Friday, May 11, 2012

Scientific Fact: Guild of Discovery Place is a Charlotte treasure

Guild of Discovery Place board member Sheryl Gerrard invited me to the group's recent spring meeting at Charlotte Country Club. I'm so glad I accepted her kind invitation because it was such an interesting event on so many different levels. I learned new things, met new people and most of all discovered why the guild, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, is such a Charlotte treasure.

If you're interested in being a part of the group that supports the science museums Discovery Place and the Charlotte Nature Museum, the guild is looking for new members.

I asked  member Joann Fischer her thoughts on who the target audience is and she said, "Anyone who has a great love for science, nature and children."

She joined years ago when her son, who loved science, spent so much time at both Discovery Place and the Charlotte Nature Museum that she figured she should volunteer. Her son is now a Physics and Math major at The College of William & Mary, but she continues to volunteer because she says the guild has become like a family for her.

I see why she feels that way. What an interesting group of women! (It's open to men, also, but the volunteers right now just happen to all be women.)

In honor of it's 50th anniversary, the guild released an updated version of its cookbook called "Recipes & Reminiscences: Celebrating 50 Years." It costs $12 and you can purchase it at the gift shops at Discovery Place and the Charlotte Nature Museum.

Proceeds go to the guild's scholarship fund, which helps children participate in museum programming. It's shocking when you hear the stories from guild members of some children who come into the museum not even knowing what a chicken is, so the need to expose children to science and nature who might normally not get the chance is of tremendous importance, and that's what motivates these volunteers.

The cookbook is also filled with history about the guild and really wonderful photos, including the photo at the top of this blog taken in 1976 of guild members including Peetie Davant (center, in the white dress) who hosted the luncheon.

For more information about volunteering, go to www.discoveryplace.org/support/volunteer/





Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/04/13/2218740/food-notes.html#storylink=cpy


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