Natural History Museum Fundraiser Gala Held

It was all about dinosaurs on Monday night. Dinosaurs graced the tables, stalked among the silent auction items, and were unveiled at Sheridan’s Natural History Museum of Wyoming Night of Discovery Gala held on Dec. 1 at the Ramada Plaza.

Museum director Tom Hebert welcomed all to the gala, saying it was a fund raiser with an emphasize on FUN. There was a social hour followed by a dinner and several speakers. Hebert said it was nice to see so many people who wanted help with their kids’ programs, veteran’s programs, and giving people hands-on experiences at the museum.

Museum curator David Nicolarsen gave an invocation, with a thank-you for all the blessings and for all the volunteers, along with a thank-you to the late Michael Flynn, who started the museum.

There were two first ever Mike Flynn Museum Flight Awards given out. Shelia Flynn talked about Mike and his legacy at the Museum.

Mike Flynn had a degree in science and geography, which included geology. He had several interests, Shelia added. They came to Sheridan and Flynn often subbed for Patsy Hamilton’s geology class at Sheridan College and eventually became the geology teacher.

Bill Matteson, collections manager, explained how the museum came about. He said they had a collection of fossils, and they wanted a place to display it.

Flynn asked the college it they could use the Mohns center. Matteson added that they had a lot of help putting it together, including some students who went on to obtain their doctorates in paleontology started with Mike’s classes. Shelia and Bill added a little more about the museum.

Award winners were Dave Nicolarsen and Mike Bloodsworth, who are curators at the museum. Tom Hebert said he was honored to present the award.

After the awards ceremony, Tom Hebert talked about some of the programs they offer at the museum. One is their kids’ program, he said over 300 kids have been out to the digs looking for dinosaur bones. One of the reasons for the fund raiser is to keep these programs going.

Kash Hancock is the new youth advocate at the museum. He talked about his experiences at with the museum.

Keynote speaker Lt. Col. Stephen Davis, who talked about how going on the Veteran’s Digs helped him. He said that he had a difficult time after he retired from the military service. He tried several different things, but nothing seemed to satisfy him. He said his attitude and his interaction with others did not improve.

He said he knew something had to change, but he thought other people needed to change, not him.

There was a short video with other veteran’s talking about how going on the digs helped them heal as well.

Much of the monies raised at the Gala will go towards the kids programs and veteran’s dig programs.

After the program the silent auction winners were announced, and then there was a live auction. Nick Siddle was the auctioneer, and those attending could vote on who would get the name the dinosaurs, a juvenile T-Rex, about 18-months old.

As Hebert unveiled dinosaur #2, he explained about the models. Nick Siddle commented on the tiger stripped model.

The names and the winning bidders name will be featured with the dinosaur on display for perpetuity.

There was also a 7-night Maui stay for up to four people, a private 4-person dinosaur dig, a Kentucky Derby and a separate Churchill Downs trip for two, and a trip for two to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

Tris and Sam Munsick provided western music after the auction.

A large crowd attended the event, and the event raised over 20,000 dollars. There was also a matching donor to help with the funds raised.