It's almost Groundhog Day, gardeners! We know that we are in for six more weeks of winter, no matter if the groundhog casts a shadow or not, but we're now on the downhill side of winter, with spring in sight! Some of the seed catalogues seem to have picked mid-February as their "early bird" date for discounts for free shipping, so if you're planning to order any seeds, why not do it now, and then you'll have an interesting parcel to look forward to on a chilly winter day!
The other day, quite by accident, I learned about a very fascinating "pioneer" in the area of natural history, and she lived right here in Yorkton! Her name was Isabel Priestly; sit down with me for a few minutes and we'll get acquainted with Isabel.
Isabel was born in 1893 in England. When she was a young woman, she studied botany, but her future took a turn when she fell in love with a Canadian soldier, married him, and moved to Canada in 1918. Somehow, they ended up in Yorkton in 1935. Can you imagine the shock of the first prairie winter for Isabel? As a plant lover, she must have wondered if anything could possible survive the harsh winter! No doubt Isabel found a wealth of interesting prairie plants to study; she collected plants for Ducks Unlimited around Yorkton. As she worked on this project, a group of local boys went along with her, recording sightings of birds. In time, this gave Isabel an idea: to begin a newsletter for birdwatchers. This newsletter, called the Blue Jay, was meant as a way for interested birders to stay in touch, but also as a way to promote nature study and wildlife conservation. The first issue was printed in October, 1942.
Isabel was a hard worker for the cause dear to her heart, and in addition to being the editor of the Blue Jay, she was also president of the Yorkton Natural History Society. She was a bright light, a tireless champion of protecting nature. Sadly, her candle was snuffed out early and she died suddenly in 1946, just after she got the next issue of the Blue Jay completed. I read that this quote was in one of her last editorials: "We have always tried to present material in the Blue Jay in an informal manner, just as if two or three nature lovers had got together and were exchanging experiences." Doesn't she sound like a lady that you and I would like to have a cup of tea with, and share ideas about plants? I admire her for bravely following her dream and passion for nature, at a time when there probably weren't a lot of people making such a thing a priority. You blazed a trail, Mrs. Isabel Priestly!
In our own way, don't we each continue that quest as we strive to learn more about nature and horticulture? With that in mind, why don't you try to join us at the next meeting of the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society on Wednesday, February 15? It begins at 7PM in the Sunshine Room at SIGN on North Street. This will be the first meeting of 2012, and we have an interesting and fun year ahead! Do try to be there!
Till next time, browse through y our seed catalogues and send away for something: anticipating the arrival of a parcel of seeds will make spring seem closer! Have a good week!)
