FREMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

COMMENTS FROM CAROL

MAY 2011 NEWSLETTER

Celebrate Our Heritage!

The Sesquicentennial of Fremont County is the recurring theme in the County.

I hope that you will attend the many events happening throughout the County during this time.  Blossom Festival has come and gone, but the Grand Marshall of the Parade was the Fremont County Heritage Commission, in recognition of the Preserve America County and the 1861 designation in the Territory of Colorado – 150 years ago.

The Prospect Heights Jail is the next project that the Historical Society hopes to complete.  We have applied for tax exemption from the State of Colorado, and we have received a bid from Tim Madone for restoration of the inside of the jail.  We will be applying for grants from our Colorado funders – we believe this project is of utmost importance in preserving the history of our area.  If you would like to “see inside” the jail, please call me and I would be glad to give you a peek.

The Penrose Library now had a very fine exhibit of the historical families that lived in the Beaver Creek area, prepared by Sherry Johns – please stop in and examine this great display about our history.

We are fortunate that “Mr. Colorado”, Tom Noel conducted a “Tours & Treks” group to Cañon City to visit our Wineries, Trains, and Prison Museum on May 14^th and 15^th.  This is a group of folks who love history. The Colorado Historical Society sponsored this event, and if you are interested  in one of these tours – contact the Historical Society by email or phone to become a member.

Hope we see you for our program – Sue Cochran and 150 years in Fremont County –

Have a great summer; enjoy the “Climate Capitol of Colorado”.

Carol McNew, President, Fremont-Custer Historical Society.

Minutes   5-6-2011

Fremont/Custer County Historical Society

Michaels on Main St.

Attendees:  Carol McNew, Peggy Sorenson, Dale Johns, Sherry Johns, Beverly Harris, Kit Kedrick, Margaret  Storm, Larry Linscott, Charles Wolfers

The meeting was called to order at 10:08 AM.

1.  The minutes of the last meeting were approved with a motion from Kit and a second by Larry.  Motion passed.

2.  Treasurers Report was presented by Dale.  The balance on hand is $13,530.60.    The taxes have been paid at $595.82 including $175 to State and $420.82 for property tax.  We will get the property tax reduced to $75 next year.  $500 was paid to Local Needs, for the friends of Garden Park High School and the Coaldale Building Assoc.

We receive $20 for membership from Margaret Storm including a $5 donation.

Bills presented were $74.47 to reimburse Beverly for $44.00 for stamps and $30.47 for a print cartridge.

Carol mentioned the grant expense but will wait to turn that in.  Bills were approved and a check was given to Beverly.

3.  Program Report – Peggy

Our next membership meeting will be on May 15 at 2 PM.  The program will be presented by Sue Cochran.   For the July 17^th meeting, Carol has list of possibly presentations and will review it.  A discussion followed about advertizing.  Bev will get the ad for the May meeting in this next week.  The group discussed buying ads at $64.  Carol will call Erica at the Newspaper.  It was brought up that we have no budget for advertising, and it was felt that when we advertise we have more attendance.

The other thing we don’t have is line items for the Newsletter income and Scholarship income.  Dale will put last year’s records in so we have an accounting of what we have done in the past.  The other item is the $800 we get from Wet Mtn. Valley Community Foundation.  Bev and Kit reminded about past accounting and registration of various entities.  Dale assured everything is up to date.

Back to the ad issue, Carol will place an ad and a motion was made by Bev for it not to exceed $100. Peggy second – motion passed. 

Since Sherry was there she confirmed that she would present the Colorful Tale of Buskin Joe at the July 17 meeting.

Carol will confirm the Lutheran Church as the monthly meeting place and remind that the Nov. meeting will be changed to the week after.

 4.  Newsletter – Beverly

It is ready to go with the new ink cartridge and will be mailed out Monday.

5. Membership - At this time Margaret was invited to be on the board, all approving, Margaret agreed to join the board. Her email is mmstilesstorm@aol.com and should be added to the group.

A later discussion was had about making sure all board members were paid up for their membership.  Kit suggested a membership list, and making sure the labels for the newsletter matched the list of paid up members.  Gloria promised to have the list for next month updated.  Peggy will call the ones that she knows and we all need to recruit new members in all the groups we are in.

6.  Projects

It was discussed that the County Heritage Commission and the Fremont/Custer County Historical Society would share a booth at the Saturday Farmers’ Market and possibly the Florence Farmers’ Market.  Literature is needed for this and Peggy and Sherry will prepare.  Gloria has the membership envelopes in her box.  Gloria offered the Saturday Farmers’ Market trailer as a storage place for a literature box so it wouldn’t have to be carted around by different people.  There might be room for 1 chair and a small table also.

Larry presented brochures for the Pike National History Trail Assoc.  He went to their annual meeting at the Royal Gorge Bridge.  He asked the group if they wanted to join as a group or as individuals.  After much discussion about whether the group was authentic or not. Sherry made a motion to join as a Non Profit Society @ $50 with Kit seconding.  Motion was passed and Carol’s email will be listed on the application.

