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George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History
What do bats, moths, bugs and mushrooms have in common? Is it that they're all somewhat on the edge
 of our appreciation of nature...perhaps a little scary, even disturbing? Or is it that all the subject of workshops and excursions at College of the Atlantic's George B. Dorr Museum this month. The museum is offering a slew of activities - finishing off with a grand festival at Beech Hill Farm - and that's just for September.
Bats and moths come up on Friday, September 12 with a workshop at 7 p.m. beginning at the museum. Says Lynn Havsall, director of museum programs, "Join us round the lights to examine the subtle beauty of moths and eavesdrop on their stealthy predators-bats!" Using the nocturnal tools of the naturalist-ultra-violet lights, bat detector and what Havsall describes as "mouth watering moth bait"-participants will paint a trail to attract hungry underwing moths as dusk falls. While waiting for the moths to follow the trail, says Havsall, "we'll keep watch at the lights and listen and watch hunting bats." Admission is $2; free to museum members.
Mushrooms are up next. Havsall has organized a mushroom study group on Monday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. beginning September 15 in the Dorr Museum. Bring mushroom books; those who are collecting mushrooms are asked to bring what they have found. The museum will have books and hand lenses available.
Havsall advises that when collecting mushrooms, use a knife to gently dig up the base of the stem, then wrap them in aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator. It's good to get a sampling of different sizes of the same mushroom, as they change when they grow. And note whether the mushroom was growing on wood or on the ground. To make a spore print, place a small square of paper under the cap when you wrap the mushroom for storage.
 Now for bugs. On Saturday, September 20, bring the whole family for the bug collecting adventure, What Bug Is That? The workshop runs from 1:30 to 3 p.m., beginning at the Dorr Museum but venturing out into the gardens, meadows and wetlands of the COA campus. Using nets, bug viewers and a talking bug identifier, the group will catch and release butterflies, beetles, bugs and more in an effort to better know our six-legged neighbors. Admission is $2; free to museum members.
Finally, celebrate the fall in all its glory at College of the Atlantic's Beech Hill Farm just outside of Somesville on Saturday, September 27, from 2 to 5 p.m. Bring the family to race wooly bear caterpillars, carve apple heads, make cornhusk dolls, dye wool with mushrooms, print with leaves and buy fresh organic produce and autumnal pastries. Bakers, there's an apple pie contest, too. Free.
Stay into the dark hours for a community potluck followed by a screening of The Real Dirt on Farmer John, outdoors on the barn, and a bonfire.
For more information on any of these events, call the Dorr Museum at 288-2944 ext. 238 or 288-5395. Pre-registration is always suggested.
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