Gray & Pape recently hired Danielle Goetz as temporary GIS Technician, and Liz Sharkey as archaeology intern.

Danielle received her BA from Western Kentucky University and MSc from University of Edinburgh. In addition to working in the field, her interests lay in UAV and mobile technology. Her dissertation was written on how mobile technology can assist the public in learning about the past archaeological landscape and how the past impacts the future. Previously, Danielle was a field technician and field director for Gray & Pape.

Liz is a second year graduate student from Saint Cloud State University. As a Gray and Pape intern she will finish the requirements for her Masters of Science degree.  In her nine years of being an archaeologist she has worked all over the county on all phases of field work.

On April 7, Jai Washington was awarded the 2015 Individual Contribution/Ambassador of the Year Star Award at the Over-the-Rhine Chamber’s annual meeting and luncheon. The awards celebrate individuals and organizations who are leading efforts to improve the neighborhood. Both personally and professionally, Jai works tirelessly to promote Over-the-Rhine. If  you have stopped by our OTR office, mostly likely you were greeted by Jai’s boundless enthusiasm and warm smile.

This year was a record year for attendance with more than 400 people attending. Bob Castellini, Principal Owner and CEO of the Cincinnati Reds, provided the keynote address. The event was held at the iconic Music Hall with lunch provided by Funky’s Catering. Gray & Pape is proud to be a sponsor for today’s luncheon and continued part of the OTR Chamber.

Congratulations to all of the 2015 Star Award Recipients:

• Holtman’s, Chairman’s Award
• FOTOFOCUS, Norma Petersen Award
• Peg Wyant, Grandin Properties for Emanuel Center, Property Development/Architecture Award of the Year
• Greater Cincinnati Film Commission, Community Impact of the Year
• Maverick Chocolate, New Business of the Year
• HighStreet, Business of the Year
• Elementz, Nonprofit of the Year
• Rachel Roberts for Yoga on the Green, Entrepreneur of the Year
• Salazar, Restaurant of the Year

On March 17, Dr. Holland successfully passed her viva voce examination at the Centre for Maritime Archaeology, University of Southampton, England. Her research examined three historical shipwrecks of the English Channel, specifically exploring the site formation processes active on each site, and made recommendations for ongoing site management. Research included a successful tracer artifact experiment on two of the sites documenting the current processes at work on these sites. Her integrated methodology also examined available site archives, created shipwreck biographies, and utilized Site Recorder 4 software for mapping purposes. Copies of Dr. Holland’s final thesis will eventually be available through the University of Southampton’s Hartley Library and the British Library.

Florida’s Archaeology Month celebration will feature a museum display principal investigator Brian Mabelitini helped create. Rebel Guns: Defense of the Apalachicola will be on display at the T. T. Wentworth Museum in Pensacola.

Using research from his graduate work, this display examines Civil War-era defenses of the Apalachicola River in Florida, particularly the Confederate battery at Hammock Landing. Working with the Florida Public Archaeology Network to create the exhibit, Brian also assisted with the 2012 Archaeology Month poster and the creation of six interpretive wayside markers at the battery for the Florida Park Service.

While attending SGA’s Technical Conference on Environmental Permitting in San Antonio, firm president Kevin Pape took time to visit the Alamo. Rich in American history, this site is significant in the settlement of San Antonio and the American Southwest.

On January 22, Gray & Pape’s Providence office celebrated the New Year at our second annual open house. Clients and neighbors mingled with friends old and new, including Kim Smith and Nate Scholl, the firm’s newest staff additions. Guests enjoyed food by Easy Entertaining and El Rancho Grande.

Ever wonder what the cell structure of a Mastodon bone looks like?

Karen Leone, Gray & Pape’s paleoethnobotanist, took some photos of bone and tusk specimens seen under her microscope while she was analyzing plant remains associated with a possible Paleoindian mastodon butchering site in Morrow County (north-central), Ohio. The Cedar Creek Mastodon site, under the direction of Dr. Nigel Brush, is being investigated by students from Ashland University and the College of Wooster as well as volunteer professional and avocational archaeologists from around the state.

These images are microscopic views of the mastodon bone and tusk cementum.

During last week’s National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference, Kevin Pape, with Amanda Terrell (Ohio SHPO), and Marion Werkheiser (Cultural Heritage Partners), presented an overview of the Gas and Preservation Partnership initiative. The presentation was delivered during the the annual fall board of directors meeting for the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers. GAPP is working with the shale gas industry to develop a voluntary best practices approach to identifying and managing cultural resources while encouraging development of energy reserves. Learn more:  www.gasandpreservation.org