Sherry brought up that she is receiving Dale’s emails and that he has his own email. djnpugs@yahoo.com

The History Center book money was brought up once again.  We are waiting on an invoice but Randy isn’t at the meeting to confirm it.  Sherry suggested that we just send a flat $100 each year and let them decide on the books.  Usually we had input on the books and they stamped our name on them.  After much more discussion it was tabled for a future meeting.

Sherry will confirm that the lady from the Post Office will come to the June 3 meeting about the Postmarks.

Keys to the Prospect Hts. Jail have been distributed to Randy, Tim Madone and Gloria.  Post Office keys are held by Gloria, Carol, and Kit now.

Prospect Hts Jail Renovation was presented by Carol.  The original bid of $4487 still holds from 5 years ago to replace the middle wall with concrete blocks covered with plaster.  Discussion followed about issue of old bricks and how to redo the building.  Carol feels confident that Madone will do a good job of restoring the walls and saving the integrity of the ceiling. Carol confirmed that Tim would start in 30 days.    Holcim Cement will provide the cement free of charge and are willing to provide funds if we apply for them.  We have also applied to Co Community Foundation and El Pomar Foundation among others.  Carol offered to take anyone on a tour of the Jail.  She has requested the proper letters from the City etc.  Beverly made a motion that we accept the bid, Charlie seconded.  The motion carried with 1 nay vote from Sherry.

Bylaws haven’t been retyped yet and Carol said she would do it. 

The tax exemption for the Jail is in progress.

Scholarship will be awarded to Krissy Trujillo in the amount of $500.  Gloria will take care of making a certificate and getting it to the Florence High School for presentation.  A motion was made by Bev to make a check out to Mesa College for Krissy Trujillo with Kit seconding.  The check gets sent once school starts with documentation that Krissy is enrolled.  (As a side note as these minutes are being typed, Kit emailed the group to remind that the check comes out of the Non Profit account)

They have received a grant from the State Historical fund for $70,000.  A total of $23,000 is in matching funds and of that $13,000 has been raised.  This committee gave $250.  The next phase of the school project will be to repair the west wall.  Cort Stephens is a neighbor and has the expertise to be the contractor on the job.  Manuel Gambola from Trinidad will serve as the adobe expert.  He will be conducting a “how to construct adobe bricks workshop.  This will include Manuel’s crew and Juan Espinosa from Pueblo, on Tues. May 24th and Wed. May 24th.  Cement specialist Buzz Spurlock, also a neighbor will be helping.

This will be discussed at the May 14 meeting in Wetmore at the Old Post Office. 

Western Fremont Historical Society - will meet on May 21, @ the old Howard School.  They will be showing old movies made in Fremont Co.  Guests are asked to wear period costumes and will receive free popcorn.  Everyone is asked to bring their own chair.

On May 20 there will be a meeting at Merlino’s Belvedere on the Economic Benefits of Heritage Tourism from 10-1 pm and lunch will be provided.  A RSVP is required to 719-689-2461.  Program will be provided by Judy Walden.

The list of heritage tourism places in Fremont Co. and the other 4 Counties in the 5 Co. Group was provided by Mike Stiehl.  Jane Wustrow has also been asked to provide the list.  Peggy and Carol will forward the list through email.

The next meeting will be on June 3, 10 AM at Michael’s on Main St.

Meeting was adjourned at 12:05

Respectfully,

Gloria Stultz, Sec.

Minutes 3/4/11

Fremont/Custer  Historical Society

Michaels on Main

Gloria Stultz, Sec

 The Meeting was called to order by Carol McNew at 10:07 AM

 Present were: Carol McNew, Beverly Harris, Kit Kedrick, Peggy Sorenson, Randy Brady, Larry Linscott, Sherry Johns (representing Treasure) and Gloria Stultz.

 1.  Minutes of the last meeting were approved.  Motion by Sherry Johns, 2^nd by Larry Linscott

 2.  There being no Treasurers Report the Balance on hand was reported as $13,569.33 as of 03/01/11.  The Edward Jones account balance was reported as $16,499.08 as of 01/30/11.  Bills presented were a late bill from the Daily Record.  Previous bill of $63.85 has already been approved for payment. The attached .88 late fee was approved for a total balance of $64.73.  A check was written by Bev.

 3.  Newsletter

The Friends of the Museum and History Center have asked to be included in our newsletter.  Bev asked about what we want to include.  Pres. Message, History story, and calendar were mentioned.  The present newsletter is 2 pages – 1 page front and back.  Combining the two mailing lists would mean a total membership of about 170 with about 20 duplicates who belong to both groups.

 Sherry volunteered to help coordinate this effort.  We need protocol for coordination.  There was a discussion about us being the umbrella organization for Fremont County Heritage Commission and Friends of the Museum.  Gloria will also help out here.

 The cost of the newsletter was discussed.  The newsletter goes out 6 times a year.  It presently costs $39 for copies and $38 for postage.  The Copy Shop copies, staples and folds presently.  Ads contribute about $450 per year and we have room for 15 ads.

