Scarecrows on Maple

By Nila Harris

FALMOUTH — When Falmouth resident and business owner Kim Myers visited Vermont last October, she saw something that intrigued her: a neighborhood full of scarecrows.

She took photos and thought we would try the idea on her Falmouth neighbors.

In 2020, neighbor Kevin Barnard had created a Facebook Messenger chat with several neighbors and Myers put the idea to the group about filling Maple Avenue with scarecrows.

People seemed interested, so she set a deadline of Sept. 15 to display some fall strawmen and women.

Myers laughingly admitted that she had some ideas the direction some of her neighbors would go.

“I knew Karen’s (Crozier) would be purple. Carol’s (Kyle) would have something to do with UK. Leva’s (Kidd) would be about gardening, and Kevin and Elisha’s (Barnard) would probably have something to do with this year’s Halloween costumes.”

But even Myers admitted that she was in for a treat. She had no idea the amount of participation, creativity and excitement that would hit her neighborhood.

Even one of Maple’s youngest homeowners, 22-year-old Noah Barnard, got involved, creating a scarecrow in a Bengal’s jersey with crutches to represent quarterback Joe Burrows, who is sidelined with a foot injury.

New Life Wesleyan Church minister Nick Errico’s lawn features a preacher scarecrow standing behind a pulpit.

Leva Kidd, who loves gardening, has a woman scarecrow proudly working in her flower garden.

Myers hopes that this year’s participation will lead to an even bigger response next year that will go beyond Maple Avenue and spread throughout Falmouth. She hopes that this will be the start of increased camaraderie among friends, neighbors and individuals.

From 1 foot small to 8 feet tall, sweet to terrifying, clothed to painted, upside down and right side up, there are scarecrows galore patrolling the lawns on Maple Avenue.