Manchester Historical Society

Meeting Minutes/Discussion for April 24, 2006

Attending:  Bob Cairns, Wanda Larsen, Toni Probert, Joyce Rada, Bob Edwards,
Mary-Cathern Edwards


Reports:
Manchester Family artifact: Wanda Larsen presented a wooden butter bowl with paddles that belonged to long time Manchester resident Francis Denniston, on loan from Francis’ daughter, Peggy Warren.

Display case at Manchester Elementary School:  Jim Stritzel reported Manchester Elementary School is very receptive to the idea of displaying MHS artifacts in an on premise display cabinet.  Brief discussion re: size and quantity ensued.  It was decided we will accept cases of almost any size and in good condition for placement at the School and other locations.  Mary-Cathern Edwards and Bob Cairns to provide Joyce Rada with POC and phone number for Government Reuse Site at Ft Lewis (formerly/recently known as Defense Reutilization Material Office, DRMO), as a possible repository for ‘used’ display cases.

Old Business:
Francis Denniston video interview:   Wanda Larson located a family member (former Manchester Assistant Postmistress) of the  2004/5 SKHS graduate/videographer  who interviewed Francis Denniston, in 2005.  The video is thought to be in the SKHS media arts library.     Wanda (?) will research further the location of the Interview video. 

Manchester Community Foundation:  Ron Rada ( per discussion with Ron, prior to meeting) still waiting to hear from attorney re: 501c3 status of Manchester Foundation.  There was a brief discussion re: the  purpose and relationship of the Foundation  to the MHS.

Video and/or audio recorder for MHS meetings:  Continued discussion from previous meetings re: critical need for video/audio recording.  It was again noted we are missing the capture and documentation of numerous stories, recollections and anecdotes (all historical, of course) addressed during our meetings.  Mary-Cathern will announce need of MHS recording equipment at the April 24 Manchester Community Council (MCC) meeting.   Bob Edwards suggested we get the word out for our need for this item amongst our e-mail groups.

New Business: 
Dues Structure:  Discussion re: varying monetary levels for membership dues.  No decision was made at this time. 

MHS Newsletter:   Bob Cairns addressed the need for a MHS newsletter.  He observed there are many people within the Community that are still not aware of our fledgling existence.  We need to take a pro active  stance to publicize our existence.  Suggestions for an electronic newsletter  and distribution using of several controlled community e-mail lists (MCC, Friends of the Library (FOL), Manchester Crime Prevention and Public Safety Group (MCP and PSG)), Manchester residents within various Service groups (eg Rotary, Master Gardeners) was discussed.   Wanda and Mary-Cathern will follow up with manchesterwa.org webmaster, Arlene Rebelowski, for newsletter formatting advice.  It was noted John Winslow, FOL President and MCC Secretary, may be able to provide assistance with electronic distribution of a MHS newsletter.
Toni Probert suggested we talk to the Mannette Historical Society as well, re: their newsletter distribution processes.  Toni will provide their POC and phone number.

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, May 23, 2006, 4-6 PM at the Manchester Library.

Ron Rada and Mary-Cathern Edwards will develop an agenda for our next meeting.  If you have additional agenda items, please contact Mary-Cathern Edwards, 871-3006.

Mary-Cathern Edwards
Interim President
Manchester Historical Society