Our January Quarterly meeting was an interesting combination of Show and Tell items our members and guests brought for our enjoyment. Items included family photographs and a letter presented by Art Benning, photos and a painting by one of 3 sisters by Lois Benning a fantastic collection of fishing lures and molds used to make the lures brought by Rex Wood, a hitching post found in Dan Bastedo’s basement, a souvenir flashlight from Ralph Howell, a photo of the Saxton Band by Hugh Miner and other interesting items from our area. A video of this Program and others will be available at the Brick Church Museum.

Hugh Miner and Sherryle Godkin told of committee work for the 175^th Birthday Party for Clyde. The event will span 4 days and nights beginning on the 29^th of April and ending with a Costume Ball or Dance on the 2^nd of May if all goes well and sponsors are obtained for the activities. The time capsule from our 150^th birthday will be unearthed and we will see what was important to our community 25 years ago. Another capsule will be filled in secret to be unearthed for our 200^th birthday.

On the list of proposed events: a cemetery walk, historical tour, birthday cakes spanning the 175 years with each of the 8 cakes depicting a time period and combined to form a patchwork quilt of a cake. A craft fair and farmers market is suggested to run in our park with perhaps a band concert for entertainment. A variety show to be held at our high school with bell ringers, cloggers and more. The committee is working towards a Civil War Reenactment at Lauraville Landing Park and to have Frontier men and an antique tool display at the Blockhouse. A giant family picnic at Lauraville Landing Park and the Clyde Fire Department chicken Bar-B-Q dinners so folks can either pack their own lunches or purchase the tasty Bar-B-Q from the firemen. Perhaps some old fashioned picnic games such as tug of war and sack race. A parade with floats will be held prior to ceremonies, cake and time capsule in the park. All of the above items are proposed but not confirmed events. The committee is working hard to present a community wide Birthday Party that all will enjoy. Galen Historical Society will open the museum based on the schedule of events so visitors will be able to enjoy our displays. Don’t forget to stop by and see our new gift shop items and perhaps purchase a brick for Heritage Park to celebrate your own family history.

Jim Darnell was elected for his first term as a board member and Ruth Gillette and Mary Knapton for their second term. Daniel Bastedo was appointed to replace Jerry Fremouw who asked to be relieved due to conflict of interest after becoming our Mayor. Election of Officers was held at the February board meeting. Lisa Stirpe, a new member volunteer, was elected to replace Joan Thoms as secretary. Lisa will work on our genealogy requests as she has experience and presently works with the library genealogy files. We are delighted to have such a talented lady to join our efforts.

The back of the mill now has the siding completed. Our thanks for the $5,000 grant by Robert Oaks and the Parks Department. Ruth Gillette and Joan Thoms should be congratulated for their work and commitment to this project for their many hours, phone calls, meetings and paperwork to satisfy the requirements of the request.

Our historical society has members that spend a fair amount of time going through the grant processes without any formal training to do so. We are lucky to have been successful and received most of the grants we request for our museums. We are now waiting word (March) to see if we are selected to receive a grant to repair our beautiful stained glass windows in the Brick Church Museum.

This year the monies allotted us from the Village of Clyde and the Town of Galen is requested to go towards our operating expenses. It is expensive to keep the heat and electric on in both buildings. Being a strictly volunteer nonprofit historical society we try to be responsible about spending the society monies. By putting the cap on spending and requesting grants we are helping to ensure the longevity of our society.

We are fortunate that Mayor Fremouw and the Village Board, Town of Galen Supervisor Groat and the Town board recognize the importance of saving the past for our community’s future. If you see one of our local representatives, tell them Thank You!