TODAY’S IRONY: Mary C. Foley of Eldred sends along a published
list she received of the supposed best vehicles in 2009 — and some
pithy commentary.

“In light of all the unemployment of late, I’m enclosing a ‘Best
Picks’ list I received from Consumer Reports — just shortly after
all those gas pedal sticks and brake trouble recalls on Toyota etc.
Please note — only one good ol’ American-made vehicle made the list
— the Chevrolet Avalanche truck, and the price — $36,000 to
$47,000,” she writes.

“Why, some people don’t pay that much for a house and land to
live on/in. Just a wee bit of irony — don’t cha think? Anyhow,
thought you’d be amused at least. Keep up the good work in your
column. It sure gives a lift to the day’s proceedings!”

Of the eight vehicles on the list of “best cars,” there were
three Toyotas. We’re not sure how the editors made their decisions
but there’s no doubt the voting came before Toyotas well-publicized
flaws.

While we’re on the subject of irony and vehicles, allow us to
segue to an observation we made recently while crossing Main
Street.

We saw one of those gigantic SUVs — the virtual embodiment of
excess in terms of money and our natural resources — with a Wild
Resources license plate which supposedly indicates the individual’s
love of the environment.

THIS, TOO: Mary had also scribbled a note, “Seen any snow snakes
lately?” It brought us a chuckle remembering about a year ago when
we published a picture of a skinny little snake in Dick Robertson’s
yard in Bradford.

OH, ZIPPO: A keen-eyed Bob Fox of Sebring, Fla., sends along a
Zippo sighting he found in an unexpected place.

“Attached is a file about Bradford and Zippo from a monthly
published by our local power provider, Glades Electric Co-op. You
just never know where the inference to one’s hometown will show
up…

The ad was actually for the 75th anniversary of Florida state
parks. The text made mention of other 75th anniversary
celebrations, noting, “In Bradford, Pennsylvania, they are
celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Zippo lighter.”

What we found really hilarious, of course, is that that big
anniversary was in 2007! Maybe somebody should let the Florida
parks department know they were off by a couple years.