Hello all,
Many thanks for a great year with outreach in 2025 and a good start to 2026! I apologize for not getting this text version of the report sent out in time for our January meeting, but there were some various circumstances that delayed my completion of it. Note I am still missing the grand total for our Fossil Fair, and I will add a comment to this report when I get the accurate number.
Going forward, I will post these reports to this site, so everyone in the membership or active in our community can see what we’ve been up to as a club. A reminder that outreach is one of the main goals of the NCFC, and it can be beneficial for our communities and fostering future memberships, fossil hobbyists or even paleontologists. Any assistance to this aspect of our club is not only greatly appreciated, but will be recognized in different ways!
If anyone has corrections, additions or subtractions, please let me know as soon as possible. Thanks again, and I hope to see many of you come March!
-Tony Shaver, Outreach Coordinator
Completed Outreach:
Special Mention 8/23/25 - NCFC - Museum of Life and Science - Durham
I just wanted to remention the Dino Day Academy and thank those who participated! Between a family loss and some external factors I was delayed in getting full info on that event. The total for the event was ~3,047. Thanks again!
Charlie Causey, Pam Causey, Jim Criswell, Lynn Criswell, Terry Denny, Darryl Grater, Trish Kohler, Manoa Daniel, Cheryl Gourley, Nathan Passey, Trish Kholer
10/17/2025 - Terry Denny - Poole Family YMCA Camp - Garner
Displayed NC Fossils & gave talks to two groups (one K-3rd grade the other 4th-8th grade) about paleontology and fossils, and finished with a Q&A session. (~43 present)
10/27/2025 - Terry Denny - Holly Springs Elementary - Holly Springs
Gave talk and lessons to 2nd graders on paleontology, fossil formation and Mary Anning. (~82 present)
11/11/2025 - Tony Shaver & Jim Mickle - First Cary United Methodist Church (Scout Troop 200) - Cary
Gave a presentation on Aurora Fossil Museum and the local mine followed by a small hunt through Aurora dirt, in order to prepare the scouts for their trip to the area that weekend. (~45 present)
11/12/2025 - Terry Denny - Lead Mine Elementary - Raleigh
Gave talk and lessons to 2nd graders on paleontology, fossil formation and Mary Anning. (~60 present)
11/13/2025 - Terry Denny - Holly Grove Elementary - Holly Springs
Gave 2 one-hour talks and lessons to 2nd graders on paleontology, fossil formation and Mary Anning. (~68 present)
11/15/2025 - NCFC - Mt. Airy Museum of Regional History - Mt. Airy
The Annual NCFC Fossil Fair. Members displayed fossils or did interactive tables for guests, & a raffle was held for Megalodon teeth. Thank you to all who participated! (~150-175 present)
Terry Denny, Tony Shaver, Travis Seymor, Ramona Krailler, Darryl Grater, Daniel Peters, Nolan Peters, Mary Boulton, Cheryl Gourley, Judy Witowski-Argentine, Manoa Daniel, Bill Howard, Linda McCall, Cathy Wheeler, Julie Niederkorn, Mike Bruff, Jim Criswell, Lynn Criswell, Michael Kelly, Andrea Kelly, Rob Stone, Bryant Hess, Pam Causey, Charlie Causey, Todd Power, Heather Power, Ian Edgerly, Dave Bohaska (Smithsonian), Bob Purdy (Smithsonian), Sean Moran (NCMNS), Andy Heckert (Schiele Museum), Nathan Chapman (Schiele Museum), Nick Mirabile (App. State), Sophia Choiniere (App. State), Delaney Gallagher (App. State), Joshua Crouch (App. State), James Bartlinski (App. State), Marta Toran (App. State)
11/17/2025 - Terry Denny - Walnut Creek Elementary - Raleigh
Gave 3 one-hour talks and lessons to 2nd graders on paleontology, fossil formation and Mary Anning. (~112 present)
11/18/2025 - Terry Denny - Alston Ridge Elementary - Cary
Gave talk and lessons to 2nd graders on paleontology, fossil formation and Mary Anning. (~62 present)
11/20/2025 - Terry Denny - Lincoln Heights Elementary - Fuquay-Varina
Gave talk and lessons to 2nd graders on paleontology, fossil formation and Mary Anning. (~87 present)
11/24/2025 - Terry Denny - Partnership Elementary - Raleigh
Gave talk and lessons to 2nd graders on paleontology, fossil formation and Mary Anning. (~62 present)
11/25/2025 - Terry Denny - Jones Dairy Elementary - Wake Forest
Gave talk and lessons to 2nd graders on paleontology, fossil formation and Mary Anning. (~104 present)
12/12/2025 - Terry Denny - Holly Grove Elementary - Holly Springs
Gave talk and lessons to 2nd graders on paleontology, fossil formation and Mary Anning. (~78 present)
12/13/2025 - Cheryl Gourley & Mary Boulton - NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores - Pine Knoll Shores
Assisted the Aurora Fossil Museum with their table at the Santa By the Sea event. (~865 present)
1/7/2026 - Terry Denny - Lacey Elementary - Raleigh
Gave 2 one-hour talks and lessons to 2nd graders on paleontology, fossil formation and Mary Anning. (~96 present)
1/8/2026 - Terry Denny - Brooks Elementary - Raleigh
Gave 3 half-hour talks and lessons to 2nd graders on paleontology, fossil formation and Mary Anning. (~88 present)
1/8/2026 - Terry Denny - Forest Pines Elementary - Wake Forest
Gave talk and lessons to 2nd graders on paleontology, fossil formation and Mary Anning. (~92 present)
1/9/2026 - Jim Mickle - Davis Drive Elementary - Cary
Gave 4 presentations to 8 2nd grade classes on paleontology (~165 present)
1/12/2026 - Terry Denny - Holly Springs Elementary - Holly Springs
Gave talk and lessons to 2nd graders on paleontology, fossil formation and Mary Anning. (~19 present)
1/13/2026 - Cheryl Gourley - Abbott Creek Elementary - Raleigh
Gave 2 hour-long hands-on programs for 2nd grade classes about fossils & paleontologists. (~75 present)
1/14/2026 - Cheryl Gourley - Abbott Creek Elementary - Raleigh
Gave 2 hour-long hands-on programs for 2nd grade classes about fossils & paleontologists. (~60 present)
1/14/2026 - Jim Mickle - Apex Friendship Elementary School - Apex
Gave 2 presentations to 7 2nd grade classes on paleontology. (~147 present)
Approximate Total People Reached Since September 2025 Meeting: 6,023*
Approximate Total People Reached from January 2025 to January 17, 2026: 12,471*
Approximate Total People Reached Year to Date (January 29, 2026): 742*
Thank you to everyone who helped out in 2025 and early 2026!
(*Updated values since verbal report in January Meeting)