AN readers spreading cheer (after flamingos) this holiday season

The Advocate News office received a plate of tasty homemade treats courtesy of reader Sylvia Spencer, who came to the hometown paper for help in the fall, after her yard had been "flocked" by the Wilton post prom committee.
The Advocate News office received a plate of tasty homemade treats courtesy of reader Sylvia Spencer, who came to the hometown paper for help in the fall, after her yard had been "flocked" by the Wilton post prom committee.
Photo by Derek Sawvell
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We had a very cheerful visit at the start of a very stressful week Monday from Sylvia Spencer, a local reader who I immediately recognized thanks to an interesting development a couple months ago.

It is the season of giving and spreading holiday cheer, and Sylvia came into our office holding a large plate of homemade treats. I knew exactly what she'd say next.

She was our first visitor of the week, and she wanted to thank our staff for the help with "all the flamingos."

A couple months ago, a large "flock" of pink plastic flamingos made their way around Wilton, being placed in yards overnight.

I saw it happen to a few of my neighbors along the way. Accompanied with the flamingos was a document holder (much like you'd see at a home for sale) that gave information. Sure enough, the time I saw them up close, the document holder was empty.

According to a Facebook page created around the phenomenon, it was a clever fundraising idea by the annual post prom committee. According to the "flocking" rules I read, for a $25 donation, a flock could be placed in someone's yard. For $25 more, the recipient could send the flock to someone else. There was also "flocking insurance," where a $25 donation could keep the flamingos away. Of course no money was necessary, but clearly it was working, as those birds really migrated around town.

Of course then you'd see social media posts when folks had been "flocked."

Not everyone is active on social media, or has kids in school. When Sylvia got flocked, she had no idea what was going on.

When you've got a question about something happening in town, go to the local paper! Seems logical enough. She visited our office and asked if I knew anything about the flamingos. As with most things like that occurring in our communities, I knew "just enough to be dangerous."

I gave her all the information I could, and our ad manager, Amber Ganzer, filled in the gaps and provided contact information of one of the Wilton High School junior parents involved.

It didn't take long for Sylvia to get into the flocking spirit, as she sent the pink birds to Dr. Wayne Budding's Sunset View Pet Hospital.

When she visited our office this week with the tasty treats, she gave us a Christmas card with a message that warmed our hearts.

It was a perfect message and gesture to get us through another marathon Monday. We should be thanking you Sylvia, for your readership and warm heart. While we were just doing our job, it's sure nice to know it's appreciated. Feel free to stop by and see us anytime.

And to future post prom parents, I'd stick with the flock of flamingos. It was a hit!

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Holiday hours—While we're on the subject of the holidays, with Christmas and New Year's both falling on Saturdays in 2021, the Advocate News office will be closed Friday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 31 in observance of the holidays.

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