The R.C.H.S. met on Thursday, Nov 17th at 7 p.m. for their regular monthly meeting. There were twenty-eight members and guests present.

President, Rick Greathouse, called the meeting to order, Johanna Nutter led the opening prayer and the Pledge to the flag was recited by all.
The minutes from the October meeting were read by Susan Tucker, Sect'y & accepted as presented. The treasurer's report by Carol Board-Westfall reflects a working balance of $17,608.90
Linda Liss, Membership & Corresponding Sect'y reports current membership at 208. Twelve members have not paid 2011-12 dues & will be removed from the roll. She has responded to inquires and other correspondence as needed.

Mr. Michael Myers, guest/visitor, made an inquiry about information needed to recognize Mr. James M. Cleavenger, Commander of a G.A.R. Post at Spencer. Mr. Cleavenger enlisted in the Union Army in 1864, Co D, 7th Reg W.Va. Cav Vol. Mr. Cleavenger was the son of Bailey Cleavenger.

Other business/news included:
1. $750 2nd Annual Essay Scholarship has been brought to the Guidance Counselor of Roane County High School where it will be presented to Senior students. College-bound students will be applying for the different scholarships in January 2012.
2. Carol Board-Westfall did interview with the Spencer Newspapers, Inc. in preparation of an article about the society's recent historic churches in Roane County plaque project.
3. Society "16th Annual WV History Hero" nominee, Linda Liss, has completed needed applications and returned them to society President Greathouse for his review, signature and delivery to the Culture Center in Charleston.

Our evening's guest speakers were Sara Prior, Planning & Education Coordinator and Carolyn Kender, Archaeologist Sect 106/Cemetery Survey of the WV State Historic Preservation Office. They were well-prepared, knowledgeable and informative about cemetery & historic building preservation. They supplied pertinent literature regarding WV cemetery codes & restoration. They encourage societies and interested persons to record and submit the "West Virginia Cemetery Survey Form" so all known cemeteries can be mapped and included in the Historic Preservation Office's database. The database information is available to those companies or agencies who are planning construction projects such as highways, dams, buildings, etc. so burial grounds may not be disturbed in the construction process.
For more information you may contact Ms. Prior at sara.a.prior@wv.gov or Ms. Kender at carolyn.m.kender@wv.gov

The meeting adjourned with refreshments being served to our guest speakers, Prior & Kender, also guests Clifford & Janice Tawney Cooper of Maryland, Kathryn Westfall of Florida and Michael Myers. Members present were Marvin Stemple, Johanna Nutter, Betty Moore, Terry & Jo Cummings, Bernard & Patty Wyatt, Susan Tucker, Brenda Whited, Peggy Starcher, Linda Liss, Hazel Gandee, Susie Wyatt, Anthony and Joel Hofstad, Phill "PJ" Miller, Carol Board-Westfall, Rick Greathouse, Reva Paxton, Jack & Jean Nida and Melissa Swisher.

The next and final meeting for 2011 will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 15th in the downstairs area of the Roane County Library. All members are urged to attend. Visitors and prospective members are always welcome.

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday our regular meeting is one week earlier.
A GUEST SPEAKER has been scheduled for the
November 17th, 7:00 p.m. meeting of the Roane County Historical Society. Sara A. Prior, from State Historic Cemetery Preservation Office will be present for that meeting. We will meet downstairs at the Roane County Public Library. Please make every effort to attend.

The Roane County Historical Society met Thursday, October 27, 2011 for their regular monthly meeting with eleven members present: Brenda Whited, Peggy Starcher, Marvin Stemple, Jack and Jean Nida, Philip Miller, Rick Greathouse, Carol Board Westfall, Susan Tucker, Hazel Gandee and Linda Liss.
Rick Greathouse, President, called the meeting to order and led an opening prayer. Susan Tucker, Recording Secretary, read the minutes from the September meeting, which were approved as read. Carol Board-Westfall, Treasurer, reported all bills paid, leaving a working balance in the amount of $17,737.41
Books donated or purchased & added to historical society’s library:
1. Images of America – Lewis County
2. Jackson County Deaths, Letter F-M
3. Photographic History of Ritchie County
4. Snodgrass Family Ancestors/Descendants by Sondra Elmore Reger
Also a set of Comstock’s WV Heritage Encyclopedias was donated to the society.

Linda Liss, Membership and Corresponding Secretary reported 4 new members and the loss of one member, which brings total membership to 207. She has also contacted all members (14) who have not paid their 2011-12 dues. They will be removed from the roll if not paid by time of our next newsletter mailing. The RCHS extends its sincere sympathy to Carol Board-Westfall and family at the Oct. 19, 2011 death of her sister, Eleanor S. Hunt.

Inquiries:
1. Mr. Paul Morehouse is looking for descendants of the late Edward & Biddy [Nugent] Kelly whose granddaughter married Thomas Ferrell of Roane County. Contact: epm1812@neo.rr.com
2. Society member, Marvin Stemple, is looking for information about the Stemple/Looney/Chewning family of Calhoun and Roane Counties. Contact: mstemple@wvadventures.net

Board-Westfall reported a good turnout for the Annual Genealogy Fair in September. A couple new vendors were present and everyone seemed to have a good time. You may see fair-related photos posted elsewhere on this site.
She also reported that the October 13, 2011 unveiling of the Congressman Woodyard plaque was well attended and the family was very appreciative for the society’s project to honor their ancestor. The plaque was hung at the Roane County Court House.

