October 2018 program listings at the Great Falls Discovery Center

A Museum about the Connecticut River’s Natural, Cultural, and Industrial History


All programs are free to the public unless otherwise noted, such as a suggested donation. Free admission to the museum. Facilities are accessible.

Open Hours

October 1—14: Open 7 days a week 10:00 am — 6:00 pm



October 17 –31: Open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 am—4 pm



October 1-7 Great Hall History Exhibit: DCR

125 Years of Stewardship and 15 years of Discovery

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation is celebrating 125 years of Stewardship. In 1893, DCR’s foundation began with the creation of a regional system of parks to preserve our natural resources for the public as the city of Boston continued to expand. In October 2003, the Great Falls Discovery Center opened its doors for the first time in a public open house. We welcome you all to the Great Hall once again, this week to view the history of Massachusetts State Parks and to celebrate 15 years of Great Falls discoveries here at the center.



October 9 – 28

Great Hall Art Exhibit: Migrations

Art in celebration of the Third Annual Migrations Festival. Join us on October 27th 5:00-7:30 pm for the Festival.



Saturday, October 6

10:30-11:30 am

Leaf Peeping Bike Path B-I-N-G-O

Kids - grab your parents and we’ll go exploring! All ages are welcome as we practice examining the natural world with field guides, binoculars, and a fun game to see just how much you can see! For this special edition of bike path bingo, we focus on the amazing New England fall color right outside our doors. Meet at the main entrance to the Center. Please bring water and wear layers and sturdy shoes.



Three Fridays in October

10:30–11:30 am

Kidleidoscope Story Hour

10/12: Squirrels; 10/19: Bear; 10/26: Bats

Come learn about our wildlife neighbors who share our home in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, interactive games, and a craft to introduce young children to wildlife along the river. Meet in the Great Hall. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Siblings and friends welcome.



Friday, October 12

7:00–9:00 pm

Great Falls Coffeehouse presents: The Nite Caps

Classic roots country music and Western swing. Each month the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center host an evening coffeehouse with local talent. Refreshments available. Suggested donations to support educational programming at the Center. Museum and museum store open during intermission.



Sunday, October 14

1 pm

Naming the Land: History of the Pioneer Valley Association

A talk with Mike Jackson

“Pioneer Valley” is a phrase invented to entice urban residents in their new motorcars to vacation in rural Western Massachusetts. A Montague Cultural Council grant program.



Saturday, October 20

2-6 pm

Great Falls Harvest Festival (aka Pumpkin Fest)

Discover us on Avenue A! We are joining the fray of harvest fun once again this fall. Kids and families— make fall seasonal animal crafts at our outdoor tables near the corner of Avenue A and 2nd Street from 2-6 pm. Enjoy our museum exhibits during our special extended open hours from 10 am to 6 pm.



Saturday, October 27

1-5 pm

Monarch Butterfly StoryWalk® — Gotta Go! Gotta Go!

As part of our Third Annual Migration Festival celebration, we are reprising our monarch butterfly StoryWalk®. Join us for a migratory journey at the Discovery Center, as we read together the story of “a teeny-tiny creepy-crawly bug” (a Monarch butterfly caterpillar) in Gotta Go! Gotta Go! The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.



Saturday, October 27

5:00-7:30 pm

Third Annual Migrations Festival

We would be honored for you to join us at the 3rd Annual Migrations Festival, a celebration of human and natural biodiversity. Come enjoy art, music, dance and traditional food offered by the diverse local people of the upper Connecticut River Valley. Free and open to all. Sponsored by DCR, Montague Catholic Social Ministries, RiverCulture, and the people of Turners Falls.



Wednesday, October 31

Annual Rag Shag Parade, All along Avenue A

Special Halloween open hours until 6 pm because we have candy! The Turners Falls VFW invites all ghouls, goblins, and ghosts to a parade along Avenue A. Meet at Food City Parking lot at dusk for the parade.
 

June 2018 program listings at the Great Falls Discovery Center

The Great Falls Discovery Center’s current seasonal hours: Open Every Day - 7 days a week, 10am to 4pm.
Extended Summer hours begin June 23 – open 7 days a week – 10 am to 6 pm.

All programs are free to the public unless otherwise noted. Free admission to the museum. Facilities are accessible.

June 2—June 30
Great Hall Art Exhibit: Flora and Fauna Quilts
Leslie Cook and Anneke Corbett celebrate Nature’s bounty through traditional and contemporary quilts.

Saturday, June 2
10 am-2 pm
13th Annual Family Fishing Day
Join us for a day of FREE fishing fun! Adults and children of all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Event is held rain or shine. Parking is free at each site. Ride the FREE Fish Bus shuttle between sites!
At Barton Cove Campground: Barton Cove Road in Gill
· Free fishing from 10:00am to 2:00pm!
· Fishing equipment provided - limited supplies available. Bring your own pole if you have it.
· No fishing license needed.
At Great Falls Discovery Center: 2 Avenue A
· Fly lure tying demonstrations.
· Fly fishing casting demonstrations.
· CATCH THE FISH BUS HERE! Free shuttle bus provided to and from Barton Cove every half hour, or as needed from 10 am to 1 pm.
At Turners Falls Fishway: 15 First Street
· Fish printing - The art of Gyotaku, from noon to 2:00pm.
Thank you to all of our partners for making this event possible: MassWildlife, Western Mass Fly Fishermen, First Light, Turners Falls Fishway, Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, and volunteers!

Sunday, June 3
1-3 pm
Artist Reception Great Hall Exhibit: Flora and Fauna Quilts
Two New England quilters Leslie Cook and Anneke Corbett, practicing different forms of the art, celebrate their love and vision of Nature’s bounty. Leslie’s elaborate traditional hand appliqué complements Anneke’s more contemporary wildlife images.

Friday, June 8
7-9 pm
Great Falls Coffeehouse presents: Sue Kranz and Friends
Original songs, covers, and a sampling of songs from various traditions accompanied with flute and guitar. Each month the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center host an evening coffeehouse with local talent. Refreshments available. Suggested donations to support educational programming at the Center. Museum and store open during intermission.


Saturday, June 16
6-8 pm
The Ninth Annual Massachusetts Walking Tour
The annual bipedal concert tour promoting local arts and culture. Since 2010, co-founders Mark Mandeville & Raianne Richards have organized an annual non-profit bipedal concert tour of Massachusetts in support of arts and culture for towns throughout the state. Each free community concert collaborates with local artists, musicians, educational programs, trail managers and land trust groups to highlight both artistic diversity and recreational land use. With each visit, a community has pulled together and taken part in a dialogue which serves to strengthen local investment in the arts. From June 15 - 27, 2018, the Massachusetts Walking Tour visits towns along the Connecticut River Paddlers’ Trail - hiking and paddling to eleven community concerts. Free. Sponsored by the Montague Cultural Council. For more information visit www.masswalkingtour.org.

