The Venerable Clam

AERS has a tradition of awarding the "Venerable Clam" at each meeting to a long standing member in attendance who has contributed to field and the society. The recipient of the award is required to adorn the clam with his or her signature, wear the Clam for the remainder of the meeting and be given the "knuckle salute" by all AERS members. While we chide the bearer of the Clam about being honored for being old, the true meaning of the word Venerable "calling forth respect through age, character, and attainments" is at the heart of this coveted award.

The original Venerable clam was established circa 1976 in fond memory and through the inspiration of Dr. Don Lear. The clam, one valve of a Mercenaria mercenaria was placed in service for the society's 33rd year. The defining AERS logo created by then-member Anna Shaughnessy is inscribed on the original valve and the second valve. The original clam (Valve I) bears the names of 29 awardees and was retired in the Spring of 2008. The second valve (Valve II) was placed into service for the AERS 60th Anniversary (Fall 2008) and is now well on its way to being filled up as well. The names of the "Venerabli" are listed below.

Valve I		Valve II
A.J. Lippson   Bennett Anderson   Bette Bauereis   Bob Christian   Dave Carbo   Dexter Haven   Dick Wetzel   Dick Williams   Don Lear   Frank Reilly   Fred Sieling   Harriette Phelps   Jerry Williams   John Kraeuter   John McDermott   Judith Stribling   Kent Mountford   Mario Vieira   Mark Brinson   Mel Carriker   Mike Castagna   Nelson Marshall   Steve Rebach   Steve Storms   Tom Carver   Tom Jones   Tommy Hopking   Vic Kennedy   W.J. Hargis		Marria O'Malley-Walsh   Iris Anderson   Walter Boynton   Dan Dauer   Carolyn Keefe