Next Peace River Monthly Trip: Nov. 9, 2024 (Paid, Active Members only and water levels permitting)
- Zolfo Springs Guage *NEW* Crystal River Holcim Mine: [CANCELED due to Milton] Oct. 12, 2024 (Paid, Active Members only. Limit 20 People) - Check Facebook for Details
Next CEMEX Center Hill Trip: Oct. 16, 2024 (Paid, Active Members only. Limit 20 People) - Check Facebook for Details
Next Bone Valley Fossil Farm Trip: Oct. 27, 2024 (Paid, Active Members only. Limit 20 People)
Next Brooksville Trip: Oct. 30, 2024 (Paid, Active Members only. Limit 20 People)
Check the
Field Trips page or
the Calendar for details!
President's Message
2024-2025 Season
Rain, Rain, Rain... There is always something protecting the fossils.
As I write this to you the Peace River is still about 5 feet above levels safe
for hunters to return for screenwashing and snorkeling.
Here in Central Florida, we received record rainfalls in August and
by the second week of September had already met that month’s
average rainfall. It’s not raining everyday any longer, but there is
more precipitation in the forecast. Some insistent SCUBA divers are
getting into the rivers, but for the most part, we’re just washed out
right now. The water will go down, eventually. If we can get
through another month or so without a hurricane maybe we can
begin to pull off TBFC’s normal monthly river events. In the meantime,
check out TBFC’s limestone quarry and Bone Valley Fossil
Farm field trips.
The crowd at TBFC’s first meeting of the season was good with
about 80 fossil enthusiasts in attendance to listen to Dr. Bob Sinibaldi talk
about prehistoric fishing technologies. There were lots of
fossilized artifacts included in the presentation, so everyone loved
it. I thank Dr. Bob for all that he does for TBFC.
TBFC awarded special recognition plaques to TBFC
members Lawrence and Katura Cotton (siblings). Lawrence and Katura put on
several educational “skits” through the season. Performed with
great enthusiasm, good research and artwork, TBFC members appreciate and look
forward to their presentations.
Happy Birthday, Fred!
We celebrated the 57th
anniversary of Fred
Hendershot’s 29th
birthday at the September
TBFC meeting (you do the
math). Fred is a Director,
Field Trip Leader and
though he has submitted
his annual letter of
resignation, it was once
again voted down
unanimously. Try again
next year Fred!
Read the Chronicles each
month (Members Only), check
the calendar here on the TBFC website, and follow us on Facebook. Also,
please be very cautious while venturing out into the rivers and
creeks. There’s nothing in those rivers worth dying for.
Happy Retirement, Dr. Bruce MacFadden
I want to say congratulations and good luck
to retiring Distinguished Professor and Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology,
Dr. Bruce MacFadden. Dr. Bruce came to the University
of Florida/Florida Museum of Natural History in 1977 and has spent
most of his working life in Florida paleontology.
He is the author of countless books and peer reviewed articles.
Grant money drives science and Dr. Bruce has been successful in
procuring nearly 50 grants totaling almost $40 million to be used in
scientific research. Just as important to us, the amateur paleontologists,
he has been a good friend. Please see the article on Dr.
Bruce MacFadden in this issue of the Chronicles.
Rest in Peace, Dr. Barbara Purdy
In closing, I must acknowledge the recent
passing of Dr. Barbara Purdy. Dr. Purdy was
a good friend to citizen scientists and always
believed we deserved a place in archaeology
where amateurs haven’t been as accepted
as on the paleontology side. Dr. Purdy presented for
TBFC on many occasions, well
into her 80s. Dr. Purdy shattered glass ceilings in archaeology
being one of the first women to be accepted in what was a male
dominated science, consequently opening
doors for countless ladies who have followed in her footsteps.
We will always miss her.
Important Dates
TBFC’s season starts off with our first field trip on September 4,
meeting on September 7 and takes off running. There are currently
over 40 paleo activities to keep you busy between now and May of
2025, so get out there and enjoy TBFC’s paleo community!
A list of all the paleo dates for this season can be found in the September issue of the Chronicles!
Upcoming dates for field trips and other events will be added to the website monthly.
I hope to see you all at the October meeting. To all of you kids, and
kids at heart, “BOO”. Have a great Halloween!
Good Hunting,
Mike Searle
Missed a meeting or just want to watch
it again? You can view our past meeting recordings or live streams in the playlist below (Also found in the About section):
Announcements
Next Meeting Presentation
Nov. 2, 2024
Annual Scholarship Auction
with Bob Sinibaldi
Hopefully you’ve noticed that TBFC has stepped up its game with
the newsletter each month. In addition to all of our regular
contributors, we’ve added two new recurring articles this season. “In
Touch with Inverts” by Rob Carlson was added in September. Recently added, “Paleo Analysis” by Steve Vicari.
Each month Steve will be discussing interesting prehistoric fauna and how they
relate to extant species.
Please check out all of the articles in each
issue. Only TBFC members receive the Chronicles, we don’t post it online or on Facebook.
Be sure to renew your Fossil
Permits! Never Dig into the River banks! Collection of Artifacts is Illegal on Florida state owned land!