Historical Society holds meeting

The Clay County Landmarks Commission and Historical Society held its regular monthly meeting on July 1. Because of the COVID-19 crisis which closed the Clay County Library, the meeting was held outdoors in the back of Jerry Stover’s house. Present were Jerry Stover, Janet Koch, Marlene Potasnik, Jeanine Samples, Jannette Douglas, Sandra Claybrook, and Eloise Boggs.

The meeting was called to order by President Jerry Stover. The minutes of the June meeting were read and approved. Sandra gave the treasurer’s report.

Presidents Report:

1. Election of officers must be done soon.
2. Contributions to the Historical Society: Ron and Debbie McKinney donated a large collection of issues of the Clay County Free Press and the Communicator. They will be stored in the old courthouse second floor offices.
3. Mention was made of Jim Miller’s helpfulness in various ways in the Society, his knowledge on fiscal matters, purchasing supplies, volunteering time to work in the old courthouse, finding stories of interest suitable for printing in Now & Then – in fact, a “jack of all trades” contributor. A motion was made, seconded, and approved that we let Jim know how much we appreciate him and how valuable he is to the Society.

Old Business:

1. Hickory and Lady Slippers: Jerry will soon be in touch with Dustin Bird to discuss the status of these publications.
2. Now & Then: Eloise announced that the summer issue is ready for the printer and that this issue marks the completion of 30 years of publication of the newsletter.
3. Ringing of the Bells: Sandy reported that book sales are still good. Orders are filled promptly as received, dependant on days worked in the old courthouse.
4. Technique of filing documents: a discussion followed with suggestions for filing by category with cross references. Eloise will bring to our collections originals of stories submitted for publication in the newsletter. These will go into the newsletter file.
5. Joanne Exline will send us a sketch of the career of Alan Exline, who printed the newsletter for 29-plus years. We will use this in our tribute to Alan.

New Business:

1. Jerry read a letter that Janet has written to the Governor, asking for monetary help for improvement and maintenance of the old courthouse, which houses our valuable collections of historical materials, especially now that the new state park will attract many visitors to Clay. The letter will be sent.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 5, at 1 p.m.

Off the record: As we sat through the meeting in the shade of the trees, we could hear the sounds of the workmen across the river taking up the old B&O rails, making ready for the extension of Rails to Trails. History in the making!