'Wayne Conservation, NEPA Audubon create virtual tour of mural' and more

Posted 1/13/21

Wayne Conservation, NEPA Audubon create virtual tour of mural

ONLINE — The Wayne Conservation District and the Northeast Pennsylvania Audubon Society have teamed up to bring the habitat …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

'Wayne Conservation, NEPA Audubon create virtual tour of mural' and more

Posted

Wayne Conservation, NEPA Audubon create virtual tour of mural

ONLINE — The Wayne Conservation District and the Northeast Pennsylvania Audubon Society have teamed up to bring the habitat mural in the Wayne Conservation District office in Honesdale to life, virtually speaking.

The two organizations created an interactive video exploration of the densely populated mural, created by Katharine Dodge and Helena Guindon from 2013 and 2017. The large painting depicts a wide array of Wayne County flora and fauna in summer, autumn, winter and spring. Various items of taxidermy and props give the mural a three-dimensional quality.

Conservation District Watershed Specialist Colleen Campion, who worked with the Audubon Society on the project, said the virtual tour starts with the fall section of the mural and the other seasons will be added during the year ahead.

Accompanied by the sounds of the forest, streams and creatures, the tour explores the intricacies of the mural and its inhabitants—from a timber rattlesnake tucked under a rock to the rare northern flying squirrel snug in his treehouse—through a series of interactive points on the image that offer information about each species of animal. It also identifies and provides some basic information about the trees and plants, even the moss and mushrooms. There are also points of discussion on stream orders and why the tree leaves change colors, along with an autumn scavenger hunt and even a bit of fall poetry.

While virtual tours of the other seasonal sections of the Habitat Mural will be released throughout the year, Campion said she ultimately hopes to add narration to the videos.

See the tour at www.bit.ly/fallsectionmural.

In other book-related news, ‘The Catskills Saga’

LONG EDDY, NY — Who would have thought an article in the River Reporter on the old boarding houses of Long Eddy would have sparked a historical romance book series?

After reading the piece, veteran romance writer Jean Joachim shared it with her friend, retired lawyer and history buff Michael Magness. Curious to see if the old buildings were still standing, the pair took a trip to Long Eddy. After snapping pictures of the houses that had weathered the years, they stopped for lunch at the Long Eddy Saloon and restaurant. That’s when lightning struck.

Stepping into the building, probably built in the early 1800s, was a journey into the past. In the middle of the restaurant, there is a staircase leading to what were most likely hotel rooms for boarders back in the day. While Joachim and Magness munched on the best fried shrimp they’d ever eaten, they talked of the history the old building had seen and what the town would have been like over 150 years ago.

Magness regaled Joachim with facts about life back then. Fascinated, she swore she could feel the essence of days of old, and the germ of a story was born. As they rode home, they joked about writing a book together about the logging town, Long Eddy, in its heyday.

This past summer, a mere two years later, Joachim and Magness put their heads together on a story. With Magness to steer the history aspect of the tale and Joachim to add the structure and romance, they created the first of a three-book series, “Abigail’s Journey, The Catskills Saga.”

The story takes place in a tiny town on the Delaware River called Fitch’s Eddy in 1786, a period often ignored by historical romance writers. The book blends the elements of a good, sweet romantic story, with the perils of the times, and the flavor of the Colonial period.

The book was published in ebook and paperback on December 1, 2020. Two subsequent books, “Sarah’s Dilemma” and “Sam’s Decision” will be published by summer 2021.

Auditions for ‘Young Frankenstein,’ the Mel Brooks Musical

ONLINE — The Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop is hosting auditions for “Young Frankenstein,” the book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan with music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, directed by Amy Phillips.

It’s 1934 and the villagers of Transylvania Heights are celebrating the death of their neighborhood mad scientist, Dr. Victor von Frankenstein, sure the doctor’s neurosurgeon grandson will never appear. Once he arrives, chaos reigns as the younger scientist is convinced to take up where his grandfather left off. A highly entertaining musical comedy with an endless dose of vaudeville-style humor, the cast is rounded out with a beloved hunchback, a yodeling lab assistant and the famous monster.

Auditions will be held through Zoom on Saturday, January 16 and Sunday, January 17 from 2 to 6 p.m. Callbacks will take place Monday, January 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. also through Zoom.

Performances will take place in August at the Rivoli Theatre in South Fallsburg, NY.

Those interested in auditioning should prepare a 16- to 32-bar cut of music in the style of the show. Selections from the show are preferred. Acapella or audio tracks are fine. You will be asked to read from the script. Make the director aware of the part you are auditioning for and your flexibility in roles. Available roles are Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, The Monster, Igor, Elizabeth Benning, Frau Blücher, Inspector Hans Kemp, Ensemble/Swing cast, Dr. Victor Von Frankenstein, Ziggy and Blind Man.

For more information, call Amy Phillips at 917/693-5186.

mural, young frankenstein, mel brooks, catskills saga, Wayne Conservation District, Northeast Pennsylvania Audubon Society

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here