Minutes of The Windsor-Severance Historical Society
February 24, 2025
The Windsor-Severance Historical Society met in person on Monday, February 24, at 10:00 a.m. at the Windsor History Museum Train Depot. In attendance were Kristie Melendez, Dan Meyers, Gary Martin, Tammy Boehler, Marcella Johnson, Ruth Brunner, Sam Sedoryk, and Judy Firestien.
Call to Order – Kristie called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m.
Monthly Reports/Approvals
January Minutes – The Minutes from the previous meeting on January 27, 2025 were reviewed and approved as presented.
Treasurer’s Report – The January 21st bank statement showed the balance in checking was $7,180.13. The balance in savings was $14,837.30. The CD had been renewed. A check for $500 from the Town of Severance had been received and would be deposited. Tax documents had also been received and would be given to Elaine.
Membership Update – No new memberships had been received since the last meeting. Old Business
Social Media History Posts – Kristie had posted about the Ehrlich ceremony that had occurred on Saturday and received a couple of replies on Facebook. Sam added Maya has access now and would be doing the social media posts; she had already done a couple. Maya has plenty of content and will create posts. We will want to provide any special items for inclusion, such as Society events. Kristie encouraged everyone to take a look at Facebook, provide comments and be sure to “like”, “share” and comment. We want to start to build the following. Kristie will contact Maya to invite her to any meetings she would like to attend and let her know we will email her directly with any posting ideas. We might also think about sending out emails to members that we have an email address for and having sign-up sheets available at different events.
2026 Projects and 2026 Logo – There was additional discussion on project ideas for the 2026 50th Anniversary such as note cards, post cards, calendars, resin or plastic ornaments, stickers, t-shirts, and special events. Kristie was excited to share with the group a logo designed for the WSHS which included a sugar beet and could be used for an ornament, stickers, etc. Gary moved and Tammy seconded to approve the logo for use for the 50th Anniversary celebration. Motion carried. Kristie would start to use the logo with marketing materials and on the Facebook page. Sam would have some ideas for the next meeting. There are about 8 historic postcards that could be used; Kristie would send these to Sam. Kristie would also check with K & W about a t-shirt design they have already. Items might be made available in time for Christmas gifts ahead of 2026. Marcella suggested a time capsule. Severance had a time capsule made and Dan would provide contact information. There are also cannisters that can be purchased. This would be a fun way to engage people to provide items for the capsule.
New Business
Oral History Videos that tie into the 2026 Anniversary – As items are being created for the Anniversary, it will help determine who else should be interviewed. Possibilities would be Tom Morey and his son, Doug Morey, who was involved with the Boy Scouts during the moving of the Depot. Ruth did interview Wayne Yauk who talked a lot about Maryanna and his Dad. He also has
republished his Dad’s book and also translated an aunt’s book. He also has slide shows which are good quality negatives that he will share. Bobby Warner might have some stories on family and the teacherage building next to the episcopal church.
2026 Memorabilia Items – More ideas will be generated.
2025 Membership Drive – The membership drive will gear up end of April and take place in May. The Society currently has about 40 members. Members are welcome to attend meetings and get involved with the Society. At some point it might be nice to create a newsletter to be sent out a couple of times of year via email or mail to members to keep them up to date on what is coming and what the Society is working on to raise interest. Maybe have the first newsletter go out with the membership drive. It would be nice to include younger people, but the meeting time would need to be adjusted. There was additional discussion about attracting younger people such as groups from schools, FFA, UNC or CSU history clubs, host a meeting at a school after classes, or set the meeting time to after college classes.
2025 Family Farm Tour – Sam suggested Friday is now the day for the home school groups to do activities. Sam would check on dates with the Museum with Friday, October 10th being a suggested date. It would be great to include more groups this year such as the Poudre Learning Center and other interested partners, so it would be good to get this on the calendar early. Kristie mentioned the ALA charter school is getting a bus so they could provide transportation, and they would like to add something like this to the curriculum. Maybe focus on homeschool and ALA third grade students. More goodie bags will be needed; cloth bags with a logo might be fun. Dan would be willing to create a booth with Severance history and the trivia game. FFA might be asked to have a booth or presentation. Maybe create another sticker again this year.
2025 Legends and Lessons – Legends and Lessons could be held this year on November 9th. WSHS would need to check with the Museum to confirm the date and location.
Windsor News – Laura will have a special guest at the March meeting to talk about the Strategic Plan for the Museum.
Severance News – Dan mentioned the State of the Town meeting will be held the next evening from 6-8 p.m. They have talked about selling Severance SWAG, so that might be an opportunity for WSHS also. The Town is looking at some of the historic buildings in the downtown area such as the teachery and post office. Dan hopes these buildings can be preserved.
Board Communications – A contact from the Weld County Genealogical Society had asked about an oral history for Esther Krause. She had gotten the video from the library but said it only contained pictures of obituary cards. This would be investigated. Sue thought it should be at the library on CD.
Kristie mentioned Casey Johnson with the Windsor Harvest Festival had provided information on being a sponsor. There are different levels of sponsorship which include having the logo on marketing materials with a parade entry and booth space at the park. The group could walk with a banner or put something on a vehicle (old car) or ride on the back of a pickup truck. Sponsorship ranges around $300 to $500. Maybe the WSHS and the HPC could do a booth together. Kristie asked everyone to think about this.
Next Meeting – The meeting was adjourned at 11:09 a.m. The next meeting will be on March 24, 2025 at the Depot.
Respectfully submitted, Judy Firestien, Secretary