125th Anniversary

Celebration

October 10, 2015

1890 - 2015

Del

awar

e Valley Ornithological C

lubthank you

Thank you to everyone that contributed their time, efforts and memories to producing this commemorative booklet. Thank you especially to Kim Custer, member of the DVOC Archive Committee for her assistance in retrieving the photos of the Samuel N. Rhoads Collection for the history portion of this booklet, and for her encouragement and enthusiasm toward the project. A very special note of thanks to the Academy and staff members, Sara Hertz, Nate Rice, and Jason Weckstein, for their generosity and assistance with this celebration. Without their help this event would never have happened. Thank you to the amazing, tireless efforts of the 125th Anniversary Committee for helping to fundraise, and champion our cause, concluding with this celebration. The sincerest of thanks to all those that contributed to the 125th fund, to help make this an event everyone could share. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.

Thank you DVOC officers, councillors and club members, for your support and commitment. We all hope that the club continues to share the passion, and encourage the science of birds into the next 125 years and beyond.

- Anita K. Guris, 125th Anniversary Committee Chairperson

DVOC 125th Anniversary Commemorative Booklet…continued

Introduction by Anita K. Guris

This is also a place I’d like to use to thank one of the great historians of our club. The member who cares as much about how we arrived here, as he cares about the birds that we see. Albert “Bert” Filemyr wears many hats in the DVOC: Treasurer, Webmaster, Listserv Chairperson, and serves on an additional 5 committees. He is the most recent recipient of the DEVOC award as well as many past awards, but Bert has gone far beyond any of these duties and accolades. His willingness to delve into the club’s past to bring us the best and most interesting information on the club’s history is immeasurable. He has contributed to a huge portion of the pages within, and much more can be found on our website. In preparing this booklet, I realized just how much time and effort Bert has poured into our club, not only from a historical perspective but through putting the information on the website and sharing his knowledge at meetings with us all. Please take a moment to thank Bert personally for his contributions to the DVOC, and for which he is so very deserving of the DEVOC award. His tireless efforts are appreciated by all, and admired especially by me today, as I write this introduction. Thank you Bert. I also want to thank my husband Paul Guris, for allowing me the freedom to night after night pour my heart and soul into this booklet, without interruption, or complaint. He cooked dinners and breakfasts and made sure I took care of myself during this mission. Not that he doesn’t always - but I wish to thank him endlessly for his support. And I promise - no more volunteering for a long while. I love you Paul Guris! Everyone - enjoy the commemorative booklet!

DVOC 125th Anniversary Commemorative Booklet

Introduction by Anita K. Guris

This booklet serves only as a memoir for members to enjoy. This is not a publication for consumption by the public. There are no footnotes, bibliographies, or references noted. We just want our members to enjoy a bit about our history as a club, where we came from, and have been going in the past 125 years and beyond.

As this is just a memento of the celebration of our 125th year, this booklet is being given at the October 10, 2015 Gala at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.

The Gala is in part our annual banquet dinner to recognize and acknowledge the members, award recipients, officers and presidents past and present for their contributions to our fine club.

It is the membership that we must thank again and again, for making it possible to survive this long in a now digital and somewhat impersonal world. Our members recognize the importance of remaining active, being true to their passion and what the meaning of camaraderie is and continuing to define it with each meeting and field trip attended.

Our newest incarnation of birding in and around Philadelphia is called Bird Philly. This initiative shows great promise to lure more birders into our folds and gracefully help them ascend the birding knowledge ladder like no other urban-based club can do. The success of this initiative is credited to its creators George Armistead and Tony Croasdale. The club thanks you both for your vision and authenticity in preparing the groundwork for what will be many years of successful knowledge dissemination through this program.

