Minutes from the May 17th meeting were reviewed along with the financial report.  With receipt of the $495 dollars owed by Madison Regatta and the sale of the quilt for $375, finances continues to improve.  Millie Busch motioned that both reports be approved.  Louis Munier seconded, and the motion carried.

 

Ken Knouf presented the DOD report.  He and Norma Lou elaborated on their visit to Cleveland to visit Chilton Thomson.  Mr. Thomson proved a most gracious host and recounted many interesting stories connected with Old Timbers Lodge.  He was excited about the group's desire to re-copy his book, and even placed an advance order of 20 copies.

 

Ken also relayed that the Big Oaks Conservation Society had sponsored a successful "Women in the Outdoors" seminar at Old Timbers Lodge and demonstrated that the lodge could be used for these purposes.  This sets us up to hold our next seminar at Old Timbers.  Ken emphasized the need to establish this year's planning committee and begin work on the fall seminar.

 

He also reported that work is continuing on developing an agreement whereby the Big Oaks Conservation Society would assume stewardship responsibilities for Old Timbers Lodge.

 

Ron Harsin reported that the group had received a Madison/Jefferson Community Foundation Grant for $5200.  This is earmarked to collect more and to transcribe existing oral histories that we currently have.  Ron and Mike Moore have begun work on compiling histories and developing a narrative that will highlight the military story of JPG.

 

Ron would like to take Barbara Jachimiak's book on St. Magdalene Church and Chilton Thomson's book on Old Timbers up to his publisher in Michigan to obtain a quote on pricing.  We hope to have these books available by the time we host the seminar.

 

Ron presented the Website Committee Report and distributed his monthly printout.  Numbers of hits slightly declined, but overall interest remains fairly steady.

 

There were no other committee reports, but Norma Lou did remind the group that annual membership dues would be coming in two months.

 

The next meeting will be held at the South Ripley Elementary School, Versailles at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19th.

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted

Ken Knouf, Acting Recorder