AWG SOUTH FLORIDA CHAPTER
REPORT
OCTOBER 2001 – SEPTEMBER 2002
2001-2002 Officers
Mary E. Yeargan – President
Karen Harro – President-Elect
Judith Richtar – Secretary
Mel Enright – Treasurer
Karen Harro – Newsletter Editor
Sandy Kinnaman – Regional Delegate
ENCOURAGE
WILLIAM L. WILSON SCHOLARSHIP FUND: Our member and friend, Bill Wilson,
passed away March 15, 2002. The Karst Waters Institute organized a scholarship
fund in memory of Bill, to which our chapter made a $500 donation. We are
pleased that the fund has achieved a level which will allow the first scholarships to
be awarded in 2003. Bill was a very special individual who was a strong supporter
of AWG.
SAGE AWARD: Mary Yeargan and Karen Harro presented the Sage Award at the
Hillsborough County Science Fair to two middle school students whose project
focused on desalinization. Each of the participants was presented with a check for
$25.00 along with the award.
THE GREAT AMERICAN TEACH-IN: Mary Yeargan taught two classes at Burns
Middle School in Hillsborough County, both classes were composed of seventh
graders. One presentation focused on recycling and solid waste management and
the other presentation was on plate tectonics.
EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS:
We presented a table with information on AWG at the 4th Annual Geology Expo and
Geo-Park Inauguration on February 8, 2002 at the University of South Florida. The
Expo is to benefit students and businesses with numerous technical
demonstrations. This event was strongly supported, organized, and promoted by
David and Karen Harro, our President Elect. The Harros have been very supportive
of our local chapter and have been funding our newsletter publication. We are
looking forward to a great year with Karen as President.
As in previous years, we were invited to display an exhibit at the annual Gem and
Mineral Show. Attendance was good this year and the hit of the show was an AWG
raffle, the winner of which received a battery operated mastadon.
AWG South Florida Chapter was invited to display our national and chapter
information at the annual Lowry Park Earth Day Celebration. This event was not as
well attended as last year, but we managed to convince a couple of kids that
geology was a great career/life choice!
EXCHANGE
EVENTS AND SPEAKERS:
In October 2001, we had a very informative presentation by Mr. Ed Watkins and
Ms. Pat Crocker of Williams Construction on the installation of the new trans-Gulf of
Mexico pipeline, which extends from Mobile, Alabama, to Port Manatee, Florida.
The production of the pipe and installation of the pipeline occurs from a 700 foot
barge which one of our members, Nicole Garcia, was privileged to visit as a result
of our meeting.
Our guest speaker in February was Ms. Ginger Garrison a Marine Ecologist with the
USGS. Her talk was titled “from Aspergillis to Timbucktu”. She is deeply involved
in the study of the African Dust Cloud, which is effecting the health of the reefs in
the Carribean, and possibly having a negative effect on the health of the human
population. This is fascinating work and can be investigated at
www.coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/documentary/.
In May, Cathleen Jonas provided the Tampa Rock and Science Club with a
presentation on “Current Aquifer Conditions and Karst Geology”.
In July, Mary Yeargan made a presentation on CERCLA and Brownfields legislation
and opportunities to the Hillsborough County Citizen’s Environmental Advisory
Committee.
In August, we invited Noreen Buster of the USGS, Center for Coastal Studies, to
share her work projects with us. We learned about subsidence along the northern
Gulf of Mexico due to extraction of natural gas reserves, her fish sampling
experiences in the Everglades with USGS biologists, and her involvement in the
study of a Blue Hole (sub-aqueous sinkhole) in Belize. All of us with a desk job
were very envious.
NETWORKING AND SOCIALS:
In December, our chapter held a Holiday Party at the home of Allison and Paco
Amram. We had our traditional rock exchange where everyone wraps a
unique/special rock or geological item and then exchanges and attempts to identify
each item. A great time was had by all.
In January we had a “rock sorting party” at Gabrielle Enos’ home in anticipation of
the Gem and Mineral Show.
In March our members joined one another at the Tampa Bay Gem and Mineral
Show for a great day of browsing and buying experience.
We held our summer social at the Jimmy Mac’s Restaurant.
Sandy Kinnaman, one of our members attended the AWG Annual Meeting as our
regional delegate.
ENHANCE
FIELD TRIPS: This year we focused our efforts on field trips for our members and
their friends and families. Our field trips are our member’s favorite activity.
In October, we had an informal walk on the beach in Venice, Florida to collect shark
teeth and relax. Based on the scarcity of specimens, we will plan our next trip for
the post-Winter storm season.
The first major field trip was to the IMC “Four Corners” Phosphate Mine in Polk
County March 9, 2002. This is always a favorite. The geologic formation of interest
is the Miocene Bone Valley formation which contains both terrestrial and marine
fossils, typically shark teeth, fragments of stingrays, turtle shell, and horse teeth.
We were able to accommodate over thirty participants of all ages and occupations.
Dr. Oches of the University of South Florida, Department of Geology, had a strong
contingent of students present at the field trip, which we always like to see.
In May, we had a field trip to the Gainesville area which, began with a visit to the
Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida Campus in Gainesville
to see the replica of Sue the t-rex currently owned by the Chicago Field Museum.
After this the caravan organized and visited the Haile Mine near Newberry, FL.
FUND RAISING:
The annual Innisbrook Wrapping Paper Sale was held during October and November
of 2001.
The Gem and Mineral Show netted $245
The Innisbrook Easter Candy Sale Netted $150
Our annual rummage sale was held once again at Judy Richtar’s house. Due to the
poor turnout we will change the location for next year.
Attached please find a copy of the Yearly Treasurer’s Report.
MEMBER NEWS:
Helen Talge successfully defended her PhD dissertation in December 2001.
Cathleen Boudoin Jonas, PG, was promoted to Senior Project Hydrologist and Vice-
President of SDI Environmental Services, Inc. after 12 years of service.
Two of our members, Cathleen Boudoin Jonas and Laura Wetzell, both gave birth to
lovely baby girls.
Suzette Berger is attending graduate school at the University of Alabama.
Some of our members joined the Southeast Geological Society for a trip to the
Pound Gap road cut on the Kentucky/Virginia border and to Cumberland Gap
Kentucky.
AWG member Gabrielle Enos introduced Dr. Thomas Scott at the University of
Soouth Florida Geology Alumni Dinner where Dr. Scott was presented with the
Outstanding Alumni Award. Gabrielle put her creative side to work and wrote an
original poem honoring Dr. Scott for the event.