Heritage and Cultural Center Fdpc - Regular Meeting

Thank you folks. Uh we are going to call the meeting to order. Uh so we'll get started with the I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of Americ thank you all for coming today. I know it's a beautiful fall day. We have absolutely thank much appreciated. I did want to say one thing before we uh get started is that today uh is the 94th birthday of Ben and his father Joel Bowen. So uh happy birthday to him in heaven. So we very much appreciate Joe. We'll be thinking of him definitely as we go through wanted to mention that. And then as far as going through u the agenda for today, so past and upcoming events, and I'm going to go through pretty rapidly today because boy do we have jam-packed tunes. Uh so just to recap a couple of things, uh the September 18th history of Macanas kickoff and the October floor house program. So let's start with the September 18th history of Macandless speaker series. Uh we had a packed house for that. So that was definitely I think probably our best attended of the year so far that speaker series. Uh I thought it went extremely well. Any other feedback or anything people want to mention? Obviously Abby was speaker. Uh it needs to be said. Uh but any other feedback on that speaker? Yeah, I I think the more I loved the fight local piece of that which was great to be able to have so just it it was just great to see everything. It was

the most cap. Nicely done. Any other comments on all right the October 4th house program I know this was our version 1.0 0 of this uh so I was not able to be here so I just want to see any feedback that people have on the October 4 there were about 23 people showed up over the course of three hours. Wow darn good. Yeah.

Caitlyn had a little presentation to show the different resources and how navigate those resources and then we sat down and we looked through maps. Um, we did some other searching online for like genealogology that ties in with all the history and all of that. Um, so everybody was very well attended. Woody was here. Um, but it was good because there were a lot of people and to sit down and talk to everyone. It takes

back instructions. I have a personal combination. Wow. Yeah. And I I next time we should call it like a workshop because it was very much working session. It wasn't I think people came expecting to like it would be like a lecture series but some people brought their laptops that was easy. It helped them get into the website. Okay. It was really good. Okay. the first just you know like something something for nothing. So it's like just to get it from zero to one is

something to think about in the future that red brick house on my road it's on the right hand side you're heading towards old red brick two story house that was part of oh and the guy was impressed about being community college and he came in here to go through this I would say for 52 years and maybe it would get him to do a presentation We go ahead. I was just going to offer when we do our um genealogology walkins, it's a night of research with people to help we call it, we use the words in the description, a hands-on learning. Yeah. That helps, you know, break away from the

Caitlyn sent over her notes. She's not able to make the meeting. Obviously, Ann is at this a part of organizing this as well. Uh but she said it was good to have our maps and other items available for people to look at because the majority of those did not bring their laptops to fall line. Uh everyone took their handouts. So I hope it sparked some good research. We got some positive feedback as people were leaving. So I think most enjoyed their time. Lastly, I just want to give a shout out to Ann and Woody for helping out. They made the day very nicely done. There's I love you guys on Yeah. nicely done. Do you think it's something we should do again? Absolutely. I do.

23 people. That's no joke for first time. That's way beyond 23.

I think it could be a winter event, you know. get out do something and you look for something like January.

All right. Very good. All right. I'm going to move on then to that in the upcoming events. Thanks. And I know I'm moving fast. Sure.

Oh, that's right. That's what you get. Yes. That worked out well together. Wow. They brought in their own reputation. Wow. They had a nice thing to use for something else. Did everything work? Okay, Suzanne, did everything.

We had tried before. Then when she came in, there was just a few seconds. We won't be back, you know. But quite a long story of well done. I was well defe what a freak dude

and she's anxious to do some motions with us. that she has to wait for her people to obey it and um so she said me not to mention anything yet but that is great to hear. That is great to hear. Excellent. Thank you Suzanne. Thanks for everybody who just doing all the technical stuff and really it came off technically without that is always smooth. All right, we are on a roll hit record stuff on everything. Great.

All right. Um so I'm going to move into upcoming stuff. Uh so upcoming tomorrow we have passive event foundation speaker and so I will be here uh Abby did provide me the bio of uh I think it's Anthony uh so I will be the intros any questions for tomorrow we'll do the standard setup but if you can get that set up can I ask people to help out tomorrow Perfect. Okay. And our Yeah, I think I'll be here. Yeah, I'll be But I'm

Oh, you audience enough to enough to have presentation. Oh, yes. Yes. I added to our community. Thank you.