Sunday, June 24
10:30-11:30 am
Bike Path B-I-N-G-O!
Kids - grab your parents and we’ll go exploring! All ages are welcome as we
practice examining the natural world with field guides, binoculars, and a fun game to see just how much you can see! Meet at the main entrance to the
Center. Please bring water, bug spray, sunscreen and wear sturdy shoes.

Friday, June 29
10:30-11:30 am
Kidleidoscope Story Hour—Eagles
Come learn about our wildlife neighbors who share our home in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, interactive games, and a craft to introduce young children to wildlife along the river. Meet in the Great Hall. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Siblings and friends welcome.

Saturday, June 30
1-2 pm
Friends Annual Meeting with Guest Speaker
Dale Monette on the Secret Lives of the Quabbin Reservoir
Meet the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center and learn how you can become a friend too! Then join us for a special presentation from Dale Monette on the Quabbin Reservoir. Free. ?

###

--Janel Nockleby
Visitor Services Supervisor
Great Falls Discovery Center
Connecticut River Greenway State Park
Mass Parks, Department of Conservation & Recreation
2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376
Current office hours Wednesday through Sunday 8 am to 4:pm
janel.nockleby@state.ma.us
(413) 863-3221
 

April 2018 program listings at the Great Falls Discovery Center

The Great Falls Discovery Center current seasonal hours are that we are open 5 days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, 10am to 4pm. All programs are free to the public unless otherwise noted. Free admission to the museum. Facilities are accessible.



April 6—May 30 Great Hall Exhibit: Seen/Unseen, portraits by Cindi Oldham
A conceptual watercolor portrait series that explores what it means to be seen, yet unseen at the same time.

Three Fridays in April
10:30-11:30am
Kidleidoscope Story Hour
4/13: Ducks; 4/20: Bobcats; 4/27 Who Lives in a Tree?
Come learn about our wildlife neighbors who share our home in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, interactive games, and a craft to introduce young children to wildlife along the river. Meet in the Great Hall. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Siblings and friends welcome.

Friday, April 13
7-9 pm
Great Falls Coffeehouse presents: Lenny Zarcone
Frank Sinatra tunes, the great American songbook, jazz standards, and pop music. Long time internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter folk musician. Each month the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center host an evening coffeehouse with local talent. Refreshments available. Suggested donations to support educational programming at the Center. Museum and store open during intermission.

Saturday, April 14—Sunday, April 22
April School Vacation Week—Open Every Day All Week!
We are expanding our spring hours this week so stop by the welcome desk for Earth Week investigation stations, habitat diorama scavenger hunts, and games to explore the grounds. Bring your bike for the Canalside Rail Trail.

Saturday, April 14
10:30-11:30am
Teaching Creatures presents: Animals of Spring
Hurray for Spring! Join Rae Griffiths of Teaching Creatures as she talks about what animals were doing all winter and what they are up to now that spring has arrived. Meet in the Great Hall, as Rae brings amphibians, reptiles, and a mammal or two to help us all celebrate the new season. This program is free and for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Sponsored by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center. Come early as seating may be limited.

Saturday, April 14
4-5 pm
Full Disclosure Festival: RADICAL INTERCONNECTEDNESS
“from Walt, from me, to You” by Katherine Adler
Tickets are $15 for this festival happening all evening in Turners Falls. One ticket is good for the whole festival! Art includes original dance, theater, music, spoken word, and installation art in downtown Turners Falls. “from Walt, from me, to You” by Katherine Adler explores the universality and depth of one of America’s most revered poets, Walt Whitman. For a full schedule to RADICAL INTERCONNECTEDNESS visit http://www.eggtooth.org or www.turnersfallsriverculture.org.

Friday, April 20
1—2 pm
Meet Toto the Tornado Kitten
After a terrible tornado in 2011 in Brimfield, MA, the clean-up crew found an itty-bitty kitten in the wreckage. The courageous kitten was named Toto and nursed back to health by a rescue worker named Jonathan and by others. Jonathan went on to write a children’s book about Toto’s adventure. Join the author and Toto too for a read-along of Toto the Tornado Kitten and celebrate those who help others! Sponsored by Montague Public Libraries.

Sunday, April 22
10 am -2 pm
Earth Day Open House: Put Yourself in the Big Picture
All ages are welcome to join us for activities and games to help you make a difference in the Connecticut River Watershed. Our exhibits ask: how have people helped or hurt the habitats in our watershed? What will you do to help?

Saturday, April 28
10 am—12 pm
Park Serve Day: Give a Day, Make a Difference
The Department of Conservation and Recreation invites you to the Great Falls Discovery Center to lend a hand during this day of volunteer service to our state parks. To discuss any special accommodations or needs you may have for the day, please call (413) 863-3221. To register please visit www.mass.gov/dcr.

Saturday, April 28
1:30—3:30 pm
Great Hall Exhibit Artist Reception: Cindi Oldham’s Seen/Unseen
Seen/Unseen is a conceptual portrait series that explores what it means to be seen, yet unseen at the same time. The viewer can see the subject’s likeness in their portraits while learning a little bit about each one of them by reading the narratives that correspond with them. You may learn something about them that is often overlooked, something that one can only notice when they take a second look, or something that has been right there in plain sight, yet invisible. Until now. Sponsored by The Western Mass Recovery Learning Community.

Sunday, April 29
10 am—4 pm
Celebrate Massachusetts Art Week with “Your Exquisite Corpse”
Join Nina Rossi for a collaborative and interactive exhibit based on the Surrealist game of Exquisite Corpse. Figure paintings with the Head/Shoulders and Legs/Feet executed by two different artists will be exhibited. Accompanying each figure will be a short text or poem also created by multiple writers and poets. Visitors will have opportunities to interact with the event, including a chance to have the artists and writers use them as inspiration. They may have their head/Shoulders or Legs/Feet photographed by the artists for use in the Exquisite Corpse project. Visitors can watch artists create Exquisite Corpse paintings from photo sources during event. They may contribute random text for use in the stories that complete each Exquisite Corpse.
 

February 2018 program listings at the Great Falls Discovery Center

The Great Falls Discovery Center current seasonal hours are that we are open 5 days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, 10am to 4pm. We are open all week for school vacation week, February 17 – 25. All programs are free to the public unless otherwise noted. Free admission to the museum. Facilities are accessible.

February 17—April 1
Great Hall Family Learning Exhibit
Reading the Rocky Book of the Past:
Dinosaur Footprints in the Connecticut River Valley
An exhibit about the 19th-century discovery of dinosaur footprints in the Connecticut River Valley and local people, like Dexter Marsh and Edward Hitchcock, who played starring roles in the story. Designed for fun family learning by Deerfield’s Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA), the space includes two simulated 19th century cabinets (precursors to today's museums), a “make your own collection” takeaway activity, dinosaur track reproductions and more! Be sure to come to the opening event Saturday, February 17, 1-4 pm. (During some of the larger events in the Great Hall in February and March, the exhibit might not be fully visible. Please check our events calendar or call 413-863-3221 to find out more.)

