The fifty-sixth meeting of the Historical Commission of the Village of Evendale was called to order Monday January 10, 2005 at 7:45pm in Adult Services Room at the Rec Center. This meeting was held after the monthly Meet and Greet program.
Those present:
Stiney Vonderhaar
Bob Griffin
Roy Stegmann
Ed Gassert
Diane Lemen
Dutch Spiedel
Mary Spiedel
Ray Baxter
Marian Morgan
Judy Stockmeier
Ray Dick
Lucille Bossert
Special Guests:
Glenn Lewis
Ed motioned to suspend reading of the minutes due to the later start time. Seconded by Mary. Diane will mail a copy of the December minutes to everyone for corrections. No corrections were noted on the November meeting minutes.
Ed surprised everyone with samples of the EHC logo he made on his commercial embroidery machine. Ed had the logo digitalized for a cost of $80. The EHC would own the design. The large logo on a tote bag Ed gave to Diane will cost $10.00 and the smaller version on the ball cap given to Stiney will cost $8.50 to reproduce on any garment. Stiney said he wanted to create a PO to pay for the pattern, Dutch made the first motion and all present made the second motion.
Judy reported she could purchase 2 very nice glass covered display tables that can be locked. They were used for the display of jewelry at Sterling Cut Glass. Judy works at Sterling Cut Glass, they are in the process of moving. The tables are marked for sale for $100 each. Judy reports her supervisor will consider the best offer. Dutch motioned the EHC offer $70 each, Ed seconded the motion. Stiney will ask the Public Works Department to move the display tables to the Civic Center.
Ed suggested the EHC create a display in the Rec Center lobby. Dutch suggested the EHC work on creating a display area at the Civic Center as well. Stiney said he would ask Mayor Apking about the possibility of the EHC expanding into another room at the Civic Center for archiving and storage. Ed noted the EHC proposal to hire someone to assist in categorizing and archiving the EHC documents and artifacts did not make the 2005 budget cuts.
Ed reported Al Hoeweller confirmed all the Ohio 5th Regiment reenacters are booked with other events for July 2005.
Diane reported she called David Mowery about the status of the Civil War Trail Commission markers. ODOT has approved the project, there are a few counties in eastern Ohio who have yet to finalize the artist rendition and wording for the signs in their counties. Once they submit their signs, they can all be sent out for bid, through ODOT. The signs can be made in about a week to 10 days. David feels like a July dedication is not likely. Fall of 2005 is realistic.
Stiney reported the EHC had $600 left in our 2004 budget. (A pleasant surprise!) He encumbered the funds to pay Carl Hille $300 for the aerial photos and photographer Kay Divits $300 for the photos they have taken of the Village.
Stiney reported he would like to get more pictures of the Cunningham/Bosse property as Anchor Properties is now taking core soil samples and is moving ahead as planned with development. Dutch said he would call Carl Hille about taking low level aerial photos. Dutch would like to go with the pilot.
Diane reported Attorney Andy Graf is writing the petition for Probate Court. Judy Tooman is working with Andy and will sign the petition as a family member requesting the removal of the graves. Before the petition can go to Probate, 3 public notices must run in the newspaper 2 weeks apart. Andy said it would be about March 1st before the petition can go to court.
A lengthy discussion about the graves being moved to GHF took place. Mary mentioned the Ohio Revised Code having a section on cemeteries. Stiney expressed concern about Evendale taking on the forever responsibility of a cemetery. Stiney talked with the staff at Rest Haven who reinforced discouraging the creation of private resting-places. Rest Haven would sell the Village 1 grave for about $1300 and open the grave for $700, no vault is needed to bury the remains of all the Cunningham graves. Others present expressed their feeling about the Cunningham Family remaining in Evendale as a priority, but felt a dedicated cemetery was preferable. Should GHF ever wish to expand, they would have to go to the expense and time consuming process of petitioning Probate Court. If Evendale
places a marker and possibly fencing at GHF, that could be easily relocated if needed. Dutch commented, “Washington is not buried at the Washington Monument.” All are in agreement; that the Cunningham Family should be honored but not buried at GHF.
