Monterey Cultural Council
Meeting: August 13, 2009
Attending: Maureen Banner, Dianna Downing, Laury Epstein, Wendy Jensen, Susan Johnson, Neil
McGinnis, Kathryn Roberts, Joel Schick
We were pleased to have our new member, Wendy Jensen, join us for this meeting. Wendy hasn't been
sworn in and taken the online MCC training. But she used to be a member of the Great Barrington
Cultural Council, so she already knows her onions.
The main purpose of this meeting was to list the various jobs that need to be done for the Photo Contest
& Exhibition coming up on Labor Day weekend, and to start having people sign up for some of them.
Here's what we know so far (in vaguely chronological order)...
• Neil will talk to Kenn Basler about catering the wine-and-cheese reception. Neil ought to plan to talk
to Kenn twice: once to get everything straight, and again to remind him at the next-to-last minute.
• Joel will call Joe Baker about providing background music for the reception. If Bonner & Joe can't
play for the amount of money we have available, Joel will check a couple other possibilities.
• Dianna will call the judges, and set up a time for them to see the show. We will set up the show the
night before they see it, whichever day that might be. Our first choice: set up on Thursday evening for
a Friday morning judgathon.
Photo Drop-off at the Church basement:
Sunday, Aug. 30, 4-6: Kit and Kathryn
Monday, Aug. 31, 5-7: Joel and.....
The day of the Set-Up, either Dennis Downing or Susan Johnson will bring a pick-up truck to Joel's
barn, to transport the display panels, lights, light bulbs, and extension cords to the Church. In addition
to the truck driver and Joel, it wouldn't hurt to have a couple other people to help schlep. Joel will email
everybody when we know a time and day for the transport.
Set Up Show:
Maybe Wednesday or Thursday evening. Everybody who can make it should be there. Don't
worry—this job is fun. And the more people we have, the more fun it is.
Joel will make up certificates to award the winning photographers, once the judges have decided on the
categories and winners. The hope is to have the certificates ready for the reception Friday evening.
Reception:
Friday, Sept. 4, 5-7: Everybody will want to be there, since there's going to be wine. We
should all get there as close after 4 o'clock as possible, to set up tables and make sure everything is
ready for the massive crowd.
Around 6 o'clock, we'll announce the winners and award the coveted certificates (suitable for framing).
Somebody will have to be the MC, and announce the winners. Last time, Joe Baker did this, but he's
no longer on the Council. Joel can't do it, because he'll be setting up to play at the Store that evening at
7 o'clock. Nobody likes to do this, but somebody will have to. Any volunteers?
Post-Reception Concert:
At 7 o'clock, everybody should adjourn to the General Store to dig the Wang Dang Doodle Blues &
Gospel Revue (Vikki True, Robin O'Herin & Joel Schick, with Peter Schneider and Richard Downs).
It's the last show of the summer music series—probably the last show at the Store until next May. So
don't miss it—and grab somebody at the Reception and make them come along too. Claim it's culture.
Show Hours:
Last time, this was an easy gig--never overwhelming, and only occasionally boring. People came
through the exhibit, and sometimes had questions. Sometimes they just wanted to compliment
somebody. Two people per shift is nice; one is okay. You needn't sign up for the entire shift. If
Saturday morning is good for you, for instance, sign up for 9-11:30 and someone else can take 11:30-2.
There won't be another meeting until after the Show; so sign up by e-mailing both Dianna and Joel.
Sat. Sept. 5, 9-2:
Sun. Sept. 6, 10-2:
Mon. Sept. 7, 2-3: Kit and Joel.
Photo Pick-up:
Mon. Sept. 7, 2-3: Kit and Joel.
Takedown and Cleanup; returning display panels to the barn:
Mon. Sept. 7, 3-?: Kit and Joel so far.
We'll need Denny or Susan with a truck, and some people to sweep up and make the room nice for the
coffee boys the next morning. The job shouldn't take more than an hour.
The other things we discussed....
1) We set a limit of $150 for the background music at the Reception.
2) We discussed an e-mail from Liana Toscanini of the Sandisfield CC. She had inquired about
our policy toward allowing part-time residents to join the Cultural Council. We decided we
were all open to the idea. Maureen said it's fine with the MCC. Joel will reply to Liana.
3) This led us to chat about the idea of working together with some of the other LCCs in our little
towns. Apparently Tyringham is interested in merging with us (perhaps attempting to mend
fences after the unpleasantness of 1847--South Tyringham, my Aunt Fanny). We didn't seem to
be interested in an actual merger, but we thought it might be fun to co-produce some big events.
Minutes submitted by Joel Schick
August 14, 2009
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