"The Griffin Report " Tuesday, January 5th

SRAC's next edition of History’s Mysteries will be "The Griffin Report" by Deb Twigg. The presentation will be held on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 – 6:30pm – 7:30pm at SRAC, 345 Broad St, Waverly, NY.

In 1931, the Tioga Point Museum hired a young college student, James Griffin to research many local sites in the region. This report was never published and James Griffin later became one of the most well known archaeologists of his time. The result was a report that has been used in some professional archaeological reports and commentary without having it available for others to see what it actually said. Twigg will unveil the mystery and the myth that has surrounded this report since 1931.

Come and learn about this controversial report and how it has effected the understanding of our archaeology in our region.

Admission: adults $5, Students and SRAC members $4. Doors open at 6pm and admission to the exhibit hall filled with thousands of local Native American artifacts is included in the admission price.

Merry Christmas SRAC!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

SRAC received a very generous gift of $24,000 in memory of Andrew A. Burns just in time for Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all of our supporters! We look forward to 2010 and all of the things we are planning!

Stay tuned for more information coming soon!

Just In Time For Christmas!

SRAC has added a ton of great kids learning toys and have marked many adult items especially for you to make some great last minute Christmas purchases!

WE ALSO NOW ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS!






We are Open Tuesday & Wednesday& Friday this week from 1-5pm, and Saturday from 11- 4pm.

The Griffin Report

History’s Mysteries
The Griffin Report
by Deb Twigg and Dick Cowles
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
6:30pm – 7:30pm
At SRAC, 345 Broad St, Waverly, NY

James (Jimmy) B. Griffin is a well known name in America's 20th century archaeology. However, you will have to look pretty far to read about what did in the summer of 1931 as a graduate with a master's degree in Sociology and Anthropology. This is because he made a report that was never published and therefore is not used as a reference in current scientific research. This report was about many sites in the Valley that is still controversial today.

On Tuesday, January 5th, SRAC's Deb Twigg will be presenting the highlights of this report, and with the help of Dick Cowles, whose father Ellsworth accompanied James Griffin in all the excavations that summer in 1931, will tell you about the controversy that surrounds the report as well. Actual photos from 1931 will be used throughout the presentation. Step back in time and learn about the MANY archaeological sites and archaeology found right in our Valley!

Admission: Adults $5, Students and SRAC members $4. Doors open at 6pm and admission to the exhibit hall filled with thousands of local Native American artifacts is included in the admission price.

Please Don't Forget SRAC on Your Christmas List!

The year 2009 is coming to a close, and it is time for all of us to finish up our Christmas lists for the year...2010 will be the 5th year for SRAC as a non-profit and we hope that we have gained your confidence and support as a community nonprofit. With that we also hope that you realize that SRAC is a totally private funded organization, and we do not take federal or state funding...We only take funding from philanthropic foundations and good hearted people such as you that take the time to donate what they can so that we can do what we do for our community. We are also manned totally by volunteers and if you have stopped in this year during anyone of our great events, the majority of our presentors have donated their time as well.

How can you support SRAC?

Volunteerism - we need volunteers for 2 hour shifts in the gift shop, and Tom is always in need of help with renovating the Center.

Donations -
Mail donations to:
Susquehanna River Archaeological Center (SRAC)
P.O Box 12, Sayre PA 18840

or just click here:

Other ways to Support SRAC:

Sponsor an SRAC Case - The SRAC Case Sponsor status highlights SRAC's policy of providing community service. Membership in the SRAC Sponsor a Case Program is presented to those contributing $100. The donor will receive a certificate of "SRAC Sponsor" and their status will be recognized in SRAC's annual report. SRAC will work with the donor to create a plaque to be placed on the case of choice within the SRAC Exhibit Hall.

Sponsor the SRAC JOURNAL:

• Gold $100.00 - click here

• Silver $50.00 - click here

• Supporter $25.00 - click here

• Friend $10.00 - click here

SRAC - A Qualified Non-Profit Organization. Make sure to donate before the end of the year to claim your tax deduction for 2009 and thank you for remembering SRAC
on your Christmas list this year!

