May/June 2012 Tidings Newsletter - Cape Cod Museum of Natural ...

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Tidings
May &
June‘12
869 Route 6A, Brewster, MA 02631 Ph 508-896-3867 Fax 508-896-8844 - www.ccmnh.org E-Mail info@ccmnh.org
The mission of the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History is to inspire appreciation, understanding and stewardship
of our natural environment through discovery and learning.
Three New Museum Exhibits
Celebrate the Wampanoag Nation, the Stony Brook Valley and
the 20th Anniversary of the Gerry E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
People of the
Land:
The Wampanoag
Large photographic
panels greet the
Museum visitor,
giving an intimate
view of everyday life
of the Wampanoag in
the 17th century.
The Museum joined
with Plimoth
Plantation and the
Wampanoag people
to produce this
visually exciting
exhibit.
Animals Without Passports:
20th Anniversary Celebration
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
The Marshview Room gallery heralds the Year of the
Whale with a four-display presentation honoring the
20th Anniversary of the Gerry E. Studds Stellwagen
Bank National Marine Sanctuary. From whales to krill,
seabirds to fish, Stellwagen Bank Sanctuary has
protected this amazing diversity of life, while offering
a rich habitat for recreational boating.
The Archaeology of the Stony Brook Valley:
The Story of Human Communities
and a Changing Landscape
The Stony Brook Valley continues to yield remarkable
artifacts detailing how this special location has been
changed by nature and human habitation from 10,000
years ago to the 1850s. Follow the four timetable panels of
color-coded maps to learn about the effects on the land
where the Museum now stands.

From Robert Dwyer
President
and Executive Director
The Benefits of Membership
When I was first asked to write about the
benefits of becoming a member of the Cape Cod
Museum of Natural History I’m sure the Tidings folks expected the
usual marketing reasons to flow out; members have free
admission, passes, shop discounts, program discounts, a variety
of interesting educational and just plain fun programs, receive both
print and electronic updates on upcoming programs, etc. Although
all of that is true, it is also true that the issue of Museum benefits
is much more. We have been asking ourselves through the years
how we can become an even more important piece of the societal
fabric that comprises Cape Cod… how can we improve what we
offer to persuade individuals, families, and businesses to become
members. More interestingly, what can we do that encourages
multiple visits to the Museum during the year?
Our Museum, like all museums, offers the standard benefits and
we think they’re a “good deal.” We have a terrific aquarium;
interesting exhibits that explain how Cape Cod came to be and
what the next few thousand years will bring; the Marshview Room
with fun hands-on puzzles, sketching table, terrariums, and the
most comfortable seats on the Cape to watch our OspreyCam
from; special exhibits such as this year’s collaborative effort about
whales with NOAA and Stellwagen Bank Sanctuary; a library with
a great selection of books for parents to read to their kids and
special programs like Reading with Ruby; a gift shop for all ages;
ongoing programs like KidSummer, our new inflatable whale,
Green Halloween, Brewster for the Holidays final event with
Santa, etc.
What we also have as a membership benefit is our great group
of talented volunteers that make everything happen – all for the
members. Our field guides, docents, Mudflat Maniacs!, Friends,
craftsmen, teachers, archaeologists, land stewards, cooks,
clerical, exhibit developers, feeders, grounds workers,… on and
on, over 350 strong ranging in age from 15 to infinity.
Most Museum visitors come as a family and the first thing they
see walking through the front door is our family, eager to make
each visit fun and memorable. Exhibitions along with collections
are our mainstay, but they require contextual and interpretive
support and storytelling, all done by our volunteers.
And by the way, our volunteers are members who have found
yet another Museum benefit.
Please bring your Membership card
when you visit the Museum.
You’ll be surprised how your savings will add up!
