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“Welcome to Maine, the way life should
be!” Forty-seven members and guests
arrived at the Atrium “Winner’s Sports Grill” in Brunswick, Maine beneath a
swarm of black flies and mosquitoes.
Get the Deet, let’s eat!
After several days of blustery weather and coastal flooding, we’ve
almost used up all of the “soap on a rope.”
Newcomers
aren’t strangers for long, for Chapter 89 is known for good
hospitality. Everyone had an
opportunity to ponder over the tables of Show N Tell and Silent Auction
items.
The 167th meeting and 37th
year of Maine Chapter 89 got underway at 11:00 a.m. with some NEW faces in
the crowd. During the Welcome Hour,
we caught up on the latest news.
The Business Meeting started around 12:45 PM,
led by President Nan Vance. She
extended a special warm welcome to the membership.
INTRODUCTION:
President Nan Vance announced the resignation of former President
John Hannington. We wish his family
well in Tennessee. She also
announced the installation of Paul Fournier to the post of 1st
Vice President by a confirming vote by the Executive Council.
SPECIAL WELCOME: President Vance welcomed guests Peter and Linda Roberts from
Phippsburg who came seeking answers on their clocks. Special guest Eric Clough, representing
the First Parish Unitarian Church in Kennebunk, came with an interest in
gathering info about the tower clock in their church.
OLD BUSINESS:
Chapter Secretary Ern Grover read the Minutes of the Meeting for our
March 2006 meeting. Treasurer Tom
Vance rendered the Treasurer’s report.
The membership accepted both reports.
NEW BUSINESS:
While By-Laws amendment worksheets were passed around, President
Vance encouraged members to send in their meal reservations in a timely
manner for future meetings.
The Chapter Treasurer is seeking volunteers to
sell 50/50 tickets. Cal Morgan is
requesting assistance for “Information Please.” Chapter 89 has booked the Atrium through 2007 for future
meetings.
Our annual “Lobstah Picnick” would continue at
the Rockport Boat Club. This year’s
menu will be the choice of lobster or filet mignon. Members shall bring in their favorite
covered dish, dessert or soft beverage for the occasion. “My Favorite Ticker” will be a
membership presentation. Member Jim
Lea will conduct a tour of his clock gallery and shop after the conclusion
of the meeting.
Cook and Bottle Washer Ern Grover interjected
with a request for a show of hands for lobster entrée preference. We shall
stay with Lobster in the Rough.
Member Jim Lea will be a featured guest on
“Made in Maine” broadcast by Maine Public Broadcasting on May 25th
and May 27th.
Information will be posted at the Chapter web site.
We solicit your input for future publications
of the Chapter 89 Newsletter.
Contact the Chapter Secretary.
Washburn-Norlands Living History Center has
still not confirmed our participation for June 24th, but the
membership would be notified of the event.
Willowbrook Museum has invited Chapter 89 to
set up a similar clock display and Kid’s Korner at the Sandwich Shoppe
annex on August 26th. All
members are welcome to participate.
MEMBER RECOGNITION: Awards Chair Ern Grover presented an
award to Member Patsy Towle for her years of dedication to keeping the
Chapter photos, newspaper articles and other related documents in
order. Jim Powers received a
special recognition award for his years of dedicated service as Chapter
Treasurer.
BY-LAWS
AMENDMENTS: President Nan Vance
read the proposed amendments to the By-Laws of Chapter 89 as discussed at
the preceding Executive Council Meeting.
After rounds of discussion, President Vance received motions from
the membership. Chapter 89 members
adopted the proposed amendments by a majority vote, to wit:
Article I
Officers - Section 5 Duties of the
Treasurer: [added] Chapter Funds
may also be kept in an interest bearing account in the same bank, with the
amount deposited to this type of account to be determined by a vote of the
Executive Council. This may be
changed on a need basis by a vote of the Executive Council. The Treasurer or President shall be
authorized to make transfers between the two accounts, as approved by a
vote of the Executive Council.
Article I Officers -
Section 6 Duties of the Assistant Treasurer : [added] The Assistant
Treasurer shall act as Treasurer in the event of the Treasurer’s absence or
disability and shall be vested with all the powers and duties vested in the
Treasurer by the Chapter By-Laws.
Article III Executive
Council, Directors and NAWCC Fellows: [added] In
addition, the President of this Chapter shall have the Authority to invite
knowledgeable Chapter members as Non-Voting Advisors to the Council as
deemed necessary and appropriate by a vote of the Council Body.
The Constitution and
By-Laws are presented on the Chapter 89 website and are available for viewing
at each meeting from the Secretary.
SPECIAL
APPOINTMENT: President Vance
announced James Bryant as Non-Voting Advisor to the Executive Council.
SPECIAL
ELECTIONS: President Vance sought
nominations from the floor for the office of 2nd Vice President. Dr. Mark Beever received nomination for
the office of 2nd Vice President. President Vance received a motion to accept the nomination,
the membership seconded and voted in the majority to install Dr. Mark
Beever.
President Vance sought
nominations from the floor for the office of Assistant Treasurer. Robert Laird received nomination for the
office of Assistant Treasurer.
President Vance received a motion to accept the nomination, the
membership seconded and voted in the majority to install Robert Laird.
Raffle
drawing: Patsy
Towle won the $20 draw, and Paul Founier won the $10 draw. Congratulations!
SHOW
N TELL / SILENT AUCTION: dave
Blanchard came to the microphone to report on a floor clock replacement
movement he’d recently installed for a customer. “I like the way it ticks, but the tock reminds me of the
dripping faucet.” Gerry Haviland
asked for some advice on a badly butchered Seth Thomas banjo clock. His customer was blind, had difficulty
winding the clock, and she was on a fixed income. Advice ranged from a quartz replacement to tender loving
care. Quite a few silent auction
items went home with happy members.
Thank you everyone for your participation.
presentation: A motion to adjourn the
meeting was made and seconded, and the members turned their attention to
the presentation, “Antiques Clock Roadshow”. Cal Morgan led off with some good advice on how to purchase
a clock, how to haggle and what to look for in a good clock. Additionally he sent around two
well-composed photo albums of “Butcher Shop” repairs he’d undone during his
many years on the workbench. Then
Nan Vance entered the scene with a French marble clock she pretended to
have purchased. Her fears were
confirmed when “appraiser” Cal Morgan began to pull the clock apart. Both of them kept us in stitches as Cal
pointed out the odd hand arrangement, the butchered mainspring barrel and
all kinds of problems with the trains.
WORKSHOP: Following the
Presentation, President Vance dismissed the membership. The Clock Repair Workshop convened in
the meeting room wing, led by Ern Grover and Ben Crosby. In all, 14 individuals signed up for
Chapter 89’s abbreviated version of the F101 Field Suitcase Workshop. The workshop shall be conducted at the
close of future membership meetings in conjunction with “in-shop
apprenticeship” opportunities.
Invitation:
Come join us at a future meeting.
We’d love to show you some Maine hospitality.
Ern Grover, Chapter 89 Secretary
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