To learn more visit http://www.sracenter.org/Donations/

Documentary Film on "Bears on Broadstreet" Family Available NOW!

Last August SRAC brought an unforgettable experience to the local community. Live bears performed to the amazement of the audience, and people still visit the online gallery at:

http://www.sracenter.org/SRAC_Bears_Slideshow/

and still buy photos we had produced in our gift shop. In tandem with the event, we prescreened the "Rosaire Circus" - a movie produced about the Rosaire family, including Derrick Rosaire and his sons, aka "The Bear Guys" which was not released for sale at that time. (see movie trailer here) As the movie concluded at SRAC the night before the bear show, Derrick, Derrick JR, and Frederick walked in and talked to the audience that night. It was a night to remember!

I am excited to announce that just in time for the holiday season, the deluxe 2-DISC Special Edition set features the award winning documentary film, along the with an hour long, fun-filled Rosaire Family Circus performance under the Big Top. It also includes nearly 45 minutes of never-before-seen additional scenes and interviews. It sells for 24.99 plus tax and we have taken two dollars off that price for SRAC members!

If you're looking for a really special gift this holiday season that will be perfect for kids and adults alike, this is it! Visit SRAC between 1 - 5pm, Tuesdays through Fridays or Saturdays from 11am - 4pm. *PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE FILM BY FORWARDING THIS TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

CIRCUS ROSAIRE
Film Synopsis

For nine generations, the Rosaire family has entertained audiences all over the world with their legendary animal acts. From lions and tigers, to bears, horses and chimpanzees, the Rosaires are renowned for their unique and respectful way of training and performing with animals. At the height of their fame, they headlined shows for royalty, presidents and legions of fans with their spectacular feats. Today they are struggling to survive in the modern age of entertainment. Major declines in audience attendance, and increasing concern for animal welfare have significantly impacted the Rosaires way of life. Their livelihood and future are at risk as they attempt to carry on the family tradition.

Filmed over a five-year period, CIRCUS ROSAIRE is both heartbreaking and hilarious as it takes an intimate, behind the scenes look inside this quintessential circus family.

CIRCUS ROSAIRE has been screened in over 20 film festivals worldwide, and has won numerous awards. See what all the buzz is about, and order your own CIRCUS ROSAIRE dvd now!

Click to order on Amazon.com (If you buy them at SRAC, the DVD's are less - shipping and discounted for SRAC members!):

http://www.amazon.com/Circus-Rosaire/dp/B002X86B78/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1259343981&sr=1-1

CIRCUS ROSAIRE Reviews

“ENGAGING AND IMPRESSIVE. PIC SHOULD PLEASE LADIES, GENTLEMEN AND CHILDREN OF ALL AGES!”
Joe Leydon, Variety

“CHARMING AND AFFECTING!”
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

“ENCHANTING AND EFFECTIVE!”
John Beifuss, The Commercial Appeal

"CIRCUS ROSAIRE IS A CHARMING, ENGAGING GEM OF AN INDIE FILM!”
Kim Voyner, Cinematical

“TOUCHING AND POIGNANT, ‘CIRCUS ROSAIRE’ IS A DELGIHTFUL TELLING OF A FAMILY TALE THAT’S A REAL AND CLASSIC SUCCESS STORY, COMPLETE WITH HEARTACHES, CONTROVERSY AND LOTS OF LOVE. ”
Robert Waldman, Orato News

“ONE OF THE GEMS IN THIS YEARS SLAMDANCE FESTIVAL!”
David Burger, Salt Lake City Tribune

“INSPIRING TEARS OF SADNESS AND JOY, ‘CIRCUS ROSAIRE’ IS FOR THOSE WHO FIND HEROES AMONG COMMON FOLKS.”
Leah Raquel Ranada, The Source

“AMAZING! YOU CAN’T HELP BUT FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS FILM!”
Chris Steele, Mountain Morning Show

“I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT THIS MOVIE’S SUCCESSFUL RELEASE FOR EITHER THEATERS OR TELEVISION WOULD BE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS OF OUR YEAR!”
John Hart, ShowBiz USA

“ONE OF THE MOST BUZZED ABOUT FILMS….CIRCUS ROSAIRE IS A LOVING PORTRAIT OF A FAMILY’S STRUGGLE TO PRESERVE A FADING INSTITUTION.”
Salt Lake City Tribune

“BIG TOP FUN!”
Philippine Journal

“GENUINELY MOVING!”
Glen Schaefer, The Province

SRAC is located at 345 Broad Street, Waverly, NY.

