Society Meeting 2019

 The 2019 Society Business Meeting was held in conjunction with the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists at the Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort in Snowbird, Utah, USA, July 24 to 28, 2019.

Field Excursion and the Annual Business Meeting

On 26 July 2019, six ISHBH members (Aaron Bauer, Luis Ceríaco, Craig Hassapakis, Eric Hilton, Jay Savage, Robert Sprackland) and six guests traveled from the Cliff Lodge at Snowbird to the home of ISHBH member Breck Bartholomew in Cottonwood Heights, Utah where the annual field trip and business meeting of the ISHBH were held.

The business meeting began at 5:30 pm. The treasurer’s report for 2018 was unanimously approved and the Executive Committee was held free of responsibility. Aaron noted that Vice-Chairperson Ronald Javitch, due to ill-health, has not been able to attend recent meetings or to be active in the matters of the Society. As the untimely death of our Co-Editor, Joe Mitchell, leaves the ISHBH in a position that requires an increased level of activity by the Executive Committee in the short term, the members present unanimously accepted the proposal to replace Ronald Javitch on the Executive Committee with Luis Ceríaco. Luis was elected to the Executive Committee without specific portfolio. The members also unanimously agreed that, in recognition of his long support of and contributions to the ISHBH, Ronald Javitch be recognized as “Patron of the ISHBH,” a lifetime appointment. All remaining members of the Executive Committee were reelected for the 2019-2020 term. The meeting was closed at about 6:30 pm.

After the business meeting Breck pulled out many of his best books and prints and gave a brief overview of the highlights of his collection. Of special interest were plates and works (especially by Agassiz) illustrated by Antoine Sonrel, the subject of a major manuscript in conjunction with Roger Bour and Kraig Adler. Other gems were Wiegmann’s Herpetologia Mexicana, plate volumes from de la Sagra, Schlegel and others, and individual plates from Catesby and many others. Breck also showed off both historical and modern herpetological artwork adorning his walls. Attendees were also treated to an excellent meal including local Utah cheeses, sushi, tortillas with various fillings, and fresh fruit. The occasion provided an opportunity for useful discussion. The ISHBH is deeply grateful to Breck and his family for their gracious welcome to their lovely home.

Standing, l-r: Rebecca Papendick, Peter Zani, Craig Hassapakis, Aaron M. Bauer, Michael Grieneisen, Terry Sprackland, Eric Hilton, Robert Sprackland, Luis Ceríaco
Sitting l-r: Jay Savage, Mariana P. Marques, Breck Bartholomew