Some of you may recall the keynote talk at the Spring state meeting about
Wendell Barry. There is an article on PBS news saying that he passed away
today.
I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Mr. Berry and the life he lead. He was
from the same part of Kentucky as my father. He was also the same age as my
dad. So they grew up in a beautiful area and would have known the same
things. But, as I traveled through that part of Kentucky last fall I was
appalled by what I saw along the Ohio River. There were gigantic factories
along the river that stretched on for miles. Dow Silicones, North American
Stainless, Steel Technologies LLC are just some of the factories. It made
me sad. I loved that area I saw as a child when we visited family.
I’ve often wondered what Mr. Barry thought about those factories. I kind of
think I know the answer.
Sandy Berger
PS. There is a downed tree in the middle of the Arkansas River, between Van
Buren and Fort Smith. It has been chosen as a roosting site for at least 5,
possibly 6, species of heron/egrets including the White Ibis. There may be
a pair of juvenile Little Blue there too. It’s quite far from shore and is
getting quite dark when the birds arrive.
