Back in January, a text from my buddy Greg Bardwell, Shelburne Police Chief, caught my attention. The message was regarding a program that the Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School was looking to put together about life along the Deerfield River in the Shelburne Falls Village area. Greg went on to say that teachers were wondering if I might meet with them and discuss ways to help a little with this project.
When the Chief of Police reaches out, you usually take notice, right? After discussing this project with pre-K teacher Katie Derry and first grade teacher Virginia Gary, I knew immediately this was a project I’d like to lend a hand. I later found out that the project was sponsored by the Mary Lyon Foundation, an outstanding organization. Under the leadership of Sue Samoriski, the foundation has done more for students and education in the West County region, and beyond, than any of us will ever fully realize. With all these great people involved, how could I possibly say no? After talking more with Katie and Virginia, and running a few ideas past my favorite principal Joanne Giguere and her assistant Hayley Gilmore, I was sold.
I went to the school on Feb. 25 to speak with students at their “kick-off” session. I arrived around 9 a.m. that morning to find some 150 kids from pre-K thru 6th grade raring to go. I was astounded at the number of students in that cafeteria, but also genuinely impressed. I was so pleased to know that so many kids were there with their teachers to begin a long journey that would end with a book that would lend itself to others, focused through the eyes of a child, while celebrating a river that is central to this region.
I admit, at first, to be a little overwhelmed at the prospect of trying to deliver the right message to so many incredibly young minds, because each group was special, carrying their own set of impressive credentials: Ms. Derry’s Super Bee Preschool class, Ms. Jenkins “tour guide” kindergarten team, Ms. Gary’s first-grade poets, Ms. Cooks’ second-grade geological historians, Ms. Griswold’s third-grade storm engineers, Ms. Whitsett’s fourth-grade hydropower-team, Ms. Paquin’s fifth-grade history scholars, and Ms. Reidy’s sixth-grade “protectors of the river team.”
A pretty impressive group, waiting for me to say something that made sense. So I did what I do, introduced myself and told them how happy I was to be there to offer my support as they begin this wonderful journey. I talked about how many people come to visit our town every year, and how important it would be to have some kid-friendly, relevant information that would be appreciated not just by their peers, but by everyone who would see what they accomplished. We talked about their planned visits to the potholes and part of the extended riverbank area in Shelburne, which I would have loved to have taken part in if time had allowed.
It was from this conversation that “Puddle Jumpers” surfaced as a possible team name for the group. This received great support from everyone there, and thus The Puddle Jumpers was now officially bonded as a team. That’s when I asked if they could help me, by agreeing to include the wildlife of the river — perhaps a one page “Animal River Field Guide” — into their publication. And they were all excited about this, which induced another 10 minutes of sounds that animals make which included everything from crows cawing to turkeys gobbling and deer grunting.
Let me tell you, it was AWESOME to see 150 kids, and some of the teachers, grunting like deer and cawing like crows in that cafeteria. Sheer euphoria for a guy like me. When I left that day, I was an official Puddle Jumper. I was pleased to think that I would see their work progress, and eventually come to a conclusion. And I’m excited to report, that day has arrived.
The second edition of “A Kids Guide to the Deerfield River” is now complete. My Puddle Jumper buddies, parents and teachers, have nothing but pride to feel about this wonderful work that started during the pre-pandemic days, but has now culminated into 44 pages of real joy, happiness and celebration during this very difficult time for all of us. The details in this book are amazingly poignant with poetry, history and environmental data that is so refreshingly clear that it could only have surfaced through the lens of a child. And yes, the field guide, “Animals by the River in our area” on page 7, may just be my favorite page. They accomplished all of this without the aid of being in a classroom with their teacher, which must have been a compete bummer to everyone involved. But they did it, giving a gift to the broader community that will be a benefit for decades to come. The result is nothing short of amazing. Every one of you: students, teachers, administration and sponsors, take a bow on this one. And you should be proud… proud, to be a Puddle Jumper.
Joe Judd is a lifelong hunter and sportsman. He is an outdoor writer, seminar speaker, member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association, and a 2019 inductee into the N.E. Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame. Joe is also on the Quaker Boy Game Calls and Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Pro-Staff.