HOPE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MINUTES
May 21, 2024

The meeting was called to order by President, Juanita Hunt, at 6:30 P.M. There were 23 members in attendance: Marie Berry, Juanita Hunt, Gwen Brodis, Margaret Morse, Cindy DellaPenna, Catherine Pease, Donovan Bowley, Jim DellaPenna, Mary Ireland, Ron Smith, Linda Black, Bruce Linthicum, Ann Leadbetter, Diane Sprowl, Jarvis Johnson, David Hall, Sydney Hall, Bunny Gleason, Linda Hillgrove, Barbara Bentley, Bill Bentley, Bill Jones, and Judith Jones.

Juanita called for a moment of silence and reflection in honor of long-time Hope resident and HHS member Viola Richardson who passed on May 5, 2024.

There was a motion to accept the Secretary's report which had been emailed to all members, the motion was seconded and approved.

Gwen provided the Treasurer's report for the period of March 31, 2024 to April 30, 2024. The only income was from bottle redemption $98.97; expenses were telephone/internet and Central Maine Power totaling $283.89. At the end of April, we had $1,103.64 in checking and $21,232.59 in savings. There was a motion to accept the report, the motion was seconded and approved.

Old Business:

Ron Smith reported on the ultimate success in the removal of the old safe. It took effort - he tried moving the safe with his tractor, first, but it would not budge; he called Chris Pearse to come with his tractor, but he still had difficulty; the safe was finally moved onto Ralph Richardson's trailer and hauled to the scrap yard. The scrap yard paid $91.70 for the 2,280-pound safe. Richardson's trailer suffered damage to a wheel from the weight. Ron asked for reimbursement of $20 for gas and $40 to Richardson for time and damage. There was a motion to approve reimbursement to Ron and Ralph, the motion was seconded and approved. HHS netted $31.70 and freed up space in the garage.

Marie reported that HHS had received a gift of $100 toward last month's recommendation to purchase a Hannaford gift certificate for this year's raffle. Hannaford will donate $50 toward the certificate, so she thought rather than purchasing a $200 certificate, we should buy a $300 certificate, which HHS will pay $150 for. Raffle tickets will sell for $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. She asked to be contacted should there be any other offers of gifts to accompany the certificate for the raffle.

A reminder there will be a bake sale on June 11th, voting day. Marie asked that for those of us present this evening not to expect a call soliciting baked goods, but simply bring something in for the table when they come to vote. She will contact by phone, others for contributions.

On June 22nd HHS will have its annual open house and yard sale. Marie asked for setup and sales help volunteers to please contact her. The sale runs from 8 AM to 1 PM; she would need setup help earlier.

David Hall was asked to give some information regarding Hope Day, scheduled for July 20th. It will be an all-day event - 8 softball teams will be playing in the morning, in the afternoon there will be tables set up including a Beer Garden, a bake sale table, and HHS will have a table selling raffle tickets and possibly canning labels, per Marie. There will be a parade at 3 PM being organized by Andy & Kathy Swift and after the day, there will be a dance in the evening with a live band. David said Dottie Wright is raising monies for the day's events via two upcoming bake sales. It was suggested that HHS should be opened that day, Juanita & Cindy will coordinate.

Last month we discussed what to do with the oil tank and residual oil since we are now using the heat pumps. Juanita reported she had contacted the oil company and was Maine Maritime and their quote was $1,500 to remove the oil plus a charge of $140/hr per person for the three people required to pump the oil and sludge. This is outrageous. A couple of people offered to drain the tank for nothing. We discussed options for the oil and remaining tank. Gwen mentioned that the last time the furnace had been serviced, the service technician stated the smoke pipe and burner motor needed attention - we will have to have a technician look at the furnace before winter, but there was a motion to burn the oil rather than drain it, the motion was seconded and approved.

Juanita stated we still had no Program Chairperson and asked for volunteers - no one stepped forward. We are all set for the next two months, but we do need suggestions for Aug., Sept., Oct., and Nov.

Ron had noticed a shingle on the ground that had been stripped from the front roof of the home. Marie said she would have a grandson take a look and replace it. It was also noted that the cracks in the two outside entry doors should be addressed - Donovan offered to caulk the cracks.

Thanks go to Chris Pearse and Jarvis Johnson who hung the large bellows & ox yolk on the back wall of the garage, Margaret and Juanita for working the kitchen display, Juanita & her husband, Roger, who have hung old license plates from the garage rafters - the plates were in a box given the Society by the True family.

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 PM, the motion was seconded and approved.

Our speaker for the night was Retired Corporal Michelle Merrifield, who was accompanied by her retired K-9 service dog, Piper. Michelle shared stories from her experiences during her twenty-five-year career as a Maine Game Warden. She discussed her high praise for the assistance K-9's provide and how odors are carried long distances in the wind.

Refreshments were provided by Linda Hillgrove, Ann Leadbetter, & Diane Sprowl - thank you.

Respectfully submitted,
Cindy DellaPenna, secretary