December 12, 2009

The McCullough Open House was well attended. The tree acquired by Rodney S. and decorated by Fou L. and Vivian G. was very attractive as was the house decorations by Nancy P. Greene's Floral Shop provided a lovely centerpiece for the piano and the Lindner family donated a wreath for the door. The food and drinks brought by the members was delicious. The entertainment was provided by two professional dulcimer players. Tours were conducted by Fou. At three different occasions (on the half-hours) the president drew ticket stubs for door prizes (5 each time), which included yearly newspaper subscriptions to the Norwood Star (donated by Steve T.), handmade ornaments (by Patty T.), a die-cast model Norwood Police car (by Rodney S.), a framed and matted color enlargement of a 1915 postcard of the defunct Norwood Theater (donated by Rodney R.), and books from the Society. The Mayor read a proclamation honoring the 2009 recipient of the Norwood Historical Society's Lifetime Achievement Award—Donna Burgess. Everyone appeared to enjoy the music, house, refreshments, prizes and social interaction.

November 14, 2009
Attendance: 9 members

Reports of the Recording Secretary, Treasurer and Curators were read and approved.

Favorable comments were made by the attending members on the condition of the archive room and especially Rodney S.'s handiwork on the newspaper storage cabinets.

Members were reminded of the December Open-House meeting (Dec. 12, 4-7pm). Tentative plans are to do the decorating on December 4, 7:00 P.M. Rodney S. will bring the tree to the house several days prior to that for acclimation. Assignments: music-Fou, coffee-Steve, punch-Lucy, cider-Graffs, cookies and coordination-Susan. A suggestion was made that flyers be printed and posted at local businesses promoting the Open House and membership drive.

Steve is working on the selection criteria for future Lifetime Achievement Award nominees. Plans continue to honor this year's nominee at the December Open House. A suggestion was made to provide a photograph of the members at the presentation to give to the nominee.

Some of the planned door prizes for the December Open House include a small model Norwood police car (like that raffled last year), subsciptions to the Norwood Star and one-year memberships. Also, to encourage new members, incentives for those joining at the December meeting will include free membership for January-May with the purchase of a 2010-11 (May-May) membership and a compilation booklet of the Society's 2009 monthly historical paper. The photos sets and compilation booklet may also be available for purchase.

A motion to raise membership dues to $15 was made, seconded and passed.

E-mail from readers of the web site were read. Members agreed that action be taken upon the requests when possible. One request—for mutual support with the newly formed Norwood Highlanders Base Ball Club—brought up a tentative proposal that we could attend their double-header at Dorl Field, May 2, 2010, and they attend our meeting the following Saturday— which could be a baseball themed ice cream social with a speaker from The Cincinnati Reds Museum.

Suggestion was made that we conduct more of the business at board meetings, and provide more speakers, entertainment, etc. at the members monthly meeting. Also, a idea that members bring an item or two from home with historic value and discuss their significance.

October 10, 2009
Attendance: 12 current members + 1 visitor

The curators reported that the newspaper cabinets being made by Rodney S. are almost finished. From the tour at the Cincinnati Historical Society Library, a couple of methods of preserving paper items was described.

Members were reminded of the December Open-House meeting (Dec. 12, 4-7pm) and volunteer actions.

Vivian G. described the tour of the Cincinnati Historical Society Library tour and seminar at the Union Terminal. 

Steve is working on the selection criteria for future Lifetime Achievement Award nominees and will contact the 2009 winner.

Norwood librarian Kim Molly was the speaker at our October meeting. She spoke of the history of the Norwood Branch Library and the need to support the operation of our branch and the library system. 

The members were reminded that our November meeting will be at the archive room.

A suggestion was made that we should offer incentives for new members by allowing those joining at the December meeting be given a membership from December 2009-May 2011 at the price of a standard 12 month membership — plus copies of the 2009 newsletters.

September 12, 2009
Attendance: 12 current members + 1 new member

The curators reported that we received a donation of four Norwood H.S. annuals and one senior yearbook from the Norwood Alumni Society. The sorting of the newspaper collection by year and title continues.

