The Franklin Chronicle A LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER 11 June 1999 Page 9 By Aaron Shea It's a scene that Alfred Hitchcock would be proud of. Nearly 10,000 birds swooping past automobiles as if they were on suicide mis- sions. This is a daily occurrence during the months of May through October on the St. George Island causeway. Some of the birds, such as the Least Terns, come from as far away as Mexico. Others, such as the Laughing Gulls, are spread out through the county year round. Joining these birds on the causeway are the Royal Terns and Sandwich Terns. They all have one common objective for their pilgrimage to the causeway, nest- ing. There are an astounding 3,443 Laughing Gull nests, 1,686 Royal Tern nests, 128 Least Tern nests, and 39 Sandwich Tern nests cur- rently on the causeway. Their rea- son for nesting in this most un- likely of places, there is almost no where else for them to go. Historically, most of these bird's nesting areas were on dunes at the beach. But these areas have slowly been taken over by man. The development of this beach front property has forced some of these species to not only take to an unusual area like the cause- way, but also rooftops. Last year, Least Terns had nesting colonies on the roof tops of Wal-Mart and K-Mart in Panama City. "They (the nests) don't do very well," said Lee Edmiston, a re- search coordinator for the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve. "The roofs are hot and the eggs break. There just are not that many areas left that are undeveloped for them to go to." The causeway and roof tops keep the birds safe from predators such as dogs, cats, and raccoons. They don't realize, however, that those animals may be a better fate then facing a couple of tons of machin- ery coming at them at 40 miles per hour on the causeway. "They don't recognize what a road is," explained Edmiston. "That is one reason they nest on the causeway. They don't recognize vehicles as predators." The birds better start paying bet- ter attention. Several years ago, it was estimated that 400 birds were hit by vehicles on the cause- way, which more disastrous then it sounds. Edmiston pointed out, "if one of the chick's parents are killed, they (chicks) won't survive." During this time of year when the birds invade the causeway, the speed limit is lowered from 45 to 35 miles per hour, but according to Edmiston, speeding remains the biggest dilemma for the birds. Another precautionary measure that has been taken, is not allow- ing cars or people access to the nesting areas. The presence of people in the nesting area forces the birds off their nests, which leaves their chicks vulnerable to predators and the heat. "You get the birds off their nests and the eggs and chicks won't live, said Edmiston. Adding to an already delicate situ- ation, the eggs are difficult to see, especially in the case of the Least Terns, and can be stepped on. At this time, Least Terns are a threatened species, just one step away from becoming an endan- gered species. Fencing has been put up on these designated nest- ing areas in an attempt to keep chicks from wandering into the road and to force the adult birds to fly higher over the road. o T'17 1 I Lee Edmiston Inside the fencing, the terns face danger from the Laughing Gulls, who began nesting on the cause- way five years ago because of the vegetation. They nest in the veg- etation unlike the other birds who lay their eggs directly on the sand. The gulls have made a habit of preying on the tern's eggs and chicks. Because of this, the much smaller Least Terns have begun to flee the causeway. In 1990, there were 704 Least Tern nests on the causeway compared to zero in 1998. The Research Reserve has made attempts to discourage the large, black-headed gulls from nesting on the