Wednesdays, February 7, 14, 21
1-2:30 pm Homeschool Science: Hands-on STEM
Sponsored by Montague Public Libraries
Topics this month: 2/7: River Otters; 2/14: Beavers; 2/21: Porcupines
The Turners Falls Carnegie Library offers homeschool science on Wednesdays with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and math. This month young scientists are invited to take a field trip to the Great Falls Discovery Center. Come learn about our wildlife neighbors who share our home in the Connecticut River Watershed. Registration requested to ensure that we have enough supplies for everyone. Please email Angela at the library at arovatti-leonard@cwmars.org or call 413 863-3214.

Four Fridays in February
10:30-11:30am
Kidleidoscope Story Hour
2/2: Groundhogs; 2/9: Beavers; 2/16: Owls; 2/23: Coyotes
Come learn about our wildlife neighbors who share our home in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, interactive games, and a craft to introduce young children to wildlife along the river. Meet in the Great Hall. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Siblings and friends welcome.


Friday, February 9
7—9 pm
Great Falls Coffeehouse presents: Lisa Davol and Stephen Page
Traditional songs from the American songbook. Each month the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center host an evening coffeehouse with local talent. Refreshments available. Suggested donations to support educational programming at the Center. Museum and store open during intermission.

Sunday, February 11
12—3pm
Who Do You Love? Valentines for Wildlife
For all ages, stop by the Great Hall to make Valentines to give to the ones you love, keep for yourself, or give to your favorite wildlife biologist— all in honor of your favorite animal. Learn about your favorite animal’s habitat and how to help protect it. Co-sponsored by CFCE Playgroup, a free, fun, safe playgroup for Gill, Montague and surrounding area, promoting early literacy and school readiness.

Saturday, February 17
1-4 pm
Opening Event: Reading the Rocky Book of the Past
Dinosaur Footprints in the Connecticut River Valley
This opening event includes a variety of learning stations for all generations to enjoy: “meet” Orra White Hitchcock and try your hand at botanical drawing and painting; make an imitation fossil out of clay; see and learn about real fossils; make your own small collection of gems and shells; or relax with dinosaur books and puzzles and enjoy dino-themed refreshments. Sponsored in part by Massachusetts Cultural Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the members and donors of the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association.

February 17—25
School Vacation Week: Open Every Day All Week Long
We offer expanded winter hours this week so stop by the welcome desk for investigation stations every day 10am to 4pm. Investigation station topics may include dinosaurs, mammals, and birds. Come try a scavenger hunt or a habitat game!

Saturday, February 24
10:30-11:30am
Dinosaur Story Hour
A story hour with crafts and activities focusing on dinosaurs! For ages approximately 4 – 8, with a parent or guardian. Friends and siblings welcome.

###?


--Janel Nockleby
Visitor Services Supervisor
Great Falls Discovery Center
Connecticut River Greenway State Park
Mass Parks, Department of Conservation & Recreation
2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376
Current office hours Wednesday through Sunday 8 am to 4 pm
janel.nockleby@state.ma.us
(413) 863-3221
Attachments area
Preview attachment February 2018 Events -Great Falls Discovery Center.pdf
PDF
February 2018 Events -Great Falls Discovery Center.pdf
 

February 2014

In the Great Hall

19th and 20th Century Photographs: Children of the Swift River Valley in the Great Hall


Sat., Feb. 1 (10:30 – 11:30 am) Winter and Spring Pre-school Series: Groundhog Weather School!

Will the groundhog see his shadow this year? How long until Spring? Join Janel Nockleby for stories, crafts, and activities to find out more about this hibernating mammal and its mysterious forecasts. For ages 3 – 6 with a parent or guardian. Siblings and friends welcome.


Sat., Feb. 8 (1:00 – 3:00 pm) Opening Reception for Children of the Swift River Valley Exhibit

Family-friendly exhibit of historic photos focusing on the children of the Swift River Valley before it was flooded. This exhibit is presented by the Swift River Valley Historical Society and will be open Fridays and Saturdays through the end of March. Please join us!

Fri., Feb. 14 (7:00 – 9:00 pm) Great Falls Coffeehouse Presents: Fire Pond

Eveline MacDougall and Douglas Reid present a wide variety of music: old-time fiddle tunes, swing, roots music, Celtic, Eastern European, folk, gospel, and originals. The Valentine's Evening show at the Discovery Center will feature many types of love songs (love for the earth, love for each other, good jokes, family, chocolate, & community)! The concert will be geared for people of all ages & all walks of life.



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.


Sat., Feb. 15 (1:00 – 2:00 pm) Watershed Investigators: Bears!

It’s the time of year when bear cubs are being born in their dens and adult bears are thinking about coming out of hibernation. Come learn all about bears and what they have been doing all winter. “Watershed Investigators” is a kid-oriented program that focuses on hands-on discovery of local nature. Join refuge staff as we explore different ways to look at the natural world around us. Methods of discovery may include crafts, games, stories, and exploration. This program is geared towards grades 2-5, but everyone is welcome.

Thurs., Feb. 20 (7:00 – 9:00 pm) Greenfield Garden Club Presents: The Smith College Botanic Garden: Past, Present and Future.

This evening will feature two guest speakers. First, Cynthia Boettner of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge will present an update on new invasive species to the Franklin County area, and the things that can be done to prevent their spread. Following her, Mr. Michael Marcotrigiano, Professor of Biological Sciences and Director of the Botanic Garden at Smith College in Northampton will give a talk highlighting the past, present, and future of the Smith College Botanic Garden. Smith College contains over 8,000 taxa of plants that are housed within its outdoor gardens, glass houses, and Arboretum. Public is welcome!


Sat., Feb. 22 (10:30 – 11:30 am) Winter and Spring Pre-school Series: Where Are All the Animals Hiding?

Winter is a time for staying snug and warm for animals too! Join Janel Nockleby to investigate the secret hidden animal homes of the season through stories, crafts, and activities. For ages

3 – 6 with a parent or guardian. Siblings and friends welcome

The Great Falls Discovery Center is open om Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.

