Loading...
August 10, 1989 - Report of an Osprey in Trouble Hits HomeFacing the Test of Time (Continued from Page B1) days of national significance and was rung 53 times to mark the release of the Ameri- can hostages on January 20, 1981, according to Reverend Saxan. In the upper southwest corner of the bell room are charred timbers painted over af- ter a fire burned the steeple and damaged the clock in the early 1930s. Although no one wanted to talk too much about the fire, it was allegedly set in the bell tower as a prank by local youths who still live in the community today. Thomas G. Corwin, Tim's grand- father, had to rebuild much of the clock af- ter the blaze, Tim Corwin said. Another 10 steps on a steep, wooden lad- der lead to a stuffy 12 -by -12 foot room with soft green colored walls where the clock mechanism rests. "What you see now is about identical to what it was when it was in- stalled," Mr. Corwin said. "There has never really been any change in the clock mech- anism itself." During the day, the room is awash in sun- light that filters through the white, frosted glass clock faces. The glass face on the west side, however, cracked and was replaced by a plastic pane earlier this year. At night, the faces are illuminated by four simple 60 -watt lightbulbs that hang from the ceiling of the room. In the late 1970s, Reverend Saxon decided that the Roman numerals on the clock needed to be repainted, but rather than erect- ing scaffolding around the steeple, Reverend Saxon, an accomplished mountain climber, fastened a rope around the top of the tower, rappelled down the side and did the job him - self. The mash of gears and cables look com- plicated, but all have a function. A 500-pound cement block banging inside the northwest corner of the tower is attached by cable to a drum on the body of the clock mechanism, which is attached to a "train" of wheels and cogs. A large wheel called an "escapement" turns slowly, click by click, controlled by a long pendulum below it, which methodically locks and unlocks the gear wheel. A slight ad- justment in the length of the pendulum can make a difference of minutes per day in the clock, Mr. Corwin said. The 500 -pound weight is still wound up by hand, as it was when the clock was first installed. At the southwest corner of the tower hangs a second, 1,000 -pound cement block that con- trols the 800 -pound bell. The weight is re- leased a little bit once each hour to ring the bell. An odd- shaped elliptical gear controls the number of rings. In the late 1800s, Willis Corwin developed a winding device to raise the larger weight using a bicycle frame and gears. He simply sat down and pedaled until it was rewound, Mr. Foster said. An electric motor now rai- ses the weight. Mr. Corwin said he plans to rig an automatic winding system for both weights, but that its completion is still sev- eral years away. The clock, Mr. Corwin said, is accurate to within a minute per month and requires ad- justment only during extreme weather con- ditions. A ladder from the clock room leads to the roof of the bell tower and perhaps the most panoramic view available of the village. The tower itself is designed to sway with the wind and a stiff wind can rock it more than a foot, Mr. Corwin said. Asked who would care for the clock next, Mr. Corwin replied: "Most likely my son Travis will. But he's only four, so I guess it will be a few years before he takes over." PERIODONTAL HEALTH SERVICES • PREVENTIVE CARE AND SECOND OPINIONS GENTLE PERIODONTAL CARE r T. CANTOR DMD 97 N. MAIN STREET, SOUTHAMPTON 283 -6362 of Finally the Hamptons Social Set has a place to meet THURSDAYS IN AUGUST ALEX DONNER AND HIS ORCHESTRA featuring the traditional Society Sound with the best of Rock'N'Roll, Big Band, Swing, Latin and the Waltz Reservations and Information 288 -2023 Club M Cardholders Only HOTLINE: 288 -1800 Focus on Nature Report of an Osprey in Trouble Hits Home There was a young a y, ano r vo un r, over there keeping an eye on the situation. I was met by the person who had called me, who was now carrying her baby in her arms. How fortunate we are to have dedicated peo- ple. Was there anything she could do to help, &Iec c FURNITURE 35 MAIN STREET SOUTHAMPTONJ 283 -8850 IEIIII MARAKESH PLAZA • 133 -135 Main Street - Westhampton Beach B11 from under its nest, the bird was taken to a local veterinarian where it was treated. it was later released and at last report was doing well. —Paul Stoutenburgh Photo Why pant or replace Wiling ales when CEILING GLOW can restore them to like -new condition? Using a mmtczic, biodegradable solution which CLEANS, DISINFECTS and DEODORIZES. Country Associates Bulldozing, Excavating Demolition, Trucking Prompt. - 725 -9518 - Service Leather forecast: summer suede. Now leathers softer side is firing up the city scene. And the outlook is suede as far as the eye can see. At Saks, we have the best, most sophisticated designer suedes of the season. Sultry suedes that temper texture with a subtle view to the hue. Because this summer, suede's place in the sun is clearly Saks Fifth Avenue. Em ^.:.. Donna Karan's boxy, one -button suede jacket, $910, hipslung short suede skirt, $460 and cotton tank bodysuit, $100. All in bleached terra cotta for sizes P,S,M,L. Donna Karan Boutique. One Hampton Road, Southampton. Open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday, 12 to 5 pm. THE SOUTHAMPTON PRESS / AUGUST 10, 1989 By Paul Stoutenburgh she asked. Every day we hear of wildlife in one way The tide was high which made wading or another being set back by man or his in- across the water to reach the nest much more ventions in a thousand different ways, but it difficult, especially carrying long ladders never really hits home until you are involved. and other sundry equipment. Just as I was Case in point: last week I received a tele- getting the ladder off the truck my son ar- phone call from a young lady who had just rived. That was good, for now both of us could gotten a call from an osprey watcher about put our heads together in this rescue opera - a young bird in trouble. I call him an "osprey tion. watcher" for from his home he can see the We waded in —shoes, pants and all, soon nest and, being an especially concerned per- finding ourselves chest -high in the water. By son, he makes sure nothing happens to "his now, the young lady who was keeping an eye osprey." There