Most Recent Minutes

June 15, 2026

Present: Tracey Howe, David Pierce, Mary Ann Strasser, Dee Crofton, Griff Jones, Alan Jones, Beth & Seth Thomas, AJ Magnan, Mark Obbie, Lisa Moore,

Guests: Lynn Bogart, Sue Forsyth, Chris Bennem, John Holtz, Jeff Liebentritt

Meeting called to order at 6:34 by Pres. Tracey Howe

Announcement: S.B. Supervisor Lisa Moore will present citation awards to several people on July 13 at 6:30 at the S.B. Town Hall, one of whom will be John Holtz for his contributions in starting the History and Mystery book. All are welcome to attend

President’s Report:

· Tracey received MOU from Mark Rayburn and check for $6000 toward second video project

· Tracey got an estimate for $1500 to take down walnut trees at Grange north yard.

· Tracey sold 1859 Seneca County map and small ephemera items for $187

· Tracey will deposit both checks total: $6187

· Beth will send a thank you note

Treasurer’s Report (delivered online): Dave explained our separate accounts (ie: church fund ap) and gave our balances and reported the interest to date that the Vanguard account has accrued. Dave will pay the invoice to FLCC upon receipt after June 30th. Dave acknowledged donations from guest, Sue Forsyth, and read the names of several other donors who have given amounts over $100, all of whom he has sent a thank you letter that identifies their gifts as tax deductible. Dee suggested we make this a standard procedure for all gifts over $250. Several questions about church expenses were answered. Dee moved we accept the report. Alan seconded. Unanimous approval.

History and Mystery Book #2 Presentation: John Holtz and Chris Bennem presented an update on the book which includes: 28 stories and paintings, interwoven artists’ work, and cover, introductory pages, chapter break introductions, conclusion and credits done by Anna Overmoyer. Nancy Napurski will assume copy editor duties for $500. Anna’s fee is $1500. BHHS will have rights to use images to advertise while artists retain copywrite of their images to use on their own projects going forward.John and Chris are willing to front the money for the purchase of 300 books and John is willing to travel to Ohio to the printer to pick up the books to avoid shipping fees. Hardcover books with dust jackets including all fees will be priced at $45. Special signed additions will also be available in limited quantities for $60. All BHHS board members were pleased with the detail and price and Treas. Dave explained the process for moving money to lessen the tax burden on John and Chris. Publishing will hopefully be done for Christmas sales.

Building and Grounds: Seth continues maintenance on Grange bookcase, repairs at Burning Springs, and the gas lines at the Grange which need to be replaced. Currently the gas at the Grange is off. Seth did speak to the bee removal expert who reported no bee activity at the building. Seth needs to repair the corner where he removed the bees last year, but he needs scaffolding and does not want to interfere with the window repair.

We discussed the window repair and the painting needed on the sills. Seth and Beth will contact Glen Albig to get his recommendation for painting the building and get new estimates from painters.

Public Relations:

Mark reported huge numbers for Burning Springs and Freedom Festival which resulted in hundreds of new followers as well as dozens of new email subscribers
Mark’s advertising for the Freedom Festival was the most he had ever done for any of our events and he was especially happy with the number of children that attended on Saturday June 13th. His press releases and calendar postings were used in the Finger Lakes Times and the Penny Saver but not in the D & C until the morning of the vent and not in the Daily Messenger at all. Mark feels his Facebook postings are the most effective.
Mark felt the physical road signs were also worth the investment and reminded board members to retrieve signs for future use.
Mark has created a permanent google Doc to store all of the pictures and videos from Freedom Festival and encouraged us all to upload our pictures and videos once we receive his email link.
Upcoming events September 3 and 5th- bus tours and October dance will be added to our calendar as soon as he receives descriptions from Beth.
Publicity from Finger Lakes Visitor’s Connection and the Ont. Co. Hist Soc. Museum was also helpful and appreciated. Mark thanked them both in recent posts.