Table of Contents

Pages 1-2 Informal Meetings by Anita Guris and Dateline: DVOC President's Day Weekend Seabrook, New Hampshire by Don Jones

Page 3 Banquets, and Annual Members Meetings by Anita. Guris

Pages 4-7 The Founders of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club by Anita Guris & Bert Filemyr (mostly Bert)

Pages 8-9 DVOC Meets at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University by Anita Guris

Pages 10 -15 The Samuel N. Rhoads Collection of Photographs from the and 18 Historical Society of Haddonfield New Jersey, given to DVOC for publication by member Kim Custer

Pages 16-17 Founding of DVOC - Twice is the Charm? Gleaned from DVOC Website/Cassinia by Anita K. Guris

Page 19 Brace Yourselves - the Real DVOC exposed by Anita Guris and Don Jones Recounts some great experiences with DVOC Dateline: June 1982 Churchill, Manitoba

Page 20 Don Jones Recounts some great experiences with DVOC Dateline: June 6, 2010 Portal, Arizona

Page 21 Don Jones Recounts some great experiences with DVOC Dateline: May 1983 Kingville, Texas

Page 22 Don Jones Recounts some great experiences with DVOC Dateline: May 11, 1983 Remote bluff one-quarter mile from the Rio Grande near the Santa Margarita Ranch, South TX

Page 23 1988 Portal Arizona (trip with Junque Tours) Anita Guris recounts to Don Jones…

Page 24 Don Jones Recounts some great experiences with DVOC Dateline: August 2003 Tucson, Arizona and Only the First One Counts by Dick Bell

Page 25 The Case for Poor Optics by Dick Bell

Page 26 Johnny Miller, Binoculars Optional by Dick Bell and Johnny Miller, Binoculars STILL Optional by Dick Bell

Table of Contents

Page 27 Roger Tory Who? by Dick Bell

Page 28 We Don’t Need No Stinking Runway by Dick Bell

Page 29 We Don’t Need No Stinking Runway…continued and Not It! by Dick Bell

Page 30 I’m Sorry, Orchard Oriole Isn’t Here Right Now…by Dick Bell and It Ain’t Here If I Didn’t See It by Dick Bell

Page 31 Johnny Miller, Binoculars ALWAYS Optional by Dick Bell and Catch a Calling Grouse and Put It In Your Pocket… by Dick Bell

Pages 32-34 A DVOC Youth Birding Scholarship & Celebration by Anita K. Guris

Pages 35-36 2015 Adam J. Sabatine Award by Cindy Ahern and Sadie Glover Blossom Camp by Cindy Ahern

Page 37 Photos Only - 1989 Wheatear in Cape May, NJ by Anita Guris

Pages 38-39 Sandra L. Sherman (Sandy) Fondly Remembered by Chris Walters

Page 40 Birding, It’s All It’s Cracked Up To Be by Dick Bell and One for you, Two for Me by Dick Bell

Pages 41-42 Keep an Eye on Your Calendar by Dick Bell and Birds, They’re All the SAME by Dick Bell

Page 43 Not Weather Channel Material by Dick Bell

Pages 44-45 Not Weather Channel Material…continued and Common is a Relative Term by Dick Bell

Page 46 Peregrine Falcons Recovery Program by Anita Guris (Internet)

Page 47 They Have My Vote! by Harry Armistead and Roger Tory Who? by Dick Bell

Pages 48-49 Abraham Lincoln Delivers Address to DVOC by F. Arthur McMorris

Table of Contents

Page 51 Missed that Bird…before I was a birder by Anita K. Guris

Pages 52-53 DVOC Makes A Difference by Brian Quindlen (BQ)

Pages 54-55 Our Strategies for Winning WSB by Paul Guris

Pages 56-57 I hate that BIRD! by Anita K. Guris and Anita Guris on Erica Brendel’s Blueberry Tarts

Pages 58-59 The DVOC Mafia Takes Attu by Paul Guris

Page 60 Serge LaFrance and Bird Photography on the Pribilofs by Paul Guris and “One of These Lists Is Not Like The Other…”by Paul Guris

Page 61 “One of These Lists Is Not Like The Other…”continued and Brian Mal de Merscatello by Paul Guris

Pages 62-63 Photos Only - 3 meetings of the DVOC 1948, 1982, 1990

Page 64 Steve Kacir & The 2008 Big Year in Montgomery County, PA

Page 65 DVOC Competition - The Bob Billings Big Year Award (Anita from website mainly)

