AUGUST 2023
August 3
Ages 3-6 years
Nature’s Nursery Series
4:00-5:00pm
Join us on the first Thursday of each month from May-August for an hour-long program designed just for your young nature lovers. Every session will include a story, an encounter with a live animal, and an activity or craft. Parents/Caregivers, we ask that you stay for the duration of the program. Meet in the A.B. Ceder Room. 4-5pm. Advanced registration is required. To register, please call 860-567-0857 or visit whitememorialcc.org. Space is limited. Please inquire about financial aid as needed. Members: $9/child per session or $30/whole series, Non-Members: $13/child per session or $50/whole series
August 5
Tutankhamun: 100 Years of Forensic Investigation with Dr. Sofia Aziz
November 2022 marked the centenary of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s 18th dynasty tomb. Howard Carter and his team unearthed a hidden treasure trove – the likes of which the world had never seen. Due to the sheer magnitude of artefacts and the precision with which Howard Carter attempted to document everything, it was not until 1925 that the autopsy of Tutankhamun was carried out. Over the years Tutankhamun’s mummy would be examined on three further occasions. What did the first autopsy reveal? What have recent CT studies added to our understanding of Tutankhamun’s health, cause of death and mummification techniques?
About our Speaker: Dr. Sofia Aziz is a Biomedical Egyptologist with a life-long passion for ancient Egypt. She has been involved in a notable list of publications, consults, and has appeared in a variety of documentaries and tv series.
Her primary interest lies within the realm of Egyptian Medicine and Mummification Methods which crosses into a multitude of other disciplines and topics. Her focus has been on understanding the health of the ancient Egyptians and the diseases they suffered from. She is thrilled to be a part of this fascinating growing area of research and is available to provide consultation, talks/discussions and provide professional research and expertise for upcoming (multimedia) opportunities.
Sofia is the recipient of the 2022 award for outstanding achievement in Biomedical Egyptology. Her research involves analysing radiological datasets, examining the palaeopathological records and medical papyri to further develop a better understanding of the people of ancient Egypt. www.sofiaaziz.com
2:00 p.m., ZOOM, Members: FREE, Non-Members: $10.00. Pre-registration is required. Call 860-567-0857 or register online: www.whitememorialcc.org. A link to the presentation will be emailed to you on August 4.
August 12
Beaver Fever Talk and Walk with Gerri Griswold
Gather in the Museum at dawn’s early light for coffee and muffins in front of our spectacular Beaver Lodge and learn a bit about North America’s largest rodent. Although beavers are abundant today, their story was quite different in the 1800’s. Today you will learn fascinating beaver facts in the Museum and then head out on foot to a few of our resident beaver haunts with the hope of seeing these industrious creatures in action! 6:00 a.m., Meet in the A. B. Ceder Room. Members: FREE Non-members: $10.00 pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call 860-567-0857 or register online. www.whitememorialcc.org
August 17
Babies in Backpacks with Kelly Orr
For Ages 6 months to 2 years!
Come and explore the great outdoors in a way that your child can get excited about! The third Thursday of every month we will enjoy a hike with your child in a baby-wearing carrier or follow their pace if they are mobile. There will only be expectations of exploring the world around us, not of a mile mark or speed. Depending on the energy level of the group we will use our bodies to move in nature for 30 minutes, followed by an activity. We will read books about the outdoors, enjoy touch and feel stations, use sand and water bins and more! This will be a year-round program. The goal is to encourage family time outdoors in all seasons. We will still play outside in rain, snow, heat, and cold. Unsafe weather will push us indoors. Plan to get a little dirty, and come with weather appropriate clothing, sunscreen and bug spray as needed. Caretakers must stay for the duration of the program. Please park in the horse trailer parking and meet in the Pollinator Garden.
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Members: $9/child per session or $30/whole series, Non-Members: $13/child per session or $50/whole series Pre-registration is required by calling 860-567-0857 or register online here: www.whitememorialcc.org Space is limited. Please inquire about financial aid as needed.
August 17 – 23
Museum Children Free Week
Courtesy of Tara and Arthur Diedrick Honoring Ann and Arthur Diedrick. Free admission to children ages twelve and under when accompanied by an adult.
August 18
STAR PARTY!!!!
This astronomy program is organized by members of the Litchfield Hills Amateur Astronomy Club and the Mattatuck Astronomical Society. Weather permitting, there will be star gazing after the program. 8:00 p.m., A. B. Ceder Room. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. You are invited to bring your own telescope or binoculars. FREE… Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.
August 19
A Morning Paddle Along the Bantam River with Kelly Orr
Pack your boat, thermos, and a continental breakfast and head down the river to Litchfield Town Beach with Kelly. Meet the sunrise and an abundance of river characters along the way. Be on the lookout for beavers, turtles, herons, and otters. You must bring your own boat. Meet at the boat launch on Whites Woods Road 5:30 a.m., Members: $5.00 Non-Members: $10.00, Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call 860-567-0857 or register online: www.whitememorialcc.org
August 26
Honoring Jane Coughlin ~ Ilvi Dulack Presents: The Wind in the Willows
This very special evening honors Jane Coughlin, beloved thespian, friend, and wife of retired White Memorial Foundation and Conservation Center Executive Director, Keith Cudworth. Jane lost her valiant battle with cancer in March 2023. She was a great supporter of White Memorial in front of and behind the scenes. This evening is an encore presentation of excerpts from Kenneth Grahame’s classic animal tale, The Wind in the Willows that Jane and Ilvi Dulack performed in July 2011. Tonight, Mr.Toad, Ratty, Badger, and more characters will come to life through Ilvi Dulack, Beth Steinberg, Gerri Griswold, and other guest readers. Please bring a potluck dish to share and your own serving utensils, place setting, and a memory about Jane (if you are so blessed) to share with us. BYOB (Jane would have approved!). Dessert and coffee will be provided. 6:30 p.m., A. B. Ceder Room. The program is free but you must pre-register by calling 860-567-0857 or register online: www.whitememorialcc.org Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.
