Greater Dover Historical Society

August 16, 2007

 

 

The regular meeting of the Greater Dover Historical Society was called to order by President Madelyn Shermeyer at 7:03 p.m.  Members present were Lori Koch, Madelyn Shermeyer, Joyce Law, Larry Law, Phyllis Wolgamuth, June Kinsey, Jeffrey Koch, Mel Miller, Jo Ott, Doris Burger, Kay Stitley, Norma Botterbusch, Ron Botterbusch, Mary Geiselman, James Geiselman, Lois Slothower, Judy Worley, Randy Worley, Zita Smith, Lucia Hrinyak, Grace Trimmer, Jay Stouch, Cindy Snyder, Carol Leathery, Ted Ziegler and Gayle Heagy.  The meeting was held in the basement at the Dover UCC due to a continuing construction project underway at Calvary Lutheran Church. 

 

President Shermeyer presented the June 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 Norma Botterbusch.  All voted in favor and motion passed.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

 

The treasurer’s reports for June and July were presented by Joyce Law:

 

Balance as of May 31, 2007                        $7,509.11

Deposits for June                                            2,613.11

Expenses for June                                             895.55

Outstanding checks                                 55.70

Balance as of June 30, 2007                       $9,282.37

 

Balance as of June 30, 2007                       $9,282.37

Deposits for July                                               86.00

Expenses for July                                            314.54

Outstanding checks                                 92.27

Balance as of July 31, 2007                        $8,711.23

 

President Shermeyer asked Joyce if the costs for the bar stock and tooling purchased for Ted to use in the blacksmith shop were deducted from the grant money account.  President Shermeyer stated we set aside $2,250 of the grant money for the blacksmith shop and Joyce confirmed the two amounts ($37.50 and $356.00) were deducted from this account.  Joyce is keeping the grant money expenditures recorded separately in her reports.  President Shermeyer also asked if the $100.66 for the shelves are for the archive building and Joyce confirmed it was. 

 

There was a motion by Mel Miller to approve the Treasurer’s reports as presented and seconded by Kay Stitley.  All voted in favor and motion passed. 

 

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ REPORT

 

Marty Green was not in attendance at the meeting.  President Shermeyer recognized June Kinsey for a report on the Board of Directors’ meeting held on August 9.  June reported that 4 portable picnic tables (two 8-foot tables, one 6-foot table and one 4-foot table) were purchased for the Society to be used at events.  June reported we are still working on a new letterhead for the Society.  A welcome letter for new members is also being finalized and it will be printed on the new letterhead starting in January 2008.

 

June reported that four (4) benches have been made to use in the blacksmith shop.  Harry Shermeyer crafted these lovely benches from hemlock, Larry Law helped to plane the lumber and President Shermeyer stained the benches a chestnut color.  June expressed the sincere appreciation of the Society for the donation of these benches by the Shermeyers.

 

President Shermeyer reported that the Board asked her to speak with Ted about using a fan in the blacksmith shop.  She spoke to Ted and he said a fan is not necessary.  President Shermeyer stated that there is a heater in the blacksmith shop that Ted and Larry had been using during the wintertime.  Ted asked if the Society would be willing to purchase the heater which Larry is willing to sell.  The Board approved this purchase.  It was asked if the heater can be stored in the archive storage shed building in the summer months and it was decided there is not a problem in doing that.  President Shermeyer will discuss with Ted dates he would be available to conduct open hours, one day a month, at the blacksmith shop.  We can publish the hours in the GDHS newsletter, Township and Borough newsletters so the public is informed about Ted’s working hours in the blacksmith shop. 

 

Doris Burger stated that she had some family members in town recently for a visit and she had asked Ted if they could stop in the blacksmith shop one day while he was working.  Ted was not working in the forge and Doris said he spent an hour and a half with her family explaining in great detail what he does as the blacksmith.  Doris expressed her sincere appreciation to Ted for taking time from his busy schedule to spend time with her family members. 