SRAC Stone Drills - 101

Drills from SRAC's Fox collection

One of the most interesting artifacts at SRAC to me are the stone drills. While these tools were made from many materials such as antler, bone, and later even metal, the workmanship in the stone drills on found in NY and PA and on display at SRAC are certainly worth discussing.

Just like the points used for arrows and spears in our region, the drills had alot of different styles and shapes during the many thousands of years they were created and used. In fact, it is believed that some of drills were actually points that were modified from their original shapes to create the drills.

Below are the illustrations of bases of some stone tools.... and I have to say that they indeed look like the bases of many points we have at SRAC...



But they are instead the bases to the following drill shapes.


In some cases, such as the following it is difficult to determine if the specimen was used as a point or a drill. Some say that drills will give themselves awya by showing extra wear that a point normally would not...

Keir/SRAC Collection

Here are some more drills- and these ones have always made me wonder how they could be used without breaking them as some of these are incredibly long and fragile...


But all stone drills found in our region do not have a specific design to the base on them. Some are much more rough in design and are believed to be made from scrapers or miscellaneous flakes:




These are some from SRAC's member Jack Rowe's collection:


And still other drills have no base at all (these should not be confused with the broken end of another type of drill):


There are also many Y and T-shaped drills found in our region:


I hope that you find this information helpful, and as you peruse the collections in the SRAC Exhibit Hall, keep your eyes out for this rarely discussed artifact. You may not have noticed them before but once you do, you will find that they are more abundant than you thought!

SRAC YouTube Channel!

Well you knew it would finally come...While we have had many videos on our site, www.SRACenter.com for years now - I finally made a YouTube channel that can be found at:

http://www.youtube.com/SRAcenter

You will also begin to see more and more videos acrossed our sites, including this video - which is in the "What's News at SRAC" playlist to run on our SRACenter.org main page:



My hope is that these clips will allow anyone to get to know SRAC better and see what incredible things are happening there everyday!

The Evolution of Military Arms and Tactics - by John Trice

“The Evolution of Military Arms and Tactics ”
From the French and Indian war, Revolutionary War to the War of the Rebellion- by John Trice Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - 6:30 – 7:30pm
Susquehanna River Archaeological Center, (SRAC)
345 Broad Street in Waverly, NY.
(click here for a flier to share)

John Trice is the former D.A for Chemung County, current Appellate Counsel for New York State Supreme Court and Elmira College Instructor of Criminal Law. He will be demonstrating with period military artifacts.

The doors will open at 6pm, with the program running from 6:30 – 7:30pm. Admission is $5 Adults, $4 for SRAC members and students. The public is advised that the SRAC gift shop and exhibit hall will also be open during this time as well and to please consider arriving early to browse these areas before the program. For more information, call 570-565-7960 or email info@sracenter.org

Make Your Own Fused Glass Dishes!

SRAC is offering workshops to help you get creative with your Christmas ideas this year and at an affordable price. The workshops will be held every Saturday in November and December until Christmas. From glass art to children's books, there will be a different workshop every Saturday at SRAC available to help participants make or get special gifts with all supplies and processing included in the registration price in most cases.

Saturday, November 21st, from 11:30 - 12:30

Workshop: Fused Glass Dishes with MaryAnn Taylor!

Fused glass dish is 4" square. Firing included, and requires 2 firings; therefore items take 2 weeks firing time. Must be picked up on or after Saturday, December 12th. Registration Fee: $25, $23 for SRAC members.


Those interested in attending the SRAC Special Christmas Gift Workshops are advised that additional workshops are still being added and can be viewed at: http://www.SRACenter.org/Events.

