23 • TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 Qns. Zoo Celebrates Link To World’s Fair Previously Served As Churchill Tribute A piece of the 1964-65 World’s Fair lives on at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Queens Zoo. The geodesic dome that houses the zoo’s aviary was an original structure on display during the historic exposition held in Flushing Meadows Corona Park 50 years ago this month. The dome first served as the Winston Churchill Pavilion during the 1964-65 World’s Fair. At the close of the fair, the dome was dismantled and placed in storage for a few years. It wasn’t until 1968, when Robert Moses commissioned for a zoo to be built on the old fair grounds, that the dome would be rebuilt and repurposed, becoming the aviary it is today. “Over the years, I can’t tell you how many people have related their memories of the ’64 World’s fair to me when they see the aviary,” said Scott Silver, animal curator and director of the Queens Zoo. “Something about its iconic shape seems to trigger memories about the fair, and I have heard many wonderful stories about it as a result.” The aviary is now home to many species of birds native to North and South America, including parrots, cattle egrets, pintail ducks, and more. In the warmer months, macaws, a species of parrot, join the other birds in the aviary. Some of the macaw species on exhibit in the aviary include blue and gold macaws, scarlet macaws, and hyacinth macaws—the world’s largest parrots. The aviary has undergone several The Aviary at the Queens Zoo, pictured above, previously served as the Winston Churchill Dome during the 1964-65 World’s Fair. The unique, lightweight geodesic structure was created to honor the former British prime minister who led the United Kingdom through much of World War II and died in 1965. Years after the fair closed, the Wildlife Conservation Society repurposed and rebuilt the dome to house its many different bird species. internal changes since the Queens Zoo came under the management of the Wildlife Conservation Society in 1992. Streams, elevated pools, and a waterfall have been added to better replicate a natural forest habitat. The winding walkway that ascends from the forest floor to the treetops at its apex has also been refurbished. The geodesic dome was made famous by architect and designer Buckminster Fuller. It was hailed as one of the lightest, strongest, and most cost-effective structures ever conceived. Despite being one of the largest single-layer structures of its time, standing at 175-feet-wide, it took only about a week to erect. Though the aviary is the only structure on the Queens Zoo’s -SEE FAIR ON PG. 57- Flag For Vets Blood Drive Assemblyman Mike Miller joined the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 32 in Whitestone to support the blood drive for Pat Toro who was diagnosed with a syndrome that can lead to leukemia. Miller is pictured presenting veterans with a Queens borough flag Wednesday, Apr. 16. Toro was recently diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome. CALENDAR -CONTINUED FROM PG. 20- at 1 p.m., Tai-Chi-Chuan at 10:15 a.m. For more information, call 1- 718-894-3441. THE WOODSIDE CLINIC, 61- 20 Woodside Ave., provides support groups, human services, day activity program, food pantry, meals-on-wheels and senior assistance program. For more information, call 1-718-779-1234. SUNNYSIDE COMMUNITY SERVICES, 43-31 39th St., will hold various programs. For more information, call 1-718-784-6173, ext. 112. FOREST HILLS SENIOR CENTER, 108-25 62nd Dr., will hold various programs, plus hot lunch. For more information, call 1-718-699-1010. FRIDAY, APRIL 26 BOY SCOUT TROOP 28 meets every Friday at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 86- 20 114th St. in Richmond Hill. All boys age 10-1/2 to 17 are welcome. For more information, call 1-718-478-5747. GIRL SCOUTS K to 3rd grade meet from 5 to 6 p.m. Grades 4 and up meet from 7 to 8:15 p.m. -SEE CALENDAR ON PG. 33- Having An Eggs-elent Time In Glendale Plenty of fun was served sunny-side up by Christ Tabernacle Church during their Easter Eggstravaganza block party last Saturday, Apr. 19, on 64th Street near Myrte Avenue in Glendale. Children up to the fifth grade were treated to a day of free fun that included various games, food and prize giveaways. The church sponsored several other Easter-themed events that day at Glendale’s The Shops at Atlas Park, the Food Bazaar supermarket in Ridgewood, Brooklyn and the Lost Battalion Hall recreational center in Rego Park. (photo: Chris Bishop)
RT04242014
To see the actual publication please follow the link above