Oct/Nov/Dec 2008
In This Issue
Director’s Perspective...... 2
Volunteer Corner...... 4
Membership/Memorials/ Donors/Grants/Bequests...... 5
Naturalist’s Corner 2009 Snake Calendars...... 6 New amphibian exhibit features six species of live frogs.
Fabulous frogs make good Tanglewood Educator Ian McLaughlin leads a Riverwalk subjects for new exhibit session with Center Street Elementary 4th grade students. hanks to a grant from the Community Riverwalk 2008-2009 reaches Foundation, Tanglewood has added a new exhibit featuring amazing amphibians. The almost 300 students Texhibit includes hands-on activities such as puzzles, anglewood has begun yet another year of Please check out rubber stamps and crayon rubbings as well as six Riverwalk. This fall we meet with over 240 species of live frogs. Three of our frogs are native; the our Wish List at fourth graders from Center Street Elementary, American bullfrog, green frog and common toad. The THendy Elementary and Gardner Road Elementary tanglewoodnaturecenter.com other three are more exotic; the African clawed frog, schools at the Chemung River by Pirozzolo Park, Australian White’s tree frog and Madagascan Tomato and with 20 children from Chemung Elementary at frogs. Wyncoop Creek for their Fall River encounter. We will Tomato frogs are endangered in the native habitat. then see the children again the following week for a Unfortunately, they are not alone. According to classroom visit. statistics provided by Amphibian Ark, up to 50% Riverwalk is a great opportunity for local students Get Out… of amphibian to get an appreciation for the river, and water in species could general. We investigate how water flows on Earth go extinct in (the Water Cycle), water pollution, plant and animal Get Fresh! our lifetime. adaptations for living in/near water, why plants and Amphibian animals (including humans) need fresh water, and we Ark is leading a also touch on invasive species. The Mission of Tanglewood campaign which Thanks to the Arnot Art Museum for their Nature Center & Museum designates 2008 continuing support and execution of this great To lead and support education and as “The Year educational opportunity for area fourth grade students. preservation efforts in our region Tomato Frog of the Frog.” —Elaine Spacher to achieve a heightened awareness, Zoos, aquariums Executive Director understanding and caring for our and botanical gardens throughout the world are natural environment. participating in activities aimed at increasing awareness of the plight of amphibians. For more information visit www.amphibianark.org and visit Tanglewood. —Val Heywood Curator
Nature Center Don’t get left out! Send your e-mail address to [email protected] & Museum the PACE of nature to receive advance notice of our events and programs by e-mail. Executive Director’s Perspective Tanglewood’s “Campaign for the Future:” What does it mean? Nature Center s of January 2009, I will have been at but we always have an operating deficit — a & Museum Tanglewood for six years. In some ways deficit that seems to get bridged each year with the PACE of nature it is hard to believe that six years have luck and generosity. Apassed since I started here, but in other ways, But like any responsible organization, 2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS it seems longer because so much has happened we can’t keep functioning on a wing and a Merrill Lynn, President and changed. prayer from year to year. We need to build an Vice President Jim Emmick, When I began working here in 2003, we Endowment fund to finally secure our place Matthew Savery, Treasurer had one part-time and five full-time employees. in the future of this area. Economic times are Beverly Morrell, Secretary The building wasn’t open yet and the stress of scary right now and asking for money to help Dr. Donald Brooks having just relocated and in a way, “starting secure our future is absolutely essential, yet Eric Daniels over” was apparent. Since the staff was almost admittedly frightening. But we didn’t get where Mark Herrick all new, we were somewhat fuzzy on the vision we are today by being scared — we got here by Linda Hillman for Tanglewood’s future. Through various staff working hard and believing that what we are Jonathan Hodge changes and growing pains during the first doing is very important, and that Tanglewood is Janet McLaughlin three years of my tenure at Tanglewood, we an integral part of our community. So we move Dr. Charles Mitchell have settled into our current staff: three full- forward with our momentum despite our fears. Bill Morse We are launching a “Campaign for the Linda Roessler We are holding the Campaign because we all Future” on October 8 with the help of some Polly Smith-Blackwell