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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-03-15 Celebration Trust Committee MinutesMinutes of the Ninth Meeting of Reading's 350th Anniversary Celebration Steering Committee March 15, 1990, Thursday Board Room Reading Public Library Committee Member-s Attending: Edward Palmer, Everett Blodgett, Shirley Buzderewicz, Susan Flannery, Alan Foulds, Susan Horn, Paul Sweeney and Susan Theophanis and Susan Wheltle. Also Attending: Arnold Berger Ray Couture, legal counsel Dr. Roland Blanchard, Bagpipe group John Shaw, President, Lions Club John F. McCauley, Ancient and Honorable Artillery Other Invited: Russell Graham, Chairman, Board of Selectmen William LaVoie, Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars Francis Perry, Commander, American Legion Post #62 Richard Olsen, Commander, Disabled Veterans.Post #37 David Wieneke, Minuteman Council of Boy Scouts Patriot Trail Council of Girl Scouts Greater Boston Council or Camp Fire Chief Edward Marchand, Reading Police Department Chief Leonard Redfern, Reading Fire Department Mrs. Rose Hinds, Town Wide PTO Charlie Peacock, Reading Minutemen Rev. Harold Garbarino, Clergy Association Lenny Polonski, Chamber of Commerce William Tarmey, President, Chamber of Commerce Judge John T. Sweeney, volunteer Charlie Keller, Secretary, Lions Club I. CALL TO ORDER Ed Palmer called the meeting to order at 7:33 PM. II. MINUTES The Minutes of the February 15, 1990 meeting were accepted with two corrections: g.l - Charlie Keller is Secretary of the Lions (NOT Kelly) p.8 - Bill McKinley is writing a piece for a town in Germany celebrating their 800th anniversary (NOT their 350th) Page 2 Steering Committee March 15, 1990 III. COMMUNICATIONS A. Bakery David B. Smith of Reading owns a bakery and catering operation in Saugus. He has offered to do the 350th cake. The Gourmet Touch and Bettersweets Bakery 306 Central Street Saugus, MA 01906 233-7403 (bakery) 944-4935 (catering) B. McCaffrey Poster Bob McCaffrey has created a poster (11"x17") of sketches of various landmarks in town. He has offered it to us to reproduce and sell. We might consider it at a later time. We will put it on hold for now. IV. REPORTS A. 350th, Inc. Status Report Paul Sweeney reported that the Corporation has received tax exempt status from the IRS and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Corporation voted today to retain the slate of officers it has had for the past year, those officers being Paul Sweeney, President, Shirley Buzderewicz, Treasurer, Susan Horn, Clerk. B. Writers Committee Everett Blodgett met with the Committee on Monday, March 12. Lex Paradise from Phoenix Publishers, Sugar Hill, NH attended the-meeting with examples of histories they have done. He was very informative and enthusiastic and offered assistance in putting the Reading publication together and, when it comes to publishing, would hope "to be considered". Mr. Paradise told the committee that the time frame within which they are working is realistic with a projected release date of December 1, 1993--in time for Christmas giving. Up front cost will probably be about $30,000 or more for a 600 to 750 gage volume--which will come back when the publication is released. This becomes a borrowing situation and could be handled using a local business, a group of families, or a bank. The Steering Committee assured Ev that raising these funds will NOT be the responsibility of the Writing Committee--they are only expected to research and write. When the Writing Committee has a more specific idea of funds needed Ev will contact Paul Sweeney who will then dedicate a meeting of the 350th, Inc. corporation to discuss funding. At the next meeting of the Writing Committee a chairman will be chosen. Ev Blodgett will be liaison to the Steering committee but not the chairman. Their next meeting will be April 17, 1990,.Tuesday. Page 3 Steering Committee March 15, 1990 C. Logo Contest Susan Wheltle reported that the Selectmen have endorsed the logo done by Judith Hunt Gabriel as presented with the changes in the type face and including 350th wording we hoped she would agree to do. This is a "black and white" piece designed as a single solid color to be put on a contrasting solid color. Susan Wheltle has sent a press release to the paper. Susan W. suggested we negotiate with Judy Gabriel to do further contract design work for pay. The Steering Committee felt we could not afford to pay her, but she might be interested in donating her services. The Steering Committee would like Susan Wheltle to go to Judy Gabriel and find out how she feels about doing further work for us. Most companies who manufacture items we might consider putting a logo on have in-house artists who will set up the logo and lettering. All entries will be on display at the Library from March 19 to April 20. Susan W. will arrange an award ceremony to be held at either the Library or at the Coolidge Middle School (where Matt Fleming, Youth Division honorable mention, is a student). Members of the Steering Committee, the .judges, Matt Fleming's teacher (Bill Endslow), Miriam Barclay, Eleanor Bishop and Arnold Berger will be invited to f` be present with Don-Young