Heritage and Cultural Center Fdpc - Regular Meeting

Could you do a quick call to order? And does anybody not have the copy of the agenda? You good? Okay. You going to do a quick call to order? And first thing as usual, if we could stand up and do the pledge of allegiance, please United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

And thank you folks. Just want to say welcome to everyone. I special January snowy day. You guys have lots of places you should be uh and could be. I appreciate you being here. So, thank you very much and welcome back and happy new year to everyone. Uh so, the first order of business is we do have an introduction of our new town council liaison. So I want to welcome Loren off. Welcome to the crew. So this is the FBPC meeting and Loren, I'm not sure if you want to just say a couple words before we get going. Just a words of introduction if folks don't know you.

State to um very excited to be on council. We do not get to select the groups that we are associated with. So, I was beyond excited when I learned that I was going to be able to be part of this group. Um, my husband is a huge history buff. My father was a huge history buff. I love Bill Street. And the fact that we have this in our community is such a gem. And I came over um that one time and just was amazed at how much is here. So, I'm really excited to see what your plans are. I also took a class here once. I was I was so impressed that you offered classes here. I go for a first aid class as we had a baby family that was toddler. I wanted to make sure that all my girls selfies had my so this is a gem and I'm super excited. I just want to say thank you to all of you because without volunteers and people to keep something like this going, it would be be very easy for it to fall by the wayside. So, thank you in advance for your enthusiasm and I hope that mine matches. So, thanks.

Thank you. Thanks. Welcome. Welcome. So, so glad that for you to be here. So, welcome. All right. So, we are going to get right down into it. So, annual election of officers is next. Uh and so and uh Abby, I'm going to ask your assistance on this one as far as which ones I know we have to do president. We do have to do uh uh the chair, the vice chair, the vice chair, the treasure and the treasure. So now right now we have I'm the chair, the vice chair is u is Kevin and the treasurer is Don Far.

Correct. And so any discussions as far as uh folks I ask the three people right now would they want to be reconsidered for those positions going forward? You sure? I I'm willing to to continue, but I do want to offer if anybody else would like to, you know, take a shot and do that. I am more than willing to step aside. Give somebody else an opportunity. Somebody wants Yeah. And I'll also say I'll do it again for another year. It's a real short I'll do it for another year.

Go for it. Now I think all three of us are probably in the same boat, which is I've been honored and love to do it. We'll do it again this year, but if somebody else wants the the honor as well, I'm more than willing uh to discuss that with no issue whatsoever. Uh now the only side on my side I will be traveling a little bit more this year uh shouldn't it shouldn't impact things massively but it may impact that I may not be able to be to all of the the speaker series and may miss one or two different uh uh board meetings. Uh so it'll be a little more than last year. Uh but other than that I loved it last year and I'd love to do it again but if not that is totally fine.

So is there a nomination for the chair position? Nominate Rob again. I'll second that motion. Thanks for second. And do you accept? I will accept. Okay. All right. So, thank you. All in favor for Rob to become the chair again for 2026. Betty, Suzanne, we're voting on Rob. We're voting. Yeah. I Okay, great. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. All right. So, is there a nomination for vice chair? I will nominate Kevin Kennedy.

Oh, I'll second that motion. Eddie beat you to it. Unfortunately. All right. So, all in favor? Okay. I for treasurer, is there a nomination? Who nominate Don Faulner? SPAS. All in favor? I. All right. Wonderful. Congratulations everyone on your new old positions.

And again, I don't think I was bragging when I said this is the best group we got. When I was telling Lorine, so the volunteers really make it happen. I said it's not bragging if it's true. And I think it's absolutely true. Um, so thank you all. All right, moving on. Just to catch us. So last where we left our heroes uh for the past and upcoming events or events that we just recently had and some coming up. The Girl Scouts rental of the Heritage Center for the first day training that was on January 10th. So this was the first time we were uh using this facility for that specific purpose for a smaller group. Uh so I was here the entire time and I will tell you I have I have witnessed some very good use cases for the heritage center. this might be the absolute best one because you had a group of girls come in who did not know how to do CPR, did not know how to do the Heimlick maneuver, did not know how to do all the emergency stuff and 5 hours later they walked out with those skills into the community and it was on a rainy day that was raining like you can't believe. Their other alternative was to be at the scout cabin which is not like this place. It's great if you're building fires and everything. This was they they kept saying this is pure luxury because they needed a screen to do powerpoints and videos of CPR. They needed a place on a clean floor to put the dummies down, babysized dummies and humansized d, you know, adult-sized dummies. This place they just kept saying was ridiculously awesome. So, I just want to say they they uh they did a sweep of all the girls like little any little piece of litter when they went up and back. They wanted to make sure everything was in its place. They put together thank you notes for the heritage center and for Abby in particular who who had to do all the updating of the contracts for this which they knew that there was real work involved in this. So they very much appreciated it. So I just want to let you know I thought it was an absolutely outstanding use of the place. It was

very appreciated. Most likely consider us again. It's So, we changed it for this year um in order to be a little bit more inclusive to smaller groups because typically what we had was uh a $200 deposit and then it was $75 an hour after that. And that's what the arrangement we had with the Long View Acres Garden Club. Um so, this was $30 an hour. Um, and that is for small groups under 10 people. I think it's under 50 something. I can't remember.

