The monthly meeting of the Roane County Historical Society was called to order at 7:00 p.m., May 26, 2016 by President Rick Greathouse. The meeting was opened with prayer by President Greathouse and the pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by guest Isaac Snodgrass. The meeting was held at the Roane County Library; those present were Linda Cottrell Liss, Carol Board-Westfall, Bonita Schreckengost, Vicki J. Knight, Rick Greathouse, Wanda Carpenter, Melissa Swisher, Phyllis Counts, Paul Hughes, new member David A. Hascue and guests: our 2016 Essay Scholarship winner, Brett A. Miller & his parents Tony & Tracey Miller & brother Brayden Miller, Cheryl and Isaac Snodgrass.
In the absence of the Recording Secretary the minutes of the April 2016 meeting were read by Linda Cottrell Liss. Motion to accept minutes as read was made by Wanda Carpenter and properly seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Carol Board-Westfall, Treasurer, gave a financial report of income and expenses of the past month. The May 26th balance was $12,893.77. Financial report filed with meeting minutes.
Linda Cottrell-Liss, Correspondence Secretary, brought the Society up-to-date on correspondence.
(1) 5/10/2016 Communication from Loftis Engineering Group of East Amherst, NY with regard to the proposed construction of a Vertical Lattice Tower on Walker Ridge Rd. near Walton in Roane County. Notice also filed with WV Division of Culture & History, Charleston, WV. Carol Board-Westfall reported that she had searched map of area and identified 4 cemeteries in that area, three had been read & one had not been read.
(2) 5/09/2016 E-mail communication from society member, Lisa Carper Stott, regarding personal commitment papers found on E-bay for Spencer State Hospital & Roane County Poor Farm patients. She tried to buy the papers for the Society but due to legal/privacy issues they have been removed from E-bay.
(3) 4/19/2016 Communication/inquiry from Kimberly Lowers of Morrisville, PA regarding burial place for her ancestor George Lowers b. 21 Apr 1857. Linda responded to her that he is buried at the Cottrell/Frozen Run Chapel Cem. in Calhoun Co., WV.
(4) 4/28/2016 Inquiry from Dawn Webb of Delaware, OH regarding her gt grandfather, George Dewey Robey. Linda responded to her.
(5) 5/11/2016 E-mail from Tom Householder regarding markers at Goff Cem. in Spencer for Pool Family. Possible mix up of dates on tombstones for Peter Pool and Presley Lewis Woodyard Pool.
(6) 5/05, 2016 Annual O’Brien Reunion: 3 days August 12-14, Colville, WA.
(7) Fliers and communication from Timothy Keener: 1st Annual Tanner Takeover Family Reunion & Picnic, Monday, May 30th, 2016, [Memorial Day], at Heritage Park Community Building in Spencer, 12 Noon. For descendants of Spencer’s first family: Samuel and Sudna Tanner.
(8) 5/26/2016 from Bob Weaver, Publisher/Founder of the Hur Herald on-line newspaper for Calhoun Co., WV & area. After 20 years the Hur Herald will be discontinued as of May 31, 2016.
Membership Report for April 2016 – 213 members [Copy filed with minutes].
Membership Report for May 2016 – 215 members [Copy filed with minutes].
Our special guest, Brett A. Miller, 2016 Essay Scholarship recipient was introduced by Linda Cottrell Liss, Essay Scholarship Chairperson. The Essay Committee, Melissa Swisher, Harley Nester & Linda Liss, met on Saturday, April 16th and made their selection after reading & considering four essays from Roane County High seniors. Brett’s essay most closely met the guidelines adopted by the Society. He read his essay telling about his Miller & Greenleaf families and in particular his great grandmother, Lacey Alice Callow-Criner of Reedy. After a short time of questions & answers, Brett was presented a Certificate of Participation as the Society’s 6th Annual Essay Scholarship & an honorary 1-year membership in the R.C.H.S. Note: The $1,000 Essay Scholarship was presented to Brett at Roane County High School’s May 12, 2016 Awards Ceremony by President Rick Greathouse. His essay &/or excerpts thereof & photo will be published in the Summer 2016 “Journal” newsletter.
2016 Genealogical Fair: The committee chairperson, Melissa Swisher, reported that the annual fair will be Saturday, September 24th, 2016. Fair flier was in Spring issue of the “Journal” newsletter. She will be contacting different area societies and vendors to reserve table space. Fair will be 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Heritage Park Community Building.
OLD BUSINESS:
Carol Board-Westfall reported that the bronze plaque from our 2009 Plaque Project has finally been installed on the old [1903] Chrystal Water & Power Co./Ice Plant building at the end of Church Street in Spencer. The building, now on the National Register of Historic Places, also has a plaque noting that historic distinction.
Carol also reported on the Spencer State Hospital Cemetery sign project. The sign made of cast aluminum is currently located in the field beside Spencer Elementary School off Rte. 36. The 1997 sign has deteriorated and needs redone or replaced & perhaps moved to a more visible place. Sewah Studios, Inc. of Marietta, OH was the original maker of the sign. They have quoted a price of $800 to refurbish the sign. The society would be responsible for taking the sign down & shipping it to the Studio. Motion was made by Melissa Swisher and seconded by Linda Liss to have the sign refurbished. Motion carried unanimously
NEW BUSINESS:
Rick reminded those present that during the June 23rd meeting, a Nominating Committee needs to be formed to nominate officers for the 2016-17 fiscal year.

In relation to the Spencer State Hospital Cemetery sign project, we may want to consider contacting city officials about having the refurbished sign placed in a more prominent location. Spencer City Manager, Philip Smith, is considering a “next project” of much greater scale than the recent Ben’s Run Trail historic kiosk project. He will be putting together some kiosks for a new trail around the former Spencer State Hospital grounds and in the Civil War Park area on hill behind present-day WalMart. He would very much welcome the help of the Roane County Historical Society. He is willing to come to one of our meetings and discuss the project further
GOOD OF THE SOCIETY:
As discussed at the April meeting, Rick has invited Ms. April Gardner & perhaps a couple of other ladies of the Kanawha Valley DAR [Daughters of the American Revolution] Chapter to come to our June 23rd meeting as program guests. The K. V. DAR is interested in starting a DAR Chapter in Spencer, Roane County.

June 23, 2016 is the Society’s 23rd Birthday! We will celebrate with cake & ice cream.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m. with refreshments provided by Carol Board-Westfall.
Submitted by,
Linda Cottrell Liss
Secretary Pro Tem