July 2009
3rd Quarter |
Artifacts & Fiction Montgomery Historical Society P.O. Box 47 Montgomery, VT 05470 e-mail pratthall@gmail.com www.montgomeryvt.us/mhs.htm Click here for a printer friendly pdf version |
Number
19
Pratt Hall Window
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Scott Perry - Chair/Editor Bill McGroarty - Vice Chair Marijke Dollois - Secretary Sue Wilson - Treasurer The MHS Board meets the third Wednesday of the month at 5:30. Pratt Hall in the summer, Public Safety Building Conference Room in the winter. Note cards based on the Stained Glass
Windows of Pratt Hall make a wonderful
gift.
Vermont History Quiz:
1. The State was named Vermont in June 1777. What was
it's name before then?
2. Which of the following are parts of a horse drawn wagon/carriage? A. Left Reach B. Rub Iron C. Falling Tongue D. Iron Skein E. Fifth Wheel F. King Pin G. All of the above |
Chairman's Message Question: Why are chickens always busy? Answer: They work around the cluck. One of the highlights of my summers for the past several years has been the Society's Annual Meeting. Aside from providing me a platform to tell jokes, this is an opportunity for the Board and I to tell you, our "stockholders', about all the great work we are doing. Your feedback has been encouraging. I know I always leave the meeting jazzed to do more. I hope the entire membership feels the same way. One of the points of my report this year was there's always a way to make an impact, even beyond what you've already done. I presented the following list to make the point. Write/Administer a restoration/renovation grant Create an exhibit about an area that interests you Volunteer to docent this summer Help move the archives Enter data into the archival data base Paint Heaton House Tell your friends about what we are trying to do Write an update to the Town History Donate office supplies/postage Participate in the TD Banknorth Affinity program Buy a "Concerts By The Common" season ticket Give a gift of Stained Glass note cards Speak on a topic of interest to you Provide an email address As I stressed at this year's Meeting, one of my guiding philosophies while serving in this position has been to make doing this volunteer work fun and informative. This hybrid "Ben and Jerry's" management style has manifest itself in a string of accomplishments in which you can all take great pride... but we can always use more chickens! Scott Perry Chairman |
PAGE TWO
| 2009 Annual Meeting
Our fun filled and informational Annual Meeting was attended
by 48 members and seven guests. We enjoyed Parma's delicious pupu's,
exhibits, conversation, reports, and jokes... Information disseminated
included
Membership Report as of Jun 19, 2009 Membership so far - 151 New Members - 6 Membership Donations - $7,290 Average Donation - $50 Median Donation - $25 Treasurer's Report as of Jun 17, 2009 Assets/Cash Checking - $ 10,198.70 Lalia Pratt Hays Scholarship CD - $582.04 Capital Improvements CD - $5,659.11 Stained Glass Window Fund CD - $5,659.11 Liabilities Line of credit loan - $16,040.00 The State of our Society is good. Metrics include: More Awards Membership #s & $s steady Debt Down Savings Up Acquisitions Increasing Participation Growing Are We Having Fun??? Challenges - Keep doing what we are doing and make major structural repairs to Pratt Hall. We need a major grant. 
Montgomery
- E. Berkshire Stage
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35th
Anniversary Exhibits
We are celebrating our 35th anniversary with two exhibits on
display at Pratt Hall. One is on Montgomery's own Marion Towle and
her painting on fabric. Her decorative art features our covered bridges
prominently. The redux of our exhibit on the manufacture of packing
cases in Montgomery Center at the Nelson and Hall mill now includes a crate
acquired by the Society in late summer last year.
We've also published a guide to the stained glass windows of Pratt Hall that serves as a self guided tour of these beautiful windows. Copies are at the Hall, but you can also download them from the Society's web site, www.montgomeryvt.us/mhs.htm. The Hall will be open on many weekends throughout the summer from 1-3:00p.m, just look for the "Open" flag and walk in. FREE. You can also arrange an opening by appointment by calling any Board Member. Thanks to Parma Jewett for her work pulling this together and to those who have given or loaned pieces for display. Montgomery - East Berkshire Stage Restoration
Pat Farmer and Andre Gareau were able to fashion a new king pin and
assemble the pieces of the chassis in time to exhibit it at the Annual Meeting.