Staff
President and Executive Director
Robert Dwyer, Ext. 113
Education and Volunteer Director
Barbara Knoss, Ext. 119
Office Manager
Julie O’Neil, Ext. 129
Gift Shop Manager
Kate Modzelewski, Ext. 122
Assistant Gift Shop Manager
Connie Boyce, Ext. 122
Administrative Associates
Joan Hood, Ext. 133
Claire Tyner, Ext. 133
Susan Jasinski, Ext. 133
Senior Aquarist
Doug Smith, Ext. 136
Aquarists
Jim Dudac
Mary Binowski
Linda Kelley
Curator
Kate Modzelewski
Maintenance Supervisor
Jerry Fitton
Wednesday Walks
Connie Boyce
Custodian
Timothy Warren
Board of Trustees
John McNair, Chair
Charles Ferris, Vice-Chair
Eleanor Johnson, Secretary
Enzo Allegretti, Treasurer
Martha McDonald, Asst. Treasurer
Nancy Brown, President, Friends
Bruce Beane
Susan Carr
Robert Chamberlain
Judy Crocker
Raymond Hebert
Arthur Luke
Myles Marcus
Gregory O’Brien
Robert Smith
Jeffrey Treiber
Life Trustee
Richard Wheeler
The Museum (and its bird neighbors) extend
special appreciation to:
Tom Thompson, Wild Birds Unlimited of S. Yarmouth
for year-long donations of premium bird seed.
The Museum is very grateful to the following
organizations for their support:
Tidings
Editor
Committee
Julie O’Neil Susan Carr Eleanor Johnson
The Museum is
handicapped
accessible.

An Appreciation of Departing Board members
Myer Singer
A member of the Board of Trustees for over a decade,
Myer helped the Museum weather the "troubles" of a
number of years ago. He has used that experience to
guide us wisely in more recent years. Vice Chair of the
Board for a number of years, he has most recently
overseen a careful revision of our Bylaws. We have
benefitted from Myer's sage advice and opinions on
many issues.
Thank you, Myer, for your stalwart service to CCMNH.
Sally Neese
During her three terms on the Museum's Board, Sally
has been Chair of the Board and, for a number of years,
served on the Finance Committee. She has brought her
extensive knowledge of Cape Cod, its people and
businesses to bear on her involvement with CCMNH.
We thank you, Sally, for your years on our Board.
Michael Lach
Mike has been a valuable resource to the Board in his
roles as naturalist and as Executive Director of the
Harwich Conservation Trust. He has provided us with
guidance in the care of the flora and fauna of our land
as a member of our Stewardship Committee. He has
also shared his professional knowledge of everything
from print and public relations to volunteer management.
He, his wife Rebecca and children Skyler and Sage have
been frequent visitors to CCMNH. We look forward to
seeing you all here often in the future, Mike.
Betsy Harrison
Betsy brought many insights from her years as president
and CEO of the Genesee Country Village & Museum in
New York to our Board discussions. As Chair of the
Development Committee at CCMNH she instituted our
Ambassador Program which welcomed many new
members to our folds. She also worked to identify
potential donors and to develop programs that would
entice individuals and businesses to become active
members of CCMNH. Thank you for your efforts on our
behalf, Betsy.
Ellie Johnson
MUSEUM NEWS
Elizabeth Taylor Receives Lifetime Achievement
Award from Massachusetts Association of
Conservation Commissions
Elizabeth Taylor.
the Museum’s
collection expert,
was the recipient of
the Lifetime
Achievement in
Conservation Award
at the Annual
Environmental
Conference of the
Massachusetts
Association of
Conservation
Elizabeth with Seth Wilkinson
Commissions on
March 5 in
Worcester, MA.
Along with her invaluable work at CCMNH, Elizabeth is
a member of the Brewster town planning board, among
numerous town committee assignments over time, and is
the town’s representative to the Cape Cod Commission.
“Elilzabeth is a stalwart advocate for our environment
and a leader in Massachusetts' conservation community."
(Linda Orel, Director of MACC)
Congratulations, Elizabeth!
