Newsletter           August/September

 

The Sandown Historical Society and Museum

 

 

           Something for Everyone:  August was a busy month for the Society.  There were many visitors.  On one beautiful August day with the temperature in the low 80s and the humidity low, a teenager brought his younger sister and her friend to see the Museum and the plantings.  After helping to water the flowers, they wandered off.  The two little girls returned a few minutes later bearing coffee for Bertha Deveau, our Curator.  They asked if she would show them through the Museum.  They were so intrigued with the exhibits, that at the end of the tour they asked if they could become members.  Bertha told them to ask their mothers.  They went off to do that and returned a little later clutching completed membership forms and the $5.00 student membership fee.  Welcome to the Sandown Historical Society, Tammy Cooper and Felicia Marnie.

 

          At the other end of the age scale, an elderly lady was thrilled to see so many things that reminded her of her childhood.  She was particularly intrigued with the gramophone (where I grew up it was called a victrola).  She remembered how one controlled the volume of sound by opening the doors of the cabinet.

 

Old Home Day: This year’s old Home Day was a huge success due in large part to the hard work and advance planning of Bill Stewart and his Old Home Day Committee.  The Society’s booth, along with the booths of many other of the Town’s cultural organizations, was a busy place.  Sales of Sandown memorabilia were brisk, particularly in the T-shirts showing the Depot and a steam locomotive.   We thank Don Hendricks for printing our T shirts.

 

          Thanks to the culinary skills of several volunteers, many people enjoyed a slice of apple pie at the Depot.  We appreciate the efforts of the Girl Scouts in selling “pie” tickets and in assisting with the serving.  The proceeds from the Society’s Old Home Day activities will be used to help with the restoration of the flanger cars at the Depot. 

 

Continued Progress:  Under the watchful eye of Steve Okun of Dube Plus Contractors, electricity was brought from the main line to the flanger cars.  This completes the first half of the job.  The next step is to install the interior wiring and the outlets and lighting fixtures.

         

          If you’ve been by the depot in the last few weeks, you will have noticed the changed appearance of the flanger cars. Thanks to the efforts of Dave Rochefort and his helpers, the cars now wear a deep green coat of paint with black trim. The look is a great improvement and is very attractive.

 

          You may have noticed that the paint under the eaves of the depot has been peeling and badly needs repair.  We are happy to report the Society has received a grant of $5, 875.00 from the N.H. Division of Historical Resources.  The money to support this activity is obtained from the sale of “Moose” license plates.  This amount is about half of the estimated cost of the job but the Moose program received so many applications that there were insufficient funds to cover them all.  As a result, the program has apportioned the available funds among the approved grants.  You can help with the restoration of historical artifacts throughout the state by applying for a Moose license plate with your next car registration.

 

          In the meantime, Ken Sherwood, the town building inspector, reports that an anonymous builder has offered to repair the eaves without charge.  The Moose grant will be used to defray the builder’s expenses.

 

Membership:  Now is the time to renew your 2003-2004 membership in the Society by paying your dues.  You may use the form below for this purpose.  If you recently responded to our membership notice in our last newsletter, please forgive this reminder and accept our thanks for your continued support.

 

                   HOLD THAT DATE…………………………OCTOBER 20

That’s the date of the Society’s last meeting of the year.  The time and place as well as the program for the evening will be announced later.  Officers for the coming year will be elected at the meeting.  As noted in our last newsletter, volunteers are needed to serve as officers. If you are interested, please call either Paul Densen or Bertha Deveau at 887-4520.