MINUTES OF THE DOGTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
October 13, 2007

CALL TO ORDER: – President John Corbett called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. in the St. James Rectory. Ten members were in attendance: Members: Bob Corbett, John Corbett, Didi Gardner, Greg Gardner, Henry Herbst, Rose Kennedy, Bill Miller, Gerry Miller, Kay Richard, and Sally Sharamitaro.

Minutes of Last Meeting -A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the August 11, 2007 meeting. A vote was taken, the motion passed and the minutes were approved.

Treasurer’s Report - Bob Corbett, Treasurer, presented the current treasurer’s report. The beginning balance was $3,908.32. Deposits totaled $220.00, expenditures totaled $279.33, resulting in an ending balance as of October 12, 2007 of $3,848.99. A motion was made and seconded to approve the treasurer’s report. A vote was taken, the motion passed and the treasurer’s report was approved.

Archives/Donations– – No Report

Century Home Committee - Bill Miller discussed the most recent letter that he and Gerry sent to the 1908 Century Home owners.

Didi Gardner shared how pleased she is with her Century Home plaque that she had framed at the Dogtown Gallery and Frame Shop. She likes that the frame matches the house and she feels that the cost was reasonable at $68.00.

Bill then reminded the members that each of the Century Home tile plaques comes set into a metal frame that allows those homeowners who choose, to weave a sturdy wire into the metal frame for hanging

The title of this new lecture, the first of the reformed Speakers Committee is: “19th Century Cheltenham-Dogtown: Economic and Social Development”.

Bob will send another email out to the members that expressed interest in being members in the newly reformed Speakers Committee. Bill Miller, who is one of these members, (along with Gerry Miller, Henry Herbst and John Corbett) has begun by contacted Bill Kennebeck at St. James School to reserve the Cafeteria.

Bob also explained that due to a lack of funds (most of our current treasury is dedicated funds for benches) the presentations in 2007-2008 will be on a smaller scale than our original series.

One change will be that there will be no videotaping of the presentation. However it is possible that we could arrange for audio taping. John will follow up on the taping.

As there will be no flyer printed or mailed, John offered his help via phone log that will call all members and any other interested parties, whose telephone numbers we have on file to remind them of the date, time, location, etc..

Bob said he still needs help with the following: Set up, Registration, Refreshments and Clean up afterward.

He reminded members that he will not be able to bring the DHS Archives as he will be busy enough with the presentation itself. He then called for a member who would be willing to organize the movement of the archives from his home to St. James and afterward the packing up and returning to his home. No one present volunteered so Bob will follow up with an email to the Dogtown list.

Future Speaker Series ideas include: Henry Herbst, who will present his lecture on the Taylor city Belt Line Railroad and possibly Doug Gardner who will present his second lecture on the Forest Park Highlands.

OLD BUSINESS

Bench Project - John reported that the DHS is still awaiting permits for the 3 new benches. Although the paperwork has been submitted, it seems to be taking longer this time.

John also talked about the possibility that several benches might need to be moved from their current locations. Chuy Arzola’s Tex Mex restaurant is no longer leasing the property at 6405 Clayton Avenue. In addition to those two benches, a third bench to be moved is the one in the St. James children’s play yard. The gate to the play yard has been padlocked lately, preventing the open use of the McEvoy bench. John will follow up.

PLAQUES

Bob shared that he has been contacted by an old friend with questions about the DHS plaques. His name is Bob Craddock and he asked why the DHS doesn’t have brass plaques on their benches and to pay tribute to former Dogtowners, military and hall of fame. Bob’s reply was; the cost, we just don’t have the funds. Bob Craddock stated that he would be happy to donate some brass plaques to the DHS. All he needed would be the data to be printed on the plaques.

Greg Gardner suggested that brass plaques might create problems given that real metals are bringing such a high price. He suggested that the DHS consider brass plated plaques rather than solid brass plaques. Bob will follow up.

NEW BUSINESS

War Memorial – Bob spoke about one of the recent additions to the Dogtown website; the page that is dedicated to the Dogtown War veterans. Lots of Dogtown list members wrote in response and submitted their own family members to be added to the list, which includes any Dogtowners who either served, or served and died in serving their country. Some even sent photographs.

One DHS member sent edits and corrections to the information on the site as he happens to be well versed in military history. Another suggestion was that the Home Guard members, who were considered non-military, be added to the lists.

Alderman Bill Waterhouse is working to acquire a permit to clear a site near the gazebo for a War Memorial and plaque. Considering the response to the new website it’s possible that the memorial could be larger than originally thought. Names are still being sought for addition to both the website and to the future memorial. Bob will follow up.

The meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m. The next meeting will be Saturday, November 10, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., St. James Rectory, 6401 Wade Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63139

Respectfully submitted
Sally Ryan Sharamitaro
Secretary, Dogtown Historical Society