Chicken Riddle

“I think it’s pretty cool to have your chicken on Facebook.”

Ana Lipp, Co-owner of L.C. the chicken

Checking out the menu at the New Gloucester Village Store

Finally, there’s an answer to the age-old riddle: Why did the chicken cross the road? To get a piece of cheese, of course. At least that’s the answer according to L.C. the chicken of New Gloucester, Maine (population 5,569). L.C., which stands for “Last Chicken” (she was the only survivor in her brood), is the Lipp family’s pet chicken. The Lipps give her free run of the yard while they’re at work and school. What they didn’t know was that L.C. has free run of the village, too. As soon as the Lipps are out of sight, L.C. crosses the road and heads down to the New Gloucester Village Store. There she gets plenty of attention and bits of provolone cheese—her favorite snack. L.C. has become something of a local celebrity: pictures of her appear on the New Gloucester Village Store’s Facebook page and she’s been featured in the local news.

So now that we know why the chicken crossed the road, perhaps it’s time to tackle the next great chicken riddle: Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

Read more → Lindsay Tice, Why L.C. the chicken crossed the road, Sun Journal, January 30, 2012.

The Birds

“It’s like a cloud of birds, but a giant cloud.”

Kelly Powers, Resident of La Grange, Kentucky

Photo by Abby Stanglin

Alfred Hitchcock would have loved La Grange, Kentucky (population 8,082). Like a scene from Hitchcock’s movie The Birds, tens of thousands of black birds swarm a wooded neighborhood in La Grange every morning and evening. It’s been going on for three months—no one knows why the birds picked this neighborhood, and no one knows when they’ll leave. The massive flock of birds is spectacular to watch, but the mess they make is a spectacle to watch out for. Residents say the cloud of birds rains poop on them—they use umbrellas for protection and wash their cars every day. Some folks are using air cannons to scare away the birds. It’s not clear they’re helping—the birds haven’t changed their pattern—and they may even be hurting. The last thing neighbors need is to have someone scaring the crap out of these birds.

VIDEO: When starlings move in large swirls, it’s called murmuration. This doesn’t really have anything to do with the black birds in Kentucky, but I found really cool video of starling murmuration caught by two young women on a canoe trip in Ireland. You've got to watch this . . .

Synchronized Starlings

Read more:

■  Katie Bauer, Tens of thousands of birds invade Oldham County neighborhood, WAVE 3, January 24, 2012 [includes video].

■  Jeanne Moos, La Grange, Kentucky is a real life ‘The Birds’ town, KSDK News, January 25, 2012 [includes video].

Here’s Your Sign

“You should obey the signs.”

Leon Bruce, Society Hill, South Carolina

Photo by WPDE News Channel 15

Drivers in Society Hill, South Carolina (population 690) are getting a helping hand—all they have to do is follow the sign. Someone in Society Hill erected a large sign along the roadway that says “Watch Your Speed” and has a hand pointing toward Cheraw Highway. Locals say Cheraw Highway has a reputation as a bit of a speed trap. Most folks don’t know who put up the sign, but Police Chief Kaynnera Capers does, and he likes it. He says he doesn’t want to write speeding tickets; he just wants people to slow down. He’s clocked drivers doing 15 to 25 miles over the speed limit through the small town. So if the sign works, he’s behind it 100 percent.

Read more → Tonya Brown, Society Hill sign has people slowing down, WPDE News Channel 15, January 23, 2012 [includes video].

Pretty Bird

“Various people got involved, like experts who thought maybe it was a new strain

or a new type of bird . . .”

Danny Auger, New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Photo by donjd2

Quick—When I say “colorful bird,” what’s the first word that pops into your head? Peacock? Parrot? Probably not hawk. That’s why locals in Dannevirke, New Zealand (population 5,510) were taken aback in 2009 when they spotted magenta-hued hawks flying around. Bird watchers were convinced the birds were a new species of red harrier hawk. They were wrong. As it turns out, the birds were a farce. Farmer Grant Michael Teahan was convicted last week of animal cruelty for trapping hawks and spray painting them red. Officials discovered the birds were phony when they autopsied one after it was killed by a car. The officials said the paint was a toxin and could have killed the bird, if the car hadn’t gotten it first, that is. Mr. Teahan swears he’s innocent, but he’s painted himself into a bit of a corner. Officials tracked down a video that shows a homemade bird trap covered in magenta red paint and a photo of a cow with the words “Merry Christmas” sprayed on its side . . . in red paint.

Read more → Stacey Kirk, Painted bird lark no joke–judge, Manawatu Standard, January 19, 2012.

Ice Cold Beer

“People that know me think I’m crazy.”

