TOWN OF GRANBY
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING: TOWN 225TH
OCTOBER 7, 2008
PRESENT: Parks & Recreation Board Members - Edward (Ned) Allen, Chairman; Brigid Gunn, Kathy Ungerleider, Suzanne Yucha, and Kay Woodford.
Civic Group Representatives: Kate Bogli, Chamber of Commerce; Martha Delaney, D.O.G.G.S.; Corinne Dickerson, Salmon Brook Historical Society; Sarah Kindle, interested resident; Krista Karlson, Granby 4-H; Lewis Cohn, Simsbury-Granby Rotary; William Harris, VFW; Debbie Cramer, Granby Newcomers; LeRoy Seaton, American Legion; Dan Schroeder, First Congregational Church; Joan Rogers & Sheri Litchfield, Early Childhood Council; John Horr Jr., Lost Acres Fire Department; and Lynn Miles, GMHS Boosters.
Chairman Allen called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.
MINUTES
Being the 1st Meeting, there are none to approve.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF THE TOWN’S 225TH CELEBRATION
P&R Board Chairman Ned Allen introduced the members of the P&R Board and then explained that the Board had been appointed by the Granby Board of Selectpersons to act as facilitator in the effort to celebrate Granby’s 225th anniversary in the year 2011. He encouraged the interested residents and representatives of Granby civic groups in attendance to share their ideas on how the town might celebrate the historic event, with the hope that several would volunteer to become members of a steering committee that would organize, coordinate and plan for various activities during 2011.
Chairman Allen and Mrs. Woodford described some of the activities that took place during the town’s 200th celebration in 1986. These included a parade, town picnic, music and fireworks, indoor and outdoor concerts, a tennis tournament, an interfaith day and luncheon. The Historical Society presented a History of Granby booklet to all households in town. The Marquis of Granby had a torchlight parade and encampment. A time capsule was interred in front of Town Hall. Various commemoratives were sold by organizations to help pay for the activities they sponsored. The Chamber of Commerce commissioned a “Houses of Granby” print, which they sold to commemorate the event and help defray expenses in holding a Ball at High Meadow. These 1986 events were spread out over a 9-month
period.
Chairman Allen explained that a steering committee is needed to oversee the logistics of various subcommittees such as communications, publicity, budgets, and events. Members of the steering committee would need to coordinate the activities of various groups wishing to hold events. He said he hopes several people will volunteer to take a leadership role, with the Board continuing to have an active role as facilitator.
It was suggested that all the people in the room introduce themselves and this was done.
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October 7, 2008
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Martha Delaney suggested that it is not necessary to go overboard in planning numerous activities for a 225th celebration. Lewis Cohn wondered whether the event might be just one day like the recent Horse Parade. Chairman Allen said he thought it would be nice to have a couple days and that would give organizations an opportunity to promote themselves as well as coming together as groups to make the community feel good about the place where we live.
Another attendee noted it would be a nice thing to have several days because different activities appeal to different people and it would be nice to have something for everyone. Some might like a B-B-Q, others might like an indoor concert. Corinne Dickerson said she hoped the celebration would not be limited to one day, remarking that many people not living in Granby today would have several opportunities to come back to town to celebrate. Chairman Allen agreed that it would be nice to have a variety of things because it would give each civic group an opportunity to promote what they do well for Granby. One attendee said that she felt it was important that the celebration pass on to our children a sense of their “roots” and that maybe one event might be a reenactment of an historical event in
Granby’s history. Kate Bogli added that she hopes a theme of the celebration would be “the whole community working together”. Debbie Cramer agreed and hopes that it will be a very “inclusive” event. Of course, there were many groups missing from this 1st meeting, another attendee noted. Mrs. Woodford said that some people had called her to say they were interested but could not make the meeting and want to be kept in the loop.
Martha Delaney suggested that the celebration might revolve around the seasons – