Something to look for in Downtown: Twenty-four businesses in Mansfield including the Renaissance have an owl nesting nearby. “I wanted something Mansfield could call its own,” said Llalan Fowler, bookstore manager and community collaborator at Main Street Books. She gives a hoot about local involvement.
Some may remember the “Where’s Waldo” hunt, his discernible red and white stripes, funny hat, and thick-rimmed glasses happening around town last year. In honor of the character’s 25th Anniversary, Ms. Fowler very literally took him from the page.
“It really worked last year,” she stated. The Waldo search was such a hit, giving families reason to crusade downtown Mansfield for the paper cut-out Waldo, that it was clear a new tradition was underway.
Orwell the Owl is now the official rooster on the Mansfield roster.
“I get reports from people who haven’t been here before, or haven’t visited in a long time, that their kids are having a great time,” said Fowler. There is already a stack of tally cards on the desk at Main Street Books, ready for the grand prize drawing.
With the success of last year’s hunt, more businesses got involved this year. Richland Bank and Mechanics have Orwell the Owl in their downtown branches, quite literally.
It’s not too late to catch Orwell with his signature diamond printed chest, checkered brown wings, and big owl eyes. Find at least sixteen of the twenty four, and the tally card qualifies for the grand prize drawing. If all downtown Orwell’s are discovered, the “family tree” will be adorned with a personal picture in the Main Street Bookstore’s Children section.
“It encourages us all to work together,” Fowler said, “When one person is boosted, we all are.”
A sixty dollar gift card from Two Cousins Pizza goes to the lucky winner to throw a pizza party. There will also be free owl cookies donated by Buckeye Bakery for the event.
“All the businesses have been really generous in donating prizes for the finale,” she stated.
The Hoot-enanny! takes place this Friday, August 2at 6pm out on the stage in the Temple Court brickyard. Hootenanny is a word which means “celebration” and indeed, the Ohio Bird Sanctuary has confirmed their Hoot-enanny presence. As part of the celebration, they will give an informative demonstration with a live owl.
She left the fun of hiding Orwell the Owl up to the business owners. Fowler sent owl fliers, and instructions, and wrote the rules in the free paper The Trader Times. The Downtown Scavenger is also booked every day in our Richland Source calendar, along with the First Friday poetry reading to follow: “For the Birds” in the book-loft this Friday at 8pm.
Llalan wants the occasion to be remembered as a great afternoon, with the opportunity to explore Downtown Mansfield. “And I hope to do it again next year,” she stated. “People are having a great time.”
