EARLY BIRDS?: Two robins have been visiting at the home of Herb
and Monica Porter on Fishing Creek, Roulette. Herb reports Monday
they have seen the pair three times since Christmas. Early birds or
late birds? We prefer to think “early.”

BIRD GIFTS: While we’re on the subject of birds, we received an
item before Christmas saying that a bird feeder is a great gift for
shut-ins. Specifically mentioned were those feeders which attach to
a window with suction cups.

We thank Chester Smith of Coudersport for passing along the
suggestion.

Everyone who cannot get outside will get a kick out of watching
birds close up as they visit the feeders. Any community
organization looking for a way to give to the community might
consider placing some larger bird feeders in viewing areas in
nursing homes and hospitals.

Some thought is required to pick windows in homes, hospitals and
nursing homes that are accessible for refilling the feeders and
cleaning the windows as well as periodically cleaning the larger
outside feeders and the disposing of the old seed hulls.

The feeders should well be worth the effort to bring the variety
and action that the birds provide to fill the time for those whose
mobility is restricted. If someone really wants to light up the
viewing, a squirrel feeder provides some acrobatic feats that put
any movie or TV show to shame.

Christmas or not, we think these are great ideas.

CASE REPORT: Cheryl Thomas of Duke Center tells us Case Cutlery
was featured last Wednesday on the Discover Channel’s “How It’s
Made” show. “It was a really nice segment, I particularly liked the
mammoth ivory handle knife, and I’d like to put the word out to
Santa right now that he can bring me one for Christmas.”

GOOD ATHLETES: Fred MacKendrick of Gillespie, Ill., writes, “I,
too, remember Tommy Keane and Jim Owens, both natural athletes. Jim
was even, I think, better at basketball than baseball at BHS. Two
other great athletes Paul DiFonzo, running back, and Don Framton,
quarterback, also on track team at BHS. I remember either one could
run the 100 in 10 flat. Good coaches, also. Go Owls.”

TODAY’S QUOTE: “Truth is most beautiful undraped, and the
impression it makes is deep in proportion as its expression has
been simple.” So said Arthur Schopenhauer, German philosopher,
1891.