Letters from Woody Woodchuck

By Charlie Costello and James Zeger

After my parents separated, my mom and I moved into my grandparents home. During this change in my life, my grandpa gave me very special gifts. They were not of material value, but rather gifts of kindness, love and imagination.

Through dozens of letters that were left for me inside a small, white mailbox, my grandpa created a magical world as seen through the eyes of a wise old woodchuck named Woody. These letters, which often arrived every day, provided me with a sense of hope and expectation. Stories that captivated me as a four-year-old are now valuable life lessons. The adventures of Woody and his friends help me to cherish my childhood and keep the spirit of Grandpa close to my heart.

Beth

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Sep 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496939043

Charlie Costello

Charlie Costello was born in 1920 in Rochester, New York. As a youth, he explored and enjoyed the wonders of nature and wildlife. After military service in World War II, Charlie entered the field of agriculture—first in farming and then as manager of the Wayne County office of the US Department of Agriculture, Stabilization and Conservation. His work involved conservation practices and administration of federal assistance to farmers. His thirty years of dedicated commitment were recognized in 1982 when Charlie received the national award for outstanding service. Charlie and his wife, Elaine, lived in a big farmhouse surrounded by orchards in Sodus, New York, for over thirty-two years. Here, they raised their six daughters and welcomed twelve grandchildren. After retirement, Charlie’s love of nature continued and he entertained his daughters and grandchildren with walks through the orchards and exciting tales of wildlife. His vivid imagination led him to create stories with colorful and interesting animal characters. Included in these stories were subtle life lessons. Charlie went home to his Creator in 2006. His passing left a painful void in the family, but his legacy of love of nature, inspiration, and respect for all God’s creatures lives on.

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© 2013, 2014 Charlie Costello Old Grandpa. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 11/11/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-3903-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-3904-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014916127

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Contents

Acknowledgements

Spring

About the Author

Acknowledgements

The family of Charlie Costello would like to extend sincere appreciation to Dr. Rita Mignacca, professor of English, Nazareth College, Rochester, New York, for her invaluable guidance and support in the creation of this book. Dr. Mignacca set the wheels of this project in motion, and we are forever grateful.

The family would also like to thank the illustrator, James Zeger, grandson of Charlie Costello. Your talent has brought these characters to life! Grandpa would be so proud!

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This book is dedicated not only to Charlie’s family, but to all families, with the hope that they, too, may experience the same joy and love that he felt for all of God’s creatures.

Dear Beth,

My name is Woody and I am a woodchuck. I live in the hedgerow behind your Grandma and Grandpa’s house. I have seen you, Old Grandpa, and your fat black dog Millie taking walks through the orchards. Old Grandpa tells you wonderful stories about my world. All my friends love to hear those stories!

I am writing this letter to tell you how much I want to be your friend. I often peek through the hedgerow to watch you and all your cousins play. It looks like so much fun! It is also a short cut to Old Grandpa’s garden—but don’t tell him I told you!

Please check the mailbox often, and I will try to write to you again. Would you ask Old Grandpa if he would leave some peas in the mailbox? It sure would be a treat!

Your pal, Woody

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Dear Beth,

Thanks for the peas you left in the mailbox. I shared them with Ricky and Randy Raccoon. Delicious! Ricky and Randy live with their mom in the Big Woods. Tonight all three of them are going down to Beaver Pond to fish. Daisy and Debbie Deer stopped by to tell me they found some peapods in the garden. I told them that you and Old Grandpa put them there so you could share. They said thanks too.

We all watched your birthday party! Sammy Squirrel and Chipper Chipmunk were up in the oak tree. Randy, Ricky, and I were on top of the garage. It was funny when you tried to blow out the candles. Glad you liked the birthday card we left in the mailbox!

Your pal, Woody

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Dear Beth,

We are all sad today. Sammy fell out of the butternut tree and hurt himself pretty badly. Mrs. Woodchuck is caring for him now, and his sister, Samantha, is coming up from the Big Woods to take over later in the day. Sammy was sitting on a limb way up high when a finch tried to steal a sunflower seed he was eating. He tried to shoo the finch away but lost his balance. I will let you know how he is when I write my next letter. Daisy and Debbie Deer visited us last night. They live over on Pine Hill and stopped by for some cherries.

Your pal, Woody

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Dear Beth,

Sammy’s leg is much better. He climbed around the old butternut tree yesterday and said it felt fine. Samantha will be going back to the Big Woods tomorrow. Sammy is lucky to have a sister like her.

Randy and Ricky were down at Beaver Pond picking corn last night. Bennie Beaver told them that Debbie and Daisy Deer are in big trouble with their mom. Remember when they stopped by my house a day or two ago? Well, I guess they disobeyed their mother when they went looking for cherries and now they