Call 1-413-863-3221 for info and/or field trip options for schools, senior centers or other area organizations
 

June 2013

In the Great Hall:
Paintings and Photography by Nicole Werth

June 2, 2013 - June 30, 2013


Sat., June 1, 2013 (10:00 am - 2:00 pm) 8th Annual Family Fishing Day
Adults and children of all ages can join refuge staff, staff from the state of MA, educators from Northfield Mountain, and volunteers in a day of fishing fun! Activities include: a live sturgeon exhibit, hands-on fly fishing demonstrations, fly-tying lessons, fishing at Unity Park, fish printing, aquatic insect investigations, raffles, and more! All equipment is provided and no fishing licenses are required to participate.
_____

Sun., June 2, 16, 30, 2013 (8:30 am - 9:30 am) Canal-side Nature Walk
Meet outside the main entrance to the Discovery Center at 8:30 am. We will leisurely explore level, paved bike trails and village sidewalks to learn about plants, animals, and mill town history. Topics may include birds, fish, invasive species, wildflowers, and cultural or industrial history. Please wear appropriate footwear, bring water, bug repellant, and sunscreen.
_____

Tues., June 4, 11, 18, 25, 2013 (10:30 am - 11:30 am) Kidleidoscope
Kidleidoscope is a kid-friendly, environmental experience for very young children. Each topic is based on the theme “we share our home” and includes a story, interactive game, and craft
activity to help you and your child understand the natural world around us. Recommended for ages from 3-6 years who must be accompanied by an adult.
_____

Sat., June 8, 2013 (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm) Artist Reception
Join us in the Great Hall to welcome painter and photographer Nicole Werth, and to view her exhibit, “Plants and Animals of the Connecticut River Valley: An Exploration of Native and Non-native Species from Canada to Connecticut.” Refreshments will be served.
_____

Sun., June 9 & 23, 2013 (2:00 pm - 3:00 pm) Habitat Highlights Museum Tour
Explore the center’s Connecticut River watershed dioramas in a guided tour of the special habitats along the river. Each habitat plays a vital role in creating a home or rest stop for the thousands of animals and plants that depend on the watershed. From bogs to estuaries to floodplains and more, we will explore the different types of homes that rivers create.
_____

Fri., June 14, 2013 (7:00 pm - 9:00 pm) The Great Falls Coffeehouse Presents: Mandeville & Richards
Lovers of Americana and old country music will enjoy Mark Mandeville & Raianne Richards, a folk duo from Massachusetts, whose combinations of familiar melodies and poignant lyrics are backed with delicate arrangements on ukulele, clarinet, guitar, and banjo.
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.
_____

Sat., June 15, 2013 (10:30 am - 11:30 am) Bike Path Bingo! Canal-side Nature Walk for Kids
Kids, grab your parents, bug spray, and sunscreen, and then we’ll go exploring! All ages are welcome as we practice examining the natural world with field guides, binoculars, and a fun game to see just how much you can see!
_____

Thurs., June 20, 2013 (6:45 pm) Museum Tour with Mural Painter Frank Gregory & Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center Annual Meeting
Meet the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center and learn how you can become a friend too! Then join us for a special museum tour with Frank Gregory at 7 pm, the artist who painted all of the amazing murals in the Great Falls Discovery Center exhibits. Get the behind the scenes scoop on how the museum was born! Light refreshments provided.
_____

Fri., June 21, 2013 Summer Evening Hours Start Today on the Solstice!
The center will be open every Friday and Saturday until 8:00 pm until September.
_____

Fri., June 21, 2013 (6:00 pm – 7:00 pm) Watershed History: The Grand Trunk Hotel
What was so grand about the Grand Trunk Hotel in Turners Falls? Right next to where the center is today, the hotel was built in 1872 and taken down in 1968. We’ll use our imaginations, old photographs, and testimonials to piece together the story of grand old days in Turners Falls.
_____

Sat., June 22, 2013 (10:30 am - 12:00 pm) Watershed Investigators: Creepy, Crawly, Insect Investigation
“Watershed Investigators” is a monthly kid-oriented program that focuses on hands-on discovery of local nature. Join refuge staff as we explore different ways to look at the natural world around us. Methods of discovery may include crafts, games, stories, and exploration. This program is geared towards grades 2-5, but everyone is welcome.
_____

Fri., June 28, 2013 (6:00 pm - 7:00 pm) Watershed Poets
Join us to take a new look at the natural world around you. Watershed Poets explores the plants and animals of the Connecticut River watershed as seen through the eyes of local poets. We will investigate birds, wildflowers, trees, the poetry of field guides, and the wonders of the watershed. Enjoy a lively discussion of works by poets such as Emily Dickinson, Frederick Goddard Tuckerman, Wallace Stevens, and more!
_____

Sat., June 29, 2013 (12:30 pm - 2:30 pm) Water Under the Bridge Bike Tour
Join us for a leisurely two-hour bike tour along the Turners Falls Bike Path that highlights the history of the bridges in Turners Falls and Montague City. Come learn about the many challenges associated with getting over the Connecticut River historically in our villages. Bring your bike, water, bug spray, helmet, and sun block.


____________________________________
 

In the Great Hall

October 1-31, 2011 Northeast Fall Photography by Eric Valentine

Interested in what draws people to New England in the fall? Come check out Eric Valentine's photography exhibit as he brings an Oregonian’s eye to the Northeast.

Oct. 1, 2011 (1:00 - 3:00 pm) Artist Reception

Come meet Oregon photographer, Eric Valentine, our featured artist, in the Great Hall of the Discovery Center. Light refreshments will be served.

Oct. 8, 2011 (10:30 am - 2:00 pm) Catch a Falling Star: Family-science fun…hunting for micrometeorites!

Would you like to catch a falling star (a micrometeorite, that is!) and put it in your pocket? Come to the Great Hall of the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 10:30 am and Holyoke Community College geology instructor Steve Winters will show you how!

Scientists estimate that about 22,000 tons of micrometeorite materials fall to the Earth every year. Most falls in the ocean, but some falls on land, and much of it ends up in our rivers. Our New England rivers (especially the Connecticut, New England’s longest) have collected, funneled, and preserved tons of micrometeorites over the years, and they’re just waiting for you to come find them and take them home!

Steve will guide you through family-science fun sifting through river sand with a magnet looking for tiny metallic beads—the most common form in which we find this special kind of cosmic dust. Sand, magnets, and microscopes will be provided.

“Catch a Falling Star!” is sponsored by the Friends of Great Falls Discovery Center.

Oct. 14, 2011 (7:00 - 9:00 pm) GFDC Friends present Coffeehouse Series featuring Zydeco Connection

The Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center host local bands, singers, and musicians in the Great Hall on the second Friday of each month. 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. Come catch the Louisiana blues beat with Zydeco Connection--dancing encouraged!

Oct. 15, 2011 (10:00 am-2:00 pm) WoW Express at the Great Falls Discovery Center

Come celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week with the Silvio O. Conte’s new Watershed on Wheels! Walk through an immersion trailer; try your hand at identifying 40 different critters to identify; test your grip compared to an eagle’s talon; play a web of life Jenga type game, and learn about your watershed! Cake offered to celebrate the Refuge System!

