CUPOLA: In response to a recent Era story about the replacement
of the 82-year-old cupola atop Bradford Area High School, Helen
Johns-Richardson writes, “I am again surprised that someone has not
told you that to restore the cupola to its original glory would
mean to position an eagle (I believe it was) on a stand of black
metal.
“It was there when I went to Bradford High back when I was
either a sophomore or a junior in the 1942-44 time, and it was
removed by a graduate prankster during graduation celebrations.
Doesn’t anyone remember, and isn’t there documentation somewhere
about this? Maybe it’s in someone’s attic somewhere. I always
believed it should have been replaced.”
GAS PAINS: Within the last week or so, we heard from a reader
who said the gas price at a little full-service station located
just outside of St. Marys was ,3.77 per gallon. Also in Altoona
and Holidaysburg, prices were running around ,3.79 per gallon – a
lot cheaper than what was the going rate at that time in
Bradford.
In that same vein, Phil Trask writes, “We just got back from a
vacation in Charlotte N.C., and the Outer Banks. Gas was ,3.79 in
Erie Aug. 1. In Virginia, ,3.63 (western). North Carolina was
charging ,3.89, South Carolina, ,3.69.
“Here’s the kicker – in Camp Hill, (Pa.), two stations only, a
Giant and Sunoco next to each other – ,3.59! All other stations
there and up north to Mansfield ,3.79! Over the border to New York
and ,4.07! Almost 50 cents more per gallon from Harrisburg to New
York state. Interesting and very aggravating!”
MEMORY LANE: More remembrances from our readers about old
haunts. Dennis O’Brien recalls Anderson’s Diner in Bradford: “The
best cheeseburgers, french fries with gravy, and pies.”
He also remembers – with fondness – the Castle Restaurant in
Olean, N.Y., and Caeser’s Cove in Bradford.
Back in what Dick Chiarilli calls the “glory days” of Bradford,
was his memory of many good places to eat, among them the Brook
Club owned by the late Tony Dodaro. “Classy and good food,” he
writes.
Also mentioning the Brook Club is George Howard, now of Georgia:
“The owner/manager was Hoyt Meredith, former manager at the
Pennhills Club. When I went there, Pete Harris was the bartender –
also the best man at my wedding.”
