No. 5

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August 2008

Yes, it's been a while since our last newsletter, so I'll try to catch up on some of the recent events in the next few days.

After many months of traveling around to different sites, we finally think we have a home suitable to our current needs for a meeting place. The English Lutheran Church at 2nd and Lewis Street in Minersville has graciously offered us space in their finished basement.

(more to follow...phones ringing!)

 

No. 4

FEBRUARY 2008

Our second venture to the Schuylkill County Historical Faire, hosted by the Fairlane Village Mall, proved to be as successful as our first, one year ago.  What started out as a blustery snowy morning soon turned warm with the arrival of members and their displays.  This year we doubled our request for tables to four, and ended up using six!

Displays included artwork by Jack Flynn, Dave Pukas and Barbara Burke. Coal items were contributed by Jimmy Stutz, Jack Kline and Tommy Symons.  Books and letters included some from the collections of Vince Land and Sean Kelly.  Megan Paul brought many items acquired from the borough and other parties which included a host of old signs used by the health dept when infectious diseases were in high risk.  At the last minute, our resident bottle collector Hap Anthony was called to work so he could not make it, however Judy and Tommy Quinn brought a dozen from their collection.

Food for sale was in abundance, and sold out quickly.  Thanks to Judy, Jimmy and Colleen Slovick for their donations.  In addition, four framed pen and ink drawings by Barbara Burke were donated to be chanced off at the end of the show.  We also had for sale lottery calendars and Christmas ornaments, each selling a few, and packs of postcards drawn by Jack Flynn (donated again!)

Most everybody enjoyed the displays of the other groups, and we gained new insight and ideas for the future.  Most rewarding were the favorable comments from other long established Societies on the progress we have made in just two short years. Some were asking US for advice!  Thanks to everyone who helped out and contributed in any way.  Once again a successful venture that was fun and enjoyable by all.

A few pictures are in order so here we go:

Submitted by Tom Symons 2/09/08

No. 3

JANUARY 2008

Quite a bit has transpired since the last update of our newsletter, and I apologize for not doing it sooner.  Originally, we had planned to maybe have a hardcopy to hand out, as not everyone has access to the Internet, but you know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men......

Let's go back to May and the Decoration Day program.  What an outstanding evening for both the Society and the area.  The turnout was more than we had expected, and the Minersville Area High School Marching Band (under the expert tutelage of our own Colleen Slovick) performed magnificently!   I can't thank these kids enough for what they did that evening.  The music and selections were perfect, the timing was precise and the drum rolls and TAPS still give me the goosebumps.

From the end of the Civil War up to about the middle 1920's. the local "Capt George Lawrence  Post #17 G.A.R." , held a ceremony on the 30th of May to honor their fallen comrades in arms.  They never faltered from their task until their ranks grew thin as they themselves passed on.

 It was indeed an honor to renew this ceremony nearly 75 years after their last one.  Each officer of the Society spoke a few words that evening at the podium. 

 Then an Honor Guard, made up of veterans of all Wars that were in attendance, and led by our Historian Jim Stutz, presented a wreath at the grave of Captain Lawrence. 

 Stu Richards, local author and Civil War historian, accepted the wreath as he portrayed the late Captain Lawrence along with his grandson Nathanial Dixon.

We hope to continue this ceremony each year to honor ALL veterans of ALL wars, in ALL cemeteries in the area.

On June 11, Society member Dave  "Big Owl" McSurdy presented a program on our local Indian tribes, the Lenape,  and their customs.  Once again, it was a well attended event with about 35-40 men, women AND children in attendance.  Thank you to the Mountaineer Hose Company for the use of their hall at South & 3rd Streets!

(Newsletter being updated through out this week 1/25/08)

No.2

February 2007

Fairlane Village Mall Display

Saturday February 10, 2007 marked the first time the Minersville Area Historical Society went "public"!  Hoping for two tables to display our artifacts (member owned) and food sales, we ended up with four! Our displays included old time photos of the Post office, cigar boxes, Civil war material (including two Springfield rifles loaned for the day), mining artifacts, quilts, original Jack Flynn drawings (which by the way he donated to be sold), photos and news clippings, maps, and even a coal scuttle filled with coal.  Why, even one of the stores loaned us a picture of the "Phillips & Jones Factory Ladies" to put on display for the day.

Not only did we get our name out in public, but we were able to interact with other Historical Societies from across the County.  This gave us the opportunity to get some new ideas. We received favorable comments from everyone concerned and had many people stopped to view our display and to ask questions.  A few applications were handed out and we raised around $90.00 in food, donations, prints,  and COAL sales.

A big THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU  to everyone who was involved, from setting up, displaying items, manning the tables, printing and editing the handouts and applications, cooking and baking the food, cleaning up and anything else I might have missed.  We had a great turnout of members that day, and everyone seemed to have a good time.  It was like a roundtable meeting, only bigger! The time flew, I wish we could have stayed longer.

If I missed anything, please let me know, it was a busy day!

Here are a few pics, there were more taken and will be added when I receive them.

 No. 1

END OF YEAR ACTIVITIES

January 2007

Daily Number Calendars

The Societies members kept themselves quite busy in the waning days of 2006.  With just two weeks notice, members were able to print, distribute, and sell over 200 "Daily Number" calendars as our initial fund raising efforts began.  To fully appreciate the maximum profit potential, one thousand would have to be sold.  However, it should turn a tidy profit if the "luck" of the numbers run our way!  A financial report will be given in the near future.  It was decided to run these calendars quarterly, with the months of March, June, September, and December selected.  The March calendar has been designed and features two "Bigger" prizes: $170.00 for St Patrick's Day the 17th, and $210.00 for the first day of Spring-the 21st.  It is currently in the "printing" process and will be distributed in the near future.

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Christmas Caroling

Twelve members gathered on the 9th of December to participate in our 1st Annual Christmas Caroling Crusade!  Meeting at the Flynn's home on Sunbury Street, Loretta and Jack opened their abode to members dressed in various forms of clothing of many eras.  After a few hearty "toasts" we proceeded west on Sunbury Street, south on Fifth to the intersection of Fourth (by the pool), then on to the Minersville High Rise at 4th and North, back to Sunbury Street (with a moments stop at the former site of the community Christmas tree 3rd & Sunbury to sing "O Tannebaum") and then east on Sunbury as far as Second Street.  We finished up at the "Frank 'N Burger" Restaurant where the owners treated us with hot chocolate and coffee.  Along the way, many people opened their doors, stood on the porches, or stopped their cars to listen to our joyful reprises.  It was decided it was a successful venture and we shall do it again in 2007, although possibly on Saturday afternoon and with a bit of publicity.

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Christmas Party

Wednesday evening, December 27th, members gathered at the site of the Minersville Lions Club Headquarters to celebrate the Christmas holiday with friends and family.  Food was provided through CJ's Restaurant, with members bring many desserts besides.  A grand time was had by all with some business being attended to.  An estimated twenty people were in attendance along with Lions member Joe Strenkoski, as our guest. It is nice when people who share a similar interest can socialize outside the form of business meetings.  It shows a promising future for our Society.

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Election of Officers for 2007

During the October and November meetings, nominations for officers were received for 2007.  All interim officers were nominated for the following year, and  in addition, Tom Symons being nominated for President.  Interim President Barbara Graf submitted a letter withdrawing her name from nomination due to time restraints with her schedule. The officers for 2007-2008 are as follows:

President-Tom Symons

Vice President-Joe Slovick

Secretary-Dora Santarelli

Treasurer-Meghan Paul

Historian-Jim Stutz