by Todd Hollingshead
The
Daily Herald
A packed room of curious kids jumped in their place and raised their hands as high as they could, hoping that an eccentric, long-bearded paleontologist named Dr. Bob might call on them.
Meanwhile parents laughed at the dino-expert's witty comments and forgot about the $15 ticket price at the first event of Saturday's dedication of the Sundance Nature Center.
The North Fork Preservation Alliance and Sundance got together high profile names such as astronaut Dr. Story Musgrave, radio host Doug Fabrizio and the dinosaur genius, Dr. Robert Bakker, to pique the
interest of local residents in hopes of getting them involved with the nature center.
Kari Rasmussen, who runs the center with educational director Christy Merrick, said the plan worked Saturday.
"There are a lot more local people here than what we had on opening day," she said.
The short dedication of the new nature awareness and environmental teaching center, preceded by a panel discussion with the guests, and followed by an hors d'oeuvres reception were well-attended, but Bakker stole the show with his "DinoStories" presentation.
Children and their parents giggled as Dr. Bob ran up and down the aisles of the Sundance Screening Room, telling them that Trombone Duckbill is the only dinosaur that can't bowl and that scientists use roman numerals because they look so scientific.
In talking about a small dinosaur named a mircroraptor, Bakker conjured up more laughs when he said, "You could perch it on your shoulder and take it to school, and it would take your lunch money."
Bakker, who was characterized in the second Jurassic Park film, has been credited with revitalizing the world's interest in dinosaurs.
In attendance of the dedication was Dr. Paul Bybee, a paleontologist and a professor at Utah Valley State College who is close friends with Bakker, said Dr. Bob has done amazing things.
"He's the one who influenced me to get into paleontology," Bybee said. "He's really good and he's just a lot of fun. It's good for the kids and the parents because dinosaurs are sometimes the first introduction to science."
The nature center is open seven days a week with exhibits, children's nature activities, education programs, nature walks and camps.
© Copyright 2004, The Daily Herald.