MINUTES OF THE DOGTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

December 13, 2003

CALL TO ORDER

Dogtown Historical Society meeting was held on December 13, 2003 at St. James The Greater Rectory.
President Nina Bryans called the meeting of The Dogtown Historical Society (DHS) to order at 10:05am at the St. James Rectory. Seven people were in attendance: Nina Bryans, John Corbett, Jim Glaser, Tom Lenartson, Virginia Lopez, Bill and Gerry Miller. (Small attendance was attributed to the heavy snow and icy streets.)

MINUTES were read by Virginia Lopez and approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT -- Jim Glaser reported taking in $50.00 in membership dues; $125.00 was paid out for stationary and $311.00 for video taping of the Julie Duane Speakers Series to Autumn Eaten. The present balance of the treasury is $2488.42.

GENERAL BUSINESS

1. Speakers Series
   
   Nina Bryans reported for Sally Shamaritaro that the next lecture of the DHS Speakers Series will be on the “1904 World’s Fair” in the St. James Cafeteria on January 18 at 7:00 p.m. Elaine Lopez of the 1904 World’s Fair Society will be the speaker. Duke McVey has donated $200.00 to underwrite the presentation to honor the memory of the McVey families that have lived in Dogtown. Nina has contracted Autumn Eaten to videotape the lecture. Ed Cody will draw up a document to be signed by the lecturer giving permission to video record the presentation and to sell the video as education, research, and DHS archives.
   
   Nina said that the names and address of the 122 attendees of previous lectures are now on an Excel spreadsheet and will be used to for the membership dive and to inform attendees of future presentations.
   
   The group discussed underwriting for future presentations. Nina said that she had a possible underwriter for the April presentation. John Corbett said that he would underwrite the July presentation.
   
   
2. Membership Drive
   
   Nina report for Henry Herbst that membership letters have been sent out to 93 members, and 87 letters were sent out to Speakers Series attendees, plus 10 letters to other sources.
   
   Nina send a letter to Tim Vezeau informing him that the Board had voted to make him a Life Time Member.
   
   
3. Marketing Ideas
   
   The group discussed selling tee shirts as a fund raiser for St. Patrick’s Day as we did last year. John Corbett moved, and Bill Miller seconded that we again order tee shirts. Motion carried. John will contact person who made them last year. It was suggested that this year there be a greater variety of sizes, particularly to have tee shirts for children.
   
   
4. Civil War Days in Cheltenham
   
   John Corbett reported that this special event will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 9 and 10, 2004. On Saturday at 10:00 a.m., the actors will set-up camp in Franz Park. At 1:00 several confederate soldiers will “raid” the grocery/post office of August Muegge, the US Postmaster. The attack is foiled, and Muegge seeks aid from Union soldiers. A skirmish between Union and Confederate troops occurs. Following the skirmish the soldiers will return to Franz Park, and at 3:00 p.m. the soldiers will have a baseball game using Civil War Rules. At 7:00, approximately 60 actors dressed in formal costumes will participate in a Civil War fancy-dress ball at the St. James Hall. Live music, possibly Charlie Poole’s Band, will be played. The public will be encouraged to participate and dance. Punch, beer, soda and finger food will be served. The merrymaking will conclude at 10:00 p.m., and the actors will return to their campsites at Franz Park
   
   On Sunday at 10:30 a.m., the actors in costume will attend Mass at St. James Church. At 12:00 the public is encouraged to visit Franz Park and visit with the Civil War soldiers. Civil War music will be played at the campsite and will include Fife and drums, the concertina, the guitar, and the harmonica. Taped music will also be played. A mock battle will be staged at 2:00. The festivities will end at 3:30 p.m. when the actors will break camp.
   
   General Ulysses S. Grant will be a special guest who will narrate St. Louis Civil War History.
   
   Special permits will be required for use of the park, the use of black powder, traffic control, campfires, et cetera. Points of Contact have been identified. John Corbett will contact Father Johnson for use of the Church and Bill Kennebeck for use of the St. James Hall.
   
   
5. Recording of Present History
   
   In an October email from Bill Vorbeck, he suggested recording present day locations, buildings, memobilia, activities, etc. for future research in our archives. John Corbett has volunteered his son, John, Jr., to photograph some of the Buildings in the area.

Meeting adjourned 11:30 am

Next meeting will be January 10, 2004 at 10:00 a.m., St. James The Greater Rectory, 6401 Wade Avenue entrance.

Virginia Lopez
Secretary
Dogtown Historical Society