To register for any of the workshops - please call SRAC at 607-565-7960 Tuesdays through Fridays from 1-5pm or Saturdays 11am - 5pm. SRAC is located at 345 Broad Street Waverly, NY. Or email info@SRACenter.org!

Thank You - Wennawoods Publishing!

Even before we had a building or a Center, Ron and Kris Wenning have been members and supporters of SRAC. Every year, they have also donated books to us to be able to sell high quality hard cover books with many titles that cover our region's early history. From "Indian Chiefs of Pennsylvania" to "Brules Discoveries" to "General John S. Clark's Manuscripts" - which was Louise Welles Murray's work, SRAC has been able to offer more resources for anyone interested in the early times of our region than any other organization because of Ron and Kris!

Last year, Ron and Kris had also brought at least a hundred books for us to sell at the suggested retail price and only took ten dollars per book back on many of them in consignment, giving us alot more than our usual 25% commission that we get from our gift shop commission items.

Recently, the Wennings contacted me and yet AGAIN amazed me with their incredible generosity! They donated the rest of the books that they had on commission with us!

In return - we have rolled that generosity back out to you - our supporters by taking $10 off the retail price on EVERY BOOK that we had on commission from Wennawoods!

If you are looking for a great book for yourself or for someone for Christmas - now is your chance to get a great hard cover historical book at a great price.

To learn more about Wennawoods and to see the much larger collection of books that they have available - visit their online store today!

http://wennawoods.com/users/wennawoods-cgi/listpage.cgi?store=books

Lincoln Street School at SRAC Today

Waverly's Robin Blauvelt and her 4th grade class

Waverly's Cathie Hand and her 4th grade class

The 4th graders at Lincoln St, School made a visit to SRAC today - and we had a wonderful time together! Thanks again to Robin Blauvelt and Cathie Hand - two great 4th grade teachers who shared in all of the fun and learning throughout the event!

And did I tell you what a great line up we had in store for the kids today? Thanks to our guys at SRAC for spending their time and knowledge to make today's event a wonderful childhood memory for many kids that they would not have made without you!

Station #1 - "The Woolly Mammoth" by Ted Keir, SRAC

Station #2 - "Early European Contact with the Indians" - by Dick Cowles, SRAC

Station #3 - "Native American Children's Stories" - by Jack Andrus, SRAC

Thanks to ALL of you for making today a special memory for me as well!

( ;

A Visit at The Watering Hole....

The Mammoth exhibit mural #1 is just a few days from completion. Although there is alot more that will be created around it and in front of it to include the excavation site with the ten foot long woolly mammoth tusk, teeth and jaw, and another even larger mural yet to be created by Peter, I cannot help but want to show you the 13 foot wide mural as Peter Quiles continues his work.

Here is the sketch of the entire exhibit we are working on:


Again - SRAC members are invited to stop in and show their membership cards and ask to go back and see the exhibit that is not open to the public until it is completed.

If you are interested in supporting this project - please send donations to:

SRAC Wooly Mammoth Exhibit
PO Box 12
Sayre, PA 18840

Thank you for supporting SRAC in whatever way you choose to and stay tuned for more updates soon!

This Saturday's Christmas Workshop - Gem Trees

WAVERLY - Make a special gift for someone special this Christmas! Saturday November 14th, three 1-hour workshops will be offered at 11:30, 12:30, and 2pm at the Susquehanna River Archaeological Center (SRAC) located at 345 Broad Street in Waverly, NY. These workshops will be to create the ever popular gem trees with Inga Wells and all basic supplies are included. Geode slice bases also available for additional fee. Registration fee is $6, $5 for SRAC members.

To see the workshops offered every Saturday between now Christmas, visit http://www.SRACenter.org/Events, email info@sracenter.org or call SRAC at 607-565-7960. Due to limited space, preregistration is advised.

The Valley Digs Culture!

This Sunday is a wonderful time to learn more about two very special organizations in the Valley, the Polyhymnia club and The Susquehanna River Archaeological Center (SRAC) - who are teaming for a joint fundraiser and entertaining afternoon at SRAC.

