| Thank you for your support as I try to live my creative life following the wisdom of the late Toni Morrison: This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal. |
In my fourteen years living near Lake Michigan’s shoreline, I have yet to meet anyone who isn’t concerned about the deteriorating health of the lake. The question I am always asked is, “what can I do?” The upcoming presentations are designed to answer that question—with examples from across the region that I hope will spark creative thinking and fuel a desire to get engaged. Please join us.
On September 17th at 6:30 p.m. in the Herrick District Library in Holland, I am honored to be participating in a panel discussion on “Glocal Water.” Part of the Living Sustainably Along the Lakeshore Series, the forum will focus on water quality, quantity, distribution, and conservation locally and globally— i.e. “glocal.”
Joining me will be Dr. David VanWylen, Dean for Natural and Applied Science at Hope College. He will outline the challenges of global water scarcity as people, communities, and nations struggle to find safe, accessible, and affordable water.
Discussing local challenges with groundwater depletion created by our unique bedrock Marshall Sandstone formation will be Paul Sachs, Director of the Department of Planning and Performance Improvement for Ottawa County.
As for me, my presentation is titled “If It’s Not Okay, Then What?”
It is not okay that the health of Lake Michigan is at risk. Nor that the number and magnitude of the issues are increasing. There are things we can do, as individuals, to make a difference. But if we want to drive needed changes faster, more efficiently, we need to link arms and form teams. Following the example of forty-two fourth graders at Quincy Elementary School, we’ll explore how organizations can get involved in tackling the everyday issues that threaten–access to and the quality of—our water.
I also am thrilled to be speaking at the Hope Academy of Senior Professionals (HASP) on October 10th at 1:00 p.m. in the HASP classroom. The talk is titled “A Lake Michigan Love Song.”
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