Greater Dover Historical Society

February 19, 2009

 

 

The regular meeting of the Greater Dover Historical Society was called to order by President Madelyn Shermeyer at 7:10 p.m. at the Calvary Lutheran Church.  Members present were:  Lori Koch, Madelyn Shermeyer, Judy Worley, Randy Worley, Jeff Koch, Harry Shermeyer, Ron Botterbusch, Grace Trimmer, Lucia Hrinyak, Lois Slothower, Carol Leathery, Chris Coleman, Jo Ott, Ted Ziegler, Kay Stitley, Mel Miller, June Kinsey, Melanie Green, Marty Green, Jim Avery, Norma Botterbusch, George Fitch, and Gayle Heagy.

 

The January 2009 minutes were presented, and President Shermeyer asked for any additions or corrections to the minutes.  A correction as made on page 3, third paragraph under questions/suggestions – Jo Ott reported she did get the photograph of the home on North Main Street, but it was not a log house.   A motion to accept the minutes as corrected was made by Lois Slothower and seconded by Jeff Koch.  All voted in favor and motion passed.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

 

The treasurer’s report for January 2009 was presented by Lori Koch.  There was a motion by Harry Shermeyer to approve the treasurer’s report as presented and seconded by Lucia Hrinyak.  All voted in favor and motion passed.  It was reported the cash reserve account has a balance of $3,063.00 since the Jacob Joner donation was deposited into this account. 

 

Archivist Report – Dr. Drawbaugh was absent.  Assistant Archivist Gayle Heagy reported she received a phone call from her friend at Historic York seeking restoration projects done in 2008 for their annual awards.   Gayle informed her that the GDHS did not have any projects last year.  Gayle did mention the log house on Greenbriar Road being restored by the owner of Keystruct Construction. Gayle asked the members if anyone knew of any historic restoration projects that were done in the past year.  Lucia Hrinyak mentioned the Phil & Lynn Blaker home on South Salem Church Road (the former Alan Bonsell home) but said it is not complete.  There was also a discussion about the Snow barn which was featured in a recent newspaper article. 

 

Gayle reported her daughter found information on an internet site (auctiva.com) for a fee of $10 about an 1849 act to incorporate the York and Dover Turnpike Road Company.  The information states the public road known as the Carlisle Road intersects the York and Gettysburg turnpike road in Buttstown, which Mel Miller stated was West York.  President Shermeyer said she will take a look at this website.

 

Gayle Heagy reported she has not called the Landmark Committee together about the historic bronze plaques. At this point, Gayle stated she does not know how many plaques will be purchased.  Gayle spoke to the gentleman at Grimm Trophy who informed her that the cost of materials has dropped dramatically recently and the cost will be lower than the original quote of $98 per plaque.   Gayle said that ordering the plaques is on hold until we find out if the revised grant request is approved.

 

Randy Worley reported he restored a 1952 David Bradley garden tractor.  He has a photograph of him as a young boy along with his niece on the tractor.  After he restored the tractor, Randy had a photograph taken again with his niece and submitted it to the York newspaper for the “Wheels of the Week” article.   Lucia Hrinyak stated the York Heritage Trust has a “Then and Now” exhibit and suggested Randy contact them since the YHT may be interested in his restored tractor or photographs.  Gayle Heagy said the York Industrial & Agriculture Museum may be interested also. 

 

Webpage Report – Brett Pfleiger was absent.  President Shermeyer reported that Jo Ott was asked to submit a recent photo of the blacksmith shop for the homepage and the blacksmith shop link.  The old photo of the blacksmith shop will be removed.  All the meeting minutes and newsletters have been updated and posted by Maureen App.  President Shermeyer reported that Brett is trying to retire as webmaster and a new webmaster will be discussed by the Board at their next meeting.  There is an article posted to the Kids’ Page which needs to be corrected and revised. President Shermeyer stated she and Gayle Heagy will review it and make necessary corrections.   

 

Historian Report – Cindy Snyder was absent.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Blood Root – President Shermeyer will be discussing this project with the new webmaster.

 

Landscaping Committee – Lucia Hrinyak reported the committee will meet on April 6 for their winter cleanup. 

 

Adopt-a-Highway – Melanie Green reported first litter pickup will be held on April 4 @ 8am.  A sign-up sheet will be available in March.  Melanie stated she plans to have 4 pick-ups this year – April, June, August and October.     Jim Avery asked what highway is the cleanup held on and Melanie explained it.  He also asked about the Blood Root project and President Shermeyer explained the project history to him. 