Perfect. All right. I'm looking forward to it. That's going to be great for tomorrow. And again, thanks again. I know Richard played a big role in getting everything set up. Thank you. Much appreciated. All right. Um, and then I'm going to move on for November 20th. Then we do have Justin Zel from the Steel City Improv, the serious business of improv comedy. Uh, so that is I did talk with Justin or email with Justin. So we're we're good on that. So he need to be set for that one. Uh, and then Santa at the HCC in December. Uh, so I know that depends on Santa's schedule. So, we have to figure out

I was kind of hoping we could get um he's you know he said if I before middle of November if you want to advertise okay we'll we'll see if we can talk to Santa's helper and see okay get a date.

Oh, one thing I did want to mention on the upcoming Veterans Day display. Uh, so I know Suzanne and I and others met with Matt Shibley and Pat Seaman, uh, Navy Seal and Army. Uh, and Jim, we mentioned your name as somebody who would be probably the best interested in some of the things that they've donated. Uh so they did uh either put on a loan to us or donated uniforms and other materials including a picture of them from 2006 in Fallujah which were getting blown up to a poster size that we can use for our Veterans Day this winter. Suzanne, what else would you like to

VF and he's going to bring in he has a lot of the the capes that they wore in Vietnam see a lot of he's going to bring in he brought in World War II lander World War I'm sorry

what do you think I don't think it's and then you can leave it up the whole month of November until Yeah. I do think Jim, you might want to take a look at the stuff like probably out of everybody probably most knowledgeable

of that of you know that day. I I don't know how uh this Vietnam veteran had suggested we had not this right now but have he said I wish my handless would have a uh veteran breakfast

which uh you know all the other places do and I thought that might be nice from your you know for the sailors does it through the middle so it actually a school. Okay. So, you decided to find something to sponsor that. Well, I I was hoping that the candidates would sponsor it if if you know you want to uh and I asked him if this would he says this would be too small probably 60 people maybe town hall but that's an event to sign.

Yeah. If we don't do something this year, I mean, we could do something small this year to acknowledge Veterans Day. I don't know about doing full breakfast since it's, you know, less than a month away. Um, but especially for me 175 next year. Fantastic idea. You know, Matt and Pat both volunteer to speak if we ever want to. So, they're and they were going to be at Okay. Yeah. They my bet is they probably very good speakers that

was great. I'll bring that poster in as soon as it should get here. You should have breakfast.

We could do even like a big Yeah. around. Yeah. Great idea. That's a great idea. Yeah. Yeah. That's on a Tuesday, right? November 11th. I think it's Tuesday. Yeah. The 11th is a Tuesday. Yeah. It's it's Tuesday. November 11. Okay. Yeah. We can certainly

All right. I'm sorry. I'm going to keep us moving then. Uh let's get into that was the last thing I have for upcoming and then just any public com uh comment on the agenda items we need to add to the agenda. Just let me know and again you can go along as the approval of the previous meeting minutes. I don't think there was anything controversial in the last meeting minutes but if anybody has any question if not I will ask

I move to group. and Kevin, thank you so much. All right, then we're going to get down into the gayla that quickly coming upon us. Um, so a couple of key things is it is November 1st at Hamlot. It's there. Um, tickets are available for purchase online, uh, which I can do a testament to because I've purchased a table online, so I know it works, works perfectly for me. Um there is a subcommittee meeting immediately following this meeting for people want to say we're going to be deep dive into all of the gateway hears but the big thing to know about is this Friday uh there is a press conference here at the heritage center. Uh so the uh the township sent out uh press release saying that there'll be a press conference on Friday at 10 a.m. And I'm not sure Abby anything you want to mention on the press conference. Glad that 10 a.m. I intend to be here and basically whatever's needed I will do. So

what set we can hit it into sub but I think we can and I'll be here as early as on

so we can talk about that and again we'll go into more detail. Any questions though? Big picture on. Oh, just volunteer wise. I think all the volunteers know all the so make sure that everybody knows that. Yes. Okay. Real quick then I'm going to move to reports and updates from committees from a marketing and communication standpoint from social media standpoint. I know Abby I think you've been posting up the storm. I mean it seems like there's been a ton of activity. Uh but I will any anything you want to mention on this? down 17% in views, which is surprise.

