HOPE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MINUTES
November 21, 2023

The meeting was called to order by Vice President, Marie Berry, at 6:35 P.M. There were 8 members in attendance: Marie Berry, Gwen Brodis, Margaret Morse, Bill Jones, Judith Jones, Ron Smith, Jim DellaPenna, and Cindy DellaPenna.

Marie asked for the Secretary's report for Oct. 17, 2023, which Cindy stated had been emailed to all members - there was a motion to accept the report, the motion was seconded and accepted by all in attendance.

Gwen presented the Treasurer's report - on October 10, the Society took in $366 from the sale of baked goods and $58 from the sale of raffle tickets at Hope Orchard's Apple Festival; receipt of dues and donations totaled $970 for October, and there was a receipt of $38.88 from Coastal Opportunities (redemption center). October's expenses totaled $4,497.44 for which, the largest expenditure of $3,480.00, went toward the new gutter installation. At the end of October, we had $2,449.04 in checking and $17,973.43 in savings. There was a motion to accept the treasurer's report, the motion was seconded and accepted by all.

The above accounting doesn't reflect the receipts from November 7th, voting day, which were $1,524.50 from the sale of baked goods, crafts, and raffle basket. The winner of the raffle basket was Joanna Swanson of Camden. Thank you to all who participated by baking, selling, and purchasing.

Old Business -

There was a continued discussion regarding the outside lights. The electrician needs to be contacted again regarding the sensor light on the garage corner, it will not shut off unless the light is switched off which defeats the sensor's purpose. The electrician has not yet provided a bill, so hopefully, he will come and correct the problem.

A huge thank you for all the work performed by Javis Johnson, Roger & Juanita Hunt. They put in many hours installing insulation and knotty pine boards throughout the ground floor of the garage plus they cleaned the garage door metal track. Juanita plans to organize the Historical Society's collection of interesting tools and have them mounted on the walls. The installation was cumbersome due to the large items already on display - lots of lifting, pushing, and shoving. The Society will have Randy Merrifield put in window trim; the room already looks great, but the trim will dress it up even more.

The notepads discussed last month have been purchased and are being offered for sale at Brodis Blueberries on Jones Hill Road for the benefit of Hope Historical.

New Business -

Ron Smith covered the outside windows for winter - Marie asked if there were any volunteers to turn the water off, drain the pipes, and put anti-freeze in the toilets; Ron said he would winterize the inside after our December brunch scheduled for December 12th.

Margaret Morse has been our much-appreciated program coordinator for several years; she needs a break and has resigned. All in attendance thanked her for her volunteer service. Margaret has a folder she would like to give to her replacement with some suggestions for next year. Please, we need someone to step up and take over this important position. Additionally, we will need a publicist to promote our programs through advertising - Susan McIntrye has been providing posters and notifications to the news media; who would like to take over?

Juanita left a wish list for spring. There will be a need for helpers to do a spring cleaning before meetings resume in April, she would like suggestions and help in removing the large unopened safe that has been taking up space in the garage (there was a suggestion we should dig a big hole and bury it), and assistance will be appreciated in carrying down from the upper garage floors some tools for display in the newly dressed up garage ground floor.

The ashes of Harold "Mike" Brown are to be spread out back of Hope Historical Society; he and his wife Joan (Price) Brown died within weeks of one another - they had been cared for by their daughter Susan. Mike was raised at what has become the Hope Historical Society home from birth until 1943 when his parents moved to Camden.

Marie reminded us that the annual Christmas brunch will take place at HHS on Dec 12th at 9 AM. Please bring a breakfast/brunch dish to share and feel free to bring a guest.

A motion to adjourn was seconded and unanimously approved at 7:05 PM.

The program for the night was the showing of the documentary film An Old Maine Town - The Rockport Story provided by Jim and Cindy DellaPenna. Margaret Morse provided popcorn. All enjoyed the film; some of the people interviewed were known by the attendees.



Respectfully submitted by,
Cindy DellaPenna, Secretary