believe that Tanglewood is necessary. Our region community leaders that believe in Tanglewood. Robert Thorborg without Tanglewood Nature Center & Museum Tom Hesselson will be our spokesman and local Dr. Raymond Thweatt would be less — less nature to learn about and leaders will be here physically and/or via good words. Our Board will be supporting the effort Richard Wardell enjoy; less of a quality place to live and raise by going out into the community and soliciting • children. funds for our Endowment. Our staff will be STAFF here daily teaching children, holding fundraisers Elaine Farwell, Executive Director time people and three part-time people. Board and special events and representing ourselves Cathy Morroni, Office Manager meetings are much more productive and the positively to the public as we always have. Valerie Heywood, Curator staff works very well together for our common We are holding the Campaign because we Emily Hofelich, Volunteer Coordinator/Educator goal — our mission. all believe that Tanglewood is necessary. Our Ian McLaughlin, Naturalist So, it sounds like everything is great. And it region without Tanglewood Nature Center & Rich Gridley, Buildings & Grounds is. We have gone from teaching just over 5,000 Museum would be less — less nature to learn • people in 2005 to just over 15,000 in 2008 — about and enjoy; less of a quality place to live Tanglewood Nature Center & Museum that’s a three-fold increase in just three years. and raise children. I also believe there would 443 Coleman Avenue We have momentum and are becoming be a little less hope for the future of our world. Elmira, NY 14904 known in the community for our environmental So, I ask that you join us in our quest to keep 607-732-6060 education efforts and our beautiful facility and Tanglewood Nature Center & Museum around www.tanglewoodnaturecenter.com trails. But none of this comes free. We have to for a long time to come so we never have to E-mail: [email protected] pay the good staff to keep them here and we imagine what life would be like without it. have to keep the building and grounds in good —Elaine Farwell shape. We have managed to do this for 35 years, Executive Director
Wish List DVD player for exhibit hall videos Office paper (white and colored) Dry or canned dog food Pet carrier (small) Dog treats Art supplies (glue sticks, construction paper, paint, etc.) Sardines for possums Bird Seed (Please, only black oil, large bags cost $20) Fruit and Veggies for Animals Frozen Mice and Rats (http://www.Rodentpro.com) Crickets and mealworms from Petco Gift Cards from: Petco, Sam’s Club, Lowes “PACER” Free carpet shampooing for Auditorium Nature themed kids’ games and puzzles Promoting the Pace of Nature Picnic Tables (2) Preservation • Awareness Used 4 x 4 pick up with snow plow Caring • Education Small air compressor
2 • Tanglewood Talk Gathering of rattlesnake lovers sheds light on depth of support for the species recently had the unique opportunity of spending a weekend with a group of “snake people” in the Adirondack mountains — from herpetologists, biologists and a world-renown toxicologist, to a land ownerI whose property harbors a snake den and an author who wrote his first book about bounty snake hunters — all of whom share an intense passion for research, protection and preservation of the timber rattlesnake. What impressed me the most about this group was the depth of their dedication and commitment to the work they do for the sake of the species. One biologist has been researching the timber rattlesnake for more than 30 years and has just discovered a 35-year old snake — the oldest timber rattlesnake on record living in the wild. Over three days we hunted snakes in the rain, climbing wet, steep boulders to find them burrowed in crevices. We saw demonstrations on Tanglewood’s Nuthatch Gift Shop offers a wide array of nature related gift items and how the herpetologists mark their snakes in the field for their research has recently started carrying hand crafted items from local artists. data. We saw presentations in which court judges ruled in favor of snakes Looking for a unique gift for the holidays? over gas drillers. We also saw cases of habitats being destroyed for the Visit the Tanglewood Nuthatch Gift Shop development of wind farms. We talked endlessly about our experiences in the field, with a few stories about close encounters. Any bite incidences anglewood’s Nuthatch Gift Shop features nature related hand crafted were always due to human negligence. Titems made by local artisans. Some of the unique gifts include: Due to the inclement weather, we didn’t see as many snakes as we had • Carved walking sticks hoped, but we did see snakes every day. And with every one we saw, the • Hand-made baskets excitement was as if it was the first snake we had ever seen. • Earrings, bracelets, and home made flower pins It never ceases to amaze me what effect the timber rattlesnake has on • Painted tiles people who understand and appreciate them. The snakes are fortunate to • Wood crafted animals have such a widespread group of fiercely dedicated people. The species • Birds, bird prints ready to frame will need every one of these people to champion their cause against the • Tanglewood tote bags, tee shirts encroachment of mankind. After this very special weekend, I know we are • Nature books and music making progress but we still have a long way to go. • Stuffed animals —Polly Smith-Blackwell Timber Rattlesnake Handler
Tanglewood Membership Form q New q Renewal q YES! I’d like to volunteer. Please contact me. Name______
Address______✁ City______State______Zip______Phone______E-mail:______
Standard Memberships Supporting Memberships q $25 Individual q $50 Hummingbird q $35 Senior q $100 Bluebird q $40 Family q $250 Wood Duck q $50 Group Non-Profit q $500 Heron q $1000 Owl (lifetime membership)
Become a Member and enjoy the benefits: Advance notice of events/programs • Members Only events • Quarterly newsletter • Discounts for events, Gift Shop and equipment rental THREE EASY WAYS TO JOIN: Send form with check to: Tanglewood Nature Center & Museum • 443 Coleman Ave., Elmira, NY 14903 Visit: www.tanglewoodnaturecenter.com Call: 607-732-6060 to pay by credit card
Your membership helps us to maintain our facility & trails. Thank you for your support!
Tanglewood Talk • 3 Tanglewood Nature Center & Museum: Volunteer Corner
Youth Volunteers Alyssa Lynough Adult/Committee Volunteers Colleen LeDalia Allison Anthony Ben Mertus BOCES-Thomas Edison Pauline LeShore Alex Bottcher Kate Mertus High School Connie LaVere Jacob Boaz Sam Mertus Cerebral Palsy of Chemung Lydia Lynn Michael Brannick Ellen Moore County Jon Maz Garrett Bush James Morales Carolyn Bossard Colleen McCall Chelsea Cassetta Josh Morey Andy Brown Martha McKinney Ellie Casetta Dominique Nichols Rochelle Bush Judith McKee Eric Conklin Megan Palmer Dean Butts Kathleen Milliron Alex Coon Dusty Pemberton Ann Cady Ralph Miller Hannah Coon William Poley Guiliana Calderone Carolyn Moore Ian Cotner Gina Pucci Duke Carroll Beth Morrell Ryan Donnelly Nino Ronsivalle Wendy Carroll Leona Morris Jesse Egan Luke Shaw Tammy Cecce Terry Morroni Cameron Evans Warren Sheetz Jim Chely Michelle Page Hannah Farwell Aaron Sozanski Donna Cotner Sheila Palmer Matt Farwell Ian Strzelecki Doris Dorer Pathways Aubrey Franks Michael Suhey Jacqueline Egger Alex Petze Attila de Foulussy Bobby Thorborg Peggy Estes Jim Pfieffer Ryan Donnelly Gillian Trimber Gary Farwell Cheryl Reidy Carl Gustafson Nicole Willard Debbie Fennell Debbie Rockwell Christine Gustafson William Yerkes Stella Freas Barry Roessler Megan Hartman Ray Friday RSVP Colton Hillman College Volunteers Chris Friend Jay Schissell Daniels Hoyles Emily Brzycki Chuck Friend Paul Schmidt Larry Jones Sam Ferguson Muriel Friend Karl Schwesinger Dylan Kahl Howie Fleischman Kathleen H. Granger John Slechta Steven Kellogg Kacie Harder Frank Gudas Joyce Smith Erick Koch Katya Harris Tom Hesselson Lynn Smith Catherine Lambert Charles Howitt Geoff Heywood Matt Smith Christian Lambert Alan Kellogg Matt Heywood Laurie Sterling Andrew LaVere Leslie Middleton Donna Holmuth Ed Stienhauer Mackenzie LaVere Stephanie Santell Judy Iocco Christine Thorborg Savannah LaVere Hannah Weldon Aaron Jack Jen Trimber Niki Jardin Larry Walz Fran Jurgia Lynn Walz Richard Kankus
Volunteer Spotlight Eagle Scouts Strike Again Carolyn Bossard hank you to Jeremy Andrews for making would like to thank Carolyn Bossard for all the new sign at Personius Woods, she accomplishes for Tanglewood. If you which points out information about the Tbeautiful woods that are available for hiking. have ever been out hiking and checked out ourI kiosk at the trailhead, you have Carolyn to The property features a diverse pine forest, a thank for posting our upcoming Tanglewood bubbling brook that winds through the woods, events and activities every week. and of course a large selection of birds and Her help to our staff is invaluable. Carolyn wildlife. makes sure that the information is consistently Jeremy and his Scout Troop worked very up to date. It is also common to see Carolyn, hard to ensure that the sign looked professional her husband and grandson at most of our events and is durable enough to survive the New after which they share photos of moments we York winters. Many thanks Jeremy for helping may have missed. Thank you to Carolyn for all to highlight one of the best hiking spots in she does to help Tanglewood. Chemung County.
