Eagle River Nature Center News

Thank you to our major sponsors: Alaska Airlines Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. BP Alaska CIRI ConocoPhillips Alaska ExxonMobil Perkins Coie LLP Rasmuson Foundation REI Foundation Spenard Builders Supply Visit Anchorage Walmart Foundation

Beth Baker and Andy Bickford receiving awards from Asta Spurgis.

October Nights Auction:Naturally Fun!

No. 70 Member Newsletter November 2017 Connecting People with Nature Since 1996

Excerpted from the award ceremony at the October Nights Auction on Saturday, October 6, 2017, at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Asta Spurgis introduced the honorees: I am deeply honored to recognize a remarkable woman. Since the day she became Naturalist Carole Lloyd's ‘groupie’, Beth Baker has gone on to do amazing work in the naturalist community. She was the first person to finish her Interpretive Naturalist Certification (within a year) when it took others much longer. She became a regular presenter at the Nature Center - presenting programs about ravens and leading wildflower walks. Beth was enthusiastic about it all. A consummate learner, she always had her notebook and pen in hand when coming to presentations. Not only did she follow in Carole's footsteps, but she also followed in Verna Pratt's. Verna was the guru of Alaska's wildflowers. Sadly she passed away earlier this year. Verna passed the baton to Beth who stepped up to become president of the AK Native Plant Society. But that's not all! For years Beth has played harp and piano at our annual Night with the Stars event. And do you think these are her only talents? In her "real" job she's "only" a pulmonary specialist; she's run the Iditarod; she writes; and she's participated in hundreds of foot races, bike races and triathlons. I'm convinced that Beth does not sleep. Oh yes, I didn't mention that she's also a sleep disorder doctor. Enough of Beth Baker! It's exhausting me just thinking about all that she's accomplished while managing to remain so humble. Tonight, Beth, we honor you for your many years of dedication and service to the Eagle River Nature Center and to our community. Tonight we honor our long time business partner Spenard Builders Supply. Who doesn't go to SBS to buy their home fix-up stuff? SBS is not a big box store with unapproachable staff. SBS has staff you can actually talk to and get the right answers from. They support the community wherever they can. They've helped countless Boy Scouts become Eagle Scouts by providing donations of materials and expertise. But SBS is not just a name. It is made up of individuals such as Andy Bickford who really care about the people they serve. Andy has been Eagle River's SBS manager for as long as I can remember. He was also one of the ERNC's earliest board members. He and wife Lara frequently rent the public use cabin and report back to us on all the repairs needed. Thanks Andy! Thank you SBS and Andy for being an outstanding manager; for volunteering at the Nature Center; and for making Eagle River a terrific place to live in. Lastly, a small surprise.....because if we didn't keep it a surprise he may not have shown up. Tom Harrison, Superintendent of Chugach State Park for the past 11 years, retired a week ago. He kept it very hush hush, because although his job has required him to work with literally every type of park user (from quiet rights advocates to motorized recreationalists) he's a mellow and unassuming kind of guy who prefers sailing to having heated discussions about parking issues at trailheads. And oh, poor Tom has had too many of those to count. He's had to deal with neighborhood parking issues at trailheads at the Nature Center, Glen Alps, South Fork and many more. The job of a state administrator is certainly "no walk in the park". Tom, you have done it and you have done it exceptionally well. You've been a caring ‘boss’ of the Nature Center and you've always been supportive and very complimentary of the organization. Although the ERNC is financially self-sustaining, you have done your best to help us whenever possible. The staff thanks you. I thank you for being so easy to work with.

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Night with the Stars 2018Dreams of Animals: Cosmic & Earthly Traditional Stories of Animals with

February 24, 2018 at 5:30pm at the

Nature Center

Tickets online at www.ernc.org or call 907-694-2108. MEMBERS ONLY. $100/person. Tables of 8 available. Limited seating so get your tickets early. Includes appetizers, fine wines, local beers, dinner and dessert. Harpist Beth Baker. Chef Tyler Howie.

Susan Strauss is recognized

internationally as a storyteller of natural

history performances. She combines mythic

and traditional stories with personal

anecdotes and scientific information

to provoke an experience of natural

archetypes. She’s been a key speaker and

presenter throughout the U.S., Europe and

Australia. Susan lives in Bend, Oregon where she teaches, writes and

enjoys the outdoors.

Clockwise from above left: Recently retired Chugach State Park Superintendent Tom Harrison receives a surprise award from Director Asta Spurgis; auction participants play a fun game of Bear Bell Heads or Tails; volunteer Stephanie Whaley distributes bear bells with a smile; Blaine Smith the Polar Bear invites Gus Gustafsonon stage for a rendition of Happy Birthday.

