It's time for the Ned Smith Center Festival!!

We have been neck-deep in Festival planning and we're so excited that it's finally here! Join us at beautiful MYO Park in Millersburg AND the Ned Smith Center for a fun-filled celebration of nature and the arts!

On Friday night, the Center's Olewine Gallery and gift shop will be open until 7 p.m.; and down at MYO Park, all KINDS of fun will be happening at our Twilight Tribute.

Enjoy live music from Down to Earth Band (an annual tradition) and exciting programs from John D. Laskowski (a.k.a. MOTHMAN) and Cal Butchkoski, one of Pennsylvania's preeminent bat experts. The Mid-Atlantic Disc Dogs are back this year as well, so don't miss your chance to see some talented pups in action!

Saturday will bring even more excitement, with over 50 educational and fun programs at MYO Park, at the Millersburg Gun and Conservation Club and even on the historic Millersburg Ferry! At the Center, you can check out our Olewine Gallery and gift shop, Malcolm MacPherson's Heritage Miniatures, the winners of the Center's 2010 Youth Art Contest, and our first ever Ned and Marie Smith Memorabilia Sale on the Riegle Deck! The sale will feature items from Ned and Marie's personal collection - own your own piece of Ned Smith history!

For a complete schedule of events, directions, and more, visit our website!

Office Coordinator position available!

The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art is seeking a full-time Office Coordinator. The ideal candidate will enjoy working with the public, be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access. 2-3 years supervisory experience is required. This position offers excellent pay, benefits and a beautiful working environment.

Email a cover letter, resume and salary requirements to:
Jane Lahr, Director of Finance and Administration at jlahr@nedsmithcenter.org

Big week! "Fragile Nature" closes, PLUS two exciting special events!

Well, summer's a busy time here at the Center, and this week is no exception!

If you haven't yet seen Joel Sartore's Fragile Nature exhibit, you have until this Sunday, June 13 to see it. This magnificent collection of photography by renowned photographer Joel Sartore chronicles his many experiences behind the lens for National Geographic. Admission to the Olewine Gallery is $5 general admission, $2 for seniors and free to members and children under 12.

And for all of you shutterbugs out there, join PA Game Commission wildlife conservation educator and photographer Joe Kosak for a program called "Moments Captured Through the Lens" on Thursday, June 10 at 7 p.m. in the Center's Education Room. Joe's images of the wild places he has visited will astound and educate in this energetic program. Admission to "Moments Captured Through the Lens" is free to members and children under 12, $3 otherwise.

Thursday is also Ned Smith Night at Harrisburg Shakespeare Company's Free Shakespeare in the Park in Reservoir Park in Harrisburg! The Center is excited to continue its partnership with Gamut Theatre Group (home of Harrisburg Shakespeare Company and Popcorn Hat Players Children's Theatre) with this special night of Shakespeare under the stars. This year's production is the crowd-pleasing comedy As You Like It, and if you can't make it on Thursday, the show will be performed Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. from June 9-19. More info can be found on HSC's website.

As always, feel free to contact us at 717-692-3699 or info@nedsmithcenter.org with any questions. Hope to see you soon!

Now Accepting Submissions to the Annual Youth Art Contest!

The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art is holding its 17th Annual Youth Art Contest. The theme is “North America’s Natural Beauty,” and submissions are being accepted until Tuesday, June 1, 2010.

Aspiring artists in grades 1 through 12 (or equivalent) are encouraged to enter the contest, and all entrants will receive a Ned Smith Center Signature Series patch. All art should feature wildlife or plants that are native to North America and any piece featuring species not native to North America will be disqualified.

Entries are categorized by the artist’s age: 1st – 3rd grade, 4th – 6th grade, 7th – 9th grade and 10th – 12th grade, and 1st, 2nd, 3rd place winners and an honorable mention winner will be selected from each category. Certificates and ribbons will be awarded at the Ned Smith Center Nature and Arts Festival on July 31, 2010, and the winning entries will be on display at the Ned Smith Center during the Festival.

All entries must be submitted with an official entry form, which is available for download on the Ned Smith Center website. Complete art contest rules are available on the Ned Smith Center website as well.

Questions about the art contest should be directed to Beth Sanders, Director of Education at 717-692-3699.

Create a "friendly landscape" at the 12th Annual Native Plant Sale on May 8!

The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art and Meadowood Nursery have teamed up to present Ned Smith Center’s 12th Annual Native Plant Sale on Saturday, May 8 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The event is rain or shine!

Now in it’s twelfth year, the Ned Smith Center’s annual native plant sale has grown into one of the largest of its kind in central Pennsylvania, with a huge selection of native wildflowers, ferns, grasses, trees and shrubs, all chosen for their beauty, hardiness and wildlife value.

Native gardening experts will be on hand to answer questions and help you select the right plants for your gardens. All plants are nursery propagated.

Ned Smith Center is very excited to partner with Meadowood Nursery for this event. Located in Hummelstown, Meadowood’s mission is centered on promoting awareness of the many benefits of “going native” when it comes to home gardening. Native plants offer benefits in providing habitat and food for birds and other wildlife, conserving water resources, thriving in diverse soil and weather conditions, and more. To learn more about Meadowood Nursery, visit meadowoodnursery.com.

Please be advised that due to construction at the end of Water Company Road, visitors to the Center must follow detour signs. The Center IS open for business during construction.

THIS SATURDAY! "National Geographic" Photographer Joel Sartore at the Center!

We are so excited about an upcoming weekend of great events at the Center! National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore is coming to Central Pennsylvania!

On Saturday, May 1, Mr. Sartore will lead tours of his Fragile Nature exhibit at the Center from 10:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. After each tour session, Mr. Sartore will sign copies of his new book, RARE: Portraits of America's Endangered Species. For a complete tour schedule, visit our website. Regular gallery admission prices apply. We can only accomodate 30 people per tour group, so be sure to arrive early to get your tour ticket! We will begin distributing them at 10 a.m. when the gift shop opens.

Plus, the weather is going to be amazing! After your tour, take a nice hike on our trails and enjoy lunch at one of Millersburg's fine restaurants!

And as a reminder, there is still construction at the Center's main entrance - detour signs are clearly marked, but here's what to do just in case:

* If you are coming NORTH on Route 209, you will drive past the Center's normal entrance and continue on Route 209 for approximately one mile (past Weis Markets and Dollar General) and turn RIGHT onto Romberger Road. At the end of Romberger Road, you will make another RIGHT onto Water Company Road - the Center will be on your left.
* If you are coming SOUTH on Route 209, you will turn LEFT onto Romberger Road before you get to the Center and follow the detour to Water Company Road.

We hope to see you this weekend!

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE!

We are thrilled to announce that PHASE 2 of our construction is underway!

Last fall, we completed Phase 1, an expansion of our parking lot, which allows us to accommodate more vehicles and school buses. Today, construction has begun on Phase 2, which is a series of improvements to the Center's entrance on Water Company Road that will improve safety and visibility onto Route 209.

But, like any improvement, there is a little inconvenience involved. In order for the improvements to be made, the Center's entrance will be closed, but a clearly marked detour is in place. If you are coming NORTH on Route 209, you will drive past the Center's normal entrance and continue on Route 209 for approximately one mile (past Weis Markets and Dollar General) and turn RIGHT onto Romberger Road. At the end of Romberger Road, you will make another RIGHT onto Water Company Road - the Center will be on your left.

If you are coming SOUTH on Route 209, you will turn LEFT onto Romberger Road before you get to the Center and follow the detour to Water Company Road.

We apologize for any inconvenience, but we're so excited to make these improvements to our facility to improve your safety and enhance your experience!