Hope Historical Society Minutes
Minutes for May 19th, 2026

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 P. M. by President, Marie Berry. Those attending were: Margaret Morse, Linda Hillgrove, Sonja Howard, Ron Howard, Catherine Pease, Mary Ireland, Jim DellaPenna, Ron Smith, Donovan Bowley, Linda Black, Bruce Linthicum, Bill Jones, Judith Jones, Juanita Hunt, and guest, Mike Giger.

SECRETARY'S REPORT: Copy of the corrected report was shared with members then a motion was made by Mary Ireland to accept the minutes and seconded by Donovan Bowley.

TREASURER'S REPORT:Sonia Pease presented the Treasurer's Report. Sonia thanked Ron Smith for collecting returnable bottles during his daily walks which totalled $144.00. A motion to accept the report was made by Donovan and seconded by Margaret.

OLD BUSINESS: Sonia Howard submitted a letter to Home Depot informing them that the Hope Historical Home is in need of a wheelchair ramp to have the building come into compliance with Federal regulations. It was approved and Home Depot will donate supplies for the construction of the ramp.

Ron Howard spoke to Robert McDonald regarding the need to paint the house. We voted to accept the $4,600 bid.

Catherine Pease spoke with Randy Merrifield about the need to fix one of the windows upstairs and the need to coordinate painting the window after it is repaired.

Election Day: Ann and Marie will call members to provide food and help with sales at the Craft, Food, and Raffle Ticket Sales on June 9, 2026 from 8:00 A. M. to 6:00 P. M. The Raffle this year is a $300.00 gift certificate to be used at Hannaford.

Catherine and Margaret will manage the Craft table.

Hope Day Event: Hope Day will be celebrated on July 25, 2026 with a parade in the morning and events at True Park. Contact Catherine Pease or Marie Berry if you can help with activities. There will be a table set up for craft, raffle ticket purchases, and fun activities for children such as cotton candy, treasure hunt, corn hole, (how about egg tossing??? contest, 3 legged race). Will there be ball games as well?? Call Marie or Catherine if you have any historic places we could include with the treasure hunt.

NEW BUSINESS: Marie reminded us that volunteers are needed from July 10 to September 4 for Open House from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. to meet and greet visitors.

Marie will meet with James, Thomas Ingraham's Grandson, to discuss projects he would be interested in doing for us as a Summer project. Ron Smith mentioned putting Hobbs' family history on the web page as a good project. Ron Howard suggested the family history from 1776 to present and Donovan mentioned that Cindy DellaPenna has some history she has been working on.

Ron Howard mentioned the history with photos that Catherine Pease has posted on Hope Happenings which has received positive comments.

Sonja Howard said the Davis Family Foundation grant that was secured by Cynthia for the purchase of the heat pumps was awarded on Dec. 10, 2022. We are able to reapply for another grant since there is a 3 year waiting period. They only accept grant requests on Feb. 1, May 1, or Nov 1. She and Ron can work on a grant for Nov. 1 or Feb. 1, but not before. If anyone would want to work on a grant for the Aug. 1 deadline, please do. We need painting costs, an on-demand generator and/or updating the electrical Sonja will look for other sources for grants.

Ron Howard introduced James DellaPenna who shared photos and facts about Brodie, CA, ghost town where a lot of easterners migrated to try their luck at gold ad silver mining.

Refresments were provided by Linda Black and Mary Ireland.

Respectfully Submitted,
Linda Ludwig Hillgrove
Secretary