Editor's Notebook: Darcy on the Edge of Town

When the parakeet escaped, I watched him disappear into the maple leaves above the house.  Sad to see him go, I turned to the other two pet birds and wondered aloud about Darcy's chances of survival on his own in South Orange.

The two other parakeets were on their way to another home. I advertised them on SouthOrangePatch and found a ready taker, a loyal reader and writer for the site. I delivered the parakeets to the other side of South Orange Avenue, still scanning the skies for the escapee.

A pet bird has a slim chance of survival, I assumed. At home, Darcy's days were marked by regular feedings, and I covered the cage at night to ensure rest. How could such a cosseted creature make it among the grackles and crows?

Then, at the end of the week, I heard a rumor of a found parakeet. Ours is a small community, and I already knew the finder–I visited her studio last year during the Arts Tour—and had a cell phone number. I called immediately.

"Is the parakeet blue?" Yes.
"Is he medium-sized?" Yes.
"Is he tame?" Yes. Further description led to a positive ID.

The bird's rescue party included a girl in my fifth grader son's class, her mother, and a local realtor. Darcy had followed the Rahway–or the bike path–until he tired and let himself be scooped up into a takeout food container. The classmate will keep Darcy; my fifth grader handed over a bag of bird treats on the playground at Jefferson.

I thought the story a remarkable coincidence, but it's also an example of the many ways that we in this community are connected. Whether pet peeves or pet birds, we live closely and have a stake in others' concerns. As I become editor of SouthOrangePatch, I look forward to knowing the community ever better, and reporting the news we need to know.

I am grateful for the hard work and sharp editing Cotton Delo has provided since Patch's inception. She has made Patch required reading for many of us in South Orange. As I continue her efforts, please send ideas or questions, criticism and queries. Stop me at the grocery store—I've received more story ideas and tips while food shopping than anywhere else—and tell me what's on your mind. Announce your group's event, or share a photo of your weekend warrior triumphs. Above all, keep checking back as Patch tells the story of South Orange, one bird at a time.