THE PIKES PEAK SERTOMAN Now in our 62^nd Year  

Meeting on April 8, 2010

 

 

                                                                                            

                      

Bright Colorado sunshine brought out 17 members  today.  The meal (a good one) consisted of a choice of a chef salad or chicken marsala, rice, veggies, rolls, butter and 2 kinds of cookies thanks to Norm Andersson.   Eric Scott did his usual good job of leading us in the Sertoma  song and we were a little off key with Take Me Out To The Ballgame. Thanks to Mike Cimino leading us in the pledge and also thanks to Norm Moss for his prayer.  It’s nice to have so many members that can lead us in prayer when our “pros” are not in attendance.  

 

 

                 Guest Sertomans & Guests

 

                                  None

 

                                    

                         Announcements

 

Terry Zebarth informed us that the Scholarship fund is doing well and has had a nice financial gain since the first of the year.  Norm Moss painted us a picture of real estate in general and says the summer looks good with incentives still in effect.

                  

                             Culture

 

Mark Elliott had some very funny sayings and our club Democrat took it all in good stride by fining Mark several quarters.

 

                        Business Notes

 

                                 None

 

 

                             Program                

 

Thanks to Norm Andersson and Dick Wilhelm we were introduced to Leah Witherow, Archivist  with the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum. The first day she visited the museum she loved it and said to herself, “this is where I want to be” and has been there since 1994.  In 1896 the El Paso County Pioneers Association was formed and in 1909 the first exhibit was on display at the El Paso courthouse. In 1937 the El Paso County Pioneers Association donated their collection of artifacts and and the exhibit was open free to the public.  In 1992, the museum was accredited by the American Association of museums and some of the collections include:

 

• 75,000 artifacts including the largest collection of Van Briggle pottery
• 80,000 historical photographs
• William J. Palmer diaries and letters
• Cragin western history collection
• William  Stratton collection
• Collection of the Negro Historical Association of Colorado Springs
• The  courthouse itself

 

Attendance at the museum peaked in 2006 with over 60,000 visitors and was down a little in 2009  due to the economy.

 

The museum, with just 6 employees was slated to close this year, however, council all of a sudden “found” enough funds to keep the museum open.  The 2010 budget includes $365,000 from county general fund, gifting funds of $149,000 and a federal stimulus payment of  $125,000.

Now the Pioneers Museum is trying to bridge the gap for 2011 and to date has raised over $92,000  and has a long way to go,  but are optimistic.

 

Leah fielded some very interesting questions about Nikola Tesla (they have his signature only, nothing else) and Starsmore who had a considerable impact on the museum.  If you were not in attendance you missed an excellent program.  Thanks Norm  and Dick!

 

                            $$$$$$$$$$

 

Eric $cott received the little pot and Frank Ulrich got the big one.

 

Next week is “wear your Sertoma shirt day” for the monthly fellowship meeting