MONTHLY MEETING

 EZRA S. GRIFFIN CAMP #8

February 17, 2005

The meeting was called to order in ritualistic fashion by Commander Howard Wolfe after which he asked for a roll call of Officers.

Other members in attendance were:

The minutes from the January meeting were read and approved by a motion made by John Hart and seconded by Bob Baker.  All were in favor.

FINANCIAL REPORT:

Joe Long read the financial report with the following information:

     74 members have paid their dues

     Deposits - $1.223.65

     End Balance - $3,510.72

     Ticket winner January 22, 2005 – Mary Joe Long

     Ticket winner February 5, 2005 – Ted Lysak

     Paperwork sent in for Memorial Day Expense – Camp receives $75 for placing flags

     3 CD’s with declining interest – (2002) $263.00; (2003) $207.00; (2004) $174.00

A motion was made to accept report by John Hart and seconded by Bob Shaffer.  All were in favor.

DISTRESSED MEMBER:

Joe reported the death of his brother Robert.  He requested that no card be sent.

Victor Fox not doing well.  John Hart will work on card and will send when completed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Encampment Committee – Joe Long and the rest of the Encampment Committee will meet April 23^rd at the Lackawanna Station Hotel to finalize plans for the upcoming Department Encampment.  All Allied orders should be represented to set up rooms and hall for meetings.  John Hart reported that there will be an SVR breakfast on Saturday morning beginning at 8:00 a.m. in the Lobby of the Hotel and the cost is $10.00 which will be collected at the door.  John also reported he has appropriated some trinkets for the Delegate bags and will get more.

OLD BUSINESS:

John Hart reported that the Delaney-DeLacy Guard will march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 12, 2005.  They will first lay a wreath at the Monument in the Square at 10:30.  Parade will begin between 11:30 and 12:00.  The Fife and Drum Corp will also march with the SVR.

John also reported that on April 2, 2005, there will be a re-dedication of the Sheridan Monument.  Scranton Police will block off certain streets in conjunction with Parade, Dedication Ceremony and Ball Saturday evening.  He has spoken to Judge Seamus McCaffery of the State Supreme Court and he will be the Guest Speaker for the Ceremony.  The Gettysburg Blues will perform for the Ball which will be held at the Century Club, which the SVR has rented for the evening.  Lt. Alan Sweeney will be in charge of the Ball.  There will be a reception after the Ball at the University of Scranton.

Joe Long presented a copy of the proposed flyer for the Camp, Auxiliary and SVR.  John Hart will set up the printing only passing on the cost of the color artwork to the Camp.  All his services will be donated.  It was also suggested that we include the Daughters since there is a chance that Scranton may have a Tent formed in the near future.

Joe Long presented to the Camp, hard bound copies of PA Department Encampment Annual Proceedings from the 1930’s.  They were given to him by the Philadelphia Camp.

NEW BUSINESS:

John Hart reported on the membership applications of 9 new members and associates (George Langan, Martin F. Lawler, John J. Lawler Jr., John J. Lawler Sr., Seamus P. McCaffery, Brian Nealon, David P. Rudas, James Tunney and one more when the name is available) and Secretary Shaffer added a new junior member, Andrew Long Jr.  Commander Wolfe appointed an application committee comprised of John Hart, Ray Sulger and Albert DeNinno to review the applications.

Bob Baker reported that the 52^nd PA Volunteer Re-Enactors will be re-claiming Ft. Sumter, South Carolina on February 18, 2005 which also will include Morris Island.  The 52^nd was a back-up to the 54^th Massachusetts Volunteers.

Bob Baker also began a discussion on the appropriation of a Civil War Headstone for the father and uncle of Christy Matheson, a well known ball player.  Mike Grayson relayed on about getting a stone for his ancestor and what paperwork would have to be filed and that he should check with the Veterans Affair Office in Tunkhannock.  Bob and Mike will work together to get the paperwork filed.

John Hart suggested that the Camp members buy a ticket to the Ball.  This is a fundraiser for the SVR and all proceeds benefit them.  Ray Sulger also added that the proper etiquette is for the gentlemen to wear white gloves.  The gloves keep sweating hands from leaving a stain on the women’s dress.  John Hart also reported that learn to step out like your ancestors did at a series of vintage dance workshops offered at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Scranton.  Waltz, polka. Schottische and other vintage dances of the 1860’s will be taught.  Workshop tuition is $10 per person or $15 per couple per workshop.

Albert DeNinno suggested that we place an entry on the Camp Roster to reflect the occupation of all members to aid others when they need to have work done.  A discussion followed and Secretary Shaffer asked if this would be feasible.  The Roster will be changed.  Brother DeNinno was also asked if he would like to chair this project which would entail contacting all members for this information.  It was also suggested by Commander Wolfe that this would be a good opportunity to update e-mail addresses if they have one.

There is also a web page set up to view all the events and festivities for April 2^nd to be held in Scranton: http://www.scrantoncivilwarday.com

CORRESPONDENCE:

Secretary Shaffer reported on the following:

• Lackawanna River Corridor Association requests donations to upgrade trails and other areas.  Joe Long made a motion to donate $50.00, seconded by John Hart.  All were in favor.

• Information from Manassas Battlefield Preservation Trust requesting everyone buy back a little piece of the Battlefield.  Ray Sulger made a motion that we donate $35.00, seconded by John Hart.  All were in favor. 

• Commander Wolfe also commented that with doing this we open ourselves to the potential of being contacted by more of these organizations. He suggested that we devise a standard policy to cover such events.

• Ad for the Encampment Book – Secretary Shaffer made a motion to take out a half page ad, and with a friendly amendment for a full page by John Hart, the motion was amended to a full page.  Bob Baker seconded and all were in favor.

• Letter of Appreciation from LTC Dwight Lydie, PAARNG 109^th Field Artillery, for the wreath that was laid at the 143^rd Monument at Remembrance Day, November 2004.

• Copies of the Official Proceedings at the 124^th PA Department Encampment held in Jun 2004 and the Minutes of the Mid-Year Meeting, November 2004. Department Commander’s Special Orders #2, December 9^th and 27^th, 2004.

With no further business, questions or comments, the Camp was closed in ritualistic fashion at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert C. Shaffer

Secretary