Page12 Friday, April 6, 1979 Goosed by the honkers The Canada Geese, they tell it all. About the seasons, that is. In the fall, you know winter is blowin' in when you hear that familiar honkin' and look up to them big birds flyin' south. I'm talkin' about the geese, not your plane loads of Canadians headin' to Florida. In the spring, it's the other which-way around with those big honkers headin' north and you knowin' summer's comin' a- long. Of course, you're usually in for a surprise after you've seen your first flock like that blamed blizzard we had towards the end of March. I find them birds plum' fascinatin'. Maybe it's because they're so closely tied in to this country. Why, every time I see one, I have to hold myself from snappin' to attention and singin' the national anthem. I figure they feel the same way about me that I feel about them. My house is right under one of their flight paths and they're forever droppin' little messages. Very considerate, but some messy. One day, I was walkin' around to start the car when I heard that honkin' drawin' near. No, it wasn't a neighbor drivin' up the lane; it was a flock of geese overhead. I'm feelin' very patriotic and points them out to the missus: "'Aren't they a grand sight," I says. "Don't they make your heart soar". Then suddenly, I'm divin' into the doorway to get out of the way of all those little bundles droppin' down, splatterin' the jalopy, Butch the cat, Bingo my dog, and everythin' else in the yard. Well, the missus almost bust a gut laughin': "Don't that make your heart soar", she says in that mockin' tone of hers. Then she slaps her knee and laughs some more. I know some marshes not too far from my place where I like to go with Bingo in the spring and crawl up just as close as I can to watch the geese fussin' and frolickin'. But Bingo won't hold still for very long. After a few minutes, he runs right into the middle of them scatterin' them every which way. Have you ever been down to the bird sanctuary on the St. Lawrence near Upper Canada Village? The geese know they're protected there and strut around just as cocky as you please, like they owned the place. You can get out of the car and walk right up to them and all they do is honk at you and back off a bit. One had the gall once to drop a little package right on my boot when I moved up too close. Some of the farmers along the St. Lawrence don't like havin' them around because they can get into the fields and make a dandy mess. They wish the sanctuary was as far away from them as possible. But, I sure like havin' them around, both the farmers and the geese. I wouldn't know it was spring without them flyin' over and leavin' off their little reminders. The geeese, that is. . Castor Earl few weeks ago, leaving the banks in Russell Village CASTOR DE-ICED The Castor River broke out of its icy prison a CASTOR REVIEW showing the ravages of winter's wear and tear. (Photo by Rowsell) ~OPRING AND SUMMER FASHIONS" By Country Boy and Joanne Shoppe METCALFE COMMUNITY CENTRE MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1979 8:00 p.m. Sponsored by Kenmore U.C W. Dessert and Coffee Admission: $2.50 EVERYTHING IS ON SALE AT RAVOURKIAIN 375 Notre Dame St. EMBRUN WATCHMAKERS JEWELLERS 443-3344 ]-2 on selected merchandise 10% to 30% off on ENTIRE Stock' *Except jewellery sold by Gram Authorized retailer for SEIKO TIMEX ZENITH HOWARD X MILLER Sarah Scharfe celebrates 91st On the occasion of her 91st birthday, March 17, Mrs. Sarah Scharfe, Kenmore, Ontario, was honoured at the home of her friend Mrs. Melinda Reside, R.R. 2, Greely, Ontario. Dinner was served by Mrs. Reside and her grand-daughters, Kathy, Rosalee, Eleanor and Mildred to immediate family members; and afternoon St. Patrick's tea to guests from Brockville, Jasper, Fallowfield, Kars, Ottawa, Metcalfe and Greely. Vera Reside (grand-niece) and Thelma Gaudry (grand-daugh- ter) entertained with appropriate Irish songs and Gospel numbers. Mrs. Scharfe thanked her friends for their kindness in coming, for their gifts and good wishes; and Mrs. Reside for her thoughtful- ness in opening her home for such a lovely birthday party. Mrs. Scharfe was the former Sarah Walker of Glasgow, Scot- land, until her marriage in 1909 to the late Elisha Scharfe, deceased in 1937. She has two children, Ruth in Ottawa and Daniel, Kenmore, living: Captain Lloyd G. Scharfe died in 1973. There are seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Cancer Society sets goal An objective of $2,000 for Russell Township has been set by the local branch of the Canadian Cancer Society during April -- campaign month. Last year, $1,600 was collected. Campaign co-ordinator Diny Achtereckte (445-3024) urges res- idents to give generously when contacted by a canvasser.