About Us
In July of 1982, Dr. Shya Chitaley, a Paleobotanist at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, founded "The Fossil Society".
In March of 1997, some members of the Fossil Society formed a new club called the "North Coast Fossil Club" and became independent from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
Today, the North Coast Fossil Club (NCFC) is an active group of about a hundred fossil collectors and enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds.
The objectives of North Coast Fossil Club are:
1. To encourage the closer association of persons interested in fossils,
2. To promote the responsible collection, preparation, and study of fossils, and
3. To foster education in paleontology, geology and related subjects.
The NCFC usually meets the third Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m., usually at the Parma Snow Branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library. Typical meeting programs include speakers on various topics relating to paleontology or geology, workshops on fossil preparation or identification, and what we call "The Collectors Corner". "The Collectors Corner" is a part of our regular meetings that is devoted to the fossils that members have brought to the meeting. A digital video system is used to project the images of the fossils on a large screen for all to see while the collector shares information concerning the fossils with the members present.
During the collecting season (usually from March through October) we organize a field trip for the fourth weekend of each month. Usually our field trips are day or weekend collecting trips to various parts of Ohio, surrounding states, and sometimes Canada.
Every January, we have an annual banquet, where we have a fossil display competition with prizes awarded, a raffle for the grand prizes and door prizes, and enjoy a potluck buffet meal.
Every July, we have a picnic which includes an auction of fossils and fossil related items. The NCFC supplies Brontoburgers and hot dogs, while members bring side dishes.
Every December, we have our annual Chitaley Paleobotany Presentation and Award meeting. Club members are invited to give a presentation on any paleobotanical subject. The presentations are judged and the winner is awarded a fossil specimen and the annual Chitely Award.
The NCFC also publishes a quarterly newsletter called the Fossilphile. It features stories on recent field trips, meetings, news items, display and preparation tips, humor, a calendar of upcoming events, and more.
Dick Cole (Newsletter Editor)
Carl Fechko (Website)
Mike Bernosky (Website Art)
Craig Tipton, Donna Cole, & Carl Fechko (Website Photography)
If you are interested in joining the North Coast Fossil Club, please complete the membership application. Members must sign the membership form and agree to abide by the Constitution and Bylaws of NCFC, as well as our Safety Rules. NCFC annual dues are $12 for an individual or $17 for a Family.
You can bring your completed application and dues to our monthly meeting or mail them to our Treasurer: Craig Tipton,
304 Meadow Oaks Trail, Medina, Ohio 44256.
Our History
of
Leadership, Achievements, & Awards
2024 President: Carl Fechko
Vice President: Glen Kuban
Secretary: Donna Cole
Treasurer: Craig Tipton
Members-at-Large: Beth Krumhansl, Anthony Baatz, & Sharon Schneider