Membership Report: Griff has received five new memberships from Freedom Festival

Accessions: None

Programs:

Dave explained the Morgan Chapter of the NYS Archaeological Association’s enthusiasm for excavations at the Codding Mill site and possibly the slaughterhouse if enough BHHS members are interested in participating. The digs will take place in late September as vegetation dies down. Sissie Pipes is encouraging BHHS to pursue a historic District designation for Bristol Center to Burning Springs. Griff will arrange a meeting date for Morgan Chapter members and BHHS board members to discuss the dig.
Beth is sending certificates of appreciation to the owners of the oldest houses in Bristol and Bristol on July 4th
Beth explained the BHHS co-sponsored by-S. Bristol Community Engagement plans for a narrated “History and Mystery”bus tour on Sept. 3rd to tour sites from book one and Sept. 5th tour will include a stop at the scenic overlook for the Ring of Fire. Both tours will begin at the Grange/Arbor Hill for parking and loading with food and drinks at Brew and Brats afterwards.

Beth reported costume dance plans continue for October 17th with band Dirt Turtles reserved. We will need to rent lights and sound equipment. The dance will run from 7:00-10:00 p.m.

Beth’s attempt to apply for a grant for the Drumming Tree preservation were not successful because she could not find a tree surgeon to do the written estimate before the grant deadline.

Book #2 Report from John Holtz and Chris Bennem

28 stories, 2 stories to go, 4 paintings to go, 6 artists, Chronological layout-will have a map, Anna will be doing Cover Art, Intro., Part Openers, Conclusion
Artists will grant rights to BHHS for publicity
Roles: Chris Bennem, Developing Editor; Nancy Napurski, Copy Editor; Anna Overmoyer, Designer
Hopefully published for Christmas sales
300 books (bonus of 25 free books) hard cover with dust jacket
Publisher-Ohio 48 Hour Books
325 books = $10,120 80 pgs/color/dust jacket/black front and back interior ends (extra $150), thicker paper upcharge
Shipping N/A-John will pick up
$500 pay Copy Editor, Nancy
$1500 pay Designer, Anna---john will pay her
TOTAL cost $10,620 = $32.68 per book or $37.30 incl. Anna cost, Plus sales tax =$44.84/book
Idea to add a signature page for authors and artists and charge extra for 50 books that are signed by all
Advanced sales and Fulfillment details TBD Pre-orders?
We will meet again at August meeting
Would like to have launch party, book pickup, sales at Cumming Nature Center again

Historian’s Report:

· Beth reported that intern, Myah Lafave, attended Freedom Festival and took pictures all day as well as helping to set up. She will work 14 hours per week through the summer on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Myah has already been instrumental in helping to reconfigure the Google Docs for the RRLC grant which is uploading digitized images of Bristol and S. Bristol women.

· Beth, Dave and Myah have also been packing upstairs in the Bristol Town Hall with hopes of moving in late June. Griff has a moving company.

· ONGOING: Beth received a call asking for information on Anna Caroline Maxwell, born in Bristol approx. 1850, who is considered the American Florence Nightingale. Beth asked for more help in researching this woman whose father was a Baptist minister.

Unfinished Business:

Lisa Moore position- Pres. Tracey asked Lisa Moore for her resignation because of her limited ability to attend meetings and Dave also expressed concern with perceived conflict of interest as she also serves as S.B. Town Supervisor that gives us money each year. Lisa verbally resigned.
By-Laws review-tabled
Parking lot estimate- tabled
Moving quote for items to go to Burning Springs- delayed-not packed fully yet
Paul Singer invitation to meeting to discuss BHHS church use- postponed

New Business:

Thermometer sign for church donations? Beth will check with Town of Bristol code.
Need for a Fundraising Committee…Mary Ann expressed interest, but needs some time.
Alan Pierce suggested we resurrect the Haunted House fundraiser.

Next Meeting: ANNUAL MEETING July 20th 6:30 at the Grange

Adjourned 8:31

Respectfully submitted,

Beth Thomas substitute secretary