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 evening’s guests and then introduced our first guest speaker, Mr. Kenneth Abernathy, representing the United States Census. Mr. Abernathy told the group of the employment opportunities that are available to the community as census takers for the 2010 census. He left pamphlets describing the work and urged those interested to take the practice test as the work pays a minimum of $13.25 an hour plus reimbursement for mileage.
President McArthur thanked Mr. Abernathy for his valuable information and then introduced our main guest speaker, the Director of the McReavy House Museum of Hood Canal, Mrs. Tracy Moore. Tracy spoke to us about some of the history of the McReavy Mansion, built in 1890, as well as the progress that the non-profit organization has been making to restore the house to its original status and then have it open for the public to enjoy as a museum, arts and learning center. Ms. Moore stated that the Foundation is only 3 years old, that the membership is steadily growing with184 currently on board, and that volunteers are always needed and welcome to help out in various ways. Upcoming are plans to rebuild the front porch (overlooking Hood Canal), restore the “gingerbread” and turnposts so that they look as the house did in 1890, and this summer more work to expand the gardens. She said the house will be open on Saturdays starting in March, and welcomed all to participate in whatever manner they felt moved. The website for McReavy House is http://www.mcreavyhouse.org, or interested parties may telephone at 360.426.0163. Everyone appreciated her fine presentation on the McReavy House.
President McArthur thanked our guest speaker and proceeded to the business meeting. The minutes from the January 2010 meeting were approved as presented. The Treasurer’s report was approved as presented. Betty Woods reported that “all is well” in the Sunshine Club, and President McArthur thanked Betty for continuing her work with that committee.
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. He has a meeting scheduled with Brian McGinnis on February 16th to determine the location for a sign to be placed on Alderbrook property for westbound travelers. We have already voted to complete this project, so Richard passed around a three panel view of options for the planned signs. The group thought the middle view was the best, so Charles Johnson will place the order for the signs with Bob Graham of Grahamsville Signs. Charles reported that the signs have gone up $11.00 since we last were in contact with Bob, but the group approved going ahead with the project. As soon as the signs are ready, we’ll have a “post hole” party and get them planted.
President McArthur reported on the Dalby Road to NCCU donation project, saying that the NCCU Board met last weekend and was to come to a final determination as to whether they would formally accept the donated land. As Pastor Oliver was not present, we were unable to get a status report on the outcome of that meeting, but will assume that it was approved. Once the paperwork is finalized, we will be able to take the property off of our books.
New Business:
Valerie Johnson gave a summary report from our Treasurer regarding our fund raising activities. The report shows that in 2009 and 2010 we have given $700 to three groups, but have not done any fund-raising during that time. She proposed an idea to the group that would involve a multi-organizational effort to raise funds for the various needs of the community. An event for the evening of October 23rd at the Hood Canal School is in the planning stage to have a community-wide evening of fun and fund-raising. Organizations can have a presence at the event and man tables to sell food or merchandise, while providing information about their group. As part of the evening’s fun a community-wide group will be forming to learn and dance the Michael Jackson “Thriller” dance and attempt to beat the Guinness Book of World Records in the process. Valerie will meet with the Union Tourism Association Marketing Group who has expressed interest in the idea this Thursday. An initial overview and planning meeting for the event has been scheduled for February 17th at Harmony Hill. It is Valerie’s hope that the HCIC will want to participate in the event, hosting a sales and information table, and perhaps offering a chainsaw art boot donated by Keith Visser for a raffle to raise funds. Any other ideas on ways the group would like to participate would be most welcome and will be discussed at future meetings. Angela Brandt offered her support for the idea and thought that it would be a good way to attract a younger element to the Improvement Club. Karen Burger warned everyone that she is “going to learn that dance!” All dancers will come dressed as zombies to add to the fun of this week-before-Hallowe’en event. More to come!
Richard said that NCCU has agreed (as part of the land donation terms) to allow us space in their office building to place a locking cabinet in which to store our historical records as well as extra supplies for meetings and events. Valerie Johnson researched a cabinet and found that they can be purchased new for about $250 online. The cabinet measures 72” tall by 36” wide by 18” deep and will hold all of the binders containing minutes back to the beginning of the club in the 1930s. The group voted to approve spending no more than $250 for a suitable cabinet, and short of purchasing a new one, we will look for a used one in good condition at the ReStore or other used office furniture outlets in the area. Anyone finding information, please bring it to the March meeting.
President McArthur asked for people to volunteer to host the March meeting and sent around the sign-up sheet. Thank you to Angela Brandt, Tom Darling and Richard McArthur who have agreed to host the March meeting. Richard thanked our evening’s hosts Ed Binder, Tom Darling, Pat Orr and Helen Robel (who jumped in at the last minute). Thank you hosts!
There was no 50/50 drawing at this meeting.
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Johnson
Secretary
