Brown County Historical Society

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President Ivan Lancaster called attention, and then spoke about the passing and Funeral Dinner of another faithful and long time member of the Historical Society, Amelia DeWees. A moment of silence was observed followed by a Prayer by Ivan.

Ivan said, “Bill Zimmerman has had surgery, and Nel Hamilton will tell us more later.” Let’s keep Bill in our thoughts and Prayers for a complete recovery.

CALL TO ORDER: President Ivan welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming out on such a cold evening.

Ivan called attention to the different things going on in different areas of the building this evening

BOOK SIGNING/SELLING: A table was set up for Author and Special Guest Helen Ayers. She has written two books, Appalachian Daughter and Stuff of Legends. Edna Derringer was in charge of the Book Sale, with all proceeds going to the Society. Helen signed the books that sold.

AMELIA: A special display by the Bucks & Does in tribute to Amelia DeWees. Joseph, ‘Joe’ & Amelia DeWees, Bucks & Does only charter members, began square dancing in 1969. They were one of six couples that organized the Bucks & Does Square Dance Club in Feb. 1970.

PIONEER WOMEN: The Pioneer Women had their crafts shop set up on the upper level. They are selling raffle tickets for a Quilt, hand made by the Women. The drawing will be at the Quilt Show in June, You need not be present to win.

PLEDGE TO THE MERICAN FLAG: President Ivan Lancaster led the Pledge to the American Flag said in unison.

HOST/HOSTESSES: Our thanks to the February Host/Hostesses; Mel & Jenny Chance, Wanda Lawson, Chelsea Sisson, Jim Walton and Ruth Whiteside.

LOOKING BACK IN TIME: Looking back in time took us back to 1983. Amelia DeWees was President of the Historical Society. In Honor of Amelia, Pete Sebert selected the Presidents Report for 1983 written by Amelia. Dee Adcock read Amelia’s President’s Report. Pete referred to Joe & Amelia as a, ‘Magnificent Couple.’ According to Amelia’s 1983 President’s Report there were 325 members in the Brown County Historical Society, 100 members volunteered as Docents, and the Historical Society has had 14 Presidents since 1957, the year of organization.

INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS AND GUESTS: Guests of Ada Jones were Carol & Mary Beth Moore, and guest of Jim & Ann Callahan was Leslie Bassett.

The Secretary minutes of the January 1^stDinner Meeting were approved as written.

LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE UP-DATE: Jim & Ann Callahan appeared this evening wearing white construction Hard Hats symbolic of the construction we expect to do on the downtown property. Jim, Ann and the Long Range Planning Committee had posted several sets of drawings of the downtown property layout around the building tonight. One large set was mounted to a very large easel in the middle isle of the lower level of the building as well as a detailed layout in the Newsletter we received upon arrival this evening. There was plenty of opportunity to examine the drawings of the planned new facility.

The Committee asked for suggestions from the women, ‘concerning what they would like the kitchen to be. It was said, “There is enough money for the kitchen and to remodel the bathrooms.”

We are invited to drive through the gate onto the downtown property, to look around, during daytime hours (10 – 5) when the gate is open.”

Many thanks to the Long Range Plan Committee, Jim & Ann Callahan, Pete Sebert, Alice Lorenz, Barbara Livesey, Mary Pendergrass, and Sam Dryfoose.

PETE SEBERT: Pete reports, we are looking at several different stages of construction.

There was discussion about the Mission Statement. Pete read through the original Mission Statement, in the Newsletter, and the Mission Statement with the proposed changes, also in the Newsletter. There is a proposal for a slight change to the Mission Statement to more accurately describe the focus of the Historical Society. Pete asked if anyone had any suggestions. Several ideas were heard. Over all, the meaning of the Mission Statement seemed to get lost. Jim & Pete suggested people write their suggestions/ideas on a paper and hand them in.

NEL HAMILTON: Nel said, “Ken Reeve has given several Sketched Portraits from the 1965 era to the Historical Society.” She also said, “The Society has received two grants. One from Psi Iota Xi Sorority for $500.00 and the second is from the Brown County Community Foundation for $2,048.00. The Grant money will be used to preserve and prepare the Reeve Sketches for the September Showing.”

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Wanda Lawson: March Host/Hostess are Bob & Dottie Price, Bill & Cheryl Boyle, Terry & Gloria Berryman and Mary Pendergrass.

Next Brown County Historical Society Executive Board meeting is February 19^th, 2007

Next Dinner Meeting is March 5^th, 2007.

PROGRAM: Pete Sebert, Program Chairman, introduced Helen Ayers who gave the Program. Helen read a prepared document describing how she came to write Appalachian Daughter and Stuff of Legends. She told where her material and her inspiration came from. “It’s all about family love, support and encouragement.”