MINUTES OF THE DOGTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

April 12, 2003

The meeting of the Dogtown Historical Society (DHS) was held on April 12, 2003 at St. James Rectory, 6401 Wade Ave.

Nina Bryans called the meeting to order at 10:10 am with 16 people in attendance:
Nina Bryans, Bob and John Corbett, Henry Herbst, Tom Lenartson, Virginia Lopez, Bill and Gerry Miller, Kay Richard, Sally Sharamitaro, and Betty and Bill Vorbeck.

Nina introduced visitors from Lutheran South High School -- Cassie Colloton, Kamm Hawkins, Kristina Moody, and Xami Resar, who are doing a project on Dogtown for their Social Studies class.

The Board of Directors presented Bob Corbett and Henry Herbst a token of their appreciation for the time and effort they put forth for their Speaker Series presentations.

MINUTES were read by Virginia Lopez and approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT -- Jim Glaser announced that we have $2023.26 in the bank. There was a net gain of $412.14 on St. Patrick’s Day T-shirt sales.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Thanks to a great deal of work put forth by Ed Cody, DHS has been approved for the 501C3 status of a not-for-profit organization. (The Department of the Treasury letter dated April 7, 2003 recognizes that The Dogtown Historical Society is exempt from federal income tax. This now entitles donors to deduct contributions to DHS as a charitable donation. DHS is required to file an annual information return on Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. The Advance Ruling Period began on March 22, 2002 and extends to December 31, 2006. Within 90 days after the end of the advance ruling period, DHS must send the Department of the Treasury information needed to determine whether they have met the requirements of the applicable support test during the advance ruling period.)

2. Board of Directors
   
   Two positions on the Board of Directors have been vacated. The nomination committee has submitted two nominations: Bill Miller and Tom Lenartson. Nominations were requested from the floor. No nominations came forth. Both candidates were voted in unanimously. Bill Miller will fill the place of Dennis Wilbers, and Tom Lenartson will take the place of Lavergne Lee.

3. DHS Newsletter
   
   Kay Richard stated that the first issue of the DHS quarterly newsletter will be published on June 4. Committee articles are due by May 1. Kay asked that the committee chairs who did not want their phone numbers on the Newsletter to let her know. There was discussion as to what software program to use, and more research will be investigated. Bob Corbett said that the Newsletter could be scanned and put on the Web Site. The people who print Clayton Tamm Newsletter has agreed to print ours free of charge.

4. Living History
   
   Virginia Lopez reported that on May 26 she and Nina interviewed Pauline Weber at her nursing home. Pauline was 100 years old on December 10, 2002. She was one of thirteen children, all of whom are gone except another sister who is 88 years old and herself. She went to St. James School, but could not remember graduating. She went to work in a printing company and worked there until she married at age 24. She had three children, a girl and two boys. She was a quilter at St. James for over 50 years. On Thursday, April 3, Nina and I interviewed John and Helen Colombo in their home. John is 91 years old and Helen is 89. John had a lot of memories and a very sharp mind. He loved playing soccer, and his team, Sunshine won the championship in 1932. He showed us a picture of the winning team and was able to name everyone on the picture. His father worked in the terra cotta brick factory, and John named many of the Downtown St. Louis buildings where the bricks were used. John was in the Navy during WWII and received the Purple Heart. John played the accordion at various functions where he earned $2.00 a night. John was an optician. He and Helen will be married 69 years on June 22. On Tuesday April 8, Nina and I interviewed Julie Colombo. Julie had a lot of interesting jobs –Leston Company, License Bureau, Dolan Realty Company, and then 35 years at the St. Louis Chancery. Julie graduated from St. James School in 1937, and on to high school at St. Marks. She had many memories about the St. James picnics, plays, roller-skating in the playground, and square dances in the school yard. Julie said when Father O’Conner summoned you to do something, you never said no. Julie was about 10 yrs old when her father died of cancer. They had the wake in their home 6224 West Park. The next day the funeral procession walked from her house all the way to St. James Church.

