Sayre Fourth Grade Takes a Field Trip to SRAC

This year was the eighth year that SRAC has been doing field trips for Sayre's 4th grade classes. In fact the first kids we did this with at Sayre should be graduating this year. We are so proud to be a part of these kids' childhood memories!

 The Field Trip The school bus arrived at 9:30 am and as the kids unloaded, SRAC's Jack Andrus who is part Native American was dressed in clothing that the Native Americans in our region may have worn during the late 18th century drummed his drum as the school children entered the Center.

All 4 classes that make up Sayre's 4th grade were brought into the lecture hall where they were given team names and told the agenda and rules for the game that they would play at the end of the field trip, called "Stump the Chump." The most important thing was for them to remember to listen to each speaker at the stations they would visit and to try to come up with questions that would "stump" the other teams.

Station 1: Jack Andrus: Native American Children Stories - at this station, Jack told authentic children stories - with the "closer" and most popular story for the kids about a star in an apple....

Station 2: Ted Keir: Hunting the woolly mammoth - Ted told the kids about the ice age, woolly mammoths and other animals that lived here 10 - 15 thousand years ago and about the first men that arrived in our region hunting them...

Ted Keir: Hunting the woolly mammoth

 Station 3: Dick Cowles: Early European /Native American Contact - Dick told the kids about the initial and ongoing contact between the Native Americans of our region and the "White Men"

Some of you might not realize that Ted and Dick will both turn 89 this year!

Dick Cowles: Early European /Native American Contact 

Station 4: The SRAC Gift Shop! The teachers asked us if we could add the gift shop as another station a few years ago because the kids always want to shop when they come - so we did - and the kids love it!

Teacher Robin Munn helped her students shop and even bought them all a small toy!

It's important to point out that SRAC never charges kids - or schools for their tours - and every field trip we do for the schools is on US and offering shopping in the gift shop is totally up to the teachers!

At the end of the day - Robin Munn's team (class) "The Sparklers" won the "Stump the Chump" game and won special prizes. But all the kids (85) and the teachers also went home with an authentic Native American artifact donated by Ted Keir - a net sinker stone and our SRAC magnet!

And so we bring the 2013 school year field trips to a close - and we look forward to making more memories with the 2014 4th grade classes of the local schools. We sure hope the kids enjoyed the their time with us as much as we did!

Jewelry and Beading Class Scheduled at SRAC form May 11th

Have you ever wished that you could find that one necklace or bracelet that would go with that special sweater or outfit that you like to wear? Have you ever wanted a special necklace that could show off a family heirloom or pendant? Have you ever just wanted to find a necklace made of that special gemstone or color scheme that you like so much? Many jewelers are adding custom jewelry making to their services to fill this need, but SRAC is offering the opportunity for people to create their own beaded jewelry at a fraction of the cost and with high quality gemstones!

On the Second Saturday of each month, Ellen Sisco holds classes at SRAC in basic and intermediate beading. Supplies include beads and all accessories to complete a necklace or bracelet. Hundreds of precious stones, clips, glass beads and polished glass chips are among the variety of items that the attendees will be able to choose from.

You can also call SRAC and request specific colors and/or gemstones that you want to make your jewelry with! Ellen will facilitate your needs and help you make the perfect piece of jewelry for yourself or for a gift for someone else. Fees for this two hour beading class is $25. RSVP's are greatly appreciated by calling the Center at (607)565-7960 or by emailing info@SRAcenter.org.

"Iroquoia" author, Bill Engelbrecht to Speak at SRAC May 7th

William Engelbrecht, PhD

William Engelbrecht, professor emeritus of anthropology, joined the Buffalo State faculty in 1973 and later initiated a summer field study program for undergraduate students at the Eaton Archaeological Site, a mid-sixteenth-century Iroquois village in West Seneca, New York. He led the field school program for 17 years, during which time students unearthed the remains of three Iroquois longhouses and amassed a vast collection of artifacts such as arrowheads, stone tools, and pottery.

He recently completed the task of sorting, categorizing, and cataloging 335,433 pieces of debris found by students at the Eaton Site. Dr. Engelbrecht has spent the last two years trying to fit Madison Point bases and tips together and then trying to figure out what the distribution of mends mean, and will present the results of this interesting and arduous journey in the search of the answers regarding this important Iroquoian site.

Engelbrecht's presentation skills allow people of all ages to enjoy his talks where you are sure to walk away with a greater understanding of archaeological research of the Iroquois and the dedication it takes to complete the research covered in this presentation.He is Always an interesting speaker and is just a great person who wants to share his knowledge in a non-threatening way with everyone who attends!

Admission Donation requested: Adults $6, Srac members $4, students free! Come early and visit the SRAC museum for free with your admission!

"Iroquoia" Author, Dr. Bill Engelbrecht to Speak at SRAC Tuesday, May 7th

William Engelbrecht, PhD

William Engelbrecht, professor emeritus of anthropology, joined the Buffalo State faculty in 1973 and later initiated a summer field study program for undergraduate students at the Eaton Archaeological Site, a mid-sixteenth-century Iroquois village in West Seneca, New York. He led the field school program for 17 years, during which time students unearthed the remains of three Iroquois longhouses and amassed a vast collection of artifacts such as arrowheads, stone tools, and pottery.

He recently completed the task of sorting, categorizing, and cataloging 335,433 pieces of debris found by students at the Eaton Site. Dr. Engelbrecht has spent the last two years trying to fit Madison Point bases and tips together and then trying to figure out what the distribution of mends mean, and will present the results of this interesting and arduous journey in the search of the answers regarding this important Iroquoian site.

Engelbrecht's presentation skills allow people of all ages to enjoy his talks where you are sure to walk away with a greater understanding of archaeological research of the Iroquois and the dedication it takes to complete the research covered in this presentation.He is Always an interesting speaker and is just a great person who wants to share his knowledge in a non-threatening way with everyone who attends!

Admission Donation requested: Adults $6, Srac members $4, students free! Come early and visit the SRAC museum for free with your admission!

Items are coming in for the SRAC Fundraiser Auction on August 8th

We are so happy to report that we are getting alot of great things donated for our fundraising auction on August 11th!

Yesterday we had the following vintage Ham Radio equipment donated to us!

 

Keep the items coming folks  and remember that you just need to call me, Deb Twigg @607-727-3111 to have us pick up your too good to throw away items for this important fundraising event for SRAC. We will also keep track of your items and send you a donation letter for your taxes!

Spring Cleaning? We'll even pick up your "too good to throw aways"!

 

Please consider donating to SRAC's 2013 Giving Campaign. 

Your tax deductible donation will help to keep SRAC operating for the whole community to enjoy!

Send donations to:
SRAC Giving Campaign
345 Broad Street
Waverly, NY 14892
or click here


or donate items for our auction!