June 17, 2008
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
MEETING NOTICE
NEW BLOOMFIELD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
THURSDAY, July 24, 2008 (4th Thursday of Month)
NB AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY BUILDING!
Dear Members,
I know you receive many long letters from me regarding the Historical Society, but I have always believed it was of great importance to share information with those who are supporting our efforts. We have some big decisions to make, so I hope you will take a moment to read this.
About a week ago, members of the Executive Committee met to discuss our financial situation. We spent several hours compiling a list of our expenses to date, items donated, items still needed and what we will need on a monthly basis. The spread sheet is enclosed.
First of all, many, many hours of volunteer work have been donated by members of the Society. It is very dangerous to start mentioning names, for I will undoubtedly leave someone out! But it is also very important to recognize those who have spent countless hours sharing their expertise so that we could complete the building project.
On SUNDAY, JULY 20, AT 12:30 P.M., we will have a carry-in dinner to celebrate the grand opening of the Historical Society. At that time I will recognize all those who helped us complete the interior of the building and the landscaping on the outside. Please see the enclosure for more details of this celebration.
And just as importantly, each of you has chosen to support this organization through your membership, gifts and donations. Without you, we would have no building.
It is clear that you believe in this organization and you want it to succeed. I can't begin to tell you the number of people who are astounded at what we have done in just a short two-year time period. Few organizations reach this level of success in such a short timeframe.
Now comes the most difficult part. We have to ask for your help again.
Itemized Financial Statement (click here)
As you will see from the spread sheet I have provided, we still have several major purchases we need to make. We also developed, by estimate, a monthly expense itemization that we believe will be the minimum amount needed to operate.
Please note that the amounts listed are rounded and may differ in reality by a few dollars.
We have spent, to date, approximately $78,250 on the building, the interior and the exterior. This includes money received from memberships, memorials, contributions and in-kind contributions.
I have attempted to recognize those who have contributed specific items and what has been paid from the "general fund." The "general fund" is simply all the money we have received that has not been earmarked for a specific project.
As you will note from the spread sheet, we still have some costly items to purchase. They are as follows:
Ceiling insulation - it was suggested this not be installed until the ceiling had been up for a few months
Rubber baseboard for the entire building
Floor stain - this cost is estimated to be $800
Gravel for the two driveways
Kitchen cabinets - the best priced cabinets we have found are at Lowe's at approximately $850
Shrubs for the front of the building
The monthly expenses are only those things that are required - no fluff in this budget! This is figured to be approximately $218 per month or $2,616 per year.
At the present time, we have approximately $1,500 on hand.
I am working very hard to get the baseboard and gravel donated. If they are not donated, I believe we will be given a very good price on these items.
So as you can see, we have accomplished so very much in the span of two years. In fact, the building has only been up for one year! If we can raise the money for the above listed items in a short period of time, our building will be completed for the July 20 grand opening.
This is a hard time to be asking for more money. Our Executive Committee talked long and hard about the difficulty in sending a letter that asked for more contributions. We understand how gas prices and food prices have affected everyone.
But we are almost there!
So many of you located throughout Missouri and the United States have responded to this Society because you care about our past, our present and our future. And those of you in this area have responded by donating your time and energy to the completion of this building.
We knew at the beginning that we would have expenses, and we committed to meeting them. It was clear two years ago in May 2006 that we were committed to the concept of investing our money with a winner! So we can't stop now.
Will you consider contributing, once again, to the Historical Society? You can make your contribution in memory of a loved one or special friend. I just gave money in honor of two friends for their birthdays. I believe I probably saved money by doing so - no presents, no dinners and no gas for the celebrations!
We have worked very hard to get special donations for the Society. Without mentioning names in this letter, you can simply refer to the spread sheet and see who so graciously made substantial contributions. And most did so without even being asked! They believed in what we were doing and wanted to help.
I am enclosing a return envelope. If you decide you want to help with the monthly expenses we must meet or contribute to the general fund, we would greatly appreciate your generosity. Remember, you can make a contribution to the society in lieu of flowers for a funeral, in memory of a special person or for a special occasion.
If you have any questions, please let me know. Of course, I am unable to "enclose a return address envelope" in this e-mail, so if you choose to help, please simply address it to NBAHS, P. O. Box 132, New Bloomfield, MO 65063!
Thank you for all you have done. Whether you're able to attend meetings or not, you have continued to support this society during the past two years. Please consider helping us continue this success!
Most sincerely,
Gracia Yancey Backer, President
P.S. PLEASE SEE OTHER ENCLOSURES FOR IMPORTANT DATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS!
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR TWO VERY IMPORTANT EVENTS!
"CELEBRATE AMERICA"
Saturday, June 28
Parade 4:00 p.m.
New Bloomfield Area Civic Association
Mutton/pork steak dinner 5:00 - ? sponsored by the New Bloomfield Lions Club
Cake and ice cream sponsored by the
New Bloomfield Area Historical Society
Recognition of our veterans 5:30 p.m.
Live music by Rose Spencer and "Posse" 6:00 p.m.
All veterans should meet at the Lions Club Field at 3:30. Trailers for the parade will be provided.
Members of the historical society are asked to donate cakes for the cake walk and ice cream social. Please contact joyce ausfahl (642-6005) if you are willing to make a cake!
GRAND OPENING OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY!
SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2008, 12:30 P.M.
A carry-in dinner will be held on Sunday, July 20, at 12:30 p.m. at the historical society. Meat, drinks and dinnerware will be provided. Please plan on attending this great celebration. A speaker has not been confirmed as of this date, but we will have a great one! If you can, please bring a folding chair. We will have to bring tables and chairs from surrounding churches for the dinner, but we may need more than are available! More information will follow in the July newsletter! Mark your calendar!
We hope to make some money when we sell cake and ice cream at the event sponsored by the Civic Association. The Lions Club has graciously allowed us to use their facilities and we will serve ice cream and cake after folks eat their delicious NB Lions Club mutton and pork steaks!
We also plan to have a cake walk. If we have enough cakes donated, we will have 20 people at $1.00 per person walk for a cake. We need a lot of cakes!
Joyce Ausfahl is chair of this project. Please call her and let her know if you can help. She has worked very hard to contact as many people as possible, but sometimes that is a project all in itself! She would appreciate your help!
Hopefully we will also have a float in the parade! We haven't gotten that far yet in our plans, but look for us at 3:30 at the Lions Field.
The parade will begin and end at the same place so that everyone will stay that participated in the parade!
Surely it won't rain that day!
SEE PICTURES OF THE BUILDING'S PROGRESS! (Click Here)
E-MAIL INFORMATION
If you are getting this by US mail and have an e-mail address which you access often, please consider sharing it with us. Postage is expensive but certainly necessary to keep in touch with all our great members. If you have e-mail, please send it to me at ltgovbacker@aol.com (Gracia).
CONTRIBUTIONS
We are very pleased to report that contributions to the building fund continue to be received. We have also received contributions as memorials for family members and friends who have recently passed away. This is a wonderful way to remember them and will be noted in our Memorial Book which has been ordered.
PLEASE (Click here) FOR MORE INFORMATION
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