Monthly Meeting Minutes

September 2007 Minutes

The monthly meeting of the Mahanoy Area Historical Society was held Monday, September 24, 2007 in the meeting rooms of the Mahanoy Area Downtown Center. Attending were: Bill Brown, Francis Senglar, Pat Brown, Joseph Flamini, Rose Flamini, Betty Coombe, Mark Zucker, Lois Griffiths and Peter Chrusch.
President Francis Senglar opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a prayer.

MINUTES

Minutes of the August meeting were accepted as printed on a motion by Joan Goodman, seconded by Swing Flamini, with two clarifications by Goodman in the previous Community Preservation Committee report that there were a total of 16 plaques previously given to various locations in the Mahanoy Area and that "in the near future" meant before the end of 2007.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Treasurer Betty Coombe reported there was a beginning balance of $12,408.92 with receipts of $180 for books and $110 for memberships. Expenditures were $20 to Westfield Insurance, $26 to Verizon and $41 to the US Post Office for a total of $87.03, bringing the balance to $12,611.89 as of August 31. There was a balance of $1,624.91 in the Memorial Fund savings account, $20 in the checking account, and $1,081.55 in a certificate of deposit that will renew 10/6/08 and is garnering 4.64 percent interest. The treasurer’s report was accepted on a motion by Rose Flamini, seconded by Swing Flamini .

CORRESPONDENCE

Secretary Pat Brown said a letter was sent to David Huebner thanking him for donating the cash register that had been in his parents grocery store. Joan Goodman said the cash register should be moved to a different location for insurances purposes because it could fall and injure someone.

COMMITTEES

Artifacts

Rose Flamini said there had been 11 accessions in September, bringing the total to 171 for the year.

Book Committee

Reporting for the Book Committee, Pat Brown said 40 books had been ordered from Arcadia Printing at a cost of $11.99 per book and five extra books would be received for ordering during a promotional period.

Community Preservation

Joan Goodman said she needed various invoices for items purchased and for renovations costs to close out a $5,000 state grant received to help with flood damages.
She said there are four remaining plaques to be distributed to the First Methodist Church, the First Congregational Church, the Washington Hook and Ladder Company and the home of Charles Savage on East Mahanoy Avenue near the Methodist Church.

Membership Committee

Frank Senglar said Membership Committee Chairwoman Marjorie Fletcher said she dropped all members who had not renewed their membership for the past two years and would like to drop those who have not paid their 2006 dues. She said she was able to contact most of those people personally. It was agreed to drop them after information is sent out regarding 2008 membership.

Special Committees

Lois Griffith and Rose Flamini discussed the Christmas Program that will be held December 8 with a program at the First United Methodist Church followed by a social. Swing Flamini will handle the printing of the tickets.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Joan Goodman presented an album with information compiled by the late Ann Maff. Swing Flamini said there are two groups who would like to see the museum room. He was told to make arrangements with Room Manager Bob Fallan.
Frank Senglar said the by-laws of the society had been revised mostly for clarification but the office of curator was deleted because it is a term that was associated with a museum and similar duties are now handled by the room manager.
Members read the by-laws and approved the printed version. The revised by-laws will be officially accepted at the October meeting.
Mark Zucker said the website "mahanoyhistory.org" was not renewed by Ray Eichman and he was able to get it. Mahanoyhistory.org, mahanoyhistory.com and mahanoyhistory.info are all sites that will take a viewer to the historical society’s website. The official website will remain "mahanoyhistory.org". Senglar said that Zucker had paid for the website and asked if the society would donate one of its historical books to Zucker, which was agreed upon by those in attendance.
Senglar said the executive committee had discussed the possibility of getting a calendar for 2008 featuring photos of local sites for the various months. Pat Brown is waiting for information from Jack Fowler, who said he can get the calendars printed for the society. Senglar said if anyone joins the society at this time they receive a 2008 membership card, but they cannot vote for the remainder of 2007.

NEW BUSINESS

Lois Griffith read a letter to the society from Attorney Robert Bohorad and herself, who are trustees of the Mary D. Comerford Estate and presented a $300 check to the society. Because it is a $300 donation, Ms. Comerford’s name will be added to the Memorial Plaque. Frank Selgrath will get brass name plates for both Ms. Comeford and Victor Schertzinger, whose granddaughter had also contributed $300.
Because of the Halloween program being presented at the October meeting by John Sabol, the next meeting of the society will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, October 29, 2007

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Patricia P. Brown, Secretary
Mahanoy Area Historical Society