Minutes of the 2001 Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the Great Cranberry Island Historical Society met in the Church on August 8, 2001, with President Wini Smart calling the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.

Secretary Judy Whitney read the minutes of the 2000 Annual Meeting which were accepted as read.  Treasurer Bruce Komusin presented the Treasurer's Report noting a beginning balance of $8,611 with income of $4,399 and expenses of $4,275 through the end of 2000 for a total gain of $124 through December 31, 2000.  Thus far in 2001 income has totaled $5,398 and expenses $3,977 for an increase of $1,421.  Total increase since the Annual Meeting 2000 to date is $1,545 for an ending balance as of today of $10,156.  The Treasurer's Report was accepted as read.

Trustee Charlotte Harlan noted again the house history project and urged participation so that every house on the island be included in the History book on display in the Museum.  Forms are available through the Museum or by contacting Charlotte or Wini.  People were reminded of the ongoing quilt project which is a description of old quilts still housed on the island.

President Wini in her report stated that "we did what we said we would do!"  The newsletter and the brochure have been published and distributed.  The audio-visual program is available for viewing in the Museum.  The video filming project has been started with a tape on "Lobstering with Jr. Bracy" and "Life on Bear Island with Carol Dunbar."  The kid's corner of the Museum is in place.  Three books have been published and are available for sale; the coloring book by Wini and the sketch book by Susan Michalski were available at the Museum Grand Re-Opening on June 28 and the authors were present for booksigning.  "Riding with Tud Bunker" is available for the first time tonight.

Wini noted that the Museum is open six days a week this summer and attendance has been good.  Charlene Allen has staffed the Museum for three to four days with volunteers filling in the other times for which appreciation was expressed by the audience.  The Museum will remain open perhaps three days a week into the fall.  The new exhibit this summer, "The Cranberry Collection," is clothing from the Gay '90s to the Roaring '20s, thanks to Charlotte Harlan, Trudy Bancroft, Judy Whitney, and Gail Colby.  Any pieces of history for loan or gift to the Museum are welcome, especially photos of island personalities for the "Hall of Fame" starting a display in the hall of the Museum.

The Society joined the Maine Archives and Museums and the Island Association of Museums and Historical Societies (on MDI) known as IAMS.  Representatives visited two museums on Swans Island with IAMS to share ideas, and an effort is being made to have interaction and an interloan with other museums in the area.

Plans for next year include a new panel on European Discovery and the Exhibition Display in the entrance room.  More publications including newsletters and brochures are planned as well as additional applications for grants.  The preservation of printed material and the initiation of a filing system are being addressed.  Additions to the AV program are underway in the house history project with Charlotte Harlan, architectural design with Dick Cox, artists and musicians with Naomi McShea, student exchange with Charlotte Harlan, and continuing interviews and editing by Bruce Komusin.  A fundraiser will be held in July and the Annual Meeting again in August 2002.

Nominating Committee Chairman Owen Roberts presented the following slate of officers and trustees who were duly elected:

Current Trustees include Susan White, Bea Weinreich, Charlotte Harlan, Owen Roberts, Robin Richman, Leslie Watson, Debbie Wedge, and Hal Newell.

New committees and project chairs were noted as follows:

The meeting was adjourned and was followed by the Play "Carrie Richardson of Big Cranberry," an original historic play by Wini Smart and Bruce Komusin which was well received by all.  Refreshments followed in the Community Center.

Respectfully submitted
Judy Whitney, Secretary

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