Pages 66-67 The Bob Billings Competition and Awards

Page 68 Doris McGovern Remembers John (Johnny) Miller

Page 69 Barb and Frank Haas remember John Miller and That Sinking Feeling by Doris McGovern

Page 70 Philadelphia Birding Legend meets American Birding Legend by Doris McGovern and The Shorebird Whisperer by Doris McGovern Plus a little extra from Anita Guris on Doris McGovern

Page 71 That’s Not A Prothonotary! and The Ears Have It! and A Bird in the Hand by Doris McGovern

Page 72-73 Photos only - 1989 Costa Rica and 2005 Belize with Junque T ours by Don Jones and Anita Guris

Page 74 Thoughts about DVOC - by Keith Russell

Page 75 A poem to DVOC by Anita K. Guris

Table of Contents

Pages 76 - 92 Highlights of the 125th Anniversary Gala

Photos by Paul A. Guris

Page 93 Front Cover Photo Details - who’s who

The End

Informal Meetings of the DVOC by Anita Guris

The formal meeting schedule of DVOC is amazing. Few other bird club clubs can boast of twice a month meetings. The DVOC has had twice a month meetings since its initial organization in 1890.

Informal meetings we aren’t so sure about. I received a note from past presidents Chris Walters and Rick Mellon while trying to find out more concerning informal meetings.

Chris Walters said:

“The Club had informal summer meetings as far back as at least 1978 when I joined, Anita. Rick Mellon could tell you how far back they go. But in those days, we'd just have 10 or so people gather 'round and tell war stories about their summer birding---nothing organized.” One such meeting occurred that Paul and I were sorry to miss because it was a great one!

Here are a few photos by Doris McGovern July 2012 at Palmyra Cove Nature Center

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DVOC Celebrates 125 years of Passion for Birds

Welcome to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, where DVOC meetings have been held since

February 1891

View the 125th Anniversary Cake by Queen Bee Pastry at the Lobby Entrance (until 7:30)

Photos are encouraged with the cake and throughout the evening: use #DVOCGala to post photos of the Gala to

Instagram and Facebook

6:30 - 7:15 PM - Cocktails - Cash Bar, Crudités, and Cheese

7:15 PM - Full Buffet opens - announced by table numbers

7:30 PM - During Dinner - President - Award Presentations and Speeches, Acknowledgments of Past Presidents and

Councillors

8:15 PM - Sweet Table with Anniversary Cake & Coffee, Tea

Move to auditorium/intermission

8:40 PM - Auditorium - Program by Pat & Clay Sutton

9:40 PM - 9:50PM Questions & Answers of Speakers

9:55 PM - Photo Session of Members on Steps behind Guard Desk on 19th Street Entrance

10:30 PM - Celebration Conclusion

Informal Meetings of the DVOC…continued

Rick Mellon wrote when asked about the start and reason for the informal meetings:

“Since my first meeting in 65, DVOC has always had summer meetings if my memory serves me correctly. My thoughts, based on nothing specific, just gut level, is that the hard core and possibly local, still wanted to meet, while the majority had family vacations, yard work, and other summer stuff to do. Frankly, I was always disappointed there were no meetings, because in those days meetings were the primary source of information and the first half of the fall migration was missing valuable information.” He also added in his usual funny, slightly sarcastic yet sweet tone - “I hope that helps, and remember, it's worth exactly what you paid for it.”

That is the reason that to this day we are thrilled to see Rick Mellon walk through the door at DVOC. His quick wit, and puns intended and all.

Dateline: DVOC President's Day Weekend Seabrook, New Hampshire by Don Jones

On this trip I shared a room with Earl Harrison and Dave Weidner, a friend of Earl's who worked in VIREO at the Academy. After dinner one night Earl and Dave asked if I’d like to go to a drugstore with them. I declined saying I was going to take a shower and then relax. I awoke the next morning. Earl and Dave had already showered and were talking. Earl remarked, "Best God-damn seventy five cents I ever spent!" They had gone to the drugstore to purchase earplugs!

