Behind the Scenes: Flamingo Flock

PALS member and Flamino Wrangler Michael Spier recently visited the home of longtime Middlefield resident Netta O'Connor to deliver 90 flamingos, a fundraiser to benefit the Durham Public Library.

The Flamingo Flock is the brainchild of PALS President Laurie Stevens, an ardent supporter of the library.

"I got the idea six or seven years ago from my mom. The youth group at her church in Westport was doing them as a fundraiser for a building project," Stevens said.

"We started off with a few dozen birds and over the years the flock has grown to about 100.  People ask for the flockings mostly for other people for a variety of reasons: birthdays, anniversaries, christenings, welcome back to town or good-bye parties, to cheer someone who is sick or going through a rough time and occasionally just to horrify a friend.

"It's been a lot of fun and people really seem to like them.  In the last couple of years Michael has taken over from me as the Flock Wrangler and he takes his job very seriously dressing up as a giant flamingo when he does the flockings!  You haven't lived until you've seen a grown man dressed up as a big pink flamingo!  In fact, two years ago he was putting the flock out on the library lawn to greet visitors to the Durham Fair and was given a hard time by one of the state troopers who couldn't quite believe his eyes."

To make your reservation, contact Michael Spier at 860-349-3192.