 

June Kinsey stated at the August board meeting a use for the leftover pallet of bricks was discussed.  President Shermeyer reported the red brick will be used for a pathway from the archive storage shed side door to the park walking path.  The rough bricks are not suitable for making a pathway.  The Board of Directors had discussed the possibility of selling the rough bricks, but the final decision was made to move the bricks to another location.  Harry Shermeyer has agreed to store the bricks at the Shermeyer’s home until the Society decides on a project that is suitable for the rough bricks.  Harry will get in touch with Ken Brown to borrow his brick carrying tool. 

 

June reported that the Board discussed who is going to be responsible for the horse chestnut tree, either the GDHS or the Borough.  It was decided the GDHS will be responsible for watering, trimming or whatever maintenance is required for the tree.  President Shermeyer stated she was asked to be specific as to where this tree is located.  She and Harry went to the park and did a triangulation from 3 different points.  The measurements will be included with the meeting minutes as an addendum.  Gayle Heagy stated she was not in attendance at the August board meeting and asked President Shermeyer how they came to the conclusion that the Society would be responsible for the tree.  President Shermeyer stated the tree was bought and donated for the blacksmith shop which is the responsibility of the Society, although she understands that the Borough has been watering the tree on a weekly basis.  Lucia Hrinyak questioned that once the tree is established (approximately a year) will it still require watering?  Lucia wanted to know what is involved since the Society will be responsible we need to follow through on required maintenance.  The Borough will be installing a water spigot with a photo electric valve in the park near the electrical box which will give us easier access to a water supply.  Norma Botterbusch asked if the Borough could water the tree and then the Society would be responsible for other care and maintenance.  President Shermeyer stated the Board made the decision and she does not feel the membership should change a board decision.  Lucia Hrinyak asked if the Borough plans to water the tree for the remainder of this season and the Society can take over in the spring.  It was agreed that the Borough will water through November or until the ground freezes and in the spring the Society members will begin caretaking of the tree.  Jay Stouch stated we should not be alarmed if the tree begins to look brown and dead in the fall as this is typical for the horse chestnut tree. 

 

June stated the sign at the archive storage shed building was discussed.  President Shermeyer reported it was agreed to remove the sign and store it in the archive storage shed building.  Lucia Hrinyak stated she can gather a group of people to remove it. 

 

President Shermeyer reported there was a large door in the blacksmith shop that is in bad shape and no one knows where it came from so it was decided by the board to remove it.  President Shermeyer stated she and Harry have taken care of removing the door from the shop.

 

Archivist Report -- Dr. Drawbaugh was not present at the meeting.  Gayle Heagy did not have any archive report. 

 

Webpage Report – Brett Pfleiger was not present at the meeting.  President Shermeyer stated she had an email from him regarding a number of changes for the website approved by the Board.  President Shermeyer had forwarded these changes to Brett on May 22 and his most recent email stated the changes are complete.

 

Historian Report – Cindy Snyder reminded members to forward any newspaper clippings (obituaries, etc.), photographs or other items to her for the scrapbook. 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

President Shermeyer did not have any updates to report on the blood root books. 

 

Lucia Hrinyak reported on the Adopt-a-Highway litter clean up.  The date has been rescheduled to August 25 since the original date of August 18 is the same day as the firemen’s parade in Dover Borough.  To date, Lucia has 11 volunteers signed up to help.  The meeting place is GDS Controls at 5301 Carlisle Road, 8:00am.  She will send a reminder notice to volunteers the day before and if the weather does not cooperate, Lucia will call everyone early on 25th. 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Blacksmith shop replica – President Shermeyer reported the replicas are still available for sale.  They have been selling at the Township building.

 

Jailhouse marker – President Shermeyer reported that Ted Ziegler has the fence made to put around the marker. Last week, President Shermeyer talked to Sharon at Baughman Memorials and she said they are very busy at this time.  Ted can install the fence before the marker is ready.  President Shermeyer called Mrs. Abreght to advise her that she may see Ted putting the fence in, but she has not returned her call yet.  Baughmans will install the marker when it is done. 

