Reader wonders what happened to fishing bear
As I stated last month, every once in a while you get a unique request that comes through the newsroom. Sometimes, they turn into pretty cool stories, and sometimes, you’re left scratching your head, pondering where you would even begin.
This latest request is definitely lumped in with the latter. So, I thought I’d share it with you in the hopes someone might be able to help supply an answer or two.
“C.E. Jamieson” wrote to us a few days ago to tell us about a mystery surrounding the early days of her relationship with her current boyfriend. They began dating in the early summer of 2010; their first date was in late May or early June.
Newton was a half-way point for our driving distance for us to meet. We took a walk down that road after eating. There was a road north of Super 8, down the hill, and where the paved road turns to gravel, there was a bridge.
We stopped at the bridge. Someone had put a large cute stuffed black bear on the bridge and had even placed a fishing pole in-between its arms. It was obvious the bear had been sitting there for quite some time.
We have laughed and laughed about seeing the bear sitting there and often wished we had taken a photo. We met on a second date, and decided to walk to the bridge to see if the bear was still there.
Sadly, there had been some strong storms and the bear was no longer sitting on the bridge.
I know it’s a very strange request, but we would love to know how it came about that someone propped the bear/fishing pole on the bridge. More importantly, I wondered if anyone in the community took a photo.
It will soon be three years since we met, so I thought I would at least try to find out more about the black bear to at least say that I tried. Our “beginning” story wouldn’t have been the same without the black bear and his fishing pole in Newton.
So, if you know anything about this mysterious black bear with a penchant for fishing, be sure to send me a note and I will pass it along to our curious reader.
Election Night
Tomorrow, the Daily News will be live-blogging about the 2012 General Election throughout the day and into the late evening. You will be able to follow along at our website, www.newtondailynews.com.
Technology has improved dramatically in the past four years, which will allow us to report much more quickly than ever before. I’m definitely looking forward to that, because four years ago was no picnic — I pulled an all-nighter in the newsroom.
Our election coverage should end around 1 or 2 a.m., depending on the need to stay up for Hawaii and Alaska’s returns. We plan to have photos, video and voter comments from throughout Jasper County. You will find the link at the top news item on our home page.
So, be sure to check us out throughout the day.
Closing thought
There is a lot of hyperbole swirling around the airwaves and online in these final hours before the election. Most of it is targeting your fear centers in the hopes of convincing you to vote against a candidate’s opponent.
I’d just like to remind you of what John Quincy Adams, our sixth president, had to say about the civic duty of voting:
“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.”
Don’t buy into the hype, or the fearmongering from any candidate. Just ask yourself one very important question: has this candidate earned my vote?
If you’re reading this, thank a teacher. If you’re reading it in English, thank a soldier, sailor, airman or Marine.
Bob Eschliman is editor of the Daily News. He may be reached at (641) 792-3121, ext. 423, or at beschliman@newtondailynews.com. Common Sense appears each Monday and Wednesday.