causeway. They have been unsuccessful. In fact, the cause- way has become one of the larg- est Laughing Gull colonies in the panhandle. Though the gulls could be hang- ing around the causeway for a while, there may be some good news concerning the elimination of the other hazards that have faced the terns. With a new bridge on the way for the Island, the causeway, which is currently des- ignated a critical wildlife area, could become sanctuary cut off from traffic during the nesting season. "The plans right now have the causeway staying" said Edmiston. "If it does, it will become a much better nesting site than it is now." The Land Of 10,000 Birds 1999. At this time, we have raised $185,000 and need an additional $65,000. TIME IS RUNNING OUT. WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW. Please donate to: THE CARRABELLE LIBRARY BUILDING FUND, P.O. Box 722, Eastpoint, FL 32328. With your help, we CAN build a new Carrabelle Library. ~k ;S~` ''' Mack C. Peterson Obituaries Christine Mallett Scarabin Christine Mallett Scarabin. 78, of Apalachicola, died on Thursday. May 27, 1999 at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare in Tallahassee, Florida. A native of Carrabelle, Mrs. Scarabin had lived in Apalachicola since 1937. She, along with her husband, Edward Scarabin, who died in 1992, were the founders and owners of the Red Top Restaurant in Apalachicola, where she was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, in Apalachicola, where she was a member of the Ladies Guild and also sang in the choir. She is survived by three sons, John Scarabin of Tal- lahassee, Stephen Scarabin of Cary, NC, and Michael Scarabin of Rome, GA; two daughters, Betty Lang of St. Petersburg, and Cynthia Taylor of St. George Island; three brothers, Walter Mallett and Lester Mallet, both of New Port Richey, and Chester Mallett of Oxford, AL; one sister, Thelma Revell of Gainesville; Ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A funeral mass was held on Saturday, May 29, 1999 at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Memorialization was by cremation. Those desiring may make contribu- tions to the St. Patrick Catholic Church Restoration Fund, Apalachicola, FL 32320. Kelley Fu- neral Home, Apalachicola, FL in charge of all arrangements. David Benedict Turkington David Benedict Turkington, 54, of Carrabelle, FL died on Sunday, May 25, 1999 in Carrabelle. A native of Cortland, NY, he had lived the past few years in Carrabelle. He was a com- mercial fisherman, and had served in the United States Marine Corps. He is survived by his daughter, Wynne Marie Turkington of Chicago, IL: his brothers, Richard Turkington (Patricia) ofCollegeville, PA, and Harry Turkington; two nieces, Tracy and Clare Turkington. A graveside service was held on Friday, May 28, 1999 at the Evergreen Cemetery in Carrabelle, FL. Kelley-Riley Funeral Home, Carrabelle. in charge of arrangements. Lee Efford Walker Lee Efford Walker, 76, of Carrabelle, died on Monday, May 24, 1999 at Tal- lahassee Community Hospital in Tal- lahassee. A native of the Brickyard Community, FL, Mr. Walker had lived in Carrabelle since 1947. He was a former employee with the State of Florida Department of Transportation, had served in the U.S. Army, and was Baptist by faith. Survivors include three sons, Jerry Walker of Hatboro, PA, Joel Walker of Lake Jackson, TX, and Ivan Walker of Carrabelle; three daughters, Margie Sheffield of Panama City, FL, Denise Brannon of Bridge City, TX, and Annie Smithe of Locksburg, AR; one brother, Lavere Walker of the Brickyard Community, Sumatra, and Agnes Richards of Panama City, FL; eighteen grandchil- dren and 2 great-grandchildren. Fu- neral services were held on Friday, May 28, 1999 at the First Baptist Church in Carrabelle. Interment fol- lowed in the Brown Cemetery, The