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Indigenous to North America, wild blueberries were revered by native Americans. Berries form a ve-pointed star at the blossom end; the Indians believed the “Great Spirit” sent these magical berries to relieve children’s hunger during a famine.

Located in an Atlanta, GA neighborhood, the Peachtree Heights East Duck Pond is an urban oasis open to the public. Built in 1922, the Duck Pond sits on a 7.5-acre tract of land. The park includes three well-maintained areas with a owing stream that feeds the lovely pond. When Eretus "Petie" Rivers, the neighborhood real estate developer, died in 1932, his widow deeded the Duck Pond property to a trust to be held in perpetuity for the benet of the Peachtree Heights residents. The neighborhood association maintains the park via association dues, fund-raising projects, event rentals, and community-work days. Clusters of blueberry bushes garnish the park periphery and were the focus for the snippet story.2

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Though they were abundant in the Northeast United States, wild blueberries were dicult to harvest and not conducive to domestic farming. In 1911, Elizabeth White, daughter of a New Jersey farmer, and Frederick Coville, a curious USDA botanist, teamed together to cultivate the highbush blueberry species, a farm crop. In 1916, the rst highbush blueberry crop was sold in Whitesbog, NJ. 4

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According to Clemson University, Department of Agriculture, there are three main types of cultivated blueberries that can be grown in the Southeast: rabbiteye, Southern highbush and Northern highbush. 7

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Fast facts on blueberries Blueberries can be eaten freshly picked or incorporated into a variety of recipes. They can also be purchased frozen. • Blueberries contain a plant compoundcalled anthocyanin. This gives blueberriesboth their blue color and many of theirhealth benets.• Blueberries can help heart health, bonestrength, skin health, blood pressure,diabetes management, cancerprevention, and mental health.• One cup of blueberries provides 24percent of a person recommended dailyallowance of vitamin C.• People who use blood-thinners, such aswarfarin, should speak to their doctorbefore increasing their intake ofblueberries, as the high vitamin Kcontent can aect blood clotting.Source: MedicalNewsToday 9

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