Lighthouses Are For Heifers, Too
By Sue Clark on Jan 8, 2009 in The Light Side 
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Well, maybe not so much the lighthouse, in this case Montauk Point, but the grass sure seemed greener for the Black Angus heifer now known as Amelia. But then again, maybe she felt she was just getting her due from what her owners, Rusty and Diane Leaver of Deep Hollow Ranch, have given to the Montauk Historical Society to help preserve Montauk Lighthouse.
The story begins last May, when a load of cattle were brought into Deep Hollow Ranch near Montauk, NY. Now, Deep Water Ranch is known as the birthplace of the cowboys, as it’s been a working cattle ranch since the 1600s. But, the cowboy that corralled the young heifer with an injured leg apparently wasn’t aware she was a determined young lady. She hopped out of the pen, injury and all, and headed off for parts unknown.
For the next few months, she fattened up on the lush grasses in the area, especially around the lighthouse. In fact, she gained 300 pounds. Every so often, she’d be spotted near the ranch, but would be gone (and back at the lighthouse) before she could be captured. She also visited the nearby air base, and the upper class neighborhoods, also. She got used to seeing people on horseback, but if a car came near or she saw someone on foot, she’d hightail it out of there.
Oh, and the relation to the lighthouse?
The Leavers’ have preserved the land around their spread, and when they heard that the Montauk Historic Society desperately needed to raise funds to save the Montauk Lighthouse, they stepped in. Rusty approached his friend and neighbor, Paul Simon, and asked him to perform a concert. Simon gladly obliged.
The day was such a success that the Back at the Ranch concerts have almost become an annual event. In past years, stars such as Billy Joel, Mary Chapin Carpenter, the Allman Brothers and Don Henley have donated their time and talents to help raise money to preserve the lighthouse.
And Amelia’s fate? Well, since she now has a name (after Amelia Earheart no less), the Leavers are considering letting her live rather than become someone’s steak dinner.
Original story at the East Hampton Star
Photo Credit: Portrait of a Black Angus by TheBristolKid. Some rights reserved
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2 Comment(s)
By marilyn mckinstry on Jan 9, 2009 | Reply
amelia deserves her freedom! let her become the lighthouse mascot and put her picture in the news. good publicity for all…
By Sue Clark on Jan 9, 2009 | Reply
I agree. At least she’ll probably live to an old age as opposed to being someone’s meals. Go Amelia!