The Society Page

THE KINGSTON HISTORICAL
PRESERVATION SOCIETY
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VOLUME V NUMBER 1 JANUARY 2007


Mark your Calendar for these 2007 Meetings
• February 4 – Sherman Griffin – Bluebirds and Wood ducks and their habits - Election
• April 1 – Tour of Robin II in Markesan
• May – Still pending
We are now selling t-shirts to help raise funds. They are $15 each and are available at the museum.

FROM THE CURATOR:
On January 12, 2007 I received notice that the Kingston Historical Preservation Society application for a Community Grant Request had been acknowledged. The Alliant Energy Foundation which funds this grant has awarded us $357 to use for our Project/Program. The dollar amount will go toward the preservation of articles received by us through donations or those loaned to us.
We are most grateful to the Alliant Energy Foundation in considering us for this grant and will keep you posted in future newsletters as to where the monies were spent and how the items were preserved and displayed.
Anyone interested in helping the curators clean donations feel free to contact one of them to volunteer.

THANKS
I would like to send a big THANK YOU to Keith Knight for the donation of stamped envelopes that were used to send out the newsletters.


FROM YOUR PRESIDENT, JANUARY 2007

Happy New Year! I guess this is to be considered, as they say in the world of politics, my “lame-duck” Newsletter Article. I must say, it’s been a pleasure and honor to have been your President for the past three years, but folk’s, I have to tell you, my fun-meter is pegged out. If nominated and elected, I could stay on for another three year term, but it’s time to let some new ideas be involved. In fact that’s the secret to any organization. Not only do you always have talented people involved, but, by rotating and recycling some of the leadership the health of the organization is guaranteed. So, I’ve decided to not accept a nomination and will step down this coming February. As they say in the Navy, it’s time to “relieve the watch.”

Which brings up the issue of volunteerism. Like the old WW II recruiting posters, “We need You,” we in fact, do. We need more of the members to step up to the plate and give of themselves and give us a hand. This Society is no different than other organizations; only certain people step forward and give of themselves. The rest are content to observe from the side lines. My point in all this is, should the ones who continuously volunteer get tired of doing it and want to observe for awhile and no one else steps forward, from that moment on, the organization starts its decline. And that’s one thing we don’t want. So I’m asking other members to get involved in your own organization. Don’t worry about not knowing what to do. If anyone didn’t know what to do it certainly was me when I took this job, but, I learned and so can anyone.

I do intend to keep my hand in though. It’s my intention to stay with the new building project. Our progress to date has been slow but steady. Prior to the holidays, several contractors were contacted for quotes and/or estimates and we’re starting to accumulate figures, and get some idea on what the new building will cost and how much we will need in donations. As I mentioned in the previous mid-year Newsletter, 4-5 acres of land has been earmarked for donation, now it’s up to us to acquire the funding. You’re going to hear a lot more about this as the year unfolds.

The Kingston Historical Preservation Society (KHPS) is very fortunate indeed in the high quality of personnel who volunteer their time and effort to keep the organization functioning, continuously improving things as they go. And at this time I want to thank all the members of the Board and membership who have supported me these past three years. You’re really the lifeblood of this organization. There is one person in particular, however, who really needs to stand up and be recognized; MARILYN HAAS, our Curator. She devotes countless hours to the KHPS and its success. You can’t imagine how much time she devotes to this organization. Because of her leadership and guidance the KHPS operates like a well-oiled machine. As Curator, she’s not only a member of the Board, but, even more so, her presence is felt everywhere. So at this time it is fitting and proper to give a big THANK YOU! to MARILYN HAAS for all she has done for the KHPS.

Again, how about those local speakers this past six months? Weren’t they great! It’s proving out that the local area has better topics of interest and better speakers than some high-powered person not familiar with our area. During the annual meeting February 1, 2007, we plan on having Sherman Griffin talk about Bluebird houses and Birds in general. He’s known as a local expert on birds so this should be quite interesting. Haven’t as yet identified who the presenters will be for the Quarterly Meeting Sunday, April 1, 2007 or Memorial Day, May 28, 2007.

Lastly, I’m once again mentioning if you or someone you know, who is thinking about or would care to discuss establishing a tax-deductible bequest, or make a substantial gift to perpetuate the Historical Society’s goal in preserving and promoting the History of the surrounding area, to please contact one of the following Board of Directors:

Jack Meyers, President – (920) 394-3688
Don Reif, Vice-President – (920) 394-3938
Marilyn Haas, Curator – (920) 394-3119

As always, discussions with any of the Directors are strictly confidential and will be treated as such.

Once again, I Thank You for the opportunity to have been your President.


Jack Meyers


The Kingston Historical Preservation Society
P.O. Box 72, Kingston, WI 53939-0072



FROM THE TREASURER:

Annual Membership Dues are now due.

SINGLE $ 10.00
FAMILY $ 15.00
LIFETIME $100.00
SUSTAINING $300.00 (or more)

Dues can be paid at the meetings or mailed to the address above.









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Enclosed is my payment for annual membership dues for the Kingston Historical Preservation Society:

Name_______________________________________

Address_____________________________________

SINGLE FAMILY LIFETIME SUSTAINING

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