Boy Scout Jeremy Andrews with the new sign at Personius Woods.
4 • Tanglewood Talk Tanglewood Nature Center & Museum • Donations/Memorials/Grants/Bequests
New Members Monetary Donations Memorials/Honors Christine Antenore B & C Photo – John Toomey General Fund In Memory of Mark Flory Andrew Clark Charles R. Friend General Fund Lynnwood H. & Anna M. Austin Rebecca Cole Elise A. Hansen General Fund Bev Croston Ruth Reisbeck General Fund In Memory of Nancy Tripp Rose Richard Hall Martin Scott Rosenheck General Fund Peter Winne Colleen Hassen Nancy E. Spaulding General Fund Ron Rogers Jan Updegraff Trail of Art Auction & Raffle In Memory of Joyce Smith Lauren & Paul Schweizer Teresa & Richard Van Hall General Fund Stanley & Marcia Deiter Sierra Club of the Finger Lakes Beverly Gillette & Elaine F. Neenan Andrea Shields In-Kind Donations Mary Lou Spencer The White Eagle Club Ralph Miller Printer Phyllis S. Button Tom Wirth Duke & Wendy Carroll Stamps, camp, cleaning supplies Marlene J. Button Lynn & Larry Walz Computer supplies Margaret R. Ludwig New Corporate Members Nick Borrelli Pavestone and memorial tree, Fran & Gary Ludwig Northern State Auto Presidents Trail Janet & Allan Baker Linda Hillman Postage stamps and card tables Kathy & Arnie Henry Corporate Members Don McCarty-Ontario Carpet Center Carpet Squares Roberta S. Grover Arnot Realty Corporation Sandra Harding Hermit crabs & accessories Robert & Christine Phelps Banfield Baker Corp. Patricia Silvernail Two wooden walking sticks Gerald & Alice P. Thompson Bobby K Entertainment Charlotte Winkky Snacks & supplies for summer Nunda Rotary Club Chemung Canal Trust Co. camp Chemung Supply Corp. Philip Kuster Shell art pieces In Honor of Bill & Connie Morse Collins & Walton, Inc. Martha McKinney Purse for fundraiser 50th Anniversary Community Bank, N.A. Annette Stevens 35 gallon aquarium & accessories Martha W. McKinney Conquest Seismic Services Cook Contracting, Inc. Corning Beagle Club Grants and Awards Corning Credit Union State of NY Corning Inc. (Chemung Co. Youth Bureau) Urban Environmental Club Dalyrmple Gravel & Contracting Triangle Fund Urban Environmental Club Dimon & Bacorn Inc. Edger Enterprises, Inc. Elmira Savings Bank Tanglewood Nature Center & Museum Please check out Elmira Structures, Inc. thanks everyone for your generous support of our mission. F. M. Howell & Company our Wish List at Your contributions are greatly appreciated. First Transit, Inc. tanglewoodnaturecenter.com G. O. Wick, Inc. Tanglewood memberships make great gifts. Gentle Family Dentistry Gerould’s Professional Pharmacy Please remember Tanglewood Nature Center & Museum in your will. H & H Commercial Equipment Hesselsons Tanglewood Nature Center welcomes all our new members. Thanks to Hunt Engineer, Architect, & Land your support, we can continue to offer valuable programs, maintain Surveyors PC our trails and update our museum. If you have a friend, relative or I.D. Booth neighbor who is not yet a member, bring them up to visit and let them KV Engineering, LLC see for themselves what they are missing! Maple Valley Farm Market Martinec Building & Remodeling Michnick Electrical Systems Minier Property Development Parmenter Incorporated Perry & Carroll, Inc. PS Graphic Design Quicker Printer Enjoy the benefits of your Tanglewood Nature Center Southern Tier Contract, Inc. membership! Send your e-mail address to Southern Tier Custom Fabricators Southern Tier Health Care Credit [email protected] to receive “PACER” Sunset Printers Promoting