Sachums, the troll who has tended the Wyalusing Bridge since 1989, talks about the impact the bridge’s closure has had on his duties.

It’s been several months since the Wyalusing Bridge was damaged by a construction vehicle, and amidst ample conversation about the bridge’s impact on the local economy, one voice has remained unheard: That of Sachums Angris Alivaster, who took over Troll duties from his father in 1989.

“I bestow the majority of my riddles to the children who cross the bridge by foot,” he said in an exclusive interview with the Towanda Trumpet, “and riddles have been down, for sure; but children still attempt to cross on foot all the time. Honestly, the frigid weather affected foot traffic more than the closure.”

Alivaster, who’s known for his beloved “I x and y, but don’t z — what am I?” riddle format, has only missed six days in all his years of Trolling.

“The kids here are clever. I’m only throwing one, maybe two into the unforgiving waters below every month or so. You can always tell who’s not going to get it before I jump out to confront them. Over the years, you develop a sense for it.”

Alivaster says he has no plans to retire any time soon and looks forward to the bridge’s July reopening.