By Fran Bogden

REMINDER:  ART RECEPTION TONIGHT!

Wine and Cheese Reception for Painted Ladies Marine Life Art,
A Benefit for the National Marine Life Center
WHEN: Friday, June 18, 4-7 pm
WHERE: NMLC’s Marine Animal Discovery Center, 120 Main Street, Buzzards Bay
COST: Free to browse.  Art work available for $50 each.

In preparation for the show, we will preview several paintings each day this week.  Photographs, however, cannot do the art work justice!

By Penny Myers

Plan to visit the National Marine Life Center to browse the paintings in person.  The artwork will hang in the Discovery Center throughout the summer until sold.  Please note we cannot guarantee the availability of any painting; each is available on a first-come, first-served basis.  If you are seriously interested in a painting, please contact Kathy at 508-743-9888 x301 or kzagzebski@nmlc.org to discuss the possibility of placing a hold on a piece.

The Painted Ladies are a group of local, independent watercolor artists who meet at the Jonathan Bourne Public Library.

By Lynne Valeri

They hold several art shows and sales and charitable events throughout the year. This is their first benefit for the National Marine Life Center!  On behalf of the animals, thank you!

By Avis Glasheen

By Lynne Valeri

Wine and Cheese Reception for Painted Ladies Marine Life Art,
A Benefit for the National Marine Life Center
WHEN:  Friday, June 18, 4-7 pm
WHERE:  Marine Animal Discovery Center, 120 Main Street, Buzzards Bay
COST:  Free to browse.  Art work available for $50 each.

By Joanne Osterland

In preparation for the show, we will preview several paintings each day this week.  Photographs, however, cannot do the art work justice!  Plan to visit the National Marine Life Center to browse the paintings in person.  The artwork will hang in the Discovery Center throughout the summer until sold.  Please note we cannot guarantee the availability of any painting; each is available on a first-come, first-served basis.  If you are seriously interested in a painting, please contact Kathy at 508-743-9888 x301 or kzagzebski@nmlc.org to discuss the possibility of placing a hold on a piece.

By Avis Glasheen

The Painted Ladies are a group of local, independent watercolor artists who meet at the Jonathan Bourne Public Library. They hold several art shows and sales and charitable events throughout the year. This is their first benefit for the National Marine Life Center!  On behalf of the animals, thank you!

By Maureen Bean

There’s a new tradition on Cape Cod – Quahog Day!