 

Placement of date/name stone donated by Vince Rice – President Shermeyer reported that the hay fork donated by Vince Rice is not the large one, but it is the smaller size hay fork used to pick up bales.  She talked to Ted Ziegler and Larry Law one day and Ted thought the hay fork could be hung up in the blacksmith shop in the corner where no one could bump into it.  It has all the pulleys with it and is currently stored in the Shermeyer’s garage. 

 

President Shermeyer called Vince Rice concerning the name stone, but he has not returned her call yet.  Vince has agreed to move the stone and place it where the Society chooses to display it.  There is a framed stand which Vince made to sit the stone on.  The stone measures 38” x 37” x 4”.  It has a flower depicted on the stone, as well as the family name and year 1786.  The decision was made by the Board of Directors to place the stone in the blacksmith shop in the corner where the old door had been stored and was removed. Once the stone is placed in the blacksmith shop, Harry Shermeyer will make a 3-sided frame to cover the stone (the front side will be Plexiglas material) to keep visitors from touching it.  A sign will be made listing what is written on the stone.  Gayle Heagy asked if we could use the leftover brick to make a wall around the stone.  President Shermeyer felt this was a good idea we can pursue. 

 

The benches for the blacksmith shop and tables for the Society were previously discussed under the Board of Directors’ report.

 

Stouch diaries/agreement – President Shermeyer asked Gayle Heagy to give an update on the agreement.  Gayle reported that during the July picnic, she and Jay discussed the Stouch diaries and agreement between Jay and the Society.  Gayle reported that Jay has signed the agreement which states what the Society’s responsibilities are for the diaries.  Jay Stouch discussed a few suggestions he had for publicizing or advertising the diaries on the internet.  Jay suggests we publish the index on the internet so interested parties can search by subject and purchase at a set price only the year of the diary they need.  Jay said there are many local names from Dover, Weigelstown and York City in the diaries from the mid-1860s to the mid-1890s.  Jay also felt the diaries should be copyrighted on the website.  President Shermeyer stated we are working on putting a clause on the website regarding our biographies and confirmed with Joyce Law there is a clause posted for the cemetery link.  She also stated that at the last board meeting, Marty Green said he felt a copyright clause should be posted on the main page of our website to cover and protect all items/links on our website.  President Shermeyer has sent an email to Brett Pfleiger to get his thoughts on this issue.  Jay Stouch would like to discuss the diaries’ publication further at a later time.  It was suggested that further discussion on public access to the diary transcripts on the website, as well as fees charged by the Society, be held at a later date.

 

Gayle Heagy brought up the idea of using one of the Stouch diaries at the Dover Fair.  Joyce has one of the diaries and Jay has several in his possession.  Gayle felt we could put the diary into a locked glass case with a description explaining what it is.  We could advertise in the newspaper.  Joyce has transcribed several inserts and suggested we print several days of entries to put with the diary on display at the fair.  The GDHS website currently has a link for the indexed list of surnames transcribed from the Stouch diaries (click on Family Research, then Stouch diaries).  Gayle Heagy questioned Jay Stouch concerning his personal will and the diary agreement he signed with the GDHS.  Jay stated he would check to see which document would take precedence over control of the diaries.

 

Gayle Heagy stated she felt it would be nice of the Society to send Attorney Hershner a formal thank you letter for his assistance in preparing the agreement between the Society and Jay Stouch concerning the diaries.  The secretary will send the letter.

 

Norma Botterbusch asked President Shermeyer if the Township had any plans to order more copies of the log house replica.  Norma stated when people are purchasing the blacksmith shop replica many are asking about the log house replica too.  President Shermeyer said she talked to them about it but no decision was made.  She will ask them again.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Location of tree donated by Gayle Heagy – This topic was discussed earlier in the meeting under the Board of Director’s report.  The secretary will add the measurements as an attachment to the August minutes as Addendum A. 

