Marlow
Historical Society Minutes & Reports
September
2006
[Executive Board Meeting] [Annual Meeting]
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Marlow Historical Society / Executive Board Meeting /
Sept. 5, 2006 The meeting began at 6:46 PM at the Chapel Museum. Present
were Mary Blank, Adam Plumb, Richard Rock Candy Wiggum, and Loisanne
Foster. JoAnn Hartwell was able to join us for part of the meeting. Mary reminded us that the next general meeting is Sept.
21, the Annual Meeting at which elections take place. We should bring an
entree or a salad. Loisanne Foster read the Secretary’s report, which was
accepted as amended, and Mary Blank read the Treasurer’s Report, which
was discussed and accepted as read. Old Business We discussed the Liberty Elm Tree Project, ironing out the
details of planting and commemoration, and discussed at length the
raffle of the extra free tree as to whether it should be done in a
separate raffle or as part of the 50/50 raffle. We decided there should
be just one raffle, and it should be made known that only a Marlow
resident can win the elm. We
have the locations, the mounting rock, the plaque, the fences, and the
benches squared away. We will have two by the police station, one on the
town common, two to the left of the Grange, three beside the cemetery,
and one by the Chapel behind the fence where there is an old stump. Gerry Plotts is going to choose one other person to work
with her on the nominating committee for the slate of officers for the
Annual Meeting. New Business We squared away MHS activities and sales items and
responsibilities for the Harvest Festival. Adam Plumb plans to contact
people to ask them to bring out old vehicles including the Marlow hearse
and 1910 pumper to put on display at the Harvest Fest. We discussed the
possibility of getting “Galloping Gayla” out of mothballs. Wait and
see. Marcia Levesque has asked us if we would be interested in
putting letterboxes around town. Having discovered that letterboxes are
part of a new fad of mystery hunting with a series of clues as to the
location and a small “prize” inside the mystery box or jar, we
decided it would be fun and educational. We plan to participate. Adam Plumb described his Eagle Scout Project, which he is
bound to give to someone who will keep it. He plans a Historic Walk from
East Road, over Huntley Mountain to Washington Pond with signs and map
brochures at each end. He will mark the trail and significant points
such as old cellar holes, and key the map with descriptions to match
each marker. As part of the
project, he is also collecting old Marlow stories of the area. He has
already contacted many of the landowners involved and has received a
qualified “yes” from those contacted.
The concern, of course, is liability, and we will look into
wording to deal with that. Adam asked if, when the project is complete,
we would accept it, and we agreed we would, pending the solution to the
liability issue. Adam also has an extensive collection of old Marlow
pictures to share with the Society. We have already used some of his
pictures showing placement of the old elms. We briefly discussed having a spectacular Old Home Day in
2011, our town’s 250th year. We need to be thinking how to make it
special. Respectfully
submitted, Annual Meeting / Marlow Historical Society / September 21, 2006 The
meeting began at 7:01 PM following a pot luck supper. The Secretary’s
Report from the September 2005 Annual Meeting was read and accepted as
read. The Treasurer’s Report on the last year was read and accepted as
read. Once again, we are managing to fund several major projects:
painting Murrray Hall’s exterior, planting sixteen disease-resistant
elms, and conserving Marlow’s 1876-67 album quilt. Old
Business: Loisanne
explained the Marlow Album Quilt Project. We hope to have it conserved
by Kathy Harvey of Swanzey in January, 2007. This will stabilize it
without destroying its antique authenticity (1876) and leave the
original signatures visible. Mary
and Candy discussed aspects of the Elm Project such as the issue of
benches which will go with the dedicated trees. The bench on the common
cannot be replaced. It is grounded in deep cement and welded down. We
are working with the Marlow Conservation Commission on this project and
will join with them in other common concerns as well. Bucky
White has completed painting Murray Hall.
We have raised approximately two thirds of the money for the
project. Our
MHS Web Forum has brought us much information, some practical help,
visitors, and donations from grateful patrons of the service. As
usual, we will participate in the Harvest Festival with our sales and
informational booth. New
Business: Elections Gerry
Plotts, Chair of the Nominating Committee, presided. Mary
Blank was unanimously accepted as president. Candy
Wiggum nominated Gen Ells for the unfilled position of Vice President
and the nomination was seconded. Gen asked for time to think about it.
We agreed that, if Gen is willing, the Executive Board can fill the
position at any time so Gen will not be asked to make a rush decision. The
remaining slate of officers was also unanimously accepted: Secretary:
Loisanne Foster A
discussion on the conservation issue of how we can help Marlow keep its
rural character was postponed to a future date when we can include other
groups. The
meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM. Respectfully
submitted, |