Josie brings ‘gifts’ home
Flying squirrel raised questions for Marion Bridge family
Six-year-old feline Josie loves to bring gifts home to her family, but her owners don’t always appreciate her generosity.
“Josie is a hunter, always bringing home squirrels and mice,” said Marion Bridge resident Lisa MacPherson, adding Josie was acquired for her daughter Allie while living in Alberta.
“Josie made the long drive back home with us.”
As MacPherson explains, she recently returned home to find Josie strutting down the driveway with a squirrel in her mouth and proceeded to drop it near the step. Something struck MacPherson as a bit peculiar about this squirrel so she decided to take a closer look and was amazed by what she saw.
It was a flying squirrel.
“I yelled to (partner) Eddie (Peckham) to come see. I made him hold it up so I could get some pictures,” said MacPherson.
She later posted some of the photos on her Facebook page and many commenters were of the opinion that flying squirrels did not live in the area, while others said they knew of their existence.
Fact is, flying squirrels are elusive. To find out more, I consulted the Nova Scotia Department of Lands and Forest website.
According to the site, there are two types of flying squirrels in this province. The northern flying squirrel and the southern flying squirrel. The northern being the most common in this area.
They are nocturnal creatures, which explains why there are very few sightings. They weigh half as much as the common red squirrel and are tan and beige in colour with a white underside.
These squirrels don’t fly in the same sense as birds but they have features such as a large flat tale and a gliding membrane that stretches from wrist to ankle that allows them to glide from tree to tree. They are capable of gliding up to 100 metres.
* * * * *
MORE WORK TO BE DONE Over the past year, with the support of the community and government agencies, the Marion Bridge and Area Council has made Lisa MacPherson of Marion Bridge with her son Dylan and daughter Allie holding Josie, one of the family’s two cats. Josie is an avid hunter and recently brought home a rare catch, an elusive flying squirrel. strides to revitalize the community hall. The new bathrooms have been completed and the council has set its sights on expanding and modernizing the kitchen.
Several events will be taking place at the community hall in the upcoming months starting in mid-October with a monthly kitchen party at the hall in conjunction with Two Rivers Wildlife Park.
A concert will take place in conjunction with Celtic Colours on Friday, Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person. Prior to the concert, a lunch will be served at
the Mira Centre from 12-1 p.m. for $10 per person.
A square dance will happen Nov. 3. The Mira Players Christmas production will hit the stage Nov. 23-24 and the Christmas tree lighting celebration will take place on Dec. 8.
UPCOMING EVENTS
• Fundraising ticket draw and dance today, Mira Boat Club. Wine and cheese from 7-8:30 p.m. followed by entertainment with the Doug Johnson Band. Prizes to be won. For ticket information visit the Mira Boat Club Facebook page or website.
• Seafood chowder dinner, today, 12-2 p.m., Fourchu Community Hall, $10 per person.
• Annual auction, today, 6 p.m. viewing, Bethel CE Centre, Hillside Road, Marion Bridge. Auctioneer is Alfie MacLeod.
• Weekly darts and cards, today, 7-10 p.m., Mira Centre.
• Bethel United Church will begin taking orders for its cabbage roll dinner on Oct. 8. The dinner will take place on Thursday, Oct. 25. For information, visit www.marion-bridge.ca.
• There will be a roast beef dinner at the Union Church Hall in Albert Bridge, Oct. 13 from 4-6 p.m.
• The annual Marion Bridge Oktoberfest, a fundraiser for the Mira Centre, will take place Saturday, Oct. 6 from 3-10 p.m. This is a 19+ event. Cash only.
• Two Rivers Wildlife Park hosts its annual Fright Night, Oct. 19-20 and Oct. 26-27, with a Family Day on Sunday, Oct. 28. Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased at the park or at various retail locations. For information go to the park’s Facebook page or phone, 902-727-2483.
• Regular monthly meeting of the Mira Boat Club takes place on Wednesday.
• Thursday night mixed darts at Mira Boat Club at 7:30 p.m.
• Halloween dance at Mira Boat Club, Saturday, Oct. 27, 9 p.m., with music by Romard Sound Disc Jockey.
• How to Keep My Brain Brilliant workshop by Dr. Claudia Schmiemann of Germany at the Mira Centre, Saturday, Oct. 27 from 2-4. Free dance workshop on Sunday, Oct. 28 at the Marion Bridge Community Hall with Schmiemann and Thorsten Goob. The workshop is open to 30 couples only. Register by phone or text to Bridget at 902-322-2211.
For a full list of events, visit www.marion-bridge.ca.