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There was a Bug Night-er who felt that now was the time to exercise the better part of valour.

They did not have the best tactical advantage. There was the late start, the uncooperative weather, the sand and algae…

“What do I do?” lamented one of the Bug Night-ers, “There are so many—maybe we should just leave now.”

Veteran Bug Night-ers and White Coats alike grew quiet. They had been in this situation before but no one had vocalized their plight. There had never been complaints. Everyone kept their heads down and worked. Now, they looked up and around and saw that they were vastly outnumbered.

“When I feel overwhelmed, I just take a few less bugs in my petri dish,” offered a veteran Bug Night-er but it fell on deaf ears.

“White Coats aren’t the same as White Hats,” continued the lamenting Bug Night-er, “What good are they in situations like this?”

“This” what? wondered the White Coats. They were concerned about the situation but it wasn’t different from previous years. There would always be more bugs. They were more concerned about group morale (and the dangling definite articles of an individual who seemed to be inciting a Bug Nights mutiny).

“The bugs are dead and not going anywhere,” said the female White Coat, “We have a few weeks left together.”

“I can identify bugs on nights and weekends when Bug Nights is cover,” said the male White Coat, “I find it relaxing.”

Another Bug Night-er offered to identify remaining specimens over the summer. Yet another raised her hand to do the same. A veteran Bug Night-er pointed out that any remaining samples could be mailed to a laboratory where paid people toiled throughout the day on our identifications.

The complaining and lamenting Bug Night-er fell silent; resigned to being out numbered by bugs and contented and ambitious colleagues. The signature companionable chatter of Bug Nights resumed, punctuated with the clicking of forceps and dissecting needles. There would be no mutiny this evening. The bugs in the jars and petri dishes didn’t look so numerous.

Those hordes are no match for the crack Bug Night-ers. We will see you on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 beginning at 6:00 PM sharp.

Tap on the windows or door to be admitted to the laboratory and join the ranks.

Learn more about Bug Nights at MerrimackRiver.org.

“My ‘scope feels sticky,” lamented one of the Bug Night-ers.

The White Coats exchanged meaningful glances as they prepared the materials for the evening’s session. Who hasn’t been stuck with a sticky ‘scope at Bug Nights? This was a busy laboratory with many students, eager for knowledge, cramming knowledge and candy all day.

“There are some wipes in the other room,” responded the White Coat-ette, “Just a damp paper towel could also do the trick”

“Have you ever had pink eye?” asked another, “Shouldn’t we be washing our eye cups, too?”

“Yeah, and another thing: how many people have handled these dissecting needles?” asked a germophobic Bug Night-er.

“Don’t sneeze or cough into your hands or on the Petri dishes,” advised the White Coat-er, “You can go down the hall and wash your hands once in a while.”

As the evening progressed, the conversations narrowed to focus on recent outbreaks of a variety of virulent respiratory and digestive tract illnesses striking friends and family. It had been a tough winter.

“There are a lot of nasty bugs going around this time of year,” allowed a Bug Night-er.

As if on cue, the germophobic Bug Night-er rose abruptly and headed down the hall. She returned quickly; ashen and shaking.

“There’s a lot of bugs going around there, too.”

Wash your hands and then come to Bug Night. You can wash your hands again when you arrive at the luxurious washrooms down the hall. We will see you on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 beginning at 6:00 PM sharp.

Make sure your hands are clean when you on windows or door to be admitted to the laboratory and washrooms.

Honestly, she thought, the attention to simple details seems to be all but gone. How hard can it be?

As she walked along Silk Farm Road, she could not help noticing the consternation in their faces. The confusion in their eyes. The frustration that emanated from their pores. She overheard snippets of conversations as they passed one another.

“Bug Nights. I just need to get to Bug Nights before all the good forceps are taken.”

“I heard that if you get there late you get a dim bulb ‘scope.”

“The White Coats said it would be easy to find the laboratory.”

They looked like bugs themselves; albeit with less purpose and no organization. They swarmed in every direction but that of the Lindsey Center. Given that they were walking in multiple directions, it was clear that they were lost. She had to intervene.

“Who wants to go to Bug Nights?” she shouted to no one in particular. Everyone froze. Slowly, they turned in her direction.

“It’s easy, just look for the building with the observatory-style tower on the front. It’s practically the tallest building on campus. You can see it from Pleasant Street…”

All eyes turned west.

“You can’t miss it,” She said as she turned to face the tower herself, “It’s…”

You can’t miss it because we would miss you. This could be the night when we get all samples off sorting trays and into jars for, well, more sorting. Don’t let us miss you on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 beginning at 6:00 PM sharp.

When you arrive, resist the urge to scale the building and windows. Just tap on windows or door so that one of your new or returning friends can admit you. Everyone is welcomed for some serious roll-up-your-sleeves-and-get-down-to-some-serious-sorting.

We love the Bug Night people. We want them to be safe and happy and come back to Bug Nights for years to come. That is why we have made the decision to cancel the March 7, 2018 Bug Night. Right now, the forecast includes significant snowfall that will occur at what would have been our collective exodus from the laboratory. We look forward to seeing everyone on March 14, 2018.