Chris Haugen, Co-Owner of The Ice Hole Bar

The Ice Hole Bar

Photo by Kim Kressin

Want a cold beer? I’ve got just the place for you: The Ice Hole Bar on Lake Lida, Minnesota (population 697). That’s right—on Lake Lida. The lake, which is covered in 23 inches of ice this time of year, is home to more than 100 ice fishing houses. Chris Haugen took the idea one step further and opened an ice fishing bar. The Ice Hole Bar offers seating for 20, satellite TV, and an ice fishing hole. The Otter Tail County sheriff has some concerns about mixing alcohol, ice and driving but says he’ll keep an eye on the place, like he does with all bars in his county. Mr. Haugen has plans to expand his ice fishing bar idea to additional lakes next year. He certainly lives in the right place for it: Otter Tail County has 1,048 lakes and an average winter temperature of 11 degrees.

Read more → Bill Schammert, Unique bar opens on Lake Lida, WDAY TV, January 20, 2012 [includes video].

What’s in a Name

“It’s nice to see the name in the paper a lot.”

Florist in Romney, West Virginia

Sometimes a town’s name says it all . . .

Drain, Oregon

Photo by Gordon Wrigley

The heavy rains that lashed Oregon last Thursday didn’t spare the small town of Drain, Oregon (population 1,026). In fact, in Douglas County, Drain was the hardest hit by flood waters. Schools and roads were closed, and some residents had to be evacuated from their homes. But a mere 24 hours later, the flood waters were gone, schools and most roads were reopened, and evacuees were moving back home. Drain is bracing for the next round of rain storms expected this week and hoping to live up—or should I say down—to its namesake again.

And sometimes it doesn’t . . .

Romney, West Virginia

Photo by Gage Skidmore

You might expect the folks in Romney, West Virginia (population 1,907) to take a personal stake in the presidential campaign of Mitt Romney. You’d be wrong. It’s not that folks in Romney the town don’t think much of Romney the candidate—it’s just that most of them don’t think of him at all. Residents are more interested in the upcoming local elections for sheriff, country commissioner, and county assessor than in a guy who shares their town’s name. In this conservative-leaning town there are a few who support Mitt Romney, but it has more to do with his politics than his name. As one resident says, there’s a lot more to a candidate than his name, or at least there should be.

Read more:

■  David Anderson, Hardest hit by flooding in Douglas County, Drain recovers overnight, KMTR, January 20, 2012.

■  Dan Amira, Citizens of Romney, West Virginia, not particularly excited about Mitt Romney, New York Magazine, January 20, 2012.

Night Night, Sleep Tight

“We do the very best we can to keep the cows happy and content . . .”

Dave Conrad, Dairy farmer from Penfield Township, Ohio

Photo by Kathleen DeMaster

Thinking about a good night’s sleep, Dave Conrad of Penfield Township, Ohio (population 1,690) is more likely to count cows than sheep. Mr. Conrad is a dairy farmer who will do anything to keep his cows happy. And he has. Mr. Conrad recently bought waterbeds for all of his milk cows. He says the rubber and water-filled mattresses are more comfortable for the cows; there’s less stress on their hocks and knees. And when the cows are comfortable, they produce more milk—substantially more according to Mr. Conrad. He says the $300 per mattress investment was well worth it. Happy cows, happy farmer.

Read more → Ohio cows sleep on waterbeds, milk quality improves, CNN, January 19, 2012 [includes video].

Hog Wild

“You ever see a rototilled field?”

Mike Madell, Vicksburg National Military Park Superintendent

Photo by Craig O’Neal

Ground made hallow during the Civil War has turned into stomping grounds for wild hogs today. The site of the Civil War’s final major battle near Vicksburg, Mississippi (population 24,894), which claimed the lives of more than 10,000 Union troops and 9,000 Confederates, is under siege again. Feral hogs pushed inland by the flooding of the Mississippi River last May have overrun the historic battlefield. The boars weigh 150 to 200 pounds, sport tusks six to nine inches long, and have voracious appetites. They’re omnivores and dig furrows to find roots, moles, plants, ground-nesting birds, and acorns. Mike Madell, superintendent of the Vicksburg National Military Park, compares the area to a rototilled field. He says keeping the pigs at bay is a never-ending battle, but he may be getting help. As in many Southern states, there is a “shoot on sight” order for feral animals, so folks can go hog wild hunting the wild hogs.

Read more → Martha M. Boltz, The Civil War: Hogs uproot Vicksburg Battlefield, The Washington Times, January 18, 2012.

Room with a Boo

“That building, everything in it wants to talk, wants to say ‘hi’ . . .”

Richard Ruland, Ghost hunter

Temperance Building

Town leaders in Harriman, Tennessee (population 6,744) are facing the daunting task of restoring the 121-year-old Temperance Building, and they may be turning to haunting to get the job done. For years, rumors of ghost sightings at the Temperance Building, a former jail, have traveled the grapevine. The town council will decide this week whether to get into the spirit of things and open the building to ghost tourists. Richard Ruland, a ghost hunter, has proposed offering overnight stays for $299 and three-hour tours for $30. Half of the proceeds would go to restoring the Temperance Building, which is estimated to cost $1 million. The mayor of Harriman says he doesn’t believe in ghosts, but he doesn’t not believe in them either. What he does believe in is raising funds for the restoration and maybe scaring up interest for his town along the way.

