Penn Dixie Chronicle
A newsletter of the
Penn Dixie Paleontological Outdoor Education Center
Hamburg Natural History Society
May/Junel 2015 Founded to
Protect and Promote Education
about our Natural Resources
MAY PROGRAMS
Volume 23, No.3
GEOLOGY MERIT BADGE DAY
AT PENN DIXIE MAY 3rd
SPRING BIRD WALK AT PENN DIXIE MAY 3rd
The first Spring Bird Walk at Penn Dixie
will be on MAY 3 at 9 AM. Marilyn
O’Connell, of Wild Birds Unlimited, will
lead those participating in a tour of the
site to view some of the 143 nesting
and migratory birds that have been
identified at the site. Bring binoculars,
boots, and dress for the weather. The
Penn Dixie Bird List may be downloaded from the Penn Dixie website at
www.penndixie.org.
A Penn Dixie Geology
Merit Badge Day will be
held at the site on Sunday, May 3, 2014, at 1-4
PM. Pre-registration
is required through the
Greater Niagara Frontier
Council. Information is
available on the Penn
Dixie website at
www.penndixie.org.
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PENN DIXIE EXHIBIT
AT HAMBURG SENIOR CENTER MAY 9th
The Penn Dixie exhibit and fossil dig will be at the Hamburg Senior Center on Saturday, May 9, 2015, from
10 AM- 3 PM as part of the Hamburg Recreation Department’s Spring/Summer Recreation Expo. This is a
free event open to the public. Penn Dixie will be promoting programs and the eight weeks of science summer
day camps being offered in 2015.
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LONG-NECKED DINOSAURS FROM UTAH: MYTHS OR MYSTERIES ON MAY 15th
Penn Dixie is pleased to have Joe ‘Paleojoe’ Kochdl, of Midland, MI, present an
illustrated presentation, with actual specimens, on “Long-necked Dinosaurs from
Utah – Myths or Mysteries?” on Friday, May 15, 2015, at 7 PM in the Gateway
Executive Office, 3556 Lake Shore Road, Blasdell.
Join PaleoJoe as he describes the Utah dig site where they have discovered 11
long-necked dinosaurs - ALL TEENAGERS - and hear what happened to them
155 million years ago. Learn about the myths and legends surrounding these
behemoths and what has been discovered using modern scientific techniques
and study. How did they live, what did they eat, how did they survive so many
millions of years ago. Why were they so successful for so long? Learn about the environment they lived in and some of
the habits of these gentle giants.
PaleoJoe’s illustrated presentation is open to the public – including children, families, students, scouts, and groups are
welcome. No pre-registrations are required. $5 per person and Penn Dixie members are free. Visit the website www.
penndixie.org or call (716) 627-4560 for additional information and directions. Penn Dixie membership and program information will be available at all the lectures.
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Hamburg Natural History Society, Inc., P.O. Box 772, Hamburg, New York 14075 (716)627-4560
11th ANNUAL DIG WITH THE EXPERTS AND
SPECIAL EVENT DAY ON MAY 16TH
Many excellent complete trilobites, some multiples on a slab, were collected
during the 2014 ‘Dig with Experts’ event. The experts will excavate an
area for this program and show you how to split the shale to discover some
complete specimens. Although a large complete trilobite is the goal, there
are other unique fossils besides trilobites that can be found at Penn Dixie.
Cephalopods, carbonized wood, fish remains, crinoid calices, and other
specimens may be found with careful excavation and preparation.
Join us on Saturday, May 16th when HNHS Cincinnati members Dan Cooper, Don Bissett, Matt Phillips, and their team will show you how complete
trilobites can be found. The program will take place from 9 AM to 4 PM.
The cost will be $25/Penn Dixie member and $30/non-member. This will
be a fun event and a chance to find some other interesting fossils that have
been preserved in the rocks at Penn Dixie. The newly excavated area, with fresh layers of the Smokes Creek trilobite
layer, will be staged around the digging area for participants to split the layers uncovering specimens that have been
buried
for over 380 million years!
