Today we had a book signing with the authors of Lilacs: A Fortnight of Fragrance on Mackinac Island. Here are some pictures from the event, plus some fun facts that our staff has learned about lilacs during this year's Lilac Festival.
◦ Lilacs belong to the sans family as the olive.
◦ Lilacs are edible.
◦ Lilac bushes can live over 100 years!
◦ The purple lilacs have the strongest scent compared to other colors
◦ Lilacs symbolize spring and renewal. They also symbolize confidence, which makes them a traditionally popular gift for graduates
◦ European colonists frost brought over their beloved lilac bushes to North America in the 1750’s
◦ Lilacs have been a source of inspiration for artists throughout history. Impressionist Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet both gave famous works depicting the beauty of lilacs in their paintings
◦ A lilacs smell can change depending on the season! A lilacs scent can change character based on the years climate. A cool spring and summer will trails a different scent than a hot season.
It was an honor to host Sue Allen and Jeff Young today! I am so excited about this brand new book about the lilacs on Mackinac Island. The rich history of Mackinac’s lilacs needs to be cherished and this book will help preserve them.