Read more → Tim Ghianni, Tennessee town hopes ghost search can scare up cash, Reuters, January 15, 2012.

Midnight Ride

“I think it was pretty damn stupid.”

Anonymous comment at the Old Timer Café

Photo by Walt Hubis

A waiter, a dishwasher and a horse were unlikely participants in a mad dash through the streets of St. Ignatius, Montana (population 807) last week. It all started when two Amish girls tied their horse, Midnight, and buggy to a fence while they ran errands. Midnight, a nervous sort, reared back, broke its bridle, and bolted. Dustin Burckhard, a waiter at the Old Timer Café, and Tim Ranel, a dishwasher, saw what happened. They jumped in Mr. Burckhard’s Chevy Trailblazer to head off the horse. Twice they tried and twice Midnight veered. Then, like a scene from an action movie, Mr. Burckhard perched on the running board of the SUV while it drew alongside the buggy, and he leaped onto its open seat. With no reins to stop the horse, Mr. Burckhard climbed on Midnight’s back, inched up its neck, and pulled its ears. A couple of miles later Midnight came to a halt, but not before dumping Mr. Burckhard. The daring deed lasted no more than a few minutes, but the townspeople will long remember the Midnight Ride of Dustin Burckhard.

Read more → Jamie Kelly, Modern-day cowboy, sidekick save runaway horse, buggy, Missoulian, January 11, 2012.

Blast Master

“I watch MythBusters and they inspired me to blow a building up.”

Maxwell Hinton, Boy who blew up the granary in Huron, Ohio

Photo by FOX Toledo News

Blowing up a building isn’t considered child’s play, but in Huron, Ohio (population 7,327) that’s exactly what it was, and for good reason. The old granary in Huron had to go—it was sitting on 11 acres the town wanted to sell. Town leaders made plans to implode the building. Meanwhile, across the country in California, 7-year-old Maxwell Hinton was undergoing treatment for neuroblastoma, a form of cancer that attacks children. The Make-a-Wish Foundation approached Maxwell and asked him if there was one thing he could do, what would it be? Maxwell said, blow up a building. Make-a-Wish hooked up with Huron, and last weekend Maxwell flew to the small town to make a big blast. More than 30,000 people watched as Maxwell pushed the button and the grain building went down in a cloud of smoke. Townspeople were happy to see the old granary go and even happier to see a young boy’s wish come true.

To see Maxwell implode the old granary, click on the video below:

Blast Master Maxwell

Read more → Sharia Davis, One big wish, boy blows up building, FOX Toledo News, January 8, 2012.

Game Plan

“We’re not exactly sure what this is.”

Mike Bestul, Sergeant with the Brainerd Police Department

Vandals hit the town of Brainerd, Minnesota (population 13,770) last weekend, but their attacks weren’t random—these guys had a game plan. They took play money and super-enlarged photocopies of the banker from the game Monopoly, and they pasted them on the Wells Fargo Bank, US Bank, Dairy Queen, and Armed Forces Recruiting office. Police say the vandals were clearly leaving a message, but they just don’t know what it is. Maybe a protest from the Occupy Brainerd group? In any event, police are asking people to call if they see anything suspicious—like someone walking around with a Monopoly game in one hand and a bottle of paste in the other.

Read more → Jennifer Stockinger, Monopoly banker vandalizes Brainerd businesses, Brainerd Dispatch, January 9, 2012.

Rare Bird

“This is a bird that they all wanted on their list, and now they’ve got it.”

Jeff Heinlen, Biologist with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Photo by Dominic Sherony

A rare Arctic gull was spotted last month on the shore of Palmer Lake near Loomis, Washington (population 312), and bird-watchers from around the country and Canada have flocked to the tiny town to take a look. The bird is a Ross’s gull, and it was first seen December 15 feeding on a deer carcass. Birders say that typically only one Ross’s gull per year is seen south of the Canadian border, and the last and only other time one visited Washington was in 1994. The closest population of Ross’s gulls breeds near Manitoba, Canada hundreds of miles north of Minnesota. No one knows how this gull made it to Washington, or how long it will stay, so bird-watchers aren’t wasting any time trekking to Loomis to see the “mega-bird” and add it to their life list.

If, like me, you’re a bird-watcher at heart but can’t travel to Washington, one of the lucky bird lookers caught the Ross’s gull on video. Take a look:

Ross’s Gull

Read more → K. C. Mehaffey, Bird-watchers flock to glimpse town’s rare gull, The Wenatchee World, December 26, 2011. [Reprinted in The Seattle Times]