KidSummer - Help Wanted
Preschool trained teacher
Send resume and cover letter to
kidsummer@ccmnh.org
Volunteer Picnic
Monday, May 21, 2012
3-6 pm
More information coming by e-mail.
SAVE THE DATE!
A Taste for Nature
Second Annual
Wine Tasting and Auction
Thursday, September 27, 2012
at The Sea View in Dennisport, MA
Thanks to the expert craftsmanship of Bruce Beane,
Mike Williams, Jerry Fitton and hard-working members of
AmericaCorps, the Bird Banding Station sports a new
roof, shingles, and an outside display case for visitors to
catch up on the latest birdlife on Wing Island.

MORE MUSEUM NEWS
Give a Gift and Make a Difference
We all want to ensure that the Museum will
have a strong and vibrant future so generations
to come can continue to enjoy this very special place
here on Cape Cod.
Please consider setting up a charitable gift annuity,
which enables you to both give a gift and receive a
return. As an example, if you are 70 years of age and
create a $10,000 annuity, your annuity rate would be
5.8%, and your income tax deduction could be as much
as $3,063.
Or, consider a bequest to the Museum. At your
direction, your funds could be used for a) the general
purposes of the CCMNH at the direction of the Board of
the Trustees; b) placed in the Museum's Endowment
Fund; or c) used for a specific project at the Museum in
which you have an interest.
For further information, please contact President Bob
Dwyer at 508.896.3867 Ext. 113.
TRAINING SESSIONS
FOR PROSPECTIVE
AND VETERAN MUDFLAT MANIA GUIDES
Bud Ferris, Instructor
Prospective Guides must attend BOTH classroom
sessions and at least one outdoor session.
Auditorium/Class Sessions
Tuesday, May 29, 2012 9:00 am - 12:00 noon
Tuesday, June 5, 2012 9:00 am - 12:00 noon
Outdoor session - must attend at least one
Tuesday, June 12, 2012 12:30 pm. - 2:30 pm
Wednesday, June 13, 2012 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
KidSummer, the Museum’s Natural History Day Program,
has received $10,000 from the
International Fund for Animal Welfare
for sponsorships and programs.
The Museum is grateful for this generous gift
and support of KidSummer over the past 5 years.
Friends of Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Whale Watch Raffle
First prize: Two tickets on Hyannis Whale Watchers Cruises
Barnstable Harbor - 269 Millway St. Barnstable MA
Second Prize: Two tickets on Whale Watchers Dolphin Fleet
307 Commercial St, Provincetown MA
All tickets valid for 2012 season
Drawing Monday July 9, 2012
$5.00 each 3 for $12.00
Friends of Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Whale Watch Raffle
First prize: Two tickets on Hyannis Whale Watchers Cruises
Barnstable Harbor - 269 Millway St. Barnstable MA
Second Prize: Two tickets on Whale Watchers Dolphin Fleet
307 Commercial St, Provincetown MA
All tickets valid for 2012 season
Drawing Monday July 9, 2012
$5.00 each 3 for $12.00
Friends of Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Whale Watch Raffle
First prize: Two tickets on Hyannis Whale Watchers Cruises
Barnstable Harbor - 269 Millway St. Barnstable MA
Second Prize: Two tickets on Whale Watchers Dolphin Fleet
307 Commercial St, Provincetown MA
All tickets valid for 2012 season
Drawing Monday July 9, 2012
$5.00 each 3 for $12.00
Name:
Street:
City:
State:
Phone
Name:
Street:
City:
State:
Phone
Name:
Street:
City:
State:
Phone
FRIENDS WHALE WATCH RAFFLE TICKETS
Please cut along dotted lines and mail stubs with check payable to
Friends of the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
869 Route 6A, Brewster, MA 02631

PROGRAMS
Wednesday Walks with Connie Boyce
May-June 2012 10 am-12 noon
Approximate length of walks: 3-4 miles
$4/Member $6/Non-Member
All walks leave from the Museum parking lot.
