Association Meeting Minutes – January 16, 2015

Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association
Meeting Minutes
Friday, January 16, 2015

The meeting of the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association was held at the Cove Ridge Center on Friday, January 16 at 12 pm. Present at the meeting were Jim Addington, Charlie Allen, Patti Blackwell, Robert Chapman, Gretchen Cope, Margaret Crouch, Larry Fleenor, Joe Fuller, Megan Krager, Bob McConnell, John Mullen, Joy Mullen, Barbara Reed, Benny Reed, Joan Short, John Stafford, Dale Taylor and Ruble Taylor.

Approval of Minutes from January meeting:
John Mullen moved that the minutes be approved as written. Charlie Allen seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

Treasurer’s Summary Report:
Joe Fuller delivered the Treasurer’s Report. A full copy of the report is filed in the Secretary’s archive.

Charlie Allen moved that the financial report be approved. Bob McConnell seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

Report from Natural Tunnel:
Robert Chapman reported that park attendance was up by about 20,000. He also announced that the park was thinking of increasing the Christmas Lighting programs for the 2015 season and that bids for four additional two bedroom cabins would go out in March or April.

Robert thanked the Association for providing volunteers to host the Carter Cabin during the Christmas Lightings.

Reports from other Parks:
Cumberland Gap National Park
Charlie Allen reported that Cumberland Gap National Park was hoping to purchase Fern Lake in the near future.

Sycamore Shoals
Bob McConnell reported that the Washington County Militia, which is headquartered at Sycamore Shoals, was invited to participate in the 200th anniversary of the battle of New Orleans. Bob, his son, and his grandson are all members of that militia but were unable to attend. However, Grant Hardin was able to attend and portray General Jackson.

Report from Natural Tunnel State Park Educational Specialist:
Megan reported that in 2014 Natural Tunnel had provided a little over 500 programs and had attendance of over 18,000. Megan added that about 90 attended the Job Fair in January.

Megan explained that Natural Tunnel had been designated as a main venue for the Mountains of Music Homecoming program that was to take place June 12 – 20, 2015. She further explained that this program includes all of Southwest Virginia and will consist of several different types of events happening simultaneously across the region. Megan had been working with the Friends groups and had spoken with Ron and Joan Short about events that the park could schedule to take place during that time.

Megan announced that the Association was planning to host a History summit in February. Two representatives from each location along the trail had been invited and the Summit would serve as a meet and greet and exploring collaborative possibilities.

President’s Report:
Joan Short reported that the Old Christmas event was cancelled due to the cold temperatures and illnesses that had been going around.

Joan also asked for volunteers for the Events Committee. She stressed the need for more volunteers to help with planning.

Keeping the Carter Cabin open during the Lighting programs created the need for better lighting. Bob McConnell suggested purchasing a portable generator that would supply enough electricity to power recess lighting at the Cabin. Robert Chapman added that the park was planning on running LED cable lights along a split rail fence out toward the cabin. He thought it may be a possibility to get enough power from that to run the recess lighting.

Blockhouse Report:
Dale reported that there were a few more dates on the 2015 schedule due to the Mountains of Music Homecoming. He added that Gretchen would send the schedule out monthly beginning in February.

Volunteers for Nomination Committee:
Joan reminded those in attendance that the next meeting was the Annual Meeting and asked that if anyone was interested in serving on the nominating committee or running for a position to see her after the meeting.

Old Business:
There was no old business.

New Business:
There was no new business.

Announcements:
Bob McConnell announced that he received a request from Virginia Tech to purchase a copy of The Blockhouse on the Holston for their library. Bob donated a book and was happy to have a copy of the book in their library as well as to have made a few contacts in their history department.

Megan announced that the Frontier Muster and Trade Fair was to take place the third weekend of April.

Adjournment:
Bennie Reed moved to adjourn. Bob McConnell seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.