SEPT. 1: A Smethport woman called to report seeing a flock of
southbound geese. That was a week ago yesterday, very early in the
season. There were 35-40 of these “early birds.”
Sept. 1 seemed a good day to share that news.
Given the summer we’ve had – all three days of it, by our count
– it would be logical that we’d have an early change in the
season.
September might be the best month of all, although it gets a bad
rap from its unfortunate association with the start of the school
year.
BEAR MARKS?: Guy Raught of Hazel Hurst called Monday to tell us
about some unusual activity near his house and at a nearby
property. Seems that something had been ripping up many yards of
sod in small fields in the neighborhood.
At his place, a piece of about 50 feet in diameter had been torn
up, Guy said. Separate holes were also made at another place behind
a neighbor’s house.
Perhaps a bear was looking for grubs? Guy suggested.
Can any reader explain this unusual activity?
TRY THIS: Clyde Johnson of Port Allegany has a suggestion for
people tired of bears in Bradford something he’s used to protect
corn crops from these large pests. Run an extension cord, and turn
on the radio. It works for corn fields!
FLOOD OF ’99: Few people who lived in Bradford during the Flood
of 1999 could forget the devastation the waters left behind at
Parkview Supermarket on West Washington Street.
Several of the employees still working at the store can recall
details about how several feet of water inundated the building and
required a year-long renovation.
Employees Jackie Rhoades, Julie Prentiss, Patty Craker, Anne
Gilbert, Roy Means, Rod Packard and Mike Spencer were all there
that horrific day and were all instrumental in the rebuilding
process that helped the store come back better than ever.
Jackie tells us that while it was “the most devastating day of
her life … a lot of good came from bad. … we got a beautiful store
out of it.”
Rod, who acted as the store’s personal guard until the
reopening, said that “words could not describe the devastation we
experienced.”
It’s a testament to the store and its management that, ten years
later, these seven employees are still there to greet customers
with a smile.
