News Leader News
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
- July 18, 2006
The Editor:
THE MARMOTS'S TALE
By Karin Green
There once was a marmot named Ike,
He lived in the Princeton dyke.
Just like a bunny,
He looked cute and funny
And ate only things that are green.
One day life was boring
So Ike went exploring
And discovered Rotary Park!
Well, Ike was astounded
By grass was surrounded,
More green than he ever had seen!
So Ike called his mother,
His sisters and brothers
And soon there were others.
All feasting in Rotary Park!
Well, there is no free lunch.
Someone spotted the bunch!
There arose much alarm,
Wild things can bring harm!
They might poop in the park
A plague they might spark!
Now, because he liked grass,
The town is after Ike's (S..)!
Well, Ike should have known
Princeton is a NO WILDLIFE zone.
Okay don't anybody get mad just poking a bit of fun at what strikes me as overreaction.
Since moving here three years ago, I have often been puzzled and disappointed by the way some Princeton folk view their most valuable tourist attractions their wonderful countryside and the wildlife it shelters. No European, Asian or even urban American and Canadian tourist is likely to remember Princeton as anything but a place to fill up the gas tank and top up the fridge - but the sight of a real deer by the road or a marmot on the dyke, not in a zoo, may make Princeton a place talked about at dinner tables and cocktail parties around the world for years to come.
In support of John Akerley's recent letter, I will agree that Princeton used to be a cute, memorable little town featuring a bright Heritage look, (Fields and Overwaitea notwithstanding) but all of that has fallen into disrepair or has been lost altogether.
Losing the hotel has been a terrible blow. It was the essence of Princeton. Perhaps it is time to re-establish the Heritage theme and start a serious paint up/clean up campaign. Many towns have done well by becoming a summer theme park Leavenworth and Twisp in Washington come to mind.
In Northern California we visited a small town that featured a summer long square dance festival in a pavilion located within their municipal park. It was packed with Recreational Vehicles from every part of the Union. If we put our hearts, minds and money into the project, Princeton can be memorable again for more than its wildlife! Food for thought.
Back to marmots. Saturday car show day I drove by Rotary Park. There were actually people there having a picnic and there was not marmot in sight. I suspect that when the splash pool opens and children fill the park the normally shy marmots will stick to the dyke.
- Karin Green, Princeton