Following is the official announcement from the Cape Cod Chamber.  For additional information, visit www.quahogday.com.

~~~~~

SPOTTED ON MAY 30th: Doug the Quahog celebrating the opening of the Cape Cod Melody Tent Box Office in Hyannis! Doug, a regular concertgoer at the Tent, was seen purchasing tickets to this weekend's Black Crowes concert and perusing the list of other shows for the 2010 summer season. This was one of many recent sightings of Doug since he went on the run Labor Day 2009. See him on June 21st at the Second Annual Cape Cod Quahog Day! Photo by the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.

Proving the groundhog has nothing over the quahog, Cape Cod will celebrate the First Day of Summer 2010 with the 2nd Annual Cape Cod Quahog Day on Monday, June 21st at Hemisphere Restaurant in Sandwich!

Once again, the Cape’s official Quahog (aptly named “Doug”) will come out of hiding for the official “Quahog Prognostication.” Speaking the secret bi-valve language, he will give word to the Secretary General of Quahog Republic on how many weeks of Cape Cod beach weather lie ahead. Last year, the little soothsayer predicted 11 ½ weeks of sunshine (although the jury remains out on his accuracy).

This year, we welcome FOX25 Meteorologist A.J. Burnett as the Master of Ceremonies at the Quahog Prognostication!

The ceremony, which will begin at 4 pm, will be followed by live music from Black Wampum, a local band which sings about Quahogs (yes, we kid you not!), free samples of Polar Cave Ice Cream‘s flavor “Doug’s Mud”(named in honor of Doug the Quahog), and a Quahog Day bash, co-sponsored with the Sandwich Chamber of Commerce. All proceeds of a 50-50 raffle at the event will benefit the National Marine Life Center in Buzzards Bay.

The event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, but you must RSVP in advance! RSVP to kristen@capecodhamber.org.

Give us YOUR best guess at Facebook.com/CapeCodMassachusetts for what the Quahog will predict and the five people with the closest guess will receive a limited edition Quahog Day t-shirt!

The fun doesn’t end there! This year, Quahog Day will kick off a week’s worth of Quahog-related activities around Cape Cod.  Click Here for more information!

Here’s a video from the first annual Quahog Day in 2009.  Doug the Official Prognosticating Quahog predicted 11 1/2 weeks of sunshine.  Was he right?

June 6, 2010, World Oceans Day at the New England Aquarium
By Joy Olaes Surprenant

Catching Joy was pleased to be a part of World Oceans Day at the New England Aquarium on June 6, 2010. World Oceans Day is an opportunity every year to honor the world’s ocean, celebrate the products the ocean provides, such as seafood, as well as marine life itself for aquariums, pets, and also a time to appreciate its own intrinsic value. Catching Joy hosted a children’s activity table where we made turtle projects to promote the National Marine Life Center’s (NMLC) efforts to help protect and care for marine wildlife. Kids enjoyed decorating the paper turtles and learning about NMLC’s efforts to help save them. It was great to see so many families at this special event and enjoy all that the NE Aquarium has to offer.

The Aquarium is redefining what it means to be an aquarium: combining education, entertainment and action to address the most challenging problems facing the ocean. Through a wide variety of educational programs and conservation initiatives, NE Aquarium makes a lasting impact globally. For more information and upcoming events, check out www.neaq.org.

The National Marine Life Center is dedicated to rehabilitating for release stranded sea turtles, seals, dolphins, porpoises, and small whales, and to advancing scientific knowledge and education in marine wildlife health and conservation. For more information and to learn how to get involved, check out www.nmlc.org.

By Penny Myers

By Joanne Osterland

CALLING ALL ART LOVERS!

Wine and Cheese Reception for Painted Ladies Marine Life Art,
A Benefit for the National Marine Life Center
WHEN: Friday, June 18, 4-7 pm
WHERE: Marine Animal Discovery Center, 120 Main Street, Buzzards Bay
COST: Free to browse. Art work available for $50 each.

In preparation for the show, we will preview several paintings each day this week. Photographs, however, cannot do the art work justice!

Plan to visit the National Marine Life Center to browse the paintings in person. The artwork will hang in the Discovery Center throughout the summer until sold. Please note we cannot guarantee the availability of any painting; each is available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are seriously interested in a painting, please contact Kathy at 508-743-9888 x301 or kzagzebski@nmlc.org to discuss the possibility of placing a hold on a piece.

The Painted Ladies are a group of local, independent watercolor artists who meet at the Jonathan Bourne Public Library.

By Maureen Bean

They hold several art shows and sales and charitable events throughout the year. This is their first benefit for the National Marine Life Center! On behalf of the animals, thank you!

By Rita Quinn

By Maureen Bean

Wine and Cheese Reception for Painted Ladies Marine Life Art,
A Benefit for the National Marine Life Center
WHEN: Friday, June 18, 4-7 pm
WHERE: Marine Animal Discovery Center, 120 Main Street, Buzzards Bay
COST: Free to browse.  Art work available for $50 each.

By Fran Bogden

In preparation for the show, we will preview several paintings each day this week.  Photographs, however, cannot do the art work justice!  Plan to visit the National Marine Life Center to browse the paintings in person.  The artwork will hang in the Discovery Center throughout the summer until sold.  Please note we cannot guarantee the availability of any painting; each is available on a first-come, first-served basis.  If you are seriously interested in a painting, please contact Kathy at 508-743-9888 x301 or kzagzebski@nmlc.org to discuss the possibility of placing a hold on a piece.

