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Library hosts a celebration of spring and Hal Borland

NORTH CANAAN —  “April is a promise that May is bound to keep.â€� —Hal Borland.

Naturalist Hal Borland was perhaps best known for his many books, and what he called “outdoor editorials� that he wrote for the Sunday New York Times from 1941 until just before his death in 1978.

On Friday, March 20, at 7 p.m. at the Douglas Library, those who know his work will get a chance to celebrate it. Those who aren’t familiar with Borland’s work are in for a treat, as they get to sample it for the first time.

Around here, many also knew him as a friend and a chronicler, in poems and essays, of the beauty of the area. He was predominately a nature writer. Of his nearly 30 books, four are devoted to the human relationship with nature.

Borland and his wife, Barbara, moved here in 1945, and took up residence on a Weatogue Road farm. Heading north on Weatogue, a traveler winds up in Ashley Falls, near Bartholomew’s Cobble.

The theme of the North Canaan library event is springtime in theWeatogue Valley. Tammis Coffin and Rene Wendell, of Bartholomew’s Cobble, will show slides of spring flowers at the Cobble taken by North Canaan photographer Pamela Wyeth. Readings of Borland’s work will accompany the slides.

Library Board member Kevin Godburn said he has wanted to organize an event to honor Borland for a long time.

“He was so appreciative of nature and this area. Everyone should get to know who he was.�

Godburn said the library has a large selection of Borland’s books. He also plans to give away several from his own collection as door prizes on March 20.

Admission is free. All are welcome.

Lakeville Journal

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