ROCHESTER, NY— The Rochester Museum and Science Center (RMSC) Cumming Nature Center, kicks off its 2018 autumn series with events ranging from stargazing, outdoor yoga, scrapbooking, food preservation education sessions, and more. Admission fees vary by event. Visit RMSC.org for more information.
Star Party | Friday, Oct. 12 | 5–10pm
This family-friendly, after-hours event will focus on the basics of astronomy and orient new and experienced stargazers to telescopes, star charts, galaxies, and more. Participants are encouraged to pack a picnic dinner and ingredients to make their own s’mores, bring a blanket, and take in the wonders of the night sky. Warm beverages and snacks will also be available for purchase.
Nature Scrapbooking | Saturday, Oct. 13 | 1–3pm
Try your hand at making mushroom prints, pounding color from leaves, creating autumn leaf mosaics, or combining nature finds with images and quotes to create memorable pages in any journal with environmental educator, Angela Cannon-Crothers. This program is part of a four-season series of monthly events on nature observation, citizen science, and environmental literacy funded by the Rochester Regional Library Council Breakthrough Grant for the Naples Library.
Yoga in the Pines | Sunday, Oct. 21 | 10–11:30am
Yoga in the Pines takes yoga practice into the great outdoors. Participants will have the opportunity to practice yoga and meditation in a sacred and serene setting. During this 90-minute session, Lynne Boucher of Yoga Revolution will guide the group through a gentle open-level vinyasa flow as well as seated and walking meditation.
Food Preservation | Saturday, Oct. 27 | 9am–2pm
Explore different ways to preserve food including dehydrating, steam juicing, vacuum sealing, freezing, canning, and fermenting in this hands-on workshop. Turn fruit into juice using a steam juicer, and into snacks using a dehydrator. Add salt to cabbage to ferment into sauerkraut. Protect dry goods such as flour and rice using a vacuum sealer. Compare boiling-water-bath canning to pressure canning, and learn tips for freezing your bounty. Food preservation has been a part of instructor Barb Brenner’s entire life, from 4-H activities and helping her mother can and freeze, to preserving her own harvest as an adult and teaching food preservation classes. She has earned Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Master Food Preserver Certification, has a food preservation informational/demonstration booth at the Lima Farmers Market, and enjoys year-round meals from the bounty of her canning jars, freezer containers, and vacuum-sealed bags.
Mark Holdren’s Thoreau & Me in the Finger Lakes: Finding Nature’s Path to a Healthier, Happier Life | Thursday, Nov. 15 | 6–7pm
Thoreau and Me in the Finger Lakes by Mark Holdren awakens the reader’s spirit to a deepened awareness of nature and peaceful mindfulness with all of life. The book is gracefully illustrated by Elaine Verstraete and captures the magic and beauty of our region while lifting our thoughts and spirits to contemplate the deeper meanings of life and nature. Meet Holdren as he discusses his book as part of a yearlong program being sponsored by The Rochester Regional Library Council (RRLC) Breakthrough Grant for the Naples Library. Holdren is also the best selling author of Back Roads of the Finger Lakes, as well some novels.
The Cumming Nature Center is a dynamic, 900-acre environmental education facility that celebrates the unique landscape and culture of the Finger Lakes region through experiential learning opportunities and thoughtful exhibits. Educational programming at the Nature Center explores the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. These programs are designed to inspire innovative thinking among participants and provide them with the tools, knowledge and confidence to take action in the face of local, regional and global challenges. The preserve includes six miles of trails and countless opportunities to connect with the outdoors.
Admission: RMSC members free; general public donation requested ($3 per person; $10 per family). All hikes are free with admission however additional fees may apply for some experiences. For group reservations and rates, call 585.374.6160.
Trails are open five days a week: Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed Monday and Tuesday). The Cumming Nature Center will be CLOSED Monday, Nov. 12–Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 (with the exception of Thursday, Nov. 15 for Mark Holdren’s presentation).
The Cumming Nature Center is located at 6472 Gulick Road, Naples, NY 14512.
For additional information, contact Mare Millow, Marketing Communications Manager, RMSC, 585.697.1944, mmillow@rmsc.org.
Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) includes the Science Museum, Strasenburgh Planetarium and Cumming Nature Center. Offering experiences at the Museum with more than 200 interactive exhibits, Planetarium with a 65-foot dome and Nature Center on 900 acres, the RMSC stimulates community interest in exploration. In addition, the more than 1.2 million RMSC collection items tell the story of Rochester’s past and present, including its rich history of innovation and invention. RMSC receives major funding from Monroe County, where it is one of the top three most visited attractions serving children and families. For more information about RMSC, visit RMSC.org. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