The discussion was table until further solutions are explored.  The newsletter committee of Sherry, Bev, and Gloria will meet separately

It was agreed however, that we are willing to add Friends of the Museum to our newsletter with one extra page, front and back.  We discussed the possibility of sending the newsletter by email to those who have it in order to reduce costs.   Kit brought up handing out the newsletter in public places for non members to see.  We talked about other newsletters from other counties, Pueblo’s being one.

 Committee Reports were as follows:

 4.   Local History Center

It was recognized that Cliff Height had resigned; he will be going to Kansas State Univ. in Manhattan, KS 

There was a discussion of why we had to pay for copies of pictures at the Museum, when they had belonged to us in the first place.  We need to have that discussion with the Museum.  It was mentioned that we need to make the effort of partnering with whoever replaces Cliff.

 5.  Membership

We have two new members since last month:  Rex and Lotus Hoobler and Nick Collins from Michaels on Main St.  Gloria requested that Carol send a list of members to her for her records.

 6.  Public Meeting Committee-Peggy, Mary, Sherry

April 20 is our next membership, public meeting.  The program will be Peggy and Curt Sorenson and they will present the Garden Park School project.  Peggy agreed to get Bev the information for the newsletter.

 A discussion followed about who notifies the media.  Peggy, Sherry, and Bev all agreed to make sure it gets done.  We currently send notices to the Daily Record on Mon the week before, The Florence Citizen on Fridays the week before, and the Wet Mountain News also Friday the week before.

 Sherry and Peggy agreed to be the Program Committee and Bev agreed to be on Publicity.

 7.  Project Committee – Sherry, Larry, and Kit

The projects are:

The Prospect Heights Jail - Randy

Hardscrabble Area Sign – Wetmore

            We donated $100 for the upkeep of the sign and the Wetmore Group do that upkeep.  Carol suggested we go to their meeting on March 12 and see if they would like to be the stewards and owners of that sign.  Gloria agreed to go with Carol.

 8.  Audit Committee-Dale and Kit

Dale and Kit go thru the books 1 time per year before the annual meeting, along with Nelson Moorhead.  They will need statement from the end of the year.

 Old Business

 Bylaws

Report tabled until April.  We need latest copy, and changes need to be made.  Bev suggested we check with the City for the latest updated copy.

  Book purchase requests from History Center.

We give $100 to History Center to purchase new books.  Randy will check to see if it has been paid.

There was a discussion about the name of the History Center. The City owns it and it’s called the Royal Gorge History and Museum Center.  Why is there no mention of Fremont County?  The Cano City Librarian oversees the Board of the Museum.  We, the Fremont County Historical Society merely serve as an advisory board only.

  Postmark for the Sesquicentennial

Larry showed other postmarks from the past.  Peggy would like to work on this too.  Carol suggested the quilt be used in this year’s postmark.  There are 10 post offices in Fremont Co.  We would have to pay $40 to each one to have it available 1 day out of a 30 day period, a total of $400.  Nov. 1 is the date of the anniversary and is only for inside post office stamped mail only.  Sherry will see if Jean McGee (quilt) (Royal Gorge Area Realtors) will ok the use of the quilt on the stamp.  Sherry will ask if RGAR will help finance this effort.  If they won’t then a fallback positions will be that we only do it thru the Canon City Post Office or the four post offices that represent the ends of the county:  Penrose, Florence, Canon, and Howard.

 New Business

Our Logo will need to be changed to reflect that Custer Co. is no longer part of our group.  It was suggested that lifetime members become permanent members of both groups and we keep them on our mailing list.  People could also choose to be members of one or both of the organizations.  We will bring it up under Old Business next month.

 Carol reported that the Western Fremont County Historical Society is getting more active.  We need to make an effort to stay in touch.

 Oak Creek Cemetery –

Carol and Sherry and Gloria along with Carol’s daughter visited the cemetery.  Sherry is looking forward to mapping it out when the weather gets warmer.  The sign was reported to be in good shape.  Big Horn Ranch has the coordinates and the deed should be in the box given to the treasurer, Dale.  It was suggested that all deeds and important records be put in a Safety Deposit Box at Sunflower Bank.  Dale, Kit and Carol are signers on the account there and will secure a box for this organization.

 Prospect Heights Jail –

New roof has been paid for, Plexiglas windows have been attached.  We have an estimate of $4000 from Tim Madone for the inside walls to be rebricked.  Our general fund now has money to pay for this.  There was a question as to who and when the HAS was done.  It might be in the boxes that Gloria received from Bev.  She will look.  Larry said he would get the boxes of junk out.

 David Stubbs death –

There was a discussion of how we intend to pay tribute to his death and when the service was.  Carol will find out when the service is and send that out.  We agreed to spend up to $75, (flowers were mention or a donation to the family) a motion was made by Sherry and 2^nd by Carol.  Motion carried.  Carol will take care of the details.

 The meeting was adjourned at 11:45, with Gloria making the motion and Bev 2^nd.  All approved.

 Gloria Stultz, Sec.