Matthews Musings
The Newsletter of the Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage
Union, Maine
Volume 2, Number 2 November, 2003
President’s Message
I would like to take a moment to look back on our second year as an independent Museum. 2003 was a good year for the Museum. In May, we held our first annual spring clean-up. Throughout the summer visitors commented on how good everything looked. Mark your calendar, today, for a May 8, Second Annual Clean-Up and join us for an hour or two.
This spring we received a grant from MBNA to purchase computer equipment and software and was used by our intern Sara McDermott to inventory much of our large collection. Sara, from Hamilton College, spent two months on this project. A continuation is planned for 2004.
We now have our own website, www.matthewsmuseum.org, which still need lots of development but is well on its way under the generous donation of time and expertise of Joe Veilleux of Connecticut. Joe designed and is host to the site. Drop by and give us your feedback.
Our presence was also obvious at the Union Fair in August where we had our second Matthews Museum/Moxie Bottle Stand booth. Volunteers coordinated by George and Judy Gross sold Moxie, Moxie items and hosted several Moxie events. Wednesday was Moxie Day in Maine as proclaimed by Governor Baldacci.
While we look back on two very good years in the life of the Museum, this is no time to sit back and relax. We need people to join our Board of Directors and help us raise funds, generate publicity, run the Museum and serve as officers. Needed immediately is a secretary to replace Judy Grinnell who has resigned and is serving on an interim basis.
Looking forward, there are many exciting things ahead of us. We hope to be able to construct and open our Moxie Museum building in 2005. Continued work on the inventory and collection will take place. We are planning a Hodge School reunion on June 26, 2004.
We welcome everyone’s ideas and thoughts and I invite you to join us for one of our meetings or come see us at the Museum. Contact may be made through the website or by mail or in person throughout the summer.
All that is left to say is that we would not be able to do what we are doing without generous time donations from our many volunteers. A big thank you to all of you!
I wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and hope to see some new faces at our Board meeting on January 17th.
Ben van der Schaaf, President.
Bottle Stand Update
We currently have more than $20,500.00 in the Moxie Bottle Stand account for the construction of the Moxie Museum Building.
Appeals are going out to major contributors throughout Maine in the next few weeks seeking additional support in our goal of $75,000.00 needed to begin construction. We anticipate construction and dedication in 2005.
Volunteers Needed
As with all community groups, we run entirely with volunteer effort. Your help is needed if we are to continue our tremendous gains in meeting our stated goals of serving the public and acting as a resource to the area and our visitors.
We need people with all types of expertise to run a successful Museum. Everyone can contribute in one or more ways. The more volunteers we have, the less time everyone else has to spend. Whether helping on clean-up day, serving as a guide during the summer, helping on specific projects such as painting and repairs, or serving on the Board of Directors, volunteers do it all and WE NEED YOU!
Annual Meeting Report
The Second Annual Meeting of the Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage was held on Saturday, September 27, in the Hodge School.
Re-elected to serve another two-year term as Vice-President was George Gross. Judy Grinnell announced her intention to resign but consented to serve in an interim role as Secretary until a replacement was found. Judy also volunteered to continue serving as the merchandise representative mailing our items throughout the year.
Reports were made regarding the operation of the Museum, financial status and special events/efforts. The Museum was deemed successful in meeting its objectives for 2003 and plans were discussed for new successes in 2004.
Matthews Museum Brochures
Museum brochures are available on request for placement in local places of business to encourage visitors to seek out and enjoy our Museum.
If you or any one you know could place any of these brochures at their places of business, offices, stores, etc. contact us for the number needed. Further, brochures can be placed in rental cottages, B & B’s, restaurants, information kiosks, or distributed as seen suitable. The more our Museum and its unique items are brought to the attention of area residents and visitors the more visitors we will attract to the Museum.
Contact us by mail by dropping a note to PO Box 582, Union ME 04862 or e-mail mmofmh@hotmail.com to request them.
Moxie/Museum Items Available
Special Moxie related items are still available at Cricket on the Common. Thanks to Gary Sukeforth there is a Moxie corner at the shop. Buy Matthews Museum t-shirts, caps and signs and support our on-going fundraising effort for the Moxie Bottle Stand Project.
Purchase gifts and holiday presents supporting the Museum while making your shopping easy.
Shop by Mail, too!
All of the Museum items available for sale may be ordered by mail, also.
Shipment is made the day after the order is received with payment and only nominal shipping charges are added. Items available may be viewed on the matthewsmuseum.org website and an order form may be printed as well. Checks must be made payable to Matthews Museum and accompany the order. Allow at least two weeks for your order to arrive.
