The 36 Annual River Valley Awards were hosted by the Upper Delaware Council (UDC) on Sunday, September 22 at Central House Family Resort in Beach Lake, Pennsylvania. Eleven awards were presented by UDC Executive Director Laurie Ramie and Chairperson Virginia Dudko. 

Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation, Nathan Reigner, was the keynote speaker for the event. In his address, Reigner highlighted an expansive vision for how outdoor recreation not only connects residents with Pennsylvania’s outdoors and improves public health but also creates entrepreneurial opportunities, drives prosperity in communities and enhances the neighboring state to New York’s economic competitiveness. 

“The [Delaware] River flows across boundaries and it does not care,” the native of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania said. “Visitors come to this area and don’t care if they are in Pike County, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, New Jersey or New York. They are just here for the region and its experiences. So we thank you for your leadership in helping us work across boundaries.”

The Oaken Gavel Award was presented to Aaron Robinson, who served as Chairperson of the UDC in 2018 and 2023 and Vice Chair in 2022. This award recognizes the extra dedication required to lead the non-profit organization’s board. 

“In my travels and in my whole talking to the people that visited the area, people that lived in the area and people that use the rivers, I found a common denominator,” said Robinson. “I think that holds true today; I have yet to find somebody that would speak of compromising the quality of our area.”

There were four Special Recognition Awards presented.  

The first was to Lisa Glover of Honesdale, PA for her new map, “Big Eddy Narrows” highlighting the deepest and narrowest points on the 330-mile Delaware River.  

 “Her generosity in sharing her creation and raising proceeds for the UDC - based on its popularity - is what we are recognizing today.”

A second Special Recognition Award was presented to Meg McGuire, the founder and publisher of the independent online news publication “Delaware Currents” which focuses on the Delaware River, its watershed and its people. 

“Delaware Currents has grown steadily in its influence and member number of correspondence thanks to Meg’s passion, prose and professional approach to this modern new sharing format,” Ramie said. 

A third Special Recognition Award was presented to Beverly Strerner, a local activist and community organizer who formed the Upper Delaware Community Network. 

“The Upper Delaware Community Network is an online group whose purpose is simply to connect us,” said Sterner, “to each other, to community organizations, to the resources and means of people and the community to our precious environment, and to ourselves.” 

A fourth Special Recognition Award was presented to 12-year-old Ian Pammer for his unbridled passion and dedication to Fort Delaware. 

Ramie started off her introduction of Pammer that when he was six, he said he intended to one day be the next Sullivan County Historian and take over for John Conway. 

Ramie read a quote from Conway about Pammer and how dedicated he is to the cause.

“Master Ian, as he is known at Fort, has become an integral part of our interpretation,” Conway said. “He is not only our most loyal volunteer, he is also among our most knowledgeable docents.”

“I want to thank John and Deborah Conway for being so supportive,” Pammer said. “I also want to thank everyone at Fort Delaware for being really nice and supportive as well.” 

A Cultural Achievement Award was presented to Professor Paul C. King, a historian of John A. Roebling’s development of 19th-century suspension bridges in Britain, France and America who is finalizing a manuscript called “Roebling, Before the Bridge.”

A Recreation Achievement Award was presented to the TriVersity Pride Center and accepted by Janine Sesa, a member of the volunteer board of directors. 

“I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the council,” said Sesa. “We certainly appreciate the recognition.”

A Community Service Award was presented to Tess McBeath, Town Clerk and Tax Collector of the Town of Delaware for her dedication to the community for 27 years and beyond. 

“I learned about community service from my folks who taught us by example,” McBeath said. “That if you live in a community, you have to give back to the community. I like to be useful and help when I’m needed.”

Jane Luchsinger was recognized for her years of volunteerism, being presented with the Volunteer Award. 

“Jane’s positive impacts expand to the arts, literacy, beautification, historic preservation, small business support, advocacy for senior citizens, attainable housing, charitable service organizations and neighborly assistance,” Ramie said. 

Long Eddy Fishing Access Site recently underwent improvements this past summer and were honored with the Partnership Award, which was accepted by Ryan Coulter from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Trey Talley and Scott Van Gorder from the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Chad Horn and Kevin Kitzhoffer from the National Park Service and Sullivan County District 5 Legislator Cat Scott. 

The final award of the evening went to Sullivan County Historian John Conway, the Distinguished Service Award. The writer of the “Retrospect” column in the Sullivan County Democrat, Conway is the longest-serving Sullivan County Historian of the seven who have served the appointed position since 1933. 

“I stand here overwhelmed by two emotions,” Conway said. “One is a deep sense of gratitude for being recognized. But I also stand here with a sense of trepidation because all too often I have found that these kinds of awards and recognition comes at the tail end of someone’s career. 

“I’m hoping they’re not trying to tell me something,” Conway continued. “I assure you, that if I have anything to do with it, there will be more. We have lots more to come. I am working on a lot of projects.”