July 1st, 2026 Meeting

July 2026
We continue to meet at the Erie Yacht Club. We are back upstairs! Meetings begin at 6:00 pm with a social hour and dinner, followed by our program/speaker.

Our Dinner Menu:
Our dinner will be our annual picnic buffet consisting of Ox Roast with Rolls & Horsey Aioli for sliders/sandwiches, Herb Roasted Chicken (on the bone), Sweet Corn & Tomato Salad with Honey White Balsamic Dressing, Potato Salad, Fresh Fresh Fruit Bowl, Brownie Sundaes, and rolls and butter, tea and coffee. Summer picnic attire is encouraged.

Our Guest Speaker:
Dr. Sherri A. "Sam" Mason, Ph.D
Dr. Sherri A. Mason (aka "Sam") earned her bachelor' degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She completed her doctorate in Chemistry at the University of Montana as a NASA Earth System Science scholar. While a Professor of Chemistry at SUNY Fredonia, her research group was among the first to study the prevalence and impact of plastic pollution within freshwater ecosystems.

Sam has been featured within hundreds of mass media articles including the BBC, The Guardian, the New York Times, the Huffington Post, and National Public Radio's All Things Considered and Studio A1. Her work formed the basis for the Microbeads-Free Water Act, which was signed into law by President Obama in December 2015. Her research and advocacy have earned Sam many national accolades and awards.

Currently, Sam is working as the Director of Project NePTWNE at Gannon University, where she focuses on its mission of research, environmental stewardship and community engagement based on meaningful public education and outreach.

Topic:
Perils of Plastic

For reservations; please E-Mail the Torch Club Secretary at secretary.erietorch@gmail.com.