Latest News

NARROWSBURG – The Upper Delaware Council, Inc. (UDC) will honor those that have enhanced the quality of life or protected the resources of the Upper Delaware River Valley at its 26th Annual Awards Ceremony on Sunday, April 27.

Reservations at $26 per person are due by April 18for the banquet that will take place at Henning’s Local, 1040 State Rt. 55, Eldred, NY. Seating is open.

A reception with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar begins at 4 p.m. A buffet dinner served at 5 p.m. will include a meal featuring locally-sourced ingredients.

U.S. Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-19th District) will deliver a keynote address at 6 p.m. prior to the presentation of awards.
The UDC will honor the following recipients of nine awards:

Distinguished Service Award –Don Hamilton, Chief of Resource Management for the National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, for his ongoing professionalism, career accomplishments, and commitment since 1993.

Robin M. Daniels Memorial Lifesaving Award –Rayna, Connor & Madison Maguire, Raymond Nelson and Melissa Browning, of Staten Island, NY, for their collective efforts in a successful July 20, 2013 river rescue.

Partnership Award – Upper Delaware BioBlitz, a June 28-29, 2013 event coordinated by Steven Schwartz and fiscal sponsor Delaware Highlands Conservancy.

Community Service Award – Lee Hartman of Equinunk, PA,for his dedication over the past three decades as a conservationist and pioneer flyfishing guide.

Cultural Achievement Award – The Delaware Company, a historic support non-profit organization founded by John and Debra Conway of Barryville, NY.

Recreation Achievement Award – Susie Kaspar and Peter Brandon Diefenbach, for leading the NPS Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River’s 2013 Water Safety School Outreach Campaign.

Volunteer Award – Isaac Green Diebboll of Callicoon, NY, for the North School Studio “Access Government” online film archive project.

Special Recognition Award– John B. Niflot (posthumously),for his contributions to the Upper Delaware Council, Town of Fremont, and Basket Historical Society of the Upper Delaware Valley.

Oaken Gavel Award – Jeffrey R. Dexter, supervisor of Damascus Township, PA, for his leadership and service as Upper Delaware Council chairperson in 2013.

All are welcome to attend, with advance payment requested by April 18. A downloadable reservation form is available at www.upperdelawarecouncil.org or contact the UDC at P.O. Box 192, 211 Bridge St., Narrowsburg,NY 12764; phone (845) 252-3022; e
-mail info@upperdelawarecouncil.org.