Life in the Amazon Rainforest, covered by a canopy of trees and boasting a rich and biologically diverse environment of plants and animals, will be celebrated at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge Gala, with the theme “A Night in the Rainforest.”

Guests are invited to create costumes reflecting the rainforest theme. They will learn about the colorful hummingbirds that inhabit the rainforest during the Gala from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, during the evening featuring music, a live and silent auction, and dinner.

Guest speaker Stephen Lyn Bales, naturalist and author, will speak on “The Wonder of Hummingbirds,” focusing on those that inhabit tropical rainforests.

“What’s interesting about hummingbirds is there are over 330 species. More than half of those never really leave the tropics. They are either 10 degrees north of the equator or 10 degrees south,” Bales said. “In this country, six or eight species migrate up the California coast from Central America. On our side of America, only one species has found us – the ruby throated hummingbird.”

Those that migrate north in the spring are looking for “elbow room,” he explained. “They come north to find plenty of room to raise a family, without competition from other hummingbirds.” Bales was drawn to his profession – he was educator naturalist for Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville for 20 years before his retirement – after growing up in his own natural wonder.

“I’m from Gatlinburg. We lived a half-mile from the (Great Smoky Mountains) national park, back in the 1950s when it was all brand new, and I developed an interest in birds,” Bales explained. “Mother got a bird feeder and a little bird book and said, ‘We are going to learn our birds together.’

“I’ve basically always been a naturalist. I was one of those kids who would fall asleep reading a field guide,” Bales said.

The Gala evening will feature the Selma Shapiro Friend of the Child Award, which will honor Barry Stephenson, President and CEO of Materials and Chemistry Laboratory, Inc. (MCLinc).
Stephenson and the employee-owned company have been longtime friends and supporters of the Museum, contributing to improvements making the Museum accessible for strollers and for those with disabilities, and supporting the Gala over many years.

Heather Haley, WVLT-TV Chief Meteorologist, will emcee the Gala. Guest DJ Matt Sieger, whose day job is as a project director for Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility, will spin music with a rainforest theme.

Bear Stephenson, of Stephenson Realty and Auction, will again donate his skills to lead the live auction. The live and silent auctions offer opportunities for holiday shopping, and auction items include a Disney Cinderella Carriage necklace from Karen’s Jewelers, a smoked brisket dinner served in the Museum’s Environmental Center, pottery by Bill Capshaw, and a smart bird feeder camera. Gala guests will enjoy dinner by Birdwell Catering.

The Museum’s Rainforest exhibit, featuring a simulated Amazon rainforest, complete with sound effects, a waterfall, a railed walkway, beautiful murals showing the many species of plants and animals, and an observation deck high in the forest canopy, will be open during the Gala.

The Gala, held at the Museum, 461 West Outer Dr., Oak Ridge, is the annual fund raiser for the Children’s Museum, providing critical support for the Museum’s mission of educating children of all ages through play and discovery. Gala sponsorships are available at levels ranging from $10,000 to $500 and come with complimentary tickets and other benefits.

Tickets to the Gala are $125 per person. A table for eight may be purchased for $800, a savings of $200. Tickets may be purchased at: https://event.gives/cmorgala2024. If you can’t attend, you may donate at http://bit.ly/givetocmor. Call Beth Shea at CMOR at (865) 482-1074 or email her at [email protected] to learn more about Gala sponsorships or for more information.

Photos:
Naturalist Stephen Lyn Bales, here with a barred owl, will be guest speaker at the Children’s Museum Gala.

Bear Stephenson, of Stephenson Realty and Auction, entertains as he auctions items during the 2023 Gala.