Greater Dover Historical Society

August 19, 2010

 

The regular meeting of the Greater Dover Historical Society was called to order by President Madelyn Shermeyer at 7:03 p.m. at the Calvary Lutheran Church.  Members present were the following:  Lori Koch, Lois Slothower, Melanie Green, Jeff Koch, Judy & Randy Worley, Kay Stitley, Grace Trimmer, June Kinsey, Jo Ott, Madelyn & Harry Shermeyer, Ron & Norma Botterbusch, Bill & Chris Coleman, Gayle Heagy, Lucia Hrinyak, Zita Smith, Cindy Snyder, Mel Miller, Ted Zeigler, Larry Law and Carol Leathery.  The members stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

President Shermeyer introduced the guest speaker, Ron Botterbusch, who gave an excellent presentation on the history of black powder guns. 

 

President Shermeyer presented the June 2010 minutes and asked for any additions or corrections to the minutes.  A motion to accept the minutes as presented was made by Jeff Koch and seconded by Mel Miller.  All voted in favor and motion passed.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

 

The treasurer’s reports for June and July 2010 were presented by Bill Coleman:

 

There was a motion by Harry Shermeyer to approve the treasurer’s reports as presented and seconded by Larry Law.  All voted in favor and motion passed. 

 

Assistant Archivist report – Gayle Heagy reported she did not receive any new items for the archives since our last meeting.  Gayle stated that Mr. Badders donated a bellows, circa 1840-1860 (approx. 6’ long and 48” wide), which is currently hanging on display in the Blacksmith Shop.  Larry Law stated Mr. Badders is in the process of writing a family history of the bellows and will share it with the GDHS upon its completion.

 

Historian report – Cindy Snyder did not have a report.  She was given several photos of the Blacksmith Shop and the Enders house.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Bloodroot – no report

 

Adopt-a-Highway – Melanie Green reported the July date was rained out.  She has scheduled a new date for September 11 at 8:00 am at the same meeting location.   A sign-up sheet is on the table.  Another date will be scheduled for October. 

 

Landscaping Committee – Lucia Hrinyak reported she drove past the garden at the Blacksmith Shop and all appears to be holding up fairly well given the dry weather we have experienced recently.  The committee will be meeting tomorrow at the garden to do a spruce-up and then meet again in the fall to do the winter prep work. 

      

Board of Directors’ report – Jeff Koch reported the Board agreed to dispose of the slate in the storage shed and sell the leftover bricks stored at the Shermeyer’s house. 

 

Landmark Committee – Gayle Heagy reported the committee will meeting in September to set up an agenda of contacting the property owners for the 5 selected sites to receive the historic plaques.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Bylaws/Articles of Incorporation – President Shermeyer did not have a report. 

 

July picnic – President Shermeyer reported we had approximately 20 people attend the picnic.  It was agreed to donate the leftover chicken to a needy family and it was delivered to them by the Worleys. 

 

Grant closeout – President Shermeyer reported the grant closeout form was submitted by Lori Koch.  We had to return some of the funds.  Lori Koch reported a total of $378.91, which included interest of $38.58.  Bill Coleman assisted Lori in providing copies of checks and other dollar figures required for the form.   The paperwork was sent to DCED on July 27th; grant closeout was required to be filed 30 days after the contract date expiration. 

 

Slate in storage shed – President Shermeyer stated we must dispose of the boxes of slate in the storage shed.  Gayle Heagy said it will be taken care of shortly; she has someone who will handle it.

 

President Shermeyer reminded members about the sign-up sheets on the table for refreshments and volunteers for the Blacksmith Shop open house.  Randy Worley has been helping at the BSS open houses and Bill Coleman helped in July since Randy was out of town. 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Walking tour – President Shermeyer reported there was an advertisement in the YDR Weekly Record, Historic Dover section, about a virtual walking tour on the GDHS website.  Jo Ott had been in contact with Joan Concillio about the ad but she was not aware of it.  Norma Botterbusch stated she contacts Andrea Albert at the YNC concerning articles for the Historic Dover section.  Mel Miller reported he deals with Harry Snell when submitting information for WMHS articles.  If other incorrect articles are published in the newspaper, President Shermeyer stated she will contact Andrea Albert accordingly. 

 

Bricks – President Shermeyer reported that 410 rough red bricks and 10 regular red bricks have been sold at 10 cents each.   There are approximately 136 rough bricks and 125 regular red bricks remaining.  President Shermeyer said she does have a buyer for these remaining bricks if there are no other GDHS members who are interested in purchasing them.  Vice President Stitley said she will take some measurements at her house to see if she will need some of the bricks. 

 

Donna’s Governor’s Inn at Locust Point – President Shermeyer reported that the Landmark Committee had chosen the Inn to receive one of the GDHS historic site plaques and it was the only site selected which received the maximum 30 points on the criteria list.  President Shermeyer stated she spoke to former Governor George Leader at Providence Place during a library dedication event and gave him a briefing on the historic plaque project by the GDHS.  President Shermeyer invited Governor Leader to visit the Inn to sign the guestbook registry, which he graciously did.  There are photos posted on the Inn’s website (donnasgovernorsinn.com) and copies were passed around for members to review.  The photocopies will be given to our GDHS historian for her records. 

 

Request from Scott Mingus – President Shermeyer stated she was contacted by Scott Mingus seeking oral history of the Civil War in York County for a book that he and Jim McClure are authoring.  There are forms on the table if any member has family history to share. 

 

Fall Fest, October 2, 2010 – President Shermeyer reported she and Lori Koch will co-chair the committee.  The following members volunteered to serve on the committee:   Madelyn Shermeyer, Lori Koch, Kay Stitley, Lois Slothower, June Kinsey and Chris Coleman.  The menu will be the same as last year.  The Dover Township Recreation Department will purchase the soda and water for the GDHS and we will reimburse the Township accordingly.  The co-chairs will coordinate designated duties for each member.  Lucia Hrinyak stated she will be out of town and unavailable to help this year.  Norma Botterbusch stated she will be on vacation.

 

President Shermeyer stated job descriptions for officers and Board of Director members will be available at the September meeting for any member who is interested in running for one of the positions.  All officers are up for election and 2 members of the Board (Harry Shermeyer, Ron Botterbusch).

 

Dover Fair – After a brief discussion, it was determined that Melanie Green was not chairing the carnival committee this year.  President Shermeyer asked for members to volunteer to help get all the items together we need for the Dover Fair which begins on September 4.  Vice President Stitley will provide the metal divider screen and cover again this year and she also found some old pill/medicine containers from Dr. Herrold’s office which we can display in the cases.

 

Gayle Heagy reported that the chestnut tree at the Blacksmith Shop was damaged.  Gayle stated we cannot be 100% certain but several people informed her that the contractor installing the playground equipment in the park hit the tree with a Bobcat tractor.   Gayle stated she tried her best to repair the damage using duct tape but it is very noticeable.  President Shermeyer reported that Larry Law informed her one of the planters outside of the Blacksmith Shop is broken – the bottom is falling out.  Unfortunately, we are unsure who is responsible for these planters.      

 

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS

 

There being no further questions or suggestions from the membership, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Lori Koch

GDHS secretary