Lloyd Center Goes Glam For Science
It’s not often that people have the opportunity to dine and dance for science, but the Lloyd Center for the Environment’s 30th annual Clambake fundraiser gave attendees the chance to do just that and, with a roaring ’20s theme, they got to do it in style.
On July 10, more than 500 gathered beneath a large tent at Demarest Lloyd State Park to help the Lloyd Center raise money for the organization’s educational programs and ongoing research. The evening included an auction, lobster dinner and a performance by the band “Men in Black.”
“The first Clambake was started by Angelica Russell, who is the sister of Karen Lloyd, the founder and original donor of the Lloyd Center,” said Rachel Stronach, the director of the Lloyd Center. “[Russell] started the Clambake as a fundraiser for the Center and in memory of their brother.”
Back in 1986, the first Clambake began under a small tent at Colonel Ned Green’s Mansion located in Round Hill. The party has since moved to the parking lot at Demarest Lloyd State Park, giving patrons ample opportunity to walk out onto the sand before dinner.
Attendees were met with 89 different items up for auction. Rows of tables were lined with everything from airline tickets to jewelry to a wide array of art, some of which was donated from local artists.
Kathryn Duff, RA, the architect who designed the upcoming renovations at the Lloyd Center, was also present to answer questions about her work.
During the organization’s annual meeting this past April, Lloyd staffers announced their capital campaign to add an updated roadway, an eco-friendly visitor center and an outdoor pavilion to their property. During the Clambake, Duff had sketches and schematics of the new buildings on display.
Gaelen Canning, a consultant for institutional development, said the renovations and capital campaign were going well.
“We’re moving along with all the different pieces,” said Canning. “There’s caution tape roping off where the visitor’s center will be, and we’re hoping to start the roadway soon. We’ll continue to run our [education] programs all the way through the construction.”
Research director Mark Mello, who has been with the organization since the mid-’80s, recalled how much the Lloyd Center has changed over the last three decades.
“When I got there, the building had about 19 leaks in it. There was central heating system, but it was useless during the winter,” Mello said, adding that when he first started, he tracked moth species on spreadsheets designed on an Apple IIe computer.
The one thing he noted that hadn’t changed was the commitment to outreach and education started by the Center’s first director, Alan Hankin.
“A lot of the education programs that Alan developed are still basically there. The details have changed, but the themes are what he set up,” said Mello.
“We combine education and the research so that classes get a sense this is not just stuff that the staff picked up in a book. It’s work that’s going on at the Center,” he said.
Kelly Rebello, who chairs the committee for the Clambake, said she became inspired to work on the fundraiser three years ago because of the experience her children had in and out of their classrooms.
“My kids have gone to programs here for two years, and they’ve learned so much,” said Rebello, referring to the Lloyd Center’s summer programs for kids. “And it’s stuff they keep with them – they still talk about things they learned last year.”
By Seth Thomas, Dartmouth Week
Photo by: Seth Thomas – The Clambake had a Roaring ’20s theme, inspiring some volunteers to dress the part. From left to right: Matt Nickel-Milstone, Morgan Pimentel, Kate Floyd and Victoria Cornell.