GREATER DOVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Minutes for February 16, 2006

 Beverly Lee and Doris Burger, representatives of the G.D.H.S. Quilters presented this years quilt to Ron Botterbusch & Norma Botterbusch and the members of the Society.  This is our third quilt raffle.  The Society thanked Beverly and the other quilters for all the work they did on the quilt.

 7:30 p.m. President Ron Botterbusch called the business meeting to order. He asked if there were any corrections to the minutes. Motions to approve the minutes were made by Lori Koch and Madelyn Shermeyer.  All members agreed.

 Treasurers’ report was given by Robert Merkert; income for January was $220.00 in dues, $4.00 for trash bags, .93 in interest, for a total of $224.93.

Expenses for the month: $39.00 for postage.  Balance in account is $212.23.  Motion to approve the treasures report was made by Madelyn Shermeyer and Kay Stitley.  All board members agreed.

 Archivist report was given by Dr. Charles Drawbaugh, forty United States Department of Agriculture yearbooks were presented to the Society (1941-1988) by Dr. Drawbaugh.  The books started coming out from Washington D.C. in 1862.  We may be going back further with these books, but it will not be necessary to keep more than one copy of each in the archives.  Don Lauer gave a bull ring, shoe button hook, a township book called “The Stray Book” of Dover Township.  This book recorded stray animals that strayed from the farm to neighbor’s farm. Gayle Heagy, assistant archivist reported that a $5000.00 grant was received thru Bev Mackereth.  A new roof  was installed on the jail with this money.  In the Spring Don Baughman will install a plaque at the jail, he will also make and install bars on the windows.  At a later date, Bev Mackereth, Madelyn Shermeyer and Gayle Heagy may be put in the jail; they will have to raise money to get out.  Gayle gave a report on items that she got out of the safe at the Dover Borough building, she found maps of the town dated 1890; it has names of the people who owned property at that point.  Original maps show the Dover square and the properties on all four corners, it shows how we had parking on all four corners of the square. A minutes book of the Dover Borough Council 1933-1939.  Gayle will make a list of every thing she found in the safe and put it on the website. Don Baughman has offered to give us another big safe if we have a place to put it.  Don will deliver it for us.  It has Harry Baughman & Sons printed on the safe.

 Website report was given by Joyce Law, she put the following on the website: David Laird’s obituary, blacksmith shop pictures, article for the fair, new membership form, new event list, change of officers and directors.  We will also be listing businesses that joined the Society, we are asking them to submit a short history about their business. This is for any business that pays the $50.00 membership dues.

 Bloodroot report was given by Madelyn Shermeyer, she talked to Joe Marks, they were to meet Wednesday but because of illness he didn’t make that meeting.  Cindy Snyder suggested we use the cover from the Blood Root #2, it is more colorful.  Joe said they have the first four books typed and he is not happy with the way that some of the pictures are coming out.

 Blacksmith shop – Larry Law met with Ken Brown, we will need 3 inches of stone dust on the floor before the bricks go down.  Brad Lentz will haul the dust when needed and hopefully while the ground is still frozen.  Madelyn discussed changes to the forge.  Norma Botterbusch will talk to Don Miller about the forge.  Ron Botterbusch suggested that we pay Ken Brown $500.00 for his services to date.   Norma Botterbusch talked to Mike Lighty from Glen-Gery brick about donating the bricks for the floor.  He will contact Larry Law.  The society appreciated what Ken has done for us on the Blacksmith shop and felt he should be compensated for his labor.  Cindy Snyder and Madelyn Shermeyer made a motion to pay Ken $500.00 and all the members agreed.  There was discussion about why we used white bricks instead of brown.  Ted Ziegler said not to worry, that they will turn black from the coal.  Ted Ziegler got a price on purchasing a stamp to be used when items are made in the blacksmith shop.  A 3/16 inch stamp with the letters G.D.H.S. will be $116.00.  A stamp with Dover, PA on it will be $175.00.  A decision was made to purchase both stamps now and order them at a later date closer to the time when we will need them.  A motion by Cindy Snyder and Lucia Hyinyak was made and all members agreed.

 Adopt-A-Highway program – Lucia Hyinyak gave a report on the information she obtained concerning this project.  We would have to clean a two mile stretch of road, possibly Route 74 or Davidsburg Road.  This would be a two year commitment. We would pick up trash four times a year and we would have to go through safety training.  There seems to be quite a bit of interest in this project.  The State would put signs up along the road stating that this highway has been adopted by the G.D.H.S.  Lucia will get more info concerning this project.

 Gerber Farm – Ellen Krause called and said there will be a meeting in Harrisburg with the Army Corp of Engineers and the Pa. Historical Museum and Mike Ganko.  Those attending will be Ellen Krause, Madelyn Shermeyer, Gayle Heagy, Kay Stitley and Ron and Norma Botterbusch.

 Joyce Law announced that there will not be a financial meeting on March 3.

 Lori Koch volunteered to serve refreshments at the March meeting.  We thank Lucia and Grace for taking care of refreshments this month.  Ron adjourned the meeting after a motion from Cindy Snyder and Norma Botterbusch.