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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 25th Annual Awards Ceremony on Sunday, April 28.

Reservations at $27 per person are due by April 19 for the banquet that will take place at The Lackawaxen Inn, 188 Scenic Drive, Lackawaxen, PA.

Seating is open. A reception with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar begins at 3 p.m., during which  guests may view a UDC silver anniversary photo retrospective on loop.

A hearty buffet dinner served at 4 p.m. will include roast beef and turkey carving stations, chicken marsala, lemon pepper filet of sole, garlic mussels, pork loin with mushroom gravy, baked penne, meatballs in marinara sauce, sausage & peppers, a variety of potatoes, vegetables, salads, breads, and desserts, including a 25th anniversary cake.

Historian George J. Fluhr of Shohola, PA will offer an address, “UDC: A Quarter-Century of Partnership”, at 5 p.m. prior to the presentation of awards.

There will also be special greetings and a souvenir item offered to commemorate the 25-year milestone.

The UDC will honor the following recipients of 10 awards: Distinguished Service Award –Dr. Peter Kolesar (Yulan, NY) and James A. Serio (Hancock, NY), for their volunteer research and advocacy to develop a protocol for increased coldwater releases to improve the habitat for Upper Delaware River fisheries.

Partnership Award –Water Safety Campaign for the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, coordinated by the National Park Service, National Canoe Safety Patrol, and Stuart Communications of Narrowsburg, NY as a multi-faceted initiative started in 2012 to eliminate or reduce river fatalities.

Recreation Achievement Award –Trailkeeper.org and “Take a Hike!” Trails of the Upper Delaware River Valley” projects, for developing new resources to facilitate and promote hiking as a public recreational activity.

Community Service Award – Delaware River Youth Education Program by the Hancock Community Education Foundation, for educating 5th-9th graders on environmental issues that affect natural resources in the Upper Delaware River Valley to foster a conservation ethic.

Cultural Achievement Award – Sullivan County Historical Society and the Sullivan County Division of Public Works’ Department of Parks, Recreation & Beautification, for sponsoring annual commemorations of the Revolutionary War 1779 Battle of Minisink at Sullivan County’s Minisink Battleground Park in Minisink Ford.

Volunteer Award –Jerold Yavarkovsky of Lake Huntington, NY, for selfless service to the Town of Cochecton’s Zoning Board of Appeals, Cochecton Youth Commission, Cochecton Preservation Society, literacy and academic causes, and other good works.

Special Recognition Awards (3) – Susan Beecher of Milford, PA for her outstanding contributions to Pike County, PA as manager/director of the Pike County Conservation District from 1989-2012;

Gary Letcher of Ashton, MD, for releasing a revamped, third edition of his indispensable book, “A Paddler’s Guide to the Delaware River”, in February of 2012; and David B. Soete of Honesdale, PA, for his dedication to the Upper Delaware Council as senior resource specialist from 1989-2012 and ongoing photography contributions.

Oaken Gavel Award – Nadia Rajsz, supervisor of the Town of Lumberland, NY, for her leadership and
service as Upper Delaware Council chairperson in 2012.

All are welcome. A downloadable reservation form is available at www.upperdelawarecouncil.org.
Those who are unable to attend but would like to support the non-profit UDC’s river conservation efforts and help offset costs of this banquet are encouraged to become sponsors at $25. Sponsors will be recognized in the banquet program and in the UDC’s Fall/Winter 2013 newsletter issue, “The Upper Delaware”. Please submit a $25 donation by check payable to “UDC” or cash by April 19.

For more information, please contact the Upper Delaware Council at P.O. Box 192, 211 Bridge St., Narrowsburg, NY 12764; phone (845) 252-3022; e-mail info@upperdelawarecouncil.org
.