Resurgence of geese on porches: A revival of avian visitors on front steps
Rewritten Article:
Host SCOTT SIMON opens the segment
SIMON: A whimsical trend is making its comeback, taking wing across America. It's not a political movement or the latest tech gadget, but something much simpler, yet delightful - porch geese.
STEPHANIE ZAWADA: Let me introduce you to my porch pal - err, I mean pal-goose. It's white, boasting a lovely green base, and sporting a lively yellow beak.
SIMON: Meet Stephanie Zawada, a resident of Western Springs, Illinois, one of many followers of this quirky lawn fashion trend. Her newly-acquired, plastic porch goose is a fresh take on these beloved stoopside sentinels.
ZAWADA: I've dressed her up in a charming gardening ensemble, complete with overalls, a striped shirt, and a straw hat. My neighbor gifted her a collection of outfits, including a fitting fall pumpkin costume, a Hawaiian shirt with a lei, and even a playful red polka-dot bikini with heart-shaped sunglasses.
SIMON: Zawada hopes her goose will be the talk of the town this summer, bringing a smile to her neighbors' faces as they stroll by.
ZAWADA: I anticipate my neighbors glancing at my lovely garden and thinking, 'Oh, her flowers are beautiful, and her goose's outfit is both funny and adorable.' It's all about fostering a sense of neighborhood camaraderie.
JEREMIAH HINES: With economic uncertainties and political turbulence, there's a growing desire for a bit of whimsy and joy in people's lives. And it seems that porch geese strike a chord in addressing this demand.
SIMON: Jeremiah Hines is a staff member at Harper's Statuary & Water Gardens in Virginia, a retailer where porch geese are flying off shelves.
HINES: In the past, we would be lucky to sell around 10 porch geese in a year. Last year, we sold close to 40, and this year, we've already surpassed that figure.
KATE MORGAN: Stores are seeing a surge in porch goose sales, both local and national outlets joining in on the fun.
SIMON: Kate Morgan, who covers the goose beat for a recent Washington Post piece, delved into dedicated social media groups with hundreds of thousands of members.
MORGAN: An entire industry revolves around porch geese and their wardrobes. These online communities host creators selling unique outfits and even handle custom orders. From middle-aged women to college students, these crafters pay their bills by catering to the geese-loving community.
MORGAN: Millennials with nostalgic feelings are the driving force behind today's porch goose craze, with memories of their grandmothers and aunts adorning their porch geese in the '80s and '90s fueling their affection for these feathered lawn ornaments.
SIMON: But why a goose, you ask?
MORGAN: The fierce and tenacious nature of geese is what makes them stand out. In ancient Rome, geese are said to have saved the city from a dangerous attack, as their honking alerted the citizens to the enemy's presence during the silent hours of the night[2].
SIMON: If you live in an apartment or simply lack a porch, fear not. Stores offer desktop geese that can be customized[1]. Maybe in 40 years, we'll all reminisce about the porch goose craze of 2025, just as we do about the resurgence of "Live, Laugh, Love" signs today.
(SOUNDBITE OF SURPRISE CHEF'S "DANGEROUS")
Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
- Jeremiah Hines noted that, with the present economic uncertainties and political turbulence, the demand for something whimsical and joyful, such as porch geese, has significantly increased.
- Despite living in apartments or lacking porches, people can still participate in the porch goose craze by purchasing desktop geese that can be personalized to their liking.