It's a fee schedule. I can provide it for you if you want, but um, that information should be on online. Um, so I just made a an adaptation to the contract that we've used in the past. Um, and it also has information on how you want the room set up and what kind of technical needs you have as well. So, so if you know anyone who wants to use the heritage center as a good rental facility, send them our way. And just to know, of course, you know, when they're taking because kids are kidding, they're asking a million questions about everything that uh so they are very interested in doing a tour with their troop and I said they're more than happy to accommodate that.

It really was, I thought, an outstanding example of Yeah. No. Yeah. So people that like over the summer this was the same group that was evacuated from the scout cabin by all the emergency vehicles. So that was the overlocation just so you know and it was pouring rain and so just so you know and to add to the delay they had some issues that they think there was a rodent that's dead in between the walls having a very big stench. So this was a way Yeah. Not here.

So when I say this was an improvement they kept saying this is luxury. So, we'll have to think about it going forward, but I just thought it was a great use case. So, thanks for everybody. I know this took a lot of work. We had to change the contract and believe me, everybody knew the work that had to get done to do that. It was very much appreciated. But any more feedback on that, let me know because I've it was outstanding and they said they will do they said, "You want me to come to town council? I'll do that because they just loved it. It was absolutely fantastic." Glad to hear that. All right, moving on to the next subject then, the loan for the North Alagany Distinguished Alumni Dinner coming up on the 22nd.

Suzanne um and her crew have assembled a couple bins of items to send over for the alumni dinner which is tomorrow afternoon. Yeah. Um so I'll take it over to they're having it at the Trinity Church. Is that what it's called? Trinity Greek Church. Thank you. um right at the corner across from Pass event. Um that is tomorrow evening. We'll set up a table. We've got I made some extra signs that say like these items are on loan from the heritage center. I also have a bunch of printouts of our lecture series as well. They are pretty much

so I must have made one before. Okay. Okay. Well, I have some more. Um, so I'll set that up tomorrow evening and then um that'll be a really nice display uh for those distinguished alumni. So thank you for your hard work in pulling all that information together. You next one I think Abby is you as well. The '9s board game night on January 22.

Tomorrow evening we're having a '9s board game night. So, if you saw the bags and bags of board games out there um on the floor, we're going to be playing all kinds of games tomorrow evening. So, you are all welcome to come if you'd like to. It is a free event. It starts at 7 o'clock um 7 to 9 and it's going to be here at the HCC. So, I'll be over tomorrow to set up the tables and set up the games and stuff. And I got some retro snacks and juice boxes and all kinds of stuff. So, it should be it should be fun. We have 32 people registered for that event tomorrow night. Yeah, sounds great. That's a good thing.

Jared, so good to see you, Jerry. Come on in. Get a uh there's a chair here. Chair right there by whichever works for you. Jerry, you can sit anywhere you want. He give you this seat. Take this seat. There's another seat. Yeah, there is an extra one right there. So, if you want All right. Good to see you, Jared. Thank you, Rich. Thank you s

All right. Thank you folks. Thanks, Cheryl. It's just he doesn't have Yeah. Thank you. All right. I'm going to keep us moving then. Uh, anything else on the board game tonight? No. All right. Uh, the reopening we do have scheduled for February 11th, weather permitting. So, I don't know if there's anything else anybody wants to mention, but that is the date right now for the reopening. The Wednesday crew has been hard at work and taking down all the Christmas stuff. We did that last Wednesday. That was an explosion of glitter everywhere last week.

Um, so they took it all back down to the basement, got things sorted out, and now we're in the process of bringing up new things for all of the cases. So that's why it looks a little sparse around here. Um, but this year we'll definitely be highlighting more Macless specific uh topics. Um and then hopefully have some rotating uh displays uh from other organizations in McCandless as well, including Sisters of Divine Providence, Passment Foundation, um some other organizations. So, more to come on that, but uh until March, until we're really out of the woods weatherwise, um we're hoping to be open at least from Wednesday to Friday or Saturday if we have volunteers for Saturdays. Um, but of course if it's snowing or icy then you know I'd rather you stay home than come here. So

um you is it Wednesday, Thursday and Friday did you say? Yes. Okay. Just want to be sure that they be there Thursday. Yeah. Okay. All right. Thanks. All right. Then the knitting workshop February 18th and the 25th. So this is a two-week workshop. We did this twice last year with Dana Gets from Knit Hope. Um it's already sold out. Um and it sold out last year, too. Yeah. You got to be fast on this. You do. So, she'll be back um February 18th and 25th and again we're going to do it here at the Heritage Center. So,

very good. All right. And then I'm really looking forward to the first speaker series that we have is March 19th, the depreciation lands museum presentation. That sounds fantastic. Small but it's very I am fascinated. So I can't wait for that one. And then we do see when do you think we would have to make a determination when to go do the the on you know? So they don't open uh their season doesn't open until May.

