Corktree Elementary School
It’s hard to believe Corktree Elementary School is still there. I went to school there. My children went to school there. And now some of my grandchildren actually go there.
It’s an outstanding school — even if the bricks and mortar are a bit old. It wins all sorts of academic awards. And many of the children go on to study at University.
Dublin’s Cocoa and Cupcakery
This is one of my favorite places in all of Corktree: Dublin’s Cocoa and Cupcakery.
They usually have at least a dozen different kinds of cocoa and a selection of cupcakes that rotates daily. Really great cupcakes — my personal favorite is carrot – peanut butter — and the best cocoa anywhere.
August the Cat
This rather interesting character has begun showing up around Corktree lately. I’m not sure why. He does seem to have some influence, though. No less than the Mayor himself has been escorting him from place to place.
It’ll be interesting to find out who this Mr. August is and what he’s up to. I half suspect it has something to do with the big celebration the Mayor’s organizing over at Fig Tree Park.
Cromwell the Eagle
Cromwell is the President of Corktree Bank. A fierce-looking fellow who always wears perfectly pressed suits and the finest silk ties, he can come across as being rather intense.
Those who know him well know he actually has a soft heart and an excellent sense of humor. In fact, rumor has it that he trades practical jokes with members of the bank staff — especially his Administrative Assistant, Periwinkle.
Visiting More Elementary Schools
My human friends Roger and Misty Merrill have been at it again. Yesterday they visited Cole Canyon and Murrieta Elementary Schools in Murrieta, California. They took stacks of my drawings, some of my old sketch books.
And this time they actually read some of our new book, Cardigan. They report that the children loved it. They had a wonderful time as well.
Thanks to all our young friends for their interest and excitement. Once it’s published, we’ll bring copies of the book for the libraries at each of the schools.
- Twisselman
Visiting Lisa J. Mails Elementary
The nice people at Lisa J. Mails Elementary School in Murrieta, California expressed an interest in my drawings and stories. I had my human friends Roger and Misty Merrill take a stack of my drawings over to show them. (They live near there anyway).
They report that the school is filled with artists who very much liked my drawings of my friends here in Corktree. And that Roger and Misty really enjoyed themselves.
They also may have let the cat out of the bag, so to speak, by telling everyone that I have a book coming out soon. It’s true. I’ve nearly finished the drawings and am in the middle of writing down some of the stories of my neighbors. Young Cardigan is almost as excited to be the main character as he is for the reason I made him the main character.
Of course, to find out the reason I made him the main character, you’ll have to read the book. Come back often, I’ll post more details as I have them.
Raspberry the Parrot
Officer Raspberry is “our” police officer. She patrols Corktree on that big, old motorcycle, keeping things orderly and under control. She knows every shopkeeper, all the children, and pretty much everyone who lives or works here. She knows when school is in session and when it’s not; even when it lets out early. And she’s always the first one to call out a hello when she sees you on the street.
To the schoolchildren, she’s a rock star. All the kids love Officer Raspberry and her motorcycle. When she pulls into the schoolyard for an assembly or a presentation, she gets mobbed.
It’s not all sunshine and smiles, even in Corktree. When something goes wrong, as things do from time to time, she’s the first one there. Tough and efficient when she needs to be. Sharp, observant, just the kind of bird you’d want keeping an eye on things.
