Lawrence Sesquicentennial Commission Minutes of Meeting
31 March 2004
Lawrence Public Library Auditorium
Clenece Hills convened the meeting at 4:02 pm and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Upon motion made and duly seconded, with note of a correction to the February 2004 fund balance, made by Treasurer Hurst, the minutes of the Commission meeting of 28 January 2004 were accepted without objection.
Treasurer Hurst presented the financial report, showing a corrected opening balance for 25 February 2004 of $55,295.75. Since that time, he reported expenditures of $14,655.78 (reading aloud each specific expenditure, noting that the majority were for awards made to community groups to mark the sesquicentennial) and income of $2,150.00, all of which was attributable to sales of the commemorative map sponsored by this commission. The closing balance, as of 31 March 2004, was $40,639.97. Upon motion made and duly seconded, the report was accepted without objection.
Hills noted that it was intended to move as rapidly as possible through a series of reports from committees, expecting that many on hand would want to visit the site of the proposed "Sesquicentennial Point," near Clinton Lake, leaving from the Lawrence Public Library before 5:00 pm. Several committees submitted written reports, copies of which were filed with the Secretary.
For the Heritage Committee, in Paul Stuewe's necessary absence, Hills and members of the committee reported on map distribution/sales and impact (Bruce Roberts), on the Heritage Garden planned to be dedicated on 30 May 2004, at 2:00 pm, at Hobbs Park, as the inaugural event of the sesquicentennial season (Katie Armitage), on the plans for distribution/sales of a commemorative medallion (Hills), and on a project to locate and invite to Lawrence descendants of Amos Lawrence (Wilma Bowline). All reports noted good progress.
For the Festivals Committee (Roger Steinbock), it was noted that plans are well in hand for the 18 September parade (Bob Foster the prime mover), the "birthday party" following (Kendall Simmons), and the various events and projects in the schools (Hills).
Judy Billings reported on the good progress in planning for the Chautauqua, in June, noting excellent related publicity for the city and the sesquicentennial that already has appeared in several publications with a wide reach. She noted that there would be many opportunities for community members to volunteer to help promote and mount various aspects of the Chautauqua, described in a brochure, copies of which she distributed.
For the Board of Directors, Hills noted that the form of the banners to be installed on Massachusetts Street by late May --for the season-- has been settled, plans for a time capsule (with excellent support from Warren McElwain) are moving ahead [it will be placed at Sesquicentennial Point on 19 September, as a key part of ceremonies marking the close of the celebration], and that the Lawrence Journal-World is well advanced in plans to issue a sesquicentennial events supplement [deadline for inclusion of information about events is 30 April]. She noted also the opportunity for all to contribute reflections on Lawrence and its history to this body's web site http://www.lawrence150.org.
There being no other business, Hills asked Mary Burchill, chair of the Horizons Committee, assisted by Meg Babani, of LandPlan Engineering, to review—with graphic displays the emerging concepts for Sesquicentennial Point. After the presentation there was an opportunity for questions and discussion.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, Hills adjourned the meeting at 5:16 pm.
Respectfully submitted: WJ Crowe
Secretary
The Board of Directors of the Lawrence Sesquicentennial Commission met at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7, 2004, in the boardroom of the Lawrence Public Library.
Present: J.W. Paddock, Ron Hurst, Judy Billings, Clenece Hills.
Judy Billings moved the approval of the minutes of February 25th. J.W. Paddock seconded. Minutes approved.
An advertising bill from the Journal-World for maps was presented for discussion. The bill did not reflect the agreement that Bruce Roberts and Clenece Hills had with Al Bonner at the J-W. The bill was deferred until it could be discussed with Al Bonner.
Tony Johnson, website director, is also designing the brochure for Sesquicentennial Point. His bill will be arriving before the next board meeting and will include his most recent website maintenance, and the cost of the brochure. Judy Billings moved that we approve payment to Tony not to exceed 500 dollars upon receipt of his next billing. J.W. Paddock seconded. Payment approved.
The issue of funding distribution to Alice Fowler for the African-American Oral History Project, and to Janet Good for the East Lawrence Mural was resolved. The Douglas County Community Foundation will be the conduit for funds to the African-American Oral History Project, and Janet Good will receive the funds directly for the East Lawrence Mural Project.
A contract from Billy Ebeling's band for a performance and street dance on the evening of September18th was presented via mail by Roger Steinbrock, chairperson of the Festivals Committee. After lengthy discussion, including serious concerns about the costs of providing security and maintaining it, and the contribution to the downtown bar scene by having a Saturday night event, J.W. Paddock moved, Judy Billings seconded this motion: The Lawrence Sesquicentennial Commission will not fund or approve any evening event on September 18th. Motion approved.
Karl Gridley submitted to the board via email an idea of presenting framed portraits of Amos Lawrence to the Lawrence City Commission, and to the University of Kansas; he also submitted the idea of presenting a framed portrait of Stephen A. Douglas to the Douglas County Commission. There was some interest in this project but we need more information. Clenece was instructed to ask Karl to research these items: Is there now a portrait of Amos Lawrence or Stephen A. Douglas at these sites? If not, would these sites accept and display the portraits if we provided them? What would be the cost of reproducing appropriate portraits and framing them in at least a 16 x 20 inch size?
Some discussion of fund raising for Sesquicentennial Point occurred. Mary Burchill, Horizons Chairperson, was not able to be at the meeting, so most discussion was deferred until she could be present. The possibility of using the Douglas County Community Foundation as a conduit for gifts to Sesquicentennial Point was discussed. Clenece will ask Fred DeVictor to arrange a meeting with the Douglas County Community Foundation, and will report at the next meeting of the board.
The May 30th Opening
Ceremony is being planned by Katie Armitage, chairperson of the Heritage Garden
Committee. Two speakers will present talks: Jonathan Earle on the
Kansas-Nebraska Act, and Joyce Suellentrop, KHC, on "Grandmother's
Garden." The event is at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 30th at
Hobbs Park, 10th and Delaware.
Next board meeting is Wednesday, April 28, 2004, 4 p.m. Library Boardroom. Meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Notes taken by Clenece Hills.
Absent: William Crowe, David Carttar, Jerry Niebaum