HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 5-27-08

Those present:  Carolyn Waterman, Ashley Winkle, Betty Champion, Brett Wood, Judy Tiffin, Hester Cope, Vince Brewton, Jim Ingrum, Dick Jordan, Iva McClure, Billy Warren, Lee Freeman, Angela Broyles

1.      Jim Ingrum made the motion that the minutes of the 4-28-08 meeting be approved.  Lee Freeman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
 

2.      Billy Warren presented this treasurer’s report:

a.       Checking Account balance                            $3,901.53

b.      FDR Fund                                                      $5,000.00

c.       Forks of Cypress Fund                                  $3,234.78

d.      Bailey Springs Cemetery Project                   $   256.74

Vince Brewton made the motion that the report be approved.  Lee Freeman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
 

Beginning with the June meeting, Billy Warren will attach a copy of the previous month’s bank statement to the treasurer’s report.
 

3.      Angela Broyles, owner of Bluewater Publishers, distributed printed information about an upcoming conference on genealogy and local history (Thursday – Saturday, June 26-28) which she is coordinating.  It will be held primarily at First United Methodist Church, with part of it scheduled at the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library.  Walking tours will also take place during the three-day conference.  She asked for HPI’s endorsement and encouraged HPI members to volunteer as instructors during some of the workshop with the conference.  Vince Brewton made the motion that HPI go on record in support of the conference.  Lee Freeman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
 

4.      In the absence of Bob Torbert, there was no report on the work being done toward the preservation of cemeteries in Florence and Lauderdale County.
 

5.      Regarding the third annual Cemetey Stroll on Saturday, May 3, these points were made:

a.       There were 95 paid attendees.

b.      There was an abundance of workers from the HPI Board.  That’s wonderful!

c.       The number of actors was disappointing.

d.      The director, Amanda Perry, stated that she will schedule a cast call/auditions for the 2009 Stroll.  Such a procedure is followed in live theatre to ensure that:  (a) the best possible actors are chosen, and (b) the selected actors will be totally committed to the scheduled performance.

e.       Charlotte Dean (in absentia) suggested that we schedule a modified Civil War reenactment at the 2009 Stroll in the “Soldiers Rest” section of the cemetery as an added attraction.  Vince Brewton suggested, and the group agreed, that we make sure to include both Confederate and Union soldiers in the reenactment.

f.       Billy Warren reported that Carolyn McCullom volunteered to appear at the 2009 Stroll as her late mother, Lizzie Hitchcock Cole, a longtime teacher in Florence City Schools and the designer of the original flag of Florence.  Carolyn will bring that flag and, as her mother, explain the symbols in it.  Everyone present accepted Carolyn’s offer enthusiastically.

g.      Lee Freeman presented the Board a copy of a CD of the Stroll created by one of the people in attendance.
 

6.      Billy Warren invited everyone to attend the walking tours that he will direct under the sponsorship of the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Bureau:

a.       Saturday, June 7, 10:00 a.m. – Upper North Court Street

b.      Saturday, June 14, 10:00 a.m. – Walnut Street
 

7.      Betty Champion, Lee Freeman, Iva McClure and Billy Warren reported a successful dedication of the Walk of Honor on Friday evening, May 9.  It was an elegant evening event to which the 16 honorees and/or their relatives/descendants had been invited.  The Shoals Marriott provided the food, and waiters/waitresses in tuxedo shirts and trousers served it while circulating through the crowd.  The evening ended with a light show coordinated with the interactive fountain and featuring only music that was recorded in Muscle Shoals by leading popular musicians.
 

8.      Billy Warren distributed copies of an article from the May 7, 2007, issue of the Times-Daily.  It highlights the installation of the replica of the sign atop the marquee of the Shoals Theater, a truly historic occasion.  It seems that everyone in the entire Shoals area is genuinely pleased that this sign has been installed.  The HPI Board expressed gratitude to the anonymous donor who paid for the sign to be replicated as a gift to the community.
 

9.      Dick Jordan suggested that HPI place a book in the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library in memory of the late Ms. Terrye Sledge Terry, a longtime staff member at the library who played a major role in launching the digitizing of archival records.  Hester Cope made the motion that a book be donated; Carolyn Waterman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
 

10.  Ashley Winkle made this report in behalf of the Florence Main Street program:

a.       These new businesses have opened – or will open in early June:

                                                              i.      Coats Clothing Company – North Court Street

                                                              ii.      Florence Clothing Store – North Court Street

                                                             iii.      Gingerbread Antique Mall – North Court Street

                                                             iv.      On the Rocks Bar and Grill – North Court Street

                                                              v.      Kennedy’s Bridal and Formal Wear – North Court Street

                                                             vi.      Dwight Cox and Associates Hair Salon – North Court Street

                                                            vii.      Barnes Home Health/Pharmacy – North Court Street

b.      The Book Lion has moved into the space nearer to Court Street in the series of shops in the Rahner building at the corner of Court and Tuscaloosa Streets.

c.       A top priority remains the securing of a grocery store for downtown Florence.

d.      Billy Warren will record his walking tours so they can be transferred into the MP3 format through the cooperation of Jimmy Oliver at WQLT.

e.       Ashley will appear on WQLT (107.3 on the radio dial) each Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. to talk about Main Street’s activities in downtown Florence.
 

11.  Billy Warren distributed copies of a letter from Jim Noles, Jr., an attorney in Birmingham and a member of the Board of the Alabama Humanities Foundation.  In the letter, Jim encourages HPI to apply for grants to support public programs.  The Board will discuss this idea further in future meetings.
 

12.  Lee Freeman announced a program on early notable crimes in western Colbert County which will be presented on Sunday, June 1, 2:00 p.m., at the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library.  Dr. Freda Daly will be the presenter.