03/26/14 Approximately 100 people attended Potawatomi Park’s 1st annual banquet, February 22nd at the Back Forty Banquet Hall. Musical entertainment was provided by cellist Robert Hudson during the initial social hour while hors d’oeuvres were served.
Attendees then enjoyed a catered dinner while Michael Stephan, Executive Director of Potawatomi Park, Inc. presented an informative review of 2013 and an update on plans for 2014.
A silent auction raised funds for the park and included art prints, park packages, bird houses decorated by park board members, and various other items.
Table Sponsors included Bob’s Lock & Key, Etna Green Lions Club, and Jay Grossman.
The main speaker for the night was Dr. Mark Schurr, Professor of Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame who specializes in archaeology. His topic was Stephen Benack and the Removal Period: Archaeology and History at Potawatomi Wildlife Park. His research focuses on the archaeology of eastern North America (especially the Southeast and the Upper Great Lakes region). He conducted several seasons of archaeological investigations at PWP that included the rediscovery of the location of Benack’s cabin. The investigations at Benack’s cabin led to a series of projects that investigated Potawatomi archaeology sites in northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan that were occupied between 1820 – 1840.