During the assembly
we discovered the name D. Arthur Brown stamped on one of the axles. This
dates the axle manufacture to no later than 1880 as best as we can tell.
We displayed it at the Annual Meeting and hoped to display it for the Fourth of July celebration but determined it is too fragile, requiring trailering. We will need to stabilize it, manufacture a new bed/body, ribs and canvas cover if we are to completely renovate the stage. We will also need to figure out a way to store it if we are to avoid taking it apart each time we want to display it. |
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Scholarship Program
This year's winners of the Lalia Pratt Hays scholarship were
Melinda Ryea and Anna Charette. Thanks to the selection committee for
completing another tough task. Good luck Melinda and Anna.
Concerts By The Common News Steve Hays has confirmed two new artists
and one old favorite for our 21st season of "Concerts By The Common".
They are:
July 18th - Atlantic Crossing August 1st - Eleva Chamber Players August 15th - 38th Parallel All concerts are at Pratt Hall at 8:00p.m. Call Lutz Automotive (802) 326-4528 for advance tickets. Tickets are $12 each ($10 for MHS members). Purchase the entire series for $30 ($25 for MHS members). Discounts for groups of 10 or more are available. Tickets are also available at the door the evening of the performance. Please click here for more information about the performers. Art Show and Sale
This year's Member Appreciation Art Show Reception is August 21st at
6:00p.m. The Show and Sale will be the 22nd (same day as the Garden
Club's Harvestfest) from 9:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. Come check out the latest
work from area artists and enter a raffle for a Michael Domina water color.
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2009 Membership Campaign Reminder Our membership count stands at 156 as
I write this. If you haven't renewed yet, please take a moment
to do so. You can print the necessary form from our web site
if you can't find our March mailing. Thanks to all of you who have become
members for 2009. Tell your friends about the good work
we're doing and suggest they join you.
Pratt Hall Bugs Update
Montgomery resident Paul Grenier of Grenier's Pest Control treated
the attic and basement of Pratt Hall, and the Stage chassis, for Powder Post
Beetles and Carpenter Ants June 20th. Thanks to all who helped with
the preparation and to Grenier's for their generous donation. (BTW
if Asian Lady Beetles, aka bugs, are driving you crazy give Grenier's a
call!)
Pratt
Hall Clock Update
The clock is now working !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2008 Art Show and Sale |
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Vermont History Quiz Answer
1. Vermont was known as New Connecticut.
2. G. All of them are parts. 
Andre and Pat assemble the Stage chassis We're An Open Book As a reminder, the Agendas and Minutes, which include the Treasurer's Reports, are available on our web site. Joke
Did you hear about the Japanese exchange student? He was a wrestler
and History major, and graduated from college Sumo Cum Laude.
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Clare Coy Memorial
Clare Coy's memorial service was at
Pratt Hall at in April. Our thanks to those who donated to the Society
in her honor, and to her family and friends for a new garden bed and Blue
Spruce tree now planted on the front lawn.
TD Banknorth Affinity Membership Program (AMP) Free Money!!! Thanks to all of you who have designated
the Society as your TD Banknorth Affinity charity. We need
just 5 more of you to do it and we will qualify for an annual contribution
from TD Banknorth of at least $500. It can be any TD Banknorth
account anywhere in the U.S. It's easy, just call Sue Wilson
or Scott Perry. The Society will not be given any information
about you or your account, and it will not cost you a thing. Click Here for
more information. Thanks again to all of you who have
designated the MHS.
Board Changes
Sally Newton resigned from the Board, after many years, to devote
more time to an addiction many share, Bridge. She's been playing in
many tournaments and is rapidly increasing her ranking. Thank you Sally.
Three new members have agreed to serve on the Board, Tim Chapin, Ken Secor, and Elsie Saborowski. All have been longtime supporters and will keep the rest of us on the straight and narrow. Welcome aboard. |