NEWTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Minutes of October 14, 2008
Merrimack Saving Bank
Members present: Bill Landry Marilyn Landry
Mary Marshall Mary Riordan
Ron Saunders Cheryl Saunders
Irene Nally Forest Reynolds
John Meserve Kathy Meserve
Diane Morin Sally Woodman
Karen O'Malley
Bill Landry called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.
Secretary’s Report – Mary Riordan
Marilyn Landry made a motion to accept the minutes of September 8, 2008. Sally Woodman seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Treasurer’s Report – Bill Landry
Sally Woodman made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Marilyn Landry seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Old Business:
Update on transfer of Hayford Carriage to NHS – Bill Landry reported that the Selectmen have approved the transfer. The Selectman have asked the Conservation Commission if they have any objection to the transfer. We are waiting to hear from the Conservation Commission.
Update on repair of floor in Primary School – Bill Landry reported he had contacted Rob Hayes. Rob is very busy at this time. Bill will meet with him at 6:30PM on Thursday to find out what we can do to remove the existing floor. Bill is hoping we can complete this by the spring.
Update on insect problem at Marshall House – Cheryl Saunders reported that the exterminator had examined the areas, poked in the walls and sprayed for bugs. He is not sure it was bugs. He said if we see more activity he would come back. The town will pay the $50 charge because they are responsible for the building.
Update on October 18th Wine and Cheese Social – Kathy Meserve reported she has chosen the wines. She and John picked up the cheese and crackers. The tasks remaining are to determine which artifacts to display and setting up the displays. Anyone who can help with setup should be at the Bank a 1:00PM. Marilyn Landry will call Myrtle Rogers for her scrapbooks. Kathy will pick up flowers from Newton Greenhouse. Bill Landry reported we have received two gift certificates from Acapulco’s, we have a wine opener kit in addition to the flowers. Bill Landry has a slide show from events last year that we'll run on the computer during this event. Kathy Meserve reported that the information was sent to the newspapers, but it was not in last week. Poster are
out around town and it is on Cable Channel 20. John Meserve reported we had sold approximately 20 tickets outside of the sponsors. Marilyn Landry made a suggestion for next year that we schedule this event so it is not on the same day as the Kelly Labelle fundraiser.
Newton Fall Fair – Kathy Meserve reported she went to the event, which was finally held last week. She said it was geared toward young kids.
New Business:
Funds transfer Checking to Money Market Account – Bill Landry made a motion to transfer $3,800 from the Checking Account to the Money Market Account. Mary Riordan seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Table at Memorial School on Election Day Tuesday 11/4 – Cheryl Saunders reported that the General election is at the Town Hall. Bill Landry suggested that we do not have a presence at the election since we have had the display at the Bank all year. Kathy Meserve said the Friends of the Library are having a Bake Sale at the election if any would like to donate baked goods.
Fund Drive targeting local businesses – Bill Landry reported he will send a letter in the next week or so to businesses that donated last year, asking for their continued support.
Donation to the Alzheimer's Foundation in memory of Percy Wonson -Marilyn Landry made a motion to donate $100 to the Alzheimer's Foundation in memory of NHS member Percy Wonson. Ron Saunders seconded the motion. John Meserve stated that other organizations he's involved with had some issues with this type of donation. He suggested we consider setting guidelines on donating in memory of members. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Correspondence:
Assoc. of Historical Societies of NH Annual Meeting – Bill Landry received information of the meeting to be held October 25th at the Daniel Webster Farm in Franklin, NH. Anyone interested in it should contact Bill for more details.
Other:
Visit by Hayford descendents (GGD Joanne Paulus & Nancy Fink) – Bill Landry reported the great-grand daughters of Edward Hayford, Joanne Paulus and Nancy Fink, visited Saturday October 11th. Bill took them to the School House, the Marshall Museum, the Highland and Chase Cemeteries, the Chase Homestead and Forrest Reynolds to view his Hayford Carriage. They were very appreciative of the tour Bill took them on.
Turned off dehumidifier in Primary Schoolhouse – Bill Landry reported he turned off the dehumidifier in the Primary Schoolhouse since it is not needed for the winter.
Marilyn Landry asked if the December meeting was still going to be a Christmas gathering. Bill Landry said it would just be a meeting as the Corn Roast took the place of the Christmas party. Marilyn suggested we think about officers for next year as we vote on them at the December meeting. The offices are President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary.
Mary Marshall asked if we had received any responses to our survey. Bill Landry stated we did not receive any responses. Mary Marshall asked if anyone had any interest in going to Mystery Hill in Salem, NH. There was discussion on when to go next year. She also asked if anyone had interest in going to Strawberry Bank in Portsmouth for their Christmas event. Mary Marshall will get more information on the event for the next meeting.
Kathy Meserve noticed there was a carriage in the front yard on 35 Pond St. and wondered if anyone knew anything about it. Ron Saunders said it had been there for a long time. Kathy was wondering if it was a Hayford.
Bill Landry reported that Ray Thayer mentioned to him that Mr. Robert Hartwell, a Newton resident, made Tartan Plaid for the NH Highland games. Ray suggested we might want to consider having him give a talk. Karen O'Malley has a suit her mother had made from cloth made by Mr. Hartwell. Bill Landry asked if we could display it at the Wine & Cheese Social. Karen said she would bring it.
Mary Marshall suggested we display Margie Reynolds' beaded silk dress that is in the trunk at the Marshall Museum at the Wine & Cheese Social.
Next meeting is Monday November 10, 2008 7:00PM at Merrimack Savings Bank
Diane Morin made a motion to adjourn. Sally Woodman seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote. Bill Landry adjourned the meeting at 7:40PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Riordan, Secretary
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