Multi-media Upgrade

The educational theme for Crossroads at Big Creek this year is “Rings”,  and we are thrilled that a new ring is now mounted in the Collins Learning Center. This ring is the lens housing of our new projector, and through this new ring, we will now be able to project high definition blu-ray images to our new big screen.

One of the mission goals of Crossroads is to  provide: “A stimulating environment with state-of-the-art multimedia facilities where individuals can learn in an informal and interactive setting.” A decade ago, we really were state-of- the-art, but technology advanced and our equipment aged.  Last spring,  the Board of Directors decided to raise the funds to upgrade our system.

Thanks to generous gifts from the Raibrook Foundation, The Door County Community Foundation, Door County Learning in Retirement and several anonymous donors, we were able to completely upgrade our system  and to add Apple TV capabilities to our array of multi-media offerings.

We will begin using the new equipment immediately, and because we are celebrating rings this year, our first video presentation will be “Ring World 2“. This beautiful movie displays  images from the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn and its moons. Following the video, participants will view some of the most recent images from the Cassini website. Free and open to the public.

Three activities will take place on Saturday, November 10. At 10:00  Ministry Door County Medical Center presents its Diabetes Update 2012.  They invite the community to  this unique opportunity to learn about the relationships between exercise and diabetes from Chystal Pomeroy, PT, MDCMC. Crystal will demonstrate how to adapt the activities to meet your special needs and keep you safe. For more information visit misistryheath.org or call Ministry Diabetes Services 920.746.0510.

At 2:00, the Family Program will be “Learning from Tree Rings” Through hands-on activities, young people and their adult companions will explore tree rings and find out how scientists use rings to learn about history and climate.  Each young person will get a souvenir “tree cookie” to take home.

This time of year, Saturn is visible in the morning sky, so people who attend the Viewing Night on Saturday, will not get to see the rings of Saturn, but other celestial wonders will be enhanced by telescope viewing and it is possible that a few meteor from the Taurid Shower (expected to peak Monday but who knows?) might add excitement to the evening. Use the Utah Street Entrance and follow Star Gazer Trail to the Astronomy Campus.

School groups now are helping us with our new Council Ring. Members of Wild Ones of Door County donated native wildflower seeds which are being planted by school children during school field trips.

With all the programs about rings, we notice rings and circles in nature.  Migrating birds are passing through Crossroads and  winter birds are now visiting Crossroads as they move from food source to food source.  Much like the days of westward expansion when people traveled in wagon trains, birds tend to travel in flocks.

As just as pioneers circled the wagons when they anticipated danger, flocks of birds form rings when they perceive a threat. Threats are everywhere.  Domestic cats, shrikes, and hawks are out there, waiting to pounce on the unsuspecting. So birds are watchful and they warn each other.

Even in flight, little birds are not safe. Members of the falcon family can dive from the sky and pick off a victim. But a predator is out of luck if one of the prey spots him and raises an alarm.  When  warned, birds bunch up–just like pioneers in a wagon train. Consider that a falcon divers at speeds estimated at 175 miles per hour.  The predator would sustain serious injury if it dived into a ring of birds. These is safety in numbers and in rings.

Our trails are always open and free for birders or to people who heed the advice from health professionals (such as those presenting here on Saturday) and come to Crossroads to exercise.

Thursday, November 8 2:00 Video Presentation: Ring World 2                                                              This beautiful presentatin shows images from the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn and its moons. Following the movie, participants will view some of the most recent images from the Cassini website. Free and open to the public.

Saturday, November 10

– 10:00 Diabetes Update 2012                                                                                                                               Ministry Door County Medical Center presents a free community education event. Join us in this unique opportunity to learn about exercise and diabetes from Chystal Pomeroy, PT, MDCMC. Crystal will demonstrate how to adapt the activities to meet your special needs and keep you safe. For more information visit misistryheath.org or call Ministry Diabetes Services 920.746.0510.

-2:00 Family Programs: Learning from Tree Rings                                                                            Through hands-on activities, young people and their adult companions will explore tree rings and find out how scientists use rings to learn about history and climate. Free and open to the public. Lab of the Collins Learning Center.

-7:00  Night Sky Viewing                                                                                                                                                                                 Door Peninsula Astronomical Society members with telescopes and astronomical binoculars will help visitors explore the wonders of the night sky from the StarGarden and the Leif Everson Observatory. Clear sky only. Free and open to the public. Please use the Utah Street Entrance and follow Star Gazer Trail to the Astronomy Campus.

 

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