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The family at 1801 Southwood Lane sent us this photo of five deer grazing on bird seed in their yard. According to the family, the seed was spread out for the birds, who showed up promptly, only to be chased away by squirrels who were kings of the roost until the deer showed up.
My husband and I have seen, within the past week, an adult male wild turkey - little beard, long drooping wings and all. He was southbound crossing Beverly Place at Far Hills Avenue (and just across the street from us); entered the yard at the north-east corner of the aforementioned intersection and after nibbling at some grass, settled briefly next to the large tree. Shortly he rose again and headed into the tall grasses and shrubs of the house situated on the north east corner of Spirea and Far Hills. That is when we could no longer see him.
This is becoming a wildlife refuge and I am not referring to the Senior High!
Have there been any other Oakwood sightings of a wild turkey to your knowledge? If both of us had not seen it, I would doubt my eyes.
This was early afternoon - about a week ago now. We had just moved to the Condos right across Far Hills (927 Far Hills) to the west and Bob was preparing to back into our garage slot when I spotted the bird. We summer in Michigan where these turkeys are plentiful - and they can be deadly if they flush into your car window.
I have seen deer for years and while the contraceptives work in Michigan because winter feeding stations dispense them, it would be hard to do in Oakwood where other food is available all winter. Sad as it may be, I too believe that shooting the deer is our only viable option. Good luck with the ‘campaign.’
Jean T. Long
Oakwood
Judge George Gounaris died last week. Along with his lovely wife, Harriet, George had been a longtime resident of Oakwood.
George was honored to be one of Montgomery County’s most respected elected officials, serving first on the Dayton Municipal Court, then on the General Division of the Common Pleas Court and finally, until his retirement, as our beloved Probate Judge.
George was proud of being a lawyer. All too often, lawyers who become judges forget from whence they came, suffering from a strange malady known as “black robe disease” which robs them of their recollection of just how difficult practicing law is.George always protected clients and their lawyers and, by doing so, furthered the interests of justice.
George Gounaris was a wonderful judge because he was a wonderful man, full of the only ingredients truly essential to the making of a good judge: compassion, empathy and love for his fellow man.
Oakwood was lucky that George and Harriet made their home here. And we are blessed that each and every day we can, through what my friend Dave Greer calls “the mists of memory,” be with George and receive his counsel, friendship and love.
Steven K. Dankof, Esq.
Oakwood
The neighborhood of Oakwood, the reason why most of us live here, is being threatened by an application for commercial zoning for 20 Oak Knoll Drive. The owner of the property, Mrs. Klein, wants to have the lot where her home stands now declared commercial, annex it to her two properties which face Far Hills, and turn it into a parking lot for a proposed 8000 sq. ft. office building on the corner of Far Hills and Oak Knoll Drive. Office space in Oakwood is currently begging, and this potentially empty behemoth surrounded by asphalt and intruding into the neighborhood - adding to the almost–always-empty CVS parking lot - is simply wrong.
Voice your opposition at the Oakwood Zoning Committee meeting this Wednesday, April 5, at 4:30 p.m. in the Oakwood City Council chamber, 30 Park Ave., Oakwood.
Betty Hoevel
24 Oak Knoll Drive
I live on Triangle Avenue in Oakwood. Recently I have spoken with two city officials about future repaving of our street and enhancements to the landscaping within the boulevard island of the street. I have been informed that there is a possibility of the boulevard being removed. My family is quite concerned about this for several reasons.
Removing the boulevard will turn our street into a 40-foot-wide thoroughfare. The increase in traffic speed will be tremendous. Our street is already heavily traveled because many people turn onto it from the downtown business area. All streets around Triangle Avenue are 25- 27 feet wide. The boulevard space does help to slow traffic and acts as a break to make the street feel smaller, and if properly done, more attractive. I believe that a 40-foot-wide street will be out of character for Oakwood, will raise speed, decrease safety for our children, and will lower our property values. Narrow streets and boulevards lined with trees do help to slow traffic. Cities around the world use these types of streets to help keep pedestrians safe.
There are several options available to the city. One would be to get rid of the overgrown landscaping, plant trees uniformly, and include some smaller decorative lighting along the boulevard. The second option is to narrow the street and make it uniform with all surrounding streets. This would involve major construction. The last option is to rip out the boulevard, leave the street 40 feet wide, and install speed bumps. You can drive to east Dayton and see how horrible that looks. Obviously, the cheapest, most attractive, and best option is to redo the boulevard’s landscaping and lighting.
I have informed many neighbors on my block about what has been said to me. My intent with this letter is to make others aware. Oakwood has not said for a fact that they are going to remove the boulevard, but it is an option.
When it is time for a decision to be made I hope that the city involves those of us who will be affected by this rebuilding of Triangle Avenue. I believe that removing the boulevard and creating a 40- foot-wide street will be an unpopular option to most residents.
R.D. Trent
Triangle Avenue
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