Mahanoy Area Historical Society
February 2, 2004
Meeting Minutes
The Mahanoy Area Historical Society met Monday, February 2, 2004 in the second-floor meeting rooms of the Mahanoy Area Downtown Center (MADC) which was the first meeting of the new year inasmuch as the January 26 meeting was postponed because of the inclement weather. In attendance were Ray Eichman, Ramon Soto, Emil Yenchick, Susan Zimmerman, Peg Ward Campbell, Thomas Ward, Joan Goodman, Mary Ellen Marchalonis, Lorrie Ogden, Rose Flamini, Kathy Wufsus, Antoinette Houser, Frank Selgrath, Peg Grigalonis, Pat Brown, Teresa McCord.
Vice President Teresa McCord introduced the officers for 2004-06 – Frank Selgrath, president; Teresa McCord, vice president; Patricia Brown, secretary; Peg Grigalonis, treasurer, and Ray Eichman, historian. The meeting was then turned over to President Selgrath.
MINUTES
Selgrath said inasmuch as everyone received a printed copy of the minutes of the December 29, 2003 meeting, he would like to dispense with their reading. A motion to that effect was made by Lorrie Ogden, seconded by Susan Zimmerman and unanimously passed on a voice vote. The minutes were accepted as printed. Selgrath said if anyone needed a copy of the minutes, they could get them from Eichman after the meeting .
CORRESPONDENCE
Pat Brown said correspondence had been received from the Seltzer Insurance Agency informing the group of its financial privacy at their agency. An invitation was received from the Jack Kehoe Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Girardville, inviting the society to take part in its first St. Patrick’s Day Parade to be held Saturday, March 29.
Also received was an invitation from the ReDCo Group asking the society to join them in the grand opening celebration of the new Youth Partial Hospitalization Program located in the rear portion of the MADC from 10 a.m. until noon on Monday, February 16. Lorrie Odgen explained the program was a classroom setting for behaviorally-challenged youngsters between the ages of four and 14.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The treasurer’s report given by Peg Grigalonis showed expenditures for insurance, postage and costs associated with the Christmas program amounting to $1,005.73, leaving a balance of $4,803 as of December 31, 2003.
ARTIFACTS AND BUILDING COMMITTEES
Reporting for the Artifacts Committee, Ray Eichman said to date there were 699 accessions. He said he conducted tours of the museum room for the local Boy Scout Troop, representatives of ReDCo, and the staff of State Senator James J. Rhoades, which now has office space on the third floor of the building. Emil Yenchick told Eichman if he knew of the tours in advance, he should contact the Shenandoah office of the Hazleton Standard Speaker and he would be assigned to take a picture of the tour group, which would be good publicity for the organization.
Eichman said beginning March 1, the museum room would be staffed from two to five p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and he would welcome volunteers for those hours on Monday and Tuesday. A suggestion was made to see if anyone would be available through the Green Thumb or Senior Aide programs. Odgen said she would look into the matter, but noted that certain criteria must be met as far as income guidelines for the worker and that they must be given 20 hours a week. Tom Ward said he and his daughter, Peg Ward Campbell, would be willing to volunteer for Monday and Tuesday. It was also noted that someone is needed to catalog photographs.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
As of January 26, there were 53 people
who renewed their membership and one new member, bringing total paid membership
to 146, according to Membership Chairman Teresa McCord. She said
30 people who were members in 2003 have not renewed their membership for
this year. A $20 donation was received from Margaret H. Haehnlen.
SPECIAL COMMITTEES
The proposal for a historical book to be compiled on the Mahanoy Area has been accepted by the publisher, Eichman said. He said the book committee consisting of Selgrath, Grigalonis, Rose Flamini, Joan Goodman, Bill O’Brien, Christa Gromalski and himself will review the contract offered by the publisher this week. He said if all goes according to plan, the book will probably be published in September.
Selgrath said the requirements for tax-exempt status under section 501c(3) of the IRS Code have not been completed, and suggested the society consult an attorney regarding the book contract and 501c(3) status. A motion was made by Eichman, seconded by Grigalonis and unanimously passed to authorize Selgrath to contact Attorney Thomas Noonan, Mahanoy City, to see if he would volunteer his services or what his costs would be for the required work. Grigalonis said she had the years 1999 and 2000 completed and would work on the remaining years for the tax status exemption.
NEW BUSINESS
Selgrath reiterated a statement he made at the executive committee session that he is open for any suggestions for the betterment of the society. He said committee appointments will be announced at the February 23 meeting, and asked anyone willing to serve on a committee to contact him. He said committees will be expanded to get more members involved.
In the future while the executive committee is meeting prior to the 7 p.m. general meeting, members may come into the room and read the printed minutes and financial report. Selgrath said action should be taken on reviewing the group’s by-laws and revising the membership application.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
McCord said she asked for two tables to be set aside for the Mahanoy Area Historical Society for the February 14, historical presentation at the Fairlane Village Mall, and asked for volunteers to spend some time manning the tables between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Some artifacts and brochures will be displayed. A sign-up sheet was passed around for members to indicate what hour they would be available. A sheet will be available in the historical room on Thursday and Friday for volunteers to sign up.
Eichman said it might be a good idea to sell the supply of shirts that have already been printed by the society for the $7.25 cost price. Joan Goodman said she did not think the society should sell anything because it did not have its tax identification number yet and it could present a problem. Odgen said she would look into getting a tax ID number. George Blum said the application could be secured over the Internet and said his secretary could give her the website address. He also said a tax ID number was not required for the sale of clothing.
The meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m. on a
motion by Odgen, seconded by Susan Zimmerman.
ANTIQUE PROGRAM
An interesting and amusing program entitled “Treasurers in Your Attic” was presented by George Blum, a registered auctioneer from Pottsville. Blum explained the difference between an English auction where the prices increase and a Dutch auction where the prices descend. Antiques are items a hundred years old, period items are usually 200 years old and collectibles are 25 years old. The price of all items are governed by “supply and demand.”
Blum said he does “road shows” wherein an organization sponsors the show and people bring in items to be evaluated before the audience. The person pays a $5 fee (or 3 items for $10) of which one dollar goes to him and the other four dollars to the sponsoring organization. He said he is doing a show June 16, at the Lakeside Ballroom and suggested if the society were interested to hold a show in April, May, September, October or November.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________________
Patricia P. Brown, Secretary