Brickyard Community, Sumatra. Kelley-Riley Funeral home, Carrabelle, in charge of arrangements. Gene Crawford Gragg Gene Crawford Gragg, 65, of Apalachicola, FL, died on Sunday, May 23, 1999 at his home. A native of Barrett, WV, Mr. Gragg had lived in Apalachicola for the past thirty-six years. He was a commercial fisher- man; had served in the U.S. Army and the United States Air Force; and was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include his wife, Thelma Gragg of Apalachicola, FL; four sons, Chris Gragg of Apalachicola, Tommy Whiddon of Eastpoint. FL, Craig Whiddon of Apalachicola, and Robert Whiddon of Bayou George, FL; two daughters, Xuripha Cain and Linnie Lolley both of Eastpoint, FL: two brothers, Jerry Gibson and Dennis Gibson, both of West Virginia; one sis- ter, Ann Jarrell of West Virginia; fif- teen grandchildren; and three great- grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 25, 1999 at Kelley Funeral Home Chapel in Apalachicola. Interment followed in the Eastpoint Cemetery in Eastpoint, FL. Arrangements were under the di- rection of Kelley Funeral Home, Apalachicola, FL. Charles Noel Seymour Charles Noel Seymour, 61, of Eastpoint, FL, died on Wednesday, May 19, 1999 at his home. A native of Apalachicola, FL, Mr. Seymour had lived in Eastpoint most of his life. He was a former grocery clerk at Gulfside IGA in Apalachicola, had served in the United States Air Force, and was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Apalachicola. He is sur- vived by his wife, Floria Seymour, of Eastpoint, FL; one son, Adam Seymour of Eastpoint, four daughters, Rachel Lynn Shiver of Eastpoint, FL, Rebecca Lorene Hill of Panama City. FL, Mary Elizabeth Godwin of Jack- sonville, FL and Crica Beth Lintton of Carrabelle, FL, one sister, Edith Lorene Crews of Cross City, FL; and seven grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Thursday, May 20, 1999 at the First Assembly of God Church in Apalachicola. Interment followed in the Eastpoint Cemetery in Eastpoint, FL. Arrangements were under the di- rection of Kelley Funeral Home, Apalachicola, FL. We're Almost There!! To secure the $250,000 grant from the State of Florida, we must match that amount by July 1, Arvin Sterling Creamer Arvin Sterling Creamer, 62, of. Apalachicola. FL, died on Sunday, May 23, 1999 at George E. Weems Memorial Hospital in Apalachicola. A native of Grand Ridge. FL, Mr. Creamer had lived in Apalachicola for the past 45 years. He was the preacher at the Highland Park Community Church in Apalachicola, and was a commercial fisherman. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Creamer of Apalachicola, FL; four sons, Arvin Creamer, Jr. of Panama City, FL. Ray Creamer, Kerrry Creamer, and Kelly Creamer, all of Apalachicola; one daughter, Felecia Boone of Apalachicola: one brother. Edward Creamer of Gulfport, MS: two sisters, Myrtle Alday of Cypress, FL, and Annie Mae Larson of Canada: nine grand- children; 1 great-grandchild. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, May 26, 1999 at the Highland Park Com- munity Church in Apalachicola. In- terment followed in Magnolia Cem- etery, also in Apalachicola. Arrange- ments were under the direction of Kelley Funeral Home, Apalachicola, FL. Bayside Floorcovering Carpet Tile Blinds 139B West Gorrie Drive St. George Island, FL Telephone: (850) 927-2674 Ron Faye Westmark Houseboat Rentalsfor Picnicing, Sightseeing, Exploring, Photography, Bird!wtching, Overnight Camping, Fishing. Swimming orJust Relaxing and Cniising. Do Any or All on our 28' Pocket Houseboats. Electric LaunchesJor Sihltseeing,' Iniciini. Hirtlw lcing. Plhotogralphy. FASY TO1 O'PEl'RA ' 16' & 19' Carolina Skiffs /i r Fishing or Exploring. Quiet and lnvironmi ntAllet ly lFeri' iInd , Sitr ke lOiiill Ouitr; l i s. SBenign oatworhz. Inc. 317 Water Street Apalachicola, Florida 32320 (850) 653-8214 www.Apalachicola.com/BeninBoats/ . 