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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-02-25 Celebration Trust Committee Minutes6 C -P ■ f ~ Minutes of the 24th Meeting of Reading's 350th Anniversary Celebration Steering Committee February 25, 1992, Tuesday 8:00 PM Berger Room Reading Town Hall Committee Members Attending: Alan Foulds, Chairman; Shirley Buzderewicz; Susan Horn; Nancy Smethurst; Paul Sweeney. (Everett Blodgett, Cathy Quimby and Susan Theophanis were unable to attend. A replacement for Susan Wheltle has not been appointed by the School Committee) Also Attending: Anna Carroll, a director of the 350th, Inc.; Dick Curtis, Roberta Solon, Carol Beckwith. I. CALL TO ORDER Alan Foulds called the meeting to order at 8:04 PM. II. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the November 19, 1991 meeting were approved as presented. The minutes of the January 21, 1992 meeting were approved with one correction: Dick Curtis's name is Curtis not Courtis. III. COMMUNICATIONS A letter of introduction was sent to Reading, England preceding Alan Horvath's visit in early March. IV. COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS A. 350th, Inc. (Paul Sweeney, President) 1. At the Annual Meeting held this evening, it was established that there be 8 directors of which 4 are officers. They are: Paul Sweeney, President Susan Theophanis, Vice President Shirley Buzderewicz, Treasurer Susan Horn, Clerk Anna Carroll, director Alan Foulds, director Kenneth Latham, director Nancy Smethurst, new director READING'S 350th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION STEERING COMMITTEE TOWN HALL 16 LOWELL STREET READING MA 01967-2550 Page 2 Steering Committee February 25, 1992 2. The motion was made and voted upon that the Steering Committee allow the Corporation to use the logo on sweatshirts, hats and coffee mugs. It carried unanimously. 3. The Corporation has re-ordered coffee mugs and ordered sweatshirts and visor-style sports caps with our logo on them. These will be for sale shortly. B. Writers' Committee Roberta Solon and Carol Beckwith came to the Steering Committee to express their ideas and enthusiasm for a pictorial history publication. Roberta has organized and filled in the library's collection of photographs of Reading. She feels that everything we need is right there. We could advertise for additional material and might come up with some treasures. Bruce Morang says that when he took over the Chronicle in 1969 the photo files were empty but photo copies of the actual old Chronicles could yield some pertinent material. Carol could write blurbs to describe the history: Personal recollections of Reading could also be solicited (such as remembrances of Chief Nadabi and the over-sized snowman that once sprung up on the Lowell Street School playground). Joyce Miller's work at the time of the Bicentennial should not be overlooked, and photographic and postcard collections held by Eleanor Bishop, Henry "Spud" Murphy, Everett Blodgett, Ed Palmer, and Herb Perry. Roberta would be an ideal photo editor. Lex Paradis of Phoenix Publishers in Sugar Hill, NH has told the sub-committee that everything should be ready to go by June, 1993. Roberta, Carol and Dick Curtis felt that perhaps Mr. Paradis's value would be to a group who did not have the expertise to edit, type-set and produce their own volume. its is apparent that within the group interested in producing the publication that we have that expertise right here. Roberta indicated that there is a publisher in Manchester, NH that specializes in town histories. They felt that a volume that would sell for $35 would be widely sold. A Writer's Subcommittee meeting will be called in the near future. C. Anniversary Ball There has been no recent meetings. Bruce Morang tells us that the Bicentennial ball held in 1976 was at Camp Curtis Guild and involved Reading, Wakefield and North Reading. D. McKinley Concert - no report Page 3 Steering Committee February 25, 1992 E. Publicity February 11, 1992 - small blurb on the postcards F. Parade Cathy Quimby had written to the Aleppo Temple about their 21 units that might be available for a parade. Today Mt. Charles Taylor responded. He suggested that the June dates we had suggested (June 4 or 5) would be best. We would have to feed the Shriners, but the only other expense would be a donation of $3,000. We also know that the Masons would be willing to help. Next months' meeting will focus on the parade. We will invite John Shaw, who once indicated he might be willing to chair this, as well as others interested. G. Wakefield's 350th - No report H. North Reading A Fourth of July Committee has organized and will serve as the defacto 350th Committee (our contact: Penny Richards, 15 Leland Road, North Reading, MA 01864 508-664-2926). They are planning to aim at the June 10 date and hope to have a town- wide picnic and bon-fire. We will add them to our mailing list as they would like to be included in our plans. V. ON-GOING REVIEWS I A. We skipped the GANTT Chart review. B. We skipped the Celebration Period review. C. Budget The budget sub-committee made up of Alan Foulds, Paul Sweeney and Shirley Buzderewicz, will meet March 3rd at Alan Foulds house (9 Ide Street). VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Clubs and Organizations To date Alan has made presentations to the Rotary, the Lions Club, Camp Fire, Boy Scouts and Colonial Chorus. He