BEACH LAKE – The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) will honor those who have
enhanced the quality of life or protected the resources of the Upper Delaware River Valley at its
37th Annual Awards Ceremony on Sunday, September 14. Reservations are due by Sept. 2.
The public banquet will take place at Central House Family Resort, located at 81
Milanville Road in Beach Lake, PA. An hors d’oeuvres and cash bar reception begins at 3 p.m.
A buffet dinner featuring prime rib, baked ham, salmon with maple glaze, accompaniments, and
dessert is set for 4 p.m. Tickets are $42 for checks/cash or $43 for PayPal online payments, and
must be reserved in advance.
The UDC will honor the following recipients:
Distinguished Service Award ~ Larry H. Richardson of Cochecton, NY for outstanding
dedication to his community, county, Cochecton Preservation Society, Upper Delaware Council,
and the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River valley’s quality of life.
Robin M. Daniels Memorial Lifesaving Award ~ Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational
River 2025 Seasonal Interpretive River Roving Team (Rangers Sara-Jo Fegley, Cris Forelli,
Jeremy Jukus, Jayden Meyer, Timothy O’Neill, and Interns Reece Abrizu, Annie D’Arcy, Joe
MeMaria, Nicke Marcino, and Elizabeth Wasylyk) for conducting an increased number of river
rescues and public contacts for water safety education while on National Park Service patrols this
summer season.
Partnership Award ~ Tusten Social, based at The Commons in Narrowsburg, NY, for its
significant evolution as a community-focused non-profit to fill gaps in local social and civic
infrastructure for youth, adults, and seniors.
Community Service Award ~ Linda Dexter of Damascus, PA for her active roles in
organizations including the Damascus Manor Community Center, Township Parks and
Recreation Committee, Woodland Weavers’ and Spinners’ Guild, and Northeast PA Maple
Producers Association, and her faithful readiness to lend a helping hand to neighbors.
Volunteer Award ~ Avery Ohliger of Honesdale, PA, for his technical advancements to the
Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River oral history program as a multi-year Cultural
Resources intern.
Cultural Achievement Award (organization) ~ Farm Arts Collective, based at Willow Wisp
Organic Farm in Damascus, PA, for building a healthy and creative community in the Upper
Delaware River Valley through the life-sustaining practices of farming, art, food, and ecology.
Cultural Achievement Award (individual) ~ Nancy Wells of Damascus, PA for her seven-
decade career as an acclaimed multi-media visual artist and poet with the Upper Delaware
Writers Collective.
Recreation Achievement Award ~ Annie D’Arcy of Flower Mound, TX for developing new,
sustainable recreational birding and fishing programming and partnerships as the Upper
Delaware Scenic and Recreational River’s first Fish and Feathers Intern through the
Environment for the Americas program.
Special Recognition Award ~ Upper Delaware Scavenger Hunt, an ambitious project of the
Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, Inc. to encourage exploration, outdoor adventure, and repeat
visits to the region.
Oaken Gavel Award ~ Virginia S. Dudko, Town of Deerpark, NY representative, for her
leadership as 2024 Upper Delaware Council chairperson.
A reservation form listing the complete itinerary and buffet menu will soon be available
at www.upperdelawarecouncil.org and the UDC’s Facebook page, by contacting the UDC at
(845) 252-3022 or info@upperdelawarecouncil.org , or stopping by the office at 211 Bridge St. in
Narrowsburg.