Oh okay. Um they also have a friendship day where it's free and open to the public. Um they used to do that I believe in May. Um but she said this year they're doing it in September. So if we wanted to plan some sort of group um visit to the depreciation lambs museum. It would have to be after May. We could do it on a week night, but there would be a charge per person because they're typically only open, I think, on the weekends or maybe only Yeah, we we had some our men's group had somebody speak from them and I know at that time they told us say you're you're right. They were only open on weekends. Okay.

Apparently weekdays if you're if they're if you're paying, they'll let you. Right. Right. Um, so if we wanted to look at the calendar and go sometime in May, um, or June, we can certainly make arrangements to do that. Okay. Whether that's on a day that they're already open or a special arrangement. Maybe we can make that as we get closer to the date. What we're thinking because I do think that would be an outstanding addition. Sure. Especially if you get your own special doing is planned to have an event here and then a visit there. Is that Yes. So they're coming for the lecture, the first lecture March 19th. Um and then the thought is to you know see that information in action at Yes.

Yes. The way we did it with the observatory last year was perfect because that gave you the the overview and then you went a different night to get the full on effect of being there. But having that background were great. Right. I think that's a great approach to those. Okay. Well, we'll look at the calendar and maybe next meeting we can um throw some dates out there and I can get in contact with them to see if that works for their schedule as well. Got it. Because they're all volunteers there, too. So,

uh I do want to make one other uh announcement on some just upcoming events. The speaker we had last year, Chris Green, the economist that we had come speak in who invited all the board to come to his book launch beyond steel about the history of the steel industry. It is now sold out and unfortunately it is sold out in person. I did get a ticket there so I got a ticket. So, I'll be there 3. Um, but if you do want to do it virtually, they do have a Zoom link as well. If anybody's interested, you can just ask me and I'll get you the spot to sign up. But again, really good advantage of having authors come here when they do their book launches, they have seconds. It's a great idea. All right, I am going to move on then since that covers the past and immediate coming events. Just any public comments or any other agenda items people want to add to the agenda before we get in on the future.

Oh yes, I made this agenda before I added that on there. Thank you, Cheryl. Um so on February 28th at town hall, we're going to be having a How do you pronounce it, Cheryl? Passen.

Um workshop. Uh, it's the art of using wax and dye to make Ukrainian eggs. Um, so that's going to be $45 for residents, $50 for non-residents. Um, and again, we're going to do that at at town hall because there are many candles involved. You know, this flurry of activity and I'm just trying to get everything arranged. So, we go that not only It's cool. Yeah. There's a lot of this like trying to get a lot of people. Yes. Yeah. So, I told I did it at Ross last year and it was great. How many people can we actually have there?

Um, maximum is 25 people for this class and it's a threehour class. They were doing it. I went out to the church the last time they had it because they have a sale usually every year. They do and I went to the church and got that information for you. But and they had very few eggs because that was when the war in Ukraine started. And they told I said what's happened? You used to have so many more. And they said well our members cannot make enough eggs to sale. and they brought eggs over from Ukraine, but with the war, they couldn't get it. So, it was very limited. And then they haven't had it

since because they just don't have volume. But they do teach the classes over there as well. Fortunately, the price of eggs have come down.

All right. But that is very good. God, great addition. So, thanks for adding that in, um, Cheryl. All right, I'm going to u move in then to the reading and the approval of the previous uh meeting minutes. Now, I did review it. They were attached on the email that went out. It was the last in December. There was nothing I didn't see anything gigantic or major in there to change. So, I'm good with what is in the minutes. Anybody have any questions uh from the minutes from December? Do I have a uh a motion to approve the previous um meeting minutes? motion. Do I have a second? Betty, thank you so much.

Rob, can I can I just ask one one question? I don't have is in front of me. Do we have an open date for the speaker series anywhere during the coming year? Jim Howler, I was with him and he he has a new program and uh he he mentioned to me that he's available if we want him. Okay. I will certainly keep him in mind. I I have I Jim called me last week and I thought it was just a butt dial. So Oh, no. Actually, it came. Yeah. And I was talking to Well, I went to lunch with him and then we were talking about that. Okay.

