A Shout Out for the Legacy of Thornton Burgess

Growing up in Hyannis I spent a lot of time in the Hyannis Public Library as a kid and it was there that I discovered the wonderful world of Thornton Burgess. Peter and Mrs. Rabbit, Jimmy Skunk, Bobby Raccoon, Joe Otter, Grandfather Frog and Reddy Fox soon became wonderful friends in my imagination and helped fuel my ongoing love of nature.

"Old Mother West Wind," the first published collection of Burgess stories, is 100 years old this year and the Thornton W. Burgess Society in Sandwich has a full calendar of events and exhibits ready to celebrate all year long. You can see the calendar here.

As many of you know I write several weekly nature columns. I also write a monthly column and occasional articles and essays for the Barnstable Patriot. Today they published my essay on Thornton Burgess and you can read it here. (scroll down until you see the illustration)

(the photo was taken by me at the Thornton Burgess Society's Green Briar Nature Center but is not current)