CLEARWATER HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Minutes of June 1, 2009
Attendance: Bettie Mease, Buddy Gross, Mike Sanders, Terri Ohr, Chuck McPherson, Bob Delack, John Tsacrios, Marvin Moore, Joan Turner, Joe Turner, Shirley Galatas, Kay Holley, Dean Robinson, Bill Wallace, and Jay Rhodes.
Meeting called to order at 7:35.
Minutes approved of the April 6, 2009 with the addition of Chuck McPherson to our maintenance team.
Treasurer’s report. Balance as of 06-01-09, $15,949.51. Fish Fry netted $2,317.26 with Dean Robinson selling $695.00 in tickets.
OLD BUSINESS
MEMBERSHIP –Bettie Mease – Two new members from Fish Fry.
PROGRAM –Jay Rhodes –Good response, sold out of fish. Letter written to Suburban Propane by Joe Turner on behalf of the Historical Society, thanking them for their donation of the propane for our fish fry. We were glad to hear that even with the management changes at Cracker Barrel, they have agreed to baking the cookies for the Fish Fry and selling us hushpuppies at wholesale price.
PUBLIC RELATIONS –Dean Robinson –Dean was able to receive additional coverage from all newspapers for the Fish Fry and the quilt chance drawing. Dean also included the Historical Society’s need for a covered trailer and has received one call on that.
MUSEUM-Buddy Gross – There was another break in at the Plumb House today. Alarm company called police. A screen had been pried off and a rock thrown through the window. There has also been more vandalism on the railings at the back of the house. We have received an offer of fire resistance file cabinets for storage of photos, papers, etc. We will need to find room to accommodate cabinets, but agree it is important for the storage of some of our original documents.
ARTIFACTS AND DOCUMENTS – Joan Turner –A letter of thanks has been written to the Dunedin Marian Sailing Club for their donation of the pram. Mike has seen some displays of prams, so he has some ideas on how we might be able to use it in the future.
PRESERVATION – Mike Sanders –The focus group for South Ward preservation has decided to send out announcements to multiple local organizations to see if any are interested in the preservation of the school building.
HISTORICAL RESEARCH – Pat Moore – Bob Delack and Mike Sanders attended a Pinellas County Preservation Task Force meeting at Heritage Village. A DVD list of over 2,000 documented historical properties in Pinellas County (not including those owned by the School Board) has been completed. Brian Smith presented a look of Pinellas County historical background done by the county that is available for purchase on line.
FUND RAISING – Helen Wilcox/Chuck McPherson – We need volunteers for a new fund raising team.
HOMESTEAD – Lorelei Keif/Anne Epling –
OTHER:
Station Square Park- The verbiage for the park sign has been created and the Citizens for a Better Clearwater have provided funding of $150.
NEW BUSINESS
Heritage Village is eliminating previously planned programs. They have lost maintenance workers and a number of staff members due to a lack of funding. There is great concern about future preservation and use of the items and homes within the Village.
The original set up of each committee, was for a board member to assume chairmanship with other members being part of each committee. This does not seem to have accomplished what it was meant to. We need to evaluate what can be done to create more involvement with each committee member. Seems like the issue remains that we do not have enough new members to assume the responsibilities that are needed to organize the Historical Society. There are several issues that hinder us in achieving our goals. The lack of recognition by the City and our location being two important ones.
Possible future events to attract attention were suggested:
Antique road show
Arts and crafts
Special events – Joe will donate prints of original pictures of Clearwater Buildings.
We need an individual willing to assume the responsibility of organizing these events.
A nominating committee was formed for next year’s officers. Chuck McPherson, Dean Robinson, John Tsacrios and Bill Wallace volunteered; we need 2 Board members and 3 Advisory members for the committee. Chuck will contact other members to see if they will join.
Motion to adjourn was made by Marvin Moore, second by Bill Wallace. Meeting adjourned at 8:35.
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