Oct. 20, 2011 (7:00 - 8:30 pm) Where do the birds around Turners Falls spend their winters?

Come join Scott Surner from the Hampshire Bird Club help kick off our fledgling group of birders! Scott will share some remarkable information about bird migration and highlight what we can look forward to when spring comes our way. And where do the birds that we see here in the Turners Falls area go in the winter anyway? And, how about the birds that stay local? Why is that? Are you interested in birding? Would you like to learn the answers to these questions and more? Come to this program and let's learn together and get this group flying.

Oct. 22, 2011 (10:00 am - 4:00 pm) Visit the Investigation Station at the Front Desk-

All about pumpkins!

This months’ investigation station be set up at the front desk will cover all aspects of pumpkins. A craft activity will also be available for younger visitors.

Oct. 28, 2011 (10:30 - 11:30 am) Fourth Friday Young Children's Story Hour

Join us the fourth Friday story hour featuring animals of the night in honor of Halloween. Have your little one wear a costume if they would like. There will be a craft activity and prizes! This hour is especially for children ages 3-6.


Sarah A. Bevilacqua
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
Great Falls Discovery Center
2 Avenue A
Turners Falls, MA 01376
413.863.3676
 

In the Great Hall
Photography by Rollin Atkinson

August 1 – 31, 2011


Tuesday, August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (10:30 am – 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: squirrels (8/2), bees (8/9), bats (8/16), moose (8/23), and butterflies (8/30). Call 413.863.3221 or visit: www.greatfallsma.org for more details.

Saturday, August 6 (8:00 am – 9:30 am) “Know Where You Live” Nature Walk

“That’s In My Backyard?” Come explore plants and history with us on the bike path. Meet at the Discovery Center. All ages and interests welcome. Flat terrain along the canal-side bike path.

Saturday, August 6 (1:00 pm – 3:00 pm) Artist Reception

Join us for a reception recognizing Rollin Atkinson, whose work is featured in the Great Hall for the month of August. Light refreshments available.

Sunday, August 7 (2:00 pm – 3:30 pm) Watershed Poets and Watershed Wildflowers

Join us at the Great Falls Discovery Center for a FREE program. Obsessing about wildflowers is quite natural for poets. Come learn about the wildflowers of the Connecticut River Watershed and the poets here who have loved them. Hear from poets Emily Dickinson, Frederick Goddard Tuckerman, and more! Weather permitting we may stroll along the Canal-side Bike Path to view wildflowers and write about them ourselves. We will consider ways to honor our own favorite wildflowers through words and through conservation. For more information call (413) 863-3221

Friday, August 12 (7:00 pm – 9:00 pm) GFDC Friends presents Coffeehouse Series

The Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center host local bands, singers, and musicians in the Great Hall on the second Friday of each month. 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.

Tonight, Al Canali & Small Change will help us beat the heat with cool swing, jazz, country, folk, a capella, and a few other genres that defy categorization.

Saturday, August 13 (10:30 am – 2:00 pm) Second Saturday Children’s Series: Dinosaur Footprints

If you were around millions of years ago, you'd have to watch out for towering dinosaurs as they walked this earth. Stop by the Great Hall today between 10:30 and 2:00 to check out some dinosaur footprints and explore a creature from a distant past!

Saturday, August 13 (2:00 pm – 6:00 pm) Turners Falls Block Party!

Join us on the grounds of the Great Falls Discovery Center for activities, displays, and crafts about the natural world during this town-wide celebration of Turners Falls.

Sunday, August 14 (2:00 pm – 3:30 pm) Watershed Poets and Watershed Birds

Join us at the Great Falls Discovery Center for a FREE program. How many ways can you look at a blackbird? Wallace Stevens found thirteen. Emily Dickinson knew that the oriole was “a Pleader – a Dissembler – an Epicure – a Thief.” Obsessing about birds is quite natural for poets. Come learn about the birds of the Connecticut River Watershed and the poets here who have loved them. Consider ways to honor your own favorite avian friends through words and through conservation. For more information call (413) 863-3221.

Thursday, August 18 (7:00 pm – 8:30 pm) Turners Falls: A Planned Industrial Community- History of its Early Development (1866-1914)

Join Refuge staff as we take a virtual walk through Historic Downtown Turners Falls with Frank Abbondanzio of the Town of Montague. Learn about the power of the Connecticut River on the location and formation of manufacturing and milling within the community. This program is free and is adult-oriented, but families are welcome to attend.

Saturday, August 20 (8:00 am – 9:30 am) “Know Where You Live” Nature Walk

“They Live Here Too” Come explore animals and insects with us on the bike path. Meet at the Discovery Center. All ages and interests welcome. Flat terrain along the canal-side bike path.

Saturday, August 20 (11:00 am – 2:00 pm) Canoe Trip on the Connecticut River Water Trail

Join us for a FREE canoe trip, sponsored by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, starting in Montague City and following the Connecticut River Water Trail, a protected section of the river.

For ages 10 and up, more details to follow. Please call (413) 863-3221 for more details and to reserve your spot! It will be a leisurely paddle downstream viewing our unique natural history.

Friday, August 26 (10:30 am – 11:30 am) Fourth Friday Young Children’s Story Hour

Trees are amazing plants! Come check out some creative ways to study them!

Story hour is especially for children ages 3-6. After the story, you can join us for an activity or craft.

Saturday, August 27 (10:00 am – 4:00 pm) Investigation Station

Why are Monarch butterflies orange? Why do stink bugs stink? Investigate these questions and more in the Beetles and Butterflies station.

Visit the Investigation Station on the 4th Friday of each month (located at the front desk). A variety of topics are covered throughout the year.

Sunday, August 28 (8:00 am – 9:30 am) Canal-side Bike Path 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 am. Learn about plants, animals, and mill town history along the Canal-side 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 repellent, and sun screen. For more information, call (413) 863-3221.
.
 

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.
 

In the Great Hall

Nature Photography by Patrick Zephyr

June 1 – June 30, 2011


Friday, June 10, 2011 (7:00 pm - 9:00 pm): Friends Coffeehouse Series Presents: Daniel hales, and the frost heaves

The Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center host local bands, singers, and musicians in the Great Hall on the second Friday of each month. 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.

Daniel hales, and the frost heaves blend indie rock and psychedelic folk—as well as other genres—to create their own eclectic hybrid. The core of the band is Daniel: guitar, sitar, harmonica, and lead vocals; James Lowe: bass, kazoo, and vocals; Charlie Conant: guitar, dobro, and vocals; Ivan Ussach: drums, percussion, and vocals; and Emily Breines: violin and vocals.


