Greater Dover Historical Society

January 21, 2010

The regular meeting of the Greater Dover Historical Society was called to order by President Madelyn Shermeyer at 7:05 p.m. at the Calvary Lutheran Church.  Members present were the following:  Lori Koch, Jeff Koch, Madelyn Shermeyer, Mel Miller, Ramon Langione, Jo Ott, Larry Law, Grace Trimmer, Carol Leathery, Chris & Bill Coleman, Randy & Judy Worley, Connie Miller, June Kinsey, Lucia Hrinyak, Doris Burger, Harry Shermeyer and Lois Slothower. 

President Shermeyer proceeded with the swearing-in of the officers and Board of Directors for 2010.  Due to the absence of Vice President Kay Stitley, Gayle Heagy, Cindy Snyder and Ron Botterbusch, the group photograph was postponed until the February meeting.  President Shermeyer also appointed the Assistant Archivist and Assistant Webmaster, Gayle Heagy and Maureen App, respectively.

President Shermeyer stated she would like to start our meetings with a moment of silence and the pledge of allegiance.  President Shermeyer asked members to stand for a moment of silence for the family of Vice President Kay Stitley whose husband passed away today after a lengthy battle with cancer.  The pledge of allegiance followed. 

President Shermeyer presented the November 2009 minutes and asked for any additions or corrections to the minutes.  A motion to accept the minutes as presented was made by Harry Shermeyer and seconded by Judy Worley.  All voted in favor and motion passed.

TREASURER’S REPORT

The treasurer’s report for December 2009 was presented by Treasurer Bill Coleman:

Balance as of December 1, 2009                   $13,715.74

Deposits for December                                       1,113.57

Expenses for December                                          270.93

Balance as of December 31, 2009                 $14,558.38

There was a motion by Carol Leathery 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 was absent due to her recent hospitalization.  President Shermeyer reported that Don Keener from Dover Township donated several items, and the Township donated a photograph.  President Shermeyer reported that Harry Shermeyer made a wooden case with a lid to enclose and display the piece of plaster with rabbit foot painting which Ramon Langione has acquired from the Enders log house property.  The membership thanked Mr. Shermeyer for his fine work; the case is stored in the storage shed at the park.

Webpage report – no report.  President Shermeyer stated no one has heard from Brett Pfleiger and the GDHS shall continue to wait for him to contact us.

Historian report – Cindy Snyder was absent.  No report. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Bloodroot – no report. 

Adopt-a-Highway – Melanie Green was absent.  No report.

Landscaping Committee – Lucia Hrinyak did not have a report but stated work around the storage shed should begin in April.   

Board of Directors’ report – President Shermeyer stated there is no Board report, but the Board will reorganize after the adjournment of our regular meeting tonight.

OLD BUSINESS

Christmas tree lighting – Norma Botterbusch was absent.  No report.

Larry Law reported that the tongs that had been donated by an unknown gentleman to the Botterbusch’s have been mounted on the wall at the Blacksmith Shop.  

Annual craft day – President Shermeyer brought up the subject of the annual craft day which the GDHS plans to hold in Ketterman Park.  It was reported that Vice President Stitley had brought the matter up for discussion at the September 2009 meeting.  President Shermeyer stated she has a list of various craftspeople that we can consider inviting to participate in our craft day.  The list includes broom maker, weaver, sock maker, alpaca wool spinner, candle maker, potter, farrier, theorem painter, kettle corn maker, and Manning’s weavers.  President Shermeyer stated a committee will need to be formed with a chairperson.  Decisions must be made concerning the GDHS selling food, placement of vendor spaces in the park, etc., if the GDHS plans to hold the event in June 2010.  Larry Law asked about a conflict with the ball teams using the fields in the park.  Adequate parking was also discussed.  June Kinsey stated she felt trying to hold the event this year does not allow adequate planning time and most of the craft vendors are already booked.  Lori Koch stated she believes it was agreed to hold the event in 2011 and she confirmed the minutes from September 2009 indicate a motion was made and agreed to hold craft show in June 2011.  Lori Koch will also check with Dover Borough concerning insurance coverage for volunteers working in the Borough, including events in Ketterman Park.

