The colonial Christmas dinners have been an annual event for many people since the 80's. The county commissioners have told us they won't be able to give us any money for at least the next two years so this is currently our only money-making project. The dinners will be held this year on Dec. 3,4,5 and 6.
Several members have been working diligently decorating the museum for the event and it looks very festive. Local young people dress in colonial costume and act as servers. There will be live music.
For information about the Christmas dinners or to make reservations call Dorothy Quinlin at 937-295-2659.
This summer the country store section was provided with new siding and is looking very nice. An air conditioner was donated by Bonnie Vagedes and was installed in the barroom by Jim and Jean Rosengarten. In recent months Tom Busse has been doing some cleaning, painting and repair work around the building and Jean Rosengarten has done a wonderful job with the landscaping.
Most of us know the old elementary school building was torn down this summer and a beautiful new school built. Jim Rosengarten took pictures of the tear down and has created a CD. A 2 disc set is $20. Jim also attended the auction and picked up some items for the museum including a large display case and a decorative piece from the top of the building.
More members are always welcome. We could use some help with fund raising, publicity and designing and maintaining a website. Dues are $10 per year.
Recently Dorothy, Karen and Sheila gave a tour to the third graders and they wrote letters to the museum telling us what they liked about it. The museum is a valuable teaching tool for the community.
We had a visit from Jane Jackson, a native of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, who is retired from the archives there. She stopped in to see what we have on the history of Peter Loramie, the French Canadian trader that Ft. Loramie is named after. After he was chased from here and his store burned he settled in Cape Girardeau where the Spanish made him commander of that district.
We also had a visit from Pat McFee who is credited with setting up the displays in the military room 10 years ago.
A research section has been set up in the country store where anyone can do research in history or genealogy.
Our officers are:
Rosemary Brussell - president
Alice Barhorst - VP
Dorothy Quinlin - treasurer
Sheila Quinlin secretary
Jim Rosengarten - curator
