September, 2008 Newsletter

August 14th, 2008 Meeting at Potosi Brewing Company

Despite the rain (and 2 wrong turns on my part) we eventually found the Potosi Brewing Company. In addition to the brew pub and restaurant, the facility also hosts the Potosi Brewing Company Transportation Museum and the National Brewery Museum.

Just inside the main entrance, there was a short video presentation about the history of the brewery. For the computer literate, there was also a computer guide highlighting the different sights along the Old River Road (on which the brewery sits).

To the right is the Transportation Museum. It held examples of how transportation changed the distribution of beer over the brewery’s 120 year history. (They even had a paddlewheel boat at one point.)

Finally, the National Brewery Museum spans 3 floors of the building. Potosi won their bid to host this museum over several other cities including St Louis and Milwaukee! They have a rotating display of various beer-related items: old beer cans and bottles, advertisements, old trays, steins, and old brewing equipment. I think the least politically correct display was the old advertisements that featured children. Not PC, but funny nonetheless.

If you missed the meeting, I highly recommend the trip. The museums are interesting and the food was wonderful. See www.potosibrewery.com for more info.

New Officers approved

The following slate of officers was presented and approved:
President – Diane Schulz
Vice President – Paul Opperman
Treasurer – Dale Knipschield
Secretary – Paula Connors

House Tour Chairs – Gwen Kosel & Jan Oswald
Grant Committee Chair – Cinda Welu
Social Committee Chair – Phyllis Lee
Web Page Guru – John Martin

Treasury Status

Dale was not able to attend the meeting. The last I heard, our balance was $7158.

Committee Reports

ByLaws

no update

House Tour/Donations

As mentioned above, we have two fearless leaders for the Old House Tour: Gwen Kosel and Jan Oswald! Thank you, thank you, thank you! We also have numerous volunteers that have signed up in support roles. I’ll try to have an update in next month’s newsletter.

Web Site

no update

Grants

Lynda Derks gave a short presentation about the National Czech & Slovak Museum in Cedar Rapids. They had 2 buildings damaged in the flood. (See www.ncsml.org for photos.) We discussed giving them a grant to help them rebuild. The dollar amounts ranged from $100 to $1000, but we didn’t want to make that big a commitment without our fearless Treasurer’s approval. Cinda is going to meet with Dale before our next meeting to make a recommendation.
- We had a nice write-up in the TH a few weeks back (Sunday, Aug 3) about our grant to the Library.

New Business

Officer Elections

See above

Future Meetings

Our next meeting is at 6pm Sept. 11 in the Indian Room at Eagle Point Park. We will have a presentation (speaker is still being arranged as of this printing). We’re also having a cozy fire in the fireplace.
It’s a pot-luck picnic. So bring a dish to pass and beverage of your choice.
NOTE: This is a normal business meeting, not a family picnic.

Jean & Derald Schobilgen will host the October meeting is scheduled for October 9 at their home (971 W. 3rd Street, Dubuque).

Jackie Arnold is hosting the November meeting at her house (1203 Grove Terrace, DBQ) on November 13.

Finally, Gwen Kosel has agreed to host our Christmas party this year at her new house. More details to follow.

Other new business

Four Mounds Fundraiser – Four Mounds is hosting an Antique Appraisal & Arts Affair on Saturday, Sept 13 10am-5pm. They are celebrating 100 years at Four Mounds with various artists, antique appraisals, music, food, and fun. More info at Four Mounds

Rumor update – Remember last month’s teaser from Tom Welu? The brick building on the 5-points corner is rumored to be moved instead of flattened to make way for the new Walgreens. He was unwilling to go public then about the proposed location. However, at a neighborhood association meeting last month, Cindy Steinhauser (Assistant City Manager) confirmed that the building will be moved to Main Street in the parking lot next to the old Betty Jane’s. That’s a step in the right direction – pulling down parking lots for old buildings instead of the other way around!