July 23, 2003
Friends of Historic Boonville
614 East Morgan
Boonville, MO
ATTENDING: Gary Bauman, Angie Fountain, Larry McCoig, Carolyn Eichelberger, Maryellen McVicker, Margaret Jackson, Betty W. Bowen, Judy Shields, Bob Dyer, and Art Schneider.
Fundraising: Maryellen McVicker reported $5613 in the Hannah Cole statue fund. Gary Bauman reported that the Boonville Lions Club has just approved $250 towards the Hannah Cole project.
Maryellen also reported having contacted Don Farris for a rock pedestal for the statue. The pedestal rock would be between 18 inches and 24 inches tall and three to four feet wide. Gary Nauman will work with the City of Boonville Public Works director to secure the pedestal rock so that a mold can be made and the Hannah Cole sculpture deigned to fit to the rock pedestal.
Fundraising Discussion led by Bob Dyer: Bob noted that the Isle of Capri has donated $5000 if matched. After the meeting with the Isle he personally made contacts that might net an additional $1700 to $2000. He noted that one person said that she was glad to be finally contacted and asked to donate and was expecting to be contacted earlier.
Bob related that experience to note the importance of contacting people by phone or visiting them personally. He reported that many recalled receiving an earlier letter about donating to the project, but had set the letter aside. He also emphasized that it is important people not receive multiple contacts seeking a contribution.
After the meeting with the isle he contacted 10 individuals, two banks and two businesses seeking support for the project.
He also relayed that some citizens related a need to have a better understanding as to the relationship between the Boonslick Outdoor Arts Project and the Friends of Historic Boonville. (As noted in the mission statement, the outdoor arts project is an effort to encourage collaboration between and with existing 501 c 3 organizations. As such, the project members are not seeking a 501 c 3. The Friends volunteered to serve as a receiving agency for this project because they have been designated as the Missouri Arts Council representative for the area and the project is consistent with the goals of the friends. It is not a Friends’ project, but the fiscal agent for the Hannah Cole effort.)
Bob said his older brother would put up web information about the project to his Boonville alumni.
He also suggested that the fundraising responsibility be under the direction of one person. “This is a project that is good for the community, good for kids, good for the people. Hannah Cole is a visible sign of the area’s history.” He believes the project focus be strongly on the statue and that other possible future projects not begin until this project is successfully completed. He reiterated that personal contact with potential contributors is essential and it is important to have one or two people who can coordinate the fundraising efforts.
Art Schneider raised a question about the status of individual calling and soliciting funds with the state and federal legislation on phone solicitations. Judy Shields said the law does not apply to volunteers.
Judy suggested that a key contact person in a similar professions or businesses, such as law, medicine, dental, retail, etc…be contacted and asked to contact others in that same profession or business. Larry McCoig seconded this approach. He also suggested a widespread community drive for donations at all levels.
It was the suggested that one person contact 30 people and ask each of those 30 people to contact 10 people.
Judy Shields said that the local Wal-Mart store and the Walton Foundation need to be contacted. She shared a humorous story of Sam Walton seeking information on his ancestors in Cooper County and contacting her and later sending her an unsolicited donation. Sam Walton’s grandfather is buried in Cooper County. He arrived in the area before 1820. She also noted that when he came to Boonville to visit the local Wal-Mart store he asked to meet her because of the help that she provided.
Judy suggested that this would be the kind of project that local Wal-Mart employees might want to back. She also noted that Hannah Cole was the first businesswoman in the county.
(It should be noted that Bob Dyer attended the meeting even though scheduled for surgery the next day. He will largely be confined for two weeks following surgery. That is dedication!)
Gary Nauman said he would follow-up contact with one of th businesses initially contacted by Bob.
August 10 Hannah Cole descendants meeting: Carol Eichelberger reported that the descendants of Hannah Cole would be meeting August 10 at the gravesite of Hannah Cole. At 3 p.m. they will dedicate a plaque listing all those buried in the cemetery. All are invited!
Hannah Cole Sculpture Dedication time and date. The first weekend of June 2004 is June 5-6. Heritage Days will be taking place at that time and the Lewis and Clark re-enactors will arrive on June 7 and leave June 8.
Consensus to have the dedication at 1 p.m. June 6 the park at Morgan and Main streets.
