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March 21, 2008

Present: Barbara Reed, Margaret Crouch, Bob McConnell, Wanda McConnell, Dr. Larry Fleenor, Jean Brown, Sally Kelly, John Stafford, Lisa McConnell, Joe Fuller, State Parks District Manager Jim Kelly, Billy Heck and Marty McConnell from Wilderness Road State Park, Craig Seaver, Megan Krager

The meeting was called to order at 12:05 by President Bob McConnell. The minutes of the January meeting were approved on a motion by Wanda McConnell, seconded by Barbara Reed. Sally requested that committee chairs please let her have a written summary of their reports in future as this will better facilitate accuracy in the minutes of our meetings. Treasurer Joe Fuller reported a balance in checking of $9,883.19 for the two month interval since January and expenses of $1,067.11. Approval of the expenses was moved by Dr. Fleenor and seconded by Lisa McConnell. Approval of the report was moved by Sally Kelly and seconded by John Stafford. Both motions were approved. The detailed treasurer’s report is included within the Association Minute Book.

The following Committee Reports were made:

Interpretative Center Oversight Committee:

Craig Seaver, Park Manager, reported regarding the construction of the building. A semi-final session with the contractor and architect took place last Monday, March 10. They were given a punch list of work items to fulfill. The phone line is yet to go it; and then inspection can be done. The map of the Wilderness Road has been installed in the floor. The final cost was $12,000. Its last coat of polyurethane was applied this morning.

Craig, Bob, and Kindle Horton met regarding a dedication ceremony. The date April 14 will not be possible; perhaps mid May.

A spring house has been donated by a woman in Yuma. University of Wisconsin students on an alternative Spring Break will be installing that this week.

Craig also announced that Children in Nature/Get Kids Outdoors is the park theme for this year and asked that this idea be incorporated into all to-the-public announcements of events at the Park.

The donated Franklin cabin was partly disassembled by a crew of Park and Association volunteer workers. A lot of the wood is wormy chestnut, and some of that will be used to construct counter, etc, in the new Interpretative Center. He suggested that the Association write a letter of appreciation.

Delegate Kilgore has introduced legislation that would provide for non-profits being able to have money-making efforts in state parks. That failed and he will probably try again. The Blockhouse Interpretative Center will be operated this year by the Association.

Committee Chair, Wanda McConnell, stated that the chipmunk has been chosen as the Blockhouse mascot. Stuffed "Chips" will be sold in the shop. Volunteers working there may wear the green "Volunteer" shirts we have access to. Orders may be given to Wanda at $10 each. Wanda is working on a schedule for folks to work in the Center, Saturdays and Sundays, May-October, 1-5 PM. Members of the Association are asked to please volunteer some time for this. Training on the equipment will be coming soon, with at least two sessions to be offered. Kevin Bole of Premier Bank System is furnishing us a machine for VISA and MasterCard credit cards. To have his services for this will require a fee of 1.8% of sales, plus 25 cents per sale and $7 per month. We will also be asking if we may tie in our internet sales to this service. John Stafford made a motion to provide that funding, it was seconded by Margaret Crouch, and approved.

That committee is still negotiating regarding what all to sell in the shop. It will be needing funds to purchase that merchandise. One item we will offer is paper copies of the floor map at perhaps $10; and framed copies at $50. The committee is asking the Association for $3000 at this time. They hope to have items on hand for sale by Siege at the Blockhouse, May 31/June 1. Sally so moved, the motion was seconded by John Stafford, and approved.

Finance Committee

Chair Margaret Crouch reported that ARC will reimburse the costs associated with the floor map in the new Interpretative Center.

Blockhouse Furnishings Committee

Barbara Reed reported that the committee is now looking for a small tavern table.

