2006 Part 2

 

The last segment of the annual meeting on Tuesday was presented by the NMEA History Committee. Rosanne Fortner (NC) presented a brief history of the beginnings of NMEA and described how conferences have evolved over the last 30 years. Gene Williamson (OR) introduced all former NMEA Presidents who were present at the 2006 conference. Susan Snyder recognized the most seasoned members of NMEA with the following presentation: "If this is your 1st conference, please stand and remain standing. Welcome! We are happy to see you and hope you are enjoying this wonderful conference so far. NMEA conferences are a great place to pick up information, make new friends, and just have a good time. We hope to see you at NMEA for 25 years or so.

Now will all other NMEA members stand to join these folks. You who just stood, think back to when you first joined NMEA. Do you remember your first conference?

As you all know, NMEA has been around for 30 years, and just as Earth's Geologic Time can be divided into the eras: PALEOZOIC, MESOZOIC, and CENOZOIC..... NMEA's history can be divided into eras: PALEONMEA, MESONMEA, and CENONMEA. We are presently living in CENONMEA. It began in 1996 and has existed for 10 years. During this era, the National Office was established, a Sea Exchange with other nations was begun, an Ocean Literacy Standing Committee was created, and NMEA became financially secure with its National Office Endowment fund and Capital Reserve Account.

Now, remain standing if you've been a member since before 1996. Those of you who are still standing have experienced not only CENONMEA, but MESONMEA. MESONMEA began in 1986 and ended in 1996. During MESONMEA (the middle years), NMEA officially affiliated with NSTA and AAAS, and the PIKE was auctioned for the first time.

Now remain standing if you've been a member since before 1986. During PALEONMEA (the beginning years) which began in 1976 and ended in 1986, NMEA officially formed, held its first conferences, published its first journals and newsletters, had its first chapters affiliate, held its first Sea Grant workshop, and held its first auctions. You who are still standing witnessed all these things.

Now, let's count down to see which members attending this conference are the oldest NMEA fossils in the room.

If you have been a member since before 1984, remain standing. Now 1982. Now 1980. Now 1979, 1978.

[When only 8 were left standing...] Would you "old crusty ones" come up to claim your recognition awards. Each one of you will receive a fossil crinoid stem and a card that reads "Congratulations 'Old Crusty.' This crinoid stem represents the PALEOZOIC (Early Era of Life on Earth). You represent the PALEONMEA (Early Era of the NMEA organization.) Be proud."

Receiving their "Old Crusty" recognition were: Rosanne Fortner (NC), Gene Williamson (OR), Lou Siegel (NY), Wendy Allen (SC), Bill Hastie (OR), Bob Abrams (NY), Jim Lubner (WI) and Katrina Barrett (CT).

 

 

 

 

Concurrent Sessions took place from 10:00 AM to 11: AM, followed by a Box Lunch and Chapter Meetings.

Left: At the GOMMEA chapter meeting, these gals got into the spirit of planning for next years conference in Maine. Pictured here are ?, Justine Glenn (ME), Ann Reid (NH), and Sharon Meeker (NH). (Photo: Courtesy of Ann Reid (NH)

 

 

 

 

 

The Publications Committee met from 2:15-3:15, and there were 8 poster sessions and 30 concurrent sessions presented between 2:15-4:30.

Left: During the afternoon, Ariel Freudenthal (University of San Diego) and Russell Boyd (Boyd Enterprises) held two concurrent sessions titled “Creating a Classroom Coral Reef Aquarium.” After showing how to grow corals and how to set up a coral reef community tank, a 60 gallon tank, all accessories, and organisms were donated to the teacher who had the winning raffle ticket. (Photograph by Lou Siegel.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left: Sarah Richardson (NY) was spotted taking a well-deserved rest. (Photograph by Lou Siegel.)

Throughout the conference, strategies were discussed for how to "get there from here." For side trips, the subways seemed to be the best way to travel. Of course, busses were used for most conference-planned events.