By Avis Glasheen

The Painted Ladies are a group of local, independent watercolor artists who meet at the Jonathan Bourne Public Library. They hold several art shows and sales and charitable events throughout the year. This is their first benefit for the National Marine Life Center!  On behalf of the animals, thank you!

By Penny Myers

By Rita Quinn

Wine and Cheese Reception for Painted Ladies Marine Life Art,
A Benefit for the National Marine Life Center
WHEN:  Friday, June 18, 4-7 pm
WHERE:  Marine Animal Discovery Center, 120 Main Street, Buzzards Bay
COST:  Free to browse.  Art work available for $50 each.

By Fran Bogden

In preparation for the show, we will preview several paintings each day this week.  Photographs, however, cannot do the art work justice!  Plan to visit the National Marine Life Center to browse the paintings in person.  The artwork will hang in the Discovery Center throughout the summer until sold.  Please note we cannot guarantee the availability of any painting; each is available on a first-come, first-served basis.  If you are seriously interested in a painting, please contact Kathy at 508-743-9888 x301 or kzagzebski@nmlc.org to discuss the possibility of placing a hold on a piece.

By Maureen Bean

The Painted Ladies are a group of local, independent watercolor artists who meet at the Jonathan Bourne Public Library. They hold several art shows and sales and charitable events throughout the year. This is their first benefit for the National Marine Life Center!  On behalf of the animals, thank you!

By Peg Wilson

Fran Bogden hanging the artwork.

Eight artists donated a total of 20 original, framed pieces of art each with a marine animal or coastal theme.  The artwork is available through NMLC’s Marine Animal Discovery Center and Gift Shop for $50 each.

An opening reception this Friday, June 18 will formally introduce the art to the community.  The public is welcome to join us between 4 and 7 pm for wine and cheese and an art show preview.

The Painted Ladies. Left to right: Joanne Osterland, Avis Glasheen, Maureen Bean, Fran Bogden, Penny Myers, Lynne Valeri, Rita Quinn. Not pictured: Peg Wilson.

The Painted Ladies artists have works in professional buildings, government offices and private homes. Original works, prints & note cards have been sold in stores, restaurants and galleries. Murals in public buildings and restaurants have also been commissioned. While the group is mainly watecolor, many of the artists are accomplished in other mediums as well. Whether the artist has been painting a short time, or many years, each has her own unique palette, talent and personal style.

THANK YOU to the following artists who donated their beautiful work to help the National Marine Life Center save sea animals, advance science, educate youth, and build our new marine wildlife hospital!
~ Maureen Bean
~ Fran Bogden
~ Avis Glasheen
~ Penny Myers
~ Joanne Osterland
~ Rita Quinn
~ Lynne Valeri
~ Peg Wilson

Occasionally, volunteers swabbed the terrapins' shells gently with a dilute veterinary cleansing solution to remove algal growth.

On June 14th our eight diamond-backed terrapin hatchlings are going home! These small turtles, listed as “threatened” by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, hatched too late in the season last year to survive the cold winter.  They’ve spent the past 7 1/2 months in a nice, warm environment at the National Marine Life Center.  Daily, volunteers fed the animals and cleaned their tanks.  Weekly, volunteers weighed and measured the animals.

Dr. Williams examines each terrapin with a veterinary scope.

With the warming of weather, we’ve been preparing the diamond-backs to return to the wild by introducing clams and quahogs to their diet and increasing the salinity of their habitats to match their natural salt marsh environment.  The last step was an exit exam.  NMLC Veterinarian Dr. Williams examined each animal’s eyes, limbs, and shell, took weights and measurements and a full set of identification photographs, and proclaimed the turtles fit for release!

Thank you to the many volunteers who assisted in caring for these young turtles.  Because of you, the animals have a second chance at survival.

The release is open to the public.

RELEASE DETAILS:
TIME:  Monday, June 14, 3:00 pm
LOCATION:  Meet at Great Island Parking Lot in Wellfleet, MA
DIRECTIONS: From Sagamore Bridge:
~ Cross Sagamore Bridge.  Head south on US-6E for approximately 36.1 miles.
~ At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto US-6E/Mid-Cape Hwy
~ Continue to follow US-6E for 11.7 miles
~ Turn left at School Street and continue onto Mill Hill Road for 0.3 miles
~ Turn left at Ryder Court for 0.2 miles
~ Continue onto Holbrook Avenue, and turn right at Chequessett Neck Road for 0.5 miles
~ Take a slight left to stay on Chequessett Neck Road for 1.9 miles
~ Park in Great Island Parking Lot

Robert and Bob prepare to release an endangered red-bellied cooter.

“Let me introduce myself. My name is Bob Christian. I live in Wareham and as a Retired person I do volunteer work at the National Marine Life Center in Buzzard Bay. It’s been my pleasure over the past few months to work with Robert at the Center. I can’t say enough good things about him; he is always willing to give a helping hand without hesitation, never complains and is just a wonderful person to work with. Your School and Robert’s parents should be very proud of the young Man you have molded, in preparing him for his future endeavors . I don’t often write many recommendations for people but in Robert’s case I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to let you know that he is a credit to You his Parents and Cape Cod Academy. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet and work with Robert.

“Sincerely
“Bob Christian”

We couldn’t have said it better.  Thank you, Robert!