Association Meeting Minutes – May 18, 2012

Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association

Meeting Minutes

Friday, May 18, 2012

 

The meeting of the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association was held at the Cove Ridge Center on Friday, May 18, 2012 at 12 pm.  Present at the meeting were Jim Addington, Charlie Allen, Jean Brown, Robert Chapman, Gretchen Cope, Margaret Crouch, Mary Erwin, Larry Fleenor, Erwin Forrest, Megan France, Joe Fuller, Willis Grimm, Grant Hardin, Sally Kelly, Bob McConnell, Lisa McConnell, Wanda McConnell, Joy Nihil, Barbara Reed, Benny Reed, Joan Short, Ron Short, James Stallard, and Steven Starnes.

 

Approval of Minutes from March meeting:

Benny Reed moved that the minutes be approved as written.  Wanda McConnell 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.

 

Mary Erwin moved that the financials be approved as reported.  Barbara Reed seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

 

Grant Update

Ron Short announced that he had written a grant to the National Endowment for the Arts asking for their support in helping the DBWTA bring Native Americans and African Americans, especially African American women, to participate in the Siege.  The grant that was written was successful and Ron announced that the Association would be receiving $20,000 to be put toward the cause.  Ron further explained that there was money in it for travel, education and supplies. He also announced that the Cherokees that were coming were very experienced re-enactors and would not only be speaking the Cherokee language but also presenting Cherokee dance, songs, and stories.

 

Board of Directors Report:

Joan Short informed the Association that the minutes from the Board meeting were available online.

 

Report from Natural Tunnel:

Robert Chapman greeted those in attendance and expressed his delight to be back at Natural Tunnel.  He then explained that the park was in the process of getting ready for a busy summer.

 

Update on plans for the Siege at the Blockhouse:

Blacksmith Shop and Shed Dedication

Joan announced that the Blacksmith Shop was ready and completely operational.  She also explained that directly following the SAR/DAR Service, which was scheduled to begin at 10am, the Fife and Drum Band would lead the crowd from the Visitor Center over to the Blacksmith Shop at which time the Dedication Ceremony would begin.  She also announced that a plaque would be given to Josh Wilson for his work on raising funds for the construction of the Blacksmith Shop.

Volunteers for food, set-up, parking

Joan reminded the Association that volunteers were desperately needed throughout the entire weekend of the Siege.

 

Auction Items

Joan also reminded everyone that period-appropriate auction items were still needed.

 

Program:

Sally Kelly shared with the Association her research into the life of Isaac Crabtree.

 

Old Business:

Driving Brochure

Sally Kelly and Mary Erwin presented the driving brochure to the Association.  Sally announced 25,000 brochures had been ordered and that space would be needed to store the brochures.  There was much discussion on the matter and it was decided that they could be stored in the shed at the blacksmith shop with a de-humidifier hooked up. Robert Chapman informed the Association that the park could pick up the brochures from Kingsport.  Sally stated that she would check with Kingsport Times News to see if they could store the brochures until the park was able to pick them up.

 

New Business:

Joan stated that all dedication plaques would be placed in the Blockhouse Visitor Center as opposed to on the structures in the historic viewing area.

 

Bob McConnell informed the Association that the company that Dale Taylor works for would be donating the iron and steel that would be needed at the Blacksmith Shop.

 

Announcements:

Larry Fleenor informed the Association that he had found the area known as Fannon Springs which many believe to be the location of the James Boone killing.  He added that if anyone wanted to organize a drive out to Fannon Springs he would be happy to lead the group to the location.

 

Action Items:

Sally Kelly – Contact Kingsport Times about storing the Driving Brochures for a short period of time.

 

Adjournment:

Benny Reed moved to adjourn.  Erwin Forrest seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.