 

Below: Merryl Kafka (NY) discussed travel strategies. (Photograph by Ann Reid (NH))

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 5:00 P.M. on the 18th, Sea Faire began. At the same time, a Marine Science and NMEA History Jeopardy Game took place at a different location. Following these activities, a delicious dinner, the silent auction, live auction, and dancing to a 9-piece band, Midnight Express, ended the evening.

 

Left: The Marine Science and NMEA History Jeopardy Game was fun and challenging. (Photograph by Lou Siegel.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left: Bill Hastie (OR) saw something at the silent auction that he just had to have.

 

Below: The silent auction and dinner were set up in the former Paramount Theater (now part of Long Island University.)

 

Left: Wednesday's Keynote speaker, Dr. Peter Rona, posed for a picture after Tuesday's dinner. Front row: Unknown, Dr. Peter Rona (NY), Merryl Kafka (NY), Eileel Dugan (NY). Back Row: Barbara Branca (NY) and Lisa Breslof (NY)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left: Tom Mylne (Australia), Bob Rocha (MA), Lauren Kirk (Australia), and Kayci Kirk (Australia) were ready for the live auction to begin. (Photo: Courtesy of Bob Rocha)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left: At the auction, Justine Glynn (ME) didn't miss the opportunity to advertise next year's NMEA conference. (Photograph by Ann Reid (NH))

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below: Ed Wilensky (NY) held up items for the live auction. Among the many items were a huge ammonite fossil and an antique crab trap. Lou Siegel (NY) was the auctioneer.

 

Left: Tighe Forrester joins the band after the auction. (Photo: Courtesy of Mark Oswell)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below: Some enjoyed dancing. In the foreground, Sharon Meeker (NH) has the rhythm.(Photograph by Ann Reid (NH))

Farewell to PIKE: PIKE's last appearance at a national conference was at this auction. While PIKE was not put on the auction block, people could have their picture taken with him. PIKE will take up residence in NMEA's national office in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. To read about PIKEs' 20 year history with NMEA and PIKE’s importance in obtaining thousands of dollars for NMEA scholarships, click on PIKE.

Wednesday, July 19th began with an early breakfast. Then, buses departed from Long Island University and headed to Kingsborough Community College.

Once there, the NMEA crowd was treated to the keynote presentation by Dr. Peter Rona, “Exploration of Frozen Fire and Volcanoes of the Deep Sea." He discussed how vents in the Atlantic are generally located by detecting higher than normal concentrations of metals in the water, and then precisely pinpointed using special equipment (sonar, cameras, and dredges). He shared that vent animals in the Atlantic are very different from those in the Pacific. He also informed the crowd that slumping along the Hudson canyon area on the continental slope releases methane. This release contributes to the global warming problem. The action of an earthquake along the canyon might result in a tidal wave to the area.

 

Following Dr. Rona’s presentation, the first set of concurrent sessions took place. There were 16 sessions to choose from. One of these sessions, led by Wendy and Dennis Allen (SC) and Valerie Chase (MD), "Zooplankton identification Made Fun and Easy," attracted more than 40 people.

Below Left: Wendy Allen held up the the book Zooplankton of the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts-A Guide to Their Identification and Ecology, written by Dennis Allen and William Johnson. Middle: Dennis Allen . Right: Valerie Chase, wife of author, William Johnson.

 

In the session "Classroom on the Pier", participants watched and heard a step-by-step explanation of the preparations made by commercial divers as they prepare to enter the water. Then the dive team conducted an exploratory environmental survey dive of the area while participants viewed the dive on a live audio/video feed to a large LCD projection screen.