plans to talk to the League of Women Voters, the Chamber of Commerce and set up a new date with Friends of the Library. He will present to the Quannapowitt Players after May.. Colonial Chorus met Alan's presentation with great enthusiasm. They want to write a production for the 350th (perhaps a take-off,on the existing "A Girl In Reading"). They want to participate in Jubileve and provide entertainment for the town wide picnic at no cost They are ,M also interested in sponsoring one, maybe two events. Page 4 Steering Committee February 25, 1992 B. School Committee Steering Committee Member Although we have contacted the School Committee repeatedly, they have not responded by sending us a replacement for Susan Wheltle. This is becoming a serious problem and one of our members should probably go to one of their meetings and express our need. The Steering Committee, originally sanctioned by Town Meeting, was to be comprised of 9 members, 3 appointed by the Selectmen, 3 by the Town Moderator, and 1 each by the Antiquarian Society, Historical Commission and School Department VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Flues We should consider having a 350th logo flag made to fly in the square (perhaps beginning New Year's Day, 1994). Also, house flags be made available and even small souvenir-size flags. B. Flag Run Perhaps a flag run to open our 350th with runners from the high school track teams from Wakefield, Reading and North Reading running each other's town flags from town to town.. C. Jubileve We should begin to look for a chairman to organize this. D. 1994 Program We will want to produce a program that will list events and provide advertising. E. Summerfest, 1992 The second meeting will be held March 1 at 7:00 at the YMCA. We missed the first meeting. We are considering constructing our own booth. Suggestions of showing slide.s or movies of old Reading we're made. We might add Tote Bags to our memorabilia by that time. VIII. NEXT MEETING: March 16, 1992 MONDAY Berger Room, Reading Town Hall 8:00 PM IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:38 PM. Respectfully submitted, usan A. Ho n, secretary ANNUAL REPORT 350TH ANNIVERSARY STEERING COMMITTEE As our Town's 350th Anniversary approaches, the Steering Committee's plans for 1994 continue to evolve. The three major components of the celebration are publication of a history book, preliminary events, and the 350th festival. A separate Publications Sub-Committee has been established to define the type of book that is intended to be written,and to meet with publishers to determine feasibility and cost. At present, three formats are being considered, from which one will be chosen. The first is a companion to Eaton's History of Read- ing, updating the Town's history from 1874. The second is a his- tory of the last fifty years,while the third would be a pictorial of "Lost Reading." The Sub-Committee has met with at least one publisher and has solicited histories from most community or- ganizations and churches. The proposed events have been separated into two categories. The first is to be a series of individual affairs run approximately once a month from late 1993 through early May of 1994. This might include such events as a "Reading's Fair," or exhibition of other Readings of the World, a Winter Carnival, Valentine's Dance, and a Children's Field Day. The 350th Festival, a twelve-day affair, will begin on May 29th and end on June 10th. The dates were chosen for both practical and historical reasons. The Committee feels that late spring of- fers good weather at a time when schools are still in session, and an optimum number of townspeople will be available. The two dates are also historically significant. May 29 has been viewed for at least 150 years as the Town's birthday; and all prior celebrations centered on that date. It has recently been dis- covered however, that the actual date that "Lynn Village" became "Reading" was June 10; thus it was chosen as the ending day of our celebration. This twelve-day period will include such events as opening ceremonies, a grand ball, concerts, a play, fireworks, and pos- sibly a parade. In June a newsletter called "Countdown to the Celebration" was published to inform donors and other townspeople of our actions to date. In July members of the. Steering Committee participated in Reading Summerfest, by selling balloons and souvenirs. Toward the end of the year members of the Committee began preliminary discussions with several clubs and organizations to inform them of our progress and to allow them adequate time to determine how they want to become involved. (continued) 350th Annual Report - Page 2 of 2 In the fall Reading's 350th, Inc. was authorized by the Committee to hold a "Muffins and Mugs Day." On November 23 the old firehouse on Pleasant Street was transformed for a day into a combination museum, gift shop and cafe as townspeople were sold coffee and cider in commemorative 350th mugs. They were also able to buy muffins and anniversary souvenirs while perusing the historical display setup for the occasion. Balloons and face- painting were also available for children. The event was an overwhelming success as most of the first order of mugs was sold, and several new people indicated their willingness and desire to be a part of the celebration. Throughout 1992 the Committee plans to meet with other Town or- ganizations and to begin formulating budgets.