This is RTS for Wednesday, March 18, 2009

GOOD NEWS: “The sun shined a little brighter in Smethport on
Friday the 13th. I participated in a military funeral for a
Smethport veteran as part of the color guard. We were facing the
lake as a large group of geese flew in.”

So writes Joe Orlandi of Smethport. He continues:

“There was three kids playing about a block away, they were
between 5 and 9 years old and quite boisterous in the morning sun,
doing what kids do when they play together, and probably oblivious
to what was happening just down the street.

“I tried to remember what it was like to be that carefree.

“It was time for the rifle salute to honor the dead. The sound
echoed through the valley on that brisk spring morning. Then
something astonishing happened! The three young kids lined up and
saluted as taps echoed over the lake.

“I got a tear in my eye, maybe things are not so bad with the
world. I do not know if it was the parents, teachers, or Scouting
that taught these kids that level of respect so early in their
young lives, but something good is happening in Smethport.”

SAME TOWN: It must have been a great day Friday in Smethport.
Carol and Jim Freer write, “Good morning from Smethport. For over a
week, we have been having robins, red-winged blackbirds, and a
favorite of ours, the Carolina wren. Our son, in Port has had
several bluebirds winter over. We also have crocus in bloom, and
daffodils up several inches. Spring is near!”

WILD THINGS: Rodger Klenovich of Lewis Run comments on our
discussion of this region’s “dark skies”:

“To the stargazers who enjoy their pastime in the Tracy Ridge
area. It is dark there because there are no lights on. There are no
lights on because it is basically an unroaded area with no
development. If it becomes a designated wilderness area it will
remain as it is in perpetuity.

“Friends of Allegheny Wilderness proposes to do just that, keep
it wild. If they are not successful you will eventually see drill
roads, pump jacks, tank batteries and dusk-to-dawn lights. And,
yes, that will make a difference.

“So, if you want to keep it dark, please take a minute to ‘gaze’
at the goals of the Friends of Allegheny Wilderness on their
website.”