His tor ical Society of the Town of Clar ence
A Ransom Note Volume 15 Issue 4
Fall 2015
President’s Message
Board of Trustees Thomas A. Steffan, President Doug Kohler, Vice Pres. Joan Woodward, Secretary Sandy Larkin, Treasurer Daniel Gamin David Hormell Howard Payne Jon Rothenmeyer Donna Wannamaker Board Meetings Thursday Nov. 5, 2015 Thursday Dec. 3, 2015
In This Issue President’s Message
La Familia. The Pope set an example for us all on his trip to the United States, that we have to care for our families, for our grandparents and our children, specifically, and for all of those in society that suffer because money, speed and greed leave them at the margins. How can we spread the papal message at the Historical Society?
because a family is made up of diverse individuals with a common bond. We all love history, and need differing opinions to stretch out our sometimes myopic view of the world. On a more positive note, we now have an Ethics Code for our Board. Let it be a beacon in the murky night. Also, as we move forward, let us recognize the work of our former employees and trustees, which is reflected in the papers, objects, and images of the people of Clarence which have been selected for viewing and study in our archives. Even as we differ on policy, I ask for your forgiveness. Pray for me, as the Pope advises.
I can start with an apology. I want to apologize to any individual whom I have cast aside in my march forward for this organization. I am sorry that I haven’t found a good place for their talent and experience. I am sorry that feelings have been hurt. I still want all Thomas A. Steffan of our Society members in my family,
November Program Thank you! Winter Hours History Your Passion? Volunteers Wanted Harvest Time Elaine’s Picks Back Page Photo
Amelia Earhart Presentation Clarence Historical Society is pleased to present Greg Kinal on Amelia Earhart. This free family program will be held on Tuesday November 10, 2015 at the Town Park Clubhouse located at 10405 Main
Street. The doors open at 6:30 PM and the presentation will begin at 7:00 PM. Refreshments served before and after the program.
Join us as this popular speaker talks about one of the great mysteries of the 20th century. For more information, please call the museum at 759-8575.
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A R a n s o m N o te
Volume 15 Issue 4
Thank You! Four very special ladies have stepped down this fall after serving approximately 90 years of combined service to the Historical Society. We wish to acknowledge their outstanding years of contribution. May Coppola has spent over 40 years organizing, cataloging and arranging the thousands of items in our Museum and Genealogy Archives as
well as Curator of the museum and as a Trustee. She built parade floats, dug thru boxes of old newspaper clippings and helped people connect with their roots. Alicia Braaten just stepped down as Curator after 17 years. She cared for all aspects of the museum including exhibits, tours and the care of the building itself.
Caption describing picture or graphic.
Lorna Heim, with her love of history served as President in her 30 years of service. She also volunteered and greeted visitors on museum open hours and tours. Emily Busch stepped down as well in September to pursue her new full time job. The Trustees know it will be hard to fill the empty shoes. These ladies will be greatly missed and we wish them well in their future pursuits.
Winter Hours The Gerber Greatbatch Genealogy Library has changed to winter hours. Effective November 1st, the library will be open on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. Other hours will be by appointment only. If you have a need to visit the library on off hours, please call the library at 759-6123 and leave a message. (We only make local calls.) You
may also email the library at upcoming winter. The reopening clarencenygenealogy@gmail.com. date will be released in the next The museum is closing for the newsletter. If you have any queswinter effective tions or concerns, November 1st please call (716) 759also. We will be The reopening date 8575 and leave a working on upmessage. A trustee dating and rewill be released in will be happy to refreshing the turn your call museum exhibthe next newsletter. promptly. its during the
Is History Your Passion The Historical Society’s 2016 membership drive is beginning! Membership renewal forms will be mailed out with a survey included this time. The Trustees are looking for all members’ input on the society and museum exhibits and
displays. Surveys will also be mailed to all Life Members for their
thoughts. There are over 20,000 items in the society collections of artifacts, photos, documents and family histories. The entire collection is housed between the museum and the Gerber Greatbatch Genealogy Library.
Exciting programs with guest speakers are hosted at the Town Park Clubhouse throughout the year. An annual picnic is held in July for all to attend. We invite everyone to consider being a member of the Historical Society of the Town of Clarence.
Volume 15 Issue 4
A R a n s o m N o te
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Volunteers Wanted seasonal indoor and outdoor decorating; collection management as well as public relations.
Volunteers are invited to love and befriend our Museum. We are blessed to have an attractive building in a nice setting and lots of potential. Please consider joining the “Museum Team.”
For more information please call Joan Woodward at the museum at 759-8575 (please leave a message!) or send an email to Sandy Larkin at clarencehistoricalmuseum@ gmail.com.
You don’t need to be a member of the society. Some volunteer opportunities include working on computers; hands - on with exhibit creation and set up;
Harvest Time on the Farm Fall activity on the farm was a busy time before winter and cold weather began. Every family member had work to do. Many jobs took all day and were carefully pre-planned so that the tools were ready and the weather was calm and temperate. At times neighbors shared their efforts to complete larger jobs.
Large families consumed lots of getting in the wood. Cords of wood food during the long cold months so needed to be stacked and kindling the women and girls would fill their was chopped and kept dry near the ‘larders.’ Root cellars were carefully back door. filled with potatoes, Some of the fall accarrots, parsnips, ruSee photo of the Martin tivities included apple tabagas and such picking, making apFamily on back page crops. Men and boys ple butter and cider, were
charged
with
butchering,
wood
Elaine’s Picks Did you know that George Washington wrote about etiquette?
Speak not when you should hold your peace,
“Let your conversation be without malice or envy.
Walk not on when others stop.
Sleep not when others speak, sit not when others stand,
Cleanse not our teeth with the tablecloth, napkin, fork, or knife but if others do it let It be done
with a ‘picktooth’.
If others talk at table be attentive but not talk with meat in your mouth……..” Full list is at: www.history.org
Hi st ori c a l Soc i e ty of t he Town of Cl a renc e
The Historical Society of the Town of Clarence 10465 Main St. PO Box 86 Clarence, NY 14031
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Clarence, NY PERMIT #17
10465 Main Street PO Box 86 Clarence, New York 14031-0086
Phone:(716) 759-8575 Email:clarencehistoricalmuseum@gmail.com
The Historical Society of the Town of Clarence is a non-profit educational corporation formed to: discover, procure and preserve materials relative to civil, literary and ecclesiastical history; to establish and maintain museums, centers and exhibits of historical memorabilia engage in all manner of historical research, study, exploration, analysis engage in meetings, field trips and joint activities .
We’re on the Web! www.clarencehistory.com
Butchering Hogs—Levi, Abram and Ulysses Martin