January, 2009

The President's Message from Glynn Marsh

This past year has been a momentous one for a the Society. We have taken a huge step forward by purcbasing our own building which is now operating as the RTHS History Center. I want to start off this new year by thanking each and every member who has helped make the dream a reality, especially those members who served on the Board of Directors. Some have stepped aside to let others serve in 2009, so I want to recognize Loren Butterbaugh and William Gustin. each of whom served multiple tenm on the board and always worked
hard on behalf of the Society. Caroline Bergman will wear a new hat in 2009, moving from Corresponding Secretary to a one-year term on the newly expanded Board We also want to welcome three new members: William Gothard, Robert Lodge and Richard Weimer. These names will be familiar to
many of you since they have helped out the Society through the years at festivals and other social events. Now they want to take a more visible and active role as the Society matures and takes a more prominent place in the community.

As I look bock on 2008, I amazed at the things we, as a group, have accomplished. We began the year marking the 10th anniversary of Clayton with two special programs in March and April which formed the basis of our is most recent publication, "Mem>ries of Clayton." After taking possession of our building in late April, we moved the Society's archives and collections from the Ward Center, then organized them in new settings, and held a grand opening in July. This was followed with many work details to replace doors, do exterior
painting, keep the grass mowed, bills paid, etc. Somehow we also managed to mount a fund raising drive which has enabled us to collect over $38,000, plus pledges for another $2O,000 toward our ultimate goal of $l00,000. We were successful in getting a grant from Vectren Energy for $6,800 to cover the cost of protective Gothic arch Storm windows (they have yet to be installed because of manufacturer's design error). We also set up our hiStory tent at the Englewood Festival, and held a carry-in potluck to celebrate the Society's 10th anniversary.
Later in the year, we participated in the Aullwood Audubon Center's Holiday Shop-Arouod, and Sue Cummings gave a special quilt lecture and book signing. Both later events served as fund raisers for the Society.

Now as we look ahead to 2009, we will have to work even harder to make the History Center an indispensable part of the community .We have the support of all three cities and the Northmont School District. We want to ensure that their trust has not been misplaced. We need for everyone to step up and volunteer their time and energy to keep the Center running and vital, Our focus this year will be Randolph and Northmont Schools, since Northmont is celebrating its 5Oth anniversary in 2009. The Society will present three public programs in February, March and April, which will cover the 2OO-year history of local schools - from the days of one-room country schools, through two consolidations, and into the current times. Could there be another history booklet on the horizon?