HCIC/NCCU Signing Ceremony at January 2010 meeting

HCIC Donates Dalby Road Property to NCCU

An historic moment took place at the January 5th meeting of the Hood Canal Improvement Club, when a Firehouse full of Union community members witnessed the ceremonial signing of a document that transfers an 11.3 acre parcel of land owned by the Improvement Club (HCIC) to the New Community Church of Union (NCCU). Finding a single dollar proved to be the only hitch in the proceedings, as HCIC President, Richard McArthur, reminded the group that we needed the dollar to “seal the deal”. Pastor Terry Oliver checked his wallet, but had just spent his “ones” on purchasing tickets for the drawing to benefit the Hood Canal Food Bank, but the needed dollar was quickly found and the signing of the deed of transfer proceeded smoothly from that point on. The Improvement Club has owned the land on Dalby Road since the 1960s and has faithfully maintained the property since then, but with the NCCU’s purchase of adjacent land on which they plan to build a new church and community center, it seemed to be the best and highest use for the Club to donate their land to the Church. After more than a year in the works, and due to some very diligent work done by HCIC member Ed Binder, this was accomplished last Tuesday evening. On hand to witness the historic event were members of the Improvement Club, many of the NCCU parishioners as well as several guests. At the conclusion of the signing ceremony, Pastor Oliver spoke to the group of the much appreciated generosity of the Improvement Club in donating it’s land to the Church. He expressed appreciation for the Club’s long stewardship of the land and assured everyone that the New Community Church of Union would continue that tradition. It was a memorable evening and a good reminder to everyone present what can be done by a small but dedicated group of citizens who wish to offer service and support to their community. For more information on the Hood Canal Improvement Club, please visit the Club’s blog at http://hcicmasonco.blogspot.com or email the group at hcic10@yahoo.com. The Hood Canal Improvement Club is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that meets on the first Tuesday of each month from September to May, at the Union Fire Hall Community room starting at 6:30 p.m. with a potluck dinner. All are welcome.

January 2010 Minutes

HOOD CANAL IMPROVEMENT CLUB JANUARY 2010 MEETING MINUTES

The meeting of the Hood Canal Improvement Club was called to order at 7:15 p.m. President McArthur led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Richard welcomed our eveningʼs guests and then introduced our first guest speaker Andrea Close. Andrea spoke to us about her involvement with the Washington Reading Corps, for whom she is working on a grant basis at Hood Canal School. She and another volunteer organize and implement the volunteer program to assist students in improving their reading skills, especially in fluency. Ms. Close invited all who have a little bit of time to become active as a volunteer at the school. Our next speaker was Tom Churchill, Superintendent and Principal of Hood Canal School, who presented a very informative Power Point slide show about the upcoming Maintenance and Operation levy that voters will decide upon in the February 9th election. All are encouraged to vote “yes” on the measure so that the school can continue to provide much needed 17% of the budget required to continue to operate the school at the current level of excellence.

President McArthur thanked our two guest speakers and proceeded to the business meeting. The minutes from the December 2009 meeting were approved as presented. The Treasurerʼs repot was approved as presented.

Old Business:

Richard reported on the S.R.106 signs we intend to have created for eastbound and westbound traffic that will alert travelers to the Dalby Waterwheel. Charles and Val Johnson met with Richard last week and selected what they all thought was a good location for the eastbound sign, and have planted a stake in the ground for future use. He said that Brian McGinnis had already given permission for a sign to be placed on Alderbrook property for westbound travelers, so a he will contact them for the selection of a good site to place the westbound sign. We have already voted to complete this project, so once a good location is determined, we will proceed to have the signs fabricated and placed.

We celebrated the transition of ownership of the property on Dalby Road from the Club to the New Community Church of Union with a signing ceremony. Participants at the front table included representatives from the NCCU and HCIC committee members Ed Binder and Barbara Levette. Those signing for the Church were Karen Cowan and Terry Oliver, and for the HCIC officers Richard McArthur and Valerie Johnson. After Richard remembered that we needed a dollar bill to “seal the deal” and one was found, the signing ceremony proceeded smoothly. Pastor Terry spoke with great sincerity to the group about the good job of stewardship that the Club had done throughout the decades of owning the land and said that the Church will continue with that good stewarding of the land into the future.

New Business:

A request for a donation came to the HCIC during the month of December and after some discussion, the Club voted to donate $250 to the Mason County Habitat for Humanity organization. Charles Johnson will mail the check to the local H4H office.

Richard McArthur asked if anyone would like to volunteer to take care of the landscaping at the waterwheel site. Valerie Johnson added that since Ken Dalby has moved to Tacoma, we donʼt have anyone taking care of the landscaping any longer, and said that there is a need during the summer months to take care of setting up the stream irrigation, weeding, and tending the little plot. Jennifer Gable recommended that we set up work parties at the beginning of the season.

President McArthur asked for people to volunteer to host the March and May meetings and sent around the sign-up sheet. Thank you to Karen and Jerry Burger and Mike Jensen who volunteered to host the May meeting, leaving only the March meeting to round out the yearʼs host opportunities. Richard thanked our eveningʼs hosts Ed Binder, Bill Viger, Richard and Jolene McArthur.

Karen Cowan selected the winning ticket in the 50/50 drawing and the winner of half of the $44 pot was Betty Woods, who said she wanted to donate her share to the NCCU.

As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted,

Valerie Johnson Secretary