Spring always presents an opportunity for growth and renewal, and Springfield Masonic Community experienced that in full this year.
In March, residents received a delivery of live caterpillars to start growing their own monarch butterflies. They opened the boxes to discover clear, plastic containers that each had five caterpillars climbing on plastic logs.
It didn’t take long before the metamorphosis began. Within a matter of days, the caterpillars clung to the lids of their containers and began to form their cocoons. The creation of their protective shell, also known as a chrysalis, is a fascinating process. But the truly fascinating transformation is what took place next.
Once the caterpillars were in their cocoons, residents transferred them to a net enclosure to watch the rest of the metamorphosis take place. Over the next two weeks, the caterpillars transformed into butterflies and emerged from their cocoons. Residents watched the butterflies in their enclosures with awe before releasing them. Now they can watch them fly around outside, supporting the campus environment
as they pollinate
the flowers.
Waiting is the hardest part of the metamorphosis, but that’s something residents at Springfield Masonic Community know well. In March 2020, COVID-19 forced the auditorium on campus to close. Right as the caterpillars were transforming into butterflies, the auditorium reopened for the first time in three years – a true sign of the renewal of spring.
There’s no better way to celebrate the reopening of the auditorium than with a concert. Residents gathered for a performance by Al Mahan who travels across the country to perform more than 500 concerts each year. Everyone enjoyed his nostalgic concert and is looking forward to the next time he’ll be back to perform.
