The Roane County Historical Society met Thursday, May 24, 2012 at the Roane County Library for its regular monthly meeting with thirteen members and two guests present.

The meeting was called to order by Rick Greathouse, President. Johanna Nutter led an opening prayer and the pledge to the American flag was recited by all. Susan Tucker read minutes from the April meeting which were approved as read. Carol Board Westfall gave the Treasurer’s report reflecting a balance of $18,764.69. Linda Liss, Membership Secretary, reported current membership at 202. As Corresponding Sect'y she has also responded to inquiries where needed.

Board-Westfall reported the she has ordered 20 additional copies of the book \"Once Upon a Tuesday\" by Craig.

Reminder: Annual Genealogy Fair, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012 at the Heritage Park Community Bldg. in Spencer. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Since space is limited vendors need to reserve tables soon.
Contact: Carol Board-Westfall at legallady@hughes.net, or Johanna Nutter at joeandjo30@wirefire.com for further info.

The R.C.H.S. has a large microfilm collection of Times Record/Roane County Reporter newspapers. The film reader is antiquated and may be unrepairable at any point. Therefore, the society voted to apply for and use the $1,000 Governor\'s Community Participation grant toward having those 66 reels of microfilm digitized and preserved for future library patron\'s use. The motion passed unanimously.

The Society also has many old newsletters and other paper documents taking up valuable space in the library. Therefore a proposal was submitted to purchase a sheet-fed scanner to scan & preserve those items for future use. Susan Tucker offered information on two scanners for consideration. Proposal tabled until June meeting.

The evening\'s special guest was Miss Mariah Moore, 2012 recipient of the $750 Essay Scholarship. Mariah told about her Moore and Bateman ancestors and her plans for the future. The society presented her with a certificate of participation and awarded her with an honorary one-year society membership.

Our special guests and program for the June 28th meeting will be representatives from the Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution societies. The program will be both historical and informational in nature. They will tell about the requirements for becoming a member of the societys and provide insights into our country\'s past.

June is the R.C.H.S.\'s \"Birthday Month,\" so cake and ice cream will be served. Make plans now to attend.

Meeting adjourned with refreshments being served to: Susan Tucker, Carol Board-Westfall, Rick Greathouse, Hazel E. Gandee, Johanna Nutter, Peggy Starcher, Marvin Stemple, Melissa Swisher, Phill \"PJ\" Miller, Linda Liss, Reva Paxton, Anthony Hofstad, new member Mariah Moore, and guests, Annamaria Bateman and June D. Moore.

Submitted by: Linda Cottrell Liss, Corresponding Secretary

The Roane County Historical Society offered and presented the 2nd Annual Essay Scholarship in the amount of $750 to Roane County High School senior, Mariah Moore.
In order to promote genealogical research and encourage young folk to become interested in their family heritage and Roane County history the society has offered a scholarship to a RCHS senior who writes the best essay telling their family history.
Linda Cottrell Liss, Essay Scholarship chairperson presented the award to Miss Moore at the school's 2012 Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, May 22nd.
She wrote about her Moore and Bateman ancestors and also attended the May 24th meeting of the R.C.H.Society where she told about her future plans and how she researched her family.
Mrs. Liss presented Miss Moore with a certificate of recognition for her effort and a one-year honorary membership in the R.C.H.S.

The Roane County Historical Society met Thursday, April 26, 2012 at the Roane County Library for its regular monthly meeting with seventeen members and one guest present.

The Roane County History Society met at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 22nd for its first regular meeting of 2012 with thirteen members and two guests present. Rick Greathouse, President, called the meeting to order and welcomed those present. Denver Gandee led an opening prayer and the pledge to the American flag was recited by all. The minutes from the December 2011 meeting were read by Susan Tucker and approved as read. The treasurer’s report was given by Carol Board-Westfall reflecting a balance of $16,250.62

Linda Liss, Membership & Corresponding Secretary, reported present membership at 201, which included two new members. She also reported that she had replied to several inquiries and had sent greeting or sympathy cards where needed.

Liss extended her appreciation to the Society for nominating her for the 2012 History Hero honor held on Thursday, February 23rd, 2012 at the Culture Center in Charleston as part of History Day at the Legislature. Thirty-four West Virginians were honored for their contributions to their respective communities and/or societies.

She also reported on the Annual Scholarship Essay, that several Senior high school students have picked up the scholarship applications. The society will present a $750 scholarship to the writer of the best essay interpreting their family genealogy. Essay deadline was, Friday, April 6th. The scholarship will be awarded at the Roane County High School’s annual awards ceremony later this Spring.

Guest and former society member, Judy Hildreth, has new books for sale. She has compiled the Birth Records for Calhoun County, WV. Letters A through H. are now available. You may email Judy at jhildreth961@yahoo.com to place an order.

A collection of 1980’s & 90’s obituaries from the Calhoun Chronicle and the Glenville Pathfinder were donated to the society by Mrs. Elaine Gates. The clippings will be organized into albums and placed in the society’s history room.

The R.C.H.S. is also in receipt of a large portrait of three Greathouse Unknowns, [pictured in the photo section of this website]. It was donated to the society by member Cheryl Moss Holbrook and her brother Greg Moss. It was found in their late grandmother’s belongings and believed to be descendants of Joseph “Joe” and Katherine “Kit” Webb Greathouse. If you recognize this trio, please contact Linda Liss at WVRoots@aol.com or post a reply to this article or with the photo.

Mark your calendars, the 17th Annual Genealogy Fair sponsored by the Roane County Historical Society will be held on Saturday, September 22nd at the Heritage Park Community Building in Spencer. More information to follow.

The meeting adjourned with refreshments being served to: Okey and Mary Young, Patty and Bernard Wyatt, Denver Gandee, Carol Board-Westfall, Phill “PJ” Miller, Linda Liss, Hazel Gandee, Peggy L. Starcher, Rick Greathouse, Reva Paxton, Susan Tucker, and guests Judy and Mason Hildreth.

The next meeting of the Roane County Historical Society is scheduled for Thursday, April 26th at 7 p.m. at the Roane County Library, lower level. Members are urged to attend and guests are always welcome.

May 18 - 20, 2012: Siege of Fort Randolph Drama at 2pm. [Saturday only] "The Siege of Fort Randolph" encampment and re-enactment is held the 3rd weekend of May.