SEPT. 11, 2001: We’re giving you a day to prepare.

Dawn Pletcher, co-director of Goodies for our Troops in
Wellsboro, passes along a worthy suggestion about tomorrow’s
anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, the day when the entire country was
shocked and galvanized into a renewed sense of patriotism.

Her suggestion is simple. Display your American flag.

Every home, apartment, office and store ought to fly the flag in
acknowledgement of the eighth anniversary of this tragic event in
American history.

Dawn writes, “We do this to honor those who lost their lives on
9/11/01, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to
endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and
abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.”

“In the days, weeks and months following 9/11/01, our country
was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible
losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly,
those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us
through some tough times and it shouldn’t take another attack to
galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our
country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all
kinds.”

She adds, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone flew the
red-white-and-blue every day like right after 9/11/01 when you
couldn’t buy an American flag anywhere because they were all sold
out?”

FOR THE BIRDS: Eagle-Eye, our Kane bird watcher, passes along
some advice: Just because Labor Day has passed, don’t take down
your hummingbird feeders.

He writes, “Hummingbirds do not know it’s Labor Day. Keep them
up and fresh until you are positive they have gone. Your feeders
will not keep them here. When they are ready, they will go. Even if
your resident hummers are gone, there may be some migrating hummers
that might need a rest before continuing south.”

GAS PAIN: Dave Newman of Bradford stopped by Tuesday and passed
along some gas prices he collected in recent days: Hibbard, Ohio,
,2.49; and Sharon, Pa., ,2.59.

THOSE BERRIES: A couple readers called after our column appeared
about this year’s crop of blackberries, both warning us that some
picking areas near the highways should be avoided. Specifically
mentioned was Route 59 in the Marshburg area where, supposedly,
some governmental entity had sprayed the vegetation. A word to the
wise …