the Pace of Nature advance notice of our events and programs by e-mail. Preservation • Awareness Surface Finish Technologies, Inc. Caring • Education Wenzel Landscaping WETM TV Wilson Rental Center Tanglewood Talk • 5 Naturalist’s Corner Timber TanglewoodTalk Rattlesnakes is published quarterly by Fall is a time for reflection 2009 Tanglewood Nature Center & Museum ’ve always said that October is my favorite month of the year. Not because my birthday 443 Coleman Avenue is on the second, but because of the arid Elmira, NY 14903 temperatures,I sunny days and beautiful foliage. Phone: 607-732-6060 The other day I was out for a walk in the woods and it was partly cloudy, mid 50’s, crisp, Fax: 607-732-6210 refreshing and soothing. I thought to myself, Email: [email protected] “This is as good as it gets.” I wish I had that cool Timber Rattlesnakes from New York State Web site: www.tanglewoodnaturecenter.com remote control from that Adam Sandler movie “It is a thrill to encounter a timber rattlesnake in so that I could freeze that moment forever. • • • the wild, and their behavior usually allows for quiet Often I find it difficult enjoying the observation, giving the viewer an opportunity to Hours of Operation moment. Schedules, emails, cell phones…you appreciate this wonderful reptile.” Trails are open every day, sunrise to sunset know the drill. Often when we are moving we (Parking lot open only during business hours) miss what’s truly important. No, not a hilarious 2009 Timber Rattlesnake Nature Center & Museum Building clip from YouTube that your best friend sent you, I’m talking about life. calendars now on sale May 1–Oct 31: Tues – Sat: 9:00am – 5:00pm Fall is a time for reflection, it’s a season he 2009 Timber Rattlesnake calendar Nov 1–Apr 30: Tues – Sat: 9:00am – 4:00pm that’s not quite sure of itself, smushed between can now be purchased in the • • • summer and winter and full of change. Perhaps Tanglewood Nuthatch Gift Shop or it’s that change that makes you want to stop Tat B&C Photo in Elmira. They sell for $15 Closed Sunday & Monday working for a week or two and go Aldo Leopold (a portion being donated to Tanglewood) and the following holidays: New Year’s Day, for a while. Maybe it’s the beauty that can’t help and feature full color photographs of timber Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, but smack you right in the face, as if nature is rattlesnakes in the wild, taken by Polly Smith- Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. screaming out for attention — watch me, look Blackwell. In addition to general facts about For membership information, call 732-6060. at me, enjoy me, because in a couple of months the snakes, this year’s calendar includes notable you’re in for a big surprise. quotes from herpetologists, biologists and snake • • • Whatever fall is, it reminds me of leaf enthusiasts from all over the Northeast. Since we do not charge admission fees for the piles with my younger brother, apple cider, Quantities are limited so pick up your use of our trails or to visit our museum, your Halloween, candy, falling leaves, changing calendar today — it makes a great gift for times, youth, and that magical memory of when membership and/or donations are greatly yourself or the nature lover on your list. life was simpler and when you were happier. appreciated. Your support helps us to maintain Fall is reflection. the trails and update our exhibits. Thank you! —Ian McLaughlin
Naturalist
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