December 2, 2019

Literature Appetizer

Ben Kusserow

Recently I just finished Appalachia North by Matthew Ferrence. In it, he recounts the complex relationship he still has with the land as a Northern Appalachian. Typically when I finish a book I write a Literature Appetizer to get people a taste of what they will find. Since his book is such a personal journey, I would not do it justice by recounting his life.

Many of his experiences reflect my own experience growing up in Western PA. So instead of condensing his journey, I thought I would condense mine.

The Hero’s Journey is a common literary structure where the hero of the story departs home to do a great act, and then returns victorious. My Northern Appalachian Journey is a bit different, but has a similar structure of three parts; Living in Water, Succeeding by Leaving, and The Mountains are Calling.

Ben Kusserow

February 24, 2019

Can a native species become alien?

Ben Kusserow

February 24, 2019

Last fall I was fortunate enough to visit the Association of Science and Technology Centers conference in Hartford, CT. While walking with some coworkers to dinner we found a beautiful owl stunned and walking on the road.

We did our best to guide it off of the road where it could rest on the sidewalk. Some local police officers came and told us they would make sure this owl got back “to where it belonged.”

I had been in this city less than 24 hours, but was I more ‘native’ to this cityscape than this owl? When does one become native? Can you lose that title?

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