MINUTES OF THE DOGTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
March 14, 2009

CALL TO ORDER: President John Corbett called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. at 6314 West Park, St. Louis, MO. Eleven members and a guest were in attendance: Bob Corbett, John Corbett, Tom Corbett, Didi Gardner, Greg Gardner, Tom Haller, Henry Herbst, Michelle Kennedy, Rose Kennedy, Sally Sharamitaro, Joe Weisbrod, and guest; Pat Bishop.

Minutes of Last Meeting - A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the January 10, 2009 meeting. A vote was taken, the motion passed and the minutes were approved.

Treasurer’s Report Bob Corbett, Treasurer, informed the members that he was unable to update and/or print the current treasurer’s report as his computer had a serious problem and had to be sent out for repair.

Archives/Donations– Bob shared with the members that he will be giving several Dogtown tours scheduled during March and April. He had been approached by two tour bus companies to offer a Dogtown component (Irish community) to their current “Hill” tours (Italian community). The tours would also include an historical and musical tour of St. James the Greater Church as well as Dogtown historical sites and homes.

Bob said he was grateful to Fr. John Johnson for permission to take the tour through the church and for access to the piano. It’s possible that John Corbett will play and sing at either St. James Church or at Seamus for the tour groups.

Henry Herbst Book - Our own Henry Herbst is co-author of a book due out in the fall titled “St. Louis Brews: 200 Years of Brewing in St. Louis, 1809-2009”. This full color hardbound edition is filled with hundreds of historical images, and is the only comprehensive volume ever published on St. Louis’ rich brewing tradition.

A motion was made that the DHS reserve a copy of the book for the Archives. A vote was taken, passed and $40.00 was approved for the pre-sale book purchase.

Dogtown Neighborhood Community Organizations – John hoped that there would be more interest in a DHS committee to follow up on the history of the Dogtown neighborhood organizations. Bob spoke about how unlikely it would be that any groups would discuss their origins, bylaws and missions at their meetings, therefore more than meeting minutes will be needed to document their origins. Various organizations have invited Bill Waterhouse, Alderman, to speak about Missouri regulations and the paperwork required to register as an official neighborhood community organization.

Century Home Committee - No Report

Ghost Sign Project - No Report

Bench Project - No Report

Neighborhood Banners – John noted that the DHS being the only 501(c)(3) organization in Dogtown, is authorized to purchase insurance on the 650 neighborhood banners currently being installed in Dogtown. Following a motion and vote, the DHS approved $25.00 for the insurance necessary to install the various Dogtown neighborhood banners.

Labor Day Parade – John spoke with the city police who told him that the traffic around Dogtown on St. Patrick’s Day would indicate what traffic problems could be expected at other parades held in Dogtown during the re-construction of Hwy 40. John will follow up.

Talent Show Fundraiser – John informed the members that no performing volunteers have come forward for the talent show, though various non-performing help has been offered. He reminded the members that the Talent Show idea is separate from the street performer’s idea. Discussion followed on former talent and minstrel shows at St. James (see website) as well as other talent shows and street performers seen in other cities. John will follow up.

The meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m. The next meeting will be Saturday, May 9, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., 6314 West Park, St. Louis, MO 63139

Respectfully submitted
Sally Ryan Sharamitaro
Secretary, Dogtown Historical Society