So, the way we do look at the speaker series is first of all, obviously the first time in history we've got it all planned out the whole year in advance, which is gigantic. Yeah. But if something comes, I mean, we can adjust. We can we can we can always have two in one. We can do such things. So if there is someone that is really good and you think it's time we we this this group has been known to make accommodations. Don, what's his new presentation about?

Uh actually it's about the uh smoky Pittsburgh city. It's a a history of the the really terrible what what gave Pittsburgh a really bad name in the past being the smoky city. you know the the plers and and everything else that Pittsburgh has experienced. Okay,

I can talk to him and get general after Halloween before Thanksgiving before all that. So Friday, November 6 at the calendar. So this is the same spot as last year. I mean the nomination forms have been posted. So it's like the gates right out of the gates that nomination forms are posted. So folks should be able to access those also in person on the physical copies here if people want to hand something. I'm sure you have anything else you want to mention on the logistics logistics.

So the nomination well the nominations are open until February 28th. Um and then I believe the date on the nomination form says that you'll be notified by March 30th, maybe the end of March. So, this group will review all of the nominations that come in and then uh make a decision.

Yet, um from the Makas they have foundation which they started and so they have they had pledged 60,000 in four years to to children's they paid in two years. They had they have They give away from St. Jude to Make a Wish Children's Hospital. They have fundraisers four or five times a year. We have a a cash bash coming up the end of February. And they had a thing for the Steelers season thing. They made $10,000 on it. So they um

they their goal this year is to help St. Jude. They had found out that if you're a certain age and you have to go to the hospital, they don't pay for the families to go. So that's what one of their goals is this year. So and they have everybody in in gardens on the committees and stuff and um so they've really fooled probably a lot of people they're already asking with price of tickets so you get to order tickets. So I think they'll really you know they get a lot of corporate sponsors for their golfing they have every year on so they're uh they really do a lot of

Well thank you for that nomination. Excellent. Any just my hat off to you logistically for getting it all posted there. Uh because this is a really good display.

All right. So, so the big thing on the gale of those obviously we'll be moving a little uh we'll be getting the nominations nailed down earlier than we did last year as as is the plan. So we got the logistics nailed down earlier everything. So, we're moving the time frames up a bit uh to relieve a little pressure on the backside, you know, so there's not as many questions. People, but I'm already working on baskets and I have a lot of um ideas that we're changing a lot of the baskets up, but I'm already working on. So, the earlier we get the letter out, the better. We'll we'll probably be talking about when probably March. March,

I think. She probably has a meeting of that to buy and the date of the G the gay list because I'm already working. Yeah, I would say like next month and I think we'll be starting to talk about that as as a good sinking show. Excellent. And I have great respect for your basket capabilities. I think we all do. We all are just astounded at your skills and it's astounding. So, anything we can do to assist with that, we're all good. We're all good.

Yeah, it's a crazy. I've never seen such a skill. I've never seen it. All right. Any other questions on the Gayla? Again, there'll be more as as we get forward, but we're just trying to get things going and logistically nail down as early as we can. All right. Thanks. All right. as far as reports and updates from different committees, marketing and communications, uh, as far as social media, and I'm not sure, uh, Abby, if you want to mention, I know Facebook stuff I continue to follow it, so thank you so much. I just think the postings are awesome.

Um, our most reached post was about the lecture series actually. Um, it reached 7,000 7.3,000 people. Um, and that was Yeah. So, so that was the I know that's 7,000. That's great advertising. Free advertising. Okay. So, just to reiterate this, first time in history we've had Yeah. an entire year's worth of the speaker series in advance posted. Yeah. So, people can put it in their calendar. So, well done. Like, well done. We have at least two people registered for every single one of the lecture series. The rested. Yeah. So,

well, I keep telling people we got some heavy hitters this year and that shows they have it saved on as a PDF and I can just say here it is. So, very nice to have. That's just huge to have. Thank you for all the work on getting that out

and we'll continue to push that lecture series graphic as we approach um the March lecture series as well. So, um we'll be we'll be in good shape. Um the second one was the post about the sign in front of the boat house about um Babcock and who he was and that reached 4.2,000 people. Um and the third was the survey that we have to ask the students in 1959 58 about what the mascot of North Alageney should be. Um so there was like a a voting ballot. Should it be the Rockets? Should it be the Knights? Should it be the Tigers? And that reached 2.4,000 people. So,

okay. And by the way, I'm still still absorbing 7,000 views for the speakers. That's a giant number. What kind of fine? There's a there is a small installation there right in front of the near the ladies room. I guess it's on that side. And it just talks about back with a little bit about his life. If you're walking around, you can It's been there for about five years. It has a picture of him. Historical.

