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	SMCHA BOARD MEETING MINUTES September 6, 2001

The SMCHA Board met Sept. 6, 2001 at 10am at the Moundridge Senior Center with Arnold Wedel presiding. Present were Arnold Wedel, Delbert Goering, Ben J. Stucky, Leann Toews, Maynard Krehbiel, Ozzie Goering and Vernell Kaufman. Harold Schrag, Glenn Stucky and Rich Preheim wre absent. Invited guests to share about the future of the Hopefield church wre Greg Schrag, Ron Sirkel, Jacob D. Goering, Harry and Donna Neufeld and Neva Belle and N. Paul Stucky.

Minutes of the July 14 meeting wee reviewed. Motion by Ben, seconded by Leann to accept the minutes. Carried.

Spent on the Directory Building up to Sept. 6--$3238.13. Galen Waltner has not handed in any labor bills yet. Motion by Ozzie, seconded by Ben to accept the Treasurer's report. Carried.

Announced that Hopefield gave permission to deed to SMCHA their 1/3 interest in the "1943" marker property. First Mennonite did so earlier and Eden will give permission when the trustees next meet. The Secretary will write to the churches thanking them for releasing the property.

Arnold reported that the Web is not working at the present time. Karl Friesen will take care of the problem. The special feature in September will be from the Congressional Record. Some of what Jerry Moran said at the 125th Swiss Celebration and the lyrics to "A Hymn of Heritage" by Gladys Goering will be shown.

Fall Festival was discussed. Oct. 13 at 9am will be the Schweitzer variety program. Numbers by Levi Krehbiel, Jim L. Stucky and Maynard Krehbiel. Need more numbers. Some names were given to be contacted. Delbert moved. Leann seconded that Ozzie serve as emcee. Carried.

A letter was read from Kent Niehage, Hopefield Church Chairman, concerning the expansion of Hopefield--groundbreaking in September. Lengthy discussion concerning the historical value of the Hopefield Church Building. Jacob Goering said if the outside of the building is altered the building cannot be listed in the Historical Register. Some changes have already been made which would have to be corrected. Could the remodeling be done without changing the outside of the building? Would Hopefield consider selling the building? Hopefield owns 60 acres. Would they be willing to put up a new structure? Which is more important--being a growing church or being a shrine to our ancestors? Feelings of the SMCHA were summed up in these words. "SMCHA is interested in the historical preservation of the Hopefield Mennonite Church building, however, we will not stand in the way of a growing congregation and expansion of the present building."

Ozzie announced that Jim Ostlund applied for scholarship money to attend Great Plains Seminary. Plans were indefinite as to how many hours he will be taking second semester. Motion by Ben, seconded by Leann that Jim Ostlund receive $125 for first semester and $125 for second semester if he qualifies.

SMCHA Banquet will be held at the Eden Church, Oct. 29 at 6:30pm with the Dorcas ladies serving the meal. William Keel is the speaker. Decided to send $50 to Hopefield for the use of electricity during constuction of the cemetery building. Appointed James W. Krehbiel as an additional committee member to help with the bulletin board directory.

Maynard checked Kenny Goering's Grandpa's grave. It is an expensive job so he will need to contact Kenny whether we should go ahead with the project. Arnold said we need to restore the cemetery graves and asked Maynard to get Von Peterson of Canton to give an estimate.

Adjourned at 11:55am.

Next meeting--Breakfast Meeting--Thursday morning, Oct. 4, 8am, Vernell Kaufman home, 2 west 1/2 south of Moundridge,

Vernell Kaufman, Secretary