Community Corner
The Early Days Of COVID-19 With Peddles The Duck: Photos
Read one Alameda resident's thoughts on the COVID-19 lockdown written in March 2020.
ALAMEDA, CA — Back in March 2020, Nick Stellato of Alameda wrote a heartfelt email to Patch with attached photos of a duck named Peddles. The email was recently uncovered and offers a snapshot into the early days of COVID-19, when stay-at-home health orders kept everyone except essential workers at home.
To help you remember what that first month was like, the email is published in its entirety.
"My partner, Andy Harmon and I live on a yacht in West Alameda at Ballena Isle Marina," Nick wrote. "For 2 years now we've had this little runt guy come visit. He eats outta your hand (only healthy duck friendly treats). Taps his bill against the door, sits on our deck and gets so excited to see us he actually peddles (hence the name) with his little feet!
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"He's even walked in the door at 5 a.m. when I'm half awake making coffee in the twilight, stood next to me in our galley and let put a single QUACK! Scaring the you know what outta me! LOL. But luckily he's never pood in our boat (yet) he's the bright spot, our one loyal visitor during the two and one half weeks Andy & I have been self isolated to avoid getting sick.
"We're so blessed to live in such a wonderful place with so many great neighbors all checking in and taking care of one anther and through our little local yacht club (bbyc.org) that next week we'll be providing space and volunteers to the City to make food bags for those residents in need in Alameda, working with the City to help however we can. (We stepped up as a organization and fed the Coast Guard during the shut down too) — but most of all we're reminded life goes on, the sun comes up, none of us are truly alone and nature is beautiful when our little feathered tiny friend stops by to say hello. The joy in his little duck eyes — and we'd both swear he smiles and has expressions, too — like a reminder its gonna be okay and that Cheerios are critical."
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An amazing glimpse into those first weeks! Thank you for taking the time to write, Nick. We hope that Peddles is still visiting daily.
If you have an awesome photo of nature, breath-taking scenery, kids caught being kids, a pet doing something funny, or something unusual you happen to catch with your camera, we'd love to feature it on Patch.
We're looking for high-resolution images that reflect the beauty and fun that is Northern California, and that show off your unique talents.
Email it to bea.karnes@patch.com.
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