Date Lv. CCMNH Walk
May 2 9:50 am Crowes Pasture, East Dennis
9 9:30 am Morris Island, Chatham
16 9 am Four Ponds Conservation
Area, Pocasset
23 9:15 am Wellfleet Walk, Wellfleet
30 9 am Mashpee River, Mashpee
June 6 9:30 am Thompson’s Field, Harwich
13 9:45 am Flax Pond Conservation
Area, Dennis
20 9:30 am Wiley Park to Cape Cod Bay
Last Walk of Season Eastham
Heavy rain cancels the walk.
For questions, contact Connie at 508-394-2683
or boyceconstance@yahoo.com
For further information, contact the Museum
at 508-896-3867, www.ccmnh.org
A Large and Difficult Challenge:
Disentangling Whales and Sea Turtles
Scott Landry, Director
Marine Animal Entanglement Response Program,
Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies
Thursday, May 3 7:30 pm
$5/Member $7/Non-Member
Entanglement of marine mammals and sea turtles in
debris and fishing gear is a global issue with local impacts
on rare species. Until more effective solutions can be
found, disentanglement can help individual animals and
offers a unique opportunity to understand how
entanglement happens and how it can be prevented.
Through an illustrated presentation and discussion,
learn about the risks and the rewards of disentangling a
great whale or a giant sea turtle from a small boat right
off our shores.
Cape Cod Therapy Dogs
Free with Museum admission
Saturday, May 12 1 pm
Have a fun time playing Simon Says with the Cape Cod
Therapy Dogs! Will your child wind up the "winner"
against a well trained CCTD in this delightful game?
Saturday, June 9 1 pm
Come to a mock Therapy Dog Test to see what therapy
dogs have to learn and be able to do in order to pass
the test for Therapy Dogs International.
Cape Cod Bird Club
Monthly meetings are held at the Museum on the second
Monday of every month at 7:30 pm from September through
May. Free to the public.
May 14 “Endemic, Endangered and Elusive Birds of Brazil”
Edson Endrigo, photographer, author, field trip leader
Look Out! Here It Comes!
Museum Madness
Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19
9:30 am - 2:30 pm both days
A fundraiser for CCMNH!
Bargains and treasures galore!
Hundreds of books, wonderful CDs and videos,
plants of all kinds, Gift Shop clearance,
and the mother of all flea markets!
Everything at rock-bottom prices.
Cash/check/credit card.
NO EARLY BIRDS.
Along with this great sale
there will be half-price admission to the museum.
Bird Banding Demonstrations
with Sue Finnegan, Certified Master Bird Bander
and Manager, Wing Island Bird Banding Station
Saturday, May 5 and Saturday, May 19
8:30-10 am
$5
Come and see live birds at close range.
Learn why banding is important.
You may even have the opportunity
to release a bird after banding.
Meet at the front door of the Museum at 8:30 am.
In case of rain, the program will be cancelled.
Friends of CCMNH
Tuesday, May 8
1 pm Friends meeting, refreshments
1:30 pm Dr. Fiamma Straneo will speak
on Global Warming
May 18 and 19 Museum Madness
The Friends have been working hard getting
ready for Museum Madness. After you shop, stop
by our Chuck Wagon for a hot dog or hamburger.
We still need "helping hands" for set-up and for the
day of the event. Please email Barbara Knoss at
bknoss@ccmnh.org or stop by the office and add
your name to the sign-up sheets.
Brick Walkway
The last of the bricks have been installed. Take a
look at the completed walkway. It looks great!
Whale Watch Raffle
We bet the museum's new whale exhibit has
peaked your interest in seeing whales. The Friends
are raffling two sets of whale watch tickets courtesy
of Dolphin Fleet and Hyannis Whale Watch Cruises.
The cost is $5 for one ticket or 3 for $12 - on sale
at the Gift Shop. The winning ticket will be drawn
on July 9th. You could win and the whales could be
putting on a show for you!

Do You Think Like a Scientist?