"I thought I had seen the best in storytelling until I met Susan Strauss. Susan lives her stories and embodies each of her characters, bringing them to life with such vivid visual and auditory detail that her audiences literally lose themselves in the fantasy. Absolutely captivating!”~ Dr. Sam Ham, Professor of Interpretation, University of Idaho

Susan Strauss will also perform for all ages on Friday, February 23, 7pm at the Eagle River Nature Center. Tickets and information online.

Thank you to our auction volunteers extraordinaire: Angelika Harder; Amanda Hanson; Perry Lundgren; Lisa Pajot; Aras

Sirvelis; Ramunas Sirvelis; Blaine Smith; Gail Somerville; Candy Stanley; Sean Wagner; and Stephanie Whaley.

2 Friends GalleryAlaska Airlines*Alaska Avalanche SchoolAlaska Huts AssociationAlaska LoveAlaska Raft and KayakAlaska RailroadAlaska Rock GymAlaska Sausage and SeafoodAlaska Sea KayakersAlaska Sealife CenterAlaska Wildland AdventuresAnchorage Concert AssociationAnchorage MuseumAngelika HarderAnita NelsonAnnella IppolitoA Piece of AlaskaArctic Brewing SupplyArctic Roadrunner, Inc.Arctic Valley Ski Area & Tube ParkAsta SpurgisAudra KarasaBennett Images/ImagesAlaska.comBeth ReilandBird Treatment and Learning CenterBleeding Heart BreweryBrecht Studio and GalleryBrent Reynolds PhotographyCarol HeplerChugach AdventuresChugach State ParkClaire Holland LeClairColin Tyler PhotographyCostco WholesaleCover UpsCozy InteriorsCynosure BrewingDavid PettiboneDean DavidsonDenali DreamsDick GriffithD&M PhotographyDore MeyersDouble Shovel Cider CompanyEagle River Nature CenterEagle River/Palmer City AlehouseEagle River TattooEdible AlaskaFire Island Rustic Bake ShopFireside BooksFusing FrenzyGinamaria Smith

Giselle BergeronGood Migrations StudioGrace Ridge BrewingGreat Harvest Bread Co. Gus GustafsonHarbor 360 Hotel Headband Happy AKHeather's Choice:Meals for AdventuringHilltop Ski AreaJitterdog Coffee Co.JittersJohn IppolitoKenai River Brewing Co.King Street Brewing CompanyLaughing Raven CateringLaura KrugerLocally Grown PropertiesMajor Marine ToursMusk Ox FarmNamaste North Yoga StudioNicole Pressman-SchneiderNordic Skiing AssociationNorth Country StovesOdd Man Rush BrewingPeace Crane MobilesPeter Brondz StudioQdoba Mexican GrillRamunas SirvelisRanger SummitREI AnchorageRust's Flying ServiceSafetyEdSalmon SistersSams Club Sasquatch Alaska Adventure Co.Sean Wagner Skhoop of ScandinaviaSpenard Builders SupplySteve Cross, ArtistSue Ellen MaySunny Cove Sea KayakingSusan SpykerSusan WalkerSweet CaribouThe Alaska LifeThe Alaska ZooThe Garden GateCaptain Cook Athletic ClubTom HarrisonTurnagain Arm Mycological SocietyUte OlssonWhalebone WatercolorsWild Scoops

Thank you to all our auction donors for making our event a success!

* Live Auction Donors are bolded.

Auctioneer Rayne Reynolds and Blaine the Polar Bearstarted off the live auction with a rendition of Happy Birthday for our very own Gus Gustafson. Volunteer Gail Somerville was an enthusiastic bear bell auction seller.

All photos courtesy of Colin Tyler Bogucki.

Thank you to all of our FOR THE CAUSE donors!

Funds donated during the auction will be used for class scholarships in 2017-2018. Teachers: for more

information on how to receive a scholarship for a Nature Center field trip visit our website at

www.ernc.org. Please spread the word to all the elementary school educators in need of support.

