HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 10-25-04

Those present:  Jerry Dowd, Judy Tiffin, Hester Cope, Betty Champion, Charlotte Dean, Mary Peck, Iva McClure, Jim Ingrum, Billy Warren

1. Jim Ingrum made the motion that the minutes of the 8-23-04 and 9-27-04 meetings be approved.  Iva McClure seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
   
    
2. Billy Warren presented this treasurer’s report:
   1. Checking Account balance                    $6,139.03
   2. Forks of Cypress Account balance         3,223.38  + 11.40
      
       
3. Billy Warren reported that he has talked with David Hope about the possibility of Comcast Channel 3 airing the video, “Follow the River.”  David has a copy of the video to preview and will give Billy a response soon.
   
    
4. Billy Warren agreed to send an e-mail to Teri Thomason at the Times-Daily requesting that she publish a feature story on “Follow the River” in hopes of boosting sales of it during the upcoming Christmas season.
   
    
5. Lee Freeman (in absentia) shared copies of a brochure about the upcoming program entitled “Protect Your Treasures @ the Library” (which HPI is co-sponsoring) that is scheduled for Monday, November 1, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at the public library.
   
    
6. Betty Champion circulated copies of the new 2005 calendar of historic homes published by Florence Main Street.  Both her house and Mary Peck’s house are featured in it. Billy Warren praised the committee that worked so diligently to produce the calendar:  Betty Champion, Joycelyn Hale, Betty Keller, Carolyn Waterman and Lori Davis.  Like the 2000, 2001 and 2004 calendars, it will ultimately become an important historical document.
   
    
7. In a discussion about Smart Growth Public Forum II, these decisions were made about the reception that HPI is sponsoring on Sunday, November 7, at the Shoals Theater:
   1. It will take place following the walking tour to be led by Billy Warren.  Since the tour and the reception are to occur between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., the reception should begin at approximately 3:15 p.m.
   2. Jim Ingrum made the motion that HPI contract with Lanette Grace-Langley (LeCrumbs Restaurant) at a rate of $3/person to provide the food and beverage.  Betty Champion seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
   3. These people will serve the refreshments:  Betty Champion, Judy Tiffin, Iva McClure, Mary Peck and Charlotte Dean.
      
       
8. Billy Warren shared hard copies of an e-mail from Zack Woodford, a young man who grew up in the Shoals and is now a student at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.  Zack requested information on a large commercial boat that probably sank in the 1930’s in the Tennessee River near Florence.  Billy will share the request with Bill McDonald, Pat Stansell, Jack Pounders and John McWilliams to see if they can give Zack the information he needs.
   
    
9. Billy Warren displayed two oversize scrapbooks which contain newspaper articles and other items about the early years of HPI.  He stated that Lee Freeman has agreed to accept them in the Local History Room at the public library.  Jim Ingrum made the motion that HPI donate the scrapbooks to the public library.  Charlotte Dean seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
   
    
10. Hester Cope gave this report for Main Street:
    1. Coby Hall is now under renovation.  Great!
    2. Boll Weevil Soaps opens this month next to the Surprise Store on Tennessee Street.
    3. Sheepy Sheep Yarns is now open on East Tuscaloosa Street.
    4. Rivertown Coffee Company (formerly Aroma’s on Seminary Street) opens Wednesday of this week.
    5. Rosie’s Cantina will open in March, 2005, in the building formerly occupied by Family Dollar Store on Court Street.
    6. Corner Grille will close soon and will reopen two days later with a new name:  Bentley’s.
    7. Smokehouse Billiards has reopened following its extensive restoration project.
    8. This Thursday (October 28) is the final Art Night in downtown Florence.  Like the others, it is scheduled from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.  Hester encouraged everyone to attend.
       
        
11. Charlotte Dean reported that the old Sweetwater Mills building is for sale.  Everyone expressed hope that it, like the railroad depot in East Florence and Locust Hill in Tuscumbia, will find a good owner.  The group praised Charlotte for her company’s sensitive way of handling the sale of historic properties.
    
     
12. Jerry Dowd suggested that HPI schedule a bus tour of local historic buildings and sites.  Though a specific date wasn’t set, the group agreed that we will do this.
    
     
13. Billy Warren reported that he recently did the following in behalf of HPI: 
    1. Met with a group from Samford University to present an overview of Florence’s history before they began a bus tour of the area; and
    2. Led a group of 47 high school students (Leadership Shoals) on a walking tour of upper North Court and North Seminary Streets.
       
        
14. Billy Warren reported on a conversation he had with Bob Torbert over the past weekend in which Bob stated that the restoration project at the Florence City Cemetery is in full swing.  That’s good news!