Chitaley Award: Tom Steckel
Gerling-Reich Award: 1) Paul Regel 2) Carl Fechko
2023 President: Carl Fechko
Vice President: Glen Kuban
Secretary: Donna Cole
Treasurer: Craig Tipton
Members-at-Large: Beth Krumhansl, Anthony Baatz, & Sharon Schneider
Chitaley Award: Mike Bernoskey
Gerling-Reich Award: 1) Paul Regel 2) Carl Fechko
2022 President: Glen Kuban
Vice President: Doug Dunn
Secretary: Donna Cole
Treasurer: Craig Tipton
Members-at-Large: Beth Krumhansl, Sharon McKanze, & Sharon Schneider
Chitaley Award: Carl Fechko
Gerling-Reich Award: 1) Jim Supp 2)
2021 President: Glen Kuban
Vice President: Doug Dunn
Secretary: Donna Cole
Treasurer: Craig Tipton
Members-at-Large: Beth Krumhansl, Sharon McKanze, & Sharon Schneider
Chitaley Award:
Gerling-Reich Award: 1) Jim Supp 2)
2020 President: Glen Kuban
Vice President: Doug Dunn
Secretary: Donna Cole
Treasurer: Craig Tipton
Members-at-Large: Beth Krumhansl, Sharon McKanze, & Mark Mehle
Chitaley Award:
Gerling-Reich Award: 1) Jim Supp 2)
2019 President: Carl Fechko
Vice President: Glen Kuban
Secretary: Donna Cole
Treasurer: Craig Tipton
Members-at-Large: Beth Krumhansl, Doug Dunn, & Mark Mehle
Chitaley Award: Loren Jevnikar
Gerling-Reich Award: 1) Paul Regel 2) Joe Balsay
2018 President: Carl Fechko
Vice President: Glen Kuban
Secretary: Donna Cole
Treasurer: Craig Tipton
Members-at-Large: Beth Krumhansl, Doug Dunn, & Mark Mehle
Chitaley Award: Loren Jevnikar
Gerling-Reich Award: 1) Jim Supp 2) Carl Fechko
2017 President: Jim Supp
Vice President: Glen Kuban
Secretary: Donna Cole
Treasurer: Craig Tipton
Members-at-Large: Carl Fechko, Beth Krumhansl & Linda Supp
Chitaley Award: Loren Jevnikar
Gerling-Reich Award: Marc Garland
2016 President: Jim Supp
Vice President: Glen Kuban
Secretary: Donna Cole
Treasurer: Craig Tipton
Members-at-Large: Dick Cole, Carl Fechko, Beth Krumhansl
2016 Member of the Year: Beth Krumhansl & Sharon McKanze
Chitaley Award: Jim Supp
Gerling-Reich Award: 1) Mark Garland 2) Sherry Clark
2015 President: Jim Supp
Vice President: Glen Kuban
Secretary: Beth Krumhansl
Treasurer: Craig Tipton
Members-at-Large: Donna Cole, Doug Dunn, Carl Fechko
2015 Member of the Year: Carl Fechko
Chitaley Award: Tom Steckel
Gerling-Reich Award: 1) Linda Supp 2) Craig Tipton
2014 President: Jim Supp
Vice President: Glen Kuban
Secretary: Beth Krumhansl
Treasurer: Craig Tipton
Members-at-Large: Dick Cole, Doug Dunn, Carl Fechko
2014 Member of the Year: Glen Kuban
Chitaley Award: Tom Steckel
Gerling-Reich Award: 1) Linda Supp 2) Carl Fechko
2013 President: Jim Supp
Vice President: Glen Kuban
Secretary: Donna Cole
Treasurer: Craig Tipton
Members-at-Large: Doug Dunn, Carl Fechko, & Beth Krumhansl
2013 Member of the Year: Doug Dunn
Chitaley Award: Tom Steckel
Gerling-Reich Award: 1) Craig Tipton
2012 President: Dick Cole
Vice President: Jim Supp
Secretary: Beth Krumhansl
Treasurer: Craig Tipton
Members-at-Large: Donna Cole, Carl Fechko, & Glen Kuban
2012 Member of the Year: Sharon McKanze
Chitaley Award: Carl Fechko
Gerling-Reich Award: 1) Paul Regel 2) Dick Cole
2011 President: Jim Supp
Vice President: Glen Kuban
Secretary: Beth Krumhansl
Treasurer: Craig Tipton
Members-at-Large: Donna Cole, Carl Fechko, & Pat Newhauser
2011 Member of the Year: Jim Supp
Chitaley Award: Linda Supp
Gerling-Reich Award: 1) Craig Tipton 2) Carl Fechko