to take pictures for the paper. Matt Fleming will be given a $35 award. Judith Hunt Gabriel will receive $100. (BREAK FROM AGENDA TO DISCUSS PARADE) V. OLD BUSINESS Continued Parade Discussion A. "A Pageant Parade" Ed explained the format of the parade we have been talking about and distributed a pamphlet he has generated outlining "A Pageant Parade". The parade would be divided into 7 divisions, each representing 50 years in Reading history. B. Parade Committee John Shaw has volunteered to head this up with the help of other members of the Lions Club. He will contact the Woburn Lions Club for input as to how they run their parade. Paul Sweeney will be the liaison to the Steering Committee. C. Input from Dr. Roland Blanchard and John McCauley Dr. Blanchard and Mr. McCauley have been in more parades than anyone can count. Dr. Blanchard is a member of a bag pipe group and John McCauley is a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery and custodian of their museum in Boston. Page 4 Steering Committee March 15, 1990 First and foremost, running a parade is a huge responsibility and, by 1994, will probably cost $100,000. We must take the attention span of the spectators into consideration. No matter what date you select you are still competing with 101000 other events Red Sox, music lessons, etc. People are used to concentrated things today once upon a time you could have an all day parade followed by a town picnic that is no longer feasible. A parade from start to finish should be no longer than 2 hours (which is a long parade)--1 hour to 1 1/2 is more realistic. Probably 50 to 60 marching units. The key to planning a parade is to get the right pieces in the right place a big challenge. You have to consider the cadences the different marching groups have and separate them appropriately. Ideally a parade should begin and end at the same place with access out of town directly from that location without disruption to the parade route. It is distracting to parade viewers to see the first marchers straggling backwards along the parade route eating ice cream or whatever. Once you start a parade you should not have to stop. This means eliminating the show-time of each unit including in front of the reviewing stand. A downhill route is helpful. Coping with vendors is a problem. The restrictions put on the vendors in Attleboro applied only to that spray string. Blast horns are also undesirable kids pick them up elsewhere anyway. State licensing of vendors makes it questionable whether we can ban them all together. We may be able to require them to be behind the lines. You can also discourage vendors by requiring that one on one side of the street and one opposite so they won't be running back and forth across or through the parade itself. Ed mentioned a band competition to bring in bands., These days each band have fixed costs and you can pay $4000-$5000 for a band. We could invite the high school band from Reading, PA and ask them to raise their funds to come. Redding, England is talking about sending "something". Out- of-state or out-of-town bands will have to have accommodations provided. Refreshments for the participants at the end of the parade route should be considered. Especially liquids if it is a hot day. It could be as simple as loading a band on their bus and handing them a case of coke at the bus door. Page 5 Steering Committee March 15, 1990 July is the worst month for a parade, and May is probably the best. Sunday is the best day to have a parade. D. Day of the Week/Specific Date Sunday, May 22, 1994 was our original date. This is Pentacostal Sunday and we cannot have it then. The merchants would object to a Saturday parade that would tie-up Main Street. Townspeople are on a schedule that will not change--they have to get to the bank, grocery store, etc. Some of merchants are now opened on Sunday but not all of them. Sunday will cost you the least amount of money and you would get the maximum spectator participation, but the clergy are very adamant that the parade not be on a Sunday. They feel people will skip church because they are preparing for the parade. Memorial Day parade has always been run by the veterans. The purpose and decorum of the traditional parade would be at odds with a 350th celebration not to mention that many people plan to.go away Memorial Day weekend. We would be unable to get marching units because they are already committed in their own communities. Charter Day is the day before Memorial Day and it is doubtful we could-support two parades in two days and it is on a Sunday which would be unacceptable to the clergy. You could have it at 6:30 on a weekday night. Why couldn't the entire schedule be spread out over a longer time frame? 