Bellefonte Historical and Cultural Association
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
Minutes of Past Meetings
Minutes
Meeting of November 18, 2005
Etcetera, Etc.
107 S. Allegheny St., Bellefonte PA
Present: Romayne Naylor, president; Dave Eggler, treasurer; Donna Rochon; Jack LaFond; Colina Jordan-Seeley; Ralph Seeley; Jim Dunne; Gay Dunne; True Fisher; Rob Fisher; Rick Hirsch; Kitty Wunderly, Arts Administrator.
1. The meeting was called to order by Romayne at 7:17 p.m. Introductions were made. Romayne gave the floor to Rick Hirsch, who wished to address the meeting and had an engagement in State College shortly.
2. Rick introduced himself as the composer of Village Green, In Blue, the Talleyrand Park-inspired jazz work that premiered at the Garman on November 12. He wanted to thank BHCA in person for supporting his proposal for grant money to the Centre County Community Foundation. He also received Local Government Grant monies for the project. He invited comments from the members present. Would there be future performances, perhaps as part of Summer Sounds? Rick said the work can be played in various configurations, a small ensemble will play parts of it at the April 30th Sunday Afternoons at the Library concert.
He said he is eager to do other live performances of the work, and is open to ideas for using the music. Bob Fenichel had suggested that a DVD could be made of Talleyrand Park scenes with Village Green as background music. Jack said this could be used as part of visitor orientation at the Train Station.
Rick was asked if there would be a tape or CD of the concert; he said he did not have the tapes back yet from the concert, to see if they were of reproduction quality. Members were enthusiastic about the possibilities for a CD, which could be sold at the summer concerts and at Victorian Christmas and possibly for other BHCA purposes. Rick urged members with any ideas about future use of Village Green to e-mail him: RickHirsch@aol.com
3. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of October 21, 2005, were presented. Motion by True to approve them as presented; seconded by Dave; unanimously approved.
4. Treasurer’s report (end of webpage): Dave presented his report and noted that the $2,112 designated Performing Arts Fund (approved at the September 16, 2005 meeting) was incorporated into the finances under “Other Administration” income 7/1/05-11/19/05.
Kitty moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report; seconded by Jim; unanimously approved.
5. Arts Administrator’s report: Kitty learned that the arts and crafts show at the high school that usually precedes Victorian Christmas by a few weeks is not being held this year because of the renovation project going on there. This fact may account for some of the additional interest shown by crafters in applying for the VicX show.
Kitty showed an example of the actual cacheted cover that BHCA will be offering for sale at VicX.
The annual fund-raising campaign letter will be mailed most likely during the first week in December.
6. Committee reports:
a. Gallery at the Gamble Mill: Jim said that the show opening in January will feature eight artists, the exhibition is titled “Figure It Out.” The postcard mailing for the show is being developed.
b. Summer Sounds: Kitty said that the committee will be meeting in March 2006 to decide next summer’s program.
c. Film Forum: No report.
d. Sunday Afternoons at the Library: Jim reminded everyone that the Heritage Brass would be playing at the
concert on November 20. Jack asked if the concerts could be expanded by moving them from the Library Museum building to the upper floor in the new courthouse annex. Jim and others noted that the Miller Room venue lends itself to the small, chamber-music effect that the music series traditionally has sought.
e. Victorian Christmas Arts & Crafts Show: True solicited volunteers to help with setup, takedown, and other aspects of the weekend, December 9-11. Jack inquired about the selection process for crafters for the show. True said that this show, unlike for example the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, is more crafts than arts. Low-ticket material sells, high-end does not, and the majority of the crafters are returnees who have a following. In its own way, it is a very successful and popular event.
f. Talleyrand Park Committee: True said the inauguration of the new park benches was a success, major donors Mrs. Decker and Bob Potter (for the Centre County Community Foundation) enjoyed it very much. The photo coverage of the event in the Bellefonte Gazette and Centre Daily Times was passed around.
g. BHCA 30th Anniversary Committee: No report. A few comments were made about the possibility of a picnic, a retrospective of some past BHCA events, a reprise of the Hirsch piece, or ???
5. Old Business
BHCA website: Dave reported that the site is up and running as www.bellefontearts.org, hosted by Centre of the Web.
7. New Business
Big Spring: Some time ago Rob had proposed a dark cover and a fountain for the Spring. BHCA member and new Borough Councilman Paul DeCusati is now in charge of the pump house, Park, and environs. Paul wants to make sure that the Park is taken care of, wants to know about anything that needs done, and is in a position to make things happen. He would like to facilitate the replacement of the current cover on the Spring, which is deteriorating from ultraviolet light. There are many new materials that should be investigated. Let Paul know your feelings about this matter. Romayne said she would like to see the cut stone wall back around the Spring, which would be historically accurate.
8. Next meeting: January 13, 2006, 7 p.m., at Etcetera, etc.
9. Adjournment: Jim moved to adjourn at 9:00 p.m.; seconded by Gay; unanimously approved.