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July 18, 2008
Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association
Minutes
July 18, 2008
Cove Ridge Center
Present: Wes Chavis, Billy Heck, Joy Nihil, Lisa McConnell, Wanda McConnell, Craig Seaver, Sally Kelly, bob McConnell, Joe Fuller, Mary Jane Erwin, Margaret Crouch, David Oaks, Norm Sobel, Benny Reed, Barbara Reed, Jean Brown, Harold Jerrell, Charlie Allen, Megan Krager, Michael Beard, Joan Short, Jared Bentley
President Bob McConnell called the meeting to order at 12:15. He introduced Jared Bentley, web master for our web site and employee of Go Tri Cities. New member Joan Short was also introduced. Our intern Wes Chavis was identified; and a warm welcome was also extended to Billy Heck, Chief Ranger at Wilderness Road State Park.
There were no additions to the agenda
Secretary Sally Kelly asked if all had received the minutes and if there were any additions or corrections. Benny Reed made a motion to approve the minutes, Michael Beard seconded it, and the motion was approved.
Treasurer Joe Fuller made a report for May - July. A detailed copy is included in the minute book. He reported a balance in checking of $9,278.31 and expenditures of $2,186. Benny Reed made motion to accept the Treasurer’s report as read, it was seconded by Wanda McConnell, and approved. Wanda moved that the expenditures be approved, that was seconded by Benny Reed, and approved.
Old Business
Committees:
Wilderness Road Blockhouse Interpretative Center - Wanda reported a before-taxes income since opening May 31 of $694.99. A profit of approximately $347.45 resulted from that. Expenses for set-up, equipment, and inventory were something over $2000. There have been fewer visitors to the Center than to the Blockhouse. She expressed appreciation for all the volunteers that have worked in the Center, and for our intern, Wes Chavis. We will only have Wes’s services for a few more weeks. He has done on-the-job training with volunteers and will have "how to" sheets for all operations at the center before he leaves us.
Craig Seaver reported that the exhibit being developed by designminds is coming along nicely and should be in place by September. A copy of their proposal and plan was available at the meeting. A conservation group working at the Park is installing a retaining wall behind the center. There will be a gravel parking area for staff, and a new sign in the parking lot of the Blockhouse will direct visitors to the Interpretative Center and the Blockhouse. The Park has purchased a burglar alarm system for the building that will alert residences in the Park. It will have a keypad entry. There will be some artifacts exhibited in the building that represent life on the frontier, for example, a broad ax, a fro. Tools for survival will also be there - long rifle, powder horn, pouch. Billy Heck of Wilderness Road State Park will build our long rifle as a donation, our organization providing the materials. He indicated that it may be available as early as January. Until then, the Center will exhibit Bob McConnell’s gear.
Benny Reed noted that all volunteers need to familiarize themselves with the floor map as it generates a lot of questions. Michael Beard is developing a narrative for interpreters.
Finance Committee Margaret Crouch reported that we have used the money granted by ARC for equipment purchases for the Interpretative Center. We will have a balance in that account of approximately $1500. An application has been made to the Tobacco Commission for their unrestricted funds. Ordinarily they do not fund projects on state property.
Blockhouse Events Committee Sally Kelly reported on the success of Siege at the Blockhouse. Attendance on Saturday, May 31 exceeded previous records. Appreciation was expressed by President McConnell for the assistance of Billy Heck and his friends from Wilderness Road State Park; and Billy said how much they enjoyed it. The addition of a cannon was especially nice. Native American Day, September 20, is being planned. We will have a first-person interpretation by Robert Rambo of Cherokee Chief Little Carpenter. The Finchums are not able to attend this year. Funding for Native American Day will be sought as donations from the association membership.
Furnishings No report
Blockhouse Interpretation Jean Brown reported attendance at over 400 for May, including the Siege. There were 285 visitors in June. She has acquired more volunteers, Ron and Joan Short. Jean is also working on scheduling artisans for the shelter behind the Interpretative Center
.Marketing David Oaks reported that some new geo caches have been added, one at the Daniel Boone community.
New Business
Bob reported that a need exists for Wanda to be able to write checks on our Money Market account for the Interpretative Center. This requires approval of the Association membership and that reports be made to ECU. Charlie Allen made a motion that we take that step, it was seconded by Mary Jane Erwin, and approved.
Joe reported that the current issue of the State Parks E Newsletter features Megan Krager on its first page. The issue includes a rich article regarding services available at Natural Tunnel State Park. Craig stated that the Virginia Tourism web site now allows direct access, via link, to State Parks events. He expressed appreciation for Bob’s work, as Scott County representative on the state tourism board, for making this happen.
Bob reported that, in order to attract new membership, the association might want to consider changing our meetings to evenings. Discussion followed regarding how effective that might or might not prove to be. Jared Bentley suggested that an early-in-the-week day is usually a better draw. It was decided that we will give it a try with our September meeting. We will meet that month at 6 PM on Tuesday, September 16. The cost for an evening meal will be $8. Spaghetti will be offered. Sally will get the meeting posted in the Scott County Star and the Times News.
Bob reported that work is progressing on planning for the Daniel Boone Interpretative Center to be built at Duffield. A construction site plan is now available. Grade work will probably begin within a month so that drill work can be done before finalizing the plans.
Discussion ensued regarding the open hours for the Blockhouse and the Interpretative Center. The Center is open 1-5, Saturday and Sunday; the scheduled hours for interpreters at the Blockhouse is 2-4. It was agreed that those hours remain in effect, with the added change that the door of the Blockhouse be open, with the iron gate locked, during the times when an interpreter is not on site. The Center volunteer will be responsible for unlocking and locking the Blockhouse door.
The meeting was declared adjourned by Bob McConnell at 1:25 PM
Respectfully Submitted: Sally Kelly, Secretary
