Greater Dover Historical Society

August 20, 2009

 

The regular meeting of the Greater Dover Historical Society was called to order by President Madelyn Shermeyer at 7:01 p.m. at the Calvary Lutheran Church.  Members present were the following:  Lori Koch, Kay Stitley, Jeff Koch, Jo Ott, Grace Trimmer, Ramon & Harriet Langione, Lois Slothower, June Kinsey, Harry Shermeyer, Madelyn Shermeyer, Cindy Snyder, Mel Miller, Ted Ziegler, Ron & Norma Botterbusch, Melanie Green and Gayle Heagy. 

 

The June 2009 minutes were presented, and President Shermeyer asked for any additions or corrections to the minutes.  A motion to accept the minutes as presented was made by Harry Shermeyer and seconded by Jo Ott.  All voted in favor and motion passed.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

 

The treasurer’s reports for June and July 2009 were presented.  

 

Mrs. Koch reported the laptop for the treasurer was purchased and expensed in June from the grant funds.  Ron Botterbusch asked if the software reimbursement was received from Joyce Law.  Mrs. Koch reported the check was received, but it has not been deposited yet.   There was a motion by Jo Ott to approve the treasurer’s reports as presented and seconded by Cindy Snyder.  All voted in favor and motion passed. 

 

Assistant Archivist report – Gayle Heagy reported she had a meeting with the Reichley’s granddaughter to accept additional donations from Doc and Mable Reichley’s estate.   She donated many interesting items, including the sign from Dr. Reichley’s veterinary practice and a General Science book from Dover High School in which Gayle had drawn the head of an Indian.   Gayle shared a very entertaining story from her childhood about Doc Reichley and his cigarette ashes.

 

Historian report – Cindy Snyder did not have a report. 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Blood Root – no report

 

Adopt-a-Highway – Melanie Green reported the next tentative pick-up date is October 17, and she will have a sign-up sheet at the meeting in September. 

 

Landscaping committee report – Lucia Hrinyak was not present; no report.  A brief discussion was held about an old locust street stump in Ketterman Park near the storage shed which needs to be removed since new roots from the tree are impeding on the garden.  Dover Borough will be contacted to handle the removal of the tree stump.

 

Board of Directors’ report – no report.   

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Blacksmith Shop open house – Jo Ott reported the July open house had about 20 visitors, and they collected a total of $14.00 in donations and sales of Blacksmith Shop items.  Jo stated that Ted and Larry Law did a nice job of demonstrating and explaining what they were smithing.  

 

Website – President Shermeyer reported that, to date, no communications have been received from Brett.

 

Guest speakers list – President Shermeyer reminded members to share their ideas with her for any guest speakers. 

 

Norma Botterbusch asked if the society had money available to purchase a free-standing sign to use at the Borough square.  Norma suggested using some of the grant money to purchase this sign to post activities such as the Blacksmith Shop open hours and other events.  President Shermeyer said this would be a decision for the Board of Directors and using the grant money would not be acceptable; the funds would have to be used from the General Fund.  Norma Botterbusch will check on prices for a sign and report at the September meeting. 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

September meeting – President Shermeyer stated she will prepare the agenda and give a copy to Vice President Stitley. 

 

Nominating Committee -- President Shermeyer stated the Nominating Committee must be appointed at the September meeting.  President Shermeyer stated that Mel, Jeff and Ron are up for reelection to the Board of Directors, and it will be their second 2-year term.  Board members can run for three 2-year terms.  President Shermeyer will have copies of job descriptions for each office available at the September meeting. 

 

Fall Fest – President Shermeyer asked if any member present would like to chair the Fall Fest Committee.  The GDHS has agreed to run the concession stand on October 3 at Lehr Park as we have done in the past.  Cindy Snyder asked what the chair is responsible to do, and President Shermeyer handed out a list of items sold in 2008.  June Kinsey suggested that President Shermeyer be the chair this year, and next year a chair should be chosen earlier in the year to allow for adequate preparation time.  Cindy Snyder said she would consider it and asked what the chair’s responsibilities include. A discussion was held regarding the menu and who will be responsible for each item.  All the details will be finalized at the September meeting.

 

President Shermeyer stated she was contacted by the Dover Township Recreation Director concerning the concession stand for the concert in the park at the log house.  They need someone to operate the stand for the concert on Sunday evening, August 23rd, and offered it to the GDHS.  President Shermeyer asked if anyone was interested in volunteering; set up will be at 5:00 p.m. and the concert starts at 6:00 p.m.  The Shermeyers and Kochs volunteered. 

 

Melanie Green reported the Dover Fair is approaching, and she has a sign-up sheet on the table for volunteers.  She would appreciate 2-3 volunteers work per 2-hour shift.

 

Mr. Langione asked President Shermeyer about the Glenn Enders’ property and whether anyone had memorabilia or photos of the property.  He thought someone could make a scale model of the house as it was originally built.  President Shermeyer said she is not sure there are photos of the house in good or bad repair.  Cindy Snyder recommended the GDHS advertise in the local newspapers that the Society is searching for photos of specific properties in the Dover area for our archives and research, instead of a generic request for memorabilia.   Gayle Heagy also suggested the Enders should contact the Architectural Warehouse to take all the chestnut trim in the house and hardware from the windows. 

 

President Shermeyer stated the Board of Directors should hold a meeting in September to discuss an issue with the grant.

 

Vice President Stitley reported she did not send the letter to the fire company requesting permission to operate a concession stand for the Halloween parade on October 4.  The issue had been dropped since the parade is the day following the Fall Fest at Lehr Park, and members felt it would be too difficult to schedule 2 events on consecutive days. 

 

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS

 

There being no further questions or suggestions from the membership, the meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Lori Koch

GDHS secretary