Is it? Oh, good. Is there another one with Babcock on it, too? Right on Ingamar Road. Like if you're passing the canon, it's behind you. I think there's another one. Or maybe it might be some different information, but there's another info panel there as well. Are they all the same? No. To check that one out then. Thank you so much. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Um I've also made an annual report that I shared with the FDPC. Um that will be in town council's packet on Monday for their meeting. And then I'll be doing a very brief overview of that annual report um at the meeting on Monday, January 26. It just highlights all of the lectures that happened last year in addition to all of the special programs we did with the house history workshop, um the gayla, Santa, all the community events that you guys participated in and other uh volunteer statistics as well. So you were asking if we had any more information. What? What? Where are you looking for that? You feel that there? I'm good. You're good.

Yeah, I had to submit it to Diane this afternoon. So, we're all set. Excellent. Okay. Thanks for doing all that. So much appreciate. We had a great 2025. So, I'm glad that will present. So, awesome. Thank you. All right. On the budget side of things for 2026, I don't think there's been any major changes since December on this. So, I don't I don't think so. Uh any anything to mention exact I would be shocked if anything changed since

um I'm talking to the Wednesday group about what kind of organizational needs that they need for the basement. Um there are some shelving units, some map organization, bins, just general stuff that we could probably use. Um so that'll be an ongoing project um as we sort of evaluate folded. Yes.

Yeah. And also I need to speak to the librarians about what they feel is necessary for the library um supply-wise as well. So those will be the the expenses that we have um immediately. And we did purchase at the end of last year a new desk and a new filing cabinet for the office for better utilization of that space. So, I used that desk and chair during the Girl Scout event, and let me tell you, it worked perfectly. I loved having an outlet right there that I can plug in, and it's much more sleek than that 1950 metal. Yeah. Yes. One of the displays.

Could be a display. It could go over there under something in combination desk and fallout shelter that you could be under that thing. And let me tell you something. But thank you. Thank you for who who assembled the thing like because that that's no joke to assemble. It works. Nicely done. So tell tell those folks. Thank you. I know assembling office furniture is a delight. So tell them thank you so much. It works. It's working. Hopefully what would you like to Oh yes. Yes it is.

Yes. Um, I went to a um the uh Hobby Express out in on 28 and um I was surprised to find out that they had specifically made a replica of the trolley. Pass that around. These are some nice pictures that they had of the trolley that I think we don't have. And um but it's $107. I mean, it's really only about this big. Um but it's so perfect to

join that sort of area there about the front. Yeah. Put it in case you can put it on itself too because you could leave it in the box. I I So we think that's something that you guys would like to invest in the collection. Yeah, I think that looks great. Okay. And when you do think whenever we do community days and everything, one of the best things that all the kids like to do is ring the bell from the trolley. So if you actually had a model of a trolley there while you're ringing the bell, that's not a bad thing.

Color and lying on everything. to me it's worthy of consideration. So I think it's a picture down there. Is that a Yes. Does that look like the same? Yes. Yes. Suzanne. Yes. I'll work with you to get that purchased. Yeah. One way or another. All right. Sounds good.

All right. And then I was going to go uh off uh unless anything else on the budget said going to go to outreach as far as outreach plans for this year. Now I will reach out to now we did Rotary Club last year. I'm not sure if they want to do it again this year, but I can definitely find that out. I'm not sure if there's any other outreach presentations that we want to do. Girl Scouts are interested in coming here. So it's like if you're okay, I am going to follow up with the leaders and because they also said other troops will probably be interested if if we do that because they they said the facility is so nice. And then once I found them out that I told them some of the things are hands-on because believe me they told the girls like hands off like don't

we're not messing around. Uh and so when I told them no some of the stuff's hands on and they're like you got to be kidding me that's awesome. Yeah. Yeah, I told him I said, "I know some exact volunteers who can actually tailor a tour to you to your needs." So, if you're okay, I I'll follow up with them to say it might be something. I think that's a good So much is happening this year with the 175 that that if we target like one group like that and especially a group of kids, you know, and boy scouts, girl scouts, I think that would be a great because that's education plus

kids plus it would be a good thing at in the book at the end of next year. Yep. Okay. So, I can I can start there. And then I do have a contact at North Alagany about potentially getting some of the history teachers there to uh sponsor a project here where some uh students could put together a video project for us or something else. They have to get the contact people to me yet. So, if everybody's okay, I haven't fully gone down that road, but I got a couple of contacts. So, I was going to go down that road. And again, the connection with North Alagany with Joe obviously starting all this,

I think would be good to continue if if everybody's okay with that. I'll continue down. I can't promise it will turn out something, but I'll continue to put effort towards it. Sounds like, yeah, worth looking into. Yeah. Okay. We'll do that. Do the Girl Scouts have a history badge or something like that that they can They do. They do have something like that. So, it's like I can't remember what it's called, but it's very similar to that. Yeah. So, we could figure out something like that's that would be it would be a win-win. Let's put it that way. Everybody would

At our November meeting, we had discussed um making a list of the um care homes in the area and reaching out to them about either bringing people here or going out there. Has there been any movement on that? I did talk to my in-laws who both live at Sherwood Oaks and they said that they have um a coordinator that does that and they would be very very interested in coming here and if we had anything that we would want to go to them they would be very very open to that. Okay. Should I reach out? Yeah, I'll get you the name.