Saturday, June 11, 2011 (9:30 am - 12:00 pm): GeoPlus River Walk

Ever want to go on one of those Turners Falls Geowalks but never got around to it? Here’s your chance! Steve Winters, now working as Holyoke Community College’s first full-time Earth Science instructor, will again make the geologic rounds in Turners Falls on Saturday, June 11, 2011. In addition to snooping under various shales and sandstones, Steve will also lead a group down to the river to look at rock worn flat by centuries, if not millennia, of water’s smoothing action. Most of Steve’s walk will be on pavement and sidewalks around Turners Falls (about 2 miles), and the short excursion to the river will involve some minor descent along the river bank (weather and water-levels permitting). Please wear appropriate footwear. “GeoPlus River Walk” starts at 9:30 am. Please meet in front of the Great Falls Discovery Center. We will return to Center grounds around 12 noon. (Rain date: June 18, 2011).

Sponsored by the Friends of Great Falls Discovery Center with funding provided by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration with the assistance of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.


Saturday, June 11, 2011 (10:30 am - 2:00 pm): Second Saturday Children's Series

Join us the second Saturday of every month for a day of children’s activities. Daily activities may include crafts, games, investigations, or outdoor adventures. Drop in anytime between 10:30 am and 2:00 pm for activities.

This month, discover crayfish and aquatic insects up close! Get your hands dirty looking through aquatic plants to discover what kinds of insects fish and other organisms eat. Additionally, look at crayfish up close to determine what features make them suited for the habitat that they live in.


Saturday, June 11, 2011 (1:30 pm - 3:30 pm): Water Under the Bridge Bike Tour

White bridge, red bridge, green bridge, one way, which way, fish way? Find out more! Join us for a leisurely two hour bike tour along the Turners Falls Bike Path that highlights the history of the bridges in Turners Falls and Montague City. Come learn about the many challenges associated with getting over the Connecticut River historically in our villages. How do these challenges compare with our current Gill-Montague bridge construction experiences? We will meet at the main entrance to the Great Falls Discovery Center at 1:30 pm on Saturday June 11th. Bring your bike, water, bug spray, helmet, and sun block. For more information: Call Janel at (413) 863-3221 or visit www.greatfallsma.org. Planned in partnership with Turners Falls RiverCulture for the Water Under the Bridge Music Festival.


Sunday, June 12, 2011 (2:00 - 3:30 pm): Watershed Poets and Watershed Wildflowers

Join us at the Great Falls Discovery Center for a free program. Obsessing about wildflowers is quite natural for poets. Come learn about the wildflowers of the Connecticut River watershed and the poets here who have loved them. Hear from poets Emily Dickinson, Wallace Stevens, Frederick Goddard Tuckerman, and more! Weather permitting we may stroll along the Canalside Bike Path to view wildflowers and write about them ourselves. We will consider ways to honor our own favorite wildflowers through words and through conservation. For more information call (413) 863-3221.




Thursday, June 16, 2011 (7:00 pm - 8:30 pm): Gordon Morrison: How to be a Field Artist

Come join us to hear nature artist and illustrator Gordon Morrison talk about how he does his work as a field artist—either to pick up some tips for your own work or to discover how an artist’s choice of work led him to a deepening commitment to nature. Gordon will bring along samples of his sketches, finished works, and book illustrations and will show us the kit of materials he keeps in his car just in case he finds an urge to draw from nature, which happens pretty frequently. This is your chance to learn about how art illustration is done, from an artist’s point of view.


Saturday, June 18, 2011 (10:00 am - 2:00 pm): Family Fish Day, Including a Visit from the Watershed on Wheels Express

The Great Falls Discovery Center's Sixth Annual Family Fish Day event takes place today from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Registration is at the Great Falls Discovery Center. Free raffle for everything from fishing gear to fishing trips! No need to bring any equipment, we have it all. Learn how to tie flies, cast fly fishing rods, and go fishing in Barton Cove. There will also be face painting at the Discovery Center and fish printing hosted by the Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center at the fish viewing station! Also new this year, tour the Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge's mobile visitor center the Watershed on Wheels Express. Investigate interactive kiosks about the Connecticut River watershed and explore the habitat immersion trailer. This event happens as a result of generous donations from local businesses with help from local volunteers as well as the State of MA, Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, State of MA, Department of Conservation Recreation, and the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. Come celebrate!


Sunday, June 19, 2011 (8:00 am - 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 am 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.


Sunday, June 19, 2011 (1:00 pm – 2:30 pm or 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm): Barton Cove by Canoe

Join Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center’s Dwight Harrison and Kim Noyes for an introduction to canoe safety, paddling on the Connecticut River and the magic of Barton Cove. Blooming mountain laurel, nesting bald eagles and ancient waterfalls are all part of this June paddling program at Barton Cove. The program is free and sponsored by the Friends of Great Falls Discovery Center with funding provided by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration with the assistance of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. Space is limited so early registration is encouraged by calling 413-863-3221.


Friday, June 24, 2011 (10:30 am - 11:30 am): Fourth Friday Young Children's Story Hour Explores Fireflies!

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.

We will be reading Fireflies! by Julie Binckloe, and then exploring the fascinating world of fireflies through an interactive activity. After the activity, we will have a craft available to help spur your child's interest in investigating fireflies further.


Saturday, June 25, 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 month investigate what fish eat! Look at what aquatic insects eat up close!


Saturday, June 25, 2011 (1:00 pm - 2:00 pm): New England Wildlife: Live Animal Program with Southern Vermont Natural History Museum and Friends Annual Meeting

Join Michael Clough of the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum to look at examples of New England’s wildlife. Live birds, mammals, and reptiles, along with New England wildlife artifacts will help the audience to learn about the many wildlife species that live in our forests. This program is appropriate for all ages. Call (413) 863-3221 for more details. The Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center will meet briefly prior to the program.


Sunday, June 26, 2011 (2:00 pm - 3:30 pm): Watershed History: The Grand Trunk Hotel

What was so grand about the Grand Trunk Hotel in Turners Falls? Come to the Great Falls Discovery Center to find out! We’ll explore the site of the old hotel, right next to the Discovery Center, that was build in 1872 and taken down in the 1960s, and then we’ll use our imaginations, old photographs, and testimonials to piece together the story of the grand old days in Turners Falls. For more information call (413) 863-3221 or visit www.greatfallsma.org.


Tuesday, June 28, 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.


Wednesday, June 29, 2011 (10:30 am - 12:00 pm): River Mammals with Naturalist Dawn Marvin Ward

Beavers, muskrats and river otters are all native to our wetlands and waterways. However; these fascinating creatures have lots of differences in their behaviors and lifestyles. Join along in this hands-on educational nature program that begins inside then venture outside to explore the banks of the Connecticut River for a close up look at the habitat of these curious creatures. Dress appropriately for weather conditions and footwear suitable for a rocky shoreline. For more info call the Discovery Center 863-3221 or Dawn 367-9562. This program is made possible with a grant from NOAA.

Note: In case of really inclement weather, activities will be set up for exploration and creativity indoors.



