The Roane County Historical Society, Inc. met on Thursday, March 25, 2010 for their first regular meeting of 2010. Rick Greathouse, President, called the meeting to order and led the pledge to the flag. Anthony Hofstad led the opening prayer.
Susan Tucker served as secretary pro-tem.
Carol Board-Westfall gave the Treasurer?s report for the period since December 2009 and reported that all bills have been paid.
Linda Cottrell Liss, Correspondence/Membership Secretary, reported that she had corresponded with several members with regard to dues, welcomed new members with a letter and one cemetery information inquiry correspondence resulted in that person joining the society. Current membership total is 188, an increase of 9 since the December report.
Linda also reported for Carol Cronin, Journal editor, that the Vol. 17 Spring issue is nearly ready to take to the printer.
Greathouse presented the photo press kit for our 2009-10 History Hero, Carol Cronin, who was recognized during the February 18, 2010 West Virginia History Day at the Legislature. Mrs. Cronin was the third person nominated by the R.C.H.S. to receive this honor.
New business discussion:
Greathouse announced that he recently met a Mr. Chris Winnell, who does lineal genealogy on the Shawnee Nation. Mr. Winnell will be invited to make a presentation to the R.C.H.S. at a later date. He has requested table space for the annual Roane County Genealogy Fair, September 25th, 2010, to do lookups from his Shawnee and Cherokee database.
Marvin Stemple presented an idea for discussion regarding the possibility of the RCHS creating an annual scholarship for a Roane County High School student. Students will be requested through their school program (English Class or History Class) to write an essay along lines related to their family history and genealogy. Motion was made by Patty Wyatt that an annual scholarship in the amount of $500. be established and awarded. The motion carried unanimously. Claudia Jorgensen will contact high school officials on how to proceed in getting this presented to the students.
Susan Tucker announced that the Wirt County Genealogy Fair will be held on Saturday, April 24th. The R.C.H.S. will have at table at the fair to sell our society publications.
The program was a presentation by Anthony Hofstad, on the school Social Studies project of his step-son, Chase Webb. Chase chose, researched, presented, and won in his category on the middle school level and also won first place on the county level. He related that Chase chose the history of his home on West Main Street, which was built in 1900 and was one of the 18 Spencer homes recently recognized by the society with a bronze plaque.
The meeting adjourned with refreshments being served to Rick Greathouse, Linda Liss, Hazel Gandee, Anthony Hofstad, Bernard and Patty Wyatt, Susan Tucker, Marvin Stemple, Okey and Mary Young, Brenda Konarske, Claudia Jorgensen and Carol Board-Westfall.
The next meeting of the historical society will be held on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 7 p.m. on the lower level of the Roane County Library. Guests are welcome and members are urged to attend. You may contact Linda Liss, WVRoots@aol.com, for more information.