 

Board of Directors – Ron Botterbusch reported the Board met on January 22.   Mr. Botterbusch reported the grant was discussed and Lori Koch sent a letter to DCED requesting a revised addendum to the grant project narrative.  The Board decided to hold off on hiring a webmaster.  The Board gave permission to Gayle Heagy to send out bid packages for the sale of the timbers.   Mr. Botterbusch reported several boxes of photographs and Indian items were donated by Mrs. Dick Myers.  It was discussed that some of these items can be sold at our display at the Dover Fair. 

 

Mr. Botterbusch reported that Mr. Zimmerman from Zimmerman Jewelers in West York has a 6’ oak and glass showcase from a store in Hanover which opened in 1936.  He will donate the showcase to the GDHS if we are interested.   The membership agreed to accept the showcase.   Mr. Botterbusch said he will contact the fire company to see if it can be stored in the basement.  The fire company would be allowed to use the showcase and the GDHS will use it for our display at the Dover Fair. 

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Timber sale – Gayle Heagy reported she advertised the timbers in the Merchandiser, Mechanicsburg Shopper, and the Community Courier.  She had about 5 calls and mailed out bid packages.  She said most of the callers were interested in the size of the timbers and Harry Shermeyer measured and recorded the size of each timber.  A printed list was mailed out with each bid package.  A copy of the bid package was sent to the Dover Borough Manager.  The ad will run again next Wednesday and the total cost for the advertisement is $16.50.  Gayle will contact the Architectural Warehouse to inquire if they would take the timbers if no bids are received.  The timbers will be moved out of the storage shed on Saturday, February 21 at 8:00am and the timber sale will be held on Saturday, February 28 at 10:00am.  President Shermeyer said the line shaft from Hoffman’s farm will be moved into the storage shed after the timbers are gone. 

 

Revised grant -- Lori Koch reported after the Board of Directors’ gave her permission, she prepared a letter to DCED requesting an addendum to the project narrative for the grant before the grant expires on June 30.  The revised project narrative must show how we plan to spend the remaining funds as well as explain what we have already purchased. The revised project narrative included purchasing historic bronze plaques, a laptop computer for the treasurer and bar tool stock for the blacksmith shop. 

 

President Shermeyer reminded members to sign-up to volunteer for helping Jo Ott at the blacksmith shop open hours the 2nd Saturday each month from April to October and also sign-up for meeting refreshments.  President Shermeyer also reminded members we are looking for a chairperson for the Dover Firemen’s Fair.  In addition, it has been suggested that the society participate in the Dover Halloween parade with concessions, so President Shermeyer stated we need a chairperson for this event.  Norma Botterbusch asked if someone can check with the fire company to make sure a need exists for concessions for the parade.  Ron Botterbusch will contact the fire company about the Halloween parade concessions and the display showcase.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

President Shermeyer reported that a freelance correspondent with the York Daily Record contacted her recently (he also called Mel Miller with WMHS) and asked about the society archives.  President Shermeyer told him the paper archives are in a climate controlled area and the larger items are in storage.  She gave him information on our historic walk, the blacksmith shop open hours and the historic plaques.  He asked why it is important to have an historical society and President Shermeyer said she could not speak for all the members but told him we need to preserve our past for future generations.  There may be an article published in the Weekly Record.

 

President Shermeyer reported she received a telephone call from George Miller who graduated from Dover High School in 1940.  His daughter sent him a copy of one of our society newsletters.   Mr. Miller told President Shermeyer he has many clippings and other information on the Class of 1940.  He will send these items to President Shermeyer and she will forward to the Assistant Archivist.   (See Addendum A)

 

QUESTIONS/SUGGESTIONS

 

Norma Botterbusch asked if the regular meeting in March will be held after the guest speaker.  President Shermeyer said we need to have our business meeting, but it may be an abbreviated agenda.   The guest speaker, Scott Mangus, will have a PowerPoint presentation on the Civil War and it lasts approximately 45 minutes. 

 

President Shermeyer reminded members that we still need a volunteer to be our treasurer. 

 

Harry Shermeyer asked if President Shermeyer checked into available space at the Dover Post Office for the GDHS to use.  The building is privately owned and leased by the Postal Service for $3,000 per month.  President Shermeyer was informed that postal inspectors may use the building and other individuals have inquired about renting space in the building too.   The chances of the GDHS acquiring space in this building seem very slim at this point.

 

The small games of chance license renewal was received in the mail.  It will be renewed for a fee of $10 and submitted to the York County Treasurer’s Office.

 

There being no further questions or suggestions from the membership, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Lori Koch

GDHS secretary