Laurel Carpenter
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge
Great Falls Discovery Center
2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376
(413) 863-3221
 

Great Falls Discovery Center is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm until May 14, 2011.
Starting May 15, 2011, Great Falls Discovery Center will be open 7 days a week from 10 am to 4 pm. All programs are free to the public unless otherwise noted.


May 2011


In the Great Hall
May 1-May 30

A Sense of the Refuge: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge 50th Anniversary Exhibit

Program Schedule

May 1, 2011 (10:00 am – 12:00 pm): Downtown Turners Falls Spring Clean-Up

Pitch in to clean-up Turners Falls. Meet in front of the Great Falls Discovery Center at 10:00 am. This clean-up is being put on by the Streetscape Committee. For more details, call the Discovery Center at (413) 863-3221.

May 13, 2011 (7:00 pm – 9:00 pm): Friends’ Coffee House Series Presents Kathy Chapman and Blue Moon

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.

Kathy sings songs about family, love and life’s challenges in a smooth, folk/rock, Nanci Griffith style. She has opened for artists like Bill Staines, and Garnet Rogers, and plays widely in the Pioneer Valley and beyond. Her band, Blue Moon, widens the repertoire to include classic rock and blues tunes from Patsy Cline to Jimmy Hendrix along with some original pop tunes written by guitarist and music composer Joe Pod. Joe, perhaps best known in the Valley as a member of the 70’s band, Spirit in Flesh, is also the owner of Avocet Recording Studios where Kathy’s first and second CD were recorded. On keyboard is Dick Amberman, her partner in Limited Edition and also a member of The King Bees, a long running blues band in the Pioneer Valley. Other musicians in the group include John Sorrentino holds down the bottom end of the rhythm section on bass and Daniel Scott keeps the groove going on drums.

May 14, 2011 (10:30 am - 11:45 am and 1:30 pm – 2:45 pm): Eyes on Owls- Live Owl Presentation

Program is free but space is limited- please call 413-863-3221 to reserve a spot.

Everyone loves owls! Yet, how often do you get to see an owl up close? Perhaps you've glimpsed the shadowy form of a Great-horned Owl in the beam of your headlights as you traveled a back road at night. Have you ever scanned a frozen saltmarsh or hayfield in winter, hoping to find that arctic hunter, the Snowy Owl? How about that mob of noisy crows circling a white pine tree? Have they found an owl? Join teacher/naturalist Marcia Wilson and author/photographer/naturalist Mark Wilson in sharing their passion for owls!

Owls of the World - Who's Watching You? introduces you to the owls of New England and beyond. Mark and Marcia share the field marks, signs and naturalist's skills that you can use to find wild owls without disturbing them. Next, you meet six live owls (from small to huge) up close. Everyone participates in a hooting lesson and learns tips on how to attract and protect owls near you. While the selection of live owls varies from group to group, chances are you'll meet New England's tiniest owl, the Northern Saw-Whet Owl (weighing in at 4 ounces) along with the world's largest owl, the Eurasian Eagle Owl (check out that five foot wingspan!). Other species that figure prominently in our program can include Eastern Screech Owl, Barred Owl, Barn Owl, Great-horned Owl, Snowy Owl and Spectacled Owl. Owl pellets and white wash are topics of great interest at our programs and we spend time dissecting these fascinating aspects of owl biology.

The 10:30 am program will be held in the Great Hall. If weather allows, the 1:30 pm program will be held outside.

May 15, 2011 (1:00 – 3:00 pm): Edible Plants of Spring Field Walk

Take a walk along the Canal-side bike path with Blanche Derby to locate and learn about edible plants that emerge in Spring. The walk will depart from the bike path entrance in Unity Park at 1 pm. In the event of rain, the program will be held in the Great Hall of the Great Falls Discovery Center.

May 19, 2011 (7:00 - 8:30 pm): Third Thursday Adult Speaker’s Series presents Lamar Gore on Birding

Join biologist Lamar Gore to learn some beginning birding skills. Lamar has been bird watching for well over a decade while working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Vermont, Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware, and Massachusetts. During the program, you will learn how to identify birds by look, behavior, and sound.

May 21, 2011 (1:00 – 4:00 pm): “Picture Your World” Photography Workshop for Teens

“Picture Your World” is a free photography workshop by two professional photographers and a naturalist especially for teens. The afternoon workshop will explore the basics of photography and build appreciation for the natural world surrounding the Connecticut River landscape. Discover the art of nature and landscape photography. Point and shoot cameras provided or you may bring your own. Workshop is for ages 13-18, and space is limited so please give us a call at 413-863-3221 to reserve you spot. Participants’ photos will be published in the The Montague Reporter. This workshop was funded by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center.


May 27, 2011(10:30 – 11:30 am): 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.

We will be reading Rainbow Fish Finds His Way by Marcus Pfister, and then making our own rainbow fish. This program is a great way to get your family interested in migrating fish, which you can view for free across the street at the Turners Falls Fishway, a fish ladder, after the program.


May 28, 2011 (10:00 am – 4:00 pm): Come see this month’s investigation station at the front desk!

The fourth Saturday of every month, come into the Discovery Center to learn something new about the environment! An investigation station will be set up at the front desk with interesting items for you to see. In May, we will investigate birds’ nests. Appropriate for all ages.



Ashley Dussold
Park Ranger, Visitor Services
Great Falls Discovery Center
2 Avenue A
Turners Falls, MA 01376

 

All programs are free to the public unless otherwise noted.

April 2011
In the Great Hall April 1 – April 30, 2011
Spineless Splendor Insect Sign Photography Exhibit by Northern Naturalists


Saturday, April 2, 2011 (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm): Artist reception for Turners Falls High School Students’ Fish Artwork
Come meet some of the young artists of a temporary fish-themed art exhibit in the live exhibit room. The exhibit will be on display until mid-May.

Friday, April 8, 2011 (7:00 pm – 9:00 pm): Friends’ Coffee House 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.

Where the buffalo roam ain’t always where the cowfolks roam! Corralled from across New England, Ramblin’ Red and the Blackstone River Riders were born from a love of the singin' cowboy. Lisa “Red” Abbatomarco lassooed this posse to roam the musical range. “Prairie Phil” Abbatomarco is the grandpappy of the pedal steel with over 60 years under his beltbuckle. And strummin their strings like lickin butter off a knife are 3 corn crackin buckaroos, Charlie “Chuck wagon” Moser, Michael “T.R. Wilburn” Nix and Bob “by jiminy” Asprinio. With a special appearance by Miss Patricia aka “the Schoolmarm”.

Saturday, April 9, 2011 (10:30 am - 2:00 pm): Second Saturday Children’s Series

Join us the second Saturday of every month for a day of children’s activities. Daily activities may include crafts, games, investigations, or outdoor adventures. Drop in at your convenience any time between 10:30 am and 2:00 pm. Call ahead for more details at (413) 863-3221.

