Rain date Sept. 10

Big Lou the Emu, a beloved elder statesman of the Land Trust, passed away peacefully on July 28 after a three-week illness. He now rests at the rear gate of his enclosure, where so many of his friends spent time with him. He will be missed by the flocks of children who visited him daily, and by generations of adults who grew up bringing him his favorite treats. Lou’s exact age was unknown, as he was full-grown when he arrived in 1993, but he was in his 30s and the vet says that is very old for an emu. He was not just a neighborhood celebrity but a gentle soul and an inter-species ambassador reminding us that humans are only one among many species who share this planet. At this celebration of his life, all who knew him are invited to share memories of Lou and to testify to his impact on their lives.