Greater Dover Historical Society

June 18, 2009

The regular meeting of the Greater Dover Historical Society was called to order by Vice President Kay Stitley at 7:05 p.m. at the Calvary Lutheran Church.  Members present were the following:  Lori Koch, June Kinsey, Jeff Koch, Jo Ott, Mel Miller, Kay Stitley, Randy Worley, Judy Worley, Gayle Heagy, Charles Drawbaugh, Chris Cole, Bill Coleman, Grace Trimmer, Lucia Hrinyak, Ron Botterbusch, Norma Botterbusch, Melanie Green and Ted Ziegler.

The May 2009 minutes were presented, and Vice President Stitley asked for any additions or corrections to the minutes.   A motion to accept the minutes as presented was made by Mel Miller and seconded by Judy Worley.  All voted in favor and motion passed.

TREASURER’S REPORT

The treasurer’s report for May 2009 was presented.  Ron Botterbusch said he did not see anything in the treasurer’s report about the software reimbursement from Joyce Law.  Mrs. Koch said she did not send Joyce an invoice yet and will take care of it.  There was a motion by Jo Ott to approve the treasurer’s report as presented and seconded by Bill Coleman.  All voted in favor and motion passed. 

Assistant Archivist report – Gayle Heagy reported she had received some items from George Miller who was a member of the Dover High School Class of 1940.  Mr. Miller provided current addresses of some of his classmates, grade school items and various U.S. Marine military items.

Gayle reported that she will be meeting tomorrow with the Reichley family to accept additional donations from Doc and Mable Reichley’s estate.  Gayle had other meetings scheduled with one of the Reichley’s granddaughters who plans to give the GDHS additional items from the estate; unfortunately the meetings had to be canceled.

Gayle reported that tonight Dr. Drawbaugh brought in several books donated by David Lehigh of East Berlin. 

 HHHHH

Historian report – Cindy Snyder did not have a report and had to leave to attend the Dollars for Scholars meeting. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Blood Root – no report

Adopt-a-Highway – Melanie Green reported the pick-up was held on June 6.  A total of 6 bags of trash was collected by 7 volunteers in approximately 1.5 hours.    Melanie said the next pickup has not been scheduled yet, and it may be done in October since August is usually too hot.  Both Cindy Snyder and Lucia Hrinyak asked that they be notified by email when the next pickup date is scheduled.   

Landscaping committee report – Lucia Hrinyak had several photos of the garden area taken by Randy Worley.  Vice President Stitley commented that everything looks beautiful.   Lucia said they have done some minor tending to the plants, etc. over the past few weeks, but the garden doesn’t require a lot of maintenance at this time.  Melanie Green reported she did see a couple of young girls pull out several iris plants from the garden, but they ran when confronted about it.   

Board of Directors’ report – no report.   

OLD BUSINESS

Blacksmith Shop open house – Jo Ott reported the May open house had about 20 visitors, and they collected a total of $31.00 in donations and sales of Blacksmith Shop items.  Jo stated that Ted and his son did a nice job of demonstrating and explaining what they were smithing. 

Dover Halloween parade – Vice President Stitley stated the parade date has been changed to the first Sunday in October (4^th) which is the day after the Fall Fest at Lehr Park.  Vice President Stitley asked Norma Botterbusch if she got permission from the fire company for a concession stand on the square by the GDHS.  Norma said we have to send a letter.  Vice President Stitley asked for input from the members since we need a chairperson for the event and volunteers to help set up and tear down.  Randy Worley asked where the stand would be set up, and Vice President Stitley said most likely at Botterbusch’s house.  Ron Botterbusch said we could set up on any of the 4 corners of the square since electricity is available at each flower box, but we are more than welcome to use their front porch.  Mr. Botterbusch suggested that if a letter is sent to the fire company, we should ask to sell coffee, hamburgers, hot dogs and sauerkraut, so we do not compete with the Boy Scouts if they sell regular hot dogs.  He believes the scouts also sell soft pretzels and soda.  A decision should be made no later than the August meeting.  Lucia asked if the letter to the fire company is to advise them we want to do it or ask permission to sell concessions.  Norma said it was probably both – ask permission and advise the fire company what food items we plan to sell. She felt they would look at all the letters and decide who will be allowed to sell and avoid conflicts.  Bricker’s are the only ones to sell French fries.  It was the consensus of the membership to send the letter to the fire company seeking permission to sell concessions at the parade.  Melanie Green asked if we are only selling coffee and hot dogs; she felt perhaps we may want to sell something simpler to serve.  Norma Botterbusch suggested we could sell pretzel sandwiches.  Vice President Stitley offered to compose the letter to be sent to the fire company. 

