MINUTES OF THE DOGTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
April 8, 2006

CALL TO ORDER: – President, John Corbett, called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. at the St. James Rectory. Eighteen people were in attendance: Nina Bryans, Bob Corbett, John Corbett, Didi Gardner, Greg Gardner, Mildred Hefele, Rose Kennedy, Virginia Lopez, Bill Miller, Gerry Miller, Kay Richard, Sally Sharamitaro, Dorothy Tarne, Kelli Vincent, Bill Vorbeck and guests Lorene McNulty, Mary Louise Miller and Daniel Prindible III.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the March 11, 2006 meeting. A vote was taken and the minutes were approved.

Treasurer’s Report - Treasurer Didi Gardner gave the treasurer’s report for March 2006. The previous balance was $3,169.81. Total Income for March was $1,291.00 and included $150.00 for plaques, $170.00 for street research, $290.00 for framing, $70.00 for membership and $611.00 from sales on St. Patrick’s Day. Expenses for March were a total of $800.97, and included $104.26 for stamps/copies/supplies, $216.13 for video and supplies, $55.84 for St. Pat’s merchandise, $170.00 for street research and $254.74 for framing. The ending balance for March was $3,249.84. A refund check was written and mailed in March for the $410.00 received in error.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the March 2006 treasurers report. A vote was taken and the report was approved.

GENERAL BUSINESS

Speakers Series –

There was a general discussion lead by Bob Corbett, who informed the members that though Rose Kennedy had initially considered taking the Chair position of the Speakers Committee, after much thought she has decided against it. Rose did add that she was happy to remain a member of the committee.

Bob said he sees the Speakers Committee as the most work-intensive of our DHS committees. He emailed a note to that effect to the members of the Speakers Committee, listing the various duties of the Chairperson, suggesting that those duties be divided among the members and asking for their input and for volunteers.

Nina Bryans, who was the original chairperson for the Committee reminded Sally of the checklist they put together for the Speakers events, and Sally passed around a copy for the DHS members to read.

Also discussed was the videotaping of the events. There have been several suggestions for options in addition to the Webster University audio/visual program.

John Corbett mentioned that there is a company that sends bulk mail for 28 cents, though he didn’t know if they required a minimum number, or if the DHS would qualify.

Bob also mentioned that though it hasn’t been decided, should Doug Garner choose to give his presentation at the new Highlands at Forest Park Hotel, it would still hold great potential for Dogtown.

Living History - - No Report

Charles Lindbergh residency in Dogtown update – - Bob shared that though it was a fun project to follow up on; the idea that Charles Lindbergh once lived in Dogtown, turned out to be just a myth. No evidence was ever found that he actually lived in the Dogtown neighborhood.

Membership Update – - No report

St. Patrick’s Parade – Fundraising – Bob Corbett reported that tee shirts seemed to be the big seller on St. Patrick’s Day, and in addition there were also several generous donations.

Plans for next year should be bigger and better as St. Patrick’s Day is on a Saturday. He recommended that there be a St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee formed. And that more volunteers work the sale table that day.

Discussion followed on what the DHS might choose as fund raisers for next year. One suggestion was an Irish Sweepstakes type raffle that would publicize the Society.

It was said that beads are no longer allowed at some parades in the city. And that there is a rumor that green “shamrock shaped” jar openers may be giveaways or throwaways for next years downtown St. Patrick’s Day parade. They are soft, harmless and easy to throw from the parade floats.

There was some discussion about the article in the newspaper that there was a Hot Tub on the corner of Tamm and West Park. And some emails to the Dogtown list suggested that the local Alderman get involved in investigating how it happened to be there without anyone knowing about it.

Bob Corbett’s Street Data Project - Bob reported that he has been back to the Missouri Historical Library and is very concerned about the condition of the 1918 Street Directory books. He says they are disintegrating at an alarming pace.

Funds for the project are still being received in response to Bob’s plea at the last DHS meeting and on the Dogtown list.

Bill Vorbeck asked if there were plans to gather information from the 1940’s. Bob said that at this time it was all he could do to gather the data from1918 and 1925. That in order to even discuss additional projects, he would need additional time, staff, and money.

But the project itself, he says, is generating a wonderful response. Many people are able to locate their families, and some have sent ‘family essays’ to him that he could post to the webpage.

Bob encouraged everyone to read and enjoy the family essays, and if possible create a family page of their own.

Bob also brought the most recent framed photograph. It was of the 1925 St. James Alumni Association Communion photo. He urged all the members to look it over carefully and let him know if they could identify anyone on the photograph.

JOHN CORBETT’S REPORT –

Benches along Tamm Avenue – John presented more information that he gathered on the types of benches available, and that he was able to find some locally as well as on the internet.

He still believes the benches made of Plastisol are our “best bet”. The Plastisol benches run approximately $400.00 each. John said that shipping and handling would be added but he will continue to search for a bench with lower or even free shipping.

One option is an outdoor bench that Sears sells for only $119.00. John ordered one to see how it was made and if it would be workable. He will report at the next meeting on the Sears bench.

He and Bob talked about a bench they found in a private yard on Holiday at Hoover. They liked the bench so much that they stopped and spoke to the home owner about it.

Bill Vorbeck asked if the installation had been cleared by the City. John said that the Alderman, Bill Waterhouse, was checking into the approval process.

We do know that there are already several businesses interested in having a bench installed in front of their establishment. And several DHS members have shown interest in funding a bench in memory of either their parents or a family member.

It’s the plan to install at least a first bench, to be a ‘display’ model, so that all of Dogtown can see it and hopefully it will generate more interest, and more donations.

Ghost Signs - - John announced that though he requested bids on the ghost sign project, the bid he received from the local Dogtown artist was excessively high. John did speak with the painter but nothing has been resolved as of this date. John will follow up

NEW BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR

Receipts to DHS Donors – Bob asked a general question of the members; “What types of receipts are currently being sent to our DHS donors”?

Bill Miller, who assists the elderly at the Senior Center with their income taxes, informed the group that only if the donation was over $250.00 would the IRS require a letter of reply/receipt, and that there are specific requirements for those letters.

Didi Gardner, DHS treasurer, responded that we have had no recent donations of $250.00 or more.

Next Meeting – After some general discussion, a motion was made to cancel the May 13, 2006 DHS meeting. A vote was taken and the motion passed. The next meeting will be Saturday, June 10, 2006.

The meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m. The next meeting will be Saturday, June 10, 2006, at 10:00 a.m., St James Rectory 6401 Wade Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63139

Respectfully submitted
Sally Ryan Sharamitaro
Secretary, Dogtown Historical Society