“I wrote to you once a few years ago when you wrote about my town of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. We are home to the “Real Housewives of NJ” although none of them live here anymore. We also have “gravity hill” which was written up in “Weird New Jersey” (but is really just an optical illusion.) Right after I read your account, I photographed and emailed you a picture of a turkey vulture perched on top of the cross on our church. I am a birder and always had a camera ready for any unusual bird activity put in my path. I remember heading into church that day and noting the large bird atop the cross and was struck because it actually seems like it would be a logical spot for a perched vulture (right next to a busy intersection and also beside an large open field) but in forty years I had never noticed any raptor up there although I see them in the area all the time. And a vulture is popularly viewed negatively (so ugly) but it actually provides a tremendous service in the natural world of “clean up.” I sent it to you because I just didn’t know what to make of it.

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“Well, just this past week, that same church burned down. It was an act of arson by a young man of 26 who is a resident of Franklin Lakes. My daughter remembers him from her grade and noted that he was considered a “weirdo” and a loner but also very smart.  As to motive, so far there are only rumors and speculation. A tragedy to say the least. I thought you might be interested in the events given that you had written about my town in the past. I’ve attached a local news article on it. On the good side, the community has rallied around the parish and we are meeting in the Catholic school gym next door and masses so far are better attended than in the past. God will bring good from this, no question.”

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“Thanks for the wonderful work you do with SpiritDaily. Merry Christmas!”

Louise Riccobene