Website – Vice President Stitley reported that President Shermeyer spoke to Brett again about submitting an invoice.   To date, nothing has been received from Brett.  

Hartslog Day – Vice President Stitley said there is a sign-up sheet on the table for anyone interested in attending on October 10.  Doris Burger would like to attend, and a volunteer to drive is appreciated.

NEW BUSINESS

Fall Fest – Vice President Stitley reported the Fall Fest at Lehr Park is October 3.  We need suggestions from the membership at our July and August meetings regarding the menu.  Cindy Snyder was asked to check on the hot dog griller for the picnic and Fall Fest.  Vice President Stitley stated we have discussed making hamburgers instead of the BBQ.  Vice President Stitley said last year Jo Ott and Gayle Heagy made cupcakes which were a big hit; we may be looking for volunteers to make cupcakes again this year.  The soft pretzels always sellout, so it was agreed to get more this year.   Soup was also mentioned.

Vice President Stitley reminded members that the West Manchester Township Historical Society will have Jim McClure as a speaker on July 20, and Scott Mingus will be speaker on November 16. 

Historical Walk – Vice President Stitley reported on the walk held on Tuesday, June 16.  The weather was not really good, and about 9 people attended.  Fire Chief Roger Flohr came, and he gave interesting comments from a firefighter’s perspective on homes in Dover.  There was also a schoolteacher and her 2 sons on the tour.  The boys asked a lot of questions and were very interested in learning about Dover.

July picnic – Vice President Stitley stated in the past we have had several people donate funds for the chicken.  Ron Botterbusch said he had a volunteer come forward to pay for the chicken and potatoes.  There are funds left over from last year to pay for the hot dogs.  Vice President Stitley reported that Norma Botterbusch will not be available to help with the setup, so we need a chairperson.  Norma asked if an email could be sent to members to remind them about the picnic.  Lori Koch said she could do that but a lot of the emails she has on file are undeliverable since members have not provided their current emails.   Members are asked to bring desserts, fruit, salads, soda and water.  Ron Botterbusch will contact Jack Wynn about the chicken. Judy Worley made a motion to have the Board of Directors in charge of organizing the picnic; motion was seconded by Chris Coleman. Motion passed. 

FYI – Vice President Stitley reported that Lois Slothower had knee replacement surgery last week. 

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS

Ron Botterbusch said the light above the doors at the Blacksmith shop still does not work.  He suggested we contact Bob Snelbaker to let him know we would like to have the light replaced with a new one and send the GDHS an invoice for it.  Larry Law had reported a while ago that he contacted Bob Snelbaker about getting a replacement bulb, but they are an older type and hard to find.  A motion was made by Jo Ott, and seconded by Gayle Heagy.   All were in favor and motion passed.  Mr. Botterbusch will be in contact with Bob Snelbaker to ask him to take care of the new light. 

Melanie Green asked about the historic house plaques and Gayle Heagy responded. Judy Worley asked about the start time for the picnic – it is 5:30pm. 

Jo Ott asked when the next newsletter will be published.  Lori Koch stated she only has 1 edited article submitted to her by Jo Ott.  Gayle Heagy prepared an article on the phone operator, but it was not received by Lori to date.  President Shermeyer has not submitted her President’s Column to date either.  Vice President Stitley asked Norma Botterbusch if there is a deadline for the newsletter.  The last newsletter was sent in March.  Lucia Hrinyak mentioned she will be away until July 10, so she will be unavailable to edit any newsletter articles until her return.  It was decided that members should submit articles to Norma Botterbusch by July 10, and she will forward to Lucia for editing. 

There being no further questions or suggestions from the membership, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lori Koch

GDHS secretary