Board Meeting Minutes – February 16, 2018
Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association
Meeting Minutes
Friday, February 16, 2018
A meeting of the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association was held at the Cove Ridge Center at noon on Friday, February 16, 2018. Present were Rachel Bevins, Joe Brown, Dr. Larry Fleenor, Joe Fuller, Jim Stallard, John and Joy Mullen, Charlie Allen, Joan and Ron Short, Bob McConnell, and Grace Bradshaw.
Welcome: Joan welcomed all members and stated that the agenda would be revised to view the film created by Argentine Film company for display at the new Interpretive Center. The members agreed that the inclement weather leant authenticity and an atmosphere of genuine hardship to the portrayal of life on the Wilderness Trail. Bob commended Joan for seeing to all the details of lining up re-enactors and coordinating the schedule and the meals for the film to be completed. Members agreed that the film was a success.
Joan also commended Bob for seeing the new Interpretive Center through all the years of its development to near completion at this point.
Minutes: Bob moved and Charlie seconded that the minutes of the October 19, 2017 meeting be approved. The minutes were approved as read.
Treasurer’s Report: Joe Fuller went over the financial reports provided by Gretchen (see attached reports). Bob asked if Charlie Brown was paid for his re-enacting expenses. Since his payment was not itemized on the financial report, Bob moved and Charlie seconded that the report be approved as written, with questions about said payment. The report was approved. Joe later spoke with Gretchen and clarified that several other re-enactors were also paid but not itemized; the payments were lumped into one sum and Charlie Brown’s payment was among of those payments.
Joe reminded members that dues for 2018 need to be turned in as soon as possible.
Ron reported that grant monies are not coming in right now and that the grant monies are down to around $2,000, which will be used at the Trade Fair and Harvest Festival. He fears that finding operating funds to do programming in the future is going to be a challenge.
Park Report: Rachel Bevins reported that a job fair would be held on March 1 to offer positions to seasonal employees. She also reported that a work crew would be coming in March from Ohio State. Joan asked if a new door for the blacksmith shop might be among the jobs they would tackle.
Daniel Boone Interpretive Center: Bob reported that the new interpretive center is 90 per cent complete. He also said that the Fabrication of Exhibits contract has been awarded to Color-Ad, Inc., Manassas, Virginia. He expects the center to be complete by June, with a grand opening in mid-July. He said there was money left so that the Park can get tables and chairs for the large assembly area and the library. He urged members to contact Terry Kilgore to request operating funds for the Center. Gretchen has sent an email with links to representatives. He said it would also be in order to thank Terry Kilgore and Sen. Carico for their support of the Interpretive Center. Right now there is a moratorium on the State’s acceptance of any new properties. Since the Interpretive Center was approved two years ago, it should be “grandfathered in.” However, the status of the Cane Gap property is still in limbo. Letters to representatives will help guarantee future funding.
President’s Report: DBWTA did not meet last month due to inclement weather. The nominee slate for officers and board members has been prepared. Gretchen will offer it at the next meeting. Dues need to be paid. Powell Valley Bank is donating $500 to DBWTA. Repairs are need in the Blockhouse area. The bellows at the blacksmith shop need to be protected. Randy Rausch will design and create a half-door for the shop, perhaps using some of the old chestnut wood out of the Franklin cabin, if it is still available.
Nancy Childers will organize the storage from at the blacksmith shop.
The Muster and Trade Faire will be held April 27, 28, and 29 at the Blockhouse. We hope to bring back Charlie Brown and Micah Swimmer. Peggy Rausch has numbered some canvas flags to coordinate with each event/display at the Faire. A map will also be created to help people move from one event to another. Jim Addington will contact the fife and drum corps to see if they can be on hand. The Smith brothers will be invited to play fiddle. Joan is hoping Jackie will also be on hand.
April 27: set up during the evening
April 28: Muster and Trade Faire, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
April 29: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
There is a need for more youngsters to be re-enactors. They can be provided with clothing if they are willing to give it a try.
Old Business: None
New Business: Bob reported that a former re-enactor, Michael Rhoten, had passed away and his sisters wanted his remarkable collection of 18th century clothing and accoutrements and books to be donated to DBWTA and Sycamore Shoals. These items are in the store room now. The books will be put in the Center’s library. His axes and knives will be put in the Visitor Center. Items of clothing and accoutrements which DBWTA does not want to keep and store can be auctioned at the Trade Faire. DBWTA plans to plant a tree in honor of Michael Rhoten’s loyalty and service and will honor him during the Sunday service at the Trade Faire.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 1:24 p.m. so members could go tour the new Interpretive Center.
