THAT CAT: After writing about that black panther on Wednesday we
had yet another call from a reader who also saw this humongous
“cat.” Dan Causer of Barden Brook, Eldred, tells us he was mowing
his yard this past June. Not more than 30 yards away, he saw this
big black panther. Dan tells us the cat was “coal black” and had
beautiful velvety fur and a long black tail. Barden Brook, he
informs us, is the next valley over from our previous sighting.

BIGFOOT: We have a bit more authoritative input today on reports
of a Bigfoot supposedly seen in the Allegheny National Forest.

Lona Bush of Sizerville Road, Emporium, writes, “I have seen the
pictures and read the articles about the supposed Bigfoot and just
wanted to give you my two cents. Whether Bigfoot does or does not
exist I really can’t say, but I do know the creature in the famous
pictures is a bear.”

“My husband and I have pictures from a trailcam taken in 2005 of
a juvenile bear that looks primate-like but it is a bear!

“Young bears aren’t always round and roly-poly, some are long
and lanky. I also have pictures of wet bears whose hair looks like
that of the bear in the pictures.

“What I don’t understand is why no one seems to be addressing
the other bear in the pictures. They obviously are youngsters. I
have many pictures of bears from our trailcam and photos my husband
and I have taken that we would show anyone interested.”

Lona tells us she and her husband, Bruce, own and operate the
Buttonwood Motel and Restaurant in Emporium. Hey, it’s the first
day of buck season so stop in and see them.

ROBIN REPORT: Gene and Rhonda Bressan of Port Allegany reported
last Monday seeing six robins in their backyard. With the
unseasonal weather we’re having as this is being written
(Wednesday), we can see why they’d still be hanging around!

TODAY’S QUOTE: “When even one American – who has done nothing
wrong – is forced by fear to shut his mind and close his mouth,
then all Americans are in peril,” said our 33rd president, Harry S
Truman, 1950.