River council announces awards winners

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) will honor individuals, groups, communities and agencies that have taken actions benefiting the Upper Delaware River Valley’s resources and quality of life at its 15th Annual Awards Banquet this Sunday, April 27.

The banquet will take place at Central House Family Resort in Beach Lake, PA starting with a 3:00 p.m. hors d’oeuvres reception. A buffet dinner will be served at 4:00 p.m. following the UDC’s welcome.

This year’s keynote address will be delivered by David E. Hess, director of the Office of Policy Development and Research in the Pennsylvania Senate, and former Secretary of the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Public nominations for 10 award categories were accepted through March 28. Those to be honored at the April 27 banquet are:

Robin M. Daniels Memorial Lifesaving Awards (two) — Participants in the April 19, 2002 Sherman house fire rescue in Barryville, NY: Town of Highland Constable Robert Maas; Town of Lumberland Constables Steve Crum and Jason Hettler; New York State Police Sgt. Anthony Lupardo; and troopers Thomas Loewke, Vincent Boyd, Troy Parucki, and Jason Mattice. • Andrew Boyar of Eldred, NY, and his son, Matthew Boyar, for their July 13, 2002 rescue of two near-drowning victims on York Lake in the Town of Highland.

Distinguished Service Award — Former U.S. Representative Benjamin A. Gilman of Greenville, NY, for his invaluable contributions to the development of the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and his many accomplishments during his three decades of public service.

Outstanding Community Achievement Award — Shohola Township, PA for its 2002 Sesquicentennial Celebration coordinated by the Shohola Railroad & Historical Society.

Cultural Achievement Award — Mary Curtis of Callicoon, NY, for her contributions as historian for the National Park Service Upper Delaware unit (1994-2001) and the Town of Delaware (1978 to present), as well as her activism with numerous local heritage organizations.

Recreational Achievement Award — National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River for its creation and distribution of new interpretive panels for Upper Delaware River public orientation and “Respect the River” safety messages.

Partnership Award — Calkins Creek Growing Greener Project, coordinated by the Wayne Conservation District with partnership support to address agricultural non-point source pollution in the 28,700-acre Calkins Creek Watershed of Wayne County, Pa.

Community Service Award — Shohola Creek Watershed Conservancy, comprised of citizen members from four Pike County, Pa. townships (Blooming Grove, Dingman, Lackawaxen and Shohola), for their successful record of environmental stewardship activities.

Volunteer Award — Kenneth Baim of Narrowsburg, NY for his enthusiastic involvement with the Tusten Lions Club, Narrowsburg Beautification Committee, Upper Delaware Heritage Alliance, Narrowsburg Chamber of Commerce, Tusten Historical Association and the Sullivan County Bed & Breakfast Association, among other endeavors.

Special Recognition Awards (four) — Richard Egan of Damascus, PA, for volunteering to assist with land support for the Upper Delaware section of the Delaware River Sojourn for the last four years; the 2002 Narrowsburg EagleFest, sponsored by the Narrowsburg Chamber of Commerce and Nature’s Art LLC, for a creative and successful inaugural event; Joel Robinson, retired Landscape Architect and Scenic Byways Coordinator for the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) Region 9, for advocacy on behalf of Route 97 improvements; and Dr. Richard C. Tortoriello, operations branch head for the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and influential hydrologic engineer for 34 years.

Oaken Gavel Award - Lewis J. Schmalzle, Town of Highland representative, for serving with distinction as chairperson of the Upper Delaware Council in 2002.

For more information, contact Laurie Ramie at the UDC office, 845/ 252-3022, or by e-mail, udcramie@ezaccess.net.