 

Calendar fundraiser – A couple of years ago a calendar fundraiser was discussed.  President Shermeyer has appointed Kay Stitley as chairperson of this committee but the project will not be started this year.  Kay will choose members of her committee and it was discussed that we may choose the old stone homes of Dover as the topic of the calendar.  Gayle had stated that York County Planning Commission has photos in their files of the Dover area homes and President Shermeyer said perhaps we can access those photos.

 

Fall Fest concession – President Shermeyer reported that approximately two weeks ago she was asked if the Society would be interested in handling the concession for the Fall Fest on October 6 at Lehr Park.  She brought it before the Board of Directors and it was agreed the Society would participate.  We will not be making chicken corn soup this year.  We will provide 35 lbs. of hamburger BBQ and a single recipe will be used.  The hamburger will be donated and President Shermeyer will bring the frozen meat in 5 lb. packages to the September meeting to distribute to the volunteers.  At the Fall Fest, we will be selling BBQ, hot dogs, soft pretzels, coffee, tea and hot chocolate.  The baked goods will be sold by the Heritage Senior Center and the Dover Township Recreation Department will be selling the cold sodas.  President Shermeyer has a sign-up sheet available for volunteers willing to help out on October 6.  The hours are 8:30am to 4:00pm.  Since there was such short notice, President Shermeyer will be keeping the same committee from last year – Mel Green, Lori Koch, Phyllis Wolgamuth, Gayle Heagy, Lucia Hrinyak, June Kinsey and Madelyn Shermeyer.  President Shermeyer asked Norma Botterbusch to assist by providing a list of paper products she has leftover in inventory from the previous year and Norma said she did not believe there was a large amount of product left but will get the information to Madelyn Shermeyer.  President Shermeyer is asking the committee to meet one evening in the second week of September and she will email everyone with the specific date. 

 

President Shermeyer reported that Ted Ziegler and Larry Law will be going to Ohio on September 21-23 for a blacksmith convention.  It was determined that any purchase they make does not need Board approval since the Society has the grant money set aside for the blacksmith shop.  ($2,250 budgeted)

 

President Shermeyer stated she will need three volunteers for the nominating committee at the September meeting.  She will have job descriptions for each office available for members interested in serving in any of the positions.  President Shermeyer reported she was asked by the Board of Directors to research of the committee chairs and, as her reference, she reviewed the minutes from 2002 to present.  The list is found on the reverse side of tonight’s meeting agenda.  The board also asked President Shermeyer to read the following relating to committees: 

 

“It is the position of the Board of Directors that any Society member contemplating a project for any of these committees contacts the appropriate chair of the committee that will be impacted.”

 

President Shermeyer stated if any member has an idea for a project, the member must contact the committee chair to discuss said project.  The detailed listing researched and prepared by President Shermeyer on current committees will be attached to the August minutes at Addendum B. 

 

Joyce Law asked about the new letterhead and questioned if we are planning to put the new logo onto the envelopes.  It is felt the Society should not order a large amount of new stationery since we do not produce a large volume of correspondence.  We can continue to print the letterhead as needed.  President Shermeyer reported it was discussed by the Board of Directors to use the pen and ink drawing being prepared by Rob Stitley for our new letterhead logo, as well as use it for the notepads.  We will not do envelopes until we have a final letterhead approved. 

 

