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By: Jim Fitzpatrick |
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Email: jim@nunica.com |
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Local Farmer in Polkton Township writes for the Coopersville Observer. |
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Along Brandy Creek By Jim Fitzpatrick
The Coopersville Observer November 15, 2004- - No. 39 |
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The sixteen acre woods along Interstate is where Charlie use to make maple syrup. Florence was always there to help out too. He has gone on now, to the great maple woods in the sky. The maples trees are still there, the sugar shack has been quiet for several seasons. "It is a nice woods, lots of other kinds of hardwoods too". That is what the loggers said, when they came to have a look.
"Well", said the farmer that owns the place these days, "maybe you can cut a few, if you are careful of this here woods as you go about your work". And, of course, the price had to be right! Which it was, once the wheel'n and deal'n was said and done. A logging truck or two, a man with a saw, the log skidder and driver; they'd show up in October to do the work.
November winds are blowing now. The air is turning colder. The logging crew has come and gone. They cut down and trucked away some of those oaks, ash and others; form that little woods with the creek running through it. Charlie's woods doesn't like quite the same now that they are gone. Crunched up tree tops scattered here and there, fresh cut stumps where 100 year old red oaks once stood; skidder trails lead to the open field where the logs were hauled out.
The little sugar shack at the top of the hill remains quiet, as before. There were times, however, that is sure felt like Charlie was a sitt'n up there just inside that small shed. Yep, hanging out up there and keeping a watchful eye on all the activities taking place there in "his woods". Could it be that he still takes long walks and passes through this way? |
