Calling all Beavers!

One of the longest-running, silliest - and most fun - traditions for the Pansing/Plummer/Brooks crowd on Pelican Lake involves torturing other lake residents and a poor helpless beaver.

Legend has it that long ago in Shamino Bay there lived a beaver. He built a dam and lived peacefully among the fish, birds and other wildlife. One day a pontoon boat full of happy, loud, drinking people came into the bay and spotted the beaver.

Well, much excitement arose and the family insisted upon visiting that beaver every day - right at cocktail time - to pay its respects. Loving that beaver as the family did, a song was composed to be serenaded (again, loudly) to the beaver upon every visit.

Time went by, and while we may never know exactly why, the beaver went away. Some legends say that that beaver packed his most precious itmes and took off toward Gooseberry Island, never to seen or heard from again.

Loving the beaver as the family did, they maintained their nightly pilgrimage for many years. Some have claimed to see a muscrat now living in the beaver's abandoned dam, but that just doesn't sound as good in song.

So, hope burns eternal in the Plummer/Pansing/Brooks family that one day they will again be reunited with the Shamino Bay beaver. And until that day, they will continue to float into the bay, drinks in hand, a sing with full hearts in honor of their friend.

Why do I tell you this story, you ask? Well, little Parker Brooks Plummer (age 3 1/2) has spent 4 summers being indoctrinated into the ways of the beaver clan. So what a surprise when he went to preschool the other day and as part of his classwork, he made a Beaver Hat! Wow! A Beaver Hat! Why, that almost makes no sense.

Well, Parker was naturally thrilled with his beaver hat, and the spirit of the lake came upon him! Right there in his classroom he broke into song and dance (did I mention there is a dance, too?)

Now, as Parker is young and still learning in the ways of the beaver, he doesn't always get the words correct. Perhaps that's why he was looked upon with crooked heads and puzzling looks.

And, perhaps that was why he came home and announced - quite bewildered:

"Mommy, I sang the Beaver Song at school, but none of my friends sang it too. I had to sing it all by myself!"

Yes, young Beaver, the secret ways of the family may not always be understood or appreciated - as with the nearby residents. Maintain the faith and continue rejoicing in song, young believer.

One day, our beaver will return.