Dear Answer Man, have you been able to find anything out about something that was flying in the sky at midnight a week ago Sunday? — Paula
OK, I've had about a half-dozen notes from readers who insist that there was something in the sky — call it a UFO, if you like — over southeastern Minnesota the night of July 18. I've checked with amateur astronomers and pros like our own Mike Lynch, who writes the Starwatch column that appears in the P-B every Monday, and I can't find anyone who's familiar with these reports.
Another reader, Jill Topness Stewart, chipped in on Facebook, "Yes, what the heck was that?? I was letting the dog out that night and came back in and told Dave I saw a UFO. Sure wasn't a plane."
I talked with Steve Leqve at Rochester International Airport this morning and he said he's not aware of any exceptional aircraft, meteor or astronomical phenomenon that night.
Until proven differently, I'm going to assume we were visited by aliens on July 18. If you saw one at the mall or in the park the next day, let me know.
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Dear Answer Man, during a recent vacation our digital camera was dropped and a lens fell off. Is there any place I can get it fixed? It wasn't a cheap camera and it's well worth fixing. It's an Olympus C-740 Ultra Zoom. — Janet S.
Your camera is toast, Janet. At least that's what I was told by a reputable repair shop. The camera is old enough that parts and service are hard to come by, and it would cost more than it's worth.
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Dear Answer Man, there's a lot of dumping and dirt moving going on around a drainage pond at 40th Street Southwest and 11th Avenue. What is going on there? I would hate to see a beautiful wildlife area destroyed in the name of "progress." Thanks. — Jami Ross
That property is owned by long-time Rochester real estate developer and broker Frank Kottschade, and sand is being mined there for some bridge work on U.S. 52, Frank says. The big dig is just east of 11th Avenue at 40th Street Southwest, to the west and north of Willow Creek.
Ponds like the one Jami is referring to are often created by sand mining, so you might argue that at least a few wildlife areas are created by "progress." That said, anyone who's familiar with that whole area would say a lot of woods and hillsides, and a few picturesque barns, have been lost in recent years.
When I asked Frank, who has been in the real estate business for 40-some years, whether he has other news about projects pending, he said the economy remains too soft to get excited about at this point.
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FLYING BLIND:A few readers chipped in more details regarding airstrips in the Chester and Eyota areas. Dave Trygstadsays his airport, south of Chester, was called Mid-Continent Airport at one time; he purchased the 30 acres and renamed it Trygstad Airport, which is how it's licensed and listed. Dave says it has a 2,600-foot asphalt runway. For details, call him at 281-3545.
Another reader, Lynda, who works in Rochester, says a notable name in local aviation back in the day was Orrin Sizer, who owned and operated Sizer Airways, hauling freight on DC4s. Lynda says he had an airstrip and home south on Chester Road Southeast for many years; the property currently is for sale.
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LEND ME YOUR EARWIGS:Readers continue to flock to me for earwig advice, just as earwigs are drawn to catfood cans filled with vegetable oil.
Briefly, I'll remind you that I'll send you a copy of earwig control advice if you send me your mailing address. And in the meantime, I'll answer one more question on the little varmints.
A Stewartville reader named Pattyasks, "Does it make a difference if you use vegetable oil or canola oil for the traps ?"
My very educated guess on this is, earwigs are just as mindlessly attracted to canola oil as vegetable oil. If I were you, I'd avoid olive oil, and I strongly recommend against balsamic vinegar.
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Another reader, Mabel P. of Rochester, sent a note Monday saying, "I just found my first earwig!"
Mabel, this is nothing to celebrate.