111ss11113335^ Medium Large $8.95 $9.95 Carrabelle Cafe Open 11 am to 2 pm -5 pm to 10pm Daily Sunday 5 pm to 10 pm next to the Georgian Motel CALL 697-8484 I I - Mack C. Peterson, 76, of Apalachicola. died on Friday, June 4, 1999 at George E. Weems Memorial Hospital in Apalachicola. A native of Mitchell County, GA, Mr. Peterson had lived in Apalachicola since 1986. He was a laborer in the transportation indus- try. He is survived by four daughters. Lula Peterson of Apalachicola. Lessie Walker (Freddie) of Miami, Betty Bush of Orlando, and Marilyn Peterson of Havanna, two sons. Robert Peterson of Apalachicola. and Walter Peterson (Yvonne) of St. Augustine: two sisters, Willie Mae Fuller and Millie Peterson: one brother, Willie Washington. twelve grandchildren; and fifteen great grandchildren: a host of nieces, neph- ews, cousins, in-laws, other relatives, and loving friends. Funeral services will be held on Saturday. June 12, 1999 at the St. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 246 Higdon Road. Calvary, GA. Interment will follow in the St. Luke Cemetery in Cairo. GA. Kelley Funeral Home, 653-2208, Apalachicola. John Henry Cooper John Henry Cooper, 91. of Apalachicola, died on Thursday, June 3, 1999 at his home. A native and FISHERMAN'S CHOICE She Hwy, 98 Eastpoint FL 32328 (850) 670-8808 Crickets Minnows Shiners Worms Squid -Cigar Minnows v Live Shrimp Tackle Licences Chum SIce Feed Specializing in Live Shrimp CHARLES PENNYCUFF-OWNER Hours: Mon. Sat. 6 6 Sunday 6 a.m. 9:30 a.m./I p.m. 5 p.m. PIZZA - SUBS Antilques Cd Collectibles SSpecializing SAntiques 170 Water Street H storic Downtown Apalachicola, FL (850) 653-3635 A iqute blewd of antq ues, naatlcal items, f Lt wre, collectibles, art, books and manu more distinctive accent pieces. Look b.r the big tl shed on 170 Water Street tlong the historic Apalachicola River. P.O. Box 9 ApalackLcolc, FL 32329 Lilnda& Harry AmolId, Owners Small $5.95 -i r I I; f* tri jl ~Ci iI if iria~i 1 f ffl rr -r ?If:ll, i rli ryllfi r i )i It! itf~fJi!i II if r r f"~'j '-'"' f~ ..~. '1 :...i 'PI~ CY c~r LII '" '' I ;. I ''' '" ' ..'1IIE).....~ .II" ~~ ~~ ~5 )' r: I: .r Authorized AiLLtEL Agent Computer Hardware & Software Pagers Electronics Office/School Supplies Craft/Art Supplies Printing, Graphic Design, Typing Gift Items Greeting Cards Gift Bags ^Color CopiesAvaiable Fresh hand made Italian pizza Our pizza dough made fresh daily Cheese Pizza life-long resident of Apalachicola, Mr. Cooper had been a commercial fisherman a fishing guide, and owner of Cooper Seafood Mart. He was a member of the Living Waters Assem- bly of God Church in Apalachicola. Survivors include two brothers. Levy Cooper (Jeanette) of Florence, AL. and Lonnie Cooper (Dorothy) of Apalachicola: a sister, Sadie Gilbert of Apalachicola. Funeral services were held on Sunday, June 6. 1999 at the Kelley Funeral Home Chapel. Inter- ment followed in Magnolia Cemetery in Apalachicola. Arrangements were under the direction of Kelley Funeral Home, Apalachicola. SDIXIE THEATRE JUNE 16 JUNE 27 EVERYBODY LOVES OPAL" CALL 850-653-3200 Gunn Electrical Contractors St. George Island and Gunn Heating and Air Conditioning Apalachlcola Ollie Gunn 927-2277 E.R. 0008009 * Routine Services * New Systems * Residential and Commercial Jimmy Thompson 653-9771 R.A. 0052146 Licensed and Insured Sea (Cat Featuring Local Artists Open Mon. Sat.-11:00 until -128 East Pine Street St. George Island 850-927-2303 HAVE BLACK EYE, WHITE ACRE ZIPPER PEAS (Shelled and Unshelled) All Fresh Produce, Fruits and Veggies Potted Plants, Shrimp, Oysters, Bird Houses and Yard Decorations. Hot Boiled Peanuts at Tri-State Produce S.E. Corner Highway 98 West Eastpoint (across from Seabreeze Motel) Dennis Whitefield fi he Tib