In the Great Hall
"Underwater Life" a Photographic Exhibition by Norm Vexler
July 1- July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011 (1:00 - 3:00 pm): Artist Reception
Join us for a reception recognizing the current month's featured artist, Norm Vexler, in the Great Hall of the Discovery Center.
Norm Vexler, a resident of Amherst, Massachusetts has been involved with underwater photography for the past 20 years. His extensive travels around the world have taken him to some of the most remote and beautiful locations on the planet including Micronesia, Australia, Papua New Guinea, The Solomon Islands, Fiji, Indonesia and Thailand. His love for the ocean is reflected in his art as a photographer and his images capture the essence of the incredible natural beauty found in the underwater environment. Light refreshments will be served.
Friday, July 8, 2011 (7:00 - 9:00 pm): GFDC Friends present Coffeehouse Series
Doors open at 6:30 pm, concert begins at 7 pm. Refreshments available. Museum and museum store open at intermission. Donations ($6–$12 suggested) help the Friends support free programming at the Great Falls Discovery Center.
Join the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center to enjoy the 20’s and 30’s acoustic blues sound of “Same Old Blues.”
Saturday, July 9, 2011 (10:30 am - 2:00 pm): Second Saturday Children's Series
The second Saturday Children’s Series is a great way to explore pieces of nature. This time, we’ll look at petals and thistles. Test your matching skills and learn something new about the wild plants we live with.
Sunday, July 10, 2011 (2:00 - 3:30 pm): Watershed Poets and Their Rivers
Join us at the Great Falls Discovery Center for a FREE program. Obsessing about rivers and water is elemental for many poets. Come learn about the Connecticut River Watershed, including its tributaries, from the perspective of the poets. Hear from poets Emily Dickinson, Wallace Stevens, Frederick Goddard Tuckerman, and more! Weather permitting we may stroll along the Canalside Bike Path to view the Connecticut River and write our own interpretations of water. We will consider ways to honor the largest river in New England through words and through conservation. For more information call (413) 863-3221.
Tuesday, July 5th, 12th, 26th, 2011 (10:30 - 11:30 am): Kidleidoscope
Kidleidoscope is a kid-friendly, hands-on environmental experience for very young children presented in a fun, age-appropriate manner. Each topic includes a story, interactive games and activities, and a craft to help you and your child understand the world around us. Programming recommended for ages 3-6 with a parent or guardian. Each session will have a theme. Call 413.863.3221 or visit:
www.greatfallsma.org for more details.
Saturday, July 16, 2011 (10:00 am - 12:00 pm): Montague Sandplain Hike
Come learn about the story of fire on the Montague sand plain! Why is the landscape like Cape Cod, but the ocean miles away? Now’s your chance to explore a unique habitat designed by fire, ice, and sand. Find: Sand dunes! Scrub oak! Pitch pine! Blueberries! Join an interpreter for an introduction to the fauna, flora, and geology of this amazing and threatened habitat. Easy-to-intermediate difficulty hike. Bring water, bug repellant, and sun screen. Free. Registration required- call 413-863-3221 or visit
www.greatfallsma.org. Meet at the Great Falls Discovery Center to carpool to the site.
Sunday, July 17, 2011 (8:00 - 9:30 am): Canalside Nature Walk
Start the day off right with an early morning nature walk! We will leisurely explore level paved bike trails and village sidewalks. Meet outside the main entrance to the Discovery Center at 8 a.m. Learn about plants, animals, and mill town history along the Canalside Bike Path of Turners Falls. Topics may include birds, fish, invasive species, wildflowers, cultural or industrial history, and more! Please wear appropriate footwear, bring water, bug repellant, and sun screen. For more information, call 413.863.3221 or visit:
www.greatfallsma.org.
Monday-Thursday, July 18th-21st, 2011 (10:30 am - 12:00 pm): Junior Rangers
Starting July 18th and ending July 21st, the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls is offering a four-part science and nature education workshop for children as part of their 2011 Junior Ranger “Nature Kids” program. “Nature Kids,” for young naturalists ages 8-11, will meet July 18, 19, 20, and 21. Children and parents should meet at the Discovery Center lobby at 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls. All programs will start at 10:30 a.m. and will last about 90 minutes. Each day will have a theme. Junior Ranger “Nature Kids” programs are free and open to all. Space is limited- to register call (413) 863-3221 or visit
www.greatfallsma.org.
Thursday, July 21, 2011 (7:00 - 8:30 pm): Third Thursday Evening Program
Join Refuge staff as we present a different program on the third Thursday of each month. Thursday night programs are free, unless otherwise noted, and are adult-oriented, but families are welcome to attend.
This week, let’s learn about those mysterious mushrooms that inhabit the oddest places! Roger Monthey, from U.S. Forest Service in New Hampshire will help to enlighten us about these fascinating fungi.
Friday, July 22, 2011 (10:30 - 11:30 am): Fourth Friday Young Children's Story Hour
Join us the fourth Friday of every month from 10:30 am to 11:30 am for a story hour especially for children ages 3-6. After the story, you can join us for an age appropriate activity.
This week, it’s Anasazi the Spider. Let’s kindle an interest in our eight-legged friends!
Friday, July 22, 2011 (1:00 - 2:00 pm): The Boston Science Museum Presents: Reptiles!
Are snakes actually slimy? Why do snapping turtles snap? And most importantly, what makes a reptile a reptile? The best way to become acquainted with reptiles is to meet animals from the Museum’s Live Animal Center. Together we will answer these questions and many more while we learn about these incredible animals.
Saturday, July 23, 2011 (10:00 am - 4:00 pm): Visit the Investigation Station at the Front Desk!
Every fourth Saturday, visit the investigation station set up at the front desk. Investigation stations will cover a variety of topics throughout the year, and will have something to offer for all ages.
This week, let’s examine the differences between reptiles, fish, and amphibians. Some have slimy skin, others have scales. Come teach our naturalist all you know about these creatures!
Sunday, July 24, 2011 (2:00 - 3:30 pm): Watershed History: The Patch
A small patch of land sits in the middle of the Connecticut River at Turners Falls – sandwiched between the power canal on one side and the largest river in New England on the other. The history of “The Patch” is the story of industrialization, immigration, fish, birds, rocks, resilience, and more. We’ll explore some of these stories during a leisurely stroll through the little neighborhood with eight streets and paths through the woods and amazing views. We will meet at the corner of Avenue A and Eleventh Street in Turners Falls, near the canal side bike path to start our journey. For more information call (413) 863-3221 or visit
www.greatfallsma.org.
Saturday, July 30, 2011 (9:30 am – 12:30 pm): Pesty-Plant-Pulling Day
Help save the Connecticut River from a plant invader. Water chestnut is a pretty, but serious plant pest that can take over shallow waterways, obstructing boating and other recreational activities and crowding out native plants and the wildlife that depend on them. Staff from the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, the Connecticut River Watershed Council and Northfield Mountain are organizing a "plant-pulling day" in and around Barton Cove in Gill, MA. Participants will canoe to a couple of locations where plants have been found in previous seasons and look for new infestation locations. The plants, which are easily recognizable from their floating leaves, will be carefully pulled and put in trash bags for removal by truck to a place where they cannot do any more damage. After pulling, there will be a gathering in the Great Hall of the Great Falls Discovery Center from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. where participants can enjoy air conditioning, relaxing, and desserts! A confirmation email with what to wear and bring will be shared with registered participants. Pre-register by calling 413-548-8002 ext. 115. For ages 12 and older.