GREATER DOVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING MINUTES - March 16, 2006
President Ron Botterbusch called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Ron asked if there were any corrections or additions to the February minutes. Corrections were - Joyce Law - balance in the treasury account is $2102.23 instead of $212.23, Gayle Heagy - Dover Township will install bars on the jail - not Don Baughman. Lori Koch - Bev Mackereth should be changed to Rep. Bev Mackereth. Cindy Snyder and Melvin Miller made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected, all members agreed.
Treasures
report - Bob Merkert - Beginning balance $2102.23, Revenues -
$865.99, Expenses - $628.91, ending balance
$2339.31
Madelyn Shermeyer and June Kinsey made a motion to approve - all members agreed
Archivist report - Dr. Charles Drawbaugh - Introduced Ethel Rentzel Fitzkee, she donated a scrap book, a plush eagle that is the mascot from Dover High School, a salt shaker from the Greater Dover Bi-centennial, a scrapbook (dates not clear), a stool that was purchased at Pete Eyster's sale. It was a stool that the women sat on when they worked at the Dover Cigar factory. It was made in such a way that it would not upset if they had to get up in a hurry. A picture was also given of the Detters Mill Bridge. Dr. Drawbaugh will present it to the society at the next meeting.
Gayle Heagy - Asst. Archivist- reported that Joyce Law gave her a packet of pictures that Joyce received from Jay Stouch. They are copies of pictures from Jay's family.
Website report - Brett Pfleiger - Some additions and updates were - modification of the membership application, business sponsor page, updated members list, updated picture of the blacksmith shop. New member Jo Ott offered to help Brett with the website.
Historian - Cindy Snyder reported that she will be absent from the next two meetings, she asked if anyone sees any articles in the paper to clip them and submit them to her for the scrapbook. She also asked that the secretary email the minutes to her. Norma Botterbusch gave her a binder to use for the scrapbook. This is a scrapbook pertaining to records of the G.D.H.S.
Board of Directors report - Madelyn Shermeyer reported on the transcribing and printing of the Stouch diaries. The board will have an attorney look at the agreement between Jay and the society.
Concert in the park - The board recommended that the society work the concession stand at the Concerts in the Park (held at the park on Canal Road). The township would purchase the hot dogs, rolls, pretzels, condiments, etc. We would sell the food and keep the money for the society ($100-$150). We would supply the change to be used. If we wanted to sell sauerkraut or baked goods, that would be up to us. We would also be able to man the refreshment stand at the fall festival which is held in Lehr Park on October 7, 2006. The board noted to recommend this project to the Society. We would need three
or four people at the concert in the park. Cindy Snyder and Larry Law made a motion to do the Concert in the park and the fall festival, all members agreed
Blacksmith shop windows - the board recommended to the society that we use hardware cloth to cover the windows of the blacksmith shop. We are using the original windows and glass, so we need to protect the glass from vandals. The society is open to any other suggestions - The board ruled against Plexiglas and shutters. It will be a month or two before the windows will be put back in.
Blacksmith shop report - Larry Law - Tim Botterbusch from Schroon Lake N.Y. donated a leg vise to be used in the shop. Ted Ziegler, our blacksmith, was ecstatic. Ted said the vise is in very good condition and would have a value of between $350.00 -$400.00. Ted said, "beautiful vise" it is.
Larry checked into different sources for putting the electric in the shop. Brad Lentz, Borough Manager will check in the code book concerning the electric lines.
Mike Lighty from Glen-Gery Brick Co. will donate the bricks for the floor; they will deliver them and set them off close to the building.
Aaron Enterprises will supply the screenings that will be used in the floor. Ken Brown said he will help us when we install the floor. The floor is still frozen at this point and cannot be dug up. Timetable for completion is as weather permits.
Bill Zech questioned the effects the coal smoke would have on the quality of the air. Ted said we should notify the surrounding neighbors as to when the blacksmith shop will be in operation. The largest problems would be if someone had wash on the line.
Cindy Snyder asked if we would be putting a plaque in the building listing all the donors the answer was yes.
There was discussion on the sign that is to go above the door of the blacksmith shop. Ken Brown gave the Forrey's a large chestnut board to be used for the sign. Ken will contact the Forrey's about returning the board.
Adopt-a-highway report given by June Kinsey in the absence of Lucia Hrinyak. The board recommended that we consider this project if the general members agree. We would likely get the two mile stretch of highway north of Dover Borough. The state will measure and put signs up saying that this highway adopted by G.D.H.S. The state will supply gloves, bags, vests. etc., we will pick up our supplies. The state will pick up the bags of garbage that is collected. Members will have to sign a waver stating that they won't hold the society liable in case of injury. Madelyn Shermeyer and Joyce Law made a motion to do this project and all members agreed.
Quill raffle - Norma Botterbusch reported that you should see Kay Stitley about picking up your quilt tickets, Doris Burger said she would like to see everyone take tickets to sell. Gerber farm - Ellen Krause reported on a meeting that we attended in Carlisle Pa. on March 8, 2006. This meeting was to present a new plan to move the stream that were to be moved close to the farm house. Ellen had concerns that the house would flood if we had heavy rains. She presented a map with the new proposal. The engineer said he saw no problems with moving the stream back, as long as DEP approved. Ellen presented pictures of the flooding that takes place during heavy rains. It was suggested that a letter be sent to E.G. Stoltzfus from the Historical society to find out exactly what his plans are for the farm. We need to know if he is indeed going to donate the farm to the society, then we can proceed with looking in to getting the funds to restore the buildings.
Ron thanked Ellen Krause for all the time and leg work that she has put into preserving this farm. Those in attendance at the Carlisle meeting were: Ron Botterbusch, Norma Botterbusch, Madelyn Shermeyer, Kay Stitley, Dill Gerber (owner of adjoining property), Ellen Gerber Krause, Mike Danko (U.S.A.C.E.) Joel Snyder and Melissa Kelly (R.O.S. Assoc.) Joel Sipe (PA-D.E.R.), Ann Safley (PHMC-BHP)
June Kinsey - fund raiser - June touched on the concert in the park. She also talked about doing a lottery. She will get more info concerning a lottery. Bell Zech suggested a fund raiser with 1 loss's. We get tickets from Hoss's; when we use the tickets at Hoss's the society would get a percentage of the meal for our treasury. We will get further info on this.
New business - Joyce Law discussed the quotes that she got from Enders Insurance. There will be a charge of $35.00 to add liability insurance around the blacksmith shop. Enders wants to insure the shop for $39.000 at a cost of$195.00 per year. The society recommended that we place a value of $15,000 for fire insurance. The feeling was that if the building burned down, we could not replace it.
Madelyn Shermeyer had a call from Yvonne Snyder (Cindy's Mother) asking if we wanted an old dump hay rake for the society. Cindy Snyder wanted to know why her mother is giving all this good stuff away without asking her. We agreed to take it. Madelyn will store it in her backyard with the road grader that was donated to the society.
Ron thanked Lori Koch and Grace Trimmer for providing and helping with the snacks. Cindy Snyder and Larry Law made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m. all members agreed.
Respectfully submitted Norma Botterbusch Secretary G.D.H.S.
Kay Stitley, will provide refreshments for the April 20, 2006 meeting.