A couple of decades ago when I first started interpretive work, I’d take school groups on tours of the marsh along the Token Creek boardwalk and have them interact with plants: smelling mints, popping jewelweed seed pods, and listening to aspen leaves whisper in the wind. If only I’d stopped there, but instead I’d have them carefully feel the nettle.

Feeling nettle worked for the first few classes because I’d pick off a few leaves which have only 3 or 4 stinging hairs along the stem, let a few students rub a single hair on the back of their hand, and have them describe the sensation. It itched. But all went awry when the boys of one overactive class, in a display of macho youth, plunged their arms into the nettle, and before I could stop them, the whole class joined in.

It didn’t take long for them to regret shaking hands with “itch weed.” The cure for nettle stings is juicy jewelweed stems or leaves of dock rubbed on while slowly chanting, “Nettle in, Dock; Dock in, Nettle out; Dock rub the Nettle out,” But neither plant was nearby, and I was desperate to get the situation under control.

I had the kids pull up handfuls of green grass to rub on their arms. The cool grass relieved the itch and my fast, confident talking distracted them. This grass, I explained, was the best placebo for nettle stings in the whole marsh, and in a few minutes all was under control again.

Meanwhile the impressed first year teacher was busily taking notes and asked if placebo was the common name or Latin name of this grass. I suggested she look it up later.

It has been a busy year with even a busier one on the horizon. Your great support throughout 1998 has helped Dane County Parks accomplish many of its objectives in customer service, resource protection, education and management of facilities and properties. Thank you from all of us and Happy New Year !