Vandals damage Gertie,
but goose isn’t cooked
john burton
The Hub
RUMSON — This year Gertie the Goose couldn’t wear her Uncle Sam outfit for the Fourth of July, and many of her neighbors and others in the community were upset about that.
And one can understand why. Gertie had her head cut off.
No, Gertie is not a real goose but a lawn ornament that Rumson residents Allen and Marie Gallagher have, for the last two years, been dressing in various costumes for holidays, events, occasions, and to reflect their moods on any given day.
"We dress her daily for what’s going on in our life and what’s going on in the neighborhood," said Marie Gallagher of River Road.
But recently Gertie was the victim of vandalism when someone cut her head off, upsetting the Gallaghers and many in the area.
In addition to holidays and the like, Gertie was often attired in outfits that reflected milestones in the lives of people in the neighborhood. Gallagher said she has neighbors who have young children, and any time the kids have a dance recital or other occasion, Gertie is dressed to reflect it.
In honor of the retirement of local physician Dr. Putman J. Brodsky, Gallagher garbed Gertie in — what else? surgical scrubs.
And one recent morning she dressed Gertie in hair curlers with a coffee cup and a sign announcing "I don’t do mornings." She said she heard a motorist drive by and laugh out loud.
When she brought Gertie in that evening, Gallagher said there was change in the cup, from people giving donations.
There has been a lot of support for Gertie since the vandalism, including donations and notes of support from as far away as the Laurence Harbor section of Old Bridge.
The Gallaghers have replaced Gertie, but bring her in in the evenings. Unfortunately, this is not the first time Gertie has been a victim of hooliganism. In the past, she was removed from the lawn and wasn’t found for two weeks. Also, someone placed her in the middle of the road, though she wasn’t struck by any passing cars.
Gallagher said if the vandalism turns out to be the work of mischievous children, she said she knows that as they get older, they will look back and regret doing it.
"She brings so much joy for so many people," she said. "It just makes you smile."