PENN DIXIE PALEONTOLOGICAL

& OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTER

PENN DIXIE PUBLIC HOURS

The Penn Dixie Site is open to the public for fossil collecting every Saturday, from May through October, 9 AM to 4 PM; Sundays, May-October, 11 AM to 4 PM; and Spring Break-March 29-30 & April 1-7, and 7-days a week June 15–Sept. 3, Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-4 PM, rain or shine.  Closed Memorial Day, July 4 & Labor Day September 2. Open Columbus Day, October 14, 9 AM-4 PM.  Visits may be scheduled at other times by calling (716) 627-4560.   Non-member adults $7 and children 12 and under $6, and children 2 and under and Penn Dixie members are free.  Penn Dixie members may visit the site anytime, but are asked to leave a message on the Society Phone when you are on-site, how many are with you, and park your car so as not to block the gate.  Please bring your membership card with you at all times.

Schools and groups wishing to schedule a field trip to the Penn Dixie Site should email jbpendix@gmail.com or call (716) 627-4560.

All other groups, families, scouts, birthday parties, & individuals, wishing to schedule a visit at other times, should call (716) 627- 4560 or email jbpendix@gmail.com.  Please call or visit our web site at www.penndixie.org for programs, upcoming events, membership & directions.

PENN DIXIE VOLUNTEER TRAINING PROGRAM

March 16

Penn Dixie needs volunteers!  The programs, field trips, exhibits, and other activities of the Penn Dixie Site and the HNHS have continued to grow each year and reach more children and adults.  The events and programs require a large number of volunteers to provide successful programs. Several of our volunteers have moved south or east, some have health concerns or family responsibilities and we need to augment our volunteer group to continue with the growing number of programs and activities.    

The Penn Dixie Site is currently recruiting enthusiastic and responsible individuals to help support its educational programs at the Penn Dixie Paleontological and Outdoor Education Center in Hamburg. This could be your perfect opportunity if you…

·                     Want to make a difference in your community.

·                     Are looking for a hands-on volunteer organization.

·                     Have three or four hours available each month.

·                     Need to fulfill community service hours.

·                     Are seeking teaching or mentoring opportunities.

As the demand for programs continues, the need for additional volunteers also increases.  Astronomy volunteers and volunteers to help with school groups and special events are needed! This is a great opportunity to introduce children and adults to the world of natural sciences available in our region.  In 2012, Penn Dixie provided and participated in 408 on-site and off-site programs, exhibits, events, field trips, presentations and other activities that reached over 103,901 children and adults.  Families nd groups from 38 states and 9 countries visited Penn Dixie in 2012. Penn Dixie has a variety of programs and projects that succeed through the volunteer efforts of individuals, groups, students, scouts, seniors and retirees.

Volunteers are needed to help with school groups, astronomy programs, special events, weekends, membership recruitment, marketing, Board and committee positions, and group visits to Penn Dixie.  Individuals of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to attend.  Have a few hours a month to help introduce children and adults to the natural sciences?  Help open up a whole new world to those who visit Penn Dixie – “Where Science Comes Alive.”   The Annual Volunteer Training Program is scheduled for Saturday, March 16, 2013, at 8:30 AM in the auditorium at the Gateway Executive Office, 3556 Lake Shore Road, Blasdell.  If you are interested in helping out with groups, families, schools, day cares, etc. please call (716) 627-4560 or email jbpendix@gmail.com.  Pre-registration is requested.  Training is free for members and $25 each for non-members.  Information on Volunteer Opportunities and an information form, that should be submitted, are available on the website under Volunteer Opportunities at www.penndixie.org. 

GREAT LAKES FISHERIES:

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Penn Dixie is pleased to have Don Einhouse of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in Dunkirk, leader of the Lake Erie Fisheries Research Unit, speak on the “Great Lakes Fisheries: Past, Present and Future” on Wednesday March 20, 2013 at 7 PM.  Don’s illustrated presentation will be in the auditorium of the Gateway Executive office, 3556 Lake Shore Road, Blasdell.

The Lake Erie Fisheries Research Unit operates from a field station located in Dunkirk has the principal function to investigate and manage the fish resources within Lake Erie. By managing, we mean evaluating the status of fish populations to enhance fisheries and to restore others. This field station also undertakes regular surveys to monitor the health of fish populations and to establish effective stocking and harvest policies.  Don has been a fisheries biologist at the Lake Erie field station for most of his 30+-year career. He received degrees from SUNY Cobleskill (AAS), Cornell University (BS) and SUNY Fredonia (MS) and has spent most of his career investigating dynamics of walleye, smallmouth bass and yellow perch fisheries on Lake Erie.  Don's presentation will provide a broad overview of New York's Great Lakes fisheries resources.

Mr. Einhouse’s presentation is open to the public and no pre-registrations are required.  Children, adults, scouts students, families, home schools, and groups are welcome.  $4 person, Penn Dixie members are free.  Call (716) 627-4560 for information and directions.