Banquets, and Annual Members Meetings by Anita K. Guris

It is said “If you throw a good party, everyone comes” This is true. I know first hand, because for many years Paul and I hosted the Annual members meetings, then passed the reigns to the Witmers. We continue to hold the Annual picnic at our home in Green Lane, and yes, we get upwards of 70 people at that function. Still, we have an annual banquet and get about 100 people to buy tickets and join the party. There has also been mention of “after parties” for some of the younger members and the young at heart. DVOC has long be a club that like to party. After meetings in the 70’s, 80’s and even today, you’ll find a group of members asking at the end of a program on the Thursday night, “Who’s in for Cherry Street?” Meaning we would be meeting at the Cherry Street Tavern at 22nd and Cherry Streets in Philadelphia. The crowd could be anywhere from 6 to 20 or more. We always headed for the back room, which was away from the bar, and allowed us to voice our opinions on all manner of subjects from birds, to travel destinations, to politics to religion, yes, nothing was ever off the table at Cherry Street. The only caveat to going to Cherry Street, what happens at Cherry Street, stays at Cherry Street! The stories would be endless, the laughter glass shattering, and the fun would end after 2, 3 or 4 pitchers were divided amongst the member-gatherers. The best roast beef or pork roast sandwich you’ll ever sink your teeth into was always available too. So, next time you come to a meeting, plan to stay away at least an hour longer, to enjoy what Cherry Street Camaraderie brings. You won’t be sorry!

Mike McGraw, Australian contingent Rob Hynson, Tony Croasdale 3

The Founders of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club by Anita Guris & Bert Filemyr (mostly Bert)

On February 3rd, 1890 seven young men met in the living room of 1624 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA. They were William Lloyd Baily, George Spencer Morris, J. Harris Reed, Samuel Nicholson Rhoads, Witmer Stone, Spencer Trotter, and Charles A. Voelker.

At that meeting they founded the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club. It should be noted that in the "20th Anniversary of the DVOC" pamphlet (1910) it is stated - "Trotter, Rhoads and Morris owed much of their early enthusiasm to another local bird student, Wm. L. Collins, who would certainly have joined in the organization of the D.V.O.C had not his untimely death cut off a promising career just before the club was started." Here is the original list of members from the DVOC scrapbook in the Archives of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Six of these men stayed active in the DVOC for the rest of their lives. Here are some notes on them at the time of the founding and the location of their final resting places. Further information on these men is available at http://www.dvoc.org/History/Founders/DVOC_Founders.htm This information was provided by DVOC’s own Archivist Bert Filemyr. 28 years old at the time of the founding. At the time of the first meeting he

was a farmer in New Jersey and was already a friend of Baily, Morris, Reed, and Trotter. He was a student with J. Harris Reed at Westtown Boarding School. George Spencer Morris was a nephew of Rhoads's step-mother Samuel Nicholson Rhoads is buried in the Haddonfield Friends Meeting Cemetery, Haddonfield, NJ

William Lloyd Baily 1862 – 1947

28 years old at the time of the founding. At the time of the first meeting he was an architectural draughtsman. And was already a long time friend of Morris, Reed, Rhoads, and Trotter. In 1889 he established a friendship with J. Harris Reed, a fellow draughtsman. William Lloyd Baily is buried in section C142 of the South-Western Friends Meeting Cemetery, 236 Powell Lane, Upper Darby, PA 19082

George Spencer Morris 1862 – 1922 28 years old at the time of the founding of DVOC. At the time of the first meeting he was an architectural draughtsman and was already a friend of Baily, Reed, Rhoads, and Trotter. His mother was the sister of Samuel Nicholson Rhoad's step-mother.

Incidentally,the architectural firm of George Spencer Morris (1867-1922) and Richard Erskine (born 1882) were

responsible for designing the building that would house the Moore School of Art, that is located next to the Academy. George Spencer Morris is buried in section C of the Germantown Friends Meeting Cemetery in Germantown, PA.

