The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, June 22, 1996               TAG: 9606210073
SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E1   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: LAWRENCE MADDRY
                                            LENGTH:   71 lines

FLAMINGO HATERS DON'T HAVE LEG TO STAND ON IN THESE PARTS

A COUPLE OF DAYS after writing a column saluting Donald Featherstone, the creator of the plastic, three-dimensional lawn flamingo, I awoke to find 50 of the pink beauties on the lawn outside my condominium.

I was taking the dog outside for a walk when I looked around and changed hands on the leash.

There they were.

The pink flamingos seemed to be grazing on the grass. A light wind was stirring. The birds trembled slightly in the wind as though alive.

Ever protective of her turf, Mabel began to bark, first at the entire group, then singling out one or two for special attention.

``They won't hurt you, Mabel,'' I said. ``Look how pretty they are. . . how colorful. . . each as lovely as a Hummel figurine.''

A sign in the center of the flamingo flock said: ``Gotcha Fleming.'' (A reference to the pink, plastic boid I place in my bathtub as a chic decoration when giving parties at my digs.)

Most of my neighbors thought the flamingos were a hoot. But the jury was still out where the dog was concerned. At the end of our beach walk she gave the plastic birds a wide berth when leading me to the door.

Printed at the bottom of the sign was ``Flamingo A Friend.'' And the phone number: 491-4850.

Is this a great country or what? We've not only got ATM machines, laser shows and America Online, but a person who makes his living by creeping across lawns before the sun comes up, planting plastic flamingos.

Before leaving for work I phoned the number on the sign. The voice at the other end was John Rush, owner and sole employee of Flamingo A Friend in Virginia Beach.

``I started my business about a week before your column appeared on the plastic flamingos. So I thought I'd leave some friends there on the lawn for Fleming,'' he said.

John is a former employee of the Southeastern Public Service Authority who retired on disability after an injury to his back.

I wondered how his business was going.

``We've gotten about 15 jobs, so far,'' he said. He charges $49.95 for the 50 flamingos and a personalized message. Most of the orders are for flamingos. But he can also scatter other lawn ornaments - cows, pigs, elephants, penguins, and storks with baby bottles - over a lawn.

John only reveals the identity of the person who pays for the flamingo frivolity if it is OK'd by the customer. He plants the birds about 5 a.m. each morning and collects them at 6 p.m.

This week there was more flamingo feedback when a letter arrived from Empsy Munden of Bayberry Street in Virginia Beach.

Empsy writes: ``Really enjoyed your column on flamingos. Mine - the cement one - is named Floyd and the plastic ones are the Floydettes.'' A photo was enclosed.

Empsy said all of the flamingos wear costumes appropriate for the seasons - sunglasses and American flags for summers.

The Mundens also have a flamingo mailbox which is a favorite of neighborhood children. (The box forms the body of the bird with a long neck extending from it. The flamingo is wearing a ski cap in the photo that accompanied the letter.)

Oh, I almost forgot. John Rush of Flamingo A Friend said flamingo recipients also get a greeting card.

The card contains a cartoon showing a lawn with ornaments resembling humans stuck in the grass and a pair of plastic lawn flamingos standing on the sidewalk.

One of the flamingos has turned to the other and says: ``I don't know, Marge. It looks pretty tacky to me.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

MORT FRYMAN/The Virginian-Pilot

John Rush, of Flamingo A Friend, will surreptiously[sic] plant

flamingos in the yard of your loved ones. by CNB