FLIP SIDE: “People complain about our snowy weather (I admit it
is a little unhandy at times) but I haven’t found a better place to
live — a good medical center and great doctors within reach,
shopping close by, great recreational spots. Snow is so cleansing.
Think how clean and green spring will be.”

Today’s comments from Glenda Peer of Bradford. We print them to
offset the nasty note we printed in yesterday’s RTS from a reader
who was not just displeased by our efforts but clueless about how a
newspaper operates.

THE BONNIES: John Rimer of Bradford writes, “I read an article
about St. Bonaventure in The Era that brought back memories of 40
years ago. The Bonnies were in the NCAA tourney and the whole area
was very supportive.”

“I had to take my son to Buffalo for a doctor’s appointment
during this period. We took Route 16  (the four lanes were not
around at that time) and every home, farm and business along the
way were displaying banners boosting the Bonnies.

“The team always flew out of Buffalo and returned to the
Bradford Airport. They were then escorted through Bradford and back
to the Campus. Main Street was always lined with people welcoming
them back and wishing them luck in the future. All the store fronts
posted banners supporting the Bonnies.

“They ended up fourth that year but could have won it all if Bob
Lanier had not been injured in the closing minutes of a rout over
Villanova. Had the starters been taken out and the subs entered,
who knows what might have happened.

“About 20 years ago, I was in a club in Buffalo with John
Shomate and Adrian Dantley when the famed center for Jacksonville
entered. John went to introduce us but I told him I didn’t like
players from Jacksonville. I told them I was a Bona fan and they
all said if Lanier hadn’t been hurt the Bonas would have won the
NCAA tourney that year.

“The Bonas lost to Jacksonville by a couple points with Lanier
in the hospital. Enough said.

“I also remember their 99 home wins in a row and the night they
went for 100. Every news outlet in the country was on hand and the
Purple Eagles from Niagara handed the Bonnies the loss that stopped
the string.”