MINUTES OF THE DOGTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
June 11, 2011

CALL TO ORDER – President John Corbett called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m. at the home of Tom and Lucy Corbett at 1411 Tamm Ave, St. Louis, MO. Ten members were in attendance; Bob Corbett, John Corbett, Lucy Corbett, Tom Corbett, Bill Miller, Gerry Miller, Carol Nemeth, Norm Merlotti, Rose Kennedy and Sally Sharamitaro.

Meeting Minutes - A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the April 9, 2011 meeting. A vote was taken, the motion passed and the minutes were approved.

Treasurer’s Report – Bob Corbett presented the new treasurer’s report, a more thorough version that will be more usable for tax purposes as well. The ending bank balance as of June 1, 2011 is $11,583.97. Bob also reminded the members that the monthly treasurer’s report will be posted on the Dogtown website. A motion was made to approve the treasurer's report, a vote was taken, the motion passed and the treasurer’s report was approved.


CURRENT BUSINESS

Soldier’s Memorial Project – – John presented his progress report on the Veteran’s Memorial Project. John said he was happy to report that the response to the fundraising letters he mailed to businesses in and around the Dogtown neighborhood, was very successful. Many generous businessmen and businesses sent donations, some as individuals and some for their company. John recommended that we offer honorary memberships to those who donated over a certain amount.

A motion was made and seconded that donors who give $100 or more be given an honorary membership in the Dogtown Historical Society. A vote was taken and the motion passed.

John announced that the City of St. Louis approved the permit for the Fourth of July dedication of the Dogtown Veterans Memorial Park and Stone. And he said that talks with the memorial stone company have gone very well, even though it seems we are going to need a larger stone. Because the number of names we were able to gather (plus we want to have room for at least 12 additional names) grew longer, the stone we first ordered won’t be large enough.

John restated that the bids for the foundation and leveling work will be covered by the funds we have collected as of now, but that the electric work will need to delayed.

He ended by telling the story of the new flag. A Dogtown neighbor, who lives on Childress Ave. was walking by when John was taking down the old flag and as they talked, it turned out that the man, a veteran, belongs to the Richmond Heights American Legion Post, and he said that they sold American flags, so John ordered one for our memorial.

John said he is still working on getting an honor guard for the ceremony and possibly a bagpipe player. For the celebration, he said, the local restaurants will provide food, and John hopes too that neighbors and others will bring plates, similar to pot luck offerings.

Other unfinished plans are letters to be sent for a speaker, for someone to bless the stone, for musicians, and to the Mayor and Aldermen, the relatives and families of the veterans.

Historian/Archivist – - DHS Historian, Bob Corbett stated that lately not much is happening with the archives. But because he is always filing new items into the DHS binders, he might plan another open house to give members and Dogtowners another chance to view what we currently have in the DHS archives.

Dogtown Bulletin Board – In progress is a policy on what will and what will not be posted on the new bulletin board. John favors posts by not-for-profit organizations, the DHS, local churches, and neighborhood items.

Street Musicians Festival 2011 – Fundraising letters are going out for donations as needed for the Festival banners, stage, benches, etc.

John shared that there has been some trouble with graffiti being sprayed onto our benches. One needed to be moved to a new location. Another smaller problem is that some of the bolts holding the name plates are rusting. John has replaced several of them and will continue to follow up.

The meeting adjourned at 11:04 a.m. The next meeting will be July 9, 2011 at 10:00am at 1411 Tamm Ave., St. Louis MO 63139.

Respectfully submitted,
Sally Sharamitaro
Secretary
Dogtown Historical Society

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