THE RETURN OF SPRING

THE RETURN OF SPRING

Type:Short Story
Words: 1,334

[Photo]
[Writer's Name]:
aka [Nick Name]
[Age:12]
[Occupation]

Favourite Authors: [Author1, Author2, Author3, Author4]

The following piece earned an Honourable Mention in the first annual Mayor's Challenge. Citizens of Chelsea were asked to identify what makes the area unique. The most interesting attractions will be featured in the upcoming tourism campaign: Sauce up your weekends. Chelsea is more than just tomatoes! This submission was a collaborative effort by an enterprising downtown businessman and the 10 year old daughter of a greenhouse operator. It is not difficult to imagine who contributed what. (Is it Hernando?)  ~ Copyrighted. All Rights Reserved. More Than Just Tomatoes Inc.


Dear Mr. Mayor:

First, I asked my father if I could offer tours of the greenhouses. He said “Chelsea may not be just-about-tomatoes, but the Mastronardis are!” You have to know my father. I took that as a 'No'.

Lying in the clover, drifting with the clouds, I wondered "Who’s coming to Chelsea anyway?" A flock of geese flew by in their typical 'V' formation. The question changed from ‘who?’ to ‘what?’

In school, we studied migration. Canada geese of course, but also the monarch butterfly.
We learned that living along migratory routes is a privilege. Seeing and hearing the beauty first hand every time the seasons change, I understand. Too many people take it for granted. Along with this privilege comes a responsibility, the duty of stewardship over their sanctuaries. As a community, we have the obligation to protect nature’s biodiversity from economic and climatic global change.

I wondered what other migratory routes crossed the area.

“The variety of species passing through is a welcomed seasoning to the flavor typically provided by the changing of the seasons. There is a momentary invasion of life, color, spice and music ... but, as fast as they arrive, departure is just as quick onto summer or winter destinations.”  Elsie Cranston Ornithologist, Kentucky

Did you know there are over 350? There had to be at least one which had never been mascotted before. One which Chelsea could adopt or declare exclusivity as the town bird or bug or reptile and shout to the world as a reason to visit.

I decided to check out the conservation areas. There are five nearby. The plan was to look-for-the-overlooked while asking visitors what attracted them to Chelsea.

At Jack Miners, there were countless geese and ducks. Nothing unique. Exactly what it is known for.

Point Pelee lays claim to the greatest diversity, the monarch butterfly at the top of the list. A birder pointed out a tundra swan and was giddy about sighting her first red breasted mergansen. Both however, are popular attractions and listed on the website.

At Holiday Beach, hummingbirds ate from the feeders at the migration observatory while hawks streaked overhead. Two avid bird watchers argued whether a Saw-whet or Barred owl made the mess on the steps. Again, all were mentioned as regulars on the information plaque.

At the Hillman Marsh, I was hushed to listen to the music of the dunlin.  I couldn’t see for the height of the cattails, but I could read heron, egret, sandpiper, avocet and dowitcher were checked off on a clipboard. Again, nothing unusual.

Finally at Kopegaron Woods, as highlighted in the brochure, I spotted orioles, cardinals and gold finches.

I was running out of options. My compadre Hernando, suggested to simply propose a tour retracing the conservation areas I had just visited.

"That’s a no brain-er," I said. "Everyone will do that. It has to be special only to Chelsea. Never done before. Something that migrates. Preferably in spring. If we do this right, we can extend the tourist season beyond the summer and fall. You're the one who always tells me to think like a businessman."

Henando thought for a moment.

"How about this?" he said.

"Migrates from as far as Mexico, just like the monarch. Makes hermosa (beautiful) música to the ear. Dances. Friendly enough to approach ... and best of all ... not just passing through. Chelsea is home for the summer. After arriving, they rarely stray more than 10 kilometers. After the long flight, they seem to gather to make a little noise(fiesta)waiting for all the others to arrive. Before sunset, they gradually disperse to find shelter on the local farms for the summer. In fact, here they come now!"

Once I heard the honking in the distance, I knew exactly the migration about which he was talking. The answer was in my own backyard all the time.

To date, only orchard growers, greenhouse operators and a handful of locals take notice of the spring return. However, with a few strategic signs and banners, I could see it quickly grow into an annual festival drawing from great distances.

Let me describe the arrival this year. Alcalde, picture this:
~
Trucks curled along the perimeter like a common fox snake. Farmers chatted around makeshift taco stand. (advertise) Hernando never misses an opportunity to make a sale. With a streaming burrito and a refreshing mango soda in hand, I took a front row seat on the tailgate to watch.

The honking came first. It grew louder as they came into view. Twice they circled checking us out, before stopping in formation. Anticipation rose in the sudden silence. Everyone watched from the fence line without saying a word.

The hush broke as the bus doors flung open in unison. An impromptu Mexican festival spilled out into the parking lot. There was a Miriachi band, salsa dancing, singing, laughter, hugging and exchanging of wallet photos. 

Mexicans are such a happy people. They are as thrilled to see us as we are to see them.

Every year, it's the same faces returning, but I always seem to make new friends.

Approximately 5,000 workers – description blah blah

As everyone gravitates to the farmers’ truck to take them to their summer home someone new sits beside me. He looked hungrily at my burrito. I pointed him to Hernando’s stand. They’re free.  After he filled his belly, he took some black grease from the barbeque and drew lines on his face. He explained the meaning of each line to a Myan warrior, an ancient tribe from Mexico. He then painted my face as a princess would. Since he was new and mainly watching, I explained everything to him.

Beside Hernando’s stand was the instructor from the English as a Second Language. She was dancing the meringue to the serinading guitars. I suggested it should be called Salsa as a Second Language, because the dancing improves faster than their English.
Beside her was the ambassador from the Mexican Consolate handing out a welcome package. It had a book of coupons, a map and bicycle reflectors.

Each farmer was verifying everyone’s work papers. They did not want to chance employing any illegal aliens.

On the perimeters, like jackals watching the antelope on the nature channel for strays, was an immigration agent, union reps and scary Mexican men my father told me to stay away from. I warned him that they prey on stowaways without papers whom stand out as they stray from the rest of the flock.

A festival celebrating the annual migration of workers would demonstrate our appreciation for the contributions and flavour our Mexican friends add to the community. Think of the promotional value of being able to claim people come from as far away as Guadalajara!

How does the name ‘El Regreso de la Primavera’ sound? In English it translates to: 'The Return of Spring'.

Hernando has even offered to look after the food!


Written by Maria Mastronardi with contributions from Hernando Lopez, owner of Hernando's Hideaway. Mention The Return of Spring with your next taco order and receive a mango soda FREE!

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