2010 President: Jim Supp
Vice President: Mike Bernosky
Secretary: Donna Cole
Treasurer: Craig Tipton
Members-at-Large: Carl Fechko, Beth Krumhansl, & Glen Kuban
2010 Member of the Year: Craig Tipton
Special Lifetime Achievement Award: Tony Verdi
Chitaley Award: Tom Steckel
Gerling-Reich Award: 1) Paul Regel 2) Craig Tipton
2009 President: Jim Supp
Vice President: Tony Verdi
Secretary: Donna Cole
Treasurer: Craig Tipton
Members-at-Large: Carl Fechko, Beth Krumhansl, & Pat Newhauser
2009 Member of the Year: Carl Fechko
Chitaley Award: Tom Steckel
Gerling-Reich Award: 1) Craig Tipton 2) Kristina Bernosky & Glenn Kuban (tie)
2008 President: Gary Sladek
Vice President: Tony Verdi
Secretary: Donna Cole
Treasurer: Craig Tipton
Members-at-Large: Carl Fechko, Beth Krumhansl, & Alan Simpson
2008 Member of the Year: Craig Tipton
Chitaley Award: Mike Bernosky
2007 President: Dick Cole
Vice President: Jim Supp
Secretary: Beth Krumhansl
Treasurer: Craig Tipton
Members-at-Large: Donna Cole, Pat Newhauser, & Tony Verdi
2007 Member of the Year: Beth Krumhansl
Chitaley Award: Mike Bernosky
2006 President: Dick Cole
Vice President: Linda Supp
Secretary: Beth Krumhansl
Treasurer: Jim Supp
Members-at-Large: Mike Bernosky, Donna Cole, & Robin McNaught
2006 Member of the Year: Linda Supp
Chitaley Award: Mike Nathal
2005 President: Tony Verdi
Vice President: Dan Vento
Secretary: Sharon McKanze
Treasurer: Jim Supp
Members-at-Large: Donna Cole, Beth Krumhansl, & Linda Supp
2005 Member of the Year: Steve Meredyk
Chitaley Award: Carl Fechko
2004 President: Tony Verdi
Vice President: Dan Vento
Secretary: Sharon McKanze
Treasurer: Linda Supp
Members-at-Large: Dick Cole, Beth Krumhansl, & Jim Supp
2004 Member of the Year: Craig Tipton
Chitaley Award: Carl Fechko
2003 (June - December)
President: Tony Verdi
Vice President: Dan Vento
Secretary: Sharon McKanze
Treasurer: Linda Supp
Members-at-Large: Dick Cole, Beth Krumhansl, & Jim Supp
2003 Members of the Year: Sharon McKanze & Linda Supp
Chitaley Award: Dan Vento
2002-2003 President: Dan Vento
Vice President: Dick Cole
Secretary: Beth Krumhansl
Treasurer: Linda Supp
Members-at-Large: Sharon McKanze, Paul Regel, & Jim Supp
2002 Member of the Year: Beth Krumhansl
Chitaley Award: Tony Verdi
2001-2002 President: Dan Vento
Vice President: Glen Kuban & Tony Verdi
Secretary: Beth Krumhansl
Treasurer: Paul Regel
Members-at-Large: Sharon McKanze, Pat Newhauser, & Tony Verdi
2001 Member of the Year: Dick Cole
2000-2001 President: Dan Vento
Vice President: Glen Kuban
Secretary: Doug Dunn
Treasurer: Paul Regel
Members-at-Large: Dick Cole, Beth Krumhansl, & Tony Verdi
2000 Member of the Year: Tony Verdi
1999-2000 President: Mike Nathal
Vice President: Dan Vento
Secretary: Sridhar Rao
Treasurer: Glen Kuban
Members-at-Large: Dick Cole, Donna Cole, & Patty Jaloveci
1999 Member of the Year: Donna Cole
1998-1999 President: Mike Nathal
Vice President: Pat Newhauser
Secretary: Marty Stetz
Treasurer: Glen Kuban
Members-at-Large: Dick Cole, Donna Cole, & Tony Verdi
1998 Member of the Year: Connie Baus
1997-1998 President: Tony Verdi
Vice President: Pat Newhauser
Secretary: Donna Cole
Treasurer: Mike Nathal
Members-at-Large: Dick Cole, Gloria Hinckel, & Glen Kuban
1997 Members of the Year: Mike Nathal & Glen Kuban
March 15, 1997 - The North Coast Fossil Club is formed.
