Date: Fri 27-Nov-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: CURT

Quick Words:

Mountain-Thanksgiving

Full Text:

TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN

I've heard a lot of Thanksgiving lore over the years, but as a cat, I've got

to say that the story about the late Frank Durfey Chalon is my favorite. The

story is true.

Frank, an antiques dealer remembered by some of us here in the Bee office,

lived on Staten Island. His fame among folk art collectors was surpassed only

by his fame among stray cats.

Frank never met a cold and hungry cat he didn't take in, and word of his

generosity spread quickly down the alleys of Staten Island. So in short order

his house was full of felines happy to return Frank's affection.

On Thanksgiving, Frank always showed his gratitude for the great blessing of

companionship by inviting many of his human friends for a traditional turkey

dinner. And not forgetting all the feline live-ins, he always bought a

separate turkey to boil into little cat-bite-sized bits, which he served on

the kitchen floor while the other assembled guests gathered around the table

in the dining room.

One Thanksgiving, one calico ended up on the wrong side of the kitchen door,

and missed out on the turkey feast in the kitchen. So he secreted himself high

on a highboy overlooking the table and watched as the big 22-pounder was

presented at the table. After some formal words of thanks were said, and the

long knife was honed on the steel, all waited in anticipation of the first

cut. The calico could take it no more. He launched himself toward the table

and landed squarely on the Butterball, digging claws in to secure himself on

the slippery slope of the birds prodigious breast.

Frank, with all the grace of a host who has seen it all, simply lifted the cat

from the bird and returned him to his kind in the kitchen. Coming back to the

table, he found his guests open mouthed and astonished, looking at the claw

marks on the turkey. Frank simply picked up the knife and started to carve,

asking each guest, "White meat or dark?"

I have another turkey story for you this week. A flock of wild turkeys has

been hanging around the house of Joanne and Dick Zang in Sandy Hook lately,

often creating quite a mess. So on one morning recently Joanne knew the birds

were outside, but she couldn't see them. She stepped out the front door and

there they were -- about a dozen of them -- peering in the family room window,

where the Today show was playing on the television set.

"Usually the turkeys are really skittish," she said. "This time they craned

their heads around and gave me a disdainful look -- like I was interrupting

them -- then they all turned their heads back to the window and continued

watching the show."

In the small world department, Roseanne and Jim Loring recently took a

thousand-mile tour of Ireland with their son, Gribbin, and Roseanne's mother,

Margaret Gribbin. They were surprised to come across so many places called

"Newtown." They came across Newtown Hill, Newtown Castle, Newtown Park, and

Newtown Mount Kennedy.

INSERT PHOTO HERE

They dutifully recorded all the signs on film so their Newtown, Conn. friends

would believe them.

Many people have asked when the Candid Camera segment filmed here at The Bee

in October will be aired. We have been notified that you will be able to see

Newtowners buying their "no-news" edition of The Bee in the show scheduled for

December 4, at 8:30 pm on CBS.

Also, don't forget about the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on

Friday, December 4, at 6:30 pm at the Ram Pasture. It begins a weekend that

includes the Rotary Club's 38th annual Pancake Day at Edmond Town Hall on

Saturday -- 8 am to 2 pm -- with a visit from Santa, and the Holiday Festival

Tour to benefit the Family Counseling Center on Sunday, December 6.

Finally, let me wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving, and don't forget to keep

the cats in the kitchen. Also, don't forget to...

Read me again.