Blockhouse Events Committee

Sally Kelly reported regarding her attendance at a recent historic site conference in Kentucky; and about current planning for the 2008 "Siege at the Wilderness Road Blockhouse." In March, Sally attended the second annual Historic Site Conference sponsored by the Fort Boonesborough Foundation. It was held at Blue Licks Battlefield State Park in Kentucky. Attendees were from historic sites in Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia, and Ohio. Presenters included two historians, site employees, and managers/developers of web sites. Sally learned a lot of useful information and will attend again in 2009, when the conference will be at Pineville, KY.

The Events Committee has been meeting about every two weeks since January and is making nice progress with planning this year’s "Siege." Meetings will become weekly in May, set-up for "Siege" will be Thursday, May 29. Association members are encouraged to help in whatever way they are able.

Old Business

Interpreter Workshop

Lisa McConnell reported that she will be appearing at noon on March 31 on tv channel WCYB to promote the workshop. Sally volunteered to accompany her. So far 55 people have signed to attend. The Mustard Seed will cater and provide a box lunch. The planners have developed a set of requirements for Interpreters that include the following: Children must be accompanied by an adult, training will be offered each year, period-appropriate clothing will not be required the first year, there will be a clothes closet for lending, volunteers must be willing to volunteer on a regular basis. The guidelines will also provide the benefits of volunteering and ideas regarding personas. Jean Brown reported that handouts are ready for the workshop, thanks to the Park. It will be attended by representatives of Smoke and Fire, and James Townsend and Sons. They will have books, hats, patterns, and a variety of other merchandise for sale. The Park will provide lodging on Friday and Saturday nights.

Nominating Committee

Barbara Reed presented the report for Benny Reed, not present. The Committee proposed the following slate of officers: President, Bob McConnell; Vice President, David Oaks; Secretary, Sally Kelly; Treasurer, Joe Fuller; Historian, Dr Larry Fleenor. Directors nominated are: Harold Jerrell, Charles Allen, Chad Bogart, Ted Como, Danny Dixon, Lisa Ann McConnell, Joy Nihil, Benny Reed, Jim Addington, and John Stafford. The slate will be voted on at the May meeting. The slate of officers was approved on a motion by John Stafford, seconded by Wanda McConnell.

New Business

President’s Annual Report

The March meeting of the DBWTA is also the "annual meeting." President McConnell presented his report, and it is included in the minute book. Regarding the Daniel Boone Wilderness Road Interpretative Center, Bob informed the Association that the group doing the exhibit design for that facility will also be taking a look at our new Wilderness Road Blockhouse Interpretative Center to explore doing a design for our exhibit there.

Web Site

Bob met with David Cate of GoTriCities. He indicated that we will have a technical person working with us; and that individual would be in attendance at all Association meetings.

Wilderness Road State Park

Marty McConnell, Park Manager and Billy Heck, Chief Ranger were in attendance from WRSP. Marty reported that the Park is preparing for their "Raid on Martin’s Station." scheduled for May 9-10-11. The site is being prepared. Marty met with billy and Phil, and Bill Farmer and discussed the fact that the next Historic Site Conference to be held March, 2009, will visit WRSP and Cumberland Gap National Park.

Billy Heck state a need they have there, and that all state parks have, to regularly have some employees trained in black powder safety. WRSP will supply the black powder for Siege at the Wilderness Road Blockhouse. That should be coming within the next two weeks.

Announcements

Jean Brown has had Pusey’s 1921 book on the Wilderness Road reprinted. Copies are available to members of the Association at $18. We will also be offering this item for sale at the WRB Interpretative Center. Jean asked that the Association write a thank-you letter to Lisa McConnell for having her office field all calls regarding the Interpretative Workshop.

Joe Fuller stated that ARC and National Geographic have a new Appalachia map. He had some for distribution to interested parties.

Bob informed us that the University of Virginia at Wise is interested in creating a History Department Internship. Megan is also working on another intern project. It is likely this will result in us having an intern for help with the Blockhouse Interpretative Center.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:17

Respectfully submitted, Sally Kelly, Secretary