Greater Dover Historical Society

September 17, 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, Lois Slothower, Mel Miller, Jeff Koch, Gayle Heagy, Ramon Langione, Jo Ott, June Kinsey, Larry Law, Ron Botterbusch, Grace Trimmer, Melanie Green, Zita Smith, Kay Stitley, Bill & Chris Coleman, Randy & Judy Worley, Ted Ziegler, Cindy Snyder and Norma Botterbusch. 

The August 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 Jo Ott.  All voted in favor and motion passed.

TREASURER’S REPORT

The treasurer’s report for August 2009 was presented.  Mrs. Koch reported correct balance for the petty cash account is $36.27.  There was a motion by Lois Slothower to approve the treasurer’s report as presented and seconded by Larry Law.   All voted in favor and motion passed. 

Assistant Archivist report – Gayle Heagy reported she sold a few pieces of the slate from the storage shed for $25.  Gayle said she knows a lady who does 3-D effects on the slate and she may be interested in purchasing some of the slate for her painting.  Gayle reported a 1989 copy of the Dover Times and a Dover Township history book (green cover) were donated at the Dover Fair.

Gayle discussed the historic bronze plaques for the homes in Dover Borough.  She met with the gentleman at Grimm’s Trophy and several options were discussed – wood, plastic, bronze.   Bronze will last the longest and the size agreed upon is 4” x 6” at a cost of $95 each.  Gayle stated the wording of plaques needs to be decided, and she presented the following – “An historic structure designated by the GDHS, Inc.”  All members present agreed this would be satisfactory wording for the bronze plaques.  Gayle will order the plaques from Grimm’s and said she will call the Landmark Committee together to choose the homes to receive the first plaques.

Historian report – Cindy Snyder did not have a report. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Blood Root – no report

Adopt-a-Highway – Melanie Green reported the next pick-up date is October 17, and there is a sheet on the table for volunteers to sign-up.  This will be the last litter pick-up for this year.

Landscaping committee report – Lucia Hrinyak was not present; Judy Worley presented the following report on behalf of Lucia.  The committee had a work day on September 15 at 8:00 a.m.  Volunteers were Lucia & Michael Hrinyak, June Kinsey and Judy Worley.  They worked for 2 hours for a total of 8 volunteer hours.  The volunteers took care of general fall cleanup in preparation for the winter season in addition to planting tulip bulbs for more spring color as well as a few ferns (bulbs and ferns donated by June Kinsey).  The barberry bushes and a few of the smaller trees were trimmed.  Another fall task included trimming back the lilies, hostas, red hot poker, and iris.   Michael Hrinyak dug out the plants which the volunteers thought needed to be relocated in the garden and resituated them to their new locations.  Several hostas, red hot poker and iris were dug out and split.  Splitting and relocating should improve the appearance of the garden and health of the plants.  Next spring the committee hopes to extend the informal brick path on the far side of the storage shed.

Board of Directors’ report – Ron Botterbusch reported there was a telephone conference regarding the sale of the t-shirts for the Dover Fair.   It was agreed by the Board to reduce the price of the t-shirts to $5 each since we have sold enough to cover the cost of the t-shirts.   Jeff Koch suggested we sell the t-shirts at the Fall Fest.  Mr. Botterbusch said we can sell the t-shirts at his jewelry store also.  It was reported all the large size were sold out at the Dover Fair.  An inventory of the t-shirts will have to be made to determine how many and what sizes are left. 

Mr. Botterbusch also reported that he had contacted Bob Snelbaker in the summertime asking him to replace the dusk-to-dawn light at the Blacksmith Shop.   Unfortunately, it has not been taken care of to date.  Mr. Botterbusch reported the Dover Lions’ Club has contacted Jay Bollinger to replace the light, and the Club will pay for it.     

OLD BUSINESS

Blacksmith Shop open house – Jo Ott reported the September open house had about 15 visitors, and they collected a total of $4.00 in donations and sales of Blacksmith Shop items.  A father and son visited and volunteered to help Ted since he was there working alone.  The man who helped Ted is a blacksmith and his son wants to be a blacksmith too.  Jo reported the Lions’ Club visited last Thursday night after their picnic; approximately 16 visitors attended, and they collected $23 in donations and sales of items, including a replica. 

Jo Ott reported she had submitted a photo of the Blacksmith Shop to Pursuits Magazine, which is published by the state tourism bureau.  She received an email response and said the photo has been posted to a website called Flicker.  During the Lions’ Club tour of the Blacksmith Shop, Jo talked to Becky Roberts who gave her the names of some people to talk to about the mystery item on display at the Dover Fair.  Jo stated she spoke to them, and they did not have any idea what the mystery item could be.  During her search, she spoke to Pete Adonis, a retired Caterpillar engineer, who indicated he has several items to donate to the GDHS.  He does a lot of work for the Historic Trust and the Agriculture Museum.  Jo gave him Gayle Heagy’s name and phone number to contact her about donations.

Jo Ott reported she stopped by the Enders’ property to get permission to take photos.  Jo will contact President Shermeyer to get their phone number to call the Enders. Jo said the brush has been removed around the porch area.  Gayle Heagy said the porch has been removed as well as the siding so the logs are exposed.  Vice President Stitley suggested Jo contact Cathie Lukas who lives across the street to ask permission to park in her driveway. 

