AMITE COUNTY HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
Minutes of January 10, 2008 meeting
(Due to the absence of Secretary Wayne Anderson, Linda Honea Lea took notes from which these minutes were compiled. Thanks to Mrs. Lea for helping. President Oma Gordon’s personal notes relating to the agenda were also used.)
President Oma Gordon called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM in the courtroom of the Amite County courthouse in Liberty, MS. There were 10 attendees. President Oma Gordon asked Jeannine Dixon to open the meeting with prayer.
Glen Huff passed out copies of an outline of the school records that are now deposited in the Little Red Schoolhouse under ACHGS care.
President Gordon stated that, due to the open house in December, there were no minutes to act upon.
President Report: Pres. Gordon reported the following:
· The open house on December 1, 2007, at the Winston Wilkinson house drew a total of 176 guests. The society received $50.00 in donations, $25.00 for postcard sales, $500.00 for sale of WPA books and $110.00 in dues.
· Mrs. Vera Prestridge sent a Thank You card to Mr. Jenne following the open house to thank him for allowing the society to use the venue.
· In addition to a number of locals, there were visitors from New Orleans, Vicksburg, Natchez, Baton Rouge, Hattiesburg, Jackson and McComb at the open house.
· Two descendents of Winston Wilkinson were in attendance.
· The price for official copies of birth or death certificates in Mississippi has gone up to $15.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy. Corrections to vital records by affidavit or court order will cost $25. Forms for records may be obtained at the court house (Sharon Walsh’s office).
VP Report: VP Barron was not present.
Secretary Report: Secy. Wayne Anderson was not present.
Treasurer Report: Treasurer Gay Blalock handed out copies of the Treasurer’s report then covered details verbally as well. The report covered the last calendar quarter of 2007. The balance on hand as of the meeting date was $7828.29. James Allen Causey made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report, Bill Gordon seconded. The report was approved without dissention.
Committee Reports: There were no formal reports. See new business below.
Old business: No one had any items.
New business:
· Mrs. Vera Prestridge thanked everyone who had helped out with the open house.
· Pres. Gordon reported that only 5 sets of the WPA books remain of the original 150 sets.
· Pres. Gordon reported that the shelves in the upstairs of the LRSH have been completed. Melvin Blalock built the shelves; Robert Morgan stained them.
· Pres. Gordon reported that she picked up the remaining school record books on Monday prior to the meeting. There were 16 boxes. The task to unbox the books, sort them alphabetically and by date and file them on the new shelves remains to be done. Volunteers to assist will be appreciated.
· James Allen Causey reported that the Hughes couple is working on the location of the Springhill School.
· Pres. Gordon read a recent letter sent to James Allen Causey by Joseph Hoff.
· Glen Huff reported on the Bicentennial book preparation which he is now overseeing and editing. He mentioned the following details
1. Anyone wanting to submit information for possible inclusion in the book should send it to him.
2. Plan to begin book sales next Christmas.
3. The following additional people will be working on materials collection for the book as well: Sandra Martin (information on historical people and places), Sissy Burris (churches), Anita Campbell (schools) and Hattie Nunnery (history of Liberty). Glen Huff will personally work on arts and literature.
4. Expect that the book will be about 170 pages long.
5. The Board of Supervisors will be called upon for help to clean up cemeteries (a 1972 law allows such work to be done by county workers).
6. Anyone knowing the location of any old stores that existed in the past is asked to provide that information.
· James Allen Causey suggested that the historical committee meet with the Bicentennial Committee.
· David Dreyer reported that PBS will present a documentary on February 4, 2008 at 9:00 pm entitled “A Prince Among Slaves” about an African prince who was a slave in Adams County.
· Mrs. Vera Prestridge announced that the “Look Around Mississippi” segment to be aired on February 7, 2008, will feature the footage shot by Walt Grayson and his crew on their visit to the Little Red Schoolhouse. This brief feature is usually shown during the 5:00 pm and 10:00 pm newscasts on WLBT-TV Channel 3 in Jackson.
Pres. Gordon asked Gay Blalock to dismiss the meeting with prayer. The meeting closed at about 8:00 PM.