HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 11-22-04

 

Those present:  Iva McClure, Lee Freeman, Vince Brewton, Jim Ingrum, Hester Cope, Judy Tiffin, Susan Hargett, Mary Peck, Billy Warren, Joanne Thomas

 

  1. Billy Warren thanked Michael Cole for allowing the HPI Board to meet in the Nolen Cole Gallery today.  Everyone agreed that Michael has done a stunning job in his renovation of the building.

     
  2. Joanne Thomas distributed copies of the printed program from the 2004 Maple Hill Cemetery Stroll in Huntsville.  She explained that this event, in which various people research the lives of certain people buried in that cemetery and create that persona – complete with clothing of the era in which the person lived – and a monologue based on the person’s life.  (In 2004 there were 57 people represented.)  She asked HPI to consider sponsoring or co-sponsoring such an event at the Florence Cemetery.  The Board agreed to take the matter under advisement and to give Joanne a response soon.

     
  3. Vince Brewton made the motion that the minutes of the 10-25-04 meeting be approved.  Jim Ingrum seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  4. Billy Warren presented this treasurer’s report:
    1. Checking Account balance                                            $6,284.03
    2. Forks of Cypress Checking Account balance               3,223.38 + 11.40

 

Iva McClure made the motion that the treasurer’s report be approved. Vince Brewton seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

  1. Billy Warren distributed copies of the press release regarding the video, “Follow the River:  A History of Florence and Lauderdale County.”  He also distributed copies of the list of 13 media outlets to whom he sent the release.

     
  2. Lee Freeman reported that the program, “Protect Your Treasures at the Library,” attracted 30+ people and was extremely well received. He stated that it was the first of a series of such events, co-sponsored by HPI, that should take place at the library.

     
  3. Billy Warren thanked Hester Cope for opening the Shoals Theater for a tour and as a place for HPI to host a reception in conjunction with Smart Growth Forum II which was sponsored by the Shoals Environmental Alliance.  Billy also thanked Betty Champion, Iva McClure, Judy Tiffin and Charlotte Dean for coordinating the reception.  He noted that the Alliance has recently won a national environmental award for its partnership with TVA in the refurbishing of the nature/walking trail on the TVA Reservation.  Hester Cope stated that Tim Torma, the keynote speaker from Washington, D.C., praised all of the environmental and preservation efforts being done in Florence, and that Mr. Torma said that the efforts are being done correctly.  What a great compliment!

     
  4. Billy Warren reported that both Jack Pounders and Bob and Pat Stansell have been able to help Zack Woodford, the student from Brown University who is researching a boat that sank in a local section of the Tennessee River in the 1930’s.  (See minutes of 10-25-04 meeting.)

     
  5. In addition to the walking tour on November 7 for the Smart Growth Forum participants, Billy Warren reported that he led 70 seventh grade students from Florence Middle School on a walking tour on November 18.  Both were done in the name of HPI.

     
  6. Because of the upcoming Christmas holidays, it was agreed that the HPI Board should meet on MONDAY, DECEMBER 13.  Judy Tiffin graciously invited the HPI Board to have a luncheon meeting at her house on that day.  The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m.

     
  7. It was announced that the terms of the Board members listed below expire on December 31, 2004:
    1. Vince Brewton
    2. Betty Champion
    3. Charlotte Dean
    4. Billy Warren
    5. (Replacement for Margaret Taylor)

       

Vince Brewton and Billy Warren accepted the offer that they become part of the class of 2007 (a three-year term beginning in January, 2005).  The same offer will be extended to Betty Champion and Charlotte Dean.

 

The names of these people were put forward as a possible replacement for Margaret Taylor:  Uhland Redd, Carolyn Waterman and Brett Wood.  Susan Hargett agreed to call Uhland Redd.  If he does not accept, Billy will call either Carolyn Waterman or Brett Wood.

 

  1. It was agreed that the annual meeting of HPI will take place on Sunday, January 16, 2005 (or Sunday, January 23, in the event of inclement weather).  Iva McClure reported that representatives from the group trying to get the Shoals designated as a National Heritage Area have asked for a few minutes on the agenda for the meeting.  It was agreed that a presentation by the National Heritage Area planners should become the actual program for our annual meeting.  Billy Warren will notify Nancy Gonce of the decision.

     
  2. In a discussion about the Capital Award(s) to be presented at HPI’s annual meeting, members of the Board nominated:
    1. Jim Cox, Editor of East Lauderdale News (individual)
    2. Ronald Pettus, owner/operator of the Pettus Museum (individual)
    3. Michael Cole, owner/manager of Nolen Cole Art Gallery (commercial)
    4. Smokehouse Billiards (commercial)

       

The final decisions will be made by Board members at the December meeting.

Three categories of awards are possible:  Individual, Residential, and

Commercial.

 

  1. Hester Cope reported these fine additions to downtown Florence in recent days and weeks:
    1. The opening of Boll Weevil Soaps on East Tennessee Street;
    2. The renovation/restoration and reopening of Smokehouse Billiards on East Tennessee Street;
    3. The opening of Serendipitea Tea Room on the corner of North Walnut and East Tombigee Streets;
    4. The renovation of the Tennessee Valley Bank building on East Tennessee Street to house the law offices of Preston Trousdale and Rob Jones;
    5. The opening of Rivertown Coffee Company on North Seminary Street;
    6. The work-in-progress on Brinley Brothers Bistro on East Tennessee Street;
    7. The announcement of the imminent opening of Quizno’s Sandwich Shop on North Court Street;
    8. The reopening of the Corner Grille as Bentley’s Restaurant;
    9. The opening, very soon, of Book Lion (a shop that will sell rare books, first editions, etc.) on East Tuscaloosa Street.

       
  2. Jim Ingrum suggested, and all agreed, that the Board of Directors should have a “sit-down” with the new Mayor and/or the City Council representatives from Districts 1 and 2 to talk about supporting historic preservation in Florence.

     
  3. Hester Cope encouraged everyone to patronize downtown establishments so we can ensure that more stores and restaurants come to downtown.

HPI