Upcoming events at the Paul Smith's College VIC

PAUL SMITHS, NY (07/12/2012)(readMedia)-- Every Day – Interpreter-Led Nature Walks

We'll host a nature walk on the VIC trails every day of the summer from 1-2 p.m. Each walk will highlight a different aspect of nature. Look for varied themes and trip leaders. Feel free to suggest a topic and tell your friends. Free.

Every Day, Weather Permitting – The Adirondack Native Species Butterfly House

Thanks to the support of the Adirondack Park Institute, the butterfly house is open each sunny day of the summer from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call (518) 327-6241 or email bmcdonnell@paulsmiths.edu for more information.

Every Day – Enjoy The Four Seasons

Murals by Matt Burnett will adorn the outside walls of the VIC for one year.

Every Day – Full Circle Art Show

Surround yourself with the Full Circle art show featuring works by Matt Burnett and Tim Fortune. The display will be hung in the VIC's Great Room through July 18.

Sundays, July 18 and 22; Aug. 8, 12, 22 and 26; Sept. 12 and 16 – Mushroom Walks

Join mushroom expert Susan Hopkins on a casual walk in the woods at 10 a.m. to look for mushrooms and other fungi. Participants will discuss and identify the different poisonous, edible and medicinal species. The walks will last around 2-2.5 hours and will be held rain or shine, so be prepared. Bring a lunch and stay after the walk to explore reference materials for further study. $20/session; members of the Adirondack Park Institute receive a 10 percent discount. Please call the VIC at (518) 327-6241 to register.

Saturdays, July 14, 21 and 28; Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25 – Little Bobcats

VIC staff will lead a series of programs for 3-to-5-year-olds and their parents. Activities will focus on the local flora and fauna around the VIC. Sessions meet at 10 a.m. $2/session for members of the Adirondack Park Institute, $5/session for those who have not yet joined. Parents are asked to participate with their children. Please register by calling Sarah Keyes at (518) 327-6241 or emailing skeyes@paulsmiths.edu.

Saturdays, July 14, 21 and 28; Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25 – Adirondack Raptors demonstrations

Mark Manske will be at the VIC every Saturday this summer at 2 p.m. to let folks get up close and personal with his feathered friends, a great horned owl, an American kestrel, a barn owl and a Swainson's Hawk. Free.

Sundays, July 15, 22 and 29; Aug. 5, 12, 19 and 26 – Watershed Steward

Walk and talk about invasive species with Adirondack Watershed Steward Emily Martin at 1 p.m. Learn about some of the cool native species found in the woods at the VIC. Learn where invasive plants could come in and disrupt the natural community and discover what you can do to help prevent the spread of undesirable species. This program is supported by The Lake Champlain Basin Program. Free.

Tuesdays July 17, 24 and 31; Aug. 7, 14, 21 and 28; Saturdays July 14, 21 and 28; Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25 – Interpretive Canoe Paddle

Join a naturalist at 10 a.m. to learn about the various wetland areas around the VIC. Walk along Heron Marsh and Barnum Brook, explore marsh, stream, bog and pond, check out a floating bog mat and see the aquatic flora and fauna abundant in the various habitats. $20/person; members of the Adirondack Park Institute receive a 10 percent discount. Space is limited. Reservations required by 5 p.m. the night before. Groups of five or more can book their own tour date by calling (518) 327-6241.

Fridays, July 13, 20 and 27; Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 – Farmers' Market

The Paul Smith's College VIC farmers' market will be open every Friday throughout the summer from 2-5 p.m. Local farmers are welcome to reserve a table under the pavilion. Call (518) 327-6241 or email bmcdonnell@paulsmiths.edu for more information.

Wednesdays, July 18, 25 and Aug. 1; Thursdays July 12, 19 and 26 – Yoga on the Deck

Get out of the studio and into nature. Enhance your practice by experiencing a world of new sensations and become part of a boundless yoga experience. Sessions meet at 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays and 5 p.m. Thursdays. Drop-ins $15, or $78 for a 6-week pass. For information and updates, email jackieyoga@roadrunner.com or call (518) 339-3008.

Wednesday, July 18 – Trail Fun Run

The Paul Smith's College VIC will host a free 5K trail fun run at 6 p.m.

