HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 10-24-05 

 

  • Those present:  Betty Champion, Mary Peck, Susan Hargett, Iva McClure, Billy Warren, Hester Cope, Carolyn Waterman, Julia Dowd, Jerry Dowd, Bill McDonald, Lee Freeman, Vince Brewton, Judy Tiffin

 

  • The Board welcomed Julia Dowd as a special guest at today’s meeting.

     
  • Bill McDonald made the motion that the minutes of the 9-26-05 meeting be approved.  Jerry Dowd seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  • Billy Warren presented this financial report:
    1. Checking Account balance                                $5,442.87
    2. Forks of Cypress Account balance                     3,223.38 + 11.40
    3. Riverview Historic District balance                         231.00

 

  • Carolyn Waterman made the motion that the financial report be approved.  Vince Brewton seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     

  • In a discussion regarding the Cemetery Stroll, Vince Brewton made the motion that the Stroll be set for SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., with the rain date set for Sunday, November 27.  Billy Warren agreed to get tickets printed (admission cost will be $5.00 per person) and to put them on sale at Kennedy-Douglass Art Center, Anderson’s Bookland and the Main Street office.  Tickets will also be available the day of the Stroll at each Tennessee Street gate at Florence City Cemetery.  Lee Freeman agreed to design a poster advertising the event; Hester Cope and Pat Stansell will deliver the posters to downtown businesses.  Billy Warren will e-mail to Vince Brewton information about the event so he can post it on HPI’s website.  Lee Freeman and Billy Warren will work with actors to put the event together.

     
  • In a discussion about the CD’s done by Martin Dean that contain the interview with Rev. Hiram Douglass, Vince Brewton made the motion that HPI purchase from Martin 40 copies that have been edited to two CD’s @ $8.00 per copy and 10 copies of the sets with six CD’s @ $10 per copy (a total of $420).  Jerry Dowd seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  • Billy Warren circulated a copy of an article entitled ‘Theater Redux?” that appeared in the Times-Daily on 10-6-05.  It talks about the possibility of UNA’s acquisition of the Shoals Theater building.  Hester Cope reported that the UNA-based Shoals Symphony Orchestra will perform at the theater on Sunday, October 30, at 2:00 p.m.  So there is evidence that UNA officials continue to be interested in the building.

     
  • Since the Silver Pen Award is still being given to a deserving student by the English Department at UNA, Betty Champion made the motion that HPI make an annual donation of $100 to the Lindsey Stricklin Scholarship fund.  Hester Cope seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  • There was a discussion about the possibility of HPI’s sponsoring a second public showing of the video, “Follow the River: A History of Florence and Lauderdale County”.  It was agreed that we should table the discussion for a future meeting.

     
  • Hester Cope:
    1. Reported that the Homestead Inn building is being razed to make way for the construction of a multi-story hotel;
    2. Announced that Shaolin Computers has opened next door to Grogan’s Jewelers on Court Street and that the owners have done an excellent job with the building’s interior design; and
    3. Announced the opening of Rosie’s Cantina on Court Street and the addition today of a lunch menu there.

       
  • Billy Warren displayed copies of the 2006 calendar created by the Design Committee of Main Street.  He complimented the women responsible for the calendar’s success:  Betty Champion, Carolyn Waterman, Betty Keller and Joycelyn Hale.

     
  • Bill McDonald made the motion that HPI pay for a one-year subscription to National Trust for Historic Preservation magazine for the following:  the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library; Mayor Bobby Irons; and Melissa Bailey, the Planning director for the City of Florence.  Iva McClure seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  • Billy Warren reported that Bob and Pat Torbert are returning to Florence in December and that Bob plans to attend HPI’s monthly meetings.

     
  • Bill McDonald:
    1. Announced a special marker dedication ceremony to be held at UNA’s amphitheater on Friday, November 11, at 10:00 a.m. to honor the 129 men from Lauderdale County and the 15 UNA graduates who were killed in World War II;
    2. Reported that, through DNA sampling, he has been declared a full-fledged Scottish McDonald; and
    3. Stated that he will work with Bob Torbert to proceed with restoration efforts in local cemeteries.

       
  • Billy Warren distributed copies of a few poems written by the late beloved principal of Gilbert Elementary School, Mr. Henry Grady Richards.

HPI