Recent News & Announcements
Heritage Harvest Reminders
The 32nd annual Heritage Harvest Days Festival is set for Saturday and Sunday, September 13 and 14, from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Join us for this weekend of heritage related activities, including crafts, games, demonstrations, music, food, and more. Many favorite attractions from previous years and lots of surprises await this year's visitors. Admission for the event is $6.00 for adults and $2.00 for children, festival volunteers are admitted for free.
Please lend a hand in one or more of the following Heritage Harvest areas:
The Bread and Jam Table needs your freshly baked or frozen pies, cakes, cookies, breads, jams, and jellies. These goodies can be brought out on the days of the event, or just before Heritage Harvest Days.
Select craft and antique items are needed for the Country Store and need to be brought to the center by September 8th.
Used books, especially those with nature related titles, are needed for the Used Book Sale. Nature related magazines may also be brought in. These should also be dropped off by September 8.
The festival will again feature a Second-hand T-shirt Booth where visitors can pick up t-shirts from places around the country or around the world. If you have t-shirts which you have picked up during your travels and which are still in good shape, please drop these off at Seven Ponds by September 8.
Many volunteers are still needed
There are never too many volunteers for Heritage Harvest. Volunteers from previous years will be contacted. New volunteers should call the center at 810-796-3200 so that we can work out an assignment for you. Volunteers are needed not only for Saturday and Sunday, but also for days before and after the event for set-up and tear-down. Anyone who would like to demonstrate an old-time craft, set up a booth with artwork, or display old machinery should also contact the center. Help us make this year's edition of Heritage Harvest Days the best ever!
Holiday Auction
Planning has already begun for our 17th annual Christmas Party and Holiday Auction. This year's auction will be held on Saturday, December 6 at 6:30 p.m., and all Seven Ponds members are invited. Now is a good time to start thinking about a special dish for the food table, or gift items for the silent and voice auctions. Auction items might include artwork, antiques, holiday items, services, or gift certificates. Use your individual talents and resources to provide a unique item for the auction. This is a very important fundraising event for the nature center. Last year's Holiday Auction was the most successful in the event's history, and we need your help to make this year's auction even better. Make a contribution and then join us for an entertaining evening. All proceeds help support environmental education activities at Seven Ponds!
Stinger's Rummage Sale Report
The Stingers annual Rummage Sale, held June 26-28, went very well. Toys, furniture, books, glassware, and clothing were among the items that were recycled to new homes. In conjunction with the sale, the Stingers also held a Bake Sale with items cooked in their home kitchens. Together, the Rummage and Bake Sales raised just over $2,000 to help fund projects around the center, including a recent pledge of $5,000 toward the center's capital campaign. Thanks to all of the Stingers who worked on set-up, baked goodies, or helped during the three days of the sale.
The Stingers are now selling tickets for their annual raffle. First prize is a beautiful full-size quilt, second prize is a copper fire bowl, and third prize is Dinner/Theatre for two at Kalloway's Restaurant in Oxford. Tickets may be purchased now at the center's reception desk, or at the Stinger's Table during Heritage Harvest. Drawing for the raffle will be held on the Sunday of Heritage Harvest (September 14).
The group meets on the first Monday of the month at 11.30 a.m., April through October.
Seven Ponds Announces Capital Campaign
In May, Seven Ponds Nature Center formally announced plans for a Capital Campaign to its members and supporters. The campaign will raise funds to improve and expand the center's current facility with the renovation of the existing building, the construction of a building addition, and a variety of site improvements. Renovations to the existing structure will provide dedicated exhibit space, two classrooms, additional office space, and upgrades to systems and infrastructure. The building addition will feature an auditorium, modern restrooms, a reception area, gift shop, and additional storage space. Site improvements will include additional parking area, improved handicapped access, native plantings, and modifications for handling of stormwater runoff. The building addition will feature geothermal heating and cooling and many other green features. The existing building will be converted to geothermal heating and cooling as well. The campaign goal for the capital project is $1.8 million, and the nature center already has 70% of this amount pledged. Generous leadership gifts had gotten the campaign off to a great start. In addition, all board and staff members have made pledges.
For more information on the Capital Campaign go to: The Seven Ponds Capital Campaign page.
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