Rowan Museum holds annual meeting

The annual meeting of the Rowan Museum Inc. was held on Oct. 30 to celebrate 61 years of programming and service to the community. Guests enjoyed the exhibits and tours of the Museum before going to the Messinger Room to have a dinner of chicken and dumplings and all the trimmings prepared by local caterer Debbie Suggs, with desserts provided by the board of directors.

Eighty-five members attended and the meeting was led by President Margaret Basinger who recognized past board presidents, along with past board members and current board members who were present.

A meeting was held to elect new board members with the nominations from Dick Huffman, chair of the board development committee, Betty Mickle, Greg Alcorn, John Marino and Miranda Huffman.

Board members retiring were Huffman, Jessica Goodman, Raemi Evans, Basinger and Jeannie Misenheimer. All were gifted with an Old Stone House Christmas ornament.

Executive director of the Museum, Kaye Brown Hirst, presented her annual report. It was followed by Terry Holt with a report on the History Club. Hirst also reported along with Misenheimer on the upcoming Antiques Show and Patron’s Party.

Vice-president Holt shared the Board’s Vision for the next 60 years. Guests filled out a form for continuing their support.

Basinger, Hirst and Tricia Denton Creel, education coordinator, presented the 2014 Norvell Award. It was established in 2007 to honor longtime Museum volunteer Edward P. Norvell. The coveted award was presented to Terry Holt, for his love of history and his extraordinary talent in sharing and bringing history to life.

 

Kneeling Gardeners 

Kneeling Gardeners met on Oct. 27 at Trinity Methodist Church in Kannapolis for an evening focused on Bonsai, led by Rusty Harris, former president, vice president and continuing active member of the Bonsai Society of the Carolinas.

Bonsai, with more than 1500 years of history, is inspired by nature with a goal of creating the illusion of ancient trees that have triumphed over the perils and storms of their environment. Harris demonstrated the beginning process of shaping a tree.

Kneeling Gardeners voted in new officers for the 2015 year: President, Chris Weildadt; vice president, Jean Kadela; secretary, Millie Fink; corresponding secretary, Rose Saloris; treasurer, Judy Coggins; chaplains, Janelle Murray and Jan Query; historian, Ann Rollins; hospitality, Gail Puntch; photographer/driver, Les Puntch.

Twelve pictures of gardens submitted by club members were selected to be made into note cards to sell to the public. Proceeds are used to support community needs.

Lela Bishop, Betsy Smith and Brenda Trott prepared and served the fall banquet.

On Nov. 24, Tina Steen from Midway Florist will present a program on holiday decorating.