Birdville Bulletin

Louise Mullen published her columns on birds and the Brattleboro area community interested in birds for 20 years. She began writing the columns in her late 50’s and continued right up until her unexpected death from a heart attack at the age of 78. These columns were a weekly occurrence save the odd week when she may have been away or perhaps the paper was short on space.

My memory of Louise Mullen is sharp and clear, although it may not be accurate, she died when I was just 17. An independent woman living alone at the end of a long dirt driveway, in the woods, listening to big band jazz on the old tuner box radio or her record player and feeding the birds and skunk families. Straightforward and yet reticent. We would make the trek from our Essex Junction home to visit her - the drive seemed to last forever - and she would greet me on the walk with a sideways hug. Economical even, in her affections. She was a bit mysterious, a bit aloof and awesomely interesting.

She collected stamps diligently and deliberately. Her rock collection was built on her experiences and travels and labeled for her own edification. She hooked rugs, not of others’ designs, but born of her own wild, imaginative mind. She and her sister would visit around New England by car and had perfected their observational choreography - if her sister, Marjorie, saw a particular flower, bird or other sight worthy of attention, Louise would stop and throw the car into reverse with skillful aplomb to catch the sight - or so rumor has it.

Herein I have collected together all of the columns she wrote that I could find from the archives of the Brattleboro Reformer along with some mentions of her talks at the senior center or women’s guild, notices for the stamp club she would be appearing at, and announcements for her assistance with your tax forms. One of my favorite announcements titled, “So They Think I am An Expert.” Practical and yet impassioned, Deeply knowledgeable and yet humble.

I invite you to read and if you are so inspired share with me which columns you find value in as a reader or bird lover.