The Roane County Historical Society, Inc. met on Thursday, April 22, 2010 for their regularly scheduled meeting. Rick Greathouse, President, called the meeting to order.
Susan Tucker served as secretary pro-tem.
Carol Board-Westfall gave the Treasurer?s report for the month of April 2010 and reported that all bills have been paid.
The sending of greeting cards policy was discussed. The practice of sending cards for known member illnesses, family deaths, etc. will be continued.
Carol Board-Westfall reported that one book, The History of Calhoun County WV-1989, published by the Calhoun County Historical & Genealogical Society, has been added to the Society?s library.
Reminder: Please mark your calendars for the 16th Annual Roane County Genealogical Fair, Saturday, September 25, 2010, 9:00 a.m. ? 3:00 p.m. at the Heritage Park Community Building, 110 Church Street in Spencer. This event, sponsored by the R. C. H. S., will have many vendors selling their genealogical books and products.
New business discussion:
Jay and Maggie Volkwein, guest attendees, of Calhoun County, are doing research for a book on Island Run in the Smithfield District of Roane County. They are interested in finding people with stories and/or old photographs of that area. If you have items or stories to share, please contact the Volkwein?s at 18508 South Calhoun Hwy., Orma, WV 25268
Mr. Denver Gandee, guest attendee, Spencer resident and C.S.A. Civil War buff, is searching for information regarding the Civil War service of Confederate soldier Joseph Alexander West, (1820-1890) who is buried at the Goff Cemetery on Goff Hill behind present-day WalMart. Mr. Gandee would like to have a C.S.A. military marker installed in memory of Mr. West?s service. You may contact Mr. Gandee at 304-927-1824 if you have information to share.
Mr. Allen Arnold, guest attendee, led discussion and proposed that the R. C. H. S. sponsor a Cast-Iron Cook-off to be held during Spencer?s Heritage Days Festival next year (May 2011). The event would include community cooking and recipes of old-time cooking in cast iron cookware. No action was taken at this time. Mr. Arnold will gather further information and report back at a future meeting.
Old business discussion:
Essay Contest Scholarship: Claudia Jorgensen reported that she had talked with the guidance counselor at Roane County High School. She received positive feedback for the scholarship to be implemented during the 2010-11 school year. Guidelines will be worked out for prospective essay participants to follow. Mr. Marvin Stemple, who brought the idea of the essay contest to the society, read excerpts from a Harrison County school essay that had won in a previous year?s competition.
Discussion continued with regard to recognizing additional historical buildings or houses built 1910 or before with a bronze plaque. In 2009 the society researched and recognized 18 historic buildings and homes in Spencer with a plaque and a brochure giving their history. If you own or know of a building meeting the 1910 criteria, please contact Carol Board-Westfall at legallady@hughes.net.
Members and guests in attendance were, Rick Greathouse, Carol Board-Westfall, Susan Tucker, Bernard and Patty Wyatt, Okey and Mary Young, Stephanie Poole, Paul Hughes, Denver Gandee, Wilma Rhodes, Brenda Konarski, Claudia Jorgensen, Jay and Maggie Volkwein, Theresa and Madison Parker, Marvin Stemple and Allen Arnold.
The next meeting of the historical society will be held on Thursday, May 27, 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.