As you all know, 2006 marks our tenth year of programs here on the shores of Statehouse Lake. We kicked off our special year with an evening of personal reflections at our may Nibbles 'n' Knowledge volunteer appreciation party. Now the next celebration is just around the corner at our July 15th Decade of Discovery Dinner and Derby; after that we have our August 13th Decade of Discovery Family Appreciation Day. We've tried to offer something for everyone. Check out our Program Guide for full details

As you look over that guide, I am confident you will be impressed by the quality, variety and diversity of our programs. Continuing a tradition that began in 1996, The Center offers program participants of all ages the opportunity to develop and enhance skills in outdoor recreation, and improve their knowledge of local flora, fauna and ecology. More importantly, all programs are presented within the context that the better we understand this special environment we call the northwoods, the more likely we are to embrace our shared responsibility to look after it.

What's more we do it in a fun, engaging, hands-on manner. We do it by sharing; by working together; through our belief in community; and our belief that learning is a life-long undertaking.

So whether you make it to our Decade of Discovery Dinner & Derby or one of the many other events scheduled for the forthcoming summer and fall, your presence is helping us further our mission. Thanks for being part of our success!

Come, join in the celebration...

In this issue we are delighted to introduce the newest member of the Discovery Center team - Maggie Moesch.

A graduate of UW Stevens Point where she majored in Environmental Education and Interpretation, Maggie later earned her teacher certification from UW Milwaukee.

For the past year Maggie has taught at a small, environmentally focussed charter school in the inner 'burbs of Milwaukee. A job she describes as "... a wonderful teaching experience, complete with its fair share of challenges".

Maggie loves working with kids - especially in an outdoor setting. In her words: "...I couldn't imagine a better fit for my interests than spending a summer here at the Discovery Center...".

Maggie's primary responsibilities will be our Monday Discover Your World (DYW) for K-4th graders and our Tuesday Adventure Club (AC) for 5th- 8th graders. She will also be delivering some special programs to Camp Jorn and other nearby camps, helping with Special Events and contributing some phone and office time.

If you have children or grandchildren in grades K-4, we encourage you to bring them along to DYW - we are sure you will be impressed by Maggie's enthusiasm, teaching skills and love of kids. Maggie tells us she is thrilled to be here - and we are equally thrilled to have her here as part of the Discovery Center team.

Next time you are passing The Center, drop in and introduce yourself to Maggie - tell her "hi" and "welcome".

And watch for next month's issue when we will introduce you to our new naturalist, Jason Ihlenfeldt.

Our tenth annual Just Tri It triathlon is now less than 2 days away. Registration is on par with last year - we look like welcoming somewhere in the vicinity of 220-230 athletes to the Discovery Center for a 300 yard swim, 10 km bike ride and 5 km trail run.

As you might expect, pulling off an event like this one does require lots of volunteer support. I know Sarah already sent out an email asking for volunteer help, but I figured I'd put in one more last minute plea, just in case someone's schedule opened up in the last day or two.

If you can spare an hour or two either Friday afternoon June 30 to help with set up, or Saturday morning (from 7:30 am - 11:30 am ish) with competitor registrations and on course racer support (handing out water etc), please either give Sarah a call at 543-2085, or drop her an email using the following link:

And they're off...soon. Put Saturday, July 15 from 4- 8 p.m. on your calendar for our Tenth Anniversary Dinner and Audacious Indoor Derby. Invitations were mailed to all current Discovery Center members in mid-June; at the same time information was posted on our website.

Check out our website for a complete description of the event. You can read all about the derby - how to buy a horse and participate in the excitement of the owners' race; how to bet on the races; in short, how to enjoy all the fun of a day at the races!
CLICK HERE FOR AN EXPRESS RIDE TO THE TRACK and we'll take straight to those descriptions.

Please note that the Run for the Northwoods Wild Roses is just part of the day's celebration. You can also inspect our Wall of Memories, add to our Memory Reservoir and generally reminisce with us in celebration of ten wonderfully successful years. All while enjoying fine food and wines.

Of course to really be part of the action, you should consider becoming a racehorse owner. To participate in the "Sport of Kings", simply click on the link below to find out how you can become an owner of one of these fine racehorses.

Ladies, get out your best hats.

See you at Statehouse Downs on July 15th!

We're pretty good about recognizing the remarkable day programs and classes we make available to our local community - it goes without saying how proud we are of the quality and quantity those offerings. But one of the other gifts we provide to local and regional residents is the availability of premises for affordable summer camps.

The photo above was taken earlier this evening at the Iron County Summer Youth Camp talent show right here at our very own amphitheater. Organized by the Iron Co UW Extension Service and Iron Co Community Education, the Iron County Camp provides an affordable summer camp experience to local youth. Throughout the week the kids enjoyed all the usual summer camp activities - swimming, hiking, canoeing, crafts and of course all the fun of cabin life - including preparing their skits for tonight's performance.

Funded through donations from community organizations and modest camper fees, the camp is just one more reason why your support of the Discovery Center is so important. You help us keep our doors open. On behalf of the kids from Iron Co - and other kids who will be here in the weeks ahead for church camps, FFA, summer school camps and others, may we extend a heartfelt thank-you!

Congratulations to Mary Schwartz of Winchester who was the first to correctly answer last month's TrivEa question. For her knowledge that...

...the highest price ever paid for a bird book/s was for a set of John James Audubon's "The Birds of America" for 3.96 million dollars in 1989...

...Mary won herself a Discovery Center gift pack.

Now for this month's TrivEa:

What was the overall winning time in last year's (2005) Just Tri It triathlon?

Be the first to provide the correct answer and a Discovery Center gift pack could be yours!

As you may know, we are raffling a kayak as part of our 10th Anniversary celebrations. The drawing will be on July 15th at our Decade of Discovery Dinner and Derby. Tickets are $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00 If you haven't already bought some tickets, be sure to stop by the Office soon to do so.

Donated by Chequamegon Adventure Co and Current Designs/Wenonah Canoe, the Kestrel 120HV will make a welcome addition to anybody's collection of water "toys".

In addition to buying your fair share of tickets, you could help us raise funds for the Center by being part of the ticket sales effort, at the Manitowish Waters July 4th festivities. Raffle organizers Tom Joseph and Marilyn Gabert will set up the kayak display and raffle ticket sales table, and work a couple of one hour shifts, but I know they would appreciate some help. If you can spare an hour during the day on July 4th, please use the link below to let Marilyn know you'd like to help.

email: bruce@discoverycenter.net

phone: 715 543 2085

web: http://www.discoverycenter.net