The Blast
March 11, 2016
“CENTERRA-NEVADA RENEWS NTSHF/NATM CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP”
General Manager Centerra-Nevada Martin Glasser and his staff proudly present a check for $5000 toThe National Atomic Testing Museum.
L to R: Centerra-Nevada:
Bobby McGregorManager Environment Safety and Health, Martin Glasser General Manager, Roxie Frehner CAS Specialist/Community Outreach Coordinator, Trudy Rocha Director Contracts and Finance.
NATM: Executive Director Michael Hall, Vice President Chuck Costa, Chairman Troy Wade, President Linda Smith, Vice Chairman Nelson Cochrane.
The NTSHF is proud to announce that Centerra-Nevada, prime security force and system services contractor at the Nevada National Security Site (formerly the Nevada Test Site), has renewed its long-standing corporate membership in support of the Foundation’s National Atomic Testing Museum at the platinum level ($5,000 – $9,999). The check was presented to the Foundation on Friday, March 4, by Centerra’s General Manager, Martin Glasser.
Centerra’s predecessor organizations, G4S Government Solutions and Wackenhut Services, inc, have been our longest and most loyal corporate partners since the inception of the Foundation.
Centerra-Nevada provides a wide range of security services to the NNSS and for Nevada Field Office facilities in North Las Vegas and at Nellis Air Force Base. These include facility protection patrol services, and protection of nuclear materials associated with national stockpile experiments and criticality safety training conducted at the NNSS. Centerra is teamed with Lockeed Martin Corporation for electronic secuity systems support; Pro2Serve for security systems engineering; and Longenecker & Associates for contractor assurance support services.
Centerra Group LLC, parent corporation to Centerra-Nevada, was founded in 1960 by George Wackenhut as Wackenhut Services, Incorporated (WSI) which became the prime security services contractor at the Nevada Test Site in the late 1960’s. In addition to the company support provided to the Foundation and Museum, the George Wackenhut family is among the NATM’s largest donors.
Paul Donahue, President and CEO of Centerra Group, is a member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
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Moving Forward
The National Atomic Testing Museum’s Reflections section will be delayed until our next installment because we are researching and compiling an article on the history of EG&G. This has been a highly requested subject for us to cover, so we want to do the story justice. I hope we get some contributions for this because I know many of our Museum patrons and volunteers are veteran EG&G employees.
Master Plan
On another update, we are happy to report that the Museum received a number of very competitive bids from a host of national design firms for our master interpretive assessment plan proposal. This project will produce a new Master Plan document that will greatly assist us in planning and fundraising for our upgrades. The Master Plan will advocate improvements to current displays as well as outline new exhibits detailing scientific research at the National Nuclear Security Site. The NNSS is the modern-day successor to the Nevada Test Site (NTS). We once again give a most appreciative thank you to National Security Technologies for the contribution which is making the drafting of a new master interpretive plan possible. They are a valued partner in our efforts to educate the public on the history and future of nuclear security.
Educational Programs
Our patrons understand the challenges we face as a museum. Still, it is so important to remind everyone that museums are far more than just a ticket counter. Obviously, taking admission and providing an exhibit experience is a vital service to our many thousands of visitors each year. Although behind the scenes of that visitor experience are the disciplines of curation, interpretation and marketing. The common denominator in all of this is education. Las Vegas is so blessed compared to many other areas of the country in that it supports a huge tourist trade. The NATM appreciates and greatly benefits form a healthy tourist patronage; however, the greatest benefit available to everyone who walks through our doors is education. It is the educational experience we constantly strive to improve.
Education can be enhanced even more through our programing. We are all extremely excited about newly-planned speaker programs, our field trip reservations, insightful movie series as well as other educational offerings. Please be a part of our year at the NATM. 2016 is proving to be a time of growth and we want you to join us!
Museum Store Upgrade
Another key component of our Museum is the Museum Store which helps fund many of those educational endeavors.
The National Atomic Testing Museum’s Store has some great new items on the shelves.
NATM staff are working hard to find greater product appeal for a wider audience. Las Vegas stylized aprons are another item becoming popular among our ladies*****
***** we have some new earrings and jewelry items that we feel would appeal to some of our female patrons too!!
The young adults and children in us all will appreciate some of the educational and historical items being carried in the store, as well as more affordable souvenirs for our school groups.
Although our Area 51 exhibit will soon be replaced with a new attraction, we will continue to carry alien-themed souvenirs, videos, and books which are in great demand by our tourists whom we all greatly appreciate,*******
****** that audience is also particularly attracted to “Miss Atomic Bomb” and we have a large variety of memorable souvenirs catering to that pop-culture icon.
Museum staff are working equally hard for our members and local visitors with quality polo shirts embossed with the Museum’s logo and a nice selection of historic books and videos. Staff are restocking some long-overdue items like our radiation signs.
We are also purchasing more modern and efficient display racks to maximize our space and facilitate the increase in inventory. A new line of fun-themed summer shirts will soon be in as we redesign much of our merchandise presentation.
As the new director, I am encouraged by our educational offerings promoting math and science for young adults like the “Newton’s Cradled” game and a variety of chemistry kits. Historic-themed model kits are available as well.
New T and Polo Shirts
One item that seems to be attractive to all ages is our sample of Trinitite from the New Mexico Trinity site.
The NATM always wants to remind our patrons of the on-line Museum Store. This is another area we are gradually upgrading to be of greater service. It can be viewed on our website at www.NationalAtomicTestingMuseum.org.
We hope to see you soon!
Regrets
It is with great sadness that The National Atomic Testing Museum announces the passing of Lee Hallerberg, husband of Peggy Hallerberg, Board Trustee of the NTSHF. The Memorial Services were held on March 5th, 2016. Michael Hall, Executive Director and staff of the Museum send heartfelt condolences to Peggy and the family.
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We would like to thank Mr. George Carter for bringing in the newest art piece that will be hanging in our museum. This is a great addition to the museum’s ongoing mission of adding more art to our collection. The artist, Lionel E. Dougy (1952-2008), is a French artist who made his residence in Reno, NV. Several of his works include different aspects of Las Vegas.
In his painting artist Lionel E. Dougy, features an atomic weapon in the desert. There are several different images hidden in the painting…….but you will have to come down to the Museum to see the full image!!
Special Announcement
Dick Mingus, Security NATM, is Retiring
Come help the Museum Staff show appreciation for Dick Mingus on Monday, March 14. Dick is our longtime Museum Security Guard who has recently announced his retirement after more than 10 years at the museum. Starting at 6:00 pm, the event will be a relaxed opportunity for coworkers and friends to thank Dick for his years of service at both the National Atomic Testing Museum and the Nevada Test Site. Appetizers will be served throughout the night courtesy of At Your Service Catering.
Dick Mingus far right attending President J.F. Kennedy,
center crowd exiting door,
during his visit to the Nevada Test Site in 1962.
Distinguished Lecture with Dr. Michael Voegele, March 19th, 2016
Movie Night at the Museum April 8, 2016
Distinguished Lecture with David Marler, April 30th, 2016
To RSVP to any of our Events please call 702.794.5151
See you there!
Rodney Dacanay Events Manager.
Book your special event at the Museum.
Call 702 794-5145
or Rodney.Dacanay@natm-nv.org
For tours and all educational programs about the Museum
Contact Joe Kent, Director of Education
Phone 702 794-5144 or email Joe.Kent@NATM-nv.org
Membership Secretary Linda Swancy,
702 794-5151 or email linda.swancy@natm-nv.org