Okay. They have it used to be atrias. It's rich. So they have they are they own that one besides the one that I work at. So they may they all have buses. They may be willing to you know I mean it's very easy. They they're looking for places they just show right up. Yeah. For the restaurants, they take them out to the store, but I think they came once here. Okay.

When it was the waters, they came once here, but they Yeah. But I I I can talk to maybe because they're all kind of interconnected. Maybe talk to the activities person to see if they can contact the other places to see. That'd be great. Okay. And my in-laws that have been sent, they love coming here. They they've been told so if you want me to get the name of the activities there I can as well. That'd be great.

They would be your ambassadors because they bless. All right. Thank you. All right. Anything else on the outreach programs? All right. As far as programming for this year. Okay. Advertising for the speaker series we talked about for 2026. Once again, we can't talk about it enough. Unprecedented uh that it's all set. uh full list available on flyer back here. So feel free to take one and give it to somebody if you want. I even took a picture of it with my phone so you can easily text it to somebody if you want. Uh so feel free that multiple times. It is a great one. When I tell people we've got a just an absolute heavyweights coming this year and I back it up by showing it to them. This is you got you know want to go to the Roberto Connect Museum. Well, we're bringing the museum to you. So it's like it's making all of these things very easy that we're bringing all the stuff to you. Um, so I think that is great. And on the program as far as the bus trip to the trolley museum in July or August, you want to mention that,

Abby? Um, so the PA trolley museum is coming to the Heritage Center to do a lecture on June 18th. Um, I spoke with the people at the trolley museum. They would be glad to accommodate us uh for a tour. Um, it would be $15 a person and that includes a guided tour and a trolley ride. Um, and Scott Becker, who is the executive director of the Trolley Museum, is the one coming to do the lecture, and he said that he could take us in a behind-the-scenes tour that people don't typically get to do either. So, I think that $15 will go a long way. Um, so I think we should probably look at going there on June 20th, which is a Saturday, or June 21st. Um they have a big event on June 27th and 28th. Um so that next weekend is out. Um does anyone have a preference on whether we go on a Saturday or a Sunday?

I think in June they're pretty much open, you know, trying to avoid anything. No, not on June 21 is Father's Day. Sunday for just Thank you. Yeah. Not that day. Except for Tim on that for his calendar. Uh yeah, that just decided take your dad to the trolley museum. Do you have Tom an idea how long that whole thing will take that trip? I was think maybe like three hours to be there. I mean it takes what 45 minutes an hour to get to Washington anyway.

Um so it would kind of be like a half full day thing. Um, so Saturday probably would be the better I think. So is there anything depending on the time you might lunch stop or get a bat box lunch or something? Well, so that leads me to the second part of this and we had talked about like chartering a bus. Um, and I think Trish Clooney was like, "Oh, you should take a Molly's trolley." And I was like, "I love that idea. That sounds so great." Well, Molly's Trolleys is not cheap and it would be godliness.

Well, there's a there's a service charge of like going outside of the city and to take it all the way to Washington from here would be an additional $250. So, I did the math and it would be $53 a person just for the trolley rides. So, I don't know. Is Lensner cheaper? No. Okay. So, should we just meet there? But even like a charter bus? Yeah, it depends on how many people you can get a one of those minivans. They're they what? 25 people. I mean, I guess we're not going that far. Like, you're not asking people to

No, you everyone could meet at the center and go down at the same time. You know, it's not like we'd be scattered getting there. We can make sure we're all there at the same time.

Show some pictures, right? Is that 15?

Oh jeez. We're going to just drive ourselves. Yeah. Yeah. It's going to be a driveyou yourself meet there at 10:00 a.m. on June 20th. So, I'll reach out to the people at the at the um trolley museum and make those arrangements and then see how um a group is 20 people. that there's a lot going on in June for me and yes, I'm pretty sure I hope anything else on the

uh not at this time. It says the group the tour accommodates 20 or usually around 20 people. Um, so if we end up with 40 people, we might have to have two groups. I'm I'm not sure. That would be best case scenario. What's that? Our maximum that you're um She said a group is around 20 people, so I can call and get more information from her. I'm sure they're going to be flexible and helpful to us.

Yeah, it's in their best interest as well, right? Be win-win. I was going there been a long time. But it depend on what you want to see. I'll show you how they re refurbish and then you take a ride. Yeah. Pick your little ride around. You can see the old place for you. Yes. What they found? Yes, absolutely.