Gayle Heagy asked about our display at the Dover Fair.  Kay Stitley reported the committee had met on Tuesday night to pick out several items for the display.  Jo Ott brought a collection from Janet Myers Schwalm which had many photos, including one of Kay’s father.  Kay said Norma gave her the glass display cases and they will start picking out items for the cases and the backdrop.  Kay will bring her picture from the cigar factory with names on the back of it and President Shermeyer told Kay if she wanted any Dover items from the display case at the Township building to let her know.  Kay has the sign-up sheet for volunteers who want to help at the display table.  Gayle Heagy asked if they had discussed getting the Dover National Bank money to display at the fair.  Kay responded it was not discussed and asked Gayle to tell the members about it.  Gayle said we have the original Dover National Bank currency in the safe and she felt we should have this on display at the fair.  Gayle stated there was a recent article from the York Heritage Trust about local banks having their own currency 100 years ago and that is exactly what we have from the Dover Bank.  Gayle felt it would be interesting to make that connection and display the money.  She does not want to leave the currency at the fire hall because of its value.  President Shermeyer said that one person is responsible for taking the cash box each night and the Dover Bank currency could be put into the locked box each night. Kay will be taking care of this.  Gayle suggested that whatever publicity we submit for the fair display can note this currency will be there.  Gayle also suggested sending a letter to the gentleman who donated the currency but we understand he is in ManorCare.   

 

Gayle Heagy asked about the parasol from Bertha Linebaugh.  She wanted to know if she has permission to speak to Attorney Hershner to see if we can borrow the parasol for our fair display. Gayle was given permission and she asked if our insurance would cover it.  President Shermeyer stated she felt it would since we have insurance coverage for the Faberge eggs in the safe.  Joyce Law was not aware of any insurance coverage for the eggs and Ron Botterbusch instructed her to contact the insurance agent in Harrisburg or call Susan Forrey since she was the one who handled it originally. 

 

President Shermeyer stated there will be a very short Board of Directors meeting immediately following the regular meeting.

 

OLD BUSINESS UPDATES

 

Annual craft show at blacksmith shop – President Shermeyer wanted to let everyone know that Mr. Kunkle is making brooms again.  She said Mr. Kunkle and his wife attended the old-fashioned carnival.  He had some serious health problems last year but he is back to making brooms. President Shermeyer mentioned to Mr. Kunkle about the possible craft show and he said he would be happy to participate.

 

Returning to new business, President Shermeyer stated we had mail from the East Berlin Historical Preservation Society inviting the GDHS to participate in their 33rd Colonial Day on September 8.  Unfortunately, it is the last day of our display at the Dover Fair and we cannot participate.

 

We had correspondence from the County Treasurer’s Office regarding the renewal of our small games of chance license.  The paperwork was given to Joyce Law and she will find out if we must pay the $100 or the $10 fee for two events per year. 

 

Lucia Hrinyak asked if anyone knew the official spelling of Weigelstown.  Gayle said it is the same as Art Weigel. It was confirmed it is spelled with “el” and not “le”.

 

Gayle Heagy asked about the safe under old business updates.  President Shermeyer said it is the safe that Don Baughman has mentioned and done nothing about it as he doesn’t have time right now.  He has not decided if he will give us one of their old safes or not.

 

Pen/ink drawing – this is being worked on for the letterhead and notepads.

 

Cook stove – the stove needs to be taken to Bob Stitley’s shop.  President Shermeyer stated he is also going to be working on an iron security gate for the archive storage shed building door. 

 

Kay Stitley offered a suggestion regarding the Dover Halloween parade.  She feels the GDHS should enter a float in the parade.  Kay will find out from Jason if the fire company is planning a parade this year.  Ron Botterbusch said his brother-in-law has a tractor and wagon we maybe be able borrow for the parade.  Ron will say something to him about it. 

 

Larry Law asked about the hours for Ted to work in the blacksmith shop.  President Shermeyer said she only needs the day and hours.  Larry discussed it with Ted and he decided on the second Saturday of the month from 10am to 2pm.  After talking about the start date with Ted, he decided to begin in September.  Open hours for Ted at the blacksmith shop will be:

 

            September 8, October 13, November 10

            No work hours in December, January and February

            Schedule will resume operation in March 2008.

 

Joyce Law mentioned that if anyone ordered items from Ted during the dedication event, they are still working on those items and all orders will be filled. 

 

There was a motion to adjourn made by Norma Botterbusch and seconded by Phyllis Wolgamuth.  Meeting adjourned at 8:35pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Lori Koch

GDHS secretary