SUMMERTIME BLUES: Oh, to have the luxury of feeling the midsummer boredom only allowed in childhood … As the rainy season and spring blossoms clear to make way for the hot sun, schools will be closing for the season. And all around town a chorus of “I’m bored” will be heard from the mouths of children facing the three sprawling months of long summer days ahead. (This is accompanied by the sound of wheels turning in grown-up minds as they think how quickly they could fill that time).  In this age of technology, youths spend increasing amounts of time staring at screens, but for those looking for something new, all the simple joys of living in a rural area are still available. Growing up in rural Pennsylvania meant spending a great deal of time outdoors, too, whether by choice or by decree of Mom and Dad. We recalls taking many camping trips in the backyard, picking wild berries and collecting jars and boxes of “pet” salamanders and snakes found in the yard. For us, hide-and-seek was a nighttime activity, better played under the cloak of darkness, stars decorating the sky. We had a band for exactly one day, and we’re pretty sure one of the instruments was a box with rubber bands on it to strum. High tech. If you could round up at least four neighbor kids, that was enough for a game of kickball or Wiffle Ball. (Because only one person on a team is just sad, but two people, now that’s a team.) We’re quite sure we’re not the only ones who remember being a youth in McKean County and taking swimming lessons at the Otto Township pool or going skating at roller rinks in Foster Brook and Ceres — all three places that are now closed. Readers? What were your favorite stomping grounds during summer? What were the favorite games played in your neighborhood? Tell us about and we’ll put together another column on reader responses. — — GRAND THEATER: In light of the demolition of the former Grand Theater building in Port Allegany, we were wondering if anyone had any interesting memories they’d like to share, such as a first date or a favorite show? The Housing and Redevelopment Authority had bought the building in 2013, then realized it would take a large amount of money to rehabilitate it. The site may be used as a parking lot.