Name: Science Talk! Storytelling and Watershed Science: Premiering “Chessie’s Big Adventure”
Start: 2026-01-20T19:00:00-05:00
Location: Wayne Theatre

$Science Talk! Storytelling and Watershed Science: Premiering \u201cChessie\u2019s Big Adventure\u201d$

High in the Blue Ridge Mountains south of Waynesboro, water begins its journey to the Chesapeake Bay. To illustrate the hydrologic* connection made by the South River, a rubber duck named “Chessie” travels the length of the South River and beyond. Together with videographer David Verde, the South River Watershed Coalition (SRWC) produced this video to teach the science of watersheds through storytelling. Inspired by a 1960s film called “Paddle To The Sea”, our story uses Chessie, a character we follow on an adventure from the headwaters of South River over 300 miles to the ocean. Along the way, Chessie encounters landscapes, wildlife, and communities connected by rivers and their history.
Together with premiering the 20-minute video, videographer David Verde and SRWC president Tom Benzing will explain the production process. In addition, the SRWC has secured the rights from the National Film Board of Canada to show “Paddle To The
Sea”, the inspiration for this production.
*hydrologic: dealing with the occurrence, circulation, distribution, and properties of the waters of the earth and its atmosphere.
The Wayne Theatre in Waynesboro presents “Science Talks” in partnership with the Virginia Museum of Natural History as part of its Signature Speaker Series. The South River Watershed Coalition is a proud sponsor of the Signature Speaker Series.
All of these events begin at 7:00 p.m. with a presentation and time for questions and answers.
Admission is pay what you will. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase from the Wayne Theatre.
The Science and History Talks are among a handful of fun and educational opportunities you can also watch virtually.
Be sure to check out all our past Science Talks on the Virginia Museum of Natural History YouTube Channel!