Hope Historical Society
Minutes for November 17, 2025

The meeting was callled to order at 6:30 P. M. by President, Marie Berry. Those attending were Ron Smith, Scott Pease, Mary Ireland, Marie Berry, Ron Howard, Sonja Howard, Catherine Pease, Juanita Hunt, Sue Heal, Margaret Morse, Donovan Bowley, Peter Saladino, Emily Saladino and Linda Hillgrove.

SECRETARY'S REPORT: Linda Hillgrove reported that some emails are not going through to members. Copies of the October meeting were made available as well as those sent via email. A motion was made and seconded to accept the Minutes.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Sonja Howard reported an income for October totaled $2,306.62; Expenditures were $690.79. End of October total in Savings is $23,732.93; End of October total in Checking is $1,312.79. Total profit on the sale of Hannaford gift certificate was $634.00. A motion was made and seconded to accept the Treasurer's report.

Marie Berry reported the final results of the Hannaford $300.00 raffle ticket sales. Hannaford charged us $250.00 and donated $50.00 toward the ticket. The profit from the Hannaford Food raffle tickets was $634.00. The winner was Willis Silverwood of South Thomaston.

OLD BUSINESS: Linda Hillgrove shared information regarding our visit to Lincolnville Historical Society along with seven other area societies which included St. George, Winterport, Thomaston, Searsmont, and Owls Head which is called Muscle Ridge Historical Society, Northport and Belfast. We discussed maintenance of physical plant, how they accession/catalog collections, staff/volunteers/board members, budget, fund raising, membership, digital presence and community involvement--schools especially.

Juanita and Margaret stated that the Veteran's vienette at the Town Office had been vandalized. We discussed the need for a contact person regarding the DARs need for people to march in the 4th of July parade in 2026 to honor those Revolutionary soldiers who are buried in local cemetaries. Sonja will ask Lindsey at Sweet Tree regarding students who would volunteer to march in said parade.

Donovan Bowley suggested that a folder be created with information on becoming a member, and general information on how the society works.

NEW BUSINESS: Catherine Pease asked about doing another calendar for 2027 as there are a lot of businesses in Hope who bought ads for the 2026 calendar. She also asked about interest in publishing a yearly Hope newsletter.

Marie said she has an estimate from Dave Pettee for gravel for the parking lot of $555.00. Also need an estimate to remediate the lead paint on the front of the house and garage and also replacing the rotting corner board. Both items were tabled. Donovan said he thinks it was about 12 years ago that we had a grant for archival products. We will check with Cindy DellaPenna regarding grants to help pay for the house painting.

Marie mentioned the time it takes to set up and breakdown the library furniture on voting day to make room for our bake and craft sale tables. Juanita made a motion to donate twenty-five dollars to the library which was seconded and unanimously approved.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR 2026:
Program Committee: Donovan, Sonja and Ron Howard.
Hospitality Committee: Mary Ireland, Juanita Hunt, Nancy Ford and Linda Hillgrove will greet,
and sign people up for refreshments, set up for Christmas Brunch with volunteers, and annual pot luck decorations.
Publicity: Catherine Pease, newspaper; Susan McIntyre and Linda Hillgrove
Website: Susan McIIntyre
Building & Maintenance: Jarvis Johnson and Scott McIntyre
Plowing: Rick Breshnahan
Fundraising: Marie Berry and Catherine Pease
Finance Committee: Ron and Sonja Howard, Gwen Brodis
Nominating Committee: Mary Ireland, Juanita Hunt, Nancy Ford and Linda Hillgrove Marie said she will be at the HHS house on Fridays from 9 to 11:30 A. M. pending interest during the winter months.



Motion to adjourn and seconded.
Refreshments were provided by Marie Berry and Linda Hillgrove.

December 16th, Christmas Brunch will be held at the Hope Fire station at 9:00 A.M.