$1000-$3000Bill SchmidBeth BakerSusan Spyker

$300-$600Cathy GleasonTerry LauckAnita NelsonJennifer RobertsJen SchorrJennifer CurrieEsther FeugMegyn GreiderCarl LundgrenBecky MooreGerda Stechauner

BOARD OF DIRECTORSAndy BickfordEric FjelstadStacy Flagg

Dana GlessnerJason Longlet

Carl Lundgren, ChairmanDan McDonough

Anita NelsonPete PanareseGail RaymondClark Saunders

Julie SaupeSusan Spyker

Janet Toenes, TreasurerSusan Walker, Secretary

HONORARY DIRECTORSDick GriffithLaura Lloyd

STAFFGiselle Bergeron, Naturalist

Colin Tyler Bogucki, Assistant ManagerGus Gustafson, Winter Trails Supervisor

Laura Kruger, ManagerSue May, Substitute Naturalist

Ute Olsson, Chief NaturalistBrent Reynolds, Summer Trails

SupervisorSamantha Russell, Naturalist

Asta Spurgis, Executive Director

Solstice CelebrationDecember 16, 6 – 8pm

$100Meredith BernsteinLara BickfordDaphne BrashearDean DavidsonApril GuntherTom HarrisonClaire Holland LeClairPatrick MartinezDarlene MarushakAnita NelsonCarmen OlitoJoe RalstonBeth ReilandJessica Oho ReilandEllen SchwenneDan Winter

$25-$50Lily ToalSusan WalkerStacy FlaffCarrie Ann LandgrafJason LongletWendy LoyaSusan PerryPeder ReilandLinda SalterScott Webb

Congratulations to Our Volunteers of the Year: Candy Stanley, Mark St. Amour and

Eric Fjelstad. We will honor them at our annual volunteer holiday party on

December 2, 2017. We thank them for their hard work, time and for making the Nature Center a fabulous place for people to visit.

Thank you to the following for their

recent donations of $500 or more:

Alaska AirlinesBP

ConocoPhillipsPerkins Coie LLPPick.Click.Give

Visit AnchorageDaphne & Stephen

BrashearCathy Brenner

Dana Glessner &J.D. BatoveSteve Crupi

Dore & Kevin MeyersFrank Neill Estate

Allyson & Terry LauckJ.T. Lindholm

Jack Stewart EstateBill & Kaylene Sullivan

Dan Winter

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Name (s) : ___________________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________

City/State: _______________________________________ Zip code: ____________________

Phone: _____________________________ Email: ____________________________________

I have an enclosed a check for $_________________________ Check # ____________________Please have all checks made out to the Eagle River Nature Center. We will write one checkto Alaska Public Media at the end of the giving period.

I would like my credit card charged for $ ______________ Visa MC Discover Amexas designated above.

CC # __________________________________________________ Exp Date: ________________

Security # on back _____________ Signature: __________________________________________

Donations of $500 or more to the Nature Center, please write your giving leaf dedication below (max of 8 words):

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

$ ________ Dick Griffith will match your contribution to support the Eagle River Nature Center. Contributions of $500 or more will receive an engraved Giving Leaf. Goal: $10,000.

$ ________ Donors who contribute $100 or more to the production of AK Public Media’s film “Canyons and Ice: The Last Run of Dick Griffith” will receive 2 complimentary tickets to the film’s premiere (tbd in 2018)) and will be recognized in the film’s credits. These donations are not matched by Dick Griffith. Goal: $10,000.

Friends of Eagle River Nature CenterMember Newsletter November 2017January & February 2018 Programs32750 Eagle River RoadEagle River, AK 99577www.ernc.orgNon-profit ID 92-0156981

Non-Profit Organization

US Postage PaidAnchorage, AK

Permit #69

Your membership expiration dateis listed below your address label. Building hours: October- April: Friday-Sundays, 10am-5pmTrails are always open.Please, no dogs at our programs.

Save the date! Solstice Lantern Walk, December 16, 6-8pmHistoric Iditarod Roadhouse Day, January 13, see full schedule of events on our website in DecemberIcy River Rampage Fat Bike Race , February 3, 11amFriday night with Susan Strauss, February 23, 7pm Night with the Stars -Susan Strauss, February 24, 5:30pm

Go see Eagle River artist David Pettibone's solo exhibition, "A Year With a Tree“, at the Anchorage Museum.

Now through January 15, 2018.David’s project takes the form of numerous watercolor and oil paintings which investigate, in detail, a single tree at the Eagle River Nature Center from May 11, 2016, to May 11, 2017, and how the changing of the seasons affects the tree.

Most works in the exhibition are available for sale. During the duration of the exhibition, 10% of the artist's profit from any sales will be donated back to the Eagle River Nature Center. For inquiries, please contact the Anchorage Museum'sgift shop. For more info visit the Anchorage Museums website.

Debbie Soltis opened the astronomy series in October

with a talk about the total solar eclipse. Brothers

Auggie and Charlie Martinez received their Jr. Astronomer

certificates. Bravo boys!