President Shermeyer reminded members to submit their volunteer hours for 2009 to Bill Coleman.

NEW BUSINESS

Blacksmith Shop – President Shermeyer reported the open hours for 2010 will be held April through October on the second Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

Refreshments – President Shermeyer reported there is a sign-up sheet on the table for members to volunteer to bring meeting refreshments. 

Dover Firemen’s Fair – President Shermeyer stated we need a chairperson for the Fair.  Jeff Koch reported that he believes Melanie Green said she may volunteer to chair it again this year since she now has an idea of how it functions.  We will confirm this with Melanie at our next meeting.

Speaker for March meeting – President Shermeyer reported she is hopeful that Mr. Botterbusch and Mr. Barry Emig will be able to make the muzzle loader/black powder collection presentation which had been canceled last November.  President Shermeyer also spoke to Donald Baughman about a presentation he made to a local York group about his family’s monument business.  Mr. Baughman agreed to be a speaker at one of our meetings later this year.  The society is hoping to host guest speaker presentations at least 3 times a year. 

President Shermeyer reported that Mr. Botterbusch discussed with her a newspaper article about the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.  They discussed efforts to include the Hanover Junction rail station as part of the celebration.  President Shermeyer said a member of the GDHS, Don Keener, is also a member of the Civil War Roundtable.   Mr. Botterbusch suggested we contact Mr. Keener to see if he would be interested in chairing a committee.  President Shermeyer will speak to Mr. Keener before our next meeting to inquire how the GDHS can participate in the anniversary event.  Jo Ott asked if this newspaper article was talking about the YHT meetings that Jo is attending on behalf of the GDHS and Jo was instructed by President Shermeyer to continue attending the meetings at the YHT. 

President Shermeyer reported on the issue she will be discussing with the BOD at the adjournment of our meeting.  She was contacted by Wendy in Rep. Seth Grove’s office concerning a legislative video that Rep. Grove will be taping about the 196th District.  President Shermeyer stated she will be interviewed about the history of the GDHS and will be discussing it with the BOD to make sure this video would adhere to our articles of incorporation and by-laws.  President Shermeyer has already discussed the matter with Ron Botterbusch. 

Harry Shermeyer asked about the status of the sticker for the membership badges.  Since Melanie Green is absent, we do not have an updated report. 

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS

Jo Ott reported the York Heritage Trust (YHT) is opening the “Then and Now” exhibit on Sunday and she encouraged members to visit this very nice exhibit. 

Randy Worley stated several Dover members attended the West Manchester Historical Society meeting where Scott Mingus gave his Civil War presentation.   It was very good.

President Shermeyer reported the historical house plaques have been ordered (total of $1372 appropriated for 14 plaques).  President Shermeyer mentioned to Larry Law that there are funds left in the grant for the Blacksmith Shop for tooling and bar stock.  She asked if Larry had spoken to Ted about bar stock since Ted has not turned in any invoices.  There is $657.80 remaining in the grant funds for bar stock and tooling. 

With respect to the passing of Bob Stitley, the members discussed sending flowers and/or a card to Kay Stitley and family.  Discussion was held about setting a precedence concerning acknowledging officers and board members specifically.  Mel Miller suggested a Resolution of Respect and he will provide a sample copy at the request of President Shermeyer. It was decided that a resolution would be appropriate for current officers and Board of Directors on a case by case basis.  Ramon Langione suggested a memorial contribution be made, and a card sent to Kay Stitley.  All members agreed.  

Ramon Langione reported he has not given up on the Enders property and he understands the site was visited by the York Historical Society.  There has not been any further demolition in recent weeks and Ramon will call Glenn Enders to find out some details on the visit by the York Historical Society.  Ramon stated he would like to see the house remain on the property but knows it will take huge amounts of funding to preserve it.  He feels the largest expense to save the house is replacing the roof.  Randy Worley commented that the Enders property looks much better in its current state than it did when the demolition began. 

There being no further questions or suggestions from the membership, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lori Koch

GDHS secretary