NARROWSBURG, NY — The Upper Delaware Council, Inc. (UDC) will honor those who have “enhanced the quality of life or protected the resources of the Upper Delaware River Valley” at its 31st annual awards ceremony on Sunday, April 28.

Reservations at $28 per person are due by April 19 for the public event that will take place at Central House Family Resort, 81 Milanville Rd. in Beach Lake, PA. The keynote address will be delivered by U.S. Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-8).

A reception with a cash bar begins at 3 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner at 4 p.m. Rep. Cartwright will speak at about 5 p.m.

The UDC will honor the following recipients:

Distinguished Service Award – John J. Bonacic, retired New York State Senator for the 42nd District, for his advocacy on behalf of the Upper Delaware River Valley during a 20-year tenure in the Senate of his 44-year public service career.

Robin M. Daniels Memorial Lifesaving Award – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Ranger Richard “Rick” Franke (Region 3, Zone B, Livingston Manor), for the August 4, 2018 high-water rescues of multiple individuals in peril during his first-ever joint patrol with the National Park Service on the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.

Partnership Award – Kris Gilbert and Danielle Besso of the New York State Department of Transportation, Region 9, for initiating, designing and implementing a package of new points of interest and directional signage along and off the New York State Route 97 Upper Delaware Scenic Byway and the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River unit of the National Parks System.