Samuel Nicholson Rhoads1862 - 1952

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J. Harris Reed About 1862 - in or after 1937

About 28 years old at the time of the founding. Very little is known about the life of this individual. He was only active in the club until about 1904. At the time of the first meeting he was an architectural draughtsman. And was a friend of Baily, Morris, Rhoads, and Trotter. He had been a student with Samuel Nicholson Rhoads at Westtown Boarding School. 1889 he established a friendship centering on a mutual love of birds with William Lloyd Baily, a fellow draughtsman. 1889 he started to keep records of the birds of Tinicum and had Charles Voelker mount several birds for him. His final resting place is unknown.

Witmer Stone 1866 - 1939

24 years old at the time of the founding. At the time of the first meeting he was a Jessup student at the Academy of Natural Sciences and was invited by Spencer Trotter to the initial meeting.

Witmer Stone was a great all-around naturalist, regularly publishing on birds, insects, mammals, and plants. Stone became a Curator of Ornithology at the ANSP in 1893 and continued his association with our institution until his death in 1939. During his tenure, nearly 90,000 new bird specimens were added to the collection! Along with his spectacular scientific achievements, Stone is also credited with bringing James Bond and Rudolph Meyer de Schauensee into the Academy as Curators, two

great Ornithologists that brought the collection into its current modern era. Witmer Stone, and his wife Lillie, are buried in the Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia PA

The strong connection between the Academy of Natural Sciences and DVOC is witnessed through Witmer Stone, as well as other prominent ornithologists/naturalists.

Spencer Trotter 1860 - 1931

30 years old at the time of the founding. At the time of the first meeting he was a brand new M.D. and was just established as a Professor of Biology at Swarthmore College. He was already a friend of Baily, Morris, Reed, and Rhoads. He had been a Jessup student at the Academy in 1876.

Spencer Trotter is buried along side his wife, Laura Lee Trotter, in Section "F" Lot 101 of the Oaklands Cemetery, West Chester PA

Charles A. Voelker 1857 – 1947

33 years at the time of the founding. At the time of the first meeting he was a master taxidermist in a local shop (Krieder's) frequented by birders. He had mounted several birds for J. Harris Reed and was invited by him to the initial meeting.

Buried in the Avon Section of the Arlington Cemetery in Delaware County, PA

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The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Current Day

The Academy of Natural Sciences 1876 The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Current Day

DVOC Meets at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

In March of 1812, seven amateur naturalists came together to officially establish what is now the oldest natural history museum in the country. March 1891, the DVOC held what would be the first of approximately 2,000 meetings to date in this location. The Academy of Natural Sciences became affiliated with Drexel University in 2011, to draw on the strengths of both institutions. The benefits the public derives from their union is seen in the displays and exhibits. Drexel University shares the benefit of having unfettered access to the collections and the depth of research done at the Academy. DVOC will continue the tradition of renting space from the Academy for its formal meetings because we benefit from having limited but accessible passage to one of the largest taxonomically complete bird collections in the world. It is here where we started so many years ago, and it is here that we shall remain as long as it is feasible.

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-The Samuel N. Rhoads Collection It is with great pleasure that the Historical Society of

Haddonfield shares selected photographs from the Samuel N. Rhoads Collection to celebrate the DVOC on its 125th

Anniversary. Samuel was a passionate ornithologist and one of the founding member of DVOC. His love of history and natural sciences is found in his extensive collection of letters, photos

and collections of specimens at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Thousands of specimens that

include birds, mammals, shells and reptiles. His legacy continues to remind us how important understanding our past is and how we can continue with the same passion to protect

nature around us today. Kim Custer, Sept. 23, 2015

Many of the photos here depict Samuel N. Rhoads enjoying the company of his fellow ornithologist friends such as Voelker, Morris, Reed, Baily, Stone, and Evans. The dress code of the period was obviously much more formal than our dress code today. We applaud the passion for birds these men had, and the delight shows in their faces in the photo with the mounts.

Fondly remember the past, enjoy the present

and boldly embrace the future.

-Anita Guris

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