A Special Event Day will also be held on May 16th where telescopes will be available to view sunspots and visitors may
collect fossils for $9/adult and $7/child 12 and under, children 2 and under and Penn Dixie members will be free. Staff and
volunteers will introduce visitors to the site and lead them to some of the better collecting areas on the site where they can
keep all the fossils they find.
Participants in the “Dig” should bring gloves, a crack hammer, chisels, a pry bar, safety glasses, a small shovel, newspaper, paper towels, Elmer’s glue & water, and a collecting bag or flat for your specimens. Dan, Don, and Matt have been
collecting at Penn Dixie for many years and know some of the good areas to collect. Penn Dixie members and non-members, from around the country and Canada, are already signed up for the ‘Dig’. If you are interested in signing up for this
program, please call (716) 627-4560 or email [email protected].
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TELESCOPES WILL VIEW VENUS, JUPITER, & A VARIETY of
CONSTELLATIONS IN PENN DIXIE SKIES ON MAY 16th
Penn Dixie telescopes will focus on Venus in the southwest in Gemini, Jupiter in
the south - left of the Bee Hive cluster M44, Penn Dixie astronomers will locate
and trace out the famous Sickle (forms the head of Leo the Lion), Hercules the
famous globular star cluster M13 will be now in the east around 9 PM, and a variety of other constellations at the Penn Dixie Paleontological and Outdoor Education Center in Hamburg, NY, on Saturday, May 16, 2015, beginning at 7:30 PM.
Telescopes, with filters, will be available to view sunspots and solar flares prior to
sunset. Two 16-inch, one 8-inch and a variety of other telescopes will be available for viewing. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own telescopes, if they
like. Penn Dixie volunteers will also help visitors learn how to operate their own
telescopes. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the variety of telescopes available before making a purchase.
Dress for the weather. The public is invited and children are encouraged to attend. $4/person, HNHS members are free.
No pre-registrations are required. Call (716) 627-4560 for additional information and/or visit the web site at www.penndixie.org for directions, program, and membership information.
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WEBELO GEOLOGY BADGE DAY
AT PENN DIXIE MAY 17th Penn Dixie Webelos Geology Badge Day will be held at the site on Sunday,
May 17, 2015, at 1-3 PM. Registration for this program may be made through
the Greater Niagara Frontier Council. Information is available on the Penn
Dixie website www.penndixie.org.
Hamburg Natural History Society, Inc., P.O. Box 772, Hamburg, New York 14075 (716)627-4560
JUNE PROGRAMS
CHILDREN’S DAY AT PENN DIXIE JUNE 7th
When: Sunday, June 7, 2015, 12 Noon-4 PM
Where: Penn Dixie Center
Celebrate Children’s Day 2015 at the Penn Dixie Site. This Family funfilled afternoon will have special events for children and their families: Mary
Hughes with live animals, rocket launches will be conducted by the Upstate
Research Rocketry Group, the Hamburg YES organization doing face painting, telescopes viewing sunspots and solar flares, fossil identification will be
available; fossil cleaning and preparation demonstrations by Penn Dixie
staff and volunteers throughout the event; Past and Present Rock Shop
will be selling fossils and other items; New York Life Insurance Company with
the Child ID program; dinosaur
cookies will be waiting for children to frost and eat, fossil contests and prizes for children, and more. This is a family-fun event for children 2 to 102.
Bring your family and friends to this fun-filled afternoon at Penn Dixie. Nonmember adults $9, children 12 & under $7, and children 2 and under & Penn
Dixie members free. For directions and additional information visit www.
penndixie.org or call (716) 627-4560.
Children’s Day with scouts providing craft activities.
