At the February meeting, elections were held for the executive officers. The nomination committee's slate of officers was presented and elected. The officers for 2004 are:

President - Margaret Mayerat
Vice President - Gertrude Forde
Secretary - Lee Luss
Treasurer - Elsie Smith

Also nominated and elected to the Board of Trustees were Tom Hawkins and Dave Batterson. They will join the current Board of members Wes Chandler and Bob Whitehead. Gertrude Forde is Trustee Chairperson. Curator is Don Orton with Lee Luss as Assistant Curator.

A loan policy was added to CHS'S by-laws that took effect January 1, 2004. "Individuals and/or groups" may borrow artifacts from the collection with the permission of the Curator. If the item is a one-of-a-kind or is of considerable financial value, the Executive Committee must also give it's approval. All artifacts to be loaned are to be recorded in the Loan Book kept at the Museum office. A return date is required. Arrangements to borrow material should be made by calling Don Orton, 592-4090 or Lee Luss at the Society's office 592-0094, during morning hours.

"The New York-Paris Great Race Centennial, Feb.-July 2008" committee has had it's first meeting. Plans are being discussed to celebrate this national event at which Springville is center stage. The Committee, chaired by Don Orton, is made up of Jenny Burkhalter, Tom Kazmark and Alan Manchester.

The idea of dating residential and commercial buildings in the township was discussed at the annual meeting. The project, "Dating our Treasures", is the idea of encouraging residents and property owners to collect a history of their buildings to present to the Society. The plan for accomplishing this new undertaking is in the planning and complete details will be available soon

Saving Concord's oral history is underway! The process of recording the oral memories of the residents of Concord has been talked about for several years. With the help of Tom Geelan, the project will be started. The goal for the first interview is April 11th. Dave Batterson chairs a committee of Tom Geelan, Alan Manchester, Don Orton and Bob Whitehead. The committee's first step is to purchase recording equipment. The final product is a video of each person interviewed. An outline of interview questions and procedure will be made to guide the interviewer. This has the potential of being a very large, but extremely important project. Help is needed. You can be part of this. If you would like to suggest someone to interview, notify one of the committee members, or call the CHS office at 592-0094.

We're Looking for the Twentieth Century! CHS continues to accept gifts and donations. As the Twentieth Century becomes history, it's artifacts become historic too. Items of the early and mid Twentieth Century, as will as memorabilia of the two world wars are being accepted. If you are considering a gift donation, please include a short history of the item. To know who owned it, where and how it was used makes the gift much more interesting when it is displayed. With space being a growing problem, all donations must have a direct connection to the Town of Concord. As spring-cleaning approaches, contact Don at 592-4090 or Lee at 592-0094, if you are considering a donation.

Our slogan for this year is "every member making a contribution". Would you consider helping in one of the following areas?

Please consider taking an active role in the Historical Society. You will be receiving a phone call asking in what area you will volunteer.

Preparations are underway with the Fire Department to develop a disaster readiness plan. A tour of the CHS facilities will show the Fire Department what the buildings are like. Then a plan will be developed to determine what items in the offices and in the collections should be saved first. Fire Chief Dennis Dains is pleased that CHS is taking this pro-active position to be prepared for an emergency.

Considering our budget, CRS is a noticeable organization in town. It is responsible for maintaining the Warner Museum, Carriage House and grounds as well as the Lucy Bensley Library and the programs connected with them. The Society has accepted from M & T Bank the "park" at Main Street and Mechanic Street along with the project of raising $35,000 for a 'town clock' to be placed there. This winter, the Trustees made a purchase offer on the Franklin Street "Fish Bowl" property next to the Warner Museum. It is hoped that the Society can take possession of the property this spring. Now, more than ever, the Concord Historical Society needs help maintaining it's programs and commitment to the people of the town.

Helen Stock, one of our members, has donated a wonderful Post Card Scrap Book put together by her Mother-in-law, Jessie Stock. Mrs. Stock started it in 1917 and it includes all the post cards sent to Harold, her son, as he grew up. One very interesting post card is a photo made into a post card of Mr. Stock at his job with the trolley company.

A valentine card sent in 1935 is rather "interesting" to say the least.

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Our partnership program with the High School is up and running. Kayla Geelan is working on copying the rest of the Maplewood Cemetery records for our book. This will certainly be a big help. Scott Nellis will be an additional helper, as he has free time available.

Our newest project of cataloging and photographing all the posters saved by our Lucy Bensley is moving right along. These posters are from the time periods of WW I and WW II and vary in size up to 7 feet tall. Dave & Tom Geelan have been busy photographing the posters and Don and Lee have been accessing them. They are so valuable and the latest account somewhere around 170. Dave will be doing a program for the Region XII Historians in May.

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It is with sadness we say 'Goodbye' to our dear friend, Mary Ann Jehle, who just passed away. She was Historian for the Town of Boston and a very active member of the Boston Historical Society. She was always ready to answer questions and assist in anyway she could, She will be sadly missed by her Society and by us too.

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We thank everyone for their donations and purchase of our cookies at our annual Christmas Cookie sale. We netted almost $600.00.

We won 2nd prize in the Christmas decorating contest sponsored by the Chamber.

We have received Thank You notes from both the Sardinia Historical Society and Love Inc for the 'theme' baskets we donated for their auctions.

Bob Shea held the winning Chamber of Commerce Treasure Chest ticket for approximately $1,500 worth of prizes. He in turn donated he trip worth $600 to the CHS, to raIDe for a fund raiser. You can obtain your ticket at the Lucy Bensley Library, week days tetween 8:30 am and 1 :00 pm. They are $2.00 for a single ticket or 3 for $5.00. Drawwill be held March 20,2004.

Our thanks go out to our own Grace Bart for her usual generous contribution. Grace has been il1 and we are delighted she’s feeling better.

The program schedule for this year is:

MARCH 10 - "Chauncey Joslin, Civil War Veteran" presented by Jan Lathrop. This presentation will be based on Concord resident Joslin's 1862. Regular meeting at 7:00 pm at Lucy Bensley Library.

APRIL 14 - "Scrap Booking" with Peggy Austin. You will learn how to present your historical photos and prints in a pleasing setting. It is necessary to register for this program. A fee of $5.00 is needed for supplies. Program at Lucy Bensley Library at 7:00 pm.

MAY 11 - Field trip to explore "Morton Comers circa 1912". Our host will be Rev.Stanford George of the Morton Comers Baptist Church. Refreshments will be served. We will meet at the Lucy Bensley Library at 6:30 to car pool.

JUNE 5 - "Dairy Festival Bus Tours". CHS will sponsor bus tours in the village. Plan to take part and support Springville.

JULY 11 - "The Victorian Tea" will be served on the front lawn of the "Pop" Warner Museum ITom 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. You are cordially invited to attend this popular social event. As always, Victorian attire is nice, but not necessary.

AUGUST - "Go To The Fair". You are encouraged to attend the Erie County Fair and view Concord's exhibit in the Historical Building.

SEPTEMBER - To be announced

OCTOBER 13 - Presentation by Greg Kinal

NOVEMBER 17 - Join us in decorating the Museum for Christmas

DECEMBER 4 - Annual Cookie Sale at the Lucy Bensley Library. Your donation of homemade cookies would be greatly appreciated. This is a major fund raiser, with more demand than cookies.