The golden goose of Riverside Cemetery
For many Marshalltonians, Riverside Cemetery represents more than just the final resting place of thousands of souls. The grounds see a fair share of people picnicking, going for walks and feeding the waterfowl who call the cemetery home.
One of the most recognizable creatures who inhabits the land is Goosey Goose, a 15-year-old goose who has gained a fan following since coming to the cemetery one year ago.
The goose was born on an acreage outside of Melbourne, owned by Nancy Adams and Jeff Braddock. Nineteen years ago, the couple acquired two adult geese who as a couple were infertile for many years. Finally, the pair produced two offspring – Goosey Goose and his brother Joe.
After Goosey Goose’s parents and brother passed away through the years, the goose became visibly lonely.
“Very soon after the mother died in December 2013, Goosey Goose’s behavior changed. He would sit next to my truck to see his reflection on the side. So we put up mirrors on trees, plus buckets of water, to keep him company,” Adams said.
For a while, the goose was placated by the addition of a “friend” but Adams and Braddock came to realize the goose would thrive around other birds. They decided to get in touch with Riverside Cemetery and see whether or not their beloved family pet could relocate to the cemetery’s pond.
On July 21, 2014, the family put the goose in a crate and released him to the grounds of the cemetery. Adams returned to the cemetery daily, wanting to make sure Goosey Goose was content with the change of scenery, but he had disappeared. It was then realized that the goose was roaming the vast area of the cemetery, going further from the pond than other birds did. In time, Goosey Goose formed a bond with two other geese of a similar species and the three birds are often spotted waddling across paths and swimming as a group, in what Riverside’s staff terms “Goosey and his posse.”
While the goose had a baby pool to use at Adams’ residence, it was at Riverside he got to swim fully.
Today, Adams and her son, Levi Castle, visit their goose regularly. Adams stops by once a week or so to feed Goosey Goose, who will eat out of her hand and sit nearby.
Adams’ love of Goosey Goose inspired her to pen a children’s story about the goose’s life, a book she is currently writing.
“It feels like we gave him a gift. The farm feels very different without him, but they’re so good to him at Riverside,” Adams concluded.
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Contact Sara Jordan at 641-753-6611 or sjordan@timesrepublican.com
The golden goose of Riverside Cemetery
For many Marshalltonians, Riverside Cemetery represents more than just the final resting place of thousands of souls. The grounds see a fair share of people picnicking, going for walks and feeding the waterfowl who call the cemetery home.
One of the most recognizable creatures who inhabits the land is Goosey Goose, a 15-year-old goose who has gained a fan following since coming to the cemetery one year ago.
The goose was born on an acreage outside of Melbourne, owned by Nancy Adams and Jeff Braddock. Nineteen years ago, the couple acquired two adult geese who as a couple were infertile for many years. Finally, the pair produced two offspring – Goosey Goose and his brother Joe.
After Goosey Goose’s parents and brother passed away through the years, the goose became visibly lonely.
“Very soon after the mother died in December 2013, Goosey Goose’s behavior changed. He would sit next to my truck to see his reflection on the side. So we put up mirrors on trees, plus buckets of water, to keep him company,” Adams said.
For a while, the goose was placated by the addition of a “friend” but Adams and Braddock came to realize the goose would thrive around other birds. They decided to get in touch with Riverside Cemetery and see whether or not their beloved family pet could relocate to the cemetery’s pond.
On July 21, 2014, the family put the goose in a crate and released him to the grounds of the cemetery. Adams returned to the cemetery daily, wanting to make sure Goosey Goose was content with the change of scenery, but he had disappeared. It was then realized that the goose was roaming the vast area of the cemetery, going further from the pond than other birds did. In time, Goosey Goose formed a bond with two other geese of a similar species and the three birds are often spotted waddling across paths and swimming as a group, in what Riverside’s staff terms “Goosey and his posse.”
While the goose had a baby pool to use at Adams’ residence, it was at Riverside he got to swim fully.
Today, Adams and her son, Levi Castle, visit their goose regularly. Adams stops by once a week or so to feed Goosey Goose, who will eat out of her hand and sit nearby.
Adams’ love of Goosey Goose inspired her to pen a children’s story about the goose’s life, a book she is currently writing.
“It feels like we gave him a gift. The farm feels very different without him, but they’re so good to him at Riverside,” Adams concluded.
—-
Contact Sara Jordan at 641-753-6611 or sjordan@timesrepublican.com
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