Upcoming events at the Paul Smith's College VIC

PAUL SMITHS, NY (05/08/2014)(readMedia)-- Friends of the VIC

Help support the Paul Smith's College VIC by joining the Friends of the VIC. Membership is available at a range of levels, starting with a $45 annual contribution.

New Hours

The VIC will be closed on Mondays until Memorial Day. We're open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the week, and the trails are open dawn 'til dusk, free of charge.

Saturday, May 10 – Barking Up the Right Tree

Can you identify Adirondack trees by their leaves? By their bark? Join VIC naturalist Michelle Berrus on a walk from 10 a.m. to noon and gain a new understanding of bark ecology and identification. $20/person, $15 for Friends of the VIC. Call (518) 327-6241 to register.

Friday, May 16 – Songwriters' Showcase

The Paul Smith's College VIC will host an evening of songs with musicians Doug Irving, Ray Agnew, Gwen Tracy and Keith Gorgas. The music starts at 7 p.m. $10/person. $8 for seniors, students, Friends of the VIC and children.

Saturday, May 17 – NFCT

The Northern Forest Canoe Trail will hold its annual trail maintenance conference at 9 a.m.

Saturday, May 17 – Teddy Roosevelt Bird Walk

Join Brian McAllister of the Adirondack Birding Center at 9 a.m. as he searches for late migrating VIC summer birds. Observe as they set up nesting territory, sing and show off their mating display. $20/session, $15 for Friends of the VIC, free for Warblers.

Saturday, May 17 – Quilt Workshop: Flower Pounding

Learn the simple and traditional technique of transferring flower and leaf pigment to paper or a prepared fabric surface using a hammer. You will experiment with fresh flowers, leaves and grasses on muslin and paper, then work on a final nature-inspired design. You may choose to further enhance your piece with embroidery thread, beading or other forms of embellishment. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $45/person. Preregistration is required. Call (518) 327-6241.

Saturday, May 17 – Adirondack Wetland Monitoring Program: Birds and Plants

Help conserve the Adirondacks by becoming a citizen scientist! Join us from 2-5 p.m. and learn to participate in the new Adirondack wetland monitoring program. We will begin with an overview of the wetland-monitoring project and then proceed with hands-on instruction in field techniques used to record phenological data for wetland birds and plants.

Sunday, May 18 – Volunteer Training: Learn Adirondack Birds

We're seeing more and more bird migrants at the VIC everyday. Join Adirondack Birding Center Director Brian McAllister at this training session and learn to identify them all.

Sunday, May 18 – Wildflower Walk – Spring Ephemerals

Have you noticed the explosion of springtime flowers? Come learn how these flowering plants adapt to take advantage of the sun as it hits the forest floor early in the growing season. Bask in the floral beauty and learn more on a walk with VIC naturalist Michelle Berrus. 1-3 p.m. $20/person, $15 for Friends of the VIC.

Saturday, May 24 – Teddy Roosevelt Bird Walk

Join VIC naturalist and Adirondack Birding Center Director Brian McAllister as he searches for singing and calling birds. $20/person, $15 for Friends of the VIC, free for Warblers. Register by 5 p.m. Friday, May 23, by calling (518) 327-6241.

Saturday, May 24 – Jenkins Mountain Scramble

Mark your calendar for the fourth annual Jenkins Mountain Scramble. We're featuring a 13.1-mile wilderness run for $50, a 10K for $40, a 5K run/walk for $15 and a kids 1K for $5. Prices increase after Friday, May 16. The first 50 people who register on ultrasignup.com are guaranteed a T-shirt. All proceeds from the race will be used to support the VIC.

Sunday, May 25 – Forest Walk: Elder's Grove

Join VIC naturalist Michelle Berrus on a trip to Elder's Grove, a forest of magical trees that have lived 330 years or more and have grown to be some of the tallest in the state. $20/person, $15 for Friends of the VIC. Register before 5 p.m. May 24.

Monday, May 26 – No-School Day: What's in the Mud?

Children ages 7-11 are invited to get their hands dirty at the Paul Smith's College VIC. We'll identify organisms in the mud and water and learn what their presence means. We'll look through microscopes, play fun marsh games and more.

Thursday, May 29 – Friends of the VIC and Volunteer Potluck

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

Saturday, May 31 – Teddy Roosevelt Bird Walk

Search, listen and see Adirondack birds with the Director of the Adirondack Birding Center Brian McAllister. $20/person, $15 for Friends of the VIC. Free for Warblers.

Friday-Sunday, June 6-8 – The Great Adirondack Birding Celebration

Don't miss the 12th annual Great Adirondack Birding Celebration. The event will feature an all-day birding trip across the Adirondacks on Friday, a Saturday and Sunday morning field trip to boreal birding hot spots, a keynote lecture and afternoon workshops. Stop in now, and enter to win this year's hand-made loon wall hanging.

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

We still have a limited supply of VIC handcrafted, wood-fired syrup available. Pint, $10; quart, $18; and half-gallon, $30 (plus shipping).

New Moon Art Show: Adirondack Moons and Waters

Photographer Rob Marrone and his son, artist Dan Marrone, will exhibit their works in the Great Room Art Gallery until Tuesday, May 27. The show will include scenic framed and mounted photos and some works of local lakes painted on birch bark. Free admission. Underwritten by Friends of the VIC. Win the "mystery photo" if you can identify where it was taken!

ABOUT PAUL SMITH'S COLLEGE

At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. Paul Smith's, which was founded in 1946, is the only bachelor's degree-granting institution of higher education in the Adirondacks. 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. For more information: www.paulsmiths.edu.