The spring meeting of the IOU is fast approaching. To kick the meeting off, our hosts, the Iowa City Bird Club, Karen Disbrow, and the directors of the the Univ. of Iowa Natural History Museum (Mcbride Hall) have put together a fabulous social event at the museum. All three floors of the museum's historic exhibits (and the gift shop) will be open for us to explore from 5:00 - 8:30 p.m. on Friday May 18th.
Bird Hall, home to a historic collection of 1000 bird mounts, an egg collection, dioramas, etc. will be "social headquarters." As you enter the hall, check in, pick up excellent maps of Johnson Co., and consider which of the Saturday field trips you would like to sign up for. A variety of light food items and a cash bar will be set up by the Dodo bird mount. At 7:00 p.m., following some short introductions, a very special presentation on the literature on Iowa birds published prior to 1900 will be given by Tom Kent, a long time IOU member and historian. Tom has done extensive research on the topic and has published his findings in a 125 page booklet available for purchase at the meeting. Robert and Linda Scarth will also have a table of their photographic work for sale. The museum has generously donated items to be given as door prizes. The silent auction will be held on Saturday at the fairground site. PLEASE DO NOT BRING SILENT AUCTION ITEMS TO THE MUSEUM. BRING THEM SATURDAY. Directions: from I-80 take the Dubuque St. exit (244) south. There will be small brown signs leading the way to the university museums (also known as the Pentacrest). Turn right on Market then left on Clinton. Mcbride Hall (which houses the natural history museum) is on the corner of Clinton and Jefferson. On the street parking is free after 5:00 p.m. Metered parking is available in the Pappajohn's parking ramp across from Mcbride Hall. Signs and guides will be posted near the entrances to help direct you. There is a handicapped entrance. This "historic social" will be one to remember. It was a "life museum" for me and a must see destination point for Iowa. Hope to see you in Iowa City. To register for the weekend go to www.iowabirds.org and click on "next meeting." Tom Schilke - Waterloo --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/PayDues.aspx. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
