CONCORD JOTTINGS
                                                    AUGUST 2003

If your envelope has the notation "Dues are Due", this will be your last newsletter. Let’s not end our friendship over a few dollars. Please send post haste to:

Elsie Smith, Treasurer
P.O. Box 30
East Concord, N.Y. 14055

Our Genealogical Library was going very well with the new computerized system until Dave found 26 more boxes of books up in the barn. We must admit though, we have found some very valuable books. Pat Schrader is our "Drill Sergeant" and we won’t be allowed to stop until every last book is accounted for and placed in the correct spot.

We are hoping to add to the Cookbook Section in the Library. What we’re really looking for are cookbooks from different Community groups. Any church, hospital, school or individual clubs’ books would be welcome. Please check your bookcases and bring us any you can do without. We promise to give them a good home in our new bookcases.

Thanks to Grace and Gert’s social abilities, our Victorian Tea was a SUCCESS! The weather co-operated, the yard was perfect and our Guests, many in Victorian garb, were wonderful. The tents looked festive and the ‘Weavers’ on the small front porch were a great attraction. We thank both Helen Saville and her friend for their part in our festivities. Tom and Jolene’s old victrola provided the music. The old fashioned games were fun and as always the Society Ladies outdid themselves with their cookies and scones. Every year our tea gets better and we have more Gursts. Thanks to all that came or helped.

Our new exhibit cases arrived just before Bob Whitehead’s class reunion. He, Don and Dave scurried around and got them placed in time for the ‘Tea’. The theme of the display is Griffith Institute. The cases are just what we needed and will be wonderful for rotating exhibits.

We struggled along while Lee took a much deserved vacation and we must tell you that she’s the "glue" that keeps the Library together. Mary Riley will be taking over the 4^th Sunday, which is a great help.

Or as we like to call it "Bygone Days of Concord." The book has gone to press and as a special surprise it will probably be arriving the first week of August. For all those that haven’t seen the cover we are enclosing a replica showing the little boy and his dogs. This picture was picked from 11 that we sent into the Editor for her choice. This was from a postcard made from an actual photo in 1911.

Order your copies from your Concord Historical Society and save the tax. The more we sell, the more profit we will make. They would make a terrific Christmas present for your families and especially for Concord friends that now live out of town.

Call 592-0094 to reserve your copies! You may even see yourself, a family member, a neighbor or an old friend in the book, plus lots of pictures of Springville and surrounding communities.

Erie County Fair time is in the coming week. Grace and helpers are ready and Dave has his trucks ready to roll. See our exhibit in the Historical Building. The theme this year is "A Slice of America."

A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, Paula Voell from the Buffalo News wrote an article about two diaries that she found at a garage sale in the city. How they got there, nobody knows, but from the article several from Springville knew immediately whose diary it was. It had belonged to Marion Valkenburg and we thought that perhaps you might like to read excerpts from time to time what she had written. Paula was kind enough to return the books to our Library.

August 14, 1945. Arrived St. L. at 8:30. Saw Mrs. Burgess and Lou. Heard the war is over at last V.J. Day tomorrow. (Do you remember that day?)

September 2, 1945 Mother pretty sick. Took care of her all day. Dr. came in A.M. Isa and I called on Miss Soule in eve. Enjoy the last month of summer. It’s sure been a short one! (When was the last time the Dr. called at your house?) (Remember Hattie Soule that taught at G.I.?)

July 31, 1953 Last day of a nice July. Summer is flying. Cleaned, did stamps in eve. Planted fox glove Ruth True gave me. (True’s lived in Rizzetta’s house on East Hill and also for a time on Myrtle Ave. and he was the President of Gray’s Mill)

September 2, 1956 Went to see South Pacific and loved it. Doris went with us. Nice weather for a change. (We still watch South Pacific 47 years later!)

Working day after day at the Library, we find lots of interesting things that catch our eye. We thought you might enjoy some of these things too.

Aug. 12^th - No meeting - Visit us at the Erie County Fair
Sept 10^th - Business meeting, including the Budget for 2004
Oct. 8^th - Greg Kinal – Speaker (Don’t miss this one!)
Nov 19^th - Decorating the Museum for the holidays (Note change)
Dec. 6^th - Our Annual Cookie Sale 9:00 a.m.
Dec. 10^th - No regular meeting