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PENN DIXIE OPEN ON WEEKENDS AND
7-DAYS A WEEK BEGINNING JUNE 13th
Penn Dixie is open on weekends May-October on Saturdays, 9 am-5 pm
and Sundays, 10 am-5 pm for fossil collecting. June 13-September 8,
Penn Dixie will be open Mon-Sat., 9 am-5 pm and Sun. 10 am-5 pm. Penn
Dixie will be closed to the public on Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day.
Adults are $9, children 12 and under are $7, children 2 and under and Penn
Dixie members are FREE.
Despite challenging weather conditions, Penn Dixie has had visitors from
eleven states and three countries through April 22nd. Bring your quests,
family, friends, colleagues, and groups to visit the many varied programs
Penn Dixie provides in 2015.
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TELESCOPES WILL VIEW VENUS, SATURN, & A VARIETY
CONSTELLATIONS IN PENN DIXIE SKIES ON JUNE 13th
Penn Dixie telescopes will focus on Venus close and to the left of the Bee Hive cluster M44 in the west, the Bright Planet
Jupiter will be further to the left of Venus, Saturn will rise in the east around 9 PM, M13 will be high and better for viewing, M57 (Ring Nebula) will rise in the east, and a variety of other constellations
at the Penn Dixie Paleontological and Outdoor Education Center in Hamburg,
NY, on Saturday, June 13, 2015, beginning at 7:30 PM.
Telescopes, with filters, will be available to view sunspots and solar flares prior
to sunset. Two 16-inch, one 8-inch and a variety of other telescopes will be
available for viewing. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own telescopes, if
they like. Penn Dixie volunteers will also help visitors learn how to operate their
own telescopes. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the variety of
telescopes available before making a purchase.
Penn Dixie astronomy volunteers introducing visitors to Penn dixie Skies
Dress for the weather. The public is invited and children are encouraged to attend. $4/person, HNHS members are free. No pre-registrations are required.
Call (716) 627-4560 for additional information and/or visit the web site at www.
penndixie.org for directions, program, and membership information.
Hamburg Natural History Society, Inc., P.O. Box 772, Hamburg, New York 14075 (716)627-4560
24th PENN DIXIE NATURE CRUISE
JUNE 14TH
Make your reservations now! The Nature Cruise will be held on Sunday, June 14th,
2015. Boarding for the cruise will begin at 8:30 AM at the entrance to the Erie Basin Marina, departure is promptly at 9 AM, and return to the dock at 12 Noon.
The cruise will provide views from the harbor, Lake Erie, the Niagara River, the locks, and
the Black Rock Canal as we travel along the Buffalo waterfront. This will be a great opportunity to view the 410-ft. tall wind turbines that have been installed on the former Bethlehem Steel site and other changes being made on the Buffalo waterfront. Experts in aquatic
biology, birding, fisheries, and geology will provide information on the formation of the lake
and river, the fishing, birding opportunities, and features along the waterfront.
The cost of the cruise and lighthouse tour for Penn Dixie members - $27 adults, $24 children and non-member adults - $30,
children $27. This
cruise generally
sells out, so do not
wait too long to
make your reservation. A confirmation
letter will be sent
out to all registrants
upon receipt of paid
registrations with
directions of where
to board the Miss
Buffalo boat at the
entrance to the Erie
Basin Marina. Registration forms and information may be downloaded from the website www.penndixie.org or
call (716) 627-4560 and
leave you name and address for information to be sent.
Canalside along the Buffalo River and the Harbor Center in the
background under construction.
South End Lighthouse with wind turbines in the
background
Hamburg Natural History Society, Inc., P.O. Box 772, Hamburg, New York 14075 (716)627-4560
BIG TOYS,
TRUCKS & BIKES EVENT
ON JUNE 28th AT PENN DIXIE
The 11th Annual Big Toys, Trucks and Bikes fundraiser
will be held on Sunday, June 28, 2015, from 11 AM to
4 PM. A Jurassic vehicle, the Erie County Fairgrounds
1949 van, the Hamburg Flying Knights with their flying
airplanes, and a variety of other vehicles will be available to sit in and have pictures taken. This event is
enjoyed by boys and girls of all ages, 2-102. In addition,
fossil collecting and the viewing of sunspots and solar
flares through a filtered telescope will be available. Additional details will be in the next newsletter, on the website, in fliers, and emails sent out to the membership.
