CALL TO ORDER: – President John Corbett called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. in the St. James Rectory. Ten members and guests were in attendance: Members: Bob Corbett, John Corbett, Tom Haller, Henry Herbst, Carol Nemeth, Kay Richard, Sally Sharamitaro and guests; Diane Meoli Denney, and Joe and Theresa Weisbrod.
Minutes of Last Meeting -A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the June 9, 2007 meeting. One correction was noted; JoAnn Emmerich was in attendance, not Rose Kennedy. A vote was taken, the motion passed and the minutes were approved with that correction.
Treasurer’s Report - Bob Corbett, Treasurer, presented the August treasurer’s report. The beginning balance was $7,130.90. Deposits totaled $5,290.77, expenditures totaled $8,503.35, resulting in an ending balance as of August 11, 2007 of $3,908.32. 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.
GENERAL BUSINESSArchives/Donations– - Our appreciation to Diane Meoli Denney, who donated a photo to the DHS archives of the Dewey School building, dated 1918
Century Home Committee - No Report
Living History – No Report Membership Update - Bob explained the current system for membership, through the receipt of the $ for dues, and the recording of the members names, etc., next he proposed a new system. Henry added comments about the system as it was in place when he took over and the changes he has made. Bob, as Treasurer, is currently the receiving the dues checks and added that he is willing to also maintain the membership list beginning in 2008.Sally Sharamitaro passed around a membership card from a local historical society that could possibly work for the DHS. It is a simple postcard system and could be mailed to each member for the cost of a postcard.
Discussion followed on the current process and that the current membership application would not need to be re-printed.
Lecture Series - Bob presented background information for the members and attendees on the Speakers committee. One year ago, he said, the DHS dropped the Speakers Committee, but after some thought a variation of the original speakers committee has been suggested by several board members. John recommended his ro-bo call system of notification and would be willing to use it to inform the members of any upcoming events. Flyers would not be necessary. There are at present three speakers willing and prepared to present lecture events in 2008. Bob will follow up.OLD BUSINESS
Bench Project - John reported that 3 new benches will be installed as soon as city permits have been acquired. Two benches will be located at Dewey School, and have been funded by Dewey School alumni, the other one will be positioned in front of the dog grooming business on Tamm Ave.
The Vezeau family requested that their bench at Tamm and West Park be moved to the East side of the street. John will follow up.
John shared that he had been contacted by a Franz Park group about a bench and that the Hi-Point Community Association requested that he speak at their September 13, 2007 meeting about our bench project and the ghost sign at Central and Wise. John will follow up.
Bob said he has picked up more plaques from Johnny Mac’s, and that they are ready to be installed, replacing the original faded plaques.
Ghost Sign Restoration Project – The restoration of the ghost sign on Central and Wise Ave has been completed and plans are in place for a plaque to be installed.Henry reported that he received a call from William Stage, author of books on the restoration of Ghost Signs. Mr. Stage asked to interview Henry for an article he was writing for “Sign Magazine”. Bob stated that he too had given an interview to Mr. Stage, likely for the same magazine article.
Henry also informed the members that Josh Stevens of Reedy Press had contacted him. Mr. Stevens sent Henry an outline used by the Reedy Press used for their other historical books. He hoped that there would be a DHS member who would be interested in publishing a book on Dogtown history. A discussion followed about historical articles and books on Dogtown.
Route 66 Signs – John let members know that the Federal Funds for the Route 66 signs are now on hold. He will follow up and report information, as it becomes available, on these funds. Historical Markers -Three historical plaques were discussed. #1) Soccer plaque, dedicated to the Dogtown members of the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame. #2) Alpen Brau ghost sign plaque to be a dedication to the Alpen Brau beer brand introduced at the 1904 World Fair, the Coyne Saloon where the beer was sold and publicized, the Dogtown Gallery and Frame Shop where the restored sign is located and Lonnie Tettaton, painter, who restored the sign. # 3) Central and Wise, a plaque of appreciation to the Dogtown neighborhood confectionaries and stores to be posted at the site of the ghost sign at Central and Wise.John informed the members that city funds dedicated for historical plaques have been frozen for the year 2007.
NEW BUSINESS
Dewey School Sub-Committee – Thanks to the Dogtown email list and a graduate who started a Dewey School bench fund, there is increasing interest in better communication among the Dewey School Alumni. Bob suggested that a motion be made to create a sub-committee for the Dewey Alumni. He agreed to be chairperson for the committee. A motion was made to create the sub-committee, a vote was taken and the motion passed. Bob will follow up.
Future DHS events – John will follow up with Dan McGuire to gather information on the city permit process for street performers, etc., before he makes the recommendation that the DHS sponsor a 2008 Spring event. Other - John reported that Bill Waterhouse, Alderman for the 24th Ward, suggested that as the only 503b Organization in the Ward, the DHS might consider funding a reward for the person/persons who gave information resulting in the arrest of the men who painted graffiti on the new Tamm Avenue Bridge. A motion was made and seconded. A vote was taken and the motion passed. The amount of the reward will be announced at the next meeting.Young Joe Weisbrod, our youngest DHS meeting attendee, asked to be recognized and told the story of his neighbor who, while digging in his garden, found a railroad spike. And because he knew that Joe was interested in the history of Dogtown, the neighbor gave him the spike.
Following was a discussion of the railroads in Dogtown and in particular the Taylor City Belt Line, the 1904 railroad that Henry Herbst will profile in a future Speakers series event. Bob announced that he has several projects in mind that Joe might find interesting, and he will be in contact with Joe.
The meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m. The next meeting will be Saturday, September 8, 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
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