Below: This picture shows the presenters and participants of "Classroom on the Pier." Shown standing left to right: Bob Abrams (NY), Louie Scarcella (the diver), Unknown, Beth Ritter, Unknown, Unknown, Martin Kutikoff (NY), Eileen Kutikoff, (NY), Unknown, Gene Ritter (Co-Presenter), Kneeling: Lenny Speregen (Co-presenter), and Jake Scarcella (son of the diver). (Photo: Courtesy of Martin Kutikoff (NY)

Below Left: Gene Ritter checked Louie Scarcella's equipment. Below Right: Louie Scarcella began his dive with his attached video and audio cables. (Photos: Courtesy of Martin Kutikoff (NY)

After the morning concurrent sessions were completed, lunch and music by “Annie and the Natural Wonder Band” began. During lunch, the History, NSTA, and Conservation Committee Meetings took place. After these activities, two more hours of concurrent sessions were offered and there was a live feed from the Monitor.

Left: Annie and the Natural Wonder Band entertained the lunch crowd. (Photo by Ann Reid (NH)

Below: A live broadcast from the research vessel at The Monitor National Marine Sanctuary permitted two-way communication between the NMEA audience and the research team. Leading the Monitor linkup was Michiko Martin (DC).

As the afternoon at Kingsborough College came to a close, people started gathering at the bus pick-up area. At 4:45, buses departed for the NY Aquarium and an afternoon at Coney Island. Titled the “Coney Island Experience”, attendees could choose from a boardwalk stroll, amusement rides, The Sideshow by the Sea, or slide presentations.

Below: After the Sideshow, Binnaz Bradley (MS) just couldn't resist putting her finger through the hole in the ear of the guy she'd just witnessed hang a 20 pound bowling ball from his earlobes and swing it from a chain.

 

Left: The daring ones rode the "Wonder Wheel," and Below the "Cyclone" roller coaster ("Cyclone" photograph: Courtesy of Bob Rocha (MA)

 

Left: Gayle Bowness enjoys some local fare at the Original Nathan's Hotdog stand on Coney Island. (Photo: Courtesy of Mark Oswell)

Below: Dave Bader, etc. had a great afternoon.(Photograph by Lou Siegel.)

 

Following the Coney Island experience, everyone walked to the NY Aquarium where they received a warm welcome, listened to several speakers, and were treated to a sea lion show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left: One of the speakers was Carl Safina, author of Song for the Blue Ocean, Voyage of the Turtle: In Pursuit of the Earth's Last Dinosaurs, and Eye of the Albatross. Below: Another speaker was David Helvarg, who authored 50 Ways to Save the Ocean and Blue Frontier-Dispatches from America' Ocean Wilderness. Both men spoke about the wonders and fragility of the natural world and the need to protect ocean resources.

Below Left: While waiting for the sea lion show to begin, some in the crowd started a wave. Eventually, it made it all around. (Photograph by Susan Snyder) Below Right : The photographer was Lou Siegel.

 

Left: One of the highlights of the show was when the sea lion kissed dozens in the crowd.

 

 

 

 

 

Below: Mid Atlantic COSEE sat as a block for the performance.

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The remainder of the evening, NMEA was treated to a delicious buffet dinner, a continuously running drop-in COSEE Curriculum Exploration, and dancing to the Rockinghams.

Above Left: The buffet table. Above Right: The COSEE Exploration. Beth Jewel (VA) was photographed playing with her new COSEE USB Flash Drive.

 

 

Left: Mark Oswell and Gayle Bowness stood in front of an inflatable whale shark at the NY Aquarium. (Photo: by NY Aquarium staff; Courtesy of Mark Oswell)

 

 

 

 

 

Below Left: The Rockinghams played some great oldies hits. Below Right: Only at NMEA would you see a horseshoe crab dancing with a sea star.