Items currently available include both white and orange t-shirts with black print, both orange and black caps, tin and steel signs, refrigerator magnets, Cat’s Meow Moxiemobile pieces and sew-on patches.
All proceeds benefit the Moxie Bottle Stand fund raising effort.
Yankee Magazine Community Partner Update
Yankee Magazine subscriptions make good gifts and each new subscription or renewal on the enclosed card provides an $8.00 donation from Yankee to the Moxie Bottle Stand Project.
You MUST use one of the special cards available in this Newsletter or from the Museum by writing and requesting them. Remember to use one of the special cards or prominently mark your renewal with our special order number, CBB5FIX , and note that you wish to support the Matthews Museum.
Yankee makes a great gift. Ask your doctor or dentist to subscribe, too. When done on one of the cards, an $8 gift goes to the Museum for each subscription.
Memorial Donations
The following Memorial Donations were made during the current operating year. These contributions go a long way in helping to improve the Museum.
In Memory of
John K. Koob by George Gross
Dear Friend, Professional Colleague, Respected Collaborator
Esten C. Soule by June Grierson
In Celebration of
Virginia M. Gross, Birthday
Remember a loved one or honor someone special by making a special contribution to the Museum in their Memory/Honor. A permanent memory book will be on display in the Museum.
Business Members
Business Members for 2003-4 are:
Hallowell Printing
Pioneer Grange
Damariscotta Bank and Trust
Our special thanks to these supporters of the Museum and its programs.
Other businesses have given of their time and resources, too. The Damariscotta Bank and Trust and the Camden National Bank, both in Union, have helped us with our mailing costs. The Common Market helped us by receiving Moxie shipments. Hammond Tractor has made a donation.
The Constitution provides for a special class of Museum support in the form of a Business Member. This annual fee of $25 provides 25 free passes to visit the Museum during the year. The passes may be used by employees, family members or customers. The cards should be presented at the door.
Educational Outreach
One of the major goals for the Museum is educational outreach. Local school groups are encouraged to take field trips to the Museum while studying relevant topics of Maine culture and heritage.
A special field trip is planned for September bringing local students to the Museum to learn about Maine Heritage. Encourage your schools to utilize this unique facility for their studies, too.
If your school might be interested in running a field trip to the Museum contact us at P.O. Box 582, Union ME 04862 c/o Irene Hawes.
Museum Wish List
By Irene Hawes and Archie Mitchell
The Museum displays hundreds of items of Maine Heritage and History. The day to day operation of the Museum relies on the generosity of the public and members. From time to time certain items are needed to make operations run more smoothly.
scrape and paint porches
6 mannequins, 2 male, 2 female, 2 children
paint shutters, during winter
paint and re-glaze windows in Museum building
scrape and paint Hodge School
install electric sub-panel to Hodge School and wire for lights
repair door sills
Needed:
Pre 1954 items for the Hodge School
Dues Renewals Making Progress
Dues may now be paid for the up-coming year, 2004. In order to save expenses of postage and printing a renewal form is attached to this Matthews Musings for your use. Please renew your annual membership and consider an additional donation to help us continue our growth efforts. A mailing will go out later in the year to those who have not already renewed their memberships. Mail your dues and the enclosed form to the Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage, PO Box 582, Union ME 04862
If you have already renewed for 2003-4 your address label has been marked with an ’04 to indicate this. If there is no number on your label you should pay your dues as soon as possible so we may begin to plan our special budgeting for projects to be completed this year.
Life Members
LIFE MEMBERS: (*) New since last issue
*Janice Harriman
*Lois M. Hart
*Martha N. Keraviouri
*Mary McEdwards
*Bruce A. White
David and Harriet Carroll
John and Nancy deWilde
Annie R. Eldridge
George and Barbara Fang
Josephine Hart
Muriel Heath
Don and Clara McEdward
Archie Mitchell
Maryann Mitchell
Barbara Payson
Richard Roy
George R. Gross
Judy Gross
R. Bliss Fuller, Jr.
Ben van der Schaaf
Mary Olson
Lee D. Webb
Ralph Blackington, Jr.
Life membership in the Museum has been set at $100 per person/family. This one time fee entitles you to all privileges of membership for life including free attendance at the museum and all special programs.
Curator Corner
Archie Mitchell informs us of the following:
If interested, or you know someone who might be interested in serving as an intern for the 2004 summer months, contact Irene Hawes or Archie Mitchell by mail at the Museum, P.O. Box 582, Union ME 04862
Hodge School News
Mark your calendar for a Hodge School – One-room School House Reunion. People who attended the Hodge School or a similar school should be invited to a reception on Saturday, June 26, 2004, 1-3 PM, to reunite or revisit memories of their experiences with others who had similar schooling and to share them with those who never had such experiences.
We hope a significant number of Hodge School graduates will be able to be located and willing to participate. If you know anyone who attended Hodge School or one of the many other one-room schools throughout Maine, inform them and watch for further details.
Especially interesting would be items from the school such as photos of classes/classmates, happenings at the school, notebooks, projects made, etc. to put on display that day. Persons unable to attend due to location or other reasons may submit items for a memory book/scrapbook to be prepared.
Contributions Mounting for Moxie Museum
Contributions are mounting for the Moxie Bottle Stand Building Project. Major contributions through November, are as listed below:
BENEFACTOR - $1000
Will Markey, Jr.
Mel Ellis
New England Moxie Congress
Merrill Lewis
SUPPORTER - $500
Kurt D. Kabelac and Penelope Evans
CONTRIBUTOR - $250
Millyard Museum, Manchester NH
Ralph Blackington, Jr.
William H. Blake
DONOR - $100
Harry V. Meinzer, Jr.
Hammond Tractor Co.
Patricia E. Oski, Memorial
Wayne Gebhardt
Jen Svihra Maksel, Memorial for Edward Svihra
L.F. McManus Co.
Damariscotta Bank and Trust Co.
Don and Clara McEdward
If you would like to make a tax deductible contribution please use the enclosed Capital Campaign brochure.
Board of Directors
The following people serve on the Board of the Museum.
Ben van der Schaaf, President
George R. Gross, Vice-President
Judy Grinnell, Interim Secretary, Membership and Sales
Judy Gross
Dick Tracy
Janice Harriman
Gay Bogard, Treasurer
Archie Mitchell, Curator
Irene Hawes, Curator
Isabel Abbot
Dave Shaub
Julia Hunter
John Crabtree, Fair Committee
Bruce White
________________________________________________
Membership Renewal Form for 2004
Membership dues are payable for 2004 beginning October 1, 2003. Please renew your membership early so financial planning is made easier and projects and improvements may be in place before the Museum opens next July.
If an ’04 appears on your address label you have already renewed for ‘03-’04. Thank you!
$ 5.00 IndividualNAME
ADDRESS
CITY STATE ZIP
PHONE E-MAIL$___________Donation to Musuem
$___________Donation to Hodge School
$___________Donation to Moxie Bottle Stand
Thank you in advance for your prompt response.
Mail to: Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage, PO Box 582, Union ME 04862
SHARE THIS WITH A NEIGHBOR OR FRIEND
GIVE A GIFT MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION:
Please pass this form on to a neighbor or friend who might be interested in becoming a member of the Museum. Better yet, use it to give a gift membership to someone. Feel free to make copies!
The Matthews Museum Of Maine Heritage
needs your support to develop new programs and to maintain and expand its current collections and services.
You are invited to become a member of the Museum and help with these goals.
The Matthews Museum currently houses thousands of items of Maine culture, history and agriculture. The Museum is open to the public 12 to 5 PM during July and August and by appointment in June and September. You can help the Museum in several ways. Please consider the list below and return this form to The Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage, PO Box 582, Union ME 04862.
__ I would consider making a contribution of Maine Heritage
__ I would like to make a tax exempt donation to help develop new programs and facilities
__ I would like to join the Museum -- $5.00 per person yearly($10 per family)
__ I would like to become a life member of the Museum -- $100.
__ I would like to join as a Business Member -- $25. annually (25 admission passes for employees and
families)
__ I would like to volunteer at the Museum during the months and times listed
__ I would be willing to serve the Museum in the following way(s)
.__________________________________________________________
Tax deductible memorials and tributes in any amount are always a way to recognize someone special in your life. The Museum is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.
NAME_________________________________________________________
ADDRESS______________________________________________________
.______________________________________________________________
PHONE______________________________E-MAIL___________________
Please make checks payable and mail to: Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage, POBox 582, Union ME 04862.
Thank you for your membership and interest in the Museum.
Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage
P.O. Box 582
Union, ME 04862
If you do not have an ’04 on your address label your membership dues are payable now. Thank you!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR CLEAN-UP DAY 5/8 – HODGE SCHOOL REUNION 6/26