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Community Corner

'Twilight on the Knoll' Event Showcases New Howell Conference & Nature Center Features

July 28 event marks grand opening of Nature Zone & Courtyard.

Where can you be greeted by a bald eagle and enjoy the sounds of nature enhanced by classical music while eating, drinking and making merry?

The answer: At the Howell Conference & Nature Center’s Twilight on the Knoll, a new event celebrating the grand opening of its new Nature Zone and Courtyard.

Kili, a bald eagle, and other live birds of prey on display, will greet guests gathering in the courtyard under a tent.

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While the event is a center fundraiser, Grant said the main focus is its new gems, the Nature Zone and Courtyard, which he said are worth every second they’ve taken so far.

“I would say it’s been about a year-and-a-half in the making,” Grant said. “It is very exciting to see our vision come to life, and we can’t wait to unveil the space to the public.” 

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The intent behind the Nature Zone and Courtyard is to “provide more green space and more aesthetic views in the day use area” where daytime programming takes place, Grant said. “We wanted to have some gardens for people to walk around. We also wanted to provide exhibits where people would make a connection with nature in a hands-on way.

“We want to teach people about nature in their own back yard,” Grant explained.

Artwork by Brighton artist Michael Monroe, a friend of Grant’s, is helping to make that desire a reality. The courtyard, formerly the parking lot near the main office, is surrounded by perennial gardens and walking paths and anchored by an original, 25-foot-high tree sculpture donated by Monroe called The Sharing Tree.

Monroe’s illustrations for his wife Colleen’s book, Mister Rabbit’s Wish, inspired the sculpture. The tree, which Grant explained is composed of metal, cement, metal re-rod and a larger version of craft foam, also features leaves made of recycled plastic bottles. “Some of them were [hand]-painted green; others were left the natural bottle color,” he added.

Monroe has been constructing the Nature Zone since spring. This inside area incorporates several hands-on activities geared toward educating children about nature in their own backyard, including a “track table” featuring plastic animal tracks. (Children make use the plastic tracks in the sand-filled table, giving them the chance to see the imprints.)

Other major features are a pond, live flying-squirrel habitat, and a realistic-looking tree sculpture that dominates one corner of the indoor area and blends seamlessly into the nature mural scenes on the walls.

Monroe will attend the event to speak about his sculpture and work on this the Nature Zone. He will also have copies of his many books for sale.

“It’s going to be a wonderful summer evening, enjoying nature and celebrating two new great additions to the Howell Nature Center,” Grant added. In addition, “all proceeds from this event support the Wildlife Program at the Nature Center,” including part of Monroe’s book sales.

Other highlights include cellist Irina Tikhonova of the Flint Symphony Orchestra performing classical music, hors d’oeuvres catered by the nature center’s staff, wine or your choice of soft drink and a raffle-style auction.

According to Pam Leach, director of fund development, raffle prizes include a charter fishing trip/bed and breakfast package in Ludington, a local chain of lakes boat tour (three hours on a pontoon boat for 10 people as well as a $20 Bush’s gift card), autographed books and artwork by Brighton artist Mike Monroe and a golf/dinner package including two rounds of golf at Rush Lake Hills Golf Club in Pinckney as well as a $50 Zukey Lake Tavern gift card.

Tickets are $20 each, including vouchers for two glasses of wine. The event is for adults only; reservations are requested and can be made by calling 517-546-0249.

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