Community Corner
A Bittersweet Farewell to the Goldenrod 6
The going away party for the hens included desserts, wine, beverages, an elaborately decorated cake and a limousine.
The Goldenrod 6 were loaded into a white limousine Saturday afternoon—feathers and all, and driven in style to their new home following two days of farewell visits from supporters.
Today, the ladies are adjusting to their new home at the Newport Beach Vineyards and Winery. Richard Moriarty, the winery's owner, recently adopted the six hens—'Red,' 'Tiny,' 'Whitey,' 'Flatty,' 'Blackie' and 'Blondie'—who after a neighbor filed a noise complaint against them with the city. He says he has been without chickens for a while and knew the ladies would make good companions for his rooster. Their new digs is a large enclosed aviary that will protect them from coyotes and is not set up for public viewing.
Michael Resk, the original owner of the pet chickens, fought hard to keep his chickens at his Goldenrod Avenue home. He pleaded with the Newport Beach City Council and created a Facebook page for the Goldenrod 6 which gained more than 500 supporters.
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In the end, his efforts fell short and he had no choice but to comply with the city's ordinance.
“I’m a little bummed out right now,” Resk said. “But it was becoming a safety issue for them to be here anyway.”
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Resk isn't the only one who is said to bid adieu to the hens. Neighbor Nancy Thompson made a special quilt titled "It's a Wonky World," for Resk which bears the chickens and has signatures of support from his neigbors.
“It’s sad to see the chickens go, they added a little bit of whimsy to what could be a crazy life,” Thompson said. “It’s like a family here, a little bit of Americana, it all credits a wonderful story.”
