© Ellen Harasimowicz
In 1891, a man named Henry L. Warner bequeathed $10,000 to his hometown, Harvard, Massachusetts. His hope was that the funds be used to initiate an educational lecture series to keep residents informed of happenings in “scientific, literary, biographical, historic, patriotic, national, educational and moral” spheres. Tomorrow night, Ellen and I will be at the Harvard Public Library to give our very first presentation on THE HIVE DETECTIVES as part of the free lecture series established in Warner’s name. If you live in the area, we’d love to see you there!
To Bee or Not to Bee
A Warner Free Lecture
Friday, March 12, 8pm
Harvard Public Library
4 Pond Road
Harvard, MA
978-456-4114
Why on earth have I illustrated this post with a photo of my cell phone in a bee hive? Well, that photo is in THE HIVE DETECTIVES. (You’ll have to read the book to see why.) And also because I will have that very phone on the podium with me tomorrow night in Harvard, set to vibrate of course, in order that my friend Kris can reach me and let me know if the temperatures after dark stay warm enough to launch Big Night.
What’s Big Night?
Well, around these parts, Big Night is usually the first warm and rainy night of the season. These sure signs of spring can induce hundreds and hundreds of spotted salamanders (and other amphibians) to migrate to their seasonal breeding pools. It is going to pour tomorrow night, and if temperatures stay warm enough, the salamanders will move. In other words, if that phone on the podium starts to vibrate, then yours truly will be doing some late-night salamander watching after the lecture!
* The quote above is from Henry S. Nourse’s HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF HARVARD MASSACHUSETTS, 1732-1893.
** My friend Sarah Lamstein has a brand new book on the salamander migration. You can learn more about BIG NIGHT (the book!) at Sarah’s website.
Edited to Add: The fabulous Jeannine Atkins posted a review of BIG NIGHT, by Sarah Lamstein, right here. Enjoy!
Edited Further to Add: Sarah Lamstein tells me that all things Big Night are monitored over at the Vernal Pool Association website. Check it out!