PENN DIXIE TO EXHIBIT AT BGS GEM-MINERAL-FOSSIL SHOW MARCH 23-24

BUFFALO GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY Inc.

Presents our 45^th Annual

GEM MINERAL FOSSIL SHOW - “FOSSILS:  IMAGES OF THE PAST”

Saturday March 23, 2013  *  10am to 6pm

Sunday March 24, 2013  *  10am to 6pm

Admission $5.00  *  Children 12 years and younger are FREE and FREE parking

Meet us at the “Fairgrounds” (Market & Grange Buildings)

The Fairgrounds, Hamburg, NY (use South Park entrance)

A GREAT FIELD TRIP FOR THE FAMILY & a real learning experience.

Demonstrations * Beads * Family Fun * Jewelry * Private Gem Collections * Unique Gifts

* Educational Exhibits * Plus Door Prizes and Refreshments

ASTRONOMY NIGHT AT PENN DIXIE MARCH 23

The first 2013 Penn Dixie evening astronomy program will be held at the site on Saturday, March 23, at 7 PM.  Telescopes will be available to view an almost full moon in the east, Jupiter in the southwest just above the red star Aldebaran, in Taurus the Bull. The Great Orion's Nebula M42 in the south, and an almost full moon in the southeast, near the Bee-Hive cluster M44. 

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 welcome.  $3/person, Penn Dixie members FREE.  No pre-registrations required.  Visit the Buffalo Geological Society Gem-Mineral-Fossil Show during the day and then come on out to view the planets and constellations in the Penn Dixie Skies!  Call (716) 627-4560 for additional information and/or visit the web site at www.penndixie.org for directions, program, and membership information.

HOCKEY IS BACK!

WIN TWO TICKETS TO BOX SEATS TO THE

BUFFALO SABRES VS. OTTAWA SENATORS

APRIL 5, 2013 - 7 PM

Drawing will be held at the Penn Dixie exhibit at

the Buffalo Geological Society’s Gem-Mineral-Fossil Show on

Sunday, March 24, 2013, at 4 PM in the Grange Building

at the Erie County Fairgrounds, Hamburg, NY

Food & beverages provided at the Game.

Winner receives two tickets to the Zoladz Construction Suite at

First Niagara Center, which were donated originally by Zoladz Construction

and Mike Szymendera, one of the winners of the Sabres Raffle at the

November 1, 2012, 17^th Annual HNHS/Penn Dixie Fundraiser, who

donated them back to Penn Dixie to help raise funds for the site.

Donation: $5 each or 5 for $20

"You do not have to be present to win"

Help PENN DIXIE!

Please sell or purchase the enclosed 5 tickets

Send a check to Penn Dixie, PO Box 772, Hamburg, NY 14075

Donations are also welcome and they are income tax deductible.

Your support of the No. 1 Fossil Park in the United States

is gratefully appreciated

*All proceeds from this raffle will benefit the programs and operations of the

Penn Dixie Paleontological & Outdoor Education Center in Hamburg, NY

PENN DIXIE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC SPRING BREAK FOR FOSSIL COLLECTING

Penn Dixie will be open during Spring Break – March 29-30 & April 1-7, 2013, M-SA, 9 am-4 pm & SU, 11am-4 pm, rain or shine.  The public is invited.  No pre-registrations required.  $7/adult, $6/child 12 and under, children 2 and under & Penn Dixie members FREE.  In November 2012, the trilobite layer on the north side of the site was exposed with an excavator.  There was a large area that was exposed and has and will be yielding many excellent trilobites and other specimens.  Invite your family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and visitors from out-of-town to an outdoor adventure at the No. 1 Fossil Park in the United States.  Get outdoors and enjoy the wonderful Spring weather!

TEACHERS & GROUP LEADERS - BOOK YOUR FIELD TRIP TO PENN DIXIE NOW

Schools, day cares, pre-schools, scouts, recreation departments, and other group field trips to visit Penn Dixie for the spring and summer of 2013 are now being booked.  Please call 627-4560 or email jbpendix@gmail.com, if you are interested in scheduling your class or group to visit to collect fossils, learn about what the area was like 380 million years ago, and the local geology. 

PENN DIXIE SITE RANKED

1^ST IN FOSSIL PARK RANKINGS

IN THE UNITED STATES

The Geological Society of America Special Paper 474, June 2011, “Geobiological opportunities to learn at U.S. Fossil Parks” by Renee Clary, of Mississippi State University, and James Wandersee, of Louisiana State University, evaluated seven fossil parks and the Penn Dixie Paleontological and Outdoor Education Center in Hamburg, NY was ranked No. 1.  Page 130 lists the rankings on Table 2 and the seven criteria that were evaluated.  The paper provides additional details and information on the importance of these facilities to the public geobiological learning and tourism.

VISIT WWW.PENNDIXIE.ORG

FOR PROGRAM, MEMBERSHIP,

AND EVENT INFORMATION

HELP SUPPORT THE PENN DIXIE SITE! 

TAKE OUT A MEMBERSHIP IN THE HAMBURG NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY AND RECRUIT A NEW MEMBER TODAY!