October 2009

Your historical society has been busy all summer holding special events and making improvements to the History Center. 1 want to thank all of our hardworking volunteers who have contributed their time and money to our programs and other activities. There are too many individuals to list here, but you
will recognize some of their names in reports that appear in other sections of this newsletter.

After a very well-attended hymn sing program on July 26th, many guests stopped afterwards and asked when we would be holding the next one, Perhaps this is something to consider as an aIU1ual event. We certainly like to showcase our building and the many displays that we have on hand, and special events such as the hymn sing do just that. The Schools Exhibit and Randolph class photos continue to draw interest, although most of the photos will be taken down later this fall and replaced with different exhibits.

Much effort has been expended these past few weeks with landscaping the flower beds on the south side of the building. Member Paul Dewey donated nine boxwood bushes from his garden, and Maureen and Keith Aukernan along with Bill Gothard dug and 1ransplanted them to our site along with some of Maureen's Happy Returns lilies, Maureen, Keith and Sue planted three pyramidal arborvitae a week later. These planting will provide s1ructure for flowers to be added later this fall or next spring. The Society installed an outside faucet on the back of the building so the greenery can be watered more easily.

Bill and I have had to mow grass at least once a week all summer. We waterproofed the stucco on the north foundation and repaired the concrete steps on the west side of the archives room. Some touch-up painting has been done, so the building should be in good shape for the winter. Now, if we can only get our protective storm windows from Champion Windows ordered more than a year ago. We have enlisted help from the BBB of Dayton to spur the company to complete our order.

On September 22, a bus tour of Ohio National Road Ass'n (ONRA) board members stopped at the Center. They were impressed with our building and the exhibits, especially the National Road exhibit on the lower level. Bob Menker gave a very interesting talk on the "History of the Bicycle" on Saturday, September 26. Bob is a local collector of antique bicycles and paper ephemera about them, and does a fine job sharing his knowledge with others. The Society's regular October meeting will carry on with the antiques theme. Attendees are asked to bring a family antique, photo, or mystery object for "show and tell." If you do not have an object to bring, come share your memories about some events that used to take place in our area, e.g., the Jaycees haunted houses,
trick-or-treating, etc. !

Finally, while getting ready for the holidays, make time to help with and attend the Society's first Holiday Bazaar and Open House on Saturday, December 12 from 10-4. We will have delicious baked goods, and lots of unique items for sale,
including our hot-off-the-press "REMEMBER WHEN" history photo calendar for 2010. (Order Form)