Upcoming Events at the Paul Smith's College VIC

PAUL SMITHS, NY (01/27/2014)(readMedia)-- Daily – New Moon Art Show: Old Crows and Other Blackbirds

The Paul Smith's College VIC is hosting an art show featuring works by Anne Burnham, Ray Whalen, Geoff Cobb, Rebekah Wilkins–Pepiton, Michael Hart, Noreen Sadue, Linda Sauther, Arnold Sauther and others. The show runs until Friday, Feb. 28. Free admission. Underwritten by Friends of the VIC.

Daily – 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 loving care of the 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!

Wednesdays – Cross Country Ski & Yoga

The Paul Smith's College VIC is hosting a series of yoga sessions, led by yoga teacher Jackie Foster. Yoga is a perfect partner to cross-country skiing. A session prior to skiing warms the muscles, joints and lungs. A yoga session after skiing will release tension and help cool down the body. 11 a.m.-noon. Season ski pass and 8 sessions of yoga $160. Day ski pass and yoga session $25. Single yoga session $15. To register, call the Paul Smith's College VIC at (518) 327-6241.

Fridays – VIC Ski Club

Ski the VIC trails every Friday morning from 10 a.m.-noon. Weekly outings are open to those of all ski abilities. A VIC naturalist will ski with the group and point out some of the hidden gems around the trails. Preregistration is required by 5 p.m. the night before. Conditions are variable, so call ahead. Minimum group size is four skiers per day. Ski passes are required. Ski club membership is $5 per session. Free for Friends of the VIC.

Most Sunday Afternoons – Sunday Ski & Music at the VIC

The VIC will feature a variety of local musicians on most Sunday afternoons from 1-3 p.m. Grab your skis, boots and poles and head to the VIC for a fun afternoon of skiing and music. Feb. 2, Ray Agnew; Feb. 9, Jamie Savage; Feb. 16, Curt Stager & Kary Johnson; Feb. 23, Shamim Allen. Free with day pass. Underwritten by Friends of the VIC.

Saturday, Feb. 8 – Life in the Snow

Join VIC naturalist Brian McAllister at 10 a.m. and explore the subnivean layer beneath the snow surface and the ground. $20 per person; the cost includes your day pass. $10 for VIC season-pass holders. Friends of the VIC receive a 25 percent discount. Dress for outdoor conditions and bring your snowshoes. Snowshoe rentals available. Preregistration is required. Please call (518) 327-6241.

Saturday, Feb. 8 – Empire State Winter Games: Ski Orienteering Competition

The Paul Smiths VIC will host the Empire State Winter Games Ski Orienteering competition on Saturday, Feb. 8. Registration starts at noon. Orienteers will take to the VIC trails from 1-4 p.m. in search of checkpoints. The center will remain open to the general public during the competition.

Sunday, Feb. 9 – Empire State Winter Games: 5K Snowshoe Race

The Paul Smith's College VIC will host the 5K cross-country snowshoe race – part of the 34th Empire State Winter Games – following the sprint competitions at the Paul Smith's College soccer field. Registration begins at noon. Race time is 2 p.m. The center will remain open to the general public during the competition. The presentation of 5K snowshoe awards will take place inside after the race.

Friday, Feb. 14 – Full Moon Friends of the VIC Ski Party

Celebrate Valentine's Day in true Adirondack style by bringing your valentine out for a moonlit ski on the VIC trails. Then join us inside for a party. Live music and snacks available. $10/person. $7.50 for Friends of the VIC.??

Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15 & 16 – Chili Ski & Snow Sports Festival

To celebrate Presidents Day weekend, the Paul Smith's College VIC is holding a family-oriented weekend featuring ski and snowshoe races, a 1K Kids Snowshoe Stampede, a naturalist-led ski and a great meal of chili prepared by area restaurants. We'll focus on skiing on Saturday and snowshoeing on Sunday. Also on Sunday: Join the VIC staff for a snowshoe map walk and compete for fun prizes. Ski passes are required to participate in these events. Chili will be provided by local restaurants. Call the VIC at (518) 327-6241. Underwritten by Friends of the VIC.

Tuesday, Feb. 18 – No-School Day at the VIC: Winter Olympics

Children ages 7-11 are invited to join VIC educator Michelle Berrus from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to learn about the Winter Olympics and build their very own sled out of cardboard and duct tape. Reservations are required. Reserve your place by noon Monday, Feb. 17, by calling (518) 327-6241. Minimum class size is four. $35/person, $25 for Friends of the VIC.

Tuesday, Feb. 18 – Armchair Science Lecture: The Forest Ecosystem Research and Demonstration Area (FERDA)

The VIC's Armchair Science Lecture series continues with a review of the history and current activities on the Forest Ecosystem Research and Demonstration Area (FERDA) plots by USDA research forester Mark Twery and Paul Smith's College professor Joe Orefice. The FERDA plots were developed in 1998 in a collaboration between the USDA Forest Service, Paul Smith's College and the then state-run VIC to study and interpret the impacts of different cutting practices on natural communities. The lecture begins at 7 p.m. in the VIC auditorium. $5/person, free to season-pass holders and Friends of the VIC. Underwritten by Friends of the VIC.

Wednesday, Feb. 19 – No-School Day at the VIC: Winter Botany

Children ages 7-11 are invited to join VIC educator Michelle Berrus from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to search for winter botanical life in our mixed forest and wetland ecosystem. Reservations are required. Reserve your place by noon Tuesday, Feb. 18, by calling (518) 327- 6241. Minimum class size is four. $35/person, $25 for Friends of the VIC.

Friday, Feb. 21 – Winter Owl Prowl

Join Adirondack Birding Center Director Brian McAllister at 7:30 p.m. for a winter owl prowl. $10/person, $5 for Friends of the VIC. We'll discuss owl natural history, learn some call notes and listen for them, too. We'll be listening for two species of owl: Barred Owls and Northern Saw-whet Owls. Preregistration appreciated. Call the VIC at (518) 327-6241 for more information or email bmcdonnell@paulsmiths.edu.????????????

Saturday, Feb. 22 – Winter Birding Trip to Lake Champlain

Join the Adirondack Birding Center on a trip to the shores, fields and meadows of the picturesque Champlain Valley, one of the best areas to go birding in the North Country. We'll search for waterfowl on the lake, hawks along the fields and finches feeding in the hedgerows. We could observe forty species on this full-day event. Bring a bag lunch and hot beverage. We will be birding from the comfort of a 12- passenger van. $75/person, 25 percent discount for Friends of the VIC. Preregistration is required; please call (518) 327-6241 to register.

Saturday, Feb. 22 – Introduction to Maple Collection with Tubing, Buckets and Bags

Mike Farrell of the Cornell Maple Program will lead this hands-on session, which focuses on modern methods of designing, installing and maintaining a sugar bush for bucket, bag and/or tubing sap collection. Backyard tapping and the VIC's community-based maple program will also be addressed. The program runs from 1-4 p.m. $10/person. Email Brian McDonnell at bmcdonnell@paulsmiths.edu.