Hope Historical Society
MINUTES FOR JUNE 17, 2025

The meeting was called to order by President, Juanita Hunt, at 6:30 P. M. with The Pledge of Allegiance. Those attending were: Juanita Hunt, Gwen Brodis, Margaret Morse, Catherine Pease, Cindy DellaPenna, Jim DellaPenna, Ron Smith, Linda Hilllgrove, Marie Berry, Judith Jones, Bill Jones, Mary Ireland, Bruce Linthicum, Linda Black, Emily Saladino, Daisy Johnson and Jarvis Johnson. Guests included: Roger Hunt, Sue Kohorn, Bruce Kohorn , Karin Wiener, Creighton Drury, Elizabeth Drury, Matthew Silverio, Sandy Delano, David King, and Sara Cragan. There were three other guests whose signatures were not legible.

SECRETARY'S REPORT: A motion was made and seconded to accept the Secretary's Report.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Treasurer, Gwen Brodis, reported for April 30, 2025 to May 31, 2025 an Income Total of $357.00; Expenses of $677.78; Balance in Checking: $1,661.86; Balance in Savings: $11,322.22. A motion was made and seconded to accept the Treasurer's Report.

OLD BUSINESS: Marie Berry was thanked for re-painting the HHS sign and Ron Smith was thanked for cutting down the dead tree near the parking lot. The grab bar has been installed in the bathroom. Thanks to Sonja Howard for doing the raffle. Marie Berry gave us an update on the Bake and Craft Sale held on Voting Day, June 10, 2025. Proceeds from the bake sale was $735.55; craft sale, $136; raffle sales $128; 2026 calendar sales were $80.00.

This year the Yard, Craft and Food Sale will be held June 28, 2025 from 8:00 A. M. to 1:00 P. M. at the HHS home with an Open House to welcome visitors who would like to tour and learn about Hope History. Gwen and Donovan will be available if people have questions. Thank you to Susan Holbrook for donating her hand knit blanket. She sells them for $80.00. We are thinking about selling it for that amount or including the hand knit blanket with the Hannaford Gift Card Raffle which will be drawn on Voting Day in November. Tickets for the Raffle are $1.00/ticket or 6 tickets for $5.00. Free coffee and lemonade will be available. This information will be sent to Pen Bay Pilot by Susan McIntyre and Catherine Pease will send the information to the Free Press.

NEW BUSINESS: The Building Committee project to stabilize the water tank was done by Ron Howard. We need to have a doorstep built at the back door. Juanita talked with Clarence regarding fire extinguishers needed and where they should be placed. The heat pumps will need servicing soon. Juanita and Margaret are looking for help to identify items they will have at their Union Fair booth and volunteers to help during Union Fair would be appreciated. Volunteers are needed to move a heavy furniture item up to the second floor of the garage.

July 26, 1:00-5:00 is Hope Day with a parade at 3 P. M., games for children, vendors and ball games. We welcome suggestions on how to promote Hope Historical Society during the parade.

The meeting was adjourned and Donovan introduced the speaker, Rosey Gerry of Lincolnville, who shared interesting, historical and fun facts regarding roads from Quebec to Lincolnville during the 1700s. Refreshments were provided by Catherine Pease and Marie Berry.

The speaker for the July 15th meeting will be Joanne Richards and Ron Howard presenting a Power Point presentation on the book "Fighting for Freedom, Fighting for Survival" which profiles the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 patriots and their families, buried at Tolman Cemetery, located on Lake Ave., Rockland. Many descendants of these patriots moved into our area. A few of these familiar names are Robbins, Spear, Ulmer, Keen and Woster. Many of their offspring married and lived in Hope and the surrounding towns. Joanne Richards and Mary Kelly wrote many chapters of which two were written by Cynthia DellaPenna and Mary Kelly which are a valuable resource on the history of Rockland and Camden. Thank you to Ron Howard for this information which can be found on the HHS website at: www.hopehist.com along with future speakers.

Respectfully Submitted,
Linda Ludwig Hillgrove
Secretary