30.2 F
Naperville
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Naperville Gardener – Silent Spring: A Living History Presentation

-

As spring approaches, I am thankful for Rachel Carson. In 1962, her book, Silent Spring, warned the world about the environmental impact of chemical pesticides. Recently a program on PBS–American Experience featured Rachel Carson. How amazing to see her use her love of nature to make positive, life-saving changes in the use of pesticides. How many of us have memories of a cavalier attitude about chemicals and pesticides?

My husband, Kent, remembers riding his bike with his friends in the fog right behind the mosquito spraying trucks. My aunt and uncle lived in Midland, Michigan (home of a major chemical company) and when my family (five kids) visited their family (five kids, same ages) we delighted in playing in the puddles after a rain because “the colors were so pretty.” We actually thought they lived in a most magical place. Our parents were unaware of the dangers, but Rachel Carson was paying attention and was smart enough and brave enough and persistent enough to make us listen and then make changes.

The Naperville Garden Club is well known for our annual fundraiser, the Cup of Cheer™ House Walk, Holiday Market and Tea. The proceeds allow us to have programs at our monthly meetings and we certainly love those that feature floral design or gardening with pretty flowers, shrubs and trees. But we also have ones that show us how to help our environment. For example, we are encouraged to plant native plants, trees and shrubs and to collect and plant milkweed seeds to help monarch butterflies.

April’s meeting will be about Rachel Carson who was influential in the creation of the Environmental Protection Act and Earth Day, April 22. All meetings are open to the public, with paid reservation, and I encourage you to come.

Leslie Goddard, actress and historian, will present our program at the April 26 meeting of the Naperville Garden Club. She will portray Rachel from her childhood throughout her active life. Details are on the Positively Naperville events calendar, reservations due April 19. Come and learn with us about a fascinating woman.

Stay Connected!

Get the latest local headlines delivered to your inbox each morning.
SUBSCRIBE
- Advertisement -
Marilyn Krueger
Marilyn Kruegerhttp://www.napervillegardenclub.org
Marilyn Krueger is an avid local gardener and member of the Naperville Garden Club.

LATEST NEWS

DON’T MISS OUT!
GET THE DAILY
SQUARE-SCOOP
The latest local headlines delivered
to your inbox each morning.
SUBSCRIBE
Give it a try, you can unsubscribe anytime.
close-link

Stay Connected!

Get the latest local headlines delivered to your inbox each morning.
SUBSCRIBE
close-link