Events and Activities : CP Friends of Library Butterfly Program Is Breath of Spring Air

Almost 30 people were thinking spring at the Friends of the Center Point Library "Attracting Butterflies" program by Dennis Schlicht, on March 3.

Five people also won drawings to take home books, from children's books including the Lorax, to Dennis's "The Butterflies of Iowa."

Dennis is a retired biology teacher and long-time member of the Center Point Public Library Board.

He reminded people during the informal talk and slide show to grow food for the caterpillars, not just the butterflies. Most species need very different plants in their crawling stage than in their flying stage.

Butterflies also need water. "Water attracts insects and children," is how Dennis put it.

"Don't be too tidy," he said, because butterflies need the shelter of brush and wood and rock piles (and those unkempt spots are good for wild bees too.)

Herbicides are bad for butterflies. Stinky rotten fruit perhaps with a drop of wine, or a little water in a flowerpot saucer fortified with manure and wood ashes, are good for them.

The next "thinking green" for Friends is the Saint Patrick's Day teen board game party from 5:30 - 7 at the Library Thursday, March 17. Game masters are Kevin and Becky Jones. There will be snacks and prizes. Wear green.