April Newsletter

The annual dinner for members was held April 3 in the museum. The speaker was James Anthony, Ft. Loramie resident and recent member of the adjunct faculty at Edison Community College. He talked about the 4 glacial advances of the last ice age that formed the topography of our area. He explained that the Anna earthquake fault was created 600 million years ago. He told of the New Madrid quake in the Missouri area 200 years ago that was so strong it made the church bells ring in Boston, Massachusetts. There was little damage from it because there were few structures and people. Mr. Anthony said there will be another large quake there eventually and he also expects a catastrophic volcanic eruption somewhere in the world in the near future. For the last 100 years we have been living in a relatively peaceful time geologically.

Curator, Jim Rosengarten gave a summary of our activities in the past year. In the summer there was a typewriter display, and a genealogy program with Rita Hoying. Channel 22 did a week on Ft. Loramie and the museum. We had visits by third graders and cub scouts. We participated in German Heritage Days. And, of course, the Christmas dinners were held in December and made memorable by Jim's bread boards that he made from boards from the old school. The roof was painted and much painting, cleaning and repairing was done by Tom Busse.

We had several donations this year including a helmet from the
championship baseball team, a photo of St. Patrick's Church from Ann Berning, a portable air conditioner from the Rosengartens, a seat from the old interurban railway, a computer monitor and printer-scanner from the Jim Brussells, a cast iron stove from the Ted Barhorsts, and a monetary donation for a new furnace.

The book committee met and a few things were decided. We want
updated information on Peter Loramie and the fort that was here. Jim Rosengarten has been doing considerable research on the subject. We would like the book to stand alone and not be a continuation of the Sesquecentennial book of 25 years ago but we will add things such as information on the one-room schools, since Dirksen was the only school in the last book.

As in other years the museum will be open Sundays from 1 to 4 pm
from June 5th until August 28th. Groups can make arrangements for
tours by calling Dorothy Quinlin at 937-295-2659 or Jim Rosengarten
at 937-295-3998. Anyone desiring to do genealogy research or who
would like to get the email newsletter may call 419-628-2481 or email catw43@gmail.com. Donations are welcome as always since the county commissioners cannot give us any money again this year.