Courtesy of VINS
This eagle sculpture created by artist Wendy Klemperer will be dedicated to VINS in memory of Ernest “Babe” Ciardelli, on July 4.
Saturday, July 4 at 10 a.m. — QUECHEE — The Vermont Institute of Natural Science will celebrate Independence Day with Bald Eagle Day on Saturday, July 4. Explore the national symbol and the eagle populations in Vermont and North America. Join as they feature resident bald eagles, create eagle crafts and celebrate the majestic national bird. The day will include a host of activities ranging from face painting beginning at 10 a.m. to a bald eagle chat and egg crushing demonstration at both 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., to corn snake feeding at 2:30 p.m. There will be raptor programs and feedings, as well as an enclosure tour, during the course of the day.
The day will also feature the dedication of VINS’ new eagle sculpture, created by artist Wendy Klemperer. The sculpture will be dedicated in memory of Ernest “Babe” Ciardelli (1922-2015), father of Thomas Ciardelli, treasurer of the VINS Board of Trustees. Mr. Ciardelli, who loved eagles, was an avid admirer of Ms. Klemperer’s work and had collected two of her unique works of art. The eagle sculpture at VINS stands approximately eleven feet high, and was commissioned and funded by an anonymous donor. The piece, created from discarded pieces of steel, is located at the entrance to the Nature Center on Route 4. For further information about the artist and her work, visit www.wendyklemperer.com.
Admission to the Nature Center is $13.50 for adults, $12.50 for seniors 62 and over, $11.50 for youth ages 4 to 17, and free for members and for children 3 and under. For more info, visit www.vinsweb.org or call 802-359-5000.
