Greater Dover Historical Society

June 17, 2010

 

The regular meeting of the Greater Dover Historical Society was called to order by President Madelyn Shermeyer at 7:00 p.m. at the Calvary Lutheran Church.  Members present were the following:  Lori Koch, Jeff Koch, Madelyn Shermeyer, Kay Stitley, William Coleman, Ted Ziegler, Fred Kimmel, Ramon & Harriet Langione, Gayle Heagy, Carol Leathery, Randy & Judy Worley, Grace Trimmer, Doris Burger, Connie Miller, June Kinsey, Ron & Norma Botterbusch, Mel Miller, Zita Smith, James Geiselman, Eli Nikkanen, Melanie Green, Michael and Lucia Hrinyak.   Several guests were also present.  The members stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

President Shermeyer introduced the guest speaker, Donald Baughman.   Mr. Baughman and his daughter, Suzanne, gave an excellent presentation on the history of Baughman Memorials in Dover.

 

President Shermeyer presented the May 2010 minutes and asked for any additions or corrections to the minutes.  A motion to accept the minutes as presented was made by Judy Worley and seconded by Kay Stitley.  All voted in favor and motion passed.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

 

The treasurer’s report for May 2010 was presented by Bill Coleman.  There was a motion by Mel Miller to approve the treasurer’s report as presented and seconded by Jeff Koch.   All voted in favor and motion passed. 

 

Assistant Archivist report – Gayle Heagy reported the pie safe donated by Joan Bosserman was picked up and placed in the storage shed.  Gayle said it may not be from Dover and she noted the safe has veneer on it so it may not be as old as originally indicated by Ms. Bosserman.  Gayle reported that the GDHS now has the remaining parts of an old gaslight lantern from the Enders property. 

 

Historian report – Cindy Snyder was absent; no report.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Bloodroot – President Shermeyer reported she began working on this project and said she believes she can make copies on the township’s copy machine.   President Shermeyer had a sample of the enlarged copy (125%) she produced of a page from the Bloodroot book.  We are not permitted to make any changes to the books, so they must be copied as is.  The plan is to copy and sell Bloodroot book #1 and #2 together as one edition using the cover from Bloodroot book #2 since it is in color.  We can purchase card stock to print the covers.   President Shermeyer will be working on printing these books over the next few months but does not believe she will have any ready for the Dover Fair.  President Shermeyer plans to contact Joe Marks about spiral binding. 

 

Adopt-a-Highway – Melanie Green was unable to stay for the business meeting.  A sign-up sheet was circulated for the next litter pickup date on July 10 at 8:00 am at the same meeting location. 

 

Landscaping Committee – Lucia Hrinyak reported the committee (Worleys, Hrinyaks, and June Kinsey) met on June 8th for approximately 3 hours of work which included the installation of the extended informal brick pathway by Michael Hrinyak in the garden area, weeding, mulching and pruning.   Lucia stated that Randy Worley has stopped periodically to attend to the garden which is greatly appreciated.  Lucia encouraged our younger members who enjoy gardening to volunteer for the committee.   Many members have commented on how beautiful the garden looks and expressed appreciation to the committee members for their hard work.  

       

Board of Directors’ report – Jeff Koch reported on an email contact from Donna Reeser asking permission to add a link to the GDHS webpage to the website for her Bed & Breakfast business near Locust Point in Dover Township.  Permission was granted by the Board. 

 

Landmark Committee – Gayle Heagy reported the historic plaque project is moving along and the committee has selected the first 5 properties.  Gayle stated the committee also developed new evaluation criteria to assist in determining the historic structures and land sites to be designated in the Dover area.  Gayle reported the committee decided to revise the criteria to include sites based on their research of national historic sites criteria.  Lucia Hrinyak reported on the criteria the committee followed to select the historic properties as follows:

 

·         Age of the property, broken down by segments/centuries (i.e., 1700-1799)

·         Architectural style

·         Structures – built on-site or moved to said site

·         Current condition of property

·         Integrity – original elements intact

·         Historical importance to Dover Borough or Dover Township

 

Lucia Hrinyak reported the committee has selected the following properties to receive historic plaques:  1). 36 N. Main Street, Dover Borough (Dr. Herrold);  2). 64 N. Main Street, Dover Borough (Bowersox); 3). 78 N. Main Street, Dover Borough (Gross carriage house; former Sheffer Plumbing);  4). 3205 W. Canal Road, Dover Township (Reeser’s B&B, circa 1774; land grant by William Penn); and 5). Cemetery behind the UCC Church on West Canal Street, Dover Borough (buried remains of soldiers from Revolutionary War and War of 1812).  Lucia stated the committee is still working to determine who is responsible for the ownership and maintenance of this cemetery.  Gayle Heagy thanked all the members of the Landmark Committee (Randy & Judy Worley, Larry Law, Lucia Hrinyak, Mel Miller, Madelyn Shermeyer and Gayle Heagy) for their terrific job on this project. 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Bylaws/Articles of Incorporation – President Shermeyer reported updates are in progress.

 

July picnic @ Lehr Park, 5:30pm – President Shermeyer stated she has a $50 donation towards the chicken which will cost approximately $100.    If a member would like to contribute towards the cost of the chicken, President Shermeyer said to contact Bill Coleman.  We will also serve hot dogs and members can bring a covered dish, dessert or beverage.  The picnic is open to current paid members only.  

 

President Shermeyer reminded members about the sign-up sheets on the table for refreshments and volunteers for the Blacksmith Shop open house.  Jo Ott was hospitalized recently for gall bladder surgery and will be unable to attend the July open house.  Randy Worley assisted at the June open house. 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Fall Fest – President Shermeyer reported she has a list of items provided by members from last year’s event.  We will need to set up a committee and determine what food items will be sold this year.  The date is October 2. 

 

Bricks – President Shermeyer reported that several hundred bricks from the Blacksmith Shop are stored at her home and the GDHS needs to make a decision on how to dispose of the brick.  Some of the bricks were used by the Landscape Committee for the pathway.  Shall we sell them?  It was decided to have the Board of Directors discuss the issue.  In addition, there are approximately 17 boxes of roofing slate in the storage shed.   The Board will also discuss disposition of the slate.

 

President Shermeyer reported the GPS coordinates for the Blacksmith Shop will be posted to the main page of the GDHS website.  Township GIS specialist, Nathan Stone, determined the coordinates last week. 

 

Historical Walk – Vice President Kay Stitley reported on the June 15 historical walk.  There were 18 guests, including a blind man who accompanied his wife on the walk.  It was a nice evening and good weather. 

 

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS

 

President Shermeyer had a copy of today’s York Daily Record which listed an article on the GDHS collecting artifacts.  There was no mention of our meeting guest speaker, Don Baughman.  It was decided we need to contact the editor or Joan Concillio to find out who submits these articles.

 

There being no further questions or suggestions from the membership, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Lori Koch, GDHS secretary