I hope that you'll consider joining us for a rather different type of event for SRAC. "The Valley Digs Culture" which will tale place this Sunday, Nov. 8 from 2-5 p.m. at the SRAC at 345 Broad Street in downtown Waverly. A brief description of the entertainment planned for the event is described below -

Singer, song-writer,and recording guru Rob Spence will open the afternoon's entertainment at SRAC Sunday with some of his songs and talk about the life experiences that inspire them. Spence, who came to the Valley from England, makes his home in Waverly. He will be on stage at about 2:30 p.m. and the audience is invited to enjoy this opportunity to listen to one of the Valley's favorite performers.

Following a break for food, museum and gift shop browsing, the stage will be taken over by the dynamic Michael Debach, who plays and sings in many different styles. He will sing and play keyboard at about 3:15 p.m. and even lead a sing-along if the audience is in the mood.

Michael is part of the "family" when it comes to Polyhymnia Club, one of the sponsors for the Valley Digs Culture, planned for Sunday, Nov. 8 from 2-5 p.m. at the SRAC on Broad Street. He is a former winner of the club's performance award; his aunt, Mary Finlayson, is a current member, and he's the grandson of Jane Frederick, a Polyhymnia member during the 1950s and 60s.

The final performer, scheduled to take the stage after another break (about 4 p.m.), is Billie Risboskin, a senior at Waverly High School and the current winner in the instrumental competition. Billie will play the oboe along with a brief "introduction" to her instrument. Throughout the informal afternoon, food and beverages will be served and the SRAC exhibit hall and gift shop will be open.

A basket raffle featuring gifts from downtown merchants and music and other themed collections will be conducted. Music, the exhibits and food are included in the price of tickets ($10, with those under the age of 12 welcome at no charge).

Tickets, now available at SRAC, 345 Broad St., Waverly and from Polyhymnia Club members, may also be purchased at the door on Sunday. All are invited to come for a brief visit or for the whole afternoon.

The Valley Digs Culture event is a joint effort sponsored by Polyhymnia and the host Susquehanna River Archaeological Center and will benefit both organizations.

Mammoth Exhibit Underway

I just wanted to give everyone an update on the exhibit that will house the woolly mammoth tusk, jaw, and teeth as the result of the grant received by the Andaste Chapter of Pa Archaeology to acquire these full size pieces and place them in SRAC for the surrounding communities to enjoy.

The exhibit is a 4 man project led by our good friend Brian Denlinger of Denlinger Designs who will keep the muralist, Peter Quiles, construction lead, Tom Vallilee and 3D art specialist, Frank Evans all in sync throughout the project. I think the community will be amoazed at what we have planned, as it will allow visitors yound and old to feel as if they have walked into the past as the exhibit will come out from the walls with trees, water, and rock ledges...

The first mural was underway today - which is on the east face wall and is 13 feet wide and 8 feet tall. It will show our beautiful rolling hills but with woolly mammoths on a winding path and coming down to a watering hole which will be in the foreground. This is the first layer of paint layed on the wall just today for this mural:


In the meantime, Tom is working on the other wall dry walling it for the next mural to be created which will be of the rivers and an ancient fishermen (or women) looking off into the distance...This mural will have part of the river running in front of it with a birch bark canoe drug up on the bank and other stone artifacts spanning thousands of years will be seen here and there along the ancient waterway, just as we know they have been found over the centuries.

The truth is that the Susquehanna River is the biggest reason for so much of what we have....our prehistory, history, our rich heritage, abundant archaeology, and our Center.

We are so very excited to create this exhibit and I hope that you are as well! You can stop in SRAC during our business hours and ask about our latest stages of the exhibit, we'd be glad to show you!

If you would like to donate towards this incredible exhibit that will be a huge addition to our Center and our community, send your donations to:

SRAC Woolly Mammoth Exhibit
PO Box 12
Sayre, PA 18840

November 7th - SRAC Christmas Workshops Kickoff!

