Instead of the normal meeting, we had a behind-the-scenes tour of the Heritage Center. The club had a chance to see things when they were torn apart, and just beginning construction – now they were able to see the finished product, and member / family turnout was fantastic. We met in the Northern Lights Atrium, then took a tour of the basement. On the way to the Johnsrud Paleontology Laboratory we saw the newly renovated auditorium.

     Becky Barnes, paleontologist with the ND Geological Survey, had access to the labs and collections area of paleontology. Where to the fossils get cleaned? What happens if they don’t make it in to an exhibit? Why are you washing dirt?

     Members headed back upstairs for a short informal meeting. Dues were paid, and members split up to wander the museum, or take a brief guided tour through the Adaptation Gallery: Geologic Time.  A short molding / casting demonstration was held back in the lab, and participants were able to take home a plastic fossil copy.