Historical Society Holds First Meeting of 2016

President Jerry Stover called to order the first 2016 meeting of the Clay County Landmarks Commission and Historical Society. The meeting, held in the Clay County Library was attended by Jeanine Samples, Jim Miller, Eloise Boggs, Jerry Stover and Sandra Claybrook.
Minutes of the November, 2015 meeting were approved as published in the local newspapers. Jim gave the treasurer’s report.
President’s report
1.    We need to thank the crew doing work in the Old Courthouse: Jim Miller, Jeanine Samples, Sandra Claybrook, Lenore Pettit, Karen Burdette and Marlene Potasnik. Their regular hours now are every Tuesday, 9 AM to Noon. Visitors are welcome during those hours. (Sorry, our phone is currently out of order.)
2.    Bulk mailing of the newsletter: The USPS now requires a rather complicated computerized procedure. Jeanine has volunteered
Committee Reports
•    Now & Then: Eloise had a few announcements and items for discussion.
Announcement from Ritchie County Historical Society: a Genealogical Fair will be held on Saturday, April 30, from 9 to 2, in the Harrisville gym. Societies from Calhoun, Gilmer and Doddridge Counties have already reserved tables as well as some families.
•    Linda Steorts Kaufman who lives in Bridgeport sent several items for the society, including old letters relating to the Cookman and Teorts families who once lived in Clay County, and letters relating to the Cansada Post Office which existed in Clay County from 1880 until 1909. She also mentioned a large hand-drawn map of Wallback years ago with home sites shown which she sent us a few years ago. We have the map and discussed the possibility of having smaller copies made and having the original framed so that it could be displayed in our section at the Apple Festival and hung in the society’s Library in the Old Courthouse.
•    Eloise announced that she had received a lengthy and well-written (Foreman) family history from Harold Foreman, Jr., which will be printed in installments in Now & Then.
•    A directory of members who regularly attend our meetings is being prepared for distribution of these members, listing names, addresses, phone numbers and possibly e-mail addresses.
•    Cemetery Reports: Karen was unable to attend, buy Jerry announced that she is still finding “new” cemeteries. She is also keeping a file of obituaries of Clay County people
•    Building report: Jim reported that a recent windstorm broke some windows in the Old Courthouse. The Clay County Commission has been informed of the damage and the danger imposed by the possibility of more falling glass. The CCC has the insurance policy. Jim will talk with commission members again and express our concerns about repair details.
•    Garnie Testa Book: Sandra reported that she had sent more material to Karen Walker and is keeping a record of all she sends. Teacher and school stories and photos are still being collected.
New Business
Paul Jones, a Clay County native who now lives in the state of Washington, has sent us a sample “starter kit” for recording family history. He has put together the kit and is willing to send us a supply, possibly to sell during the Apple Festival. We will decide at the next meeting whether or not to accept the offer, after more members have a chance to review the material.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 1:00 in the Clay County Library.