Fundraising discussion continued. Art Schneider was asked if he had contacted Fred Epstein of INDEECO. He said he had sent a letter to Mr. Epstein. The project members were told that Mr. Epstein has retired and suggested that a letter be sent to his home and not the business that be founded.
Judy Shield said that she would follow-up the meeting by contacting the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion/VFW.
Art Schneider said he would contact Pat Larson at Days Inn and ask that she also contact the other motel owners/managers. He also said he would contact Bonnie Riley and Jerry Quinlan of Quinlan Real Estate and Mitch and Jackie Leonard of Re-Max.
There was some discussion about contacting the car dealerships, but no follow-up action was taken.
It was suggested a donation box be placed at the Steam and Gas Engine Show the first week of September.
Morgan Street Park Gary Nauman reported that at the public hearing the response was not to name of the park at Morgan Street “Pioneer Park.” Some suggested that some of the figures to be honored there were not pioneers. (At this time only three figures have been discussed: Hannah Cole, Frederick T. Kemper and Walter Williams. Bon noted that all were pioneers-Cole for the founding of Boonville, Kemper as the founder of Kemper School and Williams as the founder of the world’s first Journalism School. Gary said he had also received a suggestion for the name Heritage Park. He said further park name discussion probably would be in September and October.
Art said he had sent an e-mail to the mayor asking what she would think of the name "Historic Morgan Street Park” and that she did not favor this.
Gary said some suggested that the name Morgan Street Park readily identified its location. Other project members did not consider that an issue. The name “Morgan Street Park” does not indicate where on Morgan Street and it would be simple to say “________” Park at the intersection of Main and Morgan streets.
After further discussion about the park suggestion, project consensus to suggest the Heritage Park name. Judy Shield said she would send an e-mail to Gary Nauman requesting the Parks and Recreation Board consider the name “Heritage Park.”
Lighting for sculptures at park Gary Bauman reported he had talked with Butler Supply in Columbia and that the company submitted costs for two types of lighting fixtures to light the proposed statues and fixtures at the park at Morgan Street. Ten fixtures will be required. Each fixture is $288. This does not include installation and wiring. He will contact Jim Hackman to get a price on installation and the needed wiring and so on. He also will check on another supplier.
Ameren UE has a Smartlight program to pay for purchasing and installation of fixtures. Deadline for application is the end of August. Gary will get together with Art Schneider to prepare the proposal. There may be a limitation on submitting this proposal through Friends of Historic Boonville as it once received an Ameren UE. Grant. Gary will contact Ameren UE on this and Art will check with Downtown Boonville Inc. about its serving as the recipient organization. We would know by mid-November if the grant is accepted and receive the funds by December 31, 2003. The funds would need to be used before December 31, 2004.
Cole sculpture and prints. Art Schneider reported that he had visited with Mid-Missouri Printing about Hannah Cole sculpture posters that could be sold. The printing company is interested in donating prints for a fundraiser. Possibly 1,000 prints could be made. Sculptor Harry Weber said that he would be willing to sign and/or personalize salutations on some prints. This possibly could be done at the dedication. The poster could be made from the maquette.
Judy Shields said there have been several poster project efforts in the past and that they have not been successful. Several organizations have had many, many unsold posters and she was concerned that the demand would be insufficient to generate funds toward the sculpture.
Larry McCoig suggested that the project consider tee shirts with the Hannah Cole sculpture. He noted that tee shirts are very popular and that with so many organizations coming to the 2004 Heritage Days-regular Heritage Days supporters, Lewis and Clark re-enactors, and possibly the Cole family reunion-that there may be a particularly strong market for the shorts.
Project member consensus to pursue two avenues:
1) Limited edition prints-perhaps just 50-and no reprints. Suggestions on costs ranged from $15 to $25. It was suggested that Winky Fredrich be contacted about designing a poster. The tee shirt could be made from a photo of the maquette.
2) Pursue sale of Hannah Cole tee shirts in conjunction with the dedication.
Walter Williams Sculpture and prints-Art Schneider said he had send an e-mail to the Journalism School dean last month asking if the school would be interested in photographing the bust of Walter Williams and perhaps have a graphics student design a poster for sale with the Journalists’ Creed. Art suggested that there might be interest in such a print by journalism alumni. While no consensus was reached, this item was left open for discussion pending a response from the journalism dean. Sculptor Sabra Tull Meyer retains rights of reproduction to the bust and is agreeable to a 10% commission if the prints are made.
