Minutes of The Windsor-Severance Historical Society
January 22, 2024
The Windsor-Severance Historical Society met in person on Monday, January 22, at 10:00 a.m. In attendance were Kristie Melendez, Dan Meyers, Gary Martin, Marcella Johnson, Laura Browarny, Ruth Brunner, Tammy Boehler, Kurt Hinkle, and Judy Firestien.
Call to Order – Kristie Melendez called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. Monthly Reports/Approvals
November Minutes – The Minutes from the previous meeting on November 27, 2023 were reviewed and approved as presented.
Treasurer’s Report – Kristie reported from the December 19th bank statement that the balance in checking was $9,211.39. The balance in savings was $14,613.26. The CD has a balance of about $20,000 plus interest. The CD renewed last at 5.1% interest. Rates have come down a bit and the CD will be renewing soon. Gary moved and Marcella seconded the certificate of deposit be renewed with Bank of Colorado for another six months. Motion carried.
Membership Update and Status – The total membership drive brought in $5,410. This included memberships, donations, and the $500 received from ENT Credit Union through the Town (micro-philanthropy). Total membership is about 45 members currently.
Kurt had written a press release in late October that Kristie had sent to maybe six people at the Greeley Tribune. The press release was then revised after the Legends and Lessons event to try to announce the Legends honored at the event, but no one from the Tribune had ever reached out to Kristie. Effort was made. Thanks to Kurt for doing that.
The Society will continue to run the membership drive in April/May again this year. Old Business
Calendar Project – The Calendar has been very popular at Bank of Colorado, especially with the “senior crowd” and they would like more. The Town of Windsor and Water Valley each purchased 100. Calendars have been sold on the website (1), to members (121), at Christmas in Windsor (15) and at Vecinos (25) also. Sales total to date is $4,601 worth of calendars. The cost of producing the calendars was $3,310.96 so the Society has netted $1,290. This has been great for getting the WSHS name out in the community. Kristie maybe has 19 left at the restaurant and a few more with her. A calendar was given to Gary and Kristi for the wonderful cloth farm print bags Kristi made for the Farm Tour.
Dan expressed appreciation for Kristie’s work stating she had done an outstanding job of putting together the calendar, doing marketing, and going through the process of working to include Severance and produce the product the WSHS wanted.
The Calendar completes projects for this year. The Farm Tour might be held again next year, but there are some ideas to be discussed to increase attendance and attract different groups.
Transportation would be one thing to be figured out. The Legends and Lessons event could be held again in 2024. There was a suggestion to visit the Washing Machine Museum perhaps in the Spring. The current owner may be looking for a new home for the machines. The Society might want to meet at different historic locations under the MOU with the Town. The group will need to decide and give Bethel a schedule and stipend for the meeting room. The group might decide in February what the location schedule will look like. The meeting time might be moved around also.
Town and WSHS MOU – Both sides have agreed to the last document. The MOU will go before the Town Board on February 12th (7:00 p.m. at Town Hall). Laura will be there to answer any questions they might have. Others are welcome to join.
Windsor News – Laura reported landscape construction was underway at Jacoby Farm/Homestead property and they hoped to finish by May. The Arts Commission is installing their first large sculpture at that site and it will be a giant wooden and metal stage coach that is interactive and kids can go inside and climb on. Beginning of February, they will be putting out an RFP for the historic restoration of the Dickey Farmhouse, Halfway House and Eaton House.
Severance News – Dan reported the Library is moving along nicely and hopes to open late Spring. The Windsor Museum will be giving a Severance History presentation at the Library after it opens. Kristie suggested Kathryn give the same presentation at a future WSHS meeting.
New Business
New Video Ideas – Several names were discussed for new oral history videos which might include Jim and Joann Ochsner, Fred and Kate Casten, Mary Anna Yauk and Wayne Yauk. Also possibly Brian Martens, and John Vasquez.
Board Communications – Dan mentioned several ideas for the Farm Tour including marketing, finding a captive audience, approaching FFA, home school groups, focus on kids, registration, including Severance on the tour, including a local dairy. Town of Windsor education team might be more involved. They do home school days throughout the year; one could be planned for October to include the tour. PHA gives out grants for transportation to schools for visits to locations in the heritage area. Gary could fill out the new form to be submitted to the Citizen’s Advisory Board to enable asking the Severance Town Board for a donation. Dan mentioned new Council Member Craig Joseph has artifacts he would like to donate to Severance. He wondered if there was a temporary storage place at the Windsor Museum for these items. Dan could check with Caitlin Heusser who is museum curator. Kristie may have some items of her Mom’s that the Museum would be interested in also.
Next Meeting – The next meeting will be February 26th at Bethel. The meeting was adjourned at 11:09 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Firestien, Secretary