Severson Dells

The Mysteries and Miracles of Nature

Mark your calendars — Sept. 12-15. This will be a great four days of FREE nature programs.

In memory of Dr. Alan Hutchcroft and David Burdick.
Sponsored by Law Office Of Jim Black
The Abilities Center
Rockford Litho Center
Specialty Screw Corp.

Wednesday, September 12
@Severson Dells Nature Center (map)
Patterns of Nature - Tim Gruner
6:30 pm
Join Tim, curator of Anderson Gardens, to explore natural patterns which can be used in your own garden or just appreciate them in nature.

The Secret Language of the Earth- Marcia Bjornerud
Deciphering a rock or understanding why a landscape looks as it does provides the same rush of insight that one gets upon learning the etymology of a familiar word; a window is opened onto a distant time, revealing previously unsensed connections between past and present.

Thursday, September 13
@Severson Dells Nature Center (map)

Community Dinner
5:30 pm
For everyone to share a dish to pass and some good conversation.

The Mysteries and Miracles of Nature - Brian Doyle
7:15 pm
Brian is the editor of Portland Magazine at the University of Portland, in Oregon. His books have three times been finalists for the Oregon Book Award, and his essays have appeared in The Atlantic Monthly, Harper’s, Orion, The American Scholar, and in newspapers around the world. His program in general has to do with humor as prayer and human beings as verbs and water.

Friday, September 14
@The University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford (map)
The Mystery of the Butterflies - Alan Branhagen
6:30 pm
Alan authored The Gardener’s Butterfly Book in 2001, and is the Director of Horticulture at Powell Gardens. We will take a close look at metamorphosis, how butterflies survive the winter, probable reasons for their markings, mimicry, defense and camouflage patterns and come to realize just what truly magnificent creature’s butterflies are.

The Call of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker -Rediscovering the Holy Grail of Birds - Bobby Harrison
Bobby will tell the story of the ivory-bill’s near demise and miraculous resurrection. He will also show his unpublished Ivory-billed woodpecker video that was shot on September 4, 2004.

Saturday, September 15
@Severson Dells Nature Center (map)
World Bird Sanctuary,Eureka, Missouri - Masters of the Sky
10:00 am, noon, & 2 pm
An experience of the senses with Masters of the Sky program. Look into the eyes of an owl, feel the breeze of a hawk’s wing and meet Mother Natures “Garbage man” in a fun and interactive atmosphere.

The Buzz on Honey Bees - Phillip Raines
11:15 am
Learn about the wonderful and fascinating world of bees and see a real live hive in action.

Special: Earth Words: Reading & Writing the Natural World - Carol LaChapelle
12:30-5:00 pm
In this writing workshop we will read and discuss some of the best contemporary American nature writers, including Annie Dillard, Rick Bass, and Barry Lopez. We’ll also do our own nature writing, using the
personal essay form to record and reflect on our experiences in the natural world.

Tales of a River Rat - Kenny Salwey
6:30 pm
Kenny Salwey, the legendary Last River Rat and famed storyteller, presents a collection of “rat tales,” sure to delight, inform, and entertain.

Exploring the Solar System: Mr. Spock, Paul McCartney, and the Planets - Randy Trank
7:45 pm
We’ll tour the solar system, learn about objects named Lennon, McCartney, Starr and Harrison, Miller, Mr. Spock, and Zeus, find out when the next big solar eclipse will occur in the U.S., then head outside to see the stars!!!!

Used Book Sale
9 am - 3 pm
Proceeds benefit the Severson Dells Library.

Used Book Donations accepted now!