Upcoming Events and Activities at the Paul Smith's College VIC

PAUL SMITHS, NY (04/01/2014)(readMedia)-- Sunday, March 30 – New Moon Art Show: The SAM Fest Exhibition: Art About the Land, the People and the Climate

Regional artists Sandra Hildreth, Lee Ann Sporn, Meg Bernstein, Tim Fortune, Burdette Parks and others will exhibit their art during the run-up to SAM Fest on Saturday, April 26. The exhibit will hang until Sunday, April 27. Free admission. Underwritten by Friends of the VIC.

Tuesday, April 1 – Former Camp Gabriels Public Meeting

The Town of Brighton, in cooperation with the Paul Smith's College VIC, will host a public information session at 6 p.m. about the transfer of the former Camp Gabriels minimum-security prison property to a private party. The purchaser will discuss plans for turning the property into a privately run residential summer camp.

Sunday, April 6 – Make Natural Soap with Rose Bartiss

Participants will learn how to safely create soaps using lye, how to create cold-process soaps and how to alter color and scents of soap to create diverse products. You will take home two cold-process soaps and handouts. This is a demonstration class. Please wear long-sleeved shirts and closed-toed shoes. This class will take place from 1-2:30 p.m. $35/person.

Saturday, April 12 – Volunteers and Friends of the VIC Natural-History Training Session: Citizen-Science Projects

Learn all about the citizen-science projects available to folks living in the Adirondacks. We will look at bird, mammal, insect, wild flower, amphibian and tree citizen-science projects that you can use to track your own outdoor experiences and help scientists answer big questions. 9:30 a.m.-noon. Free to all volunteers and Friends of the VIC.

Sunday, April 13 – Nori's Village Market Second Sunday Hosts the VIC

On the second Sunday of every month, Nori's Village Market in Saranac Lake, N.Y., supports local organizations by donating 10 percent of its daily profits. On Sunday, April 13, Nori's is hosting the Paul Smith's College VIC, so be sure to visit and show your support. You'll get some delicious, sustainable, socially responsible and locally produced food in the process.

Monday-Friday, April 14-18 – No School Days: Spring Break

Children ages 7-11 are invited to learn and play during spring break. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. We will visit a variety of subjects related to the season, as plants and animals wake up and claim territory. We will listen to the sounds of the forest, find tracks in the mud, smell the spring flowers, touch tree bark and create adventures together. Preregistration is required for each day. Reserve a spot before 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, by calling (518) 327-6241, or emailing Michelle Berrus at mberrus@paulsmiths.edu. Minimum class size is four. $35/person, $25 for Friends of the VIC.

Saturday, April 19 – Holy Shiitake Mushroom Workshop

The Adirondack Mycology Club will present a shiitake-cultivation workshop from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Learn to grow your own edible mushrooms. $5 suggested donation. Free for Paul Smith's College students, staff and faculty. Take an inoculated log home for $10. Bring a lunch. Call (518) 327-6330 for more information.

Saturday, April 19 – Wetland-Detectives Training Workshop I – Frogs & Toads

This training workshop, which takes place from 2-5 p.m., will provide you with the tools and information needed to become a citizen scientist and wetland detective as part of a new wetland-monitoring program in the Adirondack Park. Trained participants will be able to enroll in the long-term monitoring program committed to improving our understanding of Adirondack wetlands and conserving these unique places for future generations. The second workshop will take place Saturday, May 17, and will focus on wetland bird and plant monitoring.

Monday, April 21 – Forest, Farm and Fork: An Opportunity Symposium at the Paul Smith's College VIC

Discover grant and loan opportunities for your North Country farm, business, organization or community, available through the new 2014 Farm Bill. Also learn about other private and New York State funding sources. If you are involved in forestry, agriculture, food production, tourism or community development, you should attend. You'll hear from U.S. Rep. Bill Owens and other federal, state and private officials about how you can tap into these resources. Be there from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. to get the most out of this opportunity. RSVP by Monday, April 14. Partners include Paul Smith's College and Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Thursday, April 24 – Volunteers and Friends of the VIC Potluck

Friends of the VIC and volunteers of the VIC are welcome to the potluck. Bring a dish to pass. We will meet for hors d'oeuvres at 5:30 p.m. Dinner is at 6 p.m. Please RSVP.

Thursday, April 24 – Armchair Science Lecture: Birding in the Everglades

Steve Huber will talk about his experience birding in the everglades from 7-8:30 p.m. $5/person. Free to Friends of the VIC and Paul Smith's College students, faculty and staff.

Saturday, April 26 – Birding across the Adirondacks

Join the Adirondack Birding Center from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on a trip to the shoreline of the St. Lawrence River and surrounding agricultural fields near Massena. The van trip will take us to raptor-rich fields and active waterfowl gathering places along this very productive river valley. We'll search for buntings, sparrows, hawks, ducks and much more during this all-day outing. $75/person. 25 percent discount for Friends of the VIC. Preregistration is required; please call (518) 327-6241 to register.

Saturday, April 26 – Science, Art and Music Festival

Paul Smith's College and TAUNY (Traditional Arts in Upstate New York) will hold a daylong festival celebrating science, art and music from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The event features musical performances by North Country musicians, presentations on Adirondack climate-related topics, a panel on climate in the Adirondacks, traditional folk and visual arts, maple syrup and refreshments, and a showing of "Green Fire" – an award-winning documentary on Aldo Leopold. $5/person, free for Friends of the VIC and Friends of TAUNY.

Adopt a Sugar Maple

Support the development of maple sugaring at the VIC by adopting a tree for $50. We'll do the tapping, and you'll be investing in the education of an intern and the equipment to take care of your tree. You'll also get a quart of maple syrup from the tree when it's ready. (Shipping not included) Adoption papers are available at the VIC front desk. Makes a great gift! You can also adopt by mail: Just send a check for $50 (plus $15 for shipping for 1-2 quarts). Make checks payable to the PSCVIC: Paul Smith's College VIC, 8023 Route 30, Paul Smiths, NY 12970.

Purchase Some VIC Maple Syrup

The students are hard at work collecting and boiling maple sap to make syrup. We have a limited supply of VIC handcrafted, wood-fired syrup available. Pint, $10; quart, $18; and half-gallon, $30 (plus shipping).

ABOUT PAUL SMITH'S COLLEGE

At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. Our programs – in fields including hospitality, culinary arts, forestry, natural resources, entrepreneurship and the sciences – draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere.