Lucinda Berry teaches freshman composition at Eastern Illinois University to make a living. She writes
plays, visits art museums and goes to concerts – from opera to jazz to Indonesian gamelan, bikes, hikes and enjoys nature in order to have a good life. She is impressed by people who can identify birds and their calls. Recently, she and her husband were on the Canal Bike Trail in Indianapolis transfixed by the precise and graceful movements of a Great Blue Heron who was out for dinner; and puzzled by why no one else was stopping for a look.
Lucinda says:
My Wabash Valley Audubon story is a classic case of one thing leading to another! First, I went to a presentation on the Wabashiki. Phil Milliren was looking for volunteers to fight invasive species, and I thought, “I like going into the woods. Sign me up!” While having lunch that day, talk turned to the planter on Wabash WVAS was sponsoring, using native flowers instead of the typical petunias -- not that there’s anything wrong with petunias. I thought, “I’d like to know more about native species,” so I showed up to lend a hand. Phil, Brenda and Barb’s hands were all more competent than mine, but I discovered the magic of chicken manure, and got a free beer at Sonka’s as thanks for the beautification efforts.
Then, I was asked if I would agree to be nominated as an at-large board member. I didn’t even have to run a campaign! All I did was go to the picnic, which introduced me to a local park I had never been to. During the meeting part, incoming President Phil Cox asked for a volunteer to chair a committee on The Year of the River. I thought, “I always wished Terre Haute were more of a river town. Maybe things will develop if everybody gets behind the celebration!”
And finally, I’m being featured in the first newsletter profile because Marty suggested the idea, and I said it was a darned good one! I’m here to tell you, you can really go places in this organization. All you’ve got to do is volunteer!!!
Volunteer your Wabash Valley story for the next newsletter!