal beer,
about the only reaction the announcement stirred up here was a
protest from the Anti-Saloon League that the issuance of permits
for the manufacture of such strong malt tonics was a ‘mistake’ and
would lead to diversions for beverage use.”

Two big differences between today’s Era and those of the 1920s –
they were about four inches wider and cost only 2 cents an
issue.