Come Find Out! Join ECO-kids Cape Cod
Saturday, May 19 10 am
Students ages 7-11 are invited to come explore,
discover and experience the nature and science of the
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History.
There is no charge, however reservations are required
as space is limited.
Sessions will be filmed.
For more information and to register please call
508-896-3867 ext 133. www.ccmnh.org
The Early Years at Plimoth Plantation
with Vicki Oman,
Museum Teacher, Plimoth Plantation
Sunday, May 20 2 pm
$5/Member $7/Non-Member
What was it like to live here after the Mayflower
departed for England? Travel back in time to discover
the hardships and triumphs of the first few years in
Plymouth with someone who was there! Spend time
with Mayflower passenger Goodwife Elizabeth Hopkins
(Vicki Oman in costume) as she reflects upon the first
seven years of settlement in New England.
Art & Nature
Come draw & paint nature
with Leslie Kramer, local artist
Saturday, May 26 & Saturday, June 2
10:30 am-12 noon
Ages 6-12 $25/session Materials included.
Reservations required. Call 508-896-3867.
Archaeology Dig
June 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28 (June-September)
Tues 8-11:30 am or 12:30-4 pm or Thurs 8-11:30 am
16 years and up $25/session.
Reservations required. Call 508-896-3867.
MORE PROGRAMS
2012 Mudflat Mania!
Members: Adult/$4, Senior/$3, Child/$2
Non-Members: Adult/$6, Senior/$5, Child/$4
Explore the fascinating worlds of creatures
living on, in and under the Brewster mudflats
with a Museum naturalist.
Week
1 Tuesday, June 26 11:00 am
Thursday, June 28 12:45 pm
2 No low tides during museum hours
3 Tuesday, July 10 11:00 am
Friday, July 13
1:30 pm
4 Monday, July 16 4:00 pm
5 Tuesday, July 24 9:30 am
Thursday, July 26 11:15 am
6 Monday, July 30 3:15 pm
7 Tuesday, August 7 9:30 am
Thursday, August 9 11:00 am
8 Monday, August 13 2:30 pm
Wednesday, August 15 4:15 pm
9 Wednesday, August 22 9:15 am
Friday, August 24 11:00 am
10 Monday, August 27 2:00 pm
Wednesday, August 29 4:00 pm
Bring a pail, wear water shoes, add a notebook,
and an eagerness to learn for a great beachside
experience. Remember our “must-have” Mudflat
Mania! field guidebook at our Gift Shop!
16th Annual Cape Cod Maritime History
Symposium
Saturday, June 2 9 am-2 pm
$25/person Pre-registration is required!
RSVP to 508-896-3867.
The annual gathering explores and
commemorates maritime heritage through
illustrated presentations by experienced
professionals and historians. It is a lead event of
the month-long Cape Cod Maritime Days.
This year's theme will be
"Cape Cod & the War of 1812."
Indoors Painting Workshop For Everyone
Karen North Wells
Saturday, June 9 & Sunday, June !0
9:30 am-4 pm
$85/M $95/NM
Limited enrollment. Registration required.
Call 508-896-3867.
Family Drawing
June 26 9:30 am (June-August)
Ages 6 and up. $8/participant. Materials included.
Reservations required. Call 508-896-3867.
Multigenerational opportunity to learn to draw nature with
local artist Liz Perry.
9 am Welcome & Opening Remarks
Theresa M. Barbo, Founding Director
Annual Cape Cod Maritime History Symposium
9:15 - 9:30 am "Introduction: Cape Cod & the War
of 1812: A Timeline" Duncan Oliver
9:30 - 10:30 am "Don't Give Up the Ship!: The
Battle for Massachusetts Bay: June 1813"
Matthew Lawrence
10:30 - 11:30 am "His Majesty's Navy vs. Cape
Cod: 1814" Bob Leaversuch
11:30 am - 12:15 pm Luncheon
12:15 - 1:15 pm "Bass River and Hyannis Harbor
and the War of 1812" Duncan Oliver
1:15 - 2 pm "Brewster and Barnstable and the War
of 1812" Dick LeGrand
2 - 3 pm "The Battle of Orleans" Bonnie Snow

MAY 2012
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
6
13
14 15 16 17 18 19*
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
2 pm The Early Years
at Plimoth Plantation
with Vicki Oman
as Goodwife Hopkins
Bargains beyond belief!
