Library 151: Townshend Public Library
Mourning Cloak for state butterfly!
Library 151! The Townshend Public Library was the 151st stop on my quest to read and knit in all of Vermont’s public libraries.
I knit: a cardigan for my mom.
I read:
Skin Again by bell hooks, illustrated by Chris Racshka
Farmer Brown Shears his Sheep: a Yarn about Wool by Teri Sloat
This library had visible knitwear on display, a Christmas cactus, and an active D&D game going. We felt right at home. After chatting at the front desk for a bit, the librarians said “We assume you are here for the butterfly talk.” We weren’t, but the former elementary science teacher was excited for this news. Turns out, Jerry from Hardwick (our neighboring town) drove all the way down to Townshend the same day we did.
Us: visiting a new library.
Him: giving a butterfly talk.
Jerry brought a Kodak slide projector and a t-shirt craft to accompany his event. I was ecstatic about this timing, and hoped it was ok if a few adults crashed the party. I made a mental note to let the kids ask the questions.
Most kid questions centered around how Jerry killed the butterflies in the display cases. FYI: he finds some dead; others he puts in the freezer.
Facts I learned from Jerry’s talk:
Viceroys are common butterflies in Vermont that look like Monarchs. They have a line through their wings that distinguishes them from their more famous cousin who doesn’t even overwinter in Vermont (this will be important later);
Male monarchs have two black scent glands on their wings, a field mark you can use to distinguish them from females (this made me wonder about any gender queerness in the monarch species);
Insects in general (including butterflies) are in alarming decline globally;
The monarch is the Vermont state butterfly, which is a bad choice. It is in Vermont briefly during migration. The mourning cloak is a better choice.
I would like to call on Vermont’s elementary students—who have a tradition of studying the legislative process by proposing new state symbols— to advocate that Vermont adopt the mourning cloak as our state butterfly.
Hear me out.
State bird? Hermit thrush. Nailed it. Magical song, loves the woods.
State flower? Red clover. Absolutely. Ubiquitous.
State beverage? Milk. Yes. Turn that into cheese, butter, and ice cream.
State tree? Sugar maple. Anything else would be a crime.
State butterfly? Monarch!? An insect that passes through briefly and can’t handle the winter!? Vermont: wtf lol.
If you know a 4th grader, please help Jerry spread the word.
This small but busy library has a great children’s space in the basement. While waiting for the insect action to start, I read two books on display: one about the sheep to sweater process, and another about identity by bell hooks. What a gift to the world, bell hooks. Also, butterflies. And wool.
And libraries.
Fun post but also alarming about the decline of insects in general, not just monarchs...
Agree! Though! Okay I like Hermit Thrushes but they also are migratory and don't overwinter. (I know this because this was my issue with them a few years ago, I don't think I ever thought of a good replacement bird)