The monthly meeting of the Mahanoy Area Historical Society was held Monday, May 21, 2007 in the meeting rooms of the Mahanoy Area Downtown Center. Attending were: Bob Fallan, Bill Brown, Francis Senglar, Pat Brown, Swing Flamini, Peg Grigalonis, Rose Flamini, Kathy Wufsus, Dolly Wagner and Francis Burke. President Francis Senglar opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a prayer by Kathy Wufsus.

MINUTES

Minutes of the April meeting were accepted as printed on a motion by Kathy Wufsus, seconded by Swing Flamini.

TREASURER’S REPORT

In the absence of Treasurer Betty Coombe, the treasurer’s report was given by Financial Secretary Peg Grigalonis. The report was accepted on a motion by Francis Burke, seconded by Dolly Wagner.

CORRESPONDENCE

Secretary Pat Brown said an invoice for $171.76 had been received from Shirley Ryan for replacement of glass shelves and clips for the Mahanoy City High School Alumni case that were lost during the 2006 flood. An invitation was received from the Schuylkill River Heritage Association to view the Ethnic Heritage Traveling Exhibit from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 24 at the Yuengling Mansion in Pottsville. Peg Grigalonis explained that the exhibit included live music and ethnic foods. Also received was an invitation to attend the 8th annual Victorian Architecture and Preservation conference to be held June 1-3, 2007 in Warren, PA, and a request for a donation to the Shenandoah Area UNICO Band, which presents free concerts in the Mahanoy City and Shenandoah areas. It was noted that because of its IRS status, the society cannot give donations. A letter was also received from Jacqueline Sabo requesting information on her great-grandfather, who died in Mahanoy City on December 26, 1906. Swing Flamini suggested that she be given the name of John Mark Ambrosia, who takes care of the German Protestant Cemetery. Brown also said an e-mail had been received from Nick Yutko asking the society if it wanted to be included as a link to his web page as he had done in the past.

COMMITTEES

Artifacts Rose Flamini said she had just brought in a 331/3 album of the Mahanoy Area High School band concert. Room Committee Bob Fallan said he had spoken with Bill Paul, who will announce that the museum room will be open for a special veterans tribute between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and encourage everyone taking part in the Memorial Day Program and Parade to visit the center.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Francis Burke said he had been contacted by Frank Senglar inquiring if he was interested in keeping the position of curator inasmuch as he has not attended recent meetings. Burke said if the society did not have a replacement, he would like to keep the office and will try to get more involved. Burke questioned when the knitting machine from Morgan Knitting Mills would be returned to the center. Senglar said it was still being stored at the Service Electric warehouse along with the Quakake Post Office and a small kitchen stove. He said he did not think the knitting machine should be returned to the museum room because it was too crowded. Burke said if the society did not want the machine, he would look for another location for it to be displayed. Grigalonis said she was not in favor of giving the machine away because of its historical significance and the fact that so many Mahanoy Area residents made their living at the Morgan Mill. After a discussion on the matter, it was agreed not to make a decision on the machine at the present time. Peg Grigalonis said copies of the Record American from 1935 to 1969 had been transferred to the Mahanoy City Public Library over the weekend, and were in pretty good condition. She said the newspapers will eventually be microfilmed at a cost of 28 cents per page, estimating the cost would be approximately $30,000. Grigalonis said the project certainly will preserve Mahanoy Area history and the microfilm will eventually be made available to the public. She said the library took on the project at the urging of the historical society and asked for monetary remuneration. It was noted the society cannot make a donation to the project, but if it is assessed a certain sum, they will try to pay it. Burke will drive his antique car in the Memorial Day Parade representing the historical society and Rose Flamini and Dolly Wagner will ride with him.

NEW BUSINESS

Senglar said on Wednesday he will meet with a man from Shenandoah who is working on the Shenandoah Historical Society website and he was confident the Mahanoy historical website would be up and running in the near future. A grand reopening of the museum room was discussed and Senglar said he would like to see it happen on a day when there would be a good amount of people in the downtown area. It was suggested that perhaps it could be held on Ethnic Day, which is June 2, when various ethnic groups from the community would have foods and other items for sale in the Citizens Fire Company. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. The next meeting will be held Monday, June 25, with Jean Dellock speaking on genealogy and where records can be found in Schuylkill County. It was agreed to have the executive meeting at 6 p.m. and have the program begin at 7 p.m.