Liss reported that she has contacted the Counselor at Roane County High School about the 2nd Annual Essay Scholarship, that it has been raised to $750. She is awaiting contact back from the school.

Greathouse is awaiting a mailing from the WV Archives & History Commission regarding the Feb 23, 2012 16th Annual History Day at the Legislature. The society nominated Mrs. Linda Cottrell Liss for the “History Hero” honor. Applications will be available Nov. 1 and must be completed and returned by December 31st.
He also announced an invitation to display history, cultural or society items during the February History Day at the Legislature. There is an application for and guidelines for the exhibits.

Because of the Thanksgiving holiday the next meeting of the RCHS will be one week earlier, November 17th, 7:00 p.m. at the Roane County Library. A speaker, Sara A. Prior, from State Historic Cemetery Preservation office has been scheduled for that meeting, so please make every effort to attend.

The Roane County Historical Society, Inc. met on Thursday, September 22, 2011 with twenty-four members and guests present. Rick Greathouse, President, called the meeting to order and welcomed those present. Johanna Nutter led the opening prayer and the Pledge to the American Flag was recited.

Susan Tucker, Recording Secretary read the minutes from the August meeting & they were approved as read.
Carol Board-Westfall, Treasurer, reported an accounting of receipts and disbursements showing a balance of $17,335.16 The disbursements included payment of the Harry C. Woodyard plaque and the purchase of several Wes Cochran publications. A report copy was filed with the meeting minutes.

Linda Liss, Membership & Corresponding Secretary, reported membership stands at 204, which includes two new members. She has responded to inquiries where needed and has contacted members whose dues have not been paid.

A report was given by Johanna Nutter, 2011 Genealogical Fair chairperson. Vendors are signing up and everything is coming together nicely for the 17th Annual Fair sponsored by the R.C.H.S. scheduled for Sat., September 24th.

The R.C.H.S. voted to increase the Annual Essay Scholarship from $500 to $750. In an attempt to get young persons interested in their family history and genealogy, the society is offering a $750 scholarship to a Roane County High School senior. The applicants are asked to write an essay on their family history and experiences. The scholarship will be awarded at the school’s 2012 Spring awards ceremony.

Carol Board-Westfall reported that all of the plaques for the Roane County historic churches and the Goad house near Walton have been installed. An album will be available in the society’s library with photos as the plaques were being installed. Special thanks to Carol for spearheading this project and also to those helping her with the installation.

The dedication of the plaque commemorating the service of U.S. Senator Harry C. Woodyard as the county’s only U.S. Senator, is scheduled for Thursday, October 13th at noon at the Roane County Courthouse during Black Walnut Festival activities. Woodyard descendants are expected to attend and a reception, hosted by the R.C.H.S., will be held after the unveiling. (You may check our FaceBook page, Roane County Historical Society, Inc. to see a photo of the plaque.)

The society will be considering a nomination for the annual “History Hero” presentation. Nominations must be in before the end of 2011. The society has had three members honored as History Hero in the past: Mrs. Carol Board-Westfall, Mr. Jack Nida and Mrs. Carol Cronin.

Denver R. Gandee, R. C. H. S. member and county historian, is looking for information regarding the founding of the Methodist Church in the Roane County area. He is a scheduled Veteran’s Day speaker at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Spencer, WV on Sunday, November 6, 2011.

The meeting adjourned with refreshments being served to: Tucker, Susie Wyatt, Nutter, Liss, Board-Westfall, Greathouse, Jim Heim, Brenda Whited, Carol Cronin, Hazel Cottrell Gandee, Marvin D. Stemple, Phyllis Counts, Jerry R. Morgan, Melissa Swisher, Betty Moore, Anthony Hofstad, Denver Gandee, Robert Green, Phillip J. Miller, Ellen Platt, Reva Paxton, Peggy Starcher, Jack and Jean Nida.

The next meeting of the R.C.H.S. is scheduled for Thursday, October 27th at the Roane Co. Library, lower level at 7:00 p.m. Members are urged to attend and guests are welcomed. You may contact Linda Liss at WVRoots@aol.com if you have questions about membership or R.C.H.S. activities.

The Roane County Historical Society, Inc., sponsored the 17th Annual Roane County Genealogical Fair on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at the Heritage Center Community Building in Spencer, 9 am. – 3 p.m.

The fair was deemed a success with registrars signing in over 150 guests. The vendors and others having display tables reported a good day with a steady flow of genealogists searching for clues to their family history in books and other source materials.

As always, the American Legion Auxiliary delighted fair-goer’s taste buds with their baked goods, hotdogs, bbq’s, coffee and cold beverages.

Johanna Nutter, Fair Chairperson, drew numbers for the hourly door prizes. Mr. & Mrs. Randall L. Fields of Poinciana, FL traveled the farthest to attend. They received the R. C. H. S. totebag. Karen Boles of St. Albans, WV won the raffle for the 5-volume set of books: "Cemeteries of Roane County, WV". Many R.C.H.S. t-shirts & other nice items were also awarded as hourly drawing prizes.

Linda Liss, Membership Secretary, reports that three renewals and one new society membership was received during the fair. In addition one 1-year membership was given as a prize and one historical society signed up for a newsletter exchange.

We extend our thanks to all those who helped in any way to make this year’s fair a success, especially those who handled advertising, those who helped set up & then clean up after the fair. Also, special thanks to Mr. David Griffith, society member, for his collection of 2011 fair photos posted to this site.

The 18th Annual Roane County Genealogical Fair is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, September 22, 2012.