However, I think I missed a week of posting about Max, so that could be why. 42,000 views, which is still a lot. Uh, we had 34 new followers this month, which is a lot. And our most liked um or engaged with content, the first one is Igener's Farm. It was just an old picture of Iikener's Farm. Um, it had 14,000 uh views on it, 160 likes, eight comments, and eight shares. So, 160 likes is a lot for us. Um, number two was a post about Northway Mall from the 70s. It had a full listing of all the stores um found in the Northway Mall. Um, and that had 4,000 views, 37 likes, 23 comments, and three shares. And number three was Lucky Tray Day, a picture of the tray.

Um, that had 3.5,000 views, 33 likes, and 12 comments, and one share. So, thank you. Thanks. I know that takes work to schedule. All right, moving on to budget planning for 2026. I believe we have a a working budget for next year like we talked about last time. I'm not sure any updates on that. This this budget had to go to town council um today I believe and so they're in the process of reviewing it and it was pretty much the same as last year. So got no significant changes to note.

Thanks. All right, I'm going to move to programming for next year. Uh Steve Cicero who was going to do it in March did tell us that unfortunately he now cannot make the March date. Uh so I did suggest out within either the June or July date. He said we get back to him. So definitely still wants to do it. He just can't do those dates. Um so I want to let know that that is uh in question. He probably will choose one reason he's set to talk do it. And then you can see the list we've got for the confirmed speakers in April we've got Brady Pricer May 21st is Roberto Clemente Museum June July open August Scott Barrett Ross Park Mall's 40th anniversary September is Declan again that's North Park and then October the G NH genealogologists and open in November. Now, I did mention to Abby uh if we ever do need a fill in speaker, my wife does have a a popular in Pittsburgh presentation she gives on is uh is the Pittsburgh accident superpower and I'm biased, but she actually presents a pretty darn good case that it is. So, uh that one always she's actually presenting to the room always like to fill in or something that tends to be wellended

in. You got it. So, it's like yeah, she makes she makes she makes a compelling case. I know it's going to be I'm biased. Anything else you want to mention for speakers for

I would like to have the schedule set for next year by the end of December this year so we can start publicizing. Um, obviously some of these are still in flux. I reached out to the gentleman who gave the presentation about the Nike missile sites a couple years ago and haven't heard anything back from him. I feel like there were a couple other emails of people I reached out to email of a nurse that she wears her uniform cave and everything. Oh, yes. But I thought that would be I haven't read that at home, but yeah, I can look into that, too.

I I'm assuming what you're thinking is get this done by the end of October. Then we just get it out to everybody like here's you can sign up. Yes. Some military um would be would that be good for Veterans Day next year like do military soldiers presentation for Veterans Day? the nurse. Yeah, the the nurse I'm pretty sure she was a military. Oh, that'd be good. I mean, is open I can't Yes. Really? November is open too. So, I will look into the nurse.

Anything else anybody wants to mention? connection to those person who works in the state Pittsburgh archives. Oh, that'd be great.

Was it the same guy who wrote the book about the city steps? Because one of those authors Oh, that's right. One of them was in the city archives as well. Okay. That's a deep fake. Yes. that from the presentation. I know, but I like your idea of getting us all set by the end of December so we got one to work from. All right. Any other follow-ups? Again, uh Steve said he should let me know Steve Cro in the next few days. So by and he probably will. I totally would.

Um Claudia said she went to presentations. She said it was so fascinating about um immigration the history of immigration. So not not a political statement just she's speak he's done programs at the library I look forward to. So that's something we might we can get him booked and then we can figure out if we want.

So he's he's still on the work. You just something came up. Excellent. All right. Anything else to talk about for speakers for next year? Because I did want to mention like getting this one list would be helpful like when we go to community events because everybody wants the one list. Yeah. So, it's like I think this would be very

My thought was that maybe we should publish what we already have confirmed in the town calendar. So, the town calendar gets mailed to every resident in the town sometime in December. Um, so if you guys feel comfortable with like these people are solid, we can go ahead and publish them. I don't know how I feel about publishing the open ones as like TBD or if we should just leave them all third Thursday lecture that's it and 7 p.m. and not topic. But something to consider. I think putting the topic in there we have it. I'm okay. To me it's okay in the process. Yeah. Thursday.

