ON OIL: The dramatic oil spill in the Gulf prompted a call from
Dorothy Shields whose husband, Larry, was called to a major spill
some 25 years ago on one of those gigantic rigs in the ocean.
Larry, who was the founder of Control Chief, had been asked to help
through his association with Jim Bryner and Pennzoil.

The trip on a supply ship, which would dock at the rig to
offload the oil, was a roller coast ride — up and down on huge
waves, making the journey more than a little dangerous. He also
studied the problem from aboard the rig itself.

If Larry were alive today, Dorothy is confident, he could surely
find a solution to the ongoing spill in the Gulf of Mexico which
appears to be a continuing calamity.

BLACK CAT: We have another report of a big black cat. Tony
Magnetti tells us he was scouting turkeys in the Rew area this
week, and saw a similar creature described by our RTS reader: a cat
about 2/3 size of a German shepherd, all black, and with a long
fluffy tail.

It was only about 25 yards in front of him.

In 40 years in the woods, he’d never seen anything of that
sort!

We know it’s unusual to get reports of mountain lions, let alone
panthers. However, these are not the first two we’ve ever heard. We
get them occasionally.

GETTING BUGGED: We received this report a few days ago from a
woman in Smethport: “In regards to the early appearance of
lightning bugs (fireflies), I spotted about 4 or 5 of them about a
week ago. I live out in Hamlin Township, outside of Smethport, and
the wildlife never ceases to amaze me. I thought it was very early
for them to be out, but I enjoyed the show, and have enjoyed it
every night since.”

WONDERING: A couple readers with a couple questions: Morton
Smith wondered who were the “down homers,” where did they come from
and where did they go? A second person wondered if anyone remembers
a big Kendall sign at Seneca Junction proclaiming Bradford as the
oil metropolis of the world. He reports the sign was taken down
after World War II.

OH, ZIPPO: Ellie Lathrop had a Zippo sighting twice on Wednesday
night’s Criminal Minds. The lighter was being used by the
murderer.