YOU LICHEN THIS WEATHER?

Last week, I wrote about the earth coiling up, ready to burst. This week I've been thinking about what was already here before the burst, before the mud, before any of it. The lichen on the wall out front hasn't moved in what may be thousands of years. It has a lot to teach.

Tue — 44° / 22° · AM clouds, PM sun
Wed — 48° / 27° · Sunny
Thu — 53° / 33° · Mostly sunny
Fri — 65° / 46° · Mostly sunny
Sat — 56° / 34° · Partly cloudy
Sun — 58° / 46° · Mostly sunny
Mon — 76° / 61° · Cloudy

Walk any road in Litchfield County in early April, and you will pass a hundred of them without noticing. They live on the stone walls, the cemetery headstones, the north faces of old oaks. Grey-green crusts, powdery rosettes, and the occasional tuft hanging from a branch. We call them lichen and walk on.

There is more going on than it appears.

What looks like a single organism clinging to bark is in fact three partners living as one: a fungus, an alga, and a yeast, each belonging to a different branch of the tree of life. The fungus builds the house. The alga runs the solar panels. The yeast, discovered only in 2016 and overturning a century and a half of biological research, produces chemical compounds that deter predators. Beyond those three, there is likely a microbiome we haven't fully cataloged, living in the lichen body the way microbes live in soil, in seawater, in us.

For over 150 years, the two-partner model was considered settled science. A fungus and an alga, each providing what the other lacked, locked in a mutual arrangement so elegant it became a textbook example of symbiosis. It was one of biology's tidy stories, the kind that gets passed down through generations of students without anyone thinking to look harder. Then a researcher named Toby Spribille, working in the mountains of Montana in 2016, noticed something that didn't fit. Certain lichens that were genetically nearly identical produced wildly different structures and chemistries.

The two-partner model had no explanation for this. When his team looked more closely, they found a third organism woven into the outer layer of the lichen body, a basidiomycetous yeast so consistently present across species that it could not be a coincidence. It had simply been there all along, invisible to everyone who had been looking for a hundred and fifty years, because nobody had thought to look for it.

Individual lichen colonies on Arctic rocks have been dated to over 4,000 years old, older than any tree alive, older than most human civilizations. The granite wall at the edge of your field may be hosting something that was already ancient when these hills were first settled.

There is a concept in biology called the holobiont: the idea that what we call an individual organism is, really, always a community. Your body contains bacterial cells that outnumber your human cells. The border between self and not-self is blurrier than it appears. Lichens make this impossible to ignore. They have been living this way for so long, assembled so completely, that they move and reproduce as a single thing, and yet they are not.

The most durable things, it seems, are the ones that figured out how to need each other. Hopefully, we can do the same.

HERE IS A COOL VIDEO ABOUT IT

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Spots are filling up, but there's still time to grab yours. Bring a spouse, a friend, a neighbor, or that long-lost relative you keep meaning to reconnect with. Or come solo, as many of our guests do. Either way, no one leaves the way they arrived. We leave as friends, a little closer to each other, and a little more rooted in this community.

The correct answer to last week's question of which famous American author referred to mud season as 'the unlocking'? Answer - Kurt Vonnegut

Congrats to:

No one got it!

That was a tough one.

OK, that brings us to this week's question (no googling, please!)

Is lichen considered part of the plant family?

Each week, we’ll ask a question, and the winners will be announced the following week.

Just reply to this email with your answer :)

We've heard from many of you that the best way to support the Ledger is with some merch. So, voilà! Version one: A stylish hunter green corduroy cap, ready to accompany you anywhere, from a quick espresso at Krafted Brew to a refreshing hike up Cathole Mountain.

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The Ledger will always be FREE. But thank you to everyone who has donated recently. Your support means the world! We've been brainstorming ways to make supporting the Litchfield Ledger easier than ever, and we figured the best place to start was simply to ask. So, we put together a quick poll to hear what works best for you when it comes to supporting local media.

Gunn Memorial Library, Washington – Teens in grades 6–12 are invited to Makerspace Open Hours for a creative night of crafting, building, and designing. From jewelry and 3D printing to this month’s featured Cricut project—custom zipper pouches—there’s something for every creative mind. Registration encouraged. 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM CREATE

Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens, Washington Depot – Explore a vibrant Student Art Show featuring works from talented students across local schools including The Frederick Gunn School, Rumsey Hall, Shepaug Valley School, and Washington Montessori. Celebrate creativity and community with an opening reception on April 9 from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM. EXPLORE

Troutbeck, Amenia – Celebrate Passover with a hands-on Make Matzo workshop led by Pastry Chef Emma. Drop in to mix, roll, and bake traditional matzo from scratch, then take it home or enjoy it alongside a special Passover-style dinner. 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM BAKE

Woodbury Brewing Company, Woodbury – Experience an intimate live performance with Hannah Wicklund as she showcases her powerful vocals and storytelling in a stripped-down solo set. Enjoy an evening of soulful rock, original music, and craft brews in a unique up-close concert setting. 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM LISTEN

Oneglia Auditorium, Torrington – Rock out with JUMP – America’s Van Halen Experience, a high-energy tribute celebrating the iconic hits and electrifying stage presence of Van Halen. 8:00 PM ROCK

Washington, CT – Indulge in Washington Restaurant Week, a 10-day celebration of the town’s vibrant dining scene featuring prix-fixe menus, signature cocktails, and exclusive culinary experiences. From farm-to-table favorites to elevated comfort food, enjoy delicious meals alongside live music, arts events, and cultural happenings throughout town. DINE

Housatonic River Brewing, New Milford – Enjoy a night of classic rock with Already Gone – A Tribute to the Eagles, delivering all your favorite hits in one high-energy live show. Sing along, grab a drink, and relive the timeless sound of Eagles. 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM ROCK THE NIGHT

Hopkins Vineyard, Warren – Celebrate the season at the Hopkins Spring Market, a vibrant shopping event featuring local vendors, artisan goods, and fresh flavors. Sip wine as you browse handmade candles, jewelry, baked goods, and more, plus enjoy a special tasting from SoNo 1420 Distillery. 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM SHOP

Troutbeck, Amenia – Experience the Hudson Valley Magazine GATHER Culinary Event, an immersive multi-course dinner featuring a rare collaboration of top regional chefs. Enjoy locally sourced dishes, bespoke cocktails, and curated wine pairings in an elegant estate setting for a truly elevated culinary evening. 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM SAVOR

Infinity Music Hall Norfolk, Norfolk – Don’t miss the Rock n’ Roll Circus Benefit Concert, a high-energy night of rock, blues, and soul supporting local food pantries through United Way’s Stock the Shelves program. Featuring an all-star lineup including Jon Butcher, James Montgomery, and more, this is a powerful night of music for a great cause. 8:00 PM CIRCUS ROCK

Judea Garden, New Preston – Kick off the growing season at Early Spring Planting Day by getting your hands in the soil and planting cool-weather crops. This community gardening event is perfect for anyone looking to learn, connect, and get a head start on a fruitful harvest. 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM PLANT

Litchfield Community Center, Litchfield – Kids ages 8–12 can enjoy a full day of fun at Cooking With Kids Day, featuring games, teamwork, and a hands-on cooking experience with chefs from Ciesco Catering. Young chefs will learn the basics of the kitchen while creating kid-friendly dishes from around the world in a supportive, engaging environment. 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM COOK

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Thank you,
Patrick

See you soon! - Patrick