A Boy Scout, Books ... and Butterflies

Visitors to the may come for the books – and linger a little longer to watch the butterflies in the newly certified garden/habitat near the building’s front entrance.

The butterfly garden began in 2008 as an Eagle Scout project of local high school student Brett Mason, who is now a senior majoring in finance at the University of Illinois.

Mason enlisted the help of members of local Boy Scout Troop 149 to plan, dig, level and plant the butterfly garden, which is now being nurtured and tended by “guardian of the plot” Judith Apke of Lemont.

Over the past few years, the Eagle Scout’s garden of ornamental grasses, Russian sage, purple coneflowers and other plantings has grown to include a wisteria vine gracefully draped over an arbor and two cherry trees, which were donated this spring by local Brownie Troop 88.

Apke pointed out that the Brownies, who meet at the library, “wanted to extend their appreciation by giving to the garden,” just as Japan donated cherry trees to the United States in 1912 to enhance the friendship between the two countries.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America, the planting of the cherry trees offers value for the wildlife while celebrating the Scouts’ commitment to the community, Apke said.

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