re-naming Dyke Marsh to honor Louis Halle

Ellen Paul (epaul@dclink.com)
Mon, 28 Sep 1998 19:03:01 -0400


Dear Anonymous,

This is probably the kind of discussion that we should continue off
MdOsprey, but that's impossible when you don't give your name or email
address.  So with apologies to those who feel this isn't sufficiently
bird-related, let me say that I agree with you in principle, but in
practice it really doesn't have much effect.  Witness:  Canaveral to
Kennedy to Canaveral.  Witness (as I mentioned before) Bonzo National
Airport.  Folks of a certain age and/or political philosophy will always
call it Canaveral and I'll always call it National, just plain National,
nothing you can do can make me say that other word.  I still call it the
Cabin John Bridge, but folks who have moved here recently no doubt call
it the American Legion Bridge, yet we still manage to make ourselves
understood.  Yes, I still call it Brigantine, and I think your example
is pretty good evidence of the fact that it doesn't cause confusion. 
Folks manage to figure out that they mean the same thing (probably
because when they look at a map, they see that the Refuge is in
Brigantine, or because they just ask).

In the case of something like Dyke Marsh, you can either hyphenate the
name or, more likely, give it the second title as a matter of honoring
the man, but realize that people will continue to use the long-standing
name.

Naming the trail is also a nice idea.  

Either way, if it is up to the National Park Service, you can be sure of
one thing:  we will have yet another brown sign that's impossible to
read.

Ellen Paul
epaul@dclink.com
chevy chase, MD

mdosprey@ARI.Net wrote:
> 
> I'm not sure it would be a good idea to rename the marsh, even in honor
> of the renowned Louis Halle.  Such a practice sets a bad precedent, and
> invites confusion as familiar places acquire new (and sometimes
> politically motivated) designations.  For example, I have yet to meet a
> birder who refers to Brigantine as Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife
> Refuge.  This change was made in the mid-1980's (during the Reagan
> years) to memorialize a New Jersey Republican congressman who was
> (supposedly) a strong environmental advocate.
> 
> While I disagree with your proposal, I do think that the nature trail which
> runs through the marsh (currently known as the Haul Road) could be
> appropriately designated as the Louis Halle Nature Trail, and would serve
> as a fitting tribute to this great naturalist.
> 
> >>>On 09/28/98 at 06:43am, you wrote:>>>
> Speaking of Dyke Marsh -
> 
> I've been thinking that it would be wonderful to re-name Dyke Marsh for
> Louis Halle, author of Spring in Washington, who recently passed away.
> 
> I think it would take the support of ANS, MOS, and VOS, but does anyone
> happen to know who owns Dyke Marsh?  Is it federal property?
> 
> Would anyone be willing to help me get the ball rolling by contacting
> VOS?  I'll contact ANS, and perhaps anyone who is active in MOS can
> contact the appropriate person.
> 
> Ellen Paul
> epaul@dclink.com
> chevy chase, MD
> --
> Ellen Paul           Chevy Chase,MD           mailto:epaul@dclink.com

-- 
Ellen Paul           Chevy Chase,MD           mailto:epaul@dclink.com