This has been a sunny, cloudy, hot, humid, rainy, changeable NY weather month of activities that ended with a big surprise for our society.

Our docents were either pleased with visitors or spent their time looking over the items on display and doing a little dusting and light housework. Sometimes no one comes which is disappointing for the one sitting there for a 1-3 or 5-7 shift. But when we do have visitors and get to show our collection and assist in genealogy research it is a very rewarding experience. Sometimes folks from far away stop in and are impressed with our building and display areas. To watch the expression on a visitor’s face the first time they enter is amazing to see. Locals that remember the library and enter expecting the same interior are very surprised at the renovation and how beautifully it turned out. Sometimes we help a family member with their search for that little bit of information we might have in our genealogy files to fill a blank spot in their research. It’s a rewarding experience when this happens. The board and membership appreciate the volunteer members that say Yes when Rose Jeanne calls to fill the calendar. We have spots that need to be filled for August and September. If you have the time, please contact Rose Jeanne or stop in and sign your name on an open slot. The calendar is on the docent desk.

No photos were obtained of the bike tour participants that stopped in to our museum but the ones that did visit commented on our museum and asked questions about our area of the state. Every year the “Cycling the Erie Canal Bike Tour” stops in Clyde for their halfway point break on the Pittsford to Seneca Falls leg of the trip. The UM church ladies supply free sandwiches and beverages for the riders and the municipal building is open. Mary and the Reverend Roger Knapton set up a table in the park along with other organizations that have representatives and welcome the visitors to our village. Bikers from the US and other nations are included with around 500 participants in the annual event.

Monday the 26th of July was a busy day for our society. At 10am we welcomed the summer recreation students to both of our museums. Myron Schmoldt and Sherryle Godkin guided the tour at the Brick Church Museum and Hugh Miner guided the tour of the Mill Museum. Pictured are the two groups of students and their leaders. The students were encouraged to return with their family to share the experience and local history with them.

At 6pm the membership met at the Clyde Baptist Church Fellowship hall for our July quarterly meeting which is traditionally our picnic. The short meeting was followed with a tasty dish to pass selection and the program by Loreen Jourgenson with a slide show of her trip to Kenya and Tansinea. Carol Bailey assisted Loreen by showing the sweatshirt Loreen embroidered with memories of the sights during her trip as space was very limited with the backpacking tour.

Lisa Stirpe was nominated to fill the board position vacated by Carol Bailey. We are sad to see Carol go but Lisa has already proved invaluable as our secretary and will in January be able to contribute and vote on matters she just records now. At the October meeting the election of board member or members will make it official. To be considered for a board of director position contact Myron who leads the nomination committee. Lisa will replace Pam Anstee who requested to step down in January from her 8-9 years of service as Membership committee of 1.

At the meeting Myron announced the SURPRISE. It seems that the grant request we applied for from the Rochester community Foundation and were not selected to receive did get attention. During Myron and Shirley’s docent time a couple of visitors showed great interest in our society and museum. They spent close to 3 hours going over the items, presentation and building. Last week Myron picked up the mail and 2 checks, one for $8,000 to be used for repair work on our stained glass windows and one for $ 2,000 for archival supplies were included with a letter asking that the benefactors remain nameless. We are thankful and pleased to have monetary assistance and recognition for our efforts to help us fulfill our society’s mission. Work will begin on the windows in September to repair the 1833 treasures we have in our Brick Church Museum. A total of $12,000 is the estimate from Pike Stained Glass for the entire cost of the project. The board has already approved funds to begin the work that is necessary right now to prevent them from falling out or further warping and deterioration; with this generous donation we will be able to do the entire repair and restoration.

August is almost upon us with the community wide celebration culminating with the fireworks display on the 15th. We will open our doors to any class reunion committee that wishes to visit and tour the museums. Most of the memories brought up by the tour groups are of when our building was the public library. Many speak of standing on the ornate metal grate to get warm after coming inside, and of the changes made during the renovation. The 29th of August will be the last scheduled day for the summer season. Anyone wishing to visit after that time may arrange for a key holder to open upon request. Since we are totally volunteer we chose to have regular hours during the summer only with special events scheduled during the winter months.