“Adversity” woodcarving. Robert Bohenstiehl visited with Art by phone. He is making considerable progress on the woodcarving-which is his interpretation of Hannah Cole and the challenges she faced upon arriving in Cooper County. Bob indicated he would have the woodcarving done in time for the Festival of Leaves. As the Cole family reunion is coming up in three weeks, discussion centered on having a picture of the woodcarving--however incomplete-at the August reunion and also to have raffle tickets available for family members wishing to do so. Tickets shall be $2 apiece or six for $10. The Friends has agreed to run off the raffle tickets.
Art will be in contact with Carol Eichelberger beforehand to arrange for tickets and photo to be at the reunion.
The raffle will take place at 4 p.m., October 4 at the Friends of Historic Boonville booth.
Sept. 13 Roast of Mayor. Judy Shields expressed concern that roasts “get out of hand” and that roasters carry issues “too far.” She believes roasts are, in general “in bad taste.” Gary Nauman expressed concern that those with an ax to grind might use the roast to this end.
Larry McCoig suggested a comedy night might be preferable. This would be open to civic and other organizations and individuals. Perhaps skits could be included.
Judy Shields advised members to be ware of other activities that may be going on and that could conflict with a fundraiser. She noted there are many fundraisers that are underway. She suggested that if an event were held that it be in January or February.
A videotape was available of Bob Milne, ragtime pianist, whose agent had sent it to the Friends as an entertainment possibility. Milne has played in Boonville before and has a central Missouri audience. Possible ticket prices were discussed and consensus of perhaps $15 per ticket be the price.
The Boonville area Chamber of Commerce is a partner in the Hannah Cole project and Larry McCoig, chamber representative, was asked to bring to the chamber’s August 5 board meeting a proposal that the chamber sponsor the project in January or February.
Dedication of Walter Williams bronze bust on Sept. 14. Thanks were expressed for the Boonville City Council’s willingness to accept the bust temporarily in front of City Hall in tem for the Sept. 14 dedication and then to move the bust and pedestal to the park at Morgan and Main streets
Gary Nauman reported that the bust would temporarily be located on the west side of the sidewalk entrance to Boonville City Hall.
Considerable discussion was given to the dedication ceremony. Art Schneider said it was his understanding that when Walter Williams was editor of the Boonville Advertiser that it was located in the present site of Taylor Bakery. He was informed that Walter Williams is credited with having planted the two Cypress trees still in front of the building.
Art also reordered that the city administrator and economic developer had been asked about moderate support for a brunch for dignitaries attending and participating in the dedication ceremonies. This was agreeable to the city administrator.
Also some discussion on transportation for some dignitaries as to sites in Walter Williams’ life and to the future location of the bust. Gary Bauman said the city would have seven-passenger van that could be used. This would be to take Mrs. Hulda Kitchen, donor, her guest, dean and guest, others to where Walter Williams grew up, past the current Boonville Daily News office and the park site at Morgan and Main streets.
Discussion as to whom should be invited to the brunch. A this point the following will be invited:
Mrs. Hulda Kitchen and guest
Boonville mayor and spouse
City administrator and guest
City economic developer and guest
Dr. Maryellen McVicker and spouse
Bob Dyer and spouse
Boonville Daly News Publisher Scott Jackson and spouse
Boonville Daily News editor Karen Ratay-Jones and guest
Ted Bliel and spouse
Sculptor Sabra Tull Meyer and spouse
Dedication will be at 2 p.m. in front of City Hall. Gary Nauman said he would provide for a small tent to be used to shade the speakers and donor and sculptor.
The public will be invited to the dedication at 2 p.m. Sept 14. Special invitations to attend the dedication will be extended to:
KWRT radio staff
Boonville Daily News staff
Boonville City Council
Cooper County Commission
Boonville Parks and Recreation Board members
Civic clubs
University of Missouri curators
University of Missouri President Elson Floyd
U. S. Senators Bond and Talent
U.S. Representative Sam Graves
State Senator Jim Mathewson
State Rep. Larry Crawford
TV Channels 8, 13, 17
Columbia Missourian and Tribune
Mayor Blanck will be asked to welcome and serve as emcee for the dedication.
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.