Gas prices continue to remain high Penn Dixie has an
opportunity for you and will be raffling off two $200 gas
cards, which will be available at the site and recently to
Penn Dixie members. In addition, a toy raffle will be held at this event, with the drawings at 3 PM. If you would like to
donate a toy for the toy raffle or have your vehicle on display call (716) 627-4560. Penn Dixie is looking for new and interesting vehicles for kids of all ages to enjoy. This fundraiser is being held to help support the programs and operations
of the Penn Dixie Site. Your support is greatly appreciated.
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2015 SUMMER DAY CAMPS
FOR BOYS & GIRLS 8-12 YEARS OLD
2015 SCIENCE ADVENTURE DAY CAMP
AT PENN DIXIE
The Penn Dixie Site will be offering a five-day, 9 AM to 3 PM, Science Adventure Day
Camp, for 8-12 year olds July 6-10, July 20-24, August 3-7, and August 17-21. The
campers will explore geology, fossils, astronomy, weather, ecology, and rocketry at the
Penn Dixie Site. The rates are $180 per camper for non-members, and $155 for family members.
The registration
brochure is available on the Penn Dixie web site at www.penndixie.org or by leaving your name and mailing address at
(716) 627-4560 or email [email protected]. Pre-registration is requested.
2015 Dinosaurs, Fossils & Nature Science Summer Day Camp
at Penn Dixie, Evangola State Park & Past & Present Science &
Nature Store
The Dinosaurs, Fossils & Nature Science Summer Day Camp will be held from 9 am-3 pm, July 13-17 and August
10-14 for 8-12 year olds. Campers will be at Penn Dixie Monday & Tuesday; Past & Present on Wednesday, and at
Evangola State Park on Thursday and Friday. Geology, fossils, dinosaurs, and nature will feature the week’s activities.
The rates are $180 per camper for the week. The registration brochure is available on the Penn Dixie web site at www.
penndixie.org or by leaving your name and mailing address at (716) 627-4560 or email [email protected]. Pre-registration is requested.
2015 Summer Science Safari Summer Day Camp at Penn Dixie, Evangola State Park, Reinstein WoodsThe summer
Science Safari Summer Safari Day Camp will be held from 9 am-3 pm, July 27-31 and August 24-28 for 8-12 year olds.
Campers will be at Penn Dixie on Monday & Tuesday; Evangola on
Wednesday & Thursday; and Reinstein Woods on Fridays. Geology,
fossils, wetlands, and nature will feature the week’s activities. The
rates are $180 per camper for the week. The registration brochure is
available on the Penn Dixie web site at www.penndixie.org or by leaving your name and mailing address at (716) 627-4560 or email [email protected]. Pre-registration is requested.
Summer Day Camp programs and registration forms
are available on the Penn Dixie website.
Hamburg Natural History Society, Inc., P.O. Box 772, Hamburg, New York 14075 (716)627-4560
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Calendar of Events
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
complete calendar available on the website www.penndixie.org
MAY
May 3, 2015 – 9 AM, Spring Bird Walk at Penn Dixie led
by Marilyn O’Connell, Wild Birds Unlimited.
Bring binoculars, boots, and dress for the weather. Free
program. No pre-registration required.
Children welcome.
May 9, 2015 – 10 am-3 pm, Penn Dixie exhibit at Hamburg
Senior Center, Rt. 20, Hamburg, NY
May 15, 2015- 7 PM, “Utah Long-necked Dinosaurs;
Myths & Mysteries,” by Joe ‘PaleoJoe’ Kchodl, of Midland, MI, an illustrated presentation with some specimens,
in the auditorium of the Gateway
Executive Office 3556 Lake Shore Rd., Blasdell, NY. $5/
person, Penn Dixie members FREE. No pre-registrations
required.