Museum Madness
May 18-19
7:30 pm Cape Cod
Bird Club
1
2
9:50 am
Wed Walk
Crowes Pasture
East Dennis
9 am
Wed Walk
Four Ponds
Pocasset
9:15 am
Wed Walk
Wellfleet
3
7:30 pm
Disentangling
Whales & Sea
Turtles Scott
Landry
7 8 9 10 11
1 pm Friends Mtg/
Refreshments 9:30 am
1:30 pm Global
Wed Walk
Warming
Morris Island
Dr. Fiamma Straneo Chatham
3-6 pm
Volunteer Picnic
4
Open to the public
Museum hours 11 am-3 pm
Wednesday-Sunday
and for scheduled events
9:30 am-2:30 pm
Museum Madness
5
8:30 am Bird Banding
Demonstration
with Sue Finnegan
12
1 pm Cape Cod
Therapy Dogs
8:30 am Bird Banding
Demonstration
with Sue Finnegan
9:30 am-2:30 pm
Museum Madness
10:30 am Art & Nature
with Leslie Kramer
27 28
JUNE 2012
29
9 am Training Session
Mudflat Mania!
30 31
9 am
Wed Walk
Mashpee River
Mashpee
* May 19 10 am Program: Do
You Think Like a Scientist?
Open to the public
Every Day 9:30 am-4 pm
and for scheduled events
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
3 4 5
6 7
8
9
8 am or 12:30 pm
Archaeology Dig
1 pm Humpback
Whale Talk with
Jooke Robbins, PhD
Dtr, Humpback Whale
Studies, PCCS
10 11
12 13
14
8 am or 12:30 pm 9:45 am Wed Walk
Archaeology Dig Flax Pond Dennis
9:30 am Indoors
Painting Wkshp. with
Karen North Wells
17
24
Have you watched the osprey family lately?
Notice how fast the chicks grow!
18 19
20 21
22 23
25
= Special Sightings
9 am Training Session
Mudflat Mania!
12:30 pm Training
Session
Mudflat Mania!
8 am or 12:30 pm
Archaeology Dig
9:30 am
Wed Walk
Thompson’s Field
Harwich
1:30 pm Training
Session
Mudflat Mania!
9:30 am
Wed Walk
Eastham
Last walk of the
Season!
8 am
Archaeology Dig
8 am
Archaeology Dig
8 am
Archaeology Dig
26 27 28 29 30
12:45 pm Mudflat
12:45 pm
Mania!
8 am or 12:30 pm
Mudflat Mania!
Archaeology Dig
9:30 am Family
8 am
Drawing
Archaeology Dig
1
15
2
10:30 am Art & Nature
with Leslie Kramer
9 am-2 pm Maritime
History Symposium
1 pm Cape Cod
Therapy Dogs
9:30 am Indoors
Painting Wkshp. with
Karen North Wells
16

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
869 Route 6A
Brewster, MA 02631
Non-Profit
Organization
Permit No. 1
PAID
Orleans, MA
02653
KidSummer Brochure inside!
or current resident
Become a member!
Join us
for a continuing
journey
of exploration
at your
Cape Cod Museum
of Natural History.
For information
about membership
call the Museum at
508-896-3867.
The Museum Shop - where you will find a choice
selection of gifts, toys and books that reflect the
Museum’s mission of appreciation, education and
stewardship of the natural environment of Cape Cod.
Check our website
www.ccmnh.org
for
on-going programs.
Phone: 508-896-3867 - Fax: 508-896-8844 - E-mail: info@ccmnh.org - www.ccmnh.org