Joe Rutter is our newest member, bringing the membership to 36. One set of 4"x6" copies of the seven historic Norwood photos on display in the lobby entrance to the Norwood Kroger was given away as a door prize; the lucky winner was Steve Thornbury.

Discussion and action concerning the December Open-House meeting (Dec. 12, 4-7pm) included the donation of a tree (Rodney S.), need for new Christmas tree lights (Fou), placing a notice in the Norwood Star (Steve), door prizes, refreshments (all) and the nomination and selection of the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

Notice was given to the members that Tina, member and Norwood librarian, requested to be a speaker at our October meeting. The membership voted its approval.

Our November meeting will be at the archive room. The Community Center will be open that day for the Recreation Department's basketball practice.

Rodney S. proposed to build cabinets to store the sorted newspapers; a motion by Steve to allocate $200 for materials was approved by vote. Steve requested that we get recommendations from professionals— museums, library, etc. on how to provide the best preservation methods we can with our limited resources.

August 8, 2009
Attendance: 10 current members + 1 new member

Things discussed and announced:

The curators reported that there were three visitors to the archive room for the 1st Monday in August. A visitor to the August 8 meeting decided to join. Two sets of 4'x6" copies of the seven historic Norwood photos on display in the lobby entrance to the Norwood Kroger were given away as door prizes.

July 11, 2009
Attendance: 12 members

Things discussed and announced:

The table at the Norwood Fireworks netted one new member and a later sell of a cookbook. Vic Schneider was the winner of twenty-four 4"x6" reprinted historic Norwood photos. He correctly answered a contest to determine the common attribute of 28 locations in 1930 Norwood — they were all locations of Kroger grocery stores. Curator announced that the old newspapers are being sorted by year and name. Fou told us that our $300 college scholarship donation went to Norwood student Megan Walker. Fou gave to the archives 2 CD copies (which had been transferred from VHS) of the old bus tour. The Graff's confirmed that the newly formed Xavier/Evanston/Norwood group will stop bty the archive room at 10:00 am Friday as part of their community tour. The members were reminded that we will be carrying the new banner in the Norwood Day Parade on July 21.

June 13, 2009
Attendance: 14 old members + 2 new members

Treasurer Steele announced that two new members—Norwood Branch librarians— joined since last meeting. During the meeting, two visitors—new Norwood homeowners—decided to join, also. Curator Hilvers reported that a U.C. student researching the Norwood Waterworks history for a class paper, utilized our archives during our June 1st-Monday-of-the-month-opening of the archive room. The Monuments Committee talked about the effort to identify, record and monitor the condition of monuments within Norwood. Other items discussed were our participation in the upcoming Norwood July 4th Fireworks with a display table with the emphasis on getting new members; the July 21st Norwood Day Parade and the new banner; a newly established Evanston/Norwood/Xavier community group that may stop by our archive room as part of a tour on July 17; notice of the death of Bud Wurster, son of the owner of a well-remembered Norwood store, Wurster Meats; the new Norwood Kroger store's request for historic photos, that they will enlarge and place in their lobby, was satisfied with a CD of 21 jpg images— 7 of which they selected to use; an ungoing digital copying effort by the Society of 4"x5" negatives from City Hall, with CDs being given to the City and our archives; notice that three requests for information from non-members was asked of and given by the President since the last meeting and an announcement that the Society archive room is now the home of two discarded, but very useable, 6-foot long glass display cases.

May 9, 2009
Attendance: 13 members

Presentation of the 2008 Life Time Achievement Award to founding member Fou Linder started the meeting. Treasurer Rodney Steele reported that three new members joined. Curator announced that the archive room would be open on 1st Mondays of the month (next is June 1, 2009). There were discussions concerning the Norwood monuments committee, the next potential lifetime achivement award nominees, plans for a table at the July 4th fireworks and the participation in the July 21st Norwood Day Parade. Fou volunteered to continue placing a notice of the monthly meeting in the Norwood Star newspaper. Rodney Rogers donated to the archives printouts of the 2006 blogs of the website "Citizens for a Better Norwood," describing the documents as representative of recent Norwood history for the benefit of future historians. Mayor Tom & Mary Ann Williams continued their financial support of the Society by donating $100. Thanks! Also, thanks to former Secretary/Treasurer Steve Thornbury for this month's mailing.

