Island Winter People who hear that I spent my winter on an island in upstate New York typically have one of three responses. They're envious; they couldn't do it because they'd feel lonely; or ask, with dismissive incredulity, “Why would you freeze your ass off wintering in the Thousand Islands?” Glenn Sandiford
Synthetic Photosynthesis! Every so often, an obscure technical innovation really lights me up. In the fall of 2021, a team of German scientists published a report on their work injecting tadpole noggins with algae. Paul Hetzler
Growing Community in the Garden Each spring, about 20 families, swaddled in raincoats and fleece, don their rubber boots and brave the changeable April weather to begin rousing a little corner of Zenda Farms Preserve. Shannon Walter
Water Wellness Academic testing is like water testing in that a passing grade in one realm doesn’t apply to others. Just as an algebra exam won’t affect your history grade (or it shouldn’t) . . . Paul Hetzler
Potholes, Kettles, and Ponds, Oh My! It started out as a matter of curiosity. But it ended up being an adventure. Ever since the creation of the McFarlane hiking trail, we have enjoyed an occasional hike around the field within sight of the fascinating and historic Zenda Farms. Patty Mondore
All That Glitters Isn’t Green I never would have imagined that glitter could be a pollutant of concern. At my age, I need glasses to find a postage stamp – it’s a long shot that I could help pick up glitter. Paul Hetzler
A Kingfisher Tale One day we received a call from Kit Chubb. She had just received a clutch of seven kingfisher fledglings. They had been rescued from a deserted nest tunnel. It had been wrecked by road construction work along the high sandy road bank. Ralph Boston
Probably Good News – Coopers Hawk Did you know that many states and federal governments in North America passed legislation protecting birds of prey? Author Gerry Smith will explain . . . Sherri Leigh Smith
Swan Song Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw two large white UFOs, flying along the shoreline. I listened carefully and, sure enough, I heard that familiar whistling sound. I pulled out my camera and wildly aimed . . . Patty Mondore
The Mutants Have Landed The marmorkreb, a.k.a. marbled crayfish, is a destructive new species that first appeared in aquariums in Germany. . . They are here now, and your help scouting for them is both invaluable and essential. Paul Hetzler
Snowy Owls are back again! An active bird watcher in the North County reasonably expects to see several Snowies each winter - why? It involves climate change. Sherri Leigh Smith
Conserving Island Number Nine Local property owners understand the importance of conserving Island Number Nine and the impact that the Island has on the ecological and fiscal health of the area. Spencer Busler
Lips and Walls: Digging into Tree Decay Did you know that trees have an early-warning system? Apparently, they can signal one another about what type of pest has arrived on the scene . . . Paul Hetzler