1994 is a whole year long! This will be. discussed at the next Steering Committee meeting in April. E. SHOULD we have a Parade? Another alternative to get around all this conflict (not to mention the expense of a one-shot, one-day event that is subject to rain) is to not have a parade. By 1994 a parade of this sort will cost about $100,000. Alan Foulds explained that Lynnfield opted NOT to have a parade but put on a "stationary parade" which they called an exposition. All clubs and organizations were invited to put up booths or displays. A flatbed trailer (Lux Transportation of Reading provided it) was used for a stage and there was continual entertainment on the "stage" all day long from noon until 7:00 PM. The governor showed up for ceremonies and th whole affair ended with an all-town picnic and band concert. This was held July 3rd, Saturday, which was the actual anniversary date. Sunday one of the churches used a sermon from 1782 to commemorate the anniversary. [Alan discussed this event at our January 18, 1990 meeting.] Page 6 Steering Committee March 15, 1990 Ed Palmer reminded the Steering Committee that a survey of what the people of Reading wanted to see for their 350th had been taken and a parade was high on the list. Ev Blodgett then pointed out that people completing the survey probably had no idea what a celebration COULD entail and therefore thought: parade, fireworks, party! Townspeople probably have no idea how expensive a parade (or fireworks) are. Ed Palmer reported that the WORST parade he has ever seen was the Wakefield parade last year. They had one band from Canada, dozens of military vehicles from World War II, and every fire engine around blowing it's siren, not to mention the vendors running In and out and kids spraying silly string all over everything and everybody. E. Parade Committee To Convene John Shaw agreed to convene a meeting regarding a parade: whether it be an historical pageant, a traditional parade, a non-moving parade or exposition, or whether there should be a parade at all. Mr. Shaw will then come back to the Steering Committee with comments and suggestions. He will also check with the Woburn Lions group. John Shaw was given a list of the names and addresses of everyone invited to the parade discussion. (RESUME AGENDA) IV. REPORTS (continued) . D. Quilt Beth Anderson has contacted the Reading Craftsman Association and she has not yet heard back from them. E. Glass Slides Ed Palmer now has found'333 old glass plate negatives and, under the auspices of the Historical Commission, is creating negatives from them with the help of Jamesway Studio. These will eventually help us out with photos for the history book and future postcard sets. Hopefully, this will be funded by the Arts Lottery. There are more slides out there. Ed would like to see the collection housed, eventually, at the library. Susan Flannery, who is also Director of the Library, expressed some concern about that. Their space is not unlimited. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Steering Committee One Year Review Susan Flannery will put together a summary of our 1989-90 activities and accomplishments for release to the press. Steering Committee March 15, 1990 B. Steering Committee Reorganization It was voted that the officers for the calendar year beginning in April, 1990 and extending to March, 1991 be as follows: Alan. Foulds, Chairman Susan Flannery, Vice Chairman (to be Chairman 1991-92) Susan Horn, Secretary (continuing) C. Steering Committee Member Assignments Everett Blodgett: Historical reference person, liaison to Writers Committee Shirley Buzderewicz: Business contacts. Susan Flannery: Publicity with Ed Palmer Alan Foulds: Celebrations Susan Horn: Secretary (Minutes and Agenda) Each member should take care of their own correspondence and give Susan H. a copy for the files. Also, any committees reporting to the Steering Committee should keep some form of minutes with a copy for the files. Ed Palmer: Publicity with Susan Flannery Paul Sweeney: Fund Raising/Sales Promotions; liaison to Parade Committee; President of 350th, Inc. Susan Theophanis: Clubs and Organizations contacts. Susan Wheltle: Other Readings; Logo; Artistic Advisor D. Control of 350th Logo It was decided that the control of the logo for fund raising purposes should be in the hands of the Corporation. The Steering Committee ran the contest and should assign the control to the Corporation. The Steering Committee will reserve the use of the logo for only official business. E. Rotary Committee Request for Use of Logo Susan Flannery brought a request that the Rotary Club of Reading be granted permission to use the 350th logo to create a 611x6" quilt square to be crafted by Lois Bond for a nationwide Rotary quilt to be displayed at their annual meeting in Oregon this spring or summer. It was voted to allow Rotary Club of Reading to use one 611x6" copy of our logo to be used in its entirety without reproduction beyond this use for a quilt square to be created by the Rotary Club of Reading. Page 8 Steering Committee March 15, 1990 F. Gazebo Susan Theophanis brought a color postal card showing the former gazebo bandstand on the Common in front of the Old South Church. She suggested we consider reconstructing the gazebo as a memorial of our 350th. VII. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be a review of the year to analyze how we are doing and where we are going. It will be: [PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF MEETING PLACE AND DAY OF WEEK] Tuesday, April 10, 1990 7:30 PM Town Hall Conference Room Reading Town Hall VIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:53 PM. Respectfully Submitted, r Susan Horn, Secretary