Hope Historical Society Minutes
August 16, 2022

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by the Society President, Juanita Hunt. There were 14 members present: Juanita Hunt, Margaret Morse, Bunny Gleason, Ron Smith, Catherine Pease, Linda Hillgrove, Linda Black, Bruce Linthicum, Ann Leadbetter, Mary Ireland, Donovan Bowley, Marie Berry, Bill Jones, Cindy DellaPenna; and 4 guests: Antonia Daly, Teresa J., Mary Kelly, our speaker for the evening and her husband, Dick Kelly.

The June 21, 2022 secretary's report had been emailed to all members twice, the second mailing was an amended copy, and can be found on the Society's website; as such, it was not read. There was a motion to accept, the motion was seconded and all voted to accept.

There was no Treasurer's report as Gwen is in isolation having been exposed to Covid; the word is she is fine and not experiencing any symptoms. Gwen provided the following: we have in Checking---$1,149.91 and in Savings ----$23,374.05.

Old Business:
Marie Berry, who has been opening the Home every Friday morning for the months of July and August reported that only 5 people have come in. She has occupied her time cleaning and organizing the downstairs of the home.

Margaret gave some information about our fascinating Robbins Lumber Mill tour in July. There was a good turnout and the group was split into two. We went from building to building and observed how computers today sort, determine the best cut for each log, and how the computers continue analysis throughout the process. Robbins Lumber Mill is a progressive business that recycles all products; they even recycle the water sprayed on the logs in the yard.

HHS now has fiber optic internet. We also have a phone; the number is 763-3301; however, we need to discuss further how and whether we will put a message on the system. Currently, it will just ring and ring.

New Business:
Bunny Gleason displayed a poster she had prepared for HHS advertising, there are actually two posters, that provide our name and location. The poster was used at the Union Fairgrounds in their Exhibition Hall during last month's fair days. Bunny and Juanita Hunt prepared an outstanding booth of yesterday's, tools, kitchen items, and crafts that won second prize. My personal opinion is that it was first prize quality, but the first prize was given to the Veterans, which both Bunny & Juanita felt was warranted. We thanked and congratulated them for their work and the promotion it gave our society.

Donovan informed us of a current exhibit at Searsmont Historical Society entitled "Searsmont Head". The "head" is on loan from Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA. The "head" artifact is carved from local Searsmont stone. The Searsmont Historical Society is housed in the Searsmont Community Building. Donovan will provide their hours of operation.

Emily Davis, of Hope Apple Orchard, has invited HHS to participate in their Fall Festival to take place on the 9th of October. Marie Berry will head it up - further details forthcoming. Marie also stated we need to be thinking about the November 8th voting day bake goods table.

There is a cabinet in the HHS garage that is taking up space - Marie said she would take the best offer for its removal.

Bunny Gleason asked if Society members would like Penobscot Marine Museum's, Kevin Johnson, to return to HHS with his talk and display of early local photo postcards. He gave a talk a number of years ago at HHS. It was unanimous approval for his return. She will contact him to firm up the date. More details to follow.

The general meeting concluded at 6:55 PM.

Margaret Morse introduced our speaker for the evening, Mary Kelly. Mary has been weaving for about 15 years; she owns 4 looms and is the organizer of a Mid-coast weavers' group. Mary spends half the year in Prescott, Arizona and half the year at Sprucehead. Her talk "A Common Thread, Our Weaving Heritage" or "History of Weaving" was outstanding. Through slides, Mary described the intricate parts of looms from 15,000 BC through to today; she showed the difference in weaving patterns and materials used, such as flax, wool, silk, and cotton. Her presentation took three years to finesse. She recommended the following two books for anyone interested in further study - Women's Work: The First 20,000 Years by Elizabeth Wyland Barker and The Age of Homespun: Objects and Stories in the Creation of an American Myth by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. Mary also informed us that the Old Berwick Historical Society has a current display entitled "Material Culture: Domestic Cloth-Making in 18th Century New England" and has lectures scheduled in September. Their website is: https://www.oldberwick.org take a look.

It appears all attendees enjoyed Mary's well-prepared talk.

The evening ended as usual with refreshments, provided by Margaret, and Bunny, pumpkin bread from Ron Smith, and pleasant socializing.

Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia S. DellaPenna, HHS Secretary