May 16, 2015 – 9 AM, Penn Dixie’s 11th Annual ‘Dig with
the Experts’ at the site. Email [email protected] or call
(716) 627-4560 for information and to
register. Penn Dixie Members $25 and non-members $30.
May 16, 2015 – 7:30 PM, Astronomy Night at Penn Dixie
Site. Telescopes will be available to view planets and constellations. Dress for the weather. $4/person, Penn Dixie
Members FREE. No pre-registrations required.
May 17, 2015 – 1-4 PM, Webelo Geology Activity Badge
Day. Registration must be made through the Greater Niagara Frontier Council.
JUNE
June 7, 2015 - 1 PM to 4 PM Children’s Day
Celebrate Children’s Day at Penn Dixie! Special fun
events for children and their families, prizes for children’s
contests, viewing sunspots and other astronomy activities,
fossil identification, and more!
Adults $9 each, children 12 and under $7, children 2 and
under & Penn Dixie members FREE.
June 13, 2015 – 11 am-5 PM, Penn Dixie exhibit at
Great Lakes Experience at Dunkirk sponsored by the
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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May 3, 2015 – 1-4 PM, Penn Dixie Geology Merit Badge
Day. Registration must be made through the Greater Niagara Frontier Council.
June 13, 2015 – 7:30 PM, Astronomy Night at Penn
Dixie Site. Telescopes will be available to view planets
and constellations. Dress for the weather. $4/person,
Penn Dixie Members FREE. No pre-registrations required.
June 13 - September 8, 2015, Penn Dixie open for fossil
collecting 7-days a week. Visit www.penndixie.org or call
(716) 627-4560 for directions and information. Adults $9,
Children 12 & under $7, Penn Dixie members FREE.
June 14, 2015 - 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM, 24th Annual Penn
Dixie Nature Cruise Tour. Call (716) 627-4560 for registration information and cost or visit www.penndixie.org.
Limited space available.
June 28, 2015, 2015 - 11 AM to 4 PM –
“Big Toys, Trucks and Bikes Event”
Fossil collecting, viewing of sunspots, and a “Big Toys
Event” fundraiser! Sit in your favorite truck, explore a
variety of vehicles, and have your picture taken in your
favorite vehicle – check web site for details. Adults $9
each, children 12 and under $7, and children 2 and under
& Penn Dixie members FREE. Penn Dixie has 4,100+
feet of paved trails for wheel chairs, walkers, strollers, and
wagons.
JULY
July 4, 2015 – Penn Dixie closed except for members.
Celebrate our Freedom with your family and Friends!
July 6-10, 2015 – 9 AM-3 PM, Penn Dixie Science Adventure Day Camp for girls and boys 8-12 years old. Information and registration form on the website www.penndixie.
org or call (716) 627-4560.
July 11-12, 2015 – Penn Dixie exhibit at Syracuse Gem &
Mineral Show at Onondaga Community College, Syracuse, NY.
July 11, 2015 – 7:30 PM, Astronomy Night at Penn Dixie
Site. Telescopes will be available to view planets and constellations. Dress for the weather. $4/person, Penn Dixie
Members FREE. No pre-registrations required.
July 13-17, 2015 – 9 AM-3 PM, Dinosaurs, Fossil and
Nature Science Summer Day Camp at Penn Dixie, Past
& Present, and Evangola State Park for girls and boys
8-12 years old. Information and registration form on the
website www.penndixie.org or call (716) 627-4560.
Hamburg Natural History Society, Inc., P.O. Box 772, Hamburg, New York 14075 (716)627-4560
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Calendar of Events
(CONT’D)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
complete calendar available on the website www.penndixie.org
July 20-24, 2015 - 9 AM-3 PM, Penn Dixie Science
Adventure Day Camp for girls and boys 8-12 years
old. Information and registration form on the website
www.penndixie.org or call (716) 627-4560.
