A Gooney Bird Christmas

Town residents used many Gooney Birds of Southport to decorate a Christmas treefor the town. These bright, unique, colorful birds that had been turned intoornaments hung from the tree. All Gooney Birds are painted by an unknown, localartist who donates all her time and the birds. Then they're given away. One night atChristmas, the birds on the tree flew out of the building to hide in plain sight allover town. The next morning, Southport residents awoke to find them gone. Oneby one, people joined the hunt to find Gooney Birds to keep. The hunters laughed,smiled, greeted each other, shared stories, and became ever more excited as theysearched. One woman who had never been told anything joined the hunters andgave them a chance to tell her about the birds, the artist, and all the places they hadbeen found in the past. Joy came that day as neighbors met new friends and "theirpaths intertwined." As the author wrote, "we all can spread joy with small acts oflight."