SRAC is offering workshops to help you get creative with your Christmas ideas this year and at an ffordable price. The workshops will be held every Saturday in November and December until Christmas. From glass art to children's books, there will be a different workshop every Saturday at SRAC available to help participants make or get special gifts with all supplies and processing included in the registration price in most cases.

Due to limited space availability, with the exception of the book sale on December 4th and 5th, pre-registration is mandatory for each of the following workshops:

Saturday November 7th from 11:30am - 12:30pm
Workshop: Fused Glass Creatures with Mary Ann Taylor
What kind of creature will you make? It's all up to you! All glass, supplies, and firing included. Must be picked the following Saturday (Nov 14th) due to firing process. Registration Fee: $20, $18 for SRAC members



November 7th 12:30pm- 4pm
Workshop: Make a Christmas Oil Painting with Priscilla Ammerman!
Priscilla has been giving painting classes in the Valley for years and her classes are very popular! In this workshop, the class participants will make their own approximate 12 inch by 14 inch Christmas Oil /Acrylic Painting. Registration is $5 for participants who bring their own supplies, $10 if you need supplies supplied. Prices change to $4, and $8 for SRAC members respectively.

To see all workshops occurring at SRAC until Christmas - visit the SRAC Events Calendar and view the November AND December Saturday listings.

To Pre-register for any class visit SRAC at 345 Broad Street 1-5 Tuesdays - Fridays or 11am - 4pm Saturdays; call SRAC at 607-565-7960 during business hours, or email info@sracenter.org.

Questions? You can email me anytime!

Come & See the SRAC Mammoth!

If you come to SRAC at 345 Broad Street in Waverly, NY these days, you will be met by our new large friend...NO! NOT Beryl! The Woolly Mammoth!


We just had this painting added to our gift shop today and from now on it will be the first thing that you will see when you walk through our doors. This was created by our friend, R. Wilson who came in one day and learned about our getting the woolly mammoth tusk and teeth and jaw from Pittsburgh's Carnegie Museum this winter and simply said we needed a woolly mammoth out in the gift shop to greet visitors as they entered the Center..That was just a few weeks ago!

Even more impressive, we gave Mr. Wilson the size of the woolly mammoth that we were getting the remains replicated from that the Andaste Chapter of PA Archaeology helped excavate back in 1983, and he drew it to scale! Unfortunately, our ceilings are only 14 feet high...which would have been at the shoulders of our woolly mammoth, so we are going to let everyone know that this painting is of the runt of the litter...

( ;

I told Ted that we better make sure that we don't get flies in the gift shop because the kids will all have their mouths wide open when they come in!

I dare you to not be awed on your next visit as well!

SRAC's VERY Special Christmas Present Workshops

SRAC is offering workshops to help you get creative with your Christmas ideas this year and at an affordable price. The workshops will be held every Saturday in November and December until Christmas. From glass art to children's books, there will be a different workshop every Saturday at SRAC available to help participants make or get get special gifts with all supplies and processing included in the registration price in most cases.

SRAC is also inviting the participants to bring a child to share in the fun of each workshop at no additional cost while making that one special gift together. SRAC's Deb Twigg explains, "There are many memories that I have of the Christmas holidays. Many of them are of making or finding special items for someone, or receiving that special gift that someone made or picked out with me in mind. These are gifts that took more thoughtfulness than money. This along with the current economic times gave us the idea to make these workshops available for others to experience the joy of giving gifts that are sure to be special for those that give and receive them."

Due to limited space availabilty, with the exception of the book sale on December 4th and 5th, preregistration is mandatory for each of the following workshops:

Saturday November 7th from 11:30am - 12:30pm
Workshop: Fused Glass Creatures with Mary Ann Taylor
All glass, supplies, and firing included. Must be picked the following Saturday (Nov 14th) due to firing process. Registration Fee: $20, $18 for SRAC members

Saturday November 14th, Three 1 hour workshops are available at 11:30, 12:30, and 2pm
Workshop: Beaded Trees with Inga Wells
All basic supplies included. Geode slice bases also available for additional fee.
Registration Fee: $6, $5 for SRAC members.

