This Founders’ Day, on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of its founding, NHSM is honoring one of Maryland’s great naturalists, NHSM member and supporter, Miss Jean Worthley. Some people are so iconic, they need only one name. Oprah, Tiger, Elvis, Cher. Miss Jean is no exception, as evidenced in the lyrics of the opening song (see below) for the MPT program Hodgepodge Lodge, whose over 700 episodes in the early 1970s inspired a whole generation of young naturalists.
Hodgepodge Lodge was but one vehicle for Miss Jean’s naturalist nature. She co-hosted On Nature’s Trail, also on MPT, with her husband, Elmer, wrote the Complete Family Nature Guide, was instrumental in the establishment of Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area, ran a local botany club, and was active in many organizations, the list of which reads like a who’s who of environmental organizations, NHSM among them. Jean served on the NHSM board and was editor of the NHSM newsletter.
Great naturalists don’t just explore and enjoy on their own. No. Great naturalists share their knowledge and passion with others. So many people working in nature centers, scientific organizations, state parks, government agencies, research institutes, colleges and other schools, museums, and, yes, the Natural History Society of Maryland can trace their path back to Miss Jean.
We can think of no better way to honor Miss Jean than to spend the evening sharing stories. All whose lives have been touched by Miss Jean are invited to contribute a story to the video archive. Stories must be no longer than 5 minutes in length. Click here to share your stories via the Flip platform. If you would rather send the video or story a different way, email nhsm@marylandnature.org. A select few will be invited to share these stories in person the night of the Founders’ Day Reception, our birthday party; there will be cake. Join us to pay homage to integral contributions from our past while celebrating our present and looking forward to our future.
For planning purposes, please RSVP. Please share with others.
“We’re off to the forest to see Miss Jean. / She lives in a house that is mostly green / Except for the chimney and windows and walls, / And one or two places just down the halls. / It’s filled with rabbits and newts and snails, / And fat little puppies that wag their tails, / A whale, a tiger, and elephants too. / [Spoken:] Well, maybe not elephants.” – Theme song to Hodgepodge Lodge