Dressed as the famous explorer and naturalist André Michaux, author Charles Williams presented an enlightening program at the Tryon Garden Club meeting on Nov. 15.

Williams has spent years researching the expeditions of the famous French botanist throughout the U.S. and particularly in the Appalachian areas of Western North Carolina and Georgia. His impersonation of Michaux evoked the character and determination of the naturalist.

Williams is the author of The Annotated Memoirs of the Life and Botanical Travels of André Michaux, which includes the original biography of Michaux written by JPF Deleuze in 1804.

On Jan. 17, our first meeting in 2018, our Soil & Water district administrator for Polk County, Kelly Gay, will present “Responsible Stewardship of the Land and Waters of Polk County.” She will speak on protecting the soil and water on farms, public lands, and individual properties in our county and she will allow plenty of time for questions. The program is free and open to the public. The presentation begins at 2 p.m. at FENCE Nature Center.

FENCE is located at 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon. For directions phone 828-859-9021 or go to www.FENCE.org. The meetings are free and the public is invited to attend.

– submitted by Lucy Brannon