Saturday, November 21st, from 11:30 - 12:30
Workshop: Fused Glass Dishes
Fused glass dish is 4" square. Firing included, and requires 2 firings; therefore items take 2 weeks firing time. Must be picked up on Saturday, December 12th. Registration Fee: $25, $23 for SRAC members.

Saturday, November 28th, no workshop - holiday weekend.

Friday, December 4th from 1-5pm, & Saturday, December 5th from 11am - 4pm
Usborne Book Sale!
Usborne books are known for publishing the very best children's books in the world. They take pride in being part of the overall education and literacy movement in the nation, and believe their products can make a difference in the lives of children. There is also an online book sale going on and orders for this event are currently being taken at http://www.ubah.com/BF34575until the close of the event on December 5th.

What will SRAC get? We will get 25% of total sales (up to $499) and to 50% of total sales ($500 & above) of children's books that we will donate to two lucky elementary schools in the Valley! Now if that isn't a great Christmas present, I don't know what is! order your books today!


Saturday, December 12th, from 11:30 - 12:30
Workshop: Fused Glass Necklaces and Earrings with Mary Ann Taylor
All glass, supplies, finding, and firing included. Must be picked up the following Saturday (Dec 19th) due to firing process. Registration Fee: $25, $23 for SRAC members.

Saturday, December 19th from 11am- 3pm
Workshop: Family Christmas Photos
Complete with a Christmas back drop, participants can bring their pets, family, etc and have portraits taken. The photos will be burned to a CD which will given to each participant to taken to a local photo processing booth for printing. Registration Fee: $10, $8 for SRAC members.

Note: ALL children under the age of ten years must be accompanied by an adult.

Those interested in attending the SRAC Special Christmas Gift Workshops are advised that additional workshops are still being added and can be viewed at http://www.SRACenter.org/Events.

To register for any of the workshops - please call SRAC at 607-565-7960 Tuesdays through Fridays from 1-5pm or Staurdays 11am - 5pm. SRAC is located at 345 Broad Street Waverly, NY.

The SRAC Movie is Here!

I wanted to thank all of you who attended yesterday's 6th annual DrumBeats Through Time. The attendance was great and good times were shared all the way through the event from the luncheon and annual membership meeting, Allegany River Dancers from 2-3pm, and we still had most of the seats filled even for the SRAC movie from 4pm- 5pm.

For those of you who are not aware of it, the SRAC Movie 'Glimpses of Our Past" is now available on DVD. The movie is a 3 part piece about the prehistory of our region that covers from the ice age all the way through early European contact and uses SRAC's artifacts to help tell that story.

It also includes spots by myself, Ted Keir, and Dick Cowles, and even two additional full length presentations, "Why Sullivan Marched" by Dick Cowles, and "The Newton Woolly Mammoth" by Ted Keir...Oh yeh - - they also added bloopers which were quite popular yesterday!

The entire DVD is on sale now at SRAC for just $9.99 plus tax. They are available at the SRAC gift shop and I added a way for you to order your copy online as well below. All proceeds benefit the Susquehanna River Archaeological Center.

DrumBeats Through Time - 2009

Every October is Archaeology Month in PA and since our earliest event 6 years ago, we have held true to our promise that we would host this event, jam packed full of artifacts, history, and Native American culture for FREE every year. Thanks to Guthrie Health, and many other individuals in the community who have donated towards our event this year, we are able to keep our word! Click the image below to download the Event Calendar!

Denlinger Design.

I wanted to take a minute or two and discuss one of the most important friends that SRAC has had over the years, and that is Brian Denlinger of Denlinger Design. In just a week or two, the Susquehanna River Archaeological Center will again show off yet another product of Brian’s artwork – on the front of our building. It has been several months since I went to Brian and asked him to design signage for the outside of our Center, and again he has gone above and beyond what I thought we would get.