This month, get your hands dirty in celebration of Spring by making seed bombs and learning about native flower species. Take these peaceful bombs to a place near the Center to deploy a small army of flowers. When left outside, seeds will release during rain showers and begin to grow into flowers. Come back in Spring to see what grew! All ages are welcome.

Thursday, April 14, 2011 (7:00 pm - 8:30 pm): Third Thursday Speaker’s Series presents Spineless Splendor Invertebrate Slide Show and Artist Reception with the Northern Naturalists

Meet Charley Eiseman and Noah Charney, this month’s featured artist in the Great Hall, as they present their field work for their award winning book, Tracks and Sign of Insects and Other Invertebrates. The authors will show images of exquisite invertebrate-created objects, teach mind-boggling natural history, and tell amusing anecdotes from their eccentric journey. Professional entomologists and bug-haters alike have found themselves rolling with laughter and staring in horrified fascination during this entertaining presentation. All ages are invited.

April 15 - May 15: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Exhibit: A Sense of the Refuge

A Sense of the Refuge is an exhibit in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The exhibit will be hosted in the Great Hall.

Saturday, April 16, 2011 (10:00 am – 1:00 pm): Park Serve Day

Get outside to enjoy the weather! Park Serve Day is a statewide day of volunteer service, so wear your working clothes to help get the Center ready for summer. We will be working together on the grounds and in the flower beds, so bring sunscreen and gloves if you have them. This event is for all ages.

Tuesday – Saturday, April 19 – 23, 2011: Open for Spring Break Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Please see our website www.greatfallsma.org for special Spring Break events or go to the Facebook page of " Friends of the Great falls Discovery Center'

Friday, April 22, 2011 (10:30 am – 11:30 am): Young Children’s Story Hour

First, we will go on a rock hunt outside (please dress appropriately for the weather.) Then, we will read If You Find a Rock by Peggy Christian, which explores different whimsical categories of rocks. Finally, each child will decorate their rock to take home. Snacks are allowed and energy is appreciated. Appropriate for ages 3-6, but all are welcome.

Saturday, April 23, 2011 (10:00 am – 4:00 pm): Come see this month’s investigation station at the front desk!

The fourth Saturday of every month, come into the Discovery Center to learn something new about the environment! An investigation station will be set up at the front desk with interesting items for you to see. In April, we will investigate bears, which are coming out of hibernation. Appropriate for all ages.

Saturday, April 30, 2011 (10:30 am – 12:30 pm): Field Walk and Invertebrate Tracking with the Northern Naturalists

Have you ever noticed that someone's been etching delicate feathery patterns into the algae on your picnic table? Have you ever flipped over a rock and found neat shiny red discs? How about perfect circles cut out of the leaves of your rose bush? If you've never seen these things, perhaps it's time you slow down and take a walk with Charley Eiseman and Noah Charney, who will point out all sorts of curious objects that will expand your sense of the fullness of our world. These are the signs of invertebrates. Each object tells a story of bizarre lives playing out all around us all the time. Come spend some time with the authors of the 2010 winner of the National Outdoor Book Award, Tracks and Sign of Insects and Other Invertebrates, and see the world as they see it. Space is limited- call us to reserve a spot. 413-863-3221

Laurel Carpenter
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge
Great Falls Discovery Center
2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376
(413) 863-3221
 

March Schedule of Events

March 1 – 31, 2011

In the Great Hall
Told and Retold: Art Exhibit by the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association/Memorial Hall Museum

Saturday, Mar. 5, 2011 (1:00 pm- 3:00 pm): Artist Reception

Come meet the many young artists and collaborators of this month’s artist exhibit! Light refreshments will be served.


Friday, Mar. 11, 2011 (7:00 pm- 9:00 pm): GFDC Friends present Coffeehouse Series

The Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center host local bands, singers, and musicians in the Great Hall on the second Friday of each month. 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.

March's performance will be by veteran musician Ronald Meck, who sings traditional Celtic and folk ballads in a soulful baritone while playing guitar, bouzouki, tenor banjo, and percussion. His son Adrian, an accomplished fiddler and symphonic violinist, joins him for toe-tapping jigs and reels.


Saturday, Mar. 12, 2011 (10:30 am - 2:00 pm): Second Saturday Children’s Series

Join us the second Saturday of every month for a day of children’s activities. Daily activities may include crafts, games, investigations, or outdoor adventures. Drop in at your convenience any time between 10:30 am and 2:00 pm. Call ahead for more details at (413) 863-3221.

Join Refuge staff as we investigate some of the vernal pool creatures that you will be able to find migrating during the first warm rainy nights of March or April. Explore with us, up close, red efts, spotted salamanders, wood frogs, and other vernal pool creatures. Partake in related activities and a craft.


Thursday, Mar. 17, 2011 (7:00 pm - 8:30 pm): Marine Conservation Biology: Keeping the Oceans Shipshape

Oceans dominate our planet, influence our climate, and sustain us in innumerable ways. Although much of humanity lives near a coastline, too often we forget the importance of the oceans to our lives and livelihoods and the impact our activities are having on this irreplaceable life support system. The goals of marine conservation biology are to preserve the ocean’s living resources and simultaneously provide for human needs over the near- and long-term. his talk will examine ways we connect with the oceans; touch on unique aspects of its life forms; discuss current threats to marine ecosystems; and highlight positive actions citizens and policy makers are taking to preserve life in the sea.

Saturday, Mar. 25, 2011(10:30 am – 11:30 am): Young Children’s Story Hour: Dreamweaver

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.

In March, we will focus on spiders. First, we will read Dream Weaver, a story about a spider's world written by Jonathan London and illustrated by Rocco Baviera. Then, children can explore different kinds of spider webs through a shape-matching game and a spider web painting activity.


Saturday, Mar. 25, 2011 (7:00 pm – 8:30 pm): Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program and Fish Population Status Update

Ken Sprankle, USFWS Connecticut River Coordinator, will review the history of the modern Atlantic salmon restoration program in the Connecticut River basin. He will also talk about the status and trends for this species, as well as other migratory fishes (e.g., American shad, river herring) of management interest. The development and role of the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission in these efforts will be discussed. A review of evolving fishery management and restoration strategies, new assessment and research findings, recent restoration nitiatives, and related issues will be presented and discussed.


Saturday, Mar. 26, 2011 (10:00 am – 4:00 pm): Come see this month’s investigation station at the front desk!

The fourth Saturday of every month, come into the Discovery Center to learn something new about the environment! An investigation station will be set up at the front desk with interesting items for you to touch and see.

This month, we will have beaver artifacts displayed at the front desk for you to see. People of all ages can investigate beavers with Refuge staff, and learn about adaptations that they have that make them fascinating animals.