April 11, 2009
Attendance at this meeting included 12 members and 4 visitors.

A panoramic photograph of the General Motors Plant before its demolition and a new vinyl banner, both created by G. Edmondson, was presented to the Society by Mr. and Mrs. Boehme. The members were impressed and grateful for the donations. Another visitor told of her research showing that her home may be the old Cavagna home. She requested to look at our archives, especially maps, for more information. Note: the Cavagna farm was developed into the Elsmere Subdivision around 1889. Coincidently, just prior to this statement, a member told of meeting a former Norwood citizen who told her of two interesting homes in South Norwood, one of which was this potential Cavagna home.

A report of the Norwood Monuments Committee was presented with a list of monuments discovered so far. A suggestion was made that a tri-fold publication be made detailing these monuments. A check earmarked for "book scholarship donation" was requested to be written for the Norwood Scholarship Foundation. It was reported that notice of the Society meeting date was placed on the local cable community channel and in the new local newspaper "The Norwood Star." Several audio tapes of interviews were given to the curators. A curator passed around a newly acquired postcard of the old Harmon Baptist Church on Sherman Avenue. Since the School Outfitters business could not accomodate a Saturday tour, the membership asked that it be determined if other days would be available to visit the old Palm Brothers Decalomania building. The Treasurer reminded everyone that membership dues be paid next month. Mention was made that the historic Norwood First United Methodist Church building across from City Hall will close after services tomorrow, Sunday, April 12, 2009.

March 14, 2009
We had a visitor, who was researching her family, and a new member join us for this meeting. The reports of the Recording Secretary and Treasurer were read and approved. The public monuments committee reported that because of the weather, a trip to review public monuments was posponed. Members talked of some markers and monuments that were not known to all. The potential of a free banner was discussed, including offering a free membership to the maker. The membership approved donating to the Norwood High School Scholarship Fund. Permission was given to make a CD of some of our Norwood photos for "slide show" at Norwood High School Alumni Association dinners. Request to open archive room for new and potential members — room was opened Thursday evening on March 19 for a couple of hours.

February 14, 2009
The meeting was attended by ~16 people. Reports by the Recording Secretary and Treasurer were read and approved. A possibly of the use of a vintage car for the Norwood Parade was presented. A report on securing a new parade banner to supplement our current banner was given. The cost will be a deciding factor. Items donated were a couple of newspaper clippings and photos of the previously donated Gendron Wheel Company baby buggy. A report on the condition and repair/restoration of the Victory Park Memorial was given. A need to list and review the condition of all public objects in Norwood was discussed. Q&A session with speaker Mayor Tom Williams was held after the meeting.

January 10, 2009
The first meeting of the new year was attended by 9 members. Reports by the Recording Secretary and Treasurer were read and approved. Comments concerning the Christmas Party were favorable except for a need to improve our cleanup effort. Items discussed were about finances, the need to attract new members and ideas to help preserve the city's historical monuments. That business was followed by a discussion of "Ideas for 2009" — a list of things we may do this year (prepared at a previously held officers meeting). The items approved were:

• Norwood Day Parade participation (late July)
• Fire Works Day table (July 4)
• Riverboat Dinner/Cruise (date not set)
• Archive Room meeting (date not set)

The suggestion to donate to the Norwood School's Scholarship Foundation was tabled for the next meeting. Other ideas were briefly mentioned and will be discussed at future meetings.

December 13, 2008
The December meeting was replaced with the McCullough House holiday open-house party. It was well attended with a pair of professional dulcimer players providing the entertainment. Members brought delicious cookies, candies and other snacks, and coffee, hot chocolate and punch. The social event ended with the drawing of the raffle tickets by Mayor Williams. Two large versions and two smaller versions of the die-cast model Norwood Police Cars were the main prizes. Other prizes were Christine Mersch's 2006 book Norwood, the 1976 Norwood High School student publication Norwood Ohio — Bicentennial Remembrance, a recent booklet titled The Norwoods, Nov.-Dec. 1887, and a set of the Norwood postcards. In honor of his years on the Norwood Police force, Mayor Williams was presented with a large version of the model car.

