OLD FRIEND: Tom Leahy wrote to us hoping we could help him find an old friend.
Tom writes, “I am searching for a friend who I have not seen for about 50 years. The last time we saw each other was in Da Nang, Vietnam.
“His name is Tom McGuire and he was from Bradford (I think) or nearby. He would be about 66 years old about now.
“Several other friends from across the country are organizing a reunion for the first time. We were in the Air Force, 366 Security Police Squadron, and did flight line and base security from Sept 1970 to ’71.
“I remember that he was all excited because now he would be able to join the VFW back home.”
Can any of our readers tell us if Tom McGuire is still around?
BRICKS: After reading our March 15 column on a set of Kushequa pavers that he had, a reader called in with a little more information.
Our caller was born and raised in Kushequa and was familiar with the bricks.
Her father, who came to this area from Italy, purchased the bricks that were left over from one of the three plants that were in Kushequa. She talked about the Keramic plant that used to be there.
The date on the receipt for the bricks was December 1944, and the company was owned by the Kane family at that point.
Her mother and father sold the bricks as seconds.
We found a website for a company, Experienced Brick & Stone, that sells reclaimed brick and stone, including some from Kushequa.
According to the company’s site, bricks from the Kushequa Brick Co. “made their way to such cities as New York, Chicago, Boston, Toronto and Washington, D.C.”
The site said the company, founded by Elisha K. Kane, had three plants and produced brick pavers and tile.
“Kane was enterprising and resourceful,” the site stated. “Prior to opening the brick company, he owned multiple railroads and a lumber business.”
WATER:Clayton Vecellio of Lewis Run reminds us that today is World Water Day.
The day is meant to “promote public awareness of how water resource development contributes to economic productivity and social well-being,” stated a clipping he sent.