Website – Ron Botterbusch reported he spoke to Brett Pfleiger and his wife at the Dover Fair and stated a bill will be sent by Mrs. Pfleiger. 

Fall Fest – Vice President Stitley reported a sheet was handed out to all members listing information from the 2008 event and indicating who is responsible for each item.  A brief discussion was held to finalize the list of volunteers and responsibilities.  Vice President Stitley encouraged members to donate cupcakes since they were big sellers last year.  Prices for items to sell were discussed and agreed to.  Soda was not listed on the sheet to be sold; the membership agreed we should sell soda; a motion was made by Ron Botterbusch and seconded by Jo Ott.  All in favor and motion passed.

Concert in the park – Vice President Stitley gave a report from President Shermeyer on the August 23 concert at the log cabin.  Present were Harry & Madelyn Shermeyer and Jeff & Lori Koch and the Dover Township Recreation Director, Krystal.  Approximately $28 in concessions was sold at the concert where attendance was minimal at best.

Dover Fair – Melanie Green reported that a lot of people stopped by to look at the items on display, but not many GDHS items were sold.  Melanie said people asked questions about the Blacksmith Shop.   She felt we had good exposure and helped to educate visitors about Dover and its history.  Melanie felt the GDHS was not there to make money but rather provide historical information to visitors.  The Dover yearbooks on display were a big hit, and one visitor named all the people in the 1952 school photo.   Jeff Koch said people asked about the Blood Root books.

Adopt-A-Highway – Melanie Green reported the last pickup for 2009 will be held on October 17.  A sign-up sheet is available on the table for volunteers to sign.

Lois Slothower brought up the subject of newsletter articles and asked how she and Norma are supposed to get articles.  Gayle Heagy suggested a photo of the mystery item should be in the next issue as well as an article requesting specific information on historic sites and photos.  Vice President Stitley mentioned the most recent issue of the West Manchester Historical Society newsletter has a circa 1905 photograph from the York Fairgrounds grandstand showing the horse barns.  Mel Miller said they have a box of other glass plate photos dated from 1896-1910.  Vice President Stitley stated her point is we need to publish more photos in our GDHS newsletter. Norma Botterbusch suggested all articles be submitted to Lois and herself so articles are not duplicated.  All articles must be edited by Lucia Hrinyak prior to publication.

Lois Slothower reported she and other family members were invited to meet with Fairy Slothower, daughter of Louie Slothower who owned the Dover barbershop on the square.  Fairy has a lot of information from her mother on Dover history to share with the GDHS.  It was suggested that Fairy would be a good person to interview.

NEW BUSINESS

Nominating Committee – Vice President Stitley stated a Nominating Committee must be appointed and copies of job descriptions for each office are available on the table.  Volunteers to serve on the Committee are Gayle Heagy, Ron Botterbusch (chairman) and Lori Koch.  Members interested in running for any office should contact a member of the Nominating Committee.

Vice President Stitley reported that President Shermeyer erred last month when stating who was up for reelection to the Board of Directors.  Melanie Green and Jeff Koch are up for reelection in November.   Jeff Koch indicated he plans to run again.

Vice President Stitley reminded members to submit their volunteer hours to the GDHS secretary by the November meeting.  She also stated Committee chairs need to complete a budget request and submit to the GDHS treasurer before the November budget meeting.

Norma Botterbusch asked if we could publish the next newsletter after our October meeting and put an article in the newsletter about the election of officers.  Lori Koch stated the next deadline set by the Board is December 1.  Vice President Stitley said we should remind members to submit their volunteer hours in the next newsletter also.

Vice President Stitley brought up the issue of a craft show next spring at the Blacksmith Shop.  She asked if members were still interested in pulling this event together for 2010 or tabling the issue until 2011.  Vice President Stitley feels we should begin planning this event now knowing how much work and detail were required for the Blacksmith Shop dedication.  June Kinsey stated most craftsmen we are interested in inviting to participate are already booked for next year.  Judy Worley suggested we should plan our event for June 2011 and begin planning early in 2010.  Jo Ott said she would be concerned about the ball teams using the fields in June and Vice President Stitley stated the teams would have to be told they cannot use the fields on that day.  The issue of parking was also discussed if multiple events are happening at the park on the same day.  Ron Botterbusch stated he felt it is important for the GDHS to hold this event and that every organization should have a big project that raises money constantly to keep the organization going.   Mr. Botterbusch made a motion to consider running the craft fair in June 2011 and set a rain date for this event; seconded by Judy Worley.  All were in favor and motion passed. 

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS

Gayle Heagy reported that the Reba Mae Gross property on Carlisle Road is scheduled for auction on September 25-26 by Sterner’s Auction.  She read in the newspaper that old Dover Bank replicas are being offered for sale.  Jo Ott stated she planned to attend the auction and can check on the auctioneer’s website for any photos of the items for sale.  Vice President Stitley reported that Ralph Gross was the man who owned the 7-Up Bottling Company and had a large collection of soda bottles. 

There being no further questions or suggestions from the membership, the meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m.