All right, I'm going to move over to next thing is volunteers. We do need shift coverage for Saturdays and Sundays. Suzanne, if you want to give a an overview of where we are as far as the Saturdays and Sundays and having a challenge there for me on Friday. I don't know whether he will do it every Friday and then I do Saturday. And so that's Uh we'd work that out. I I would have to run that I had whether I'm not sure he went to school, you know, every time.

Yeah. But I could run that by and then I Saturday is that problem for me. I couldn't win. I know where the other ones are. Yes, we left the nurse. Um, but I mean it would be nice if we could get, you know, a It's nice when you have the other day somebody um can do that and John can't John can't do Saturday church Saturdays. Okay.

If anybody has any ideas on this one, I do not right off the bat. Just so you know, I do not have an idea on this one being able to cover. I don't know. Would anybody be willing to trade or just do once in a while or I can do it. Well, I'll know I'll check with you and then, you know, put more on the schedule to make sure that's okay. You know, for that day, you know, and John, I I have to be sure I don't tell him too far ahead.

Sure. And I and then I have to be sure I tell him far enough ahead. But he's wonderful. Thank you, Suzanne. Thanks again the volunteers. I know it's a lot of the schedule. I will when I Yeah. Maybe you can let me know if there's things that you have every other weekend. So I hope you let me know. and thanks for coordinating all I know Suzanne it's a it's a challenge so appreciate you then Thursday you got I can do Cheryl there's three of them you know there's four

oh there's that's there's four of us so I'm sorry I said I called Cheryl I said you make a schedule for that I can't so that's great Yeah, great. Yeah, they're great about figuring that out. Thank you. All right, I'm going to move on to operations. Um, the Hines History Center is is again a change of direction for the Hines History Museum from last we heard about the carousel panels is they're not going to take them for their exhibition. Did I read that correctly? That is correct. That is correct. Yes.

Okay. Did they plan on picking them up later or just kind of everything's in limbo or they don't really need them or I emailed and I said, "Hey, weren't you coming for these because I thought you were going to come in December." And she said, "Oh, we changed our mind. We don't need those anymore for the exhibition." So, okay. They know where they are. Yeah, they know where they are. Um, so we can keep them as as long as Great. Thank you. All right. the January reset. I know we discussed this a bit about new displays going up, new office furniture and organization. Anything else you want to mention on this? I know we mentioned

I do.

Uh, you know, we other ladies better. It's not necessarily, but they did historical things in old fat Valentine. It's kind of an oldfashioned. So, they did I think did a great job. There's other ones that are um don't have anything. And I did talk to Randy Sorl and he um he has a a deed that he would like to get frame or I don't I say frame put in restoration so that it would be uh we would have it and it would be restored properly and you know I would I was referred to Abby to do that. I talked to uh Mr. Ier about um IR's farm and he's going to call me back. He had to think of some things uh some suggestions of things. I have to know talk to him and I can't get a hold of Kay's Kalin's have an answering machine that doesn't let you uh say anything. So,

well, Mrs. Kayn came for that a part of that church group that came. Yeah, she's she goes to that church. The church. Yeah, you might be able to What's the church? The red church on the church road. The one right up the road. It's I think it's I think it's if you're going away from Okay. It's on the right. I I'm not sure. Well, I called back and the lady

Yeah. And they're closed right now. So, I would like to talk about them giving us pictures or items or loaning it to us for I want to have that for the summer. I know. Okay.

I can find out. Yeah. Okay. That'll find out. Get a number of it. Excuse respect to do you think there might be an interest in any of them coming in and getting a talk? I know Mr. does that. It's Ron and uh Ron and Don. Ron is the speaker. So I I um he's gonna call me back. Um I did think about that possibly maybe a day. Yeah. Instead of the evening. That'd be great. I'd love to do like a Yeah.

McCor did this for Franklin Park's anniversary that they had last year, the year before. It was like Franklin Park day at Sorals where residents got a discount in the shop or something like that. Um, I think they also had some special events maybe with some historical information, but we could do like a Iikner's farm day where we go and like look around and um he can tell us about the farm and its operation. Yeah, ideas they have some ideas as well. Great. Yeah. His uncle would did the farm ran the farm for the nuns at Divine Providence

because we used to have when we were living when first got here, you'd look out the window and you Oh jeez, the cows broke out through the fence. We used to run up to get Mr. and help him run the cows off. That is but he he was he did that for the 90s. That is great. All right. Uh, anything else to discuss regarding new displays, office furniture, or Excuse me. Yeah, Abby, you said you had some ideas about some displays or anything like that. If you need any help setting them up, let me know. Oh, thanks. Yeah. Yeah,

we'll be back. Um, I'll be back next Wednesday to discuss more basement stuff. So, if you want to stop by next Wednesday, we'll be pulling information out that day as well. usually um like 10 10 to 1ish. It would be nice maybe if and sure everybody's thought about this too if we have certain groups like the Girl Scouts or something. I mean we could have things that are pertinent to that. Exactly. Yeah. They would love

I will definitely follow up on this. My bet is we will have that. All right. All right. I'm going to move on to Okay. Mechanistas 175 committee update. So I don't know if you're Abby or Kevin. Uh so vote on mechanis 175. Boss here. There you go. Um let's see where did we leave off with mechanis 175. Um we have our next meeting next Tuesday. Um I have asked them to support the polar plunge. So if you are around on Saturday, February 7th, you do not need to take the plunge. But if you want to watch people do something crazy. Where does that come from?

