Mahanoy Area Historical Society
April 27, 2004
Meeting Minutes
MINUTES
The Mahanoy Area Historical Society met Monday, April 27, 2004 in the second-floor meeting rooms of the Mahanoy Area Downtown Center (MADC). In attendance were Ray Eichman, Ramon Soto, Joan Goodman, Charlotte E. Maurey, William Gill, Francis Senglar, Lori Odgen, Frank Selgrath, Peg Grigalonis, Patricia Brown and Teresa McCord.
President Frank Selgrath opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a brief prayer by Ray Eichman.
MINUTES
Minutes of the March 29th meeting were
accepted as printed on a motion by Lori Odgen, seconded by Ramon Soto.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The treasurer’s report given by Peg Grigalonis
showed an opening balance of $6,201.08 as of March 1, 2004.
Receipts and credits amounted to $275.00 and expenditures to $237.00
and a service charge of $8.69 brought the ending balance to $6,230.39 as
of March 31. The report was accepted on a motion by Charlotte Maurey,
seconded by Ramon Soto and accepted on a voice vote.
CORRESPONDENCE
Secretary Pat Brown said the following items of correspondence were received:
– A letter from Ann Uzupis, executive director of the Schuylkill Community Education Council, stating that due to the recent change and expansion in the administration of SCEC, the phone system would be updated and ARDCO will no longer designate a phone line to the historical society, which will be responsible for the installation and maintenance of its own phone line. There will be no changes in the Internet connection.
– A letter from the Republican & Herald regarding its special page “Spring, Summer, Outdoor Fun” to be published Tuesday, May 25. The society was not interested in advertising.
– A $50 donation from Carmela Bevan, of Kemah, Texas.
– A request for a donation from the UNICO Band of Shenandoah, which presents four free summer concerts last year. It was agreed to give them a $25 donation.
– A letter from the Mahanoy City Recreation Board informing the society of plans for a new recreation facility to be located in the 900 block of East Mahanoy Avenue that will host quality programs for youth and adults. A $25 donation was approved.
– A letter from Mahanoy City Elks Lodge 695 informing the society of a golf tournament to be held Sunday, May 2, at Mountain Valley Golf Course to support its roof renovation project.
– A request to have someone judge the Mahanoy Area Pet Parade to be held Saturday, May 8, at the Wachovia Bank parking lot. Ramon Soto will serve as judge.
– Information on the community’s 42nd consecutive Memorial Day Weekend Program. To be honored this year will be World War II veterans whose memorial is being dedicated that weekend in Washington, D.C. The United Veterans of Mahanoy City will be informed that the society will participate in the parade.
Brown said thank-you notes had been sent to Jean Dacey, Eatontown, New Jersey, and Charles Whalen, Vienna, Virginia, for their donations to the society.
COMMITTEES
Teresa McCord said only two people showed up for the meeting to plan for the Memorial Day Parade on March 31. Another meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at the Downtown Center. It was decided Soto’s truck would be used for the parade. He said he checked on prices for 12"x24" magnetic signs denoting Mahanoy Area Historical Society, which can be affixed to a vehicle and easily removed. A motion was made by Joan Goodman, seconded by Peg Grigalonis to authorize Soto to spend up to $100 for two signs. Lori Odgen and Joan Goodman said their personal vehicles could be used for the parade, if needed.
Advisory Committee
Selgrath said he would like to move amending
or revising the society’s by-laws until the November 30th meeting because
of the many things the society is involved in at the present time.
A motion was made by Goodman, seconded by Soto to delay the by-law proposed
changes until November 30. A motion was made by Grigalonis, seconded
by Soto to have Ray Eichman continue as curator until that date.
A motion was made by Soto, seconded by
Goodman and approved that Eichman have a key to the Post Office box so
he could check the mail daily to ensure that it is received in a timely
manner and going to one place – the museum room.
It was noted that youngsters were walking around the building.. Odgen said a full-time secretary would be based in the visitors’ center on the first floor of the building between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. At the present time Eichman and Odgen are the only ones with a key and code for the building. It was suggested a key and code be given to Thomas Ward.
Curator
Eichman said he contacted Verizon about getting a phone line in the museum room. The same number can be utilized and there is a $75 installation fee. The line will cost $23.83 a month and no collect calls will be allowed from the phone. The corner window will be used by others and the society will not be involved with it, Eichman said.
Membership Committee
McCord said there were five new members in April and 17 paid members. She said the 11 previous members who did not renew their membership this year will receive their final reminder before being dropped from the list.
Finance Committee
Eichman said the 990 Easy Form was not required by the Internal Revenue Service because the society did not receive more than $25,000 in donations; however, it was recommended that it be completed. He said the form was signed by Treasurer Grigalonis and he mailed it.
Artifacts and Historical
So far this year there have been 82 accessions.
Efforts were being made to secure a commercial sewing machine. Odgen
said she had a dress form used by seamstresses to make clothing and that
she would lend to the society, if wanted.
Book Advisory Committee
Eichman said the book is moving along and has a May 11th deadline. He said Bill O’Brien is doing the text for the back cover of the book.
Building Committee
Nothing is being done about moving items to the library until a definite decision is made. Grigalonis said she would like to see what kind of books the society has available. Eichman said he did not want to carry the books to the second floor of the library if they are not wanted. Soto suggested donating them to an organization that is having a used book sale.
Community Preservation and Revitalization
Goodman said she visited Harrisburg to check out their markers but she was not extremely happy with what she saw. She said she preferred a bronze plaque instead of fiberglass. She said a picture and wording would have to be submitted before she could get a price quote.
Special Committees
Selgrath said the society will participate in the July Fourth Community Day Celebration but will not participate in the Ethnic Day activities.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A discussion was held on the society’s T-shirts and hats. Eichman suggested the shirts be sold for $6 and the hats for $5.75 each. Goodman suggested giving one away each meeting as a door prize and one to guest speakers.
Soto suggested using the first floor for meetings instead of the second floor.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business to discuss. .
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. on a motion by Soto.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________________
Patricia P. Brown, Secretary