Instead of just doing a sign like every other sign in downtown Waverly, NY, Brian thought about who SRAC is and came up with a design and material thafit our brand and works with the exteriof our building as well. He also knewthat we are very active on the internet and also had us add the URL for our website aswell. The result is a wooden sign that is 9 feet by 4 feet in wood that was sandblasted give it a hand carved feeling that gives people the information both in design and text that we want them to know. Here is a picture of the unfinished sign at this point –



Another piece that Denlinger Design produced for us recently that I am sure you must have seen this summer is our “Bears on Broad Street” posters. These posters became so popular that they are collector items in the community!


And yet another piece that you may or may not remember that was created by Denlinger Design was the huge mural that resides in the SRAC Exhibit Hall. Brian digitally reowrked a pen drawing by Ellsworth Cowles in 1933 and added colorization, then enlarged it and added a text area. In the end, he had it all printed in vinyl panels to make the mural that you see today.


The next piece that Brian is working on with SRAC is a massive exhibit that will house a ten foot wooly mammoth tusk, jaw and teeth and include two murals, 3d rivers, ledges, and even a waterfall. This exhibit will span 50 feet of our museum floor! Stay Tuned!

Truth is - I actually am lucky enough to work with Brian in my day job at Guthrie Health and this ishow he came to ask him to do some things for SRAC. Because of this – I have seen first hand his professionalism and respect that he has gained for his work beyond SRAC. From print materials, billboards, photography, video, and even web design work, Brian is the best I have seen at what he does.

But even more than the pieces that Brian and Denlinger Design has produced, it has been HOW it was produced. Brian is just one of those guys that listens to his customers and iswilling to work with them in a way that makes them feel very proud of what they comup with TOGETHER. Unlike other artists that I have worked with Brian explains his reasoning for elements of his work, but is willing to change things and work with you so that you never feel like the end product is what someone else came up with…you are involved every step of the way. Because of that, I wanted to share my highest regard for the work that Brian Denlinger has done for SRAC over the years.

I can tell you that there is nothing better than working with a professional like him when you are a company that insists that you are represented in the public at a high standard everytime.

To see more of Brian’s work or to learn more about Denlinger Design, visit http://www.DenlingerDesign.com.

Working Hard AT SRAC!

With so much work getting ready for DrumBeats - we just had to let our hair down a little...'

Happy Early Halloween from the SRAC Gang!
Cast: Dr. Frankenstein: MaryAnne Taylor, Frankenstein: Ted Keir, The Bride of Frankenstein: Susan Fogel, Wolfman: Dick Cowles, Dracula: Tom Vallilee.

Just click the image below to enjoy the show!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

COMING SOON! DrumBeats Through Time 2009

Every October is Archaeology Month in PA and since our earliest event 6 years ago, we have held true to our promise that we would host this event, jam packed full of artifacts, history, and Native American culture for FREE every year. Thanks to Guthrie Health, and many other individuals in the community who have donated towards our event this year, we are able to keep our word! Click the image below to download the Event Calendar!

"A Buck a Bag" of Books! at SRAC

Right now at SRAC you can get a bag of books for a buck as we close out our used book sale through the end of September. Also during this time ALL children's used books are FREE!

Lots of great titles in soft and hard covers are still available.

SRAC located at 345 Broad Street in Waverly, and is open from 1-5pm Tuesdays through Fridays and Saturday from 11 - 4pm.

The Woolly Mammoth at SRAC

Monday - September 20th Ted Keir will be doing a very special presentation about the Woolly Mammoth that was excavated at Spring Lake near Wyalusing, PA. In 1987, the Andaste Chapter assisted the Carnegie Museum in this excavation and recently has committed to funding the exact replicas of the 10 foot long tusk and jaw and teeth of this very same wolloy mammoth to be placed in the SRAC Exhibit Hall this winter.

Come see actual photos and hear from the people who took part in this excavation of remains that date back to 14,000 years ago, when the ice sheets of the ice age may still have been seen to our north and the average size of the woolly mammoths was 13 feet at the shoulders and 6 tons in weight. This is the joint meeting of the Andaste Chapter of PA Archaeology and SRAC and is also open to the public as well.

We will also discuss our design plans for the SRAC Woolly Mammoth Exhibit. Free admission is also included to the SRAC Exhibit Hall during this event.

Hope to see you tomorrow night!