November 8, 2008
Vivian brought up a concern about the need to preserve Norwood's historical items. As an example, she gave the Victory Park memorial, for which some restoration work was recently done by volunteers. There was a suggestion that we create an inventory of items to preserve and get ahead of the problem. The December Open House was discussed: a notice is now on the community cable channel; entertainment has been secured; a live tree will be purchased, and will be planted at the park after being displayed in the house; food and refreshments will be brought by members; Greene's Flower Shop will donate a centerpiece. All costs, not donated, were approved. Decoration of the tree will be Friday, December 5th—attend if you want to help. All unused raffle tickets will be collected after Thanksgiving.

October 11, 2008
The October meeting was held at the Norwood Community Center. Comments were made about the clean and organized condition of the room, thanks to our two curators. An index card file has been started to help find the many papers and items the curators have archived. Plans for the December meeting were discussed. Like previous end-of-year meetings, this one will be a holiday celebration open to the public. Besides decorating the house and providing refreshments, the Society will conclude the model Norwood Police Cars raffle with a drawing for each of the two cars.

September 13, 2008
The September meeting was held at the McCullough house. An ice-cream social, open to the public, was presented thanks to the donation of ice cream by UDF. It was a nice day to be outdoors and enjoy Lindner Park. Unfortunately, the next day's wind storm caused problems not only on Cypress Way, but the entire region, as large old trees fell and electrical power was lost for many days. The October meeting will be in the Society's archive room at the Norwood Community Center.

August 10, 2008
The August 9th meeting was attended by 12 members and a guest. The Society's participation in the Norwood Day Parade was discussed. Donations to Society's archives included photos of the Norwood Jr.O.U.A.M. fraternal organization, a 1946-47 Story Tellers Club booklet, and recent photos of the Montgomery Road demolition sites and the Society's entry in the Norwood Parade. Thanks to all who donated. Raffle packages for the die-cast police cars were distributed. A visit by a McCullough family descendant was especially enlightening. The Society's President will be promoting the Society's mission by giving an after-dinner speech at the August 19th meeting of the Norwood Professional & Business Women's Club. After the September meeting at the McCullough house we will have an ice-cream social, open to the public. The October meeting will be in the Society's archive room at the Norwood Community Center. Reminder - if you haven't done so, pay your annual dues!

JULY 12, 2008
The July meeting was productive. Thank you to everyone who attended. There are still a few members who haven't paid their annual dues! It was reported that the raffle of the die-cast scale models of Norwood Police Cars was successfully initiated. Also, plans were discussed for the Society's participation in the Norwood Chamber of Commerce's 116th Norwood Day Parade on July 22. We will be unit number 45. For those members who wish to ride or walk with us in the parade, meet at the corner of Floral and Monroe at 6:00 p.m. For everyone else, come on out and line Montgomery Road from Ashland to Maple — the historic parade starts at 7:00 p.m.

After the Society meeting, several members traveled down Mound Avenue to the beautiful and, of course, historic Zion United Church of Christ for the first concert of the newly formed Norwood Community Chorus. Those who could sing like angels were in the choir, and those of us who can't even hum a tune, just enjoyed the wonderful talents of the choir and soloists. Actually, there were some pretty good voices in the audience, too, as the director requested everyone to join in during parts of the last two songs.

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Don't forget — the next scheduled meeting is Saturday, August 9, 2008, at 2:00 p.m., in the McCullough Homestead at Lindner Park.

The June meeting of the Society was long, but productive. A couple of committees were formed, a decision to participate in the Norwood Parade, and a enthusiastically supported fund raising idea (details to be given later) were some of the things discussed during the meeting.

The Norwood Historical Society's May 10 meeting at the McCullough House opened with the election of new (and some current) officers, followed by the regular business meeting and then the Open House. Thanks to Susan, the refreshments included punch, cookies, cucumber sandwiches and a 30th anniversary cake — all very tasty — and enjoyed by the members in attendance and several park visitors! Also, the park looks great — thanks, Nancy!