5. St. Patrick Day
   
   Bob Corbett had a table set up in his front yard the day of the parade to advertise DHS. The Speakers Series press release and the DHS Fact Sheet were made available. Sally Sharamitaro and Kelli Vincent sold approximately 70 tee shirts. It was suggested that next year tee shirts be advertised on the Web Site. All said it was a great, fun day, and they are looking forward to next year.

6. Century Homes
   
   Bob Corbett reported the Century Homes Committee has verified 145 homes as century homes, and in the process they have learned a great deal about the verification process. Now committee members are busily engaged in more sophisticated research procedures to deal with homes that cannot be decided on with the original simple criteria. Within the next couple weeks the committee will be sending letters to the residents of the 145 homes informing them of their select status and inviting them to become participants in the century homes project. The committee’s primary task in the coming weeks is to decide on the design for the century home plaque, as well as the certificate for the homeowners.

7. Logo Committee
   
   John Corbett reported his committee, composed of Sally Sharamitaro, Tom Lenartson, and Bill Vorbeck, met on March 23. Committee member Lisa Wade could not attend. The committee recommended the use of a simple logo of circular shape with the letters DHS in the center and the name Dogtown Historical Society circling around the logo.
   
   The committee recommended the use of a more complex graphic to be used on shirts and other items of display. It would depict a mortar and brick wall with the DHS logo in the center. The brick in the wall would be would be inscribed with examples of landmarks in the neighborhood. These examples can include, but would not be limited to, schools, churches, Franz Park, the Tamm and Clayton corner, the Standard Oil sign, Scullin Steel, a dog, the Highland Amusement Park. etc.
   
   Bob Corbett moved and Kay Richard second that the recommendations of the committee be accepted. Motion carried.

8. Walk of Fame
   
   John Corbett reported the committee recommended that an independent Standing Selection Committee be established in the future by the DHS board to review the criteria that the Walk of Fame Committee establishes during the committee process. The recommendation of the committee is that the Walk of Fame Committee will deal exclusively with the proper tribute to those individuals who have achieved some degree of fame either outside or within Dogtown.

9. Ghost Signs
   
   Henry Herbst visited Charlie Darling in Washington, Missouri regarding the sign painting. Mr. Darling said that he could do the painting job for about $l000.00. This does not include any additional work.

10. Speakers Series
    
    Sally Sharamitaro reported 51 people attended the second lecture on March 23 on the “History of 19th Century of Cheltenham and Dogtown.” Comment sheets were circulated to the attendees with 27 people responding. The scores were even somewhat higher than the first lecture with an overwhelming majority giving the lecture very high scores. Some written comments were:
    “As usual Bob Corbett you made it a fabulous evening.”
    “Interesting information and very well presented. Will welcome more of the same.”
    “Pointing out streets was very helpful.”
    “Well done – great crowd for Academy Award Night, speaker deserves his own award.”
    
    
    The next lecture, “The History of St. James Church,” will be held on June 22,2003 at 7PM in St. James School Cafeteria 1360 Tamm Avenue.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Membership
   
   Nina stated that now that we have our 501C3 status she will undertake addressing membership for the coming year. There was discussion as to the amount of the dues and it was agreed that dues would remain the same at a minimum of $10. This is for single as well as family. Jim Glaser moved that dues will be due on the first month of the calendar year, and that any dues received after October 1 will be counted towards the following year. Motion seconded by Bob Corbett. Motion carried.

2. Historical Markers Committee
   
   Bob Corbett suggested that a committee be formed to investigate the use of Historical Markers for Historical Places in Dogtown. Bob volunteered to chair the committee, and Henry Herbst agreed to be on the committee with Bob.

Other Items

1. Virginia stated that Zelma Rowe, a DHS member and a Living History participant, is very will. DHS will send a get-well card.

2. Nina introduced Sarah Shimchick and Bobbie Jacobs from Washington U School of Social Work. They have a course project that focuses on community assessment; what are the significant changes in the community, and to compare the Dogtown of today to the Dogtown of the past. The will join the members for lunch and interview the group.

Meeting adjourned 12 noon.

Next meeting May 10, St. James Rectory, Wade Avenue Entrance 10:00 a.m.