73rd Annual Meeting
April 26-28, Four Points-Sheraton, Greensburg, PA
Digging into Pennsylvania’s Past: Prehistoric, Historic, Industrial
Please see the registration form included in this mailing for the Annual Meeting of the SPA being hosted by the Westmoreland Archaeological Society #23.  The Pennsylvania Archaeological Council will hold its annual Symposium on Friday afternoon. Registration for the Annual meeting is open to all.  Only members in good standing may be nominated for awards or be eligible to present papers.

Call for Papers is being handled by
Dr. Mary Ann Mogus,
West Overton Museum,
West Overton Village,
 Scottdale, PA 15687
 or email at jaw265@nb.net.
An abstract of 150 words or less may be submitted for each 20 minute paper presentation.  The usual AV equipment will be provided.  Power pointer users must provide equipment.

Chapter Notes
Coming to your mailbox:
* Annual Award Nominations
* Annual Chapter Reports
* Membership Forum Information
* Jacob L. Grimm C-14 Award Application

In Memoriam
John J.S. Shrader (1914-2001)
John Shrader passed away on November 18, 2001, after a lengthy illness.  John was a life member of the SPA and was honored this past spring by having his home chapter, Schuylkill Valley # 21
request the Board of Directors to allow a new designation for the chapter as John Shrader Chapter #21.  John was a dedicated member of the SPA and served in a variety of civic, educational and mentoring roles in his community, church and professional life.  A scoutmaster and venerate volunteer, John helped others to see and appreciate the values he revered in his lifetime: nature, wildlife, the Native American Cultures and a general respect for all life.  He passed on this philosophy to his family and many of the members of his archaeological family.  Most members of the former Schuylkill Valley chapter credit John with their exposure to local archaeology.  He promoted the SPA to many people but concentrated his efforts on young people.  The Society honored John along with Dick George for their work in 1997 by establishing the Shrader/George Youth Award.  Many members have wonderful memories of John’s gentle demeanor, spirit of fairness, respect and reverence for everyone he met, and his tireless efforts on our behalf.  The SPA has lost a friend.  A tribute will be produced in memory of John by Dr. Jay Custer for publication in The Pennsylvania Archaeologist.

Notes from the SPA Board of Directors Meetings:
Announcement to all Members:
The Constitution of the Society has been revised by a committee headed by Dr. Verna L. Cowin.  The revised document is ready for review by the membership at website: www.Quemahoning.com. This notice serves as the first announcement to the membership.  Please review the document and be prepared to vote on the revision at the next Annual Meeting in April in Greensburg, PA.

Membership Forum
All chapters are asked to assign a representative to be present at this forum.  This meeting is intended to discuss strategies to combat the decreasing membership numbers at the chapter and state level.  It will be scheduled during the Annual Meeting.   Plans to promote the SPA, to raise its visibility and public awareness should result in increased membership at the state and chapter levels. New informational handout materials will be developed from this forum.  They will be available for all chapters to use for membership recruitment and educational activities.  Please send a representative with ideas from your chapter.  Mary Alice Graetzer is chairing the forum with the help of Ginger Dlutowski.  If you cannot attend, but wish to offer suggestions email the Secretary at andross@bellatlantic.net.

Archaeology Month 2002
Please remember that 2002 is the SPA’s year to mail the Archaeology Month informational packets.  This involves assembling the bulk mailing. Volunteers are needed.  If your chapter would like to do the mailing as a chapter project or volunteer to help in other ways, please contact the Secretary.  The poster and calendar production is underway.  Send calendar events to Philip and Valerie Perazio at  Mailto: kittarch@sunlink.net  before June 30, 2002.

Jacob L Grimm Carbon-14 Award
The annual C-14 Award has been named for the late Jacob L. Grimm.  The honor is in tribute to Jake’s dedication to the Society and its ideal of professional and avocational archaeologist working together for the conservation and preservation of the archaeological resources of Pennsylvania. A copy of the procedure for application for the award has been distributed to each Chapter.  Additional copies may be requested from the Secretary or online at www.Quemahoning.com.

Private Collections Policy
The Society has a growing number of requests each year for guidance in disposing of collections from estates or collectors who would like to donate collections to an appropriate institution.  If you are a curator or have experience with curation or collections guidelines, please forward any comments on the process to the President or Secretary to aid in developing the Society’s policy.  With aging Society members, this would be a good reference for our membership to take the necessary steps to preserve their own collections.

Edward H. Hahn Archives
In October 2001, the Westmoreland County Historical Society honored one of our own by naming their archives facility after Ed Hahn.  Ed is a long time member of Allegheny Chapter #1 and Westmoreland Chapter #23 and past-president of both organizations.  He is also a dedicated volunteer for many non-profit groups.  Ed holds a Masters Degree in American History from the University of Pittsburgh and a second Masters in Archival Management from Duquesne University.  Since his retirement, he has volunteered his expertise to Soldiers and Sailors Memorial, the Westmoreland Historical Society, and the SPA local chapters as well as offering guidance on the collections of smaller historical groups.  Ed fills his time with Civil War studies, the documents of other people’s history and the extensive network of friends he has developed in the 30 years of continuous volunteer service.  Congratulations to Ed Hahn on this well deserved honor.

Announcements:
Life Members:  Please remember to notify the SPA if you have a change of address.

All Members:
AUCTION ITEMS Please remember to bring your auction items to Annual Meeting in Greensburg this April.  Proceeds benefit the Elmer Erb Permanent Fund which provides for the continuation of the financial health of the Society.

Call for Papers-New York State Archaeological Association 2002 Annual Meeting
The NYSAA will hold it’s Annual Meeting on April 26, 27, and 28, 2002 in Norwich, NY.  Submit abstracts of one paragraph postmarked by March 1, 2002 for consideration to:
Dr. Ellis McDowell-Loudan/ Mr. Gary Loudan, Program Chairs, Box 502, 3 West Academy St., McGraw, NY 13101-0502 or email loudane@snycorva.cortland.edu or gloudan@twcny.rr.com

Heritage Week in Pennsylvania
March 8-17, 2002 marks the official celebration of Pennsylvania’s 321st birthday.  The Pennsylvania Humanities Council is offering speakers for local events.  The organization also offers grants year round for non-profit groups.  For information, call 800-462-0442 (in PA) or 215-925-1005, email at phc@pahumanities.org or website www.pahumanities.org

Underwater Archaeology
Northern Shipwrecks Database 2002 Contact: Northern Maritime Research,: 
www.chebucto.ns.ca/~nmr/wrecks

Middle Atlantic Archaeological Conference
Information on the March meeting in Virginia Beach may be found at:
www.maacmidatlanticarchaeology.org/

SPA News at: www.Quemahoning.com
 

Archives Contents Page
Pennsylvania Archaeology