This past Saturday from 5-8pm, many gathered at the Cape May Point Science Center to support the success of two important local organizations: the East Lynne Theater Company, as well as the host location, to whom the funds raised would be split. To pay tribute to the merging interest in the arts and sciences, this event was titled the da Vinci Gala.
An exciting live auction of art, items, and experiences took place to raise funds. Guest of honor Christina Clemans was in attendance along with many integral figures to the community.
Guests mingled amongst the crowd, explored the grounds and the center’s many exhibits, munched on delicious eats provided by the Chalfonte Hotel, and were provided with excellent entertainment with musical acts including The Howard Street Ramble, Chasing Treasures, Cabaret singer Marnie Klar accompanied by Amy Hufana, and a Les Paul tribute performance by Tom and Sandy Doyle. The evening curated a delightful atmosphere for an event that bid farewell to another bustling summer season.
Bob Mullock, president of the Cape May Point Science Center, was thrilled with the night’s turnout. “We were able to show people what their time, effort, and money have produced. We work on so many projects here. Our guest of honor, Chris Clemans, and her husband Dave donated to important programs like the one for Red-Tailed Hawks, helping us study predatory birds.”
Bob continued, “Funding will also go toward projects like tracking devices on horseshoe crabs with the Wetlands Institute and various birds with NJ Audubon and Cellular Tracking Technologies personnel.”
Photo to the left of Bob Mullock taken by Frank Scott
Project Monarch in particular is a developing venture actively being pursued at the science center, which involves placing minuscule solar-powered tracking devices on monarch butterflies. The trackers weigh only 60 milligrams, about the same as a grain of rice, and trail their routes across the country and to Mexico.
During the gala, a butterfly had a tracker applied and was released. To pay homage to the guest of honor, that butterfly was named Christina. Track where she goes next.
The science center is conveniently and scenically situated right on the Cape May Point beach, surrounded by foliage and trees. It is obvious that wildlife is drawn to the environment of the courtyard as many birds and butterflies were fluttering about throughout the night.
Bob Mullock is no stranger to the spectacular animals attracted to the natural surroundings. He shared, “On the night of the gala as we were preparing in the courtyard, the eagle that perches on the cross at the top of the building swooped down to the corner of the courtyard where we were working, then magnificently flew back up and we thought ‘that is such a good sign’. At last year’s gala, a flock of birds did something very similar and we just felt like it was such a blessing.”
Sue Tischler, co-board president of the East Lynne Theater Company, shared her thoughts on the night’s personal and profitable success. “This was the theater’s first combined gala, representing both science and art, ergo the da Vinci theme. The space accommodated all of us nicely.”
Funds raised for East Lynne Theater will contribute to operational and production costs. “We are both non profits, so any way to amass funds in a creative way is a challenge, but this resulted in a good time for everyone.”
Sue continued, “Chris Clemans has been a benefactor to both of us; the Allen African Methodist Church [the soon-to-be home of the East Lynne Theater] will be called the Clemans Theater as a result of her generosity to us.” East Lynne Theater Company will operate in its new location hopefully in 2025.
This collaborative effort to celebrate local arts and science resulted in an evening of education, entertainment, and prosperity for the organizations involved. Explore the many projects and activities on Cape May Point Science Center’s website as well as East Lynne Theater’s production lineup for the upcoming season.
