Please consider celebrating spring by attending a timely Brookfield Historical Society program on “Wolf Peaches, Poisoned Peas, and Madame Pompadour’s Underwear: The Surprising History of Common Garden Vegetables”presented by science and history writer Rebecca Rupp on Sunday, March 26th, at 4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall of the Pond Village Church. Hear the fascinating histories of ordinary garden vegetables. Rupp will discuss the stories behind many or our favorites, among them the much-maligned tomato and potato, the largely popular pumpkin, and Vermont’s dynamic duo of kale and the Gilfeather turnip (the Vermont State Vegetable). Learn how a 17th-century pirate named the bell pepper, how carrots won the Trojan War, and how George Washington was nearly assassinated with a plate of poisoned peas.

Rebecca Rupp has a Ph.D. in cell biology and biochemistry from George Washington University and now works as a professional writer. Rupp is the author of nearly 20 books for both children and adults and blogs on food science and history for the National Geographic.

The program and a community potluck dinner will follow the presentation co-sponsored by the Brookfield Historical Society and the Vermont Humanities Council. For further information contact Gary Lord, BHS President, at glord@norwich.edu.