It was unanimously agreed to write Mayor Apking and members of Council a formal letter expressing the concerns of the EHC. The letter must be written before Thursday January 13th, as Council will have the second reading of the ordinance. Diane, Dutch and Mary will write the letter and place it in Council Chambers on Thursday.
Stiney reported Mr. Poettker and his family farmed the acreage owned by GE for 61 years. GE has decided not to continue farming the property. The Poettker family must move soon. Bill Poettker Jr. donated a sign that was in the bank barn on the property. Stiney passed around pictures of the barn. The barn is circa 1840, a timber frame structure. GHF is interested in having the barn dismantled and moved to GHF near the Interpretive Building for classes and activities. Stiney will get Jeff Ficke of GHF in touch with Tom Acton of GE to discuss the possibilities. Diane offered to call Jill Stiens-Hamilton to see if there are any old pictures of the barn and e-mail Steve Gordon of the Ohio Preservation Association for
advice.
Stiney introduced our special guest Glenn Lewis of the Wyoming Historical Society. Glenn called both Diane and Stiney about the condition of the remaining canal in Evendale. Glenn described tentative plans the WHS is making with the Wyoming schools about the possibility of organizing a bus tour for 3rd graders focusing on local history. Glenn asked about including Evendale in this tour and our plans to mark the old canal. The EHC is glad to assist in any way we can and hopes to include an Ohio marker in this year’s budget.
Glenn is also a collector of Native American artifacts. He viewed the Stegmann collection prior to tonight’s meeting and shared with the EHC a beaded Woodland’s Indian moccasin from his collection. Thank you, Glenn.
Lucille expressed the pleasure she has had in reading through the photocopies of the old scrapbooks she and her staff (Eunice C. Ryan and Alice Thomas) kept as the early office staff for the Village (1951-1980).
Lucille has kept the original doorknob from the first Village administration offices on the grounds of the old the Tennessee Corporation and the original flagstaff that went to every Council meeting. (Mr. Noble Shanto of Rest Haven Cemetery borrowed the Village flag every Memorial Day for their Holiday services.) She would like to donate these items to the EHC.
Stiney reported Jack Cameron has been attending meetings with the Millcreek Valley Planners and Army Corps of Engineers. They have announced long range plans (2015) to correct the flooding issues along the Millcreek. It is likely the creek will be widened and a watershed area will be created from Butler County to the Ohio River.
Ed commented Mayor McGrew helped create a very similar plan 53 years ago. The group/plan was known as the Millcreek Valley Conservancy.
Bob reported he has changed and added to his display case in the Adult Services Room to reflect the Holiday season. Bob would like to add another display case in 2005, sighting a recent opportunity he had to purchase a replica of a rare eagle presented to President Kennedy. There has been a very favorable response to Bob’s display. Bob is keeping Judy busy typing! Thank you Bob and Judy.
Diane reported, while in Columbus she gave a GHF book to Mrs. Loletta Guthrie. She was a presenter in the conference on Ohio Cemeteries. Mrs. Guthrie is a trustee for the Ohio Genealogical Society and called to ask if she could nominate Jane Stotts and the GHF book for an award of recognition at their annual conference April 14-16 in Akron. Diane sent a hard cover and soft cover book to Mr. Neal in Mansfield, Ohio for OGS nomination.
Roy reported he found a photo of the scull of the peccary pig sent to his parents. He believes the photo was sent in the late 1950-early 60’s, the source of the photo is unknown.
Diane read a note placed in the 4-H Progressive Club monthly newsletter, alerting members Dorothy Gorman was ill. Stiney asked Diane to send a “thinking of you card.” (Sent with the December meeting minutes.)
Stiney also reported Ardell Gruber; associate member who contributed photos and memorabilia from Opekasit Farms passed away in December. Stiney was able to attend the funeral and a card was sent.
Bob reported the Adult Services is having a special Valentine’s Day Dinner for members Monday evening 2/14. It was proposed that the EHC meet 2/7 at 7:30pm, after Meet and Greet here in the Adult Services Room. Unanimously agreed upon by those present.
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