 

Below: This group of folks enjoyed singing along to the oldies tunes. Can you tell they were having a good time? Pictured left to right: Terri Kirby Hathaway (NC), Rosanne Fortner (NC), Helen Domske (NY), Vicki Clark (VA), and Jim Snyder (OH,FL)

 

 

Left: After a very full day, these folks headed back to Long Island University on the charter bus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, July 20th was the first day of Field Trips. Field trip choices included 1) AREAC (Aquatic Research and Environmental Assessment Center) - Brooklyn College, Prospect Park Audubon Center, and Brooklyn Botanic Garden; 2) Fishing Trip and Littoral Society Fish Tagging Demo on the Dorothy B VIII, Sheepshead Bay Brooklyn; 3) Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, Paradise Boat Trip in Piermont, New York; 4) National Park Service Ellis Island and Museum Tour, New York Harbor; 5) National Park Service Gateway National Park Beach Walk and Birding, Brooklyn & Queens; 6) Wildlife Conservation Society/Bronx Zoo.

Below Left: Dr. Chester Zarnoch at AREAC explained the operation of the center to NMEA visitors. Below Right: As Dr. Zarnoch explained the aquacultural techniques used in the lab to raise horseshoe crabs, tilapia, and clownfish, Taalisan Hassan (VA) and Gary Bremen (FL) listened.

 

 

Left: NMEA visitors examine the aquariums at AREAC.

 

 

 

 

 

Below: At Prospect Park, the field trip included taking a boat ride to look for birds and dipping nets along the shoreline to find aquatic life in the lake. Judy Reeves (AL) loved handling one of the snails that was found.

Below: At the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, participants to the field trip learned about native vernal ponds and bogs, and observed other living displays.

 

Below: Kayaking on the Lamont Doherty field trip. (Photo One by Ann Reid (NH) ; Photo Two: Courtesy of Martin Kutikoff (NY); Photo Three by Ann Reid)

 

The evening event was a Manhattan cruise aboard the Temptress. A buffet dinner, dancing, a presentation by Sidney Horenstien, and a beautiful sunset view on deck were available to all.

 

 

Below Left: Dru and Mike Clarke (KS) posed with the Statue of Liberty in the background. Below Right: Two hardworking conference committee workers, Merryl Kafka (NY) and Lou Siegel (NY), took a break to be photographed.

Below: Mary Cerullo had a great time with her sister and Sharon Meeker (NH) and Ann Reid enjoyed the sites. (Photos: Courtesy of Ann Reid (NH))

Below: On its tour of the harbor, the Temptress went under the Brooklyn Bridge, beside the Statue of Liberty, and along the Manhattan skyline.

(Photo at left: Courtesy of Bob Rocha (MA))

Friday, July 21st began with breakfast; COSEE held a breakfast meeting. Next some people attended the Sea Grant Educators Network Meeting; others attended the New NMEA Board Meeting.

At the New NMEA Board meeting, President Thaxter Tewksbury welcomed newly elected Board Members. Thaxter gave the Treasurer’s report and said that NMEA is in good standing. The major difference from previous annual budgets is that there is money ($10,000) for the board retreat. This money will be used to assist in board travel, housing, and meals and to hire a facilitator. Approximately 30 people will be invited to attend the event.

Those persons not attending the meetings went on field trips. The daytime field trips included 1) Atlantis Marine World and Long Island Winery, Riverhead, Long Island,; 2) Fire Island and Sunken Forest, Long Island; 3) Waterfront Center - Christeen Sail Ship Sail and Oyster Hatchery tour, Oyster Bay, Long Island. The evening event was a Peking Cocktail Reception and Tour of Manhattan.

Below: Photographs from the Fire Island field trip.(Photograph by Lou Siegel.)

 

Left: The Peking South Street Seaport.

Below: If you're going to steer that thing, shouldn't you be using two hands, Lisa Breslof (NY)? (Photos: Courtesy of Martin Kutikoff (NY)

It was a wet adventure aboard the Peking; but, no one seemed to care. (Below: photographs courtesy of Lou Siegel)

 

On Saturday, July 22, the International Committee and NYSMEA held meetings. Others toured New York City on their own.

Continued on Next Page..

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