MINUTES OF THE DOGTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
June 10, 2006


CALL TO ORDER: – President, John Corbett, called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. at the St. James Rectory. Ten people were in attendance: John Corbett, Jo Ann Emmerich, Didi Gardner, Henry Herbst, Bill Miller, Gerry Miller, Sally Sharamitaro and guests Tom Corbett and Bill and Marie Waterhouse, the Alderman and Committeewoman of the local 24th Ward.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the April 8, 2006 meeting. A vote was taken and the minutes were approved.

TREASURERS REPORT – Treasurer Didi Gardner gave the treasurer’s report for April 2006.

The previous balance was $3,249.84. Total Income for April was $475.00 and included $345.00 for membership dues, $80.00 for framing, $50.00 for research donations. Expenses for April were a total of $7.80 for stamps. The ending balance for April was $3,724.84.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the April 2006 treasurers report. A vote was taken and the report was approved.

GENERAL BUSINESS

Speakers Series – No Report

John commented that the new Highlands at Forest Park Hotel is now open, and he said that he and his wife, Terri, had dinner at the newly opened Kriegers restaurant adjoining the hotel.

Living History -

Several names were suggested as additions to the Living History Interview List. Bill Waterhouse recommended his aunt, Ione Chase, and Gerry Miller recommended her aunt, Alita Brady. Someone asked if Sr. Loretta Marie, who is living at the Loretta Center at Nerinx, was on the list?

Jo Ann Emmerich wondered if her parents could be interviewed again? She said that their first interviews were as part of a group. They hadn’t been interviewed personally. She would love it if they could be interviewed at their home.

John asked each of them if calls could be made to set up the date and time for the interviews, he would be most willing to arrange for the videotaping.

Charles Lindbergh residency in Dogtown update – Bob shared that though it was a fun project to follow up on; the idea that Charles Lindbergh once lived in Dogtown, turned out to be just a myth. No evidence was ever found that he actually lived in the Dogtown neighborhood.

Membership Update – No report

St. Patrick’s Parade – Fundraising – No Report

Century Home Committee - Bill Miller reported that he currently has 6 plaque orders, but needs 10-12 to submit the order to the plaque/tile company. The newest additions to the Century Home listing for 2006 added 30 homes. 30 letters have been sent to inform the owners of the status of their homes.

Bill will call to inquire whether an order of 6 plaques would be considered.

JOHN CORBETT’S REPORT –

Benches along Tamm Avenue – – As follow up to the email note that Bob Corbett sent to the members of the Dogtown list about the bench project, John decided to bring the first bench in his pickup truck to the meeting today for the members to view. The first dedication plaque is attached to the bench and honors their parents Bob and Louise Corbett.

John listed the 6 locations that are at the top of the list for bench installations. One is near the phone booth (that will be removed) at the corner of Tamm and Clayton Avenues. Three others will be in front of Felix’s 6335 Clayton Avenue; Pat’s Bar and Grill, 6400 Oakland; and Seamus McDaniels, 1208 Tamm Ave. The other two will be located in front of the Day Care Center and the Gold Room both located on Tamm Avenue south of Clayton.

John announced that this first bench will be our ‘display’ model, so that all of Dogtown can see it and hopefully it will generate more interest and more donations. It will be installed as soon as the permit has been issued by the city of St. Louis.

He then explained to the members that the bench will be a $450.00 investment for each one of the donors. The benches weigh 250 pounds each, are very heavy but go together easily. They also clean easily and after ordering the bench, John was very surprised to see it arrive in just 2 days!

Other locations and dedications were discussed as possibilities. One bench was suggested to honor the Dogtown veterans who gave their lives for their country. And there are already lots of folks interested in honoring their own families.

Bill Waterhouse, Alderman for the 24th Ward will be present at the hearing for the bench permits and will inform John when the DHS is successful in obtaining the needed permits.

Ghost Signs - John announced that he will be arranging a meeting for himself and Henry Herbst to talk with the painters and they will report their results at the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR

News of the Neighborhood – Cairdeas Coffee House will be moving to the space vacated by the Spaghetteria at 1227 Tamm Avenue. A date was not given.

There will also be changes at Chevy’s Restaurant on Clayton Avenue. Plans have been announced for expansion into the space vacated by the Tomboy Market.

Next Meeting – After some general discussion, a motion was made to cancel the July 8, 2006 DHS meeting. A vote was taken and the motion passed. The next meeting will be Saturday, August 12, 2006.

The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m. The next meeting will be Saturday, August 12, 2006, at 10:00 a.m., St James Rectory 6401 Wade Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63139

Respectfully submitted
Sally Ryan Sharamitaro
Secretary, Dogtown Historical Society

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Bob Corbett

corbetre@webster.edu