The National Marine Life Center » Shout Outs

Thanks Tobey Hospital !

Sea Rogers Williams — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:44:44 +0000

The Animal Care staff is very grateful to the generous donation of a Narkomed anesthesia unit from Tobey Hospital and particularly for the help from Robert Casmira to coordinate this effort. This fully functional unit, while no longer the state-of-the-art for human anesthesia, is more advanced then the vast majority of veterinary units and has multiple anesthesia maintenance options including isoflurane, sevoflorane, and desflorane. The unit incorporates anesthetic patient monitoring and even has a ventilator. This is a key component to the veterinary diagnostic and therapy suite for the marine animal stranding hospital which is nearing completion. Anesthesia is necessary for surgical procedures and some mildly invasive medical diagnostic and therapy procedures for stranded marine mammals and sea turtles.

Filming at the National Marine Life Center!

Kathy Zagzebski — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:20:13 +0000

Jan Maliszewski & Michael Andrus filming in the animal clinic. Photo by Aaron Frutman, DGA Productions.

The National Marine Life Center was a film set today as DGA Productions from Watertown, MA filmed a promotional video for us. Interesting lighting transformed ordinary spaces into brilliant backdrops for interviews of NMLC volunteers and staff. Thank you to Jan Maliszewski, Michael Andrus, and Aaron Frutman for your expert videography and for making the day FUN!

Lighting the interview with NMLC Trustee Barb Schneider. Photo by Aaron Frutman, DGA Productions.

DGA Productions is donating the video, including filming, editing, and production pro-bono. Says Jan, who visited NMLC with his kids over the summer, “this is an important project and we want to do what we can to help.” Thank you!

Jan Maliszewski discusses the next shot with Kathy Zagzebski. Photo by Aaron Frutman, DGA Productions.

Jan Maliszewski and Michael Andrus filming Kathy Zagzebski on the mezzanine of NMLC's new marine animal hospital. Photo by Aaron Frutman, DGA Productions.

Chemistry, Art, & Two Guys from Wisconsin

Kathy Zagzebski — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:25:00 +0000

In researching various floor coatings, we considered a variety of products. We looked at the “do it yourself” versions of garage floor coatings, as well as several products applied by contractors. One of our biggest challenges was the need to coat the floor in February in Massachusetts. Cape Cod isn’t the coldest place on earth right now, but it’s far chillier than the temperatures optimal for sealing concrete floors. Fortunately, we were referred to Harry Heise of Specialty Coating Solutions (SCS).

Zig (left) and Harry (right) touch up the surface around one of the sea turtle tanks.

With a degree in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Harry loves to figure out the perfect product for the situation at hand. He has patented at least one mixture, and has come up with innovative applications for many others. At first, most of his work was in industry – waste water, paper mills, utility companies. One day he was asked to consult on a zoo application, and suddenly a sideline in the zoo and aquarium industry was born. Harry says he enjoyed working on the National Marine Life Center job because he is excited to use his experience to help the animals.

A job well done! Harry (left) and Zig (right) of Specialty Coating Solutions.

Siegfried (Seig) Fritz helped Harry with the job at NMLC. With a degree in Art from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, Sieg finds he can apply some of the skills and principles of floor sealing to his art. He also enjoyed visiting several of the art galleries in Falmouth while here. (Like Harry, Sieg currently lives in North Carolina.) Sieg said he looks forward to returning to NMLC once we open for patients!

Thank you Harry and Sieg of Specialty Coating Solutions for your stories, your good humor in cold weather, and your excellent workmanship!

Giving Thanks

Kathy Zagzebski — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:00:53 +0000

On this Thanksgiving we would like to thank and recognize everyone who has supported the National Marine Life Center over the past year. Through gifts of money, goods, services, and time, YOU make is possible to save marine wildlife, advance science, and inspire conservation through education. YOU make it possible to build our new marine animal hospital so we can help more animals in need and, in the process, learn something about their environment and teach these lessons to others. YOU make it possible to restore life to the ocean. Thank you.

Salute to our Veterans

Kathy Zagzebski — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:20:09 +0000

On this Veteran’s Day, we’d like to take a moment to thank all the men and women who have served the United States of America as members of our military. We celebrate and honor your patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

All of us have some one or ones we think of in particular on Veteran’s Day. We’d like to recognize the following National Marine Life Center team members who have served our country.

Brian Moore is NMLC’s Animal Care and Facilities Coordinator, and the primary staff liaison for NMLC’s hospital construction project. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1992 to 1996.

The metal stud walls in NMLC's new marine animal hospital receive Brian's seal of approval!

Jeff Luce is a volunteer member of NMLC’s Board of Trustees and holds the office of Treasurer. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1972.

Jeff's alter ego, Captain Morgan, greets visitors at NMLC's Mermaid Ball.

Thank you.

It Takes a Village

Kathy Zagzebski — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:00:59 +0000

No sooner had we offloaded the 10,000-pound generator when another flatbed truck came rumbling into our lot. This one had three brand new fiberglass tanks atop it! Trucked in from Waterlife Design Group in Florida, who gave the tanks to us at a heavily discounted rate, the 10-foot diameter, 4-foot deep tanks will serve as sea turtle or seal rehabilitation tanks in NMLC’s new marine animal hospital.

There was just one problem…. we had no way to lift them off the truck. Our rented “Lull” heavy-duty forklift was in need of repair and we hadn’t expected the tanks to arrive today.

Step in our neighbors, Gary and his staff at G. & S. Marine. They came to our rescue with two fork lifts and quickly lifted the tanks off the truck!

Thank you, G. & S. Marine!

