The Bulletin
 Editor - Jack Kallmeyer

October 2025
The Sea Scorpions

Our program this month will be presented by Dr. James Lamsdell (Associate Professor, West Virginia University). His program is entitled: Claws, paddles, and scales: sea scorpions after 200 years. Eurypterids are ancient, extinct aquatic arthropods known from over 250 species that formed important components of Paleozoic ecosystems and have an evolutionary history ranging from the Middle Ordovician (467 mya) to the late Permian (254 mya). The first eurypterid discovered was described as a catfish 200 years ago; since that time, eurypterids have been shown to include some of the largest known arthropods, marine predators, and freshwater sweep feeders. Looking back over two centuries of research, this talk focuses on how our understanding of these charismatic fossils has grown and explores future avenues of research.

Dr. Lamsdell is a paleontologist currently based in West Virginia whose work focus on extinct arthropods. He has studied eurypterids for over fifteen years, has a species named after him, and recently published a full systematic review of the group. Outside of his studies, James reads extensively about different periods in history and rears freshwater shrimp.

TIME: 8 pm
DATE: Friday, October 24, 2025
PLACE: Room 201 Braunstein Hall
                University of Cincinnati Clifton Campus
SIMULCAST: via Zoom - Link sent no later than Sept 24.

Here are some directions to our meeting room (Updated)

President’s Message - General Announcements
By Jack Kallmeyer

Attendance at UC was good at our September meeting with 29 on Zoom and 33 in-person at UC. This was about the same as the previous meeting. Despite the parking scare last month, the Clifton Court Garage had plenty of open spots. Of course, that could change depending on what else might be happening at UC on our meeting night.

Masks will be considered as optional at Dry Dredgers meetings at UC. However, if you have a cold, other respiratory symptoms or are coughing or sneezing, you will still need to wear a mask to protect others. If you are ill, we suggest that you stay home and watch on Zoom. Some of our members who attend these meetings are in high risk groups (including me) so please be courteous and sensitive to their situation. Vaccination is also highly recommended. We have a limited number of free masks at the front of the room if you need one.

Beginner's Class
By Greg Courtney

The Beginners Class will be conducted from 7:15 PM to 8:00 PM on September 26th. It will be held before the general meeting in room 300 in Braunstein Hall on UC campus. That's one floor up from the main meeting. This month's class will be presented by Greg Courtney. He will be presenting a slide show on fossil hunting methods and tools including an introduction to Ordovician sea life and methods of collecting them. There will be some in-person fossils to see and samples to take home. It will be in-person only. No remote Zoom. If any member would like to lead a future beginners class contact Greg at youthenrichment@fuse.net

October Field Trip: Public Outreach
by Bob Bross

One of the missions of the Dry Dredgers is to add to the knowledge of paleontology – and share that with others. There are not always opportunities to do so; however, there is a place where that can happen – the Trammel Fossil Park in Sharonville, Ohio.

The ten-acre site, surrounded by industrial facilities, could easily have been developed for such use. Thanks to the Trammel family who owned it, they decided to donate the land to the City of Sharonville and establish it as a unique fossil park. This Ordovician period exposure is the “bedrock” of our region; however, there are not many public locations where people can explore, use hand tools to uncover specimens, and take home what they find. It is fairly level, well-marked, easy to reach, and safe from traffic all too common at roadside cuts.

Some of our members have visited there previously and can attest to the fact that families (many of them first-time visitors) are often present. will be present. It can be a perfect public outreach opportunity, and it is a valuable site for us to be familiar with.

We will gather there on Saturday, October 25th at 10:00 AM. Directions are easy:

  1. Take I-275 to Exit 46 to U.S. 42 Sharonville/Mason.
  2. Head north for less than 1/10 of a mile; turn left onto Hauck Road by the White Castle.
  3. In 0.6 miles, turn right onto Tramway Drive.
  4. Trammel Fossil Park will be on your right in 0.4 miles.

There are signs marking the various outcrops, plenty of parking, and a picnic area to boot. Bring the family out and enjoy a nice morning exploring a part of the Earth’s history from 440 million years ago. You can search online for “Trammel Fossil Park.” The City of Sharonville Web site has a link to the Trammel Park User Guide.

Here are some pictures of the Dry Dredgers at Sharonville Trammel Fossil Park.

This field trip is open to the public. Want to learn more about fossils? Join us on site!

More interesting and informative articles, along with color illustrations is available in the full E-Bulletin that was emailed to dues-paying members.

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