Friday, July 20 – Discover Our Natural World

Spend the morning at the VIC and learn something new about nature with your family. Meet at 10 a.m. in the VIC building. We will explore the Barnum Brook for creatures living in the stream. $10/family. Please register by calling (518) 327-6241.

Friday, July 20 – "Life on the Lakes" Juried Art Show Reception

The VIC will host a Juried Art Show, beginning with an artist reception on July 20 from 5-7 p.m. Artwork will be on display through Aug.16. Selection for the show will take place on July 19. The VIC has commissioned Joe Van Putten and Susan Olsen to select the items to be hung for the show. Prizes will be awarded for the best in show, best photo, best painting and honorable mention. The VIC will also award a people's choice award at "The Monarchs in the Meadow" musical event on Aug. 25. Visitors will purchase ballots and vote on their favorite artwork. All proceeds go toward developing arts programming at the VIC.

Saturday, July 21 – Adirondack Loon Census

The VIC's Adirondack Birding Center is recruiting volunteers for a census of adult loons, chicks and immature loons. Census volunteers sign up to monitor a lake from 8-9 a.m. on census day. Results will be submitted to the Wildlife Conservation Society. For more information, go to wcs.org or call Brian McAllister at (518) 327-6241.

Thursday, July 26 – National Moth Week

Join professor Janet Mihuc at sunset at the VIC and find out what's happening in the moth world. We will have samples of the various species from 9-11 a.m. at the VIC on Friday. Both events take place during National Moth Week. Noted moth expert and author, Dale Schweitzie, will attend both events.

Thursday, July 26 – St. Regis Lakes/Spitfire Day at the VIC

Paul Smith's College invites its friends and neighbors from the Spitfire and St. Regis Shore Owner's Association to experience a day at the VIC. There will be fun programs and activities throughout the day. For more information, call the VIC at (518) 327-6241 or email bmcdonnell@paulsmiths.edu.

Saturday, July 28 – Trees of the Northern Forest Trail Walk

Join Diane Minutilli, a former USDA Forest Service naturalist, on an interpretive walk and talk about trees at 10 a.m. Learn the tricks to identifying common deciduous and coniferous northern forest trees. Discover why the trees of the Adirondack Park play such a critical role in our future and learn about their natural history and importance. $20 per person. Please call the VIC at (518) 327-6241 to register.

Thursday, Aug. 2 – Beyond the Exhibition

Join us at 7 p.m. for an opening reception and talk about "Dreaming of Timbuctoo," an exhibition presented by John Brown Lives!, the Adirondack Center for Writing, the Six Nations Indian Museum and the Paul Smith's College VIC. Timbuctoo tells the story of black homesteaders who were granted 40 acres in the Adirondacks in the 1840s and illuminates the crucial role of land and the vote in the political war on slavery and racism in New York State 15 years before the Civil War. Exhibition curator Amy Godine will discuss new findings and Franklin County connections to Timbuctoo, and archaeologist Hadley Kruczek-Aaron will provide an update on the Timbuctoo Archaeology Project. The exhibit will be on display until Sept. 15 and will be the centerpiece of several programs occurring at the VIC in August. Admission to the exhibit is free. There is a $5 admission for this special presentation.

Friday, Aug. 3 – Discover Our Natural World

Spend the morning at the VIC and learn something new about nature with your family. Meet at 10 a.m. in the VIC building. We will search the FERDA plots for salamanders. $10/family. Please register by calling (518) 327-6241.

Saturday, Aug. 4 – Nature Writing Workshop

Join Karen Loffler from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and get inspired by the Adirondacks while cultivating your writing skills. We will walk the wild woods for inspiration and then bring them home and apply new techniques and tricks to develop your subject into a fully readable composition. Participants will receive a PDF booklet of work composed during the session. Come prepared to hike, write and grow. High school and older. Paper and pens required. Laptops acceptable. For more information, call the VIC at (518) 327-6241 or email skeyes@paulsmiths.edu.

Sunday, Aug. 5 – Sunday Race

This run is part of the Paul Smith's College VIC's 2012 First Sunday Series trail runs. Everyone from beginners to experienced trail runners has a chance to win. The 15K starts at 10 a.m. and the 5K at 11 a.m. Race day registration available. 5K, $20; 15K, $35. Call (518) 327-6241 or email bmcdonnell@paulsmiths.edu for more information.

Tuesday, Aug. 7 – Nature Writing by Minority Writers

Black Nature: A reading and discussion with poets Cornelius Eady, Aracelis Girmay, Chase Twitchell and Roger Bonair-Agard. Come see four acclaimed poets from diverse backgrounds read their work at 7 p.m. These poets will challenge gender, race and worldview. $5 at the door. Come share in the discussion. Hosted by the Adirondack Center for Writing. For more information, visit the website adirondackcenterforwriting.org

Thursday, Aug. 9 – Adirondack Park Institute New Beginnings Awards Gala

Support the VIC by attending our New Beginnings Awards Gala. The Adirondack Park Institute trustees and New York State Sen. Betty Little will be on hand from 5-8:30 p.m. for a reception, dinner and award presentation to honor Paul Smith's College President John W. Mills and Neil Murphy, president of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Both presidents will receive the Adirondack Environmental Education Leadership Award, which recognizes exceptional leadership in fostering education and experiential learning to advance public understanding about the values and relationships of the Adirondack Park's communities. Tickets are $100, of which $65 is tax deductible. For more information, please call the Adirondack Park Institute at (518) 327- 6636 or email info@adirondackparkinstitute.org

Saturday, Aug. 11 – Traditional Paddle-Making Workshop

Make a traditional cherry paddle in a one-day workshop. Craftsman Caleb Davis will instruct workshop participants in the use of hand tools to make their own paddle. You will leave the VIC with a shaped paddle you can complete at home. The workshop begins at 9 a.m. Preregistration is required prior to Aug. 7. $125/person.

Wednesday, Aug. 15 – Trail Fun Run

The VIC will host a free 5K fun run on the trails at 6 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 16 – History, Land and Meaning

An unconventional conversation with environmental philosopher Marianne Patinelli-Dubay and historians Christopher Moore and Sally Roesch Wagner. The Akwasasne Women Singers will also perform. $5 at the door. 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 17 – Discover Our Natural World

Spend the morning at the VIC and learn something new about nature with your family. Meet at 10 a.m. in the VIC building. We will explore the Heron Marsh for wetland inhabitants. $10/family. Please register by calling (518) 327-6241.

Friday, Aug. 17 – Adirondack Plein Air Festival Paints the VIC

As part of the Adirondack Plein Air Festival, artists will set up their easels around the VIC property to capture the natural beauty of the setting.

Friday, Aug. 17 – New Moon Art Opening

The Paul Smith's College VIC will host an opening reception for Nancy Brossard and Sandra Hildreth's paintings from 4-6 p.m. All the paintings will have been created outdoors on the VIC's property. The exhibit will run through Sept. 14.

Friday, Aug. 17 – Celia Evans CD Release Party

Join Adirondack singer/songwriter Celia Evans and friends at 7 p.m. for an evening of music from her latest CD, "The Road." Advanced tickets are available at Ampersound in Saranac Lake, at the VIC or at the door. $10/person. CDs available.

Saturday, Aug. 18 – Trees of the Northern Forest Trail Walk

Join Diane Minutilli, a former U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service naturalist, on an interpretive walk and talk about trees at 10 a.m. Learn the tricks to identifying common deciduous and coniferous northern forest trees. Discover why the trees of the Adirondack Park play such a critical role in our future and learn about their natural history and importance. $20 per person. Call the VIC at (518) 327-6241 to register.

Saturday, Aug. 18 – Bamboo Fly Rod Building and Repair

Doug Moody has revived the traditional art of bamboo fly rod construction, and he will take you through the steps to make a bamboo fly rod and give you the guidance to enjoy the art of casting the rod that made fly fishing famous. Course size is limited, and preregistration is required. Call the VIC at (518) 327-6241 for pricing information.

Saturday, Aug. 25 – Monarchs in the Meadow

Join the VIC volunteers and staff for a family-friendly celebration of butterflies, arts, music, dance and a release of monarchs from the Native Species Butterfly House. Call the VIC at (518) 327-6241 for more information.

Sunday, Sept. 2 – Sunday Race

This run is part of the Paul Smith's College VIC's 2012 First Sunday Series trail runs. Everyone from beginners to experienced trail runners has a chance to win. The half and full marathons start at 10 a.m. and the 5K at 11 a.m. Race day registration available. 5K $20; half marathon $50; full marathon $60. Call (518) 327-6241 or email bmcdonnell@paulsmiths.edu for more information.

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.