Lessons from the Ancients

Kathy Zagzebski — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:22:54 +0000

Today, we received another wonderful donation from the Marine Biological Laboratory – a 390 KVA standby generator! A bright red-orange in color and complete with transfer switch and necessary hardware, the generator will produce more than enough electricity to power the pumps and life support systems in NMLC’s new hospital. We only had one minor problem – how to get the 10,000 pound generator off the delivery truck! Luckily, the crew from Shawmut Construction had the solution. Taking a page from the ancients, and with the modern assistance of a lifting-bed truck, they carefully manoeuvered the equipment onto log rollers and rolled it off the truck. Kudos and thanks to Shawmut Construction and Marine Biological Laboratory!

Drawing from www.teachengineering.org.

MBL Recycles Lab Furnishings by Donating to NMLC

Kathy Zagzebski — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:16:55 +0000

The Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole takes their commitment to the environment seriously. One component of their effort to “go green” with their Loeb Laboratory renovation involves recycling some of the furnishings by donating them to the National Marine Life Center in Buzzards Bay for reuse.

These heavy-duty laboratory grade sinks will be used in Dr. Williams' science lab, and in Joanne's education lab.

The donated equipment from the MBL includes a rectangular tank, a 390 KVA standby generator and automatic transfer switch, sixteen durable laboratory-grade sinks, a fume hood, two steam dishwashers, storage cabinets, chairs, and file cabinets. With the help of the MBL’s construction managers, Shawmut Design and Construction, MBL facilities staff delivered the equipment to NMLC. “We were tremendously excited to receive this gift from MBL,” exclaimed Kathy Zagzebski, NMLC President and Executive Director. “The equipment will save us money and be put to good use in our science and educational laboratories.”

Moving the fiberglass tank off the truck.

“The MBL is committed to reducing our environmental impact and is pleased that the National Marine Life Center can benefit from this used equipment,” said Richard Cutler, Director of Facilities and Services. “Recycling of these materials is not only helping the NMLC as they build their new hospital, but will also reduce the amount of materials that may otherwise be left for a landfill as unused waste.”

The wonderful crew from MBL.

The MBL is a leading international, independent, nonprofit institution dedicated to discovery and to improving the human condition through creative research and education in the biological, biomedical and environmental sciences. Founded in 1888 as the Marine Biological Laboratory, the MBL is the oldest private marine laboratory in the Americas. For more information, visit www.MBL.edu.

Thank you, MBL!!!

Scarecrows on Main Street!

Kathy Zagzebski — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:03:30 +0000

If you meander down Main Street you’ll see a lot of new faces…. doctors and dentists and veterinarians, baseball fans, bikers and surfers, ISWM workers and police officers and firefighters. There’s one thing these faces have in common – they all have wisps of straw sticking out of them. Yup, they’re scarecrows!

This month, the Buzzards Bay Beautification Group is sponsoring their second annual “Scarecrows on Main Street” gathering. It’s been fun to see the creativity generated by Main Street businesses! The National Marine Life Center was represented by Dr. Scarey-Vet and his patient Pumkin’ Paper Sea Turtle.

Many of the scarecrows will remain on display until Halloween. Take a walk down Main Street and check them out!

And don’t forget to visit the NMLC Discovery Center on Halloween for “Spooky Splash”. From 10 am to 2 pm, we’ll have arts and crafts and games and pumpkin decorating. Prizes for the bet costume! $5 donation suggested, members free.

3rd Annual Douglas J. Fletcher Golf Tournament a Big Success!

Kathy Zagzebski — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 01:27:31 +0000

The 3rd annual Douglas J. Fletcher Memorial Golf Tournament took place on Thursday, September 17th, 2009 at the Brookside Club in Bourne. Over 120 golfers participated in the event, and in the subsequent 19th hole festivities at the Quahog Republic. Exceeding both their goal and last year’s donation, the DJF Tournament raised $17,500 to benefit the National Marine Life Center, an organization that was near and dear to Mr. Fletcher’s heart.

Sean, Peter, Karen, Brian, Debbie, Kathy, John, Jeff, Joanne, Sue, Roger in front of the Douglas J. Fletcher Memorial Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Tank

Convention Data Services presented the check to the National Marine Life Center today, as the center dedicated the Douglas J. Fletcher Memorial Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Tank. Last month, CDS made a $5,000 advance donation of anticipated proceeds from the golf tournament to the NMLC, to encourage other donors to participate in the center’s $100k matching contribution challenge.

Sean, Jeff, Joanne, Roger, Brian, Kathy, John, Sue, Karen, Peter, Debbie in front of NMLC's new marine animal hospital.

Many thanks to Convention Data Services, the tournament sponsors, and the golfers who are making it possible for NMLC to open our new marine animal hospital and care for incoming patients this fall! A special thanks to Suzy Fletcher.

Debbie, Sue, and Karen check out what it would be like to be a marine animal!

Next year’s DJF Tournament will be held September 23, 2010. We hope to see you there!

2009 DJF Tournament Sponsors:
Access NorthEast
American Heart Association
American Thoracic Society
Association for Manufacturing Technology
Bartizan
Bourne Tech Park
Convention Data Services
Coldwell Banker Jolly McAbee Weinert
Concert Group Logistics-CGL
ExpoTrac
Glynn Electric
Holly Ridge Golf Course
IPC
JD Events
Kaleidoscope Imprints
KenMark Office
KLEERTECH
Kreative Learning
Lawrence-Carlin Insurance Agency
Louisiana Restaurant Association
New England Grows
New England Landscape
Nielsen Business Media
Parent, McLaughlin, & Nagle
Partners Financial
Pitney Bowes
Printing Association of Florida
Rockland Trust
Ruberto, Israel & Weiner
Sam Lippman / ECEF
Steve & Sue’s
Sunderland Printing
Terrio Painting
The Fitzgroup
Thistle
Transgroup
Travel Planners
United Benefits
WW Reich Construction