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Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 3 From Around Home A V by Roy Forrester On May 19, a bright sun shone from the east, bringing thoughts of warmth and hopes that spring had finally arrived. Looking from the inside out, little did I know that I was being lead down the path to a chilly outing. As I was two days late in checking out the 31 Blue Bird boxes, this was going to be ideal weather to get the job done. It is also an event that I do look forward to. When I arrived at the Blue Bird Trail, something quickly told me it was far from spring-like weather. In fact, not so far away, they were reporting ice pellets being blown around. Surely it has been a backward backward spring or does appear to be so. Indeed, the spring May 24th gardening spree was a freeze-out. I did make the rounds, which takes a couple of hours and was quite pleased with the Blue Bird activity around the boxes. Seven boxes of the 31 had eggs iri them and some were up to the full count of five. There were 5 other boxes that had nest construction underway underway and could well turn out to be Blue Birds. It seems to me that there is more Blue Bird activity in the area than in former years. It seemed as if everywhere I looked there was another Blue Bird, Blue Birds are noted to be early nesters and definitely they have come along despite the backward spring. There were four Tree Swallows' nests but that will increase as the temperature rises and flying insects spin about. Twice on this latest outing I noted two Tree Swallows dropping into the grass for insects. Certainly insects were not flying about on the 19th but the swallows were being resourceful to maintain their survival and taking insects on the ground. Such spring weather as we have been having is rather hard on Swallows and often they do succumb due to lack of their food source. Bill Bunting reports an obvious love affair in his back yard between a male and female Cardinal. He, (the cardinal, not Bill) will take a seed out of the feeder and fly to his waiting female mate to feed her. This has been observed happening on a couple of occasions. Bill speaks of this male Cardinal as a really caring mate. Maybe so. But I just did have to look this one up and he certainly does owe her something. In first place, she takes 5 to 9 days to, herself, build the nest. Then lays the eggs and undertakes most of the incubation. It's reported that on occasions the male has been noted sitting on the nest. This girl deserves something, I am sure. Had a call from Elaine back Pontypool way, with a sighting sighting of a Rufous Sided Towhee. It is listed in with the family of Grosbeaks and is equally as colourful as the Rose breasted but in brown, white and black and with a red eye. It is moderately common in the area, nesting in shrubby headlands, and is often found scratching about in Scotch Pine plantations. It was in a plantation that I saw my first sighting of the bird. That's it for this week. Lovekin (continued from page 2) eating in the courthouse cafeteria cafeteria with everyone and you would never see him sitting alone. He would sit with witnesses witnesses and accused persons and it didn't matter if he knew them or not. Dick never lost his small town lawyer attitude and this was why he was so successful in making not only good decisions decisions but also helping to make those involved in a trial feel comfortable. Although he was considered considered a somewhat unorthodox Judge, he always made excellent excellent decisions. Dick was a great community community worker and although he was always busy with legal work he made time for his family and his community. Dick was an enthusiastic and dedicated member of our Newcastle Village and District Historical Society. His last project was to put together the Massey Show last summer wich was held on their farm. Unfortunately Dick was too sick to come outside to enjoy it. Dick didn't drive around in a fancy car. You would usually see him in his suit driving an old flat bed pickup. Dick Lovekin was our Judge, our friend and neighbour, neighbour, our Statesman. We will miss him dearly. on Judy Campbell and Donna Robertson of Orono's newest business -- Medessa on Main, are now open and serving specialty coffee and tea. Happenings O Multiple Sclerosis IkI W Society of Canada 1-800-268-7582 www.mssociety.ca Celebrate COUNTY FENCES with us! A new release by author Ruth Clarke Join us at the Clarke Museum & Archives Sunday, May 26th 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.nt. to launch the publication of Ruth Clarke's new book, Buffers, Boundaries & Barricades: County Fences ■ïtir-, S. ,! - ui: JjiiP i tf? i 5 Buffers, Boundaries & Rarrleadtt: county'FENCES* ? -• :J| 'v : 'V*.H .1 -i 1 r 'I 1 ! 1 ; ■ I,, 1 ill; 1 ! Ai :_]« liBllîS Exhibition of photos from the book ~ Book signing ~ Clarke Museum & Archives 7086 Old Kirby School Road Kirby, Ontario Sunday, May 26th Book Launch - County Fences by Ruth Clarke Join us from 1-3 p.m. at the Clarke Museum & Archives to launch the publication of Ruth Clarke s new book, Buffers, Boundaries & Barricades: County Fences. Exhibition of photos from book and book signing. Sunday, May 26th Ganaraska Forest Horse Club 6th Annual Poker Ride Registration at 8 a.m. Ganaraska Forest Centre. Departures begin 9 a.m. no later than 11:30 a.m. All riders must be back by 2:30 p.m. to qualify for prizes. Lunch available for purchase on site. Members $10 with a donated prize. Non-member entries $15. For more information call Debbie 905-983-5668 or Lorrie 905-797-2381. Sunday, May 26th Orono Minor Hockey Celebration The community is invited to attend a special celebration recognizing the accomplishments accomplishments of Orono's bantam, midget and Juvenile teams this Sunday, May 26th from 2-4 p.m. at Orono Arena and Community Centre. Saturday, June 8th Ontario Crown Lands Trust 'Walk or Wagon Ride 9 The Orono Crown Lands Trust invites you to a morning walk or ride through part of the the Northern end of the Trust property. Interpreter Guides will be available to lead walks or if you choose, a wagon ride into the Wilmot Creek Valley. Walks and wagon rides begin at 9 a.m. and run till 1 p.m. Enter via the Ochonski/Station Street Gate. Parking inside the gate. Saturday, June 8 Live Rock 'N' Roll fundraiser "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll" by Freddy Vette & the Cadillacs. Live musical performance performance featuring music from the 50s and 60s at 7:30 p.m. Bowmanville High School Auditorium. Tickets $15/person available by calling 905-697-2856. This is a fundraising event for the Clarington Older Adult Association.