The Way of the Goose A Gaggle of Design

The Way of the Goose

A Gaggle of Design

Gideon Thompson

The Ashland Beacon

While most depictions of geese are silly and carry an air of mischief and disruption, the fact is that a goose can also be caring and loyal, protecting its young by keeping them close and in line. From a very young age, geese learn to follow order and stick together in support of one another. They follow their mother around, watching and learning how to swim, fly, and forage for their meals. Geese have ancient ties to our ancestors, as they are depicted in imagery from almost 5,000 years ago on the mastaba of Nefermaat in Meidum, Egypt, where they are observed as Branta ruficollis, a red-breasted species of goose. A 12,000-year-old figurine was discovered in northern Israel, standing approximately 1.4 inches tall and made in the image of a woman holding a goose, symbolizing spiritual wholeness and a connection to nature. Mother Goose, a well-known series of nursery rhymes and children’s stories originating in 17th-century England, has been infamously handed down through generations, furthering the human attachment to geese, as Mother Goose is shown to have a closeness to her goosey companion. No matter how we observe the goose, one thing is certain: a goose can be stubborn, mostly for the right reasons.

While driving south on US-23 through Catlettsburg, Kentucky, we find ourselves at the exit for the Billy C. Clark Bridge, named after my great-uncle, who was a local author and second cousin of Jesse Stuart. Surviving the Great Depression, Billy Clark made his way into the world as a self-supported man by the age of 11, living in the courthouse of Catlettsburg, Kentucky, while hunting and foraging for extra income to pay for his education. Billy’s most infamous novel is an autobiographical story called A Long Row to Hoe, showcasing stories from the Catlettsburg area and the backwaters associated with the city. Having been picked up by Time magazine, the story A Long Row to Hoe has been compared to Huckleberry Finn for the American persona that comes with it.

The significance of Billy Clark’s story is present today, as the Ohio River continues to be a source that our communities thrive on. The Billy C. Clark Bridge lands us in Ceredo-Kenova, West Virginia, where we work together to support the area’s coal and fuel industries, as well as steel and many others. At the foot of the bridge sits a local legend, Dreamland Pool. Many summers have been quenched by the pool, as it is a popular destination for everyone in our area to dip into during the scorching summer days. Today, something is afoot at Dreamland Pool.

The mighty and powerful goose has laid claim to the Dreamland Pool of Ceredo, West Virginia. Currently, the community and public officials are working together to stave off the end-of-summer takeover and are left with questions as to how to remedy the property shift. There are several plausible outcomes for the issue unfolding at Dreamland Pool, as the geese are not only protected but also provide a rich resource for our area.

A famous tourist destination and local hot spot for river fishermen from Catlettsburg and Ceredo is The Point. The Point is located across from Catlettsburg and is affiliated with the Catlettsburg Riverfront as a uniting location for Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia. The Point signifies not only the unity of our Tri-State but also the almighty Ohio River’s ability to support us through generations. Coal barges and transportation have all been present on the river since the development of our communities, while the river has also provided a food source of fish and other wildlife since our settlements here.

No matter how the goosey situation develops at Dreamland Pool, one thing is forever present: nature will always find a way. Division by a river may be less powerful than the unity that can come from crossing it. Where disruption may occur, an influence for growth can always be found. In honor of the Canadian goose and the historic value of local writers, I hope this written work helps to bring people together in hopes of securing a brighter future for our river families.

Godspeed, you wonderful goose!