ANDERSON ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Board of Directors meeting

August 13, 2025

Call to Order and Verification of Quorum: 7:01

Adoption of Agenda -approved

Approval of Last Month’s minutes: approved

Members Present: Bob Bedoll, Rick Anderson, Lee Ann Whitaker, Carol Paschal, Jon Field, Serena Frank, Todd Billett

Guests: Brian and Cassandra Castellion

President’s Report- Bob Bedoll

Treasurer and Operations and President Search- No report.

New signs have been installed and are being printed for inside the barn.

AIHS 50th Anniversary Celebration- Detailed report on slide. More than 100 members attended over the expected number. Cost was $3000.

Weekly event planning meetings for upcoming events started this Wed at 11:00. The first one is to plan the Island Bands concert this Saturday.

Apple Squeeze Date: Gus recommends 20th or 27th.

Members tentatively agreed on 9/20.

Membership online registration: An automatic renewal option to online membership applications will be added. The website form was displayed.

Bandstand Cover: Ed sent regrets re: mtg attendance. Tanner Electric is removing some poles. Ed suggested we ask them to install poles near the bandstand that could accept fabric, providing an impermanent cover. Members agreed to pursue this idea.

Vice President’s/ Ways and Means Report – Carol Paschal

Gardens and Garden Market: If electricity is off, greenhouse plants can die within about 45”. Val Oppenheim or Carol needs to know immediately. Bob recommended the purchase of a UPS backup battery for the timer. Carol will follow up.

Tax Return: Carol needs Board members’ weekly average of hours.

Some GFI’s between greenhouse and orchard need work. Bob is planning a remedy.

Carol gave Billy McAlaine information for insurance requirements to rent the Coop 2 kitchen for mushrooms. Billy is moving forward.

Carol requests a bigger (1 ½ horsepower) water pump in anticipation of the new orchard.

Insurance: if an event is sponsored by another group, we need to advise them re: insurance. Certain events need their sponsor to get event insurance. Especially high risk. Carol is tasked to define who and what type of events need this.

Treasurers Report -Todd Billett

Profit and Loss – as displayed. July is always the biggest income month.

Balance Sheet- Displayed, Net income is $25,000.

Museum Store – Leslie lamb, Virginia Cummings –

July Profit and Loss for gift shop as displayed

Financials

Archives – Rick Anderson

Antique (Heritage) Orchard: Rick has requested owners of other heritage trees to become involved. Each tree will be identified by DNA and have ID signs. We should consider plans for use of the apples. First apples may not appear for up to 8 years.

Steilacoom Historic Museum Association (SHMA) is doing an exhibition of storytelling by quilts and would like to borrow some of ours. They will visit and lunch with us.

Archival Report: Marty Sandbeck, related to island pioneers, has a hay wagon, used on the island. He has been restoring it and wants to donate it.

A wall hanging by B’Mae Anderson is available. Rick told donor it may not fit, but perhaps can be displayed in Gift shop.

Received back the photos from the previous photo contest from Lisa Elliott. Some are missing from current wall. Nancy Fitzgerald and Penne may have information.

Community Services and Events -Serena Frank

Apple Squeeze: two leaders (hot dogs and bake sales) are needed. Carol reminded her volunteers are needed for the Apple Squeeze functions, as well.

This week’s band concert setup is still needed.

Cowlitz Portage presentation for August 28th. Rick encouraged members to encourage attendance by islanders.

Public Information – Jon Field

Sounder-ready for this month

Membership: currently 321 members for 2025. (244 paid, 75 life. A big boost from the anniversary celebration.

Loan of items: since things have gone missing, Jon drafted a contract for loans, including necessary approval of the board. He presented the form to the members. Bob will meet with Jon to reconcile the policy written in 2008 that supports Jon’s contract.

Salmon Bake poster (a smaller print) has been framed to present to the artist.

Education -Lee Ann Whitaker

Potluck programs- Oct. Natalie Bates re: Nisqually Land Trust.

Ray Mohr suggested Dick Throm share some of his stories in September. Dick will respond.

LeeAnn asked for ideas for future lectures:

Parade: The Anniversary Banner will be available to lead Dave Hummel. Discussion involved who would carry the banner. Conclusion is that members (“we”) should carry the banner.

Dave Hummel is working on the Model T. Budget for repairs was discussed. Rick moved, Bob seconded the motion that we approve up to $750.

Docent Report- a new docent was trained Sunday.

Operations and Facilities- Bob Acting

Orchard- watering was discussed. Val and Jim have adjusted the timers.

Display walk-in gates are slow to completion, but beautifully crafted by Tim Brown.

Coop 2 rear stairs- Lois Scholl nearly done, including new treads.

Exterior stain starting with Coop 1. Rick Stockstad asked for input re: choice of stains. Bob displayed colors on the screen. It seems the members prefer the darker grey.

Testing of well water. Rick will take on that task in preparation for the Disaster Preparedness.

Greenhouse tables have been strengthened; Carol and Val will define more work needed.

Nelson Corner reader board – Bob said Jim suggested a rebuild.

Greenhouse electrical ground. Bob will address this.

Restroom Faucets in both AB bathrooms need work to stop running, due to worn parts. Work has started. Parts have been ordered.

Sawmill- Phil Lutz is proceeding with a long-term project.

Tables (five of six tables) and tent have been repaired.

Gift shop sign-near South entrance needs repair.

Double door to back of AB needs work for security.

Display cases need two lights replaced.

Front door mat very worn. Jon is authorized to acquire a new mat.

We need six new tablecloths 50 x 108 cloth white.

Archival Building -Ed Stephenson

Archival Building Status

Secretary’s Report -Sally Buchanan

Monthly Task List. It was reported that at the CPR refresher recently, concerns were expressed re: the AED. Sally will discuss with Aarron Reynolds.

Newsletter- due in the fall, likely October. Rick’s address at the Anniversary celebration will be included.

Reorganize records in file cabinet in the library. Sally will reorganize/move files to lateral file cabinet in the library.

New Business and Member Open Forum

Rick shared more information re: the regional Native Canoe journey (50-75 canoes) to come to shore in summer of 2026. Rick suggested an opportunity to host the 500 or so persons at the farm overnight. Perhaps the tribes will provide their own salmon. Rick sees this as a financial fund-raising commitment, up to $10.000. He was supported for additional research to discern the viability of such a project and a concrete proposal.

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sally Buchanan