The Roane County Historical Society met for their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 7 p.m. at the Roane County library. Rick Greathouse, President, called the meeting to order, led an opening prayer and the Pledge to the flag was recited by all. (Ten members present).
In the absence of the Recording Secretary, the minutes from the November 20, 2014 meeting were read by Linda Liss. With a few minor notations to minutes, Patty Wyatt made motion to approve the minutes which were approved unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report by Carol Board-Westfall. Ending Balance: $13,700.67

Membership Secretary: Linda Liss reported membership at 206. There are still 18 members who have not paid their 2014-15 dues. All have been contacted at least two times and will be removed from the roll.
Correspondence: Linda reported that she had received a research paper titled, “History of the Lynch Homestead Property” prepared by society member, Jim Ranson. He also included some family group sheets for the John Looney [1814-1889] descendants. Mr. Ranson’s mother descends from the Looney line through the Lynch line.
Linda also reported that she had sent get-well cards to members: Peggy Starcher and Carol Cronin.

E-mail correspondence to Rick Greathouse from society member John Sagart. Mr. Sagart is looking for information on Andrew Taylor Nichols, son of Robert Nichols and Margaret Schoolcraft. They are buried at a Nichols Cemetery on the Richard Greathouse farm in presumably the Smithfield Dist. of Roane County.

2015 Genealogy Fair: On calendar for Saturday, September 26 at the Heritage Park Community Bldg.

Old Business: Linda reported that she is still working on the Spencer State Hospital Album project. She has identified over 5,200 persons who were patients at the institution, recorded the 1900-1940 census’s to include in the project and has collected several pictures of the building. Still needs input from former employees, etc. who have first-hand experience of the hospital. The album will be donated to the Roane County Historical Society when completed.

5th Annual Essay Scholarship: Guidelines & Application forms have been sent to Roane County High School counselors. Forms will be available for distribution during the month of January 2015 & the essay deadline is April 10, 2015.

Rick reported that Elaine Gates, associated with the Archives & History Library in Charleston, is still working on scanning [1900-1950] obituaries and Roane County related newspaper articles for donation to the R.C.H. Society.

2015 History Hero: R.C.H.S. Nominee, Melissa Swisher, is completing needed application papers. The West Virginia Division of Culture & History “History Heroes” will be announced in January & recognized at a February session of the WV Legislature.

New Business:
Resignation of Newsletter Editor – Email dated Tuesday, December 09, 2014
“This notice is to serve as official notification of my resignation as editor of the Roane County Historical Society’s newsletter, The Journal, effective immediately. This was not an easy decision for me to make………
Between my own health issues and those of my extended family member, I have neither the time nor the energy to do the research necessary to find and make articles for the Journal interesting enough for publication. Thank you all for the opportunity to have been the Journal editor for the past twelve years. Sincerely, Carol Cronin”

Where do we go from here with regard to “The Journal” newsletter? Discussion continued as how to prepare and go forward with the Winter issue. The Executive Committee will meet in January 2015 to discuss the future of “The Journal” newsletter.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. with refreshments being served to Carol Board Westfall, Linda Liss, Rick Greathouse, Patty and Bernard Wyatt, Melissa Swisher, Reva Paxton, Carl Paxton and new members: Luther and Phyllis Jarvis.

We do not meet during the months of January & February. The next regular meeting of the Society will be Thursday, March 26, 2015.