MINUTES OF THE DOGTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

June 12, 2004

CALL TO ORDER -- President John Corbett called the meeting of The Dogtown Historical Society (DHS) to order at 10:05 a.m. at the St. James Rectory.

Sixteen people were in attendance: Nina Bryans, Bob Corbett, John Corbett, Didi Gardner, Greg Gardner, Mildred Hefele, Henry Herbst, Rose Kennedy, Tom Lenartson, Virginia Lopez, Bill Miller, Gerry Miller, Kay Richard, Sally Sharamitaro, and guests, Betty Hodapp and Mary O’Meara.

MINUTES were read by Sally Sharamitaro. There were two corrections; the name Steve Hamlin will replace the name Steve Lehman under New Business, and the words “Kay Richard stopped in to view” will replace the words “Kay Richard was invited to view” under Other Business. The minutes were approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT – No Report

GENERAL BUSINESS

1. Living History Committee – Nina Bryans reported that the project is back in business thanks to the donation of a new Sony Video Camera by John Corbett.
   
   During the past week John, Nina and Virginia Lopez interviewed Margaret Wiles and Mildred Hefele at the home of John Corbett. The interviews captured wonderful sound bits of information from the women about their early lives in Dogtown. There were many interesting stories about their parents, husbands, families, school days at Dewey School, the clay mines, Forest Park Highlands, and many more items of interest. Adding to the delightful conversations was the fact that both women brought pictures and mementos that were of particular interest to the DHS.
   
   Mrs. Wiles brought a photograph of her home at 6528 Nashville and the deed to the house dated 1894. Mrs. Hefele showed a plaque made from the clay extracted from the clay pits on Nashville. She also had old newspaper articles, one on the Forest Park Highlands and another on Nick Mucci, a Dogtown resident, who was a well-known musician in St. Louis. Mrs. Hefele also had a book of poems from a neighbor when she lived on West Park.
   
   The next interview will be on Friday, June 18th, with Board Member, Rose Kennedy. Other interviews are planned throughout the summer.
   
   There are 28 people on the Interviewee list, eighteen of whom have been interviewed so far. Nina circulated the list and asked the members to suggest other people who they think might be good interview subjects.
   
   
2. Speakers Series Committee – Sally Sharamitaro reported that the May 16th program “The Forest Park Highlands” presented by Doug Garner was a huge success. One hundred five people signed the attendance sheets.
   
   A musical introduction began the evening’s presentation. Tom Haller and his brothers Bob and Charles, and Bob’s young daughter Maura, played guitars and sang a song written by brother’s John and Charles Haller, called “The Highlands is Burning Down”.
   
   Expenses for the event totaled $435.27 and donations received totaled $462.34. We signed three new members and received renewals for two current members.
   
   A comment sheet was circulated to the attendees and 62 people responded. Sally read the lists of comments and recommendations for future topics from the comment sheets.
   
   Nina reminded the members that the DHS framed memorabilia displayed that evening were a great addition to the evening and that everyone loved them.
   
   Several members voiced their surprise that the program was so short. Bob Corbett reminded the members that this was the first presentation ever given by the speaker, Doug Garner. All those who attended the event agreed that it shouldn’t be the last.
   
   The next Speaker Series event, “The History of Dogtown Soccer” will be held on Sunday, August 29, 2004.
   
   Bob shared his recent conversation with Frankie Pilla, another former Dogtown soccer player, who he happened to meet on the street last week. Bob had considered him a possible panel member. But it was evident from his conversation that Mr. Pilla had some reservations about joining the panel. Hopefully he will attend the event and share his memories with the panel and the audience.
   
   Nina said she attempted to contact Duke McVey regarding the Soccer Hall of Fame membership listing, but has not received a reply to her email. Bob said he has a few names of members and he will try to contact them.
   
   
3. Century Home Committee – Bill Miller announced that by this time next week we will have received the first eleven Century Home plaques from Webster Tile Co. And that they will be delivered soon after to the home owners. Each home owner will determine how they want their plaques to be displayed on their home.
   
   Bill has received orders for 6 additional plaques, however he will hold those as the agreement was that we would submit orders in batches of 10.
   
   
4. Civil War Days in Cheltenham -- John Corbett stated that he has the name of the replacement contact person for the Civil War Days.
   
   
5. Archives/Donations – Bob brought the members up to date on the frame orders and the donors for the photos and the frames. He posted a plea online for cloth bags to protect the framed pieces. And not only did Rose Kennedy volunteer, she has already sewn at least 6 nice sturdy but soft bags, including the two extra-large bags for the framed shirt and the Herbst memorabilia.
   
   Bob then shared the story of the gentleman who sent a reply that he couldn’t sew but would still like to help, so he mailed Bob a check in amount of $1500.00.
   
   Donors are still needed for the framing of many class photos. There are donors too waiting for missing class photos.
   
   Nina and Bob discussed keeping a record of the donations. Bob stated that he has a spreadsheet of all donations, and that printed labels are on all of the framed pieces he has in his possession. The labels list the names of those who donated the photo and also the framing. Nina asked about the process of thank you letters for the taxable donations. John will follow up on the letters.
   
   Karen Battaglia has the St. James Alumni Association’s collection of class photos. She has promised that she will turn them over to the DHS for archiving.
   
   Tom Lenartson, as follow up to last months meeting, brought samples of plastic labels that could be used for labeling the framed pieces.
   
   
6. Unfinished Business
   
   John stated that his efforts were not successful in acquiring the new tax exempt status form. However, he will be traveling to Jefferson City soon and will follow up while he is there.
   
   Henry suggested as a future Speaker Series presentation: The St. Louis Zoo. He also stated that he found postcards of the zoo on ebay, and plans to purchase several for the archives.
   
   Nina offered to contact her sister who might help to locate someone who would give a presentation on the zoo. She will report at next meeting. There was discussion that a lion tamer may still live in the Dogtown neighborhood. Kay remembers seeing lions in cages parked on her street when she was growing up.
   
   John reported that he has and will continue to try to contact Steven Domijan. He is the man who built the stage and John wants to add his name to the interviewee list. He also wants to add Vito Barrone to the list. Vito has let it be known however that he doesn’t want to be filmed. But John says Vito has many, many recollections of Dogtown that would be important to document.
   
   Henry Herbst asked if there was still interest in having a tri-fold brochure. He has a friend in Denver that might be willing to print one for us. Henry will follow up and report at next meeting.
   
   
7. New Business
   
   John reminded everyone that Mrs. Hefele is here this morning at the meeting and that she brought her photograph album and the clay plaque if anyone is interested in seeing them.

Meeting adjourned 11:00 a.m. Next meeting will be July 10, 2004 at 10:00am in St. James Rectory, 6401 Wade Avenue.

Respectfully submitted,
Sally Sharamitaro
Secretary
Dogtown Historical Society