Guest speaker Jim O’Leary will discuss the secrets of simple navigation by using the Big Dipper and the North Star. Children will find their directions, draw their own Big Dipper and discover how it moves in the sky, then make a Big Dipper clock to track its motion through the seasons. Children will take part in an activity to understand the special nature of the North Star and its importance to sailors; they will also make their own constellation projectors to explore with at home.

O’Leary served as chief astronomy specialist for the Maryland Science Center, producing programs for the Davis Planetarium and films for the IMAX 3D Theater, many of which played in theaters worldwide. He also oversaw renovation of the science center’s rooftop observatory and its 1927-era telescope. He has offered dozens of science workshops for educators across the mid-Atlantic region.

O’Leary hosted the radio program “Skywatch” on Baltimore’s NPR station for 12 years and currently produces “Skywatch at the Beach” for Radio Rehoboth.

He has received education grants from NASA, NSF, NOAA and Johns Hopkins University. As part of an NSF-funded program, he traveled to Chile to visit astronomical observatories, and meet with astronomers and educators. He is a recipient of the Excellence in Outreach Award from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Our honored guest, Mayor Ted Becker, will share his vision for Lewes along with updates on the various Committees he chairs. Mayor Becker has been a member of the City Council since May 2004. He was appointed Deputy Mayor & Treasurer in June 2011 and elected Mayor in May 2014. He is currently a managing partner of Stewart Becker Properties in Lewes. He has worked as a program manager for the US Division of Special Education; the U.S. Department of Education; and served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves from 1978-1996. Mr. Becker has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Ohio State University in occupational therapy and attended George Washington University where he studied public administration.

The cost of the breakfast buffet is STILL $17 and includes gratuity (donations are always welcome). The breakfast buffet will include eggs, French toast, breakfast meat, coffee and tea.

Areas of assistance include our Dirty Hands Gang, Ship Tour Guides, Welcome Center and Ship’s Store, Communications and Outreach, Social Activities coordination, Website Design and Management, Educational and Developmental Activities, Museum Curator, Membership Management, Financial Management, Advertising and Grant Writing. We are actively recruiting for a Museum Curator.

Why not join us for dinner on Monday, March 28th at 5:30 p.m.? We’ll introduce you to the Overfalls Foundation, our facilities, and our volunteer opportunities. To sign up, please send an email to Mr. John Bolster at volunteering@overfalls.org so we can be sure to have enough food.

Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to seeing you!

• Ed Zygmonski is a long-time resident of Lewes, a former member of the Lewes City Council, a current member of the Board of Lewes in Bloom (a non-profit organization under the umbrella of the Greater Lewes Foundation), and current Co-Chair of the Art in Bloom Committee of Lewes in Bloom.
• Sue Sandmeyer, the other Co-Chair of the Art in Bloom Committee, has been active in Lewes in Bloom for many years, playing an integral role in organizing the City of Lewes' entry into national America in Bloom competitions and the international Communities in Bloom competition, all of which resulted in first-place awards and recognition for the City of Lewes and for Lewes in Bloom.
• Tony Boyd-Heron is also a member of the Art in Bloom Committee, as well as a standing member of the Lewes Public Art Committee, which was established more recently by the City to review and vet temporary art projects to be placed on City property. Tony, who with his wife, Carol, owns and operates the Peninsula Gallery on Savannah Road, brings a broad knowledge of art and local artists to Art in Bloom.