Frogs of Willimantic
(Willimantic,
Connecticut)
Excerpts from Beth:
Most of our best roadtrips begin with large attractions. With
the disappointing demise of the Giant Ant, we were finally
rewarded with the Giant Frogs on spools in Willimantic. Proud,
stately, and giant they guarded the bridge in the center of
town. Good Roadchix that we are, we got all the 'right' shots
from all angles. The frogs are extremely photogenic and with
the arsenal of digital cameras now in the Roadchix quiver,
they were documented well. A small plaque describes the frogs
and makes sense of the whole frog/spool combo. Sort of...
One morning before the sun, the settlers of Willimantic were
jarred awake by the scream of Indians at night. Fearing for
the safety of their wives, children and town, the menfolk
leapt from their beds and ran into the night air, guns in
hand and nightshirts flowing behind them. It was a fierce
battle, but the screams were silenced. The next morning, the
first light revealed thousands of dead bullfrogs, hearts pierced
at the height of their mating season as they crooned for their
mates. Yes. They shot the frogs.
Instead of cowering with embarrassment, the townspeople embraced
their ridiculousness and deemed the frog to be the town mascot
and erected frogs upon giant spools (a nod to the textile
heritage of the town). A frog festival is held annually and
frog art is displayed liberally.
Willimantic, we salute you. Ribbit.
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