Board Meeting Minutes – April 21, 2017

Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes – Draft

April 21, 2017

 

A meeting of the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association Board of Directors was held at the Cove Ridge Center on April 21, 2017.  Present at the meeting were Dr. Larry Fleenor, Dale Taylor, Joe Fuller, Jim Stallard, Bob McConnell, Jim Addington, Joan Short, Grace Bradshaw, Gretchen Cope, and Megan Krager.

 

Approval of Minutes:

Dale Taylor moved to approve the minutes of the February 17, 2017 board meeting.  Jim Addington seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

 

Treasurer’s Report:

Joe Fuller delivered the Treasurer’s report.  A full copy of the report is filed in the Secretary’s archive.  Dale Taylor moved that the Treasurer’s report of financial accounts be approved as delivered.  Bob McConnell seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Grant Progress for Cherokee Performances:

Joan reported that Ron was still in the process of finalizing the contract with the Cherokee to bring the Warriors of the AniKituhwa to Natural Tunnel State Park.

 

Park Report:

Megan Krager reported that as of April 25th the new furniture would be installed in the yurts and by mid-May the yurts would be open for reservation.  The four new cabins will be opened May 1st.  She also reported that the park was in the process of hiring summer employees.  In addition, she explained that the park was cutting back twenty percent on mowing grassy areas, including the Block House.  The decision to curtail mowing was motivated by both economic and conservation reasons.  The impact on the Block House will be that the grass to the right of the walkway will be allowed to grow except for a strip next to the walkway.  Joan asked if the DBWTA would be allowed to bring a mower to clear the area where the registration tent would be located for the Muster and Faire April 28-29.  Megan said that decision would have to be made by Robert Chapman.

 

DBWT IC:

Bob McConnell reported that the Interpretive Center construction is progressing on schedule.  He also reported that there is a potential for a slight design change to add an outdoor education area.  He explained that the $100,000 donation from Eastman Credit Union has not yet been allocated and could be used for the outdoor education area.  He also revealed that a company called Argentine has been selected as the audio-visual contractor to do the film work.

Gretchen urged members to write letters to Delegate Kilgore and other Virginia legislators to approve accepting the Interpretive Center as part of the State Park system and to allocate funding for the Center when it becomes part of the State Park system.  There is a question on whether the IC would be impacted by the legislative decision to have a moratorium on accepting any new property into the State Park system.

 

President’s Report:

Joan has ordered from Westminster Forge two copper cooking pots for outdoor cooking.  The amount spent was $245.  The pots are hand-made and will be useful in the outdoor cooking for the Muster.  The larger pot holds five gallons.  The smaller pot holds two and a half gallons.

She also indicated that she intended to order new tarps.  Dale indicated he might be able to get some tarps donated.

She also reported that she and Gretchen and Abby Mae visited the Boone’s Creek Historical Trust in Gray, Tennessee.  They set up a display and talked about women in the wilderness and talked about the Wilderness Trail.  Abby Mae showed a handmade doll and explained the importance of the dolls.  Joan said they were well-received and that the Boone’s Creek group offered to do a program for the DBWTA.

Joan also wanted to reimburse Joe Wells for the flax break wood he purchased to build the new flax break and for making cast iron hooks for outdoor cooking.  He has also reconstructed and re-finished the tables used for demonstrations.  Bob McConnell moved to reimburse him with a $200 gift certificate from Lowes.  Dale Taylor seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

Frontier Muster and Faire:

Joan reported on the participants and volunteers for the Muster.  Micah Swimmer will be coming, as well as Jackie.  Rashida Hall will be enacting Jane the Slave.  Volunteers are needed to help Sally Kelly with the auction.  The Smith Family will be playing and singing traditional music.  The Fife and Drum Corps will be performing between 10 and 2 p.m. on Saturday.  Joan also indicated that more auction items are needed.  Volunteers will need to sign up with Megan.  Joan anticipates between 70 and 100 volunteers on Saturday.  Food will be prepared for all the volunteers.  There will be people making soap, making candles, and volunteers from Sycamore Shoals will be on hand as well.  Set up will take place at 10 a.m. on the 28th.  Nancy is organizing a food service from the Park offering hotdogs, chips, and drinks to the public.

 

Old Business:

The DBWTA gave $5000 to the Interpretive Center Foundation.  Bob McConnell reported that he had ordered a flintlock rifle from Mike Miller who plans to complete the work to make it by the time the Center opens.  He plans to commission Randy Raush to make a powder horn and Charlie Brown to make a bag.  He will also procure a knife from a sutler a Wilderness Road.

 

 

New Business:

There was no new business.

 

Announcements:

There were no announcements.

 

Adjournment:

Bob made a motion to adjourn and the motion was approved.