Larry called the meeting to order. Those present were Dawn, Mike, Linda and Greg, Tina, Paula, Skip, Don, Johann, Larry, Ann and Joni
ICE HARVEST –
This event went well. It was ideal weather. We got quite a bit of help from the public. We may want to take some professional pictures next time. Thanks to everyone that helped. We got 119 chunks 14 – 16 inches thick. There were lots of trips back and forth with the sled full of ice chunks. Don suggested we use a ramp next year. The guys who were helping were getting very tired out by the end of the ice harvest. It will be better if we have 2 trucks next year.
SNOWSHOE EVENT –
No one showed up as there was no snow. We got a lot of work done anyway. Greg suggested we advertise in sports places with like-minded people. Paula stated that the Town of Rome starting Hikes on Friday Nights. Need more advertising to get more participation. But most of all we needed snow. Skip suggested we plan for Snow or Shine next year.
WINTER FEAST –
There is a need for more help on Saturday and Friday morning. Things will be brought over to the hall on Thursday. Vegetables will be prepped. Wild game will be cleaned and cooked on Friday a.m. The menu includes beaver in a shepherd’s pie with Point beer. Dawn read the menu. Ann is doing hors devours. She got donations from Piggly Wiggly and is working on donations from Walmart. The new tablecloths came in and they are bigger than the ones we presently have. They can be made smaller are the feast. Tina said she can help on Friday. We are also getting additional baking pans. Mike talked to Peggy Wettstein about the waitstaff and needs to get back to her to make sure this is set. He will also verify if the kids want to wear costumes. There was discussion about these things. The table decorations are in the school basement. Mike will pick these up and take them to the hall. Reminder – there will be a potluck on Saturday during setup/prep time. We need food processors, knives, peelers, etc for veg prep on Friday – bring your own. Lifetime members need to know the tickets will be there for them at the dinner.
PIONEER FEST –
Joni has been talking to Civil War groups and one is a group of soldiers with a cannon. Joni and Mike said they would help with the “bounty”. There was a discussion regarding the 2 groups of soldiers and the civilian group, Historical Timekeepers. Larry said this was the 175th anniversary of the UW Marching Band. Joni mentioned the First Brigade Band. Tina suggested the Nekoosa High School Marching Band. Don suggested we get a fire blanket for Ma Wakely’s Kitchen in the event of a fire.
SARATOGA TOWN HALL –
We are preparing for the building to be moved to the Point Basse site. All the trees have been cut down and the cleanup will be completed by Monday per Mike. The chimney and the back end of the hall need to be taken off before it is moved. Tina will talk with the owner regarding help with the roof. There was discussion about taking off the roof to move the building. Tina will get ahold of Spectrum and the electric company regarding moving the building with the roof still on. This may be a cheaper option. There was some discussion regarding the basement/foundation. Need to decide what to do about this and let Peterson’s Movers know when we make the move. Tina will get an estimate for taking off the old roof and putting on a new one.
T-Shirts –
Tina passed around a picture of the T-shirts that are being made for Historic Point Basse. These can be ordered for each person, and we can also order them to sell to the public.
Tim Allen is donating some black locust wood.
GRANTS –
Tina got a grant application to Legacy for the Town Hall. She also has 3 more applications for the Town Hall and 2 other ones for the house. After that we can use an application to get an AED. There was a discussion about grants.
SCHOOL GROUPS –
We have 3 groups signed up now. One is scheduled for the 15th and 16th of May. One has not set a date. There are about 95 students who signed up. Greg suggested putting the School Groups on the website Event list so people can plan to help.
Larry and Mike will be giving a talk at the Marshfield Library. Larry sated that there was a book from a more local library stated there were about 600 men per day on rafts coming to the Wakely site. He also went to the Heritage Park in Plover, and we should all visit.
Paula went to Adams/Friendship and visited their historical buildings. They would like us to come and visit and they will make it a day for us.
Paula talked about future library displays.
CRANBERRY BLOSSOM FEST –
We want to be a vendor at the Material Girls Quilt Show. We would demonstrate quilting the old way. The game “turkey darts” was suggested for the kids.
SUGAR BUSH –
People are tapping trees already. Paula is thinking of making a beer with maple sap. There was some discussion regarding how to prepare for this event if the trees are done running by March.
Paula can get a donation from Thrivent and will sign up for that.
There is a button on the website for tickets, membership, etc. and it does work.
John Berg will be doing a blacksmith class in June before Pioneer Fest.
Larry made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mike. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joni Wolf, Secretary