The following is an except from the front page of this week's issue of The Bonaire Reporter:

"It is fitting that the first Ruth D. Turner Award go to Jack Chalk, a talented, capable and dedicated leader in the marine and diving communities. The Award was presented by Dr. George Buckley of the Ruth D. Turner Foundation for Jack's leadership in marine park management, coral reef preservation and diver education."

Way to go Jack !!!!!!

Congratulations, Jack !!!!!!

Good work Jack! It's nice to be recognized - did you get something to hang in your office? You'll have to scan it, and show it to the newsgroup. Or, better yet, take it to the street cam and hold it up for all of us to admire:-) Congrats!

First Cousteau and now this award. Pretty soon, we'll have to show more respect. But good for you anyway,Jack. Congrats.

Wait a durn minute here... Show Jack more respect!?!?!?!?!!? Let us not get carried away here (ehehehehe)

Glad you're back, Kels. Missed your deft way with words. You don't know what Cynde's talking about in 'night moves'? Allow me a somewhat inelegant, In a pig's eye, sport! Ve haff vays of making you talk.

Hey Kerri, you may want to ask Charlotte, she was there too ya know (grin) but I am fairly sure she will never talk. As you noticed Jake and Linda remained fairly quiet on the whole incident, amazing what a couple pounds of crawfish tails will do.

I did notice if he was not a trickee, he had to be a trick-er, or at the least, a facilitator. And darn close to my price for silence, you are. Did you do the boil? With hot sauce and cold beer? Ah,man, you are killin' me. If you brought King Kake somehow, or pralines, don't tell me. I hate to see a grown woman cry. Now take some Sudafed and go to bed. Your sad missive of earlier hours near broke my heart. Although that was before the tail tale...never come between a Cajun and her crawfish!

Kerri I did not do the boil, I brought a bottle of roux, Linda had fancier plans for dem mudbugs. Ahh Sudafed (snuffle, sniff).

Thanks folks, not sure if deserved or not but humbly accepted. Was quite a surprise. Dr. Turner passed away last year and I was fortunate enough to be able to call her a friend, which made the award even more meaningful to me. I accepted the award on behalf of everyone who cares about our oceans and reefs and especially here on Bonaire where there are so many people deserving of this award. Hazel I'll try to take a picture of the award and post it later today.

Sorry didn't see the post until this morning, got tied up in meetings most of the day yesterday.

Congratulations, Jack. Keep up the good work, it is very important that our grandchildren enjoy the reefs as much as we do.

Welcome back Kelly, hope your feeling better.

Jack,

I am sure Ruth approves.

Cecil, about your statement about having the reefs around for our grandchildren,I've been saying that for awhile, funny how there are so many like-minded people on this site :))

Jack,

Congrats from Linda and myself as well. We knew Ruth Turner for a few of years before she passed away as well (as a fellow Sea Rover), and would concur wholeheartedly with Glen.

Jake

Thanks guys.

BTW, Welcome home.

Thanks! It's good to be back!

Jake