Chapter Annual Dinner 2009

With a slideshow of this year's photos playing in the background, Vice President Chuck Tudor, who organized, not only tonight's Annual Dinner, but also last month's most successful Symposium, formally opened the festivities.

President Dave Johnson blessed the over fifty attendees  with a few words of wisdom, observations on the state of the IOCCNYSAA and announced that our Occasional Papers #3 will be distributed at the December meeting.

2009 "Order of the Trowel" inductees:

Fred Assmus
Curtis Higgins
Gary Keeton 

Brian Manning
Walter McGrath
Joseph Mlcoch

Ginny Privitar

Susan Roth.

June Simpson was presented the "Meritorious Service Award" for her many years of gentle but persistent advocacy of the advancement of archaeology, plus aviation and local history.

Dave proudly talked about Gary Jay Sipila's many contributions: organizing and teaching flint napping sessions and, of course, atlatl demonstrations at our meetings and public events in formally conferring the Chapter's 2009 "Most Active Member Award."

A hearty round of applause erupted when Dori Alius and Lester Lain where acknowledged.

With everyone thinking Dave had finished handing out honors, he snuck up behind Ray Decker, reciting his dedication to Orange County paleontology, archaeology, history, and the advancement of our Chapter since shortly after its founding. He then presented a special Presidential Citation which included a dinner with Dave & Priscilla at the prestigious Mohonk Mountain House to Ray.  

Dave then asked Ray to introduce Robert S. Feranec, Ph.D., Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the New York State Museum in Albany who gave a very interesting talk about relationships climate, chemistry, and botany with the rise and fall of micro- and megafauna. He also brought us up to date on the investigation of the "Tunkamoose Mastodon Tusks" which were recovered for the banks of the Wallkill River this summer.

Robert S. Feranec, Ph.D., following in the long tradition of David Steadman, Phd., and Herbert Kraft, Phd., along with Edward Lenik as foremost professionals, is now a member of our chapter. Welcome Bob!

Please send an email, if I missed anything.