A bird in hand…

Royalwood

A treasured Mother’s Day gift in the Bois-des-Esprits was returned to a grateful lady this fall.

Anne-Louise St. Pierre, a resident of South St. Vital, was delighted when her son and daughter-in-law announced in 2021 that they had arranged for a custom carving by the late Murray Watson in the Bois.

“I walk in the Bois every day, it’s my happy place,” St. Pierre said. “I noticed in June 2021 that a barn owl was taking shape, and I couldn’t believe my eyes.”

“Back in the early ’80s I was part of an all-girls softball team through my church in Transcona, and our name was the Chouettes, which is French for barn owl. The coincidence brought a tear to my eye and touched my heart. It was the perfect gift.”

St. Pierre was fortunate to meet Watson and have a picture taken with him when she visited the Bois with her sister-in-law to show her the carving.

“He was working on a tree next to mine. It was a true pleasure to meet him and thank him for the beautiful gift,” St-Pierre recounted.

St. Pierre continued to enjoy the carving until Sept. 19 of this year, when she noticed that the tree featuring her carving had been felled. The dedication plaque was on the ground, but the precious barn owl was gone.

“I called 311 and the operator was wonderful,” St. Pierre noted. “Within 15 minutes, a report was filed and I received a call from the crew supervisor.”

Anne-Louise’s husband Louis took immediate action, posting on Facebook asking for the return of the carving.

“We weren’t sure if someone had taken it, or had tried to save it,” said Anne-Louise. “On Sept. 26, I received a call from another lady in our condominium complex saying the carving was back in the Bois. She waited until I arrived. I was so happy to have it again.”

The barn owl will now hold a place of honour in the St. Pierre living room, once Louis and a friend have seasoned it to remove any insects.

“Social media can be powerful sometimes in a good way,” said Louis. “We are grateful to the 311 operator and to the person who brought the carving back to Bois. For other families that have dedication carvings in the forest, be sure to keep an eye on them.”