WINTER WAIT: Before spring arrives, we had to print this poem
sent to us by author W. Lee Peterson of Port Allegany titled, “It’s
Winter” and written last Saturday.

“It’s a wintry day in Pennsylvania

With snow, freezing rain and ice.

So, I’m hibernating in my living room

But wonder if I should live where the weather is always
nice.

But then, I’d never get a chance to see

Our big white banks of snow or

The crystal clear ice, glistening on the trees.

I’d miss the chubby snowman, the neighbor kids have made.

And so, I wonder if I could really make the trade.

Today’s a day to relax and collect some thoughts

And reflect on more important things.

To enjoy the warmth of the cozy fireplace,

And plan ahead for Spring.

So, for me, our weather isn’t all that bad

Because you see, it changes day by day

And even tho’ I’d love more sunshine,

I know it’s already on its way!”

LOOK UP: More birds to report: Debbie Finlan of Hazel Hurst
reports nearly 50 red-winged blackbirds in her yard this past
Saturday. “They seemed fine with the snow,” she reports. The same
morning, her sister had about 20 of the birds in her yard on Indian
Creek Road.

WAR STORY: In a recent item about World War II correspondent
Ernie Pyle, we mentioned his enthusiastic endorsement of the Zippo
lighter – a real plus for the still-young lighter company. It
sparked a unique story from Bill Kearney of Kane.

Bill had been serving in the Philippines, when the discussion
turned to the Zippo lighter. Bill told his buddies he had caddied
for Zippo founder George G. Blaisdell at the Pennhills Club, and
could surely get a couple dozen lighters from him.

He wrote a letter to Mr. Blaisdell, and even got a response. In
it, he promised two dozen Zippo lighters would be delivered to him
under separate cover.

“I never got the lighters,” Bill tells us. He and his buddies
figured the package probably said Zippo and somehow “disappeared”
from the mail.

MORE STORES: Bill Higie of Punxsutawney adds another business to
our ever-expanding list: Tool ‘N Toy was home to a little ski shop
run by Pete Pfohl and Reed McFadden. Later, that little shop became
Headwall Ski Shop.” (We bought Birke Beine skiis there – now
considered antiques!)