To say that we (my sisters Jean and Deb, and I) grew up in a "normal" home would probably be accurate.
However, our father was a rather unique individual that did things his own way and was a "yankee trader." Future blogs will have much more to say about our dad and his love of life.
Sunday's Portland paper (Telegram) usually has one page which features beautiful pictures sent in by readers featuring outdoor shots of landscapes and animals. This past week one reader sent in a photo of a porcupine in her yard. This picture triggered a memory of Dad and the Porcupine.
My dad owned a store in Sanford, Maine that was truly a general store. He sold paint, hardware, tools, toys, beef, fish, and a complete line of groceries and produce. At one time he was affiliated with IGA but later liked to call his store "Gowen's Master Market" with the slogan of "if it sells, we have it." The store was my sanctuary growing up as a I spent much time there (hanging out and working?).
Back to the porcupine. One day a lady ran in the store saying, "Mr. Gowen, Mr. Gowen, there is a porcupine walking on the sidewalk on the other side of Main Street." (Main Street was the location of the store.) This prompted Dad into action. He left the store, grabbing a baseball bat from a barrel of bats on his exit. He headed toward the beast. The beast never had a chance. It only took a moment. He quickly took the life out of the porcupine. The neighborhood and its children were saved.
The local paper (Sanford Tribune) learned of the death and arrived to report the incident. A picture was taken. The paper featured the picture with Dad holding the bat in one hand and the lifeless porcupine hanging from the other. The story accompanied the picture and a local hero was born.
I still have an original Tribune with the picture of the hunter and his prey. Several months ago I received a copy of this photo from a cousin (Vernor) in Oregon on our computer (e-mail). Vernor's dad (Vernor Sr.) was my father's brother who worked for my dad in the store until leaving for Arizona about 60 years ago.
In today's world, with the SPCA, my dad would probably have been fined and/or incarcerated for a short time or received a suspended sentence. Probably better to have animal control take care of such problems. However, back in the day, the situation was taken care of expediently and the area was safe.
Good job, Dad!!
More situations to follow!
Stay tuned! -- Derf.
(Postscript: Tracy here. After typing in the above for my father, I had to add the following to today's post!)
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| Grandpa and the porcupine. |
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