I like to put in the Thursday. Yes. Yeah. Have any more ideas that

you know? I I do. You know, one of the ones we're going to see is what the speech is like at the gayla and then see if there's someone who's either a previous award from the gayla, which we had some really good talks, or someone that couldn't uh and be able to get one of them. So obviously well no one talked to people but that was something where to me that would be ideing love to hear some and my bet is we'll get some good ones to share as well. That's what I'm thinking as far as I think that'll give us a good a pretty good group of people to choose from. If it all right, I'm going to move on then from that to volunteers. All right. So, a new volunteer to mention. Is that correct? our two volunteers doing the library doing a job and we don't mess it up not but uh I'm coming up with a lot of ideas and Katie is the one who's just started at Unity College and we was with her last week and We are putting we have banned envelopes full pictures in um I thought they'll be easier to see you know 1975. Oh I have to pull that out of the envelope and you know she's going on that. I don't know if there's something else to do to teach her. I mean, sure.

Speaking of that, I haven't ordered it yet. That'll be a good winter project. Um but yes, we're going to get a new desk um and new storage units for shelving cabinet organization in the office. So yes,

great. All right, I am going to move on eight then I just operations. Okay, the Hines History Center picking up the carousel panels and there's been a little movement on that email get update on that. I emailed her again uh a couple weeks ago asking she had initially told me that it was going to be the end of September that they would pick up the carousel panels and now um she's saying late November, early late November,

early December, not October. Sorry about that. Um so TBD on that, but she'll give us a heads up before she comes. As you can see, the parking lot lights are almost complete. Um they've got all the ground work and the wiring. Um so they'll be working to close out the holes in the parking lot and then the poles will go up probably next week.

Yeah, that is gigantic. Let's see. Yeah, it really does become very viol that is electricity. I don't know. What did you need the plugs for? We'd like to have a bug outside and then it is right over the steps. Uh we'd like to have a bike in the underground.

There's only two out. Right. Anything else you want to mention from an operation stand? I'm going to move on to mechanis 175. All right, Abby, I think this is your topic to talk about for next year. Yeah. Uh, we we skipped one in operations actually. The November. Oh, yeah. November.

Yeah. So we will spend our meeting next month sort of planning out everything for next year whether that's programs for fundraising for additional um not just the lectures but you know a veterans take a direct all the other things that you need to patch out. Um, I would like to have a firm plan in place by the time we reach 2026 um to help supplement a camelless 175 lead 175. Um, we had our second uh meeting last month and Kevin had mentioned wanting the heritage center to sort of sponsor McCandless's birthday party. So, the charter was signed on March 22nd, 1851. So the actual birthday of the campus will be Sunday, March 22nd 26. So that's something that we can talk about next week. Um so do some sort of birthday party

maybe. Sure. Or maybe the lecture that we do is called to the birthday party. Maybe you already packed them in once. You can hear it again. I'm just saying. I'm just saying record setting. Which then leads me to the dates for the town that so I'd like to have as many programs, you know, the house program, anything else we want to do next year on the town calendar because people do look at that when they, you know, come to

Yeah. turn the page and you see all the wonderful things that we're doing. It's just

the arms.

Well, the judge be like be like Antonio Weber very soon. All right, I think that's everything on the agenda. Anything else anybody wants to talk about? Yes, it first off the lights. I think we should give a hand to Jerry. The second thing is an outside project but not as expensive. It has been suggested that we put a handle along the walk for people. That's that's a great willing to

something like that or Okay, great idea. Thanks, Diamond. All right. Anything else anybody wants to bring? Oh, please. Our very young. Yeah. Just so you know, for every delicious. Uh now just so you know may have to return the favor next year at the same just so you know that would be an awesome presentation

is very unique they scheduled it really well library people are hungry for this install got to leave got to lead into yes right anything else to mention. Again, I know you folks have lots of things going on, so I appreciate your time. Uh, do we have a motion to have a second? Okay, thank you, Jim. All right, we are adjourned. Thank you folks. Uh, again, next time I'll see everybody, we'll be we have a gay subcommittee right after this, but uh, November 1st for sub. Well, I might be able to next time.