Queenie and Liz

From a child's birthday present to the "world's only water-skiing elephant"

This week’s puzzle: Training Queenie

I love learning about the “people” history of our area. I remember seeing decaying clues to a rare animal park driving up Route 5 in Fairlee in the 1970s. I think those signs are long gone, but the memories Bill Green’s Rare Bird and Animal Farm remain vivid to those who visited.

I had heard stories about a “water-skiing elephant” and took them with a grain of salt.

Turns out they were true, and Bill’s daughter Liz Danes' history with Queenie over the years is fascinating.

It began with wild animals found on her father’s many overseas trips. When the family lived in Orfordville, the collection included bison, camels, rattlesnakes, anacondas, deer, monkeys, raccoons, bears, leopards, cheetahs and mountain lions.

The tale is better told in Liz Danes’ words in this charming account from an Orlando TV station, complete with photos and videos to bring it all to life.

Liz and Queenie’s remarkable story began in 1953, when Liz chose Queenie as her birthday present in a New York City pet store, am arranged event covered live by Dave Garroway for the Today Show.

It ends with Liz and Queenie’s joyous reunion after 38 years in 2005. Suffice it to say “an elephant never forgets.”