July 27-31, 2015 – 9 AM-3 PM, Summer Science Safari Day Camp for girls and boys 8-12 years old
at Penn Dixie, Evangola State Park, and Reinstein
Woods Nature Preserve. Information and registration
form on the website www.penndixie.org or call (716)
627-4560.
AUGUST
August 3-7, 2015 - 9 AM-3 PM, Penn Dixie Science
Adventure Day Camp for girls and boys 8-12 years
old. Information and registration form on the website
www.penndixie.org or call (716) 627-4560.
August 8, 2015 – 5-11 PM, Mid Summer Night Adventure – Fossil-Astronomy Program. Family event.
No pre-registrations required. Adults $9, children 12
and under $7, children 2 and under & Penn Dixie members FREE! Food vendor will be present.
August 10-14, 2015 – 9 AM-3 PM, Dinosaurs, Fossil and Nature Science Summer Day Camp at Penn
Dixie, Past & Present, and Evangola State Park for girls
and boys 8-12 years old. Information and registration
form on the website www.penndixie.org or call (716)
627-4560.
August 12-23, 2015 – 9 AM-10 PM, Penn Dixie exhibit at Erie County Fair in the Conservation Building
with program information, fossils, fossil dig for children,
and more.
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July 18, 2015 – 11 AM- 7 PM, Penn Dixie exhibit, with
fossil dig for children, at annual Burgerfest in Hamburg,
NY.
August 17-21, 2015 - 9 AM-3 PM, Penn Dixie Science
Adventure Day Camp for girls and boys 8-12 years old.
Information and registration form on the website www.
penndixie.org or call (716) 627-4560.
August 19, 2015 – 9 AM-12 Noon, United Way Day of
Volunteering at Penn Dixie.
August 24-28, 2015 – 9 AM-3 PM, Summer Science
Safari Day Camp for girls and boys 8-12 years old at
Penn Dixie, Evangola State Park, and Reinstein Woods
Nature Preserve. Information and registration form on
the website www.penndixie.org or call (716) 627-4560.
September 12, 2015 - 8:30 AM to 12 Noon, 25th Annual
Penn Dixie Nature Cruise Tour. Call (716) 627-4560 for
registration information and cost or visit www.penndixie.
org. Limited space available.
September 13, 2015 – 1-4 PM, Grandparents’ Day at
Penn Dixie with a variety of activities in fossils, astronomy, and the sciences. Adults $9, children 12 and under
$7, and children 2 and under & Penn Dixie members are
free. For each Grandparent that brings a grandchild, the
Grandparent will be admitted free! No pre-registrations
are required.
September 19, 2015 – 10 AM-4 PM, Penn Dixie exhibit
and fossil dig at Reinstein Woods Fall Festival.
September 19, 2015 – 6 PM, Astronomy Night at Penn
Dixie Site. Telescopes will be available to view planets
and constellations. Dress for the weather. $4/person,
Penn Dixie Members FREE. No pre-registrations required.
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WELCOME SARAH EINHOUSE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
The HNHS/Penn Dixie is pleased to announce the hiring of Sarah K.
Einhouse as the new Director of Education for the Society. Sarah
began her full-time employment on Monday, April 27, 2015.
Sarah graduated from SUNY College at Brockport with an Environmental Science and Biology –Terrestrial Concentration with a BS
Degree. She has worked a variety of jobs including Lake Erie State
Park, Yellowstone National park as an intern, the Jamestown YWCA
After School Program, and Evangola State Park as an Outdoor Educator/Naturalist. Sarah has computer skills and is very enthusiastic
about her new position. In addition, to developing and implementing
new programs and events, she will be helping with many of the Penn
Dixie programs, staff and volunteers. We are pleased to have Sarah
on our team. She already has found that there is no shortage of
work. Please welcome Sarah when you see her at the site or one of
our events.
Hamburg Natural History Society, Inc., P.O. Box 772, Hamburg, New York 14075 (716)627-4560