Um in the parking lot behind the town hall. Okay. Yeah. So, um it's a mobile unit. It comes on the back of a truck. They fill it up with water. It's about 4 feet deep. Um we're going to have a DJ, a coffee truck, a food truck, um our bonfires out from Winterfest, and some warming stations as well. So, it should be a good time. And the whole purpose is to raise funds for the Special Olympics, specifically NA's unified botchi team, um, which incorporates kids with disabilities playing with kids on the same team who do not have disabilities. So what's the date, Abby?

Saturday, February 7th. 9 to 11. Major points for sheer crazy fun. So it's like here

they love stuff. It should be all the news like today live live. They're actually I've heard advertisements for down at the stadium for something and doing a polar punch. Are they? Yeah. So it's the same group I guess. Yeah. the council person.

Very good. Well, it depends on the air temperature. You'll never know. Yeah. Yeah. It depends on the air temperature. They do put in uh filtered water, I guess. So, we're not going to pull it from the fire hydrant. Um cuz that water can be kind of cloudy and dirty. Um so they bring in you know the Culligan man or something like fill it up so it'll be clean at first. Yeah. Some people pay thousands of dollars for this. I know it was like a very trendy thing and now here you are getting it for free. People need you to do it. All right. Anything else on the Canvas 175? Uh not at the moment.

Looking forward to it. all the activities. Great year schedule. All right. Anything else? Anybody wants to talk about any on the non-aggenda items?

I have one more item of note. Um, so the town was notified that we were accepted into the local governmentmy's internship program again this year. So, if you remember last year, we had an intern from LGA, Alyssa. She came to a couple of the meetings with me. Um, she just had a personal interest in history in general. while she was working on a planning and zoning project. Um, this intern will be uh placed again this summer. It won't be Alyssa, it'll be a different person. Um, but the program uh project will be related to scanning and archiving all of the Macandless documents that we have. Basically, I took boxes from the library and have them in my office. So, photographs, um, you know, general information. And so we're going to catalog that um with help from this this

we have the two ladies here that work on that right now. Yes. So they work with this person. Yeah. Yeah.

I know she was good. Yeah. That will be a part of this person's project. So it won't be the entire project. They'll also be spending time in the planning and zoning department finishing up the project that Alyssa was working on last year. Um, and we want to give them, you know, a diverse experience. So, they'll spend some time with public works and, you know, the finance department to sort of understand how everything works. But, uh, part of the project through the summer will be to capture all of that information for 175. So, great. Yeah. Exciting. Excellent. All right. Anything else anybody wants to bring up?

Oh, yes. Thank you. Oh, good. Thank you. Basement earlier discovered that we have quite a few that were not applicable to me. We have Butler County, we have Marshall Township, we have just a variety of this and that. Um, and some of them are also duplicates. So after the meeting, if you would like to go over and and very good, thank you. I appreciate doing that work. I mean, that's real work. So, thank you so much. That is something. Oh, one other thing I want to mention with Amy Steel being here, I did go over to Northland Library and let me tell you, it exceeded all expectations.

It's awesome. It is absolutely awesome. All expectations. the whole family and just absolutely love it. So just nicely done. Yes, buddy. So that they're going to send us things from Wexford, Ireland to coordinate with Wexford, PA. So

Betty, just when I think you cannot possibly exceed, you just start off here. Boom. Run away. St. Patrick's Day parade. So, and that was the band that that my dad got to meet the Pope because he went to um went to the Vatican with them when they marched in the Christmas parade at at the Vatican. It's the Russ, but they're from Oxford, Alabama. So, I sent them a message. I emailed down and he says, "Well, we can't send things that are expire like stuff, but I'll send whatever I can." So, he's going to put together stuff to work for.

You never see I I should know better by now. I should know. I should know and not be surprised, but I am surprised. So, it's like that sounds that sounds great. All right. Anything else to discuss? All right. What a great start to 2026. Do I get uh can I get a uh move to adjourn? Hey, Jim. Okay, thank you so much. All right, we are adjourned for the first meeting. Thank you folks. Much appreciated. Glad to have you here. Yeah. break.