By Monty Siekerman
Sometimes, almost never, you find what might look like a flying shrimp in the most unlikely place...and all of this has a local connection.

Judith Greavu, ONU art professor emerita, sculpted “Tide Pool with Shrimp” a bronze and fused glass creation on display in Lakeland, Fla., now through the end of the year.

Admiring the winning artwork in Florida is Ada Icon Editor Monty Siekerman. Judith’s sculpture was one of 10 pieces selected from 65 proposals submitted to be displayed along Lemon Street in the heart of downtown Lakeland. She retired after teaching sculpture at Ohio Northern for 20 years.

Judith and her husband, Bruce Chesser, also a retired ONU art prof, now reside in Bluffton. Downtown Lakeland is reminiscent of “old Florida” with spruced-up older buildings, many quaint restaurants, parks, and, of course, lakes. Swans must be the town’s official bird.

There are sculptures of swans on nearly every corner, in every park, and around all of the lakes. Walking around one lake, a visitor will pass by more than 50 live swans, of several varieties.

They live there permanently, why travel to Ohio and back again when winter sets in up north, think the smartest swans who enjoy warmth 12 months a year.