P.A.H.S. Meeting of 2/22/2010

The meeting was called to order by Chris at 7:05pm at the PACE meeting room in Glenbrook Elementary School.

Those attending were Marian Schroeder, Tammy Brzeczkowski, John Mihalko, Larry Puzen, Jim Zajac, Doris Malcheski, Larry Szymanski, Chris Jaworski, Kris Kolkowski and Norine Heuser. Absent were Pat & Bob Budz, Harry Slezewski, Sharon Bauer and Diane Wichlacz.

The secretary’s report from the 11/16/09 meeting was read by Norine.  A motion to accept the report as read was made by Larry Puzen and seconded by Larry Szymanski.  Motion carried. 

The treasurer’s report was read by Larry Szymanski .The checkbook balance as of 12/31/09 was $8,089.80 with cash received of $75.00 less expenses of $259.23. The balance at the end of the year was $7,905.57. Larry reported Citizens Bank may donate a new stamp for our check endorsing.  Tammy made a motion to accept the report and John seconded. Motion carried.

Chris then introduced Kris Kolkowski who gave a presentation for the Stone Barn Committee. They have hired a fund raising person to help with the necessary funding. She handed out campaign folders to each of us that explained the history of the barn as well as  various  information regarding the project.  They received an estimate of $430,000.00 to restore the structure. A challenge grant was received from the Jeffris Foundation for $143,000.00. As long as the Stone Barn Committee raises  the other 2/3 needed ($287,000.00) by June 30, 2012, they will be able to keep the grant money.  Jeffris is a descendent of the Parker pen family. He concentrates in rural areas and only on unique and significant structures.  A second grant is available for the park from the State of Wisconsin in the amount of $100,000.00. To receive that one, they  need to raise $300,000.00. That money will be used for landscaping, walking paths and park benches. Money raised for the Jeffris Grant can count towards the state grant.  The hope is to create a rustic museum showing the life of our early settlers. Various events could be held such as barn dances and school tours.  The barn has been mentioned in Wisconsin State Farmer, Farm & Ranch Living, Good Morning America, Green Bay Press Gazette and the Pulaski News. This is a national effort and they have received donations from Ohio and Iowa.  Various naming opportunities are available.  The Town of Chase Annual Picnic is set for June 26^th. On August 28^th,  a tractor event and barn dance will be held. They are looking for volunteers to work those dates as well as items for a raffle.  A group called the Wisconsin Barn Preservation would like to use the Stone Barn as a model for other barn preservations around the state. Kris sees this as a way to bring communities together. Their website is www.townofchase.org

Larry Szymanski asked if the Brown Co Historical Society would have ideas of who to ask for donations. Chris will check into that. Chris asked what we thought our society could donate. John asked if we have a precedent for donations. Jim said this is a “historical” purpose so we should be involved. We all wrote down an amount we thought should be given. They ranged from $500 to $10,000. We will bring this up at a later date when all board members are present.  If a company is willing to match a donation, the check should be made payable to “Pulaski Area Historical Society” because we are a 501C3 organization.  The Pulaski Area Historical Society has designated a Stone Barn account for such purposes.  So far, $21,000.00 has been raised.

Larry Puzen reported the raffle has been completed. 100 tickets were sold at $1.00/ticket. The amount of money in the bottle was $574.32. The $50 savings bond donated by North Shore Bank was won by Bob Bryfczynski. The $25 gas card was won by a student who goes to Stevens Point and the $15 food card was won by Gloria Krumrai. Larry donated the latter two prizes. Dynamic Design donated the printing of the tickets. The total earned from the raffle was $103.00. Chris will check to see if we need to file a raffle report and thanked Larry for running that event. 

The web site review was reported by Tammy who said it has received 137 hits since its inception. She changed the html coding so when you Google Pulaski history, it shows up on the first page. There is a new photo and a link to the centennial and Stone Barn. When the brochures are finalized, she will add that as well. Anyone who has any old photos or ideas of what should be put on the site, should let her know. That website is: www.pulaskiwihistory.com.

The brochures will be finalized in April when Pat returns.

Marian said we received a painted portrait of Count Pulaski from Pete Kurowski. The painting is from the 1800”s and was given to Pete by a man who owned the cigar store in Pulaski. Her daughter, Claudia, checked into getting it restored and the estimate was between $4000-$5000. She stretched it on her own and it is now ready for framing. Larry Puzen made a motion to have it restored for not more than $125.00. Tammy seconded. Motion carried.

Marian said we need to start thinking about the next newsletter. She suggested including information about the centennial, the Stone Barn and some notes from our president. She was also asked by a high school Spanish teacher if anyone knows someone who could recite the Pledge of Allegiance in Polish. Chris said he will contact his cousin. 

Tammy reported on the Pulaski Centennial. The logo is finalized and will be used in all of the marketing. Gina Sanders is putting together a commemorative booklet. Nsight has volunteered to pay for the majority of the printing. Businesses can place ads and they have had a very nice response. John suggested the PAHS buy an ad in the booklet and Tammy will design one and let us know the cost.  Arlen Thayse is working on the website. It will include a list of events including: April 9^th opening at the Pulaski High School, June 6^th Cemetery tour being chaired by Sue Winter, June 27^th Old Timers Softball game and ice cream social, Polka Days parade, Downtown entertainment for the Farmers’ Market on Aug. 21^st, an old car & tractor show in September and the closing ceremonies in October that will include a dinner.  They are working on souvenirs and if anyone can help, Gloria Morgan would appreciate a call. Tammy said they do have a budget available. She thinks the village gave $10,000.00 for that purpose and she will be sure to tell Keith Chambers to be sure everyone knows it is available. 

For the Open Discussion session, Doris asked if we had ever joined the Chamber of Commerce. Tammy will check with Gloria. Larry Puzen made a motion for us to join. Tammy seconded. Motion carried.

Larry Szymanski then asked how we want to handle our years for tax purposes. It had been done fiscally from Oct. 1 to Sept 30^th but in 2008, Theresa changed it to a calendar year. Marian said that was done because of issues she was having with tax filing. Larry provided us all a copy of an Exemption Application he had found showing that we had applied using a calendar year. Larry will check into this with the IRS to see what would be the best way for us to proceed. He will let us know what he finds out and then it should be added to our by-laws.

Jim Zajac said he has been updating the mailing list but if anyone else wanted to take it over, he would have no objections.  We all felt he is doing a great job and should continue to do so.

Chris mentioned if anyone ever wants to go to a workshop to learn about anything that would help our historical society,  they would be reimbursed for the price of the workshop.

Our next meeting will be March 22, 2010 at 7:00pm in the PACE room of Glenbrook Elementary School.

Norine made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Tammy seconded. Meeting ended at 9:18pm.

Minutes taken by Norine Heuser, recording secretary.