Sally Snyde a motivating force for WOW Museum in Downtown Lodi

Sally Snyde is a firm believer in "edutainment," or that learning should be fun.

As schools have dropped shop and lab classes, Snyde said children are watching too much television. She said children need a tactile, entertaining experience in which to learn, a place like the World of Wonders Science Museum in Lodi.

When Snyde, 57, was first approached in 2004 about the idea of the WOW Museum, she never expected to be involved. She now serves as its president. Her passion for wanting to change a child's life is what drives her.

"There are so many neat experiences that might happen. Maybe children might say, 'I want to learn about science,'" she said.

Barbara den Hartog, who serves on the museum's board with Snyde, feels a part of Snyde's passion for this project may be guided by her grandchildren.

"We all want something more for the children," she said. "It's something she wants in San Joaquin County."

Snyde talks animatedly on her phone to Christina Wilson, the museum's secretary. The gleam in her eye reflects the excitement of the conversation. The two are discussing funding possibilities for the museum, the only roadblock standing in the way for its opening.

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For more information, e-mail Sally Snyde at sally@wowsciencemusem.org or call 327-6369.

After her conversation, she explains $400,000 is still needed to cover the costs of running the operation. She thinks fundraising is the toughest part of her job.

"The economy is really tough, but when somebody gets excited about it, they are very giving," she said.

She said the construction of the museum has benefited Downtown. She hopes the added feature will bring people Downtown to shop, and that people who visit might want to see the rest of Lodi.

"People believe in us. We have to show them we did it," she said.

Snyde received a Bachelor of Science in biology from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. While raising her two children, she resided in the Isleton area, where she worked as a manufacturing representative in a lawn and garden company from 1979 until her retirement 11 years ago. She married Fred Snyde in 1997 and moved to Lodi, where the two live on the Snyde Ranch and where she helps with keeping the books. Snyde has been a member of the Lodi Rotary Club since 1991.

"My background has really fit. As past president of Rotary, I had to talk in front of people a lot," she said.

The museum was the brainstorm of Dan Ingrum, owner of Danz Jewelers. After taking his family to the Exploratorium in San Francisco in 2004, he felt it would be a good idea to have something like it in the Central Valley. He approached Snyde with the idea. She told him it was a great idea but she didn't have the time to put into it.

"I just didn't think I needed another project," she said.

Over time, Ingrum managed to convince her, along with a few others from the Rotary Club, to lead the endeavor. The officers were elected and Snyde said she was voted unanimously as the president. She has been elected every year since.

"We are a group of visionaries who believe in the same idea," she said. "We all work well together and we have fun."

Ingrum describes Snyde as the type of person who will do whatever people ask of her.

"When she saw we were really going to go forward with it, it became a priority for her," he said.

As president, Snyde serves as a focal point for all decisions made with the museum. She also serves as the marketing director and is responsible for putting together brochures and then presenting all information gathered to the board.

"She has been a huge promoter," said Ingrum. "It's her No. 1 thing."

Typically, her day begins at 7 a.m. When she isn't answering calls, she is making presentations to different organizations in the area. She calls sponsors to inquire about funding and plans fund-raisers.

"I volunteered with the American Cancer Society's annual gala, so I was used to organizing," she said.

Ingrum added that Snyde puts in about 60 hours a week and also organizes groups of people to help, runs the board meetings, and writes "thank you" notes.

"She does it all for nothing," he said. "We have gone so far in such a short time. It would be impossible without her."

As a giant clock sitting in the front of the museum cranks out the hour, Snyde walks among the 30 exhibits in the building. She demonstrates an exhibit that creates an electric current by the amount of sweat a human hand produces.

She said the museum is looking to get at least 10 more exhibits, although they are not needed for the projected November opening.

While she's explaining this, a man with his daughter at his side tentatively opens the door. He asks if the museum is open.

"No, not yet," she says. "But soon."

Snyde has also received a number of phone calls from schools asking if they are open for student field trips. She hopes they can raise enough money to open in November at least on Saturdays.

"I want to have all these kids lined up saying, 'Open, open, open,'" she said.

Reader Feedback

davidd wrote on Oct 23, 2008 2:03 PM:

" For more information about the WOW Science Museum, or to make a secure, online donation, please visit its website at http://www.wowsciencemuseum.org. "

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