Greater Dover Historical Society

April 16, 2009

The regular meeting of the Greater Dover Historical Society was called to order by President Madelyn Shermeyer at 7:05 p.m. at the Calvary Lutheran Church. Members present were: Lori Koch, Jeff Koch, Kay Stitley, Mel Miller, Madelyn Shermeyer, June Kinsey, Carol Leathery, Gayle Heagy, Ramon Langione, Ron Botterbusch, Grace Trimmer, Cindy Snyder, Ted Ziegler, Melanie Green, Zita Smith, Norma Botterbusch and Jo Ott.

The March 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 Ron Botterbusch and seconded by Jeff Koch. All voted in favor and motion passed.

TREASURER’S REPORT

The treasurer’s report for February 2009 was presented. There was a motion by Mel Miller to approve the treasurer’s report as presented and seconded by Kay Stitley. All voted in favor and motion passed.

Assistant Archivist report – Gayle Heagy reported the Blacksmith Shop timbers were sold for $20. Gayle sent out 7 bid packets and one person showed up on the day of the sale.

Historian report – Cindy Snyder did not have a report.

Blood root – no report

Adopt-a-Highway – Melanie Green reported the first litter pick-up was held on April 4. It took about 2 hours for 8 volunteers to collect 12 bags of trash. The next pick-up will be in June and Melanie will have a sign up sheet at the next meeting. President Shermeyer said she wanted to talk to Melanie after the meeting about how many times a year the GDHS does the trash clean up.

Landscaping committee report – Lucia Hrinyak was absent; no report.

Board of Director’s report – no report 

President Shermeyer reported the sign up sheets for refreshments and for helping Jo Ott at the Blacksmith shop open hours are on the table for members to volunteer to help.

Blacksmith Shop open house – Jo Ott will be arriving late so President Shermeyer gave a brief report of the April 11^th open hours. It was very successful with approximately 20 visitors and donations of $70.75 -- $7.75 in donations, and the remaining amount was the sale of BBS items and 1 replica.

Dover Firemen’s Fair – President Shermeyer stated we still need a chairperson for the fair. Melanie Green graciously volunteered. Melanie will be in contact with other members for help with putting together the displays, etc. Kay Stitley said we will have the metal back drop with covers on to use again this year.

Dover Halloween parade -- President Shermeyer stated we need a chairperson for the event. Norma Botterbusch said someone has to attend a fire company meeting to get permission for a food concession stand. Norma said she will try to attend the fire company’s May meeting or check with someone at the fire company about it.

Freelance correspondent – President Shermeyer reported that a Mike Nortrup called her and also West Manchester HS about an article he was writing for the newspaper. It was an article on preserving local history and appeared in the Weekly Record on March 20^th. President Shermeyer said the article was mostly correct but some of her comments to this reporter were misquoted.

Line shaft – President Shermeyer reported the line shaft was moved from Don Hoffman’s farm to the archive storage shed on March 27^th. Parts of the line shaft were hauled on Randy Worley’s trailer and also Harry Shermeyer’s truck. Several Dover Township volunteer firemen helped move the line shaft into the storage shed. Our thanks go to Dave Faust, Wayne Latchaw, Dan Bowers, Glenn Erickson, Jim Schlosser, Brian Widmyer and Mike Eshbach. A thank you note with a photograph will be hand delivered by President Shermeyer to Chief Latchaw.

President Shermeyer reported she had a meeting with Michele Zettle from the "You’ve Got It Made in York County" magazine to discuss putting GDHS information and events in the magazine. The Board of Directors will have to discuss this matter at their May meeting.

President Shermeyer reported she had another phone call from George Miller of New York about the Dover items he wants to donate to the GDHS. Unfortunately, he was under the weather and has not been able to gather the items he has for our archives. Mr. Miller mentioned that Carrie Shellenberger Glick (sister of Glenn Shellenberger) lives in Lancaster and has heard of our society.

President Shermeyer reported that the GDHS received a thank you letter from Scott Mingus who thanked us for allowing him to give his Civil War presentation at our March meeting. On a side note, President Shermeyer had sent Mr. Mingus some information on the home at the corner of Nursery and Butter Roads, which is scheduled to be torn down. Mr. Mingus had referenced this home (Enders’ property) in his presentation in March and has included information on this home in his blog. Our members are encouraged to share any Civil War stories with him via email.

Glenn & Vicki Enders’ property – President Shermeyer reported the Enders’ home will be torn down. Part of the home is log, and additions were built onto the home. This property had been used as a country store and a post office. The inside of the home is very deteriorated and dangerous. President Shermeyer visited the home site to see what items inside the home could be salvaged and sold. There are 2 rooms in the home which have "rabbit’s foot" painting on the plaster walls, and Vicki Enders will get samples for the GDHS archives. President Shermeyer said the homeowners will take several photographs of the home, inside and outside, for the GDHS archives also. Melanie Green said she will be happy to take some photographs of the outside of the home too.

Passage door at storage shed – President Shermeyer reported that the side entry door at the storage shed was repaired by Harry Shermeyer at the end of February.

Website payment – President Shermeyer reported that Brett Pfleiger has not been paid since September 2007 to the present for the monthly website fee ($4.99 per month). President Shermeyer said she confirmed with Mel Miller that the West Manchester HS treasurer has taken care of their part of it. Mel Miller stated they are going to transfer their website to a new server. We must decide how we are going to pay for our monthly website fee. President Shermeyer stated she sent Brett an email asking him to send the GDHS a bill, so we can get this matter settled.

There being no further questions or suggestions from the membership, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lori Koch

GDHS secretary