January 2010

The Museum Board met for our annual Planning Meeting in January. Carol Saylor ran the meeting, getting thoughts, dates and events for this year. Thank you Carol for another great job!

I submitted a budget for the year, which our Board approved. It is in the positive dollars with our fundraisers. I think there will be a little extra money for any unforeseen emergencies that might come up. We might just have a little to save!

I'm looking forward to a good year for the Museum. We have some fundraisers planned but most important our educational program has gotten much larger. We could use more help. If you are interested, please contact Carol Saylor or our Historian Lynn Barton.

We are waiting for Thelma’s plans for a float to enter in the Fireman’s parade. That’s always a fun event. Other events include a barn sale and Village Days.

Be watching for our special events and please stop in to visit us. There is always something new going on there.

Bill Saucke
President

Summer 2009

Is summer here? It has been a great month for inside work at the Museum.

The United Church of Christ donated the proceeds from one week of their summer concerts to our Museum. It was well attended by the community and it was particularly special for Linda and I as our niece Julie’s group played. She provided enjoyable entertainment that evening. We all thank the UCC for including us this year.

Thelma VanderMallie had her usual great idea for our parade float this year. Our theme was wheels – old tricycles, carts and young children were part of our float. Our bicycle rider Tim Warren rode along side us as well. We didn’t win this year but we had a lot of fun putting it together and waving to our neighbors and friends in the parade.

Linda and I hosted a picnic in July for our docents, board members and spouses. It is always a special event for us to personally thank all for the hard work that is done behind the scenes throughout the year to keep our Museum moving forward. It wouldn’t happen if it weren’t for the Monday morning crew, those who dream up the ideas that keep the Museum fresh and fun for all, and for those volunteers who are there during our open hours, answering questions, guiding and sharing their knowledge. Our Historic Properties Committee has brought a whole new dimension to the Museum and the groups that visit always leave with a better understanding of our local history and have fun learning! We are proud to be part of this wonderful organization.

We look forward to Village Days and the rest of the fun events planned for the remainder of the year. Hope summer finds Webster before it is time to settle into the routines of fall!

Bill Saucke
President

April 2009

I would like to use this article to thank the people who make our Museum what it is, the best little Museum around.

Our Board of Directors: These people meet once a month to discuss and make all decisions, including paying invoices, exhibits, event participation, fundraising, building maintenance, volunteers, and selecting Officers and Directors and anything else that makes the Musuem run smoothly. Our Education efforts include guided tours to school children, scouts and many other groups. History in a Trunk brings us into the schools.

The Docents: These fine people give the Museum usually an afternoon a month to be of help to visitors explaining our artifacts, Webster history and watch over our collections keeping them safe.

Our Committees: They are as follows, headed by one or more Museum members:
Administration / Operations
Development
Accessions and Conservation
Building and Groups
Volunteer Services
Historic Properties
Communication
Memorial
Exhibits and Programs
Membership

These committees do everything from A to Z. Can you imagine what work goes into the above?

As you can see, we always need help. More hands and a little time can make a task a pleasure and brings fun and satisfaction to all of us.

Thanking all these fine and devoted people that help our Museum isn’t done enough as there are not the words to really say Thank You. I am grateful to be able to work with every one of you.

Bill Saucke
President

January 2009

It’s cold! Thank you Town of Webster for pay our utilities bills that keep the Museum and all of the artifacts warm. They do this in exchange for housing the Historian's Office.

I don't like winter until I see our children skating or sliding down the hills in our parks. I can only imagine plowing the snow with horses and shoveling without those noisy snow blowers as our families did in years past. What we think of, as hardship would have been fun to them with today's equipment.

The Museum looks great. It's a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon with kids and grandparents while getting out of the cold and snow. Please come and visit us this winter.

We look forward to another year – the Firemen's parade, Village Days and many special events planned at the Museum. Be watching the newletter for details.

Spring will be here soon and I can't wait!

Bill Saucke
President

REFLECTION
October 2008

FROM: THE PRESIDENT AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

October, 2008 is a time of introspection. As the Board of Directors (BOD) prepares for its yearly planning meeting in January, 2009 we reflect upon our mission and our role in Webster a town where we firmly believe that this is a place where "Life is (and has been) Worth Living".

The Webster Museum & Historical Society plans and spends wisely. However, our costs of operation are increasing as are yours. We seek to develop and expand our Educational Experiences for students and adults. The cost of Staff Development such as attendance at workshops and programs, and the development and printing costs of Educational Materials is significant, although frequently paid for from volunteer’s personal funds. Our collection of artifacts is extraordinary for a Museum of our size. Caring for collections and storage is a costly responsibility. The carpet (used when donated in 1987/1988) has served us well for over 20 years. However, it is worn, unraveling at the seams and needs replacing.

OUR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IS A RESULT OF YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT. WE HOPE THAT YOU AND THE WEBSTER COMMUNITY WILL CONTINUE TO ASSIST US IN OUR MISSION BY WAY OF MEMBERSHIP, VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION AND TAX DEDUCTABLE DONATIONS.*

*The Webster Museum and Historical Society is a 501.(c)(3) not for profit corporation

July 2008

It's been a good summer so far. Our float in the Fireman’s parade was the best ever. Thelma's great ideas are always interesting and fun.

Things around the Museum are looking good. The exhibits are the best and an enjoyment to visitors. Our volunteers are always working to make things better.

I am proud to be in an organization that is so community minded. Putting together a place that is so important for our Town is rewarding to all of us. There is always something new that brings the past back to us. Some of the items that are found, cleaned and installed. Our hay mover, would have just rusted away if it weren't for people like George Hall who saw it in a field and rescued it for us.

We are always looking for old tools and things that were used in our past. This just amazes the many children that visit our facility throughout the year.

Enjoy the rest of the summer and hope you stop in to see us soon!

Bill Saucke
President

May 2008

Things are finally getting green. The dreariness of winter and last dirty snow piles has gone. Spring is starting to bloom and the Museum has a spring sparkle to it.

This year already has a very busy schedule. Our staff of volunteers is busy preparing for many activities for the whole family. We will be kicking May off with a spaghetti dinner at the Masonic Temple on Orchard Street once again on the 2nd. Please plan to join us if you can – lots of fun and great food.

We are entering a float in the Fireman’s Parade this year – Thelma is orchestrating it and it will most likely to be our best yet!

The Historic Properties Committee and the Town of Webster are getting ready to recognize properties whose owners have great interest in the history and preservation of their properties. Plaques will be presented to ten town home owners whose property has been selected from a very long list of historic homes in our community. More plaques will be presented in years to come.

Thank you to all our volunteers who help us out on a regular basis. It always amazes me how much they accomplish. They are the best!

Hope to see you at the Museum soon.

Bill Saucke
President

January 2008

Our Roof is complete and our collections are dry and safe!

Our new RED roof was completed this week. The weather cooperated and the wind could not blow it off. I take that as a sign of a job well done and a very good product. We waited a long time but it was worth the wait. We owe many, many thanks to our community for its help enabling us to do this. I am also very pleased with Skyline Contractors and its chief, Andy Kaptein, for their excellent workmanship.

Our year started with a planning meeting, which brought a very good turnout of directors and members. We worked three hours discussing our accomplishments for 2007 and plans for 2008. Itís going to be an ambitious year with lots planned but I am confident we are up to the task. Itís going to be a fun year! My special thanks goes to Carol Saylor for doing a great job organizing and running the meeting. She has a spirit that inspires us all.

Thanks to our directors, committees, docents and volunteers who made 2007 so successful and fun. It is truly a pleasure to work with such a great group of people.

Bill Saucke
President