are many other people like on things joined us and we looked together this who keep their eyes on "their osprey" like some safari troop crossing one of or swan, tern colony, lady slipper bed or Africa's crocodile- infested rivers. As we ap- patch of arbutus, their own deer, raccoon or proached the nest where the young osprey some other life form in nature's realm. It is was hanging, it immediately started flapping good to see these self- appointed wardens its weary wings. Its energy was mostly spent keeping vigil over their flock for oftentimes and its feeble flapping told us our rescue mis- their sharp eyes and quick action make the sion was none too soon. difference between life and death. Should we try climbing with the ladder and Of course, like the one last week, these cri- hopefully untangle the bird there? No. Let's ses do not always occur at the most conven- try with the tree trimmer Peter suggested. ient time. We were planning a cookout. The Ahh, my last - minute thought of bringing the charcoal had been lit, the table outside was old trimmer was paying off. As the long pole set and our guests had already arrived. Then started up, it stirred a new round of excite - came the phone call. "Please come. I can't ment in the young bird which soon slowed get anyone else to get the osprey and it is down because of its weakness. The plan was hanging upside down under the nest." This to cut the heavy line that was the culprit but sounded somewhat familiar for it wasn't too the cutting edge of the old trimmer was no long ago a similar call had come, but at that match for man's modern cordage. Time and time the osprey was hanging upside down again we tried pulling the rope that moved from his favorite perch. That time the cul- the cutter head but to no avail. Would we prit was monofilament fish line which bad en- have to fall back on the ladder? Someone sug- tangled the bird and we were able to save it. gested trying to pull the line from out of the Of course I'd come. Yes, I thought we could nest and in so doing the bird broke kase from save it. I'd bring a ladder. I'd be right there. the huge nest above and came down into the First I'd give my son Peter a call and see if soft meadow of grass below. he was available. His resources and skill Before the bird realized what was going on, would be of great help. So the outdoor bar- we put the blanket over it and, with heavy becue was literally put on the back burner gloves, held it tightly and examined it as it while I hastily gathered up some equipment. lay on its back, having completely given up I grabbed an old dog blanket and threw it its struggle. We all had a feeling it knew we in the back of the pickup to cover the bird, were doing it no harm and had resolved to for without it the sharp beak and talons, if not let us do what was necessary to help it out properly thwarted, could do real harm. I of this horrible predicament. We must have found that out a year ago when I tried to pick worked for 15 minutes or more cutting each up a red -tailed hawk whose wing had been entangled strand of the heavy black line that broken. I just put a light jacket over its head had cut deeply into its flesh. The leg was to calm it down and proceeded to pick it up swollen and looked horrible. Once untangled, when, out of nowhere, sharp talons grabbed the bird was rearranged in the blanket with me right through the light jacket and gave his head out for air and we headed back to me quite a gash. How it bled. There was far our cars. more of my blood on that occasion than that The happy ending of this rescue operation of the hawk. Happy to say the hawk's wing is that a wildlife veterinarian treated the was repaired and the bird later released. bird's lacerated foot (one talon had to be am- This time I was taking no chances; the putated as it was so emaciated). After re- thick blanket would hopefully ward off any habilitation, the bird was released back at blows. I got the old woodcutting leather the original nest site and at last report the gloves with the high wrist protectors, a parent bird was feeding it and recovery was length of rope was thrown in and then, as a not far off. Dr. Zitek, who is a registered last - minute thought, I pulled out the old tree Wildlife Veterinarian, has helped many a trimmer. You know the kind that has the long bird to a new life and his encouraging rope attached and the cutter at the end. Per- thoughts on the lost talon, which he said haps that could be used somehow. And with would not be a real problem, made us all feel all this gear I headed off to our rendezvous good. We hope the bird will recover com- with the hanging osprey. pletely, for there is no symbol more fitting Sure enough, from where I pulled up I for the East End than a healthy soaring could see across the small body of water to- -c'eap9t the osprey nest with the bird dangling below. 1 d the 1 tee There was a young a y, ano r vo un r, over there keeping an eye on the situation. I was met by the person who had called me, who was now carrying her baby in her arms. How fortunate we are to have dedicated peo- ple. Was there anything she could do to help, &Iec c FURNITURE 35 MAIN STREET SOUTHAMPTONJ 283 -8850 IEIIII MARAKESH PLAZA • 133 -135 Main Street - Westhampton Beach B11 from under its nest, the bird was taken to a local veterinarian where it was treated. it was later released and at last report was doing well. —Paul Stoutenburgh Photo Why pant or replace Wiling ales when CEILING GLOW can restore them to like -new condition? Using a mmtczic, biodegradable solution which CLEANS, DISINFECTS and DEODORIZES. Country Associates Bulldozing, Excavating Demolition, Trucking Prompt. - 725 -9518 - Service Leather forecast: summer suede. Now leathers softer side is firing up the city scene. And the outlook is suede as far as the eye can see. At Saks, we have the best, most sophisticated designer suedes of the season. Sultry suedes that temper texture with a subtle view to the hue. Because this summer, suede's place in the sun is clearly Saks Fifth Avenue. Em ^.:.. Donna Karan's boxy, one -button suede jacket, $910, hipslung short suede skirt, $460 and cotton tank bodysuit, $100. All in bleached terra cotta for sizes P,S,M,L. Donna Karan Boutique. One Hampton Road, Southampton. Open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday, 12 to 5 pm. THE SOUTHAMPTON PRESS / AUGUST 10, 1989