Locals knew of impending events.

Bernie and Denise Mayoff admit that many people knew of the activities going on in their bushes. There's just no way this can be covered up. The big question is What did they know? and When did they know it? To quote from an e-mail we recently obtained that is known to have been sent from Mr Mayoff, we hear him confess: "Most of you know about the ducks in our pool and the nest in the bushes. Well, as of this morning we have grandducks."

Who ever heard of such a thing? Grandducks? People are smirking and questions are being asked. Nay, even some are smiling outright with wild abandon. Some are saying that Mr. Mayoff has ordered his Bellini machine months in advance of Mayoff Day and has been imbibing. He's even having trouble counting. He was quote as saying: "They're hard to count because they don't stay still... but there appears to be about 13 of them floating in the pool." His poor ability to count could also be caused from lack of sleep, but that's another story. And additional questions are being asked; like how come some of those baby chicks look like they need glasses? [See actual blurry photo taken on April 5, 2001]

Bridge over troubled water

In that recently obtained e-mail we also quote: "They don't get far from mama, They can't get out of the pool yet, but it is becoming clear that mama is encouraging them to get out. They can get up onto the spa wall so I've set up a bridge from the spa wall to the pool deck. Now they have to figure out how to use it." More evidence that the chicks need glasses.

Who really is the father?

To hear the way Mr. Mayoff put it: "They got close and some of the ducklings were about half way up the bridge when a drake showed up and disturbed things. A second drake showed up and I thought maybe they were going to help feed mama or the ducklings."

Pool owner admits to acting like he was responsible

"Mama flees whenever they get near though, and the drakes made it pretty clear that the reason they were there isn't to feed her. They're here to make more ducklings! After that I chased three of them away." It sure appears to this reporter that Mr. Mayoff is acting responsible for protecting the mama duck and all his grandducks.. The question we must ask is "Are they really his Grandducks or is there a closer relationship?

Seeks advice from professionals and non-professionals

"Suggestions for having this single mom move on before she repeats her magic are welcome."

Readers' comments below. Others with suggestions should contact Mr. Mayoff directly. The exciting conclusion and who done it follows these letters.

In disturbing the intentions of the drakes you might have gone against the mother's wishes. Maybe she's a nymphoquackiac or maybe she sells her talents on the corner. She might be a quacker. Probably using the famous line, "Hey, good lookin', wanna f**kaduck?" or are you only interested in a goose? Obviously she's been around the pond. If I were you I wouldn't mess with her. She probably has a fowl attitude and will tell you to quack off! Of course, if you hire a professional to remove her and her ducklings, you'll end up holding the bill.

Express Printing Center - Libertyville, IL

That was cute but those ducklings are adorable. Such a springy event....it's just sooo seasonal.

Mazel Tov, You're a grand duck father. I hope the ducklings are OK with the chlorine. But I'm sure it cramps your style a bit if you want to go swimming. They better be gone by Mayoff Day.... right?

Jessica Elfenbein again wrote:

You have a mischievous sense of humor... Baby ducks in the pool is hilarious. If we have time on Saturday getting ready for Passover, could we drop by and see them. [Too late. See conclusion below.] Wow, nature is a miraculous thing. But maybe they will come back next year to hatch their own babies. It is neat that even in the middle of civilization that you can still experience things like this.

How sweet you are.......I knew I liked you..........Dorrie

I guess you and Denise are now proud grandparents. I just hope you don't become as obnoxious as some of our friends who have become grandparents! :>) [Too late, Dee. He's already taking pictures and posting them on the internet] Sounds like you may have to stand guard to be sure the drakes don't "fool around," so to speak. Maybe a sling shot or peashooter would come in handy!

Congratulations, Granddad!
Have you named them yet?

Isn't that just ducky! Congratulations.

She won't set again until the babies are fledged out. When they start to get to that size, start disrupting her nest any time you can find it. She may lay an egg or two where she can, but eventually she'll get the message.It generally takes several weeks before they are big enough to fly. Any chance of raccoons around? Perhaps your grandkids are going over to a neighbor's pool for training...

Dear Grandma Duck!
Why don't you just post a sign and start charging admission??? The Mayoff Zoo might be a good retirement income!!!! LOVED the picture!!! Good Luck, Duck Mom!!!!

Teri Ann Rogers wrote again:
NO WAY - What happened??? Where did they go???? Did you have them for a Duck Dinner???? OH MY - what a shock!!! I thought I was going to be a God-Duckmother.

 AP: April 6, 2001 - the story concludes

	Ducking the issue In a startling announcement, the main subject of this expose, a Mr. Bernie Mayoff, has now declared "The ducklings have disappeared!" In an on going accounting, with inconclusive photographic proof, Mr. Mayoff was quoted as saying "They spent the night sleeping on the deck underneath mama. This morning they were noticeably bigger than yesterday morning and wandering about. Later in the morning there were only two ducklings in the pool. Mama and the other babies were gone!"
	And then there was one... With blurry proof of what really happened in those bushes, we are now being told "Several hours later there was only one duckling in the pool.
	And now there are none." All that remains is "half an egg shell and an unhatched egg still in the nest. This year Easter eggs have taken on real meaning." It is also quite suspicious when additional submitted proof appears to be a movie of an empty back yard.

Not more than 75 feet from the bushes, located well within the domicile of Bernie and Denise Mayoff, in plain sight, just beyond the living room, this reporter personally located the duck most likely responsible for this brood of chicks. For some weird reason, this drake has also been known to associate with rodents. Incriminating proof was found on Denise Mayoff's very private web site. A site so clandestine we are unable to reveal its location. This picture is obviously the father and his friend celebrating the birth of his ducklings just prior to their disappearance.