Forest Lawn Wildlife and Still Life

So, continuing on with the subject of Forest Lawn...What?  It's been a few months? Time flies...and so do Canadian geese...While WGRZ has a goose watch cam set up on their site of a goose nesting in a sculpture around Mirror Lake,I've had a few goose run-ins myself, the first being the most memorable.

So there I was, walking briskly and minding my own business, when suddenly to the right of me I hear this loud sound, like a helicopter "whoomphwhoomphwhoompph" and I freak out a bit and end up somehow standing on one leg with my arm around my head, all kind of curled up in a protective stance, like that would have helped.  A guard goose! I yelled at him that he was being rude and tried to walk away, but made the mistake of turning my back..."whoophwhoomphwhoomph"...Geesh!! I backed away after that, keeping an eye on him.

The next day I came back with my camera. I'm prepared.  However, come to find out that as soon as I heard the sound and whipped around, the goose got all casual...well, except for the neck thing...that means he's got an attitude...

...also vocalizes said attitude a bit when he decides to try the in your face intimidation routine....

A step in his direction though, and the casual act returns...until I turned my back....Put it this way...he's fast...but maybe you get the idea...

A few weeks later maybe I finally found the urn he was protecting, and everyone had flown the coop...he did a good job distracting me, that's for sure.

Meanwhile, the past few days have seen eggs hatching all over the place.  I saw at least 5 goose families around and about...

...the ducks just hanging out, watching the festivities...

One time the resident deer accompanied me for quite a while as I was walking about, but I didn't have my camera...rarely do when I see him...

Some wild turkeys were hanging around in the Fall...cars do not impress them...

Also saw a groundhog, then saw his burrow, and finally saw him peeking out...with the zoom on the camera! Not sticking my face that close!

Nearby, some still life...

...somewhat similar, a sphinx is in another section...

...and as long as I'm posting pictures from Forest Lawn, the headstone of Edward Austin Kent, who perished on the Titanic...

....that overlooks Mirror Lake...you know, back where this post started...and ends...

Craig Hoppe RIP

Clarence alumnus ('79) Chris Hoppe has passed away.  Rest in peace.

From the Buffalo News:

HOPPE - Craig F. Died April 23, 2012, at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital after a long, hard-fought battle with Multiple Myeloma. Craig retained to the end his incredible will to live, his independence, his interest in the world, family and friends, and his unique wit and good humor.

Craig lived in Clarence Center from the age of 2, and graduated from Clarence Central High in 1979. He enlisted in the army and served a tour of duty in Germany. He worked in roofing, construction and manufacturing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Shirley Hoppe; his brother Philip and his sister Jane Hoppe Schreiner; he is survived by his sister Pamela; brother-in-law Craig Schreiner, sister-in-law Leila Hoppe; three nieces and two nephews. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 5 at 11:30 AM at Zion Lutheran Church, 9535 Clarence Center Road.

Share online condolences at www.beachtuynfh.com

Janet Parr RIP

Back in the day, in the years shortly after high school, Clarence alumna ('73) Janet Parr and I inhabited a few of the same places before going on our separate ways. I know from Facebook that she passed away in March, but not much else....

Ride free, Janet, with the eternal wind...

Brian Comstock RIP

While looking around the internet in search of former classmates I was shocked to see that Clarence alumnus ('71) Brian Comstock had passed a few years ago. Brian and I were in the same typing class many years ago.  In fact, he sat in front of me, so I could see the fervent peek, hunt, and peck system he employed as we were supposed to be keeping our eyes on a very important document that we were reproducing as quickly as possible.  It definitely caught Mrs. Frasier's attention...I think she used to stand over him with a ruler in hand...she might have even installed a hands cover, but I can't remember...many years have passed.

Rest in peace, Brian.

"A. Brian Comstock, age 56, of Hawthorne, died Monday March 1, 2010 from injuries received in an occupational accident. He was a native of Lockport, New York and lived in Hawthorne for the past 26 years, coming from Clarence, New York, where he grew up. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Interlachen where he was a Reader and Eucharistic Minister. He was also a member of Knights of Columbus in Interlachen and had been involved with Habitat for Humanity. He worked as a commercial construction superintendent for many years. He most enjoyed fishing, Florida Gator sports and spending time with his family. He attended Rochester Institute of Technology where he played football for Tom Coughlin. He was a proud member of the "sinkhole gang". He was preceded in death by his parents, Alan and Anna Comstock.

Brian is survived by his wife, Sandra Hannon Comstock of Hawthorne; his son, Robert Comstock & fiancee, Kara Mathe of Gainesville; his mother-in-law, Dolores Hannon of Gainesville; sisters, Nancy Smith and husband, Jake of Akron, New York and Jane Comstock and husband, Vincent Jones of Kensington, Maryland; sister-in-law, Patricia Cruver and husband, George of Hudson, Florida along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Memorial donations can be made to: St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Building Fund, 1200 Highway 20 West, Interlachen, Florida, 32148."

Brian and Sandy from the Class 71 yearbook:

Susan Lewis Gorton RIP

Clarence alumna ('73) Susan Lewis Gorton passed away recently. May she rest in peace...

From the Buffalo News:

June 2, 1954—April 15, 2012

Susan M. Gorton, whose culinary career included running a restaurant in the City of Tonawanda, died Sunday in her Clarence home while under hospice care. She was 57.

Born Susan Lewis in Kenmore, she was a graduate of Clarence High School and pursued further studies in the culinary arts and horticulture, two of her passions. She worked at various food establishments throughout Western New York during her career, most recently at the Feel-Rite Fresh Market on Maple Road in Amherst.

A self-taught food artist who created outrageous food and desserts, she was co-owner of Suzz Cafe on Young Street from 2004 to 2008. In 2007, the restaurant’s cucumber cilantro salad won third place in the Taste of Buffalo’s Healthy Choice Option category.

Mrs. Gorton was a supporter of the North Tonawanda Farmers’ Market and a strong advocate of local farmers. Her restaurant donated food to local institutions, including DeGraff Memorial Hospital and local senior citizen centers.

A passionate dog owner, she also held numerous fundraisers for the SPCA at her restaurant.

Survivors include her husband, Peter J.; a daughter, Karlee Lewis; a son, Dustin; her parents, Charles and Janet Lewis; a sister, Chery Grace; and three brothers, Chuck, Russ and Tom Lewis.

A memorial service was held in the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens.

GORTON - Susan Marie (Lewis) April 15, 2012. She loved her garden, family, friends and customers. As a self-taught food artist and owner of the Suzz Cafe in Tonawanda, she created masterful foods and desserts. Wife of Peter; mother of Karlee Lewis and Dustin Gorton; daughter of Charles and Janet Lewis; sister of Chery Grace, Chuck, Russ and Tom Lewis. She will be greatly missed and always remembered. We love her. In lieu of flowers, gifts to the U.B. Anatomical Gift Program or Hospice.