1996-1997 President: Glen Kuban
Vice President: Tony Verdi
Secretary: Donna Cole
Treasurer: Mike Nathal
Members-at-Large: Dick Cole, Pat Newhauser, & Craig Tipton
1996 Member of the Year: Pat Newhauser
1995-1996 President: Glen Kuban
Vice President: Mike Nathal
Secretary: Donna Cole
Treasurer: Dick Cole
Members-at-Large: Pat Newhauser, Mike Reagin, & Tony Verdi
1995 Member of the Year: Tony Verdi
1994-1995 President: Dick Cole
Vice President: Mike Nathal
Secretary: Donna Cole
Treasurer: Glen Kuban
Members-at-Large: Dennis Emrich, Tom Houston, & Pat Newhauser
1994 Member of the Year: Dennis Emrich
1993-1994 President: Tony Verdi
Vice President: Bill Schenk
Secretary: David Hague
Treasurer: Glen Kuban
Members-at-Large: Dick Cole, Mike Nathal, & Pat Newhauser
1993 Member of the Year: Glen Kuban
1992-1993 President: Tony Verdi
Vice President: Bill Schenk
Secretary: Glen Kuban
Treasurer: Dick Cole
Members-at-Large: Dennis Emrich, David Hague, Mike Nathal
1992 Members of the Year: David and Georgette Hague
1991-1992 President: Jim Yanatsis
Vice President: Tony Verdi
Secretary: Bill Schenk
Treasurer: Dick Cole
Members-at-Large: George Reich, Tom Stenkel, & Craig Tipton
1991 Members of the Year: George and Doris Reich
1990-1991 President: Dale Zelinski
Vice President: Jim Yanatsis
Secretary: Craig Tipton
Treasurer: George Reich
Members-at-Large: Gloria Hinckel, Tom Stenkel, & Tony Verdi
1990 Member of the Year: Tony Verdi
1989-1990 President: Dale Zelinski
Vice President: Jim Yanatsis
Secretary: Doris Reich
Treasurer: George Reich
1989 Member of the Year: Bill Gerling
1988-1989 President: Tom Steckel
Vice President: Dale Zelinski
Secretary: Craig Tipton
Treasurer: George Reich
Members-at-Large: Dennis Emrich, Tony Verdi, & Jim Yanatsis
1988 Member of the Year: Tom Steckel
1987-1988 President: Tom Steckel
Vice President: Tony Verdi
Secretary: Brian Bade & Doris Reich
Treasurer: Bob McCoy
1987 Member of the Year: Bill Gerling
1986-1987 President: Dale Zelinski
Vice President: Tony Verdi
Secretary: Craig Tipton
Treasurer: Bob McCoy
Member-at-Large: Chuck Piovarchy
1986 Collector of the Year: Ray Gaul
1985-1986 President: Dale Zelinski
Vice President: Ray Gaul
Secretary: Craig Tipton
Treasurer: Tom Steckel
Members-at-Large: Dennis Emrich, Ed Kerber, & Bob McCoy
1985 Collector of the Year: Dennis Emrich
1984-1985 President: Ed Kerber
Vice President: Ray Gaul
Secretary: Bill Gerling
Treasurer: Tom Steckel
1984 Collector of the Year: Craig Tipton
1983-1984 President: Ed Kerber
Vice President: John M. Kiefer
Secretary: Christopher Lamb
Treasurer: Billie Whitney
1983 Collector of the Year: Dale Zelinski
May 26, 1984 - New Logo Established
1982-1983 President: Ed Kerber
Vice President: John M. Kiefer
Secretary: Christopher Lamb
Treasurer: Billie Whitney
Liaison: Dr. Shya Chitaley
April - June, 1983 - 80 Members
October - December, 1982 - First Newsletter
September of 1982 - First field trip: Skinner's Run located in Parma, Ohio
July, 1982 - The Fossil Society is formed.
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The North Coast Fossil Club and individual contributors
reserve the rights to all information, images, and content presented here on this website.
