Gooney Bird Christmas

Town residents used many Gooney Birds of Southport to decorate a Christmas tree

for the town. These bright, unique, colorful birds that had been turned into

ornaments hung from the tree. All Gooney Birds are painted by an unknown, local

artist who donates all her time and the birds. Then they're given away. One night at

Christmas, the birds on the tree flew out of the building to hide in plain sight all

over town. The next morning, Southport residents awoke to find them gone. One

by one, people joined the hunt to find Gooney Birds to keep. The hunters laughed,

smiled, greeted each other, shared stories, and became ever more excited as they

searched. One woman who had never been told anything joined the hunters and

gave them a chance to tell her about the birds, the artist, and all the places they had

been found in the past. Joy came that day as neighbors met new friends and "their

paths intertwined." As the author wrote, "we all can spread joy with small acts of

light."