July, 2010 Newsletter
Old House Enthusiasts meeting June 10, 2010
For our July meeting we took a short road-trip to Bob and Diann Marsh’s home on Park Ave. in Galena. The home was built as a Victorian in 1870, but in 1918 the owner decided he’d prefer a Craftsman style home instead. The home was added to and the original marble fireplace was removed and replaced with a large brick and tile one. When the Marshes purchased the home about 12 years ago, it had been subjected to some unfortunate decorating (mustard walls and red-painted woodwork, anyone?). Since then they’ve re-done the entire house completing most of the work themselves. Although Bob and Diann still say there’s more work to be done (isn’t there always?), they’ve done a beautiful job restoring their home.
Business meeting
President Diane Schulz called the meeting to order at 7:30pm – thanking our hosts, the Marshes, and everyone who brought treats.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Dale Knipschield passed the membership list around and asked everyone to confirm addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. He also passed around a copy of your income and expenses since January. Our current balance (including our grants awarded) is $6470.61.
Grants
Meg Wall-Wild reported that the Grant Committee will be reviewing the grant making process over then next few months and accessing whether there should be any changes. Meg has taken photos of the Ham House work. Kay will be writing a letter to the editor for the TH letting everyone know about the grants we awarded this year.
Membership
Membership chair Cinda Welu asked for the newsletter email list so she can use it to recruit more members.
House Tour
Co-chair Kay Kluseman reported that the tour homeowners have all received their stipends and ink drawings of their homes. We’re looking for Tour committee members for next year. If you’d like to be involved in the planning, contact Kay or Diane Schulz. The committee will be looking at different possible neighborhoods for next year’s Tour. The Broadway area has been suggested, but others are being evaluated as well. Kay also reminded us that next year will be our 25th House Tour!
Preservation
Karen Vandermillen noted that an old gas station at Grandview Ave and Hwy 52 was turned into a park after the owners donated it to the city. The Questers club has donated a bench for the park. Dick Vorwald said the Bee Branch demolitions are going forward. There are some older homes with great architectural elements coming down. He says that member Vance DeLire is involved to save some of these elements . John Martin mentioned that some of the “Bull Durham” signs painted on older buildings are fading. If you are interested in saving these, you should talk to your city council members. He also noted that the A. J. Speigel condos on the bluff overlooking the E Dubuque bridge seems to be at a standstill and wondered whether the city could make an offer for the land and turn it into a park. (There’s since been a TH article stating that the project is moving forward again.)
Website
Diane Schulz asked for an update on adding the St. Mary’s complex to our Endangered Dubuque page. John needs pictures and content before he can post them. Dick will provide these.
Social
no report.
Old Business
no old business.
New Business
Diane Schulz reported that the Nominating Committee had met once and is still looking to have the election of officers at the August meeting.
Future Meetings & Events
August 12 at 7pm – Lynn Decker home – 1389 W. 3rd
We’ll have a board meeting at 6pm with the regular meeting beginning at 7pm. Come and see this restoration-in-progress. Treats by Meg Wall-Wild, Bruce Oestreich and Paula Connors.
September 9 at 7pm – Ham House – 2241 Lincoln Ave
Treats by Diane Schulz and Frank & Cindy Kraus. (We would like 1 more treat volunteer.)
October 14 at 7pm – Kay Halco & Robert Carter home – 506 Clarke Dr
Treats anyone???