By Dr. Phil Stokes, Executive Director
On behalf of the Hamburg Natural History Society/Penn Dixie, I thank all who helped to make our fundraiser dinner on Thursday November 2 the largest and most successful yet. We welcomed 170 guests for an evening of music, food, and prizes — all in support of our geological treasure in Hamburg.
Moving our fundraiser to Buffalo Riverworks really jazzed it up (photo above)! My friends Chuck Porreca (bass, left), J.F. Oliver (saxophone, right), and Dean Davis (drums, not pictured) created a great atmosphere for our guests. Maybe I’ll join them for a song at our next fundraiser?
You helped us raise $11,056 for Penn Dixie — a tremendous accomplishment!! These funds will be used to develop new programming, create new promotional materials, and push towards our goals of hiring a third full time staffer and a building a permanent facility on our site.
As you know, our fossil digs are notable contributors to local tourism and also help to inspire youth towards careers in science and engineering. We were especially fortunate in 2017 to welcome 17,914 visitors — a record number! Our previous high was 15,589 visitors in 2016. Notable events included the solar eclipse on August 21 with 2,207 guests — our biggest program ever, Earth Science Day on October 7 with 1,216 guests — our second biggest program ever, and 300 guests for Dig with the Experts on May 20-22. During a very busy collecting season we welcomed visitors from 40 states and 14 countries.-
There’s plenty more planned for 2018, but for now we hope that you’ll celebrate all of our success with us. Penn Dixie would not exist without the support of our community backers, government leaders, society directors and members, dedicated volunteers, friendly staff, science colleagues, and extended family in the cultural community. We’re so grateful to have you along for the ride!
You can download the official dinner program here. Additional fundraiser photos can be found here courtesy of Jessica O’Neil, Communications Director for the Majority Caucus of the Erie County Legislature.
Penn Dixie thanks the following individuals and businesses for their donations to our fundraiser:
Achieve Personal Fitness
Andrea Stokes
Applebee’s
Barre Centric
Blasdell Rod & Gun Club
Bob Smith
Bootleg Bucha
Bret Norvilitis
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
Buffalo & Erie County Naval Park
Buffalo Bandits
Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Canvas
Buffalo History Museum
Buffalo News
Buffalo Sabres
Burkett Family
Butera’s
Capello Salon & Spa
Chris Polito
Comfort Zone Café
Congressman Chris Collins/Zeptometrix
Coyote Café
Dan Sheldon
Darien Lake Theme Park Resort
David Hanewinckel
Deb Welch
Ed & Linda Riederer
Edukids
Eagle House
Evans Bank
Explore & More Children’s Museum
Frank Scarpinato
Gear for Adventure
Gino’s Bakery
Helium Comedy Club
Irish Classsical Theatre Co.
Jay Wollin
Jennifer Hasse
Jim Eiseman
Keith Wesolowski
Kenmore Fish Market
Kim Nason
Living Well Massage Therapy
Loughran’s Bar & Restaurant
Lutz’s Market & Touch Free Car Wash
Main Street Ice Cream
Mark Castner
Mason’s Grille
McDuffies Bakery
Mimie Vahue
Nickel City Design
Nino’s pizza
Northtowns Orthopedics
Past & Present
Patty O’Shei
Patty and Alan Yuhnke
Penn Dixie
Philip J. Stokes
Philip T. Stokes
Picture Your Walls
Premier Massage
Resurgence Brewing
Revolution Indoor Cyclying
Russell’s
Salon Prive
Savory Sips, Inc
Salvatore’s Italian Gardens
Schreiber Family
Seneca Gaming Corporation
Shirley Landsittel
Tammy Russell
The Orignial Pancake House
Theatre of Youth
Uncle Joe’s Diner
Wegman’s
Wild Birds Unlimited