On Sunday, September 12th, the Upper Delaware Council (UDC) held its 33rd Annual Awards Ceremony at the Central House Family Resort in Beach Lake, PA. The afternoon festivities began with opening remarks by UDC Chairperson Jeff Dexter.

“Today is about celebrating what makes the Upper Delaware so special,” he said. “It really comes down to the people, those who dedicate their time, talents, and energy to protect our natural resources, keeping us safe, serving the public, and elevating the quality of our lives.”

Guest speaker New York State Senator Mike Martucci gave the keynote address to the 135 attendees. He Congratulated the many award recipients and noted the diverse nature of the people and projects being recognized. Martucci highlighted legislation that will be beneficial to the Upper Delaware region, stressing that “we have to be good stewards of the land.” On working to achieve new protections for the Upper Delaware region and others, he noted, “Protection of our environment is not a partisan issue, it’s a community issue.”

UDC Executive Director Laurie Ramie emceed the afternoon’s festivities.

Due to the cancellation of the UDC’s 2020 Awards Ceremony, the recipients of the 2020 Awards were honored at this year’s banquet. 

The Oaken Gavel Award was given to Larry H. Richardson, Town of Cochecton, NY representative, for his leadership in chairing the Upper Delaware Council during 2020.

Two Special Recognition Awards was given. One to WJFF Radio Catskill, for their Upper Delaware River Valley related programming; and the other to Bonnie Sheard of Milanville, PA, for nearly four decades of work and volunteering at the National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.

Andy Boyar of Eldred, NY, was honored with the Community Service Award for his work to protect the health and safety of the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.

Two Cultural Achievement Awards were presented. The Delaware Company, Inc., received recognition for keeping history alive through, among many things, programming at Sullivan County’s Fort Delaware Museum and Minisink Battleground Park. Michael Rocco “Rocky” Pinciotti of Cochecton, NY, was recognized as an artist, teacher, and director of the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance Gallery.

The Volunteer Award was presented to Edwin “Ed” Jackson of Narrowsburg, NY, for his tenure as Town of Tusten Planning Board chairperson, his leadership with the NYS Planning Federation, and dedication to veterans.

Two groups received the Recreation Achievement Award. The Knotweed Management Project, coordinated by Friends of the Upper Delaware River, Inc.; and Keep Hawley-Honesdale Beautiful.

Town of Highland, NY, was awarded the Outstanding Community Achievement Award.

Four entities shared the Partnership Award, the Trust for Public Land, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Sullivan County, and Town of Delaware, for collaborating to transform an abandoned property in Callicoon, NY into a 40-acre riverside park.

Sparrowbush Engine Company was recognized with the Robin M. Daniels Memorial Lifesaving Award for 60 years of providing highly skilled volunteer emergency services along the river.

The Distinguished Service Award was given to Kevin Reish, U.S. Park Ranger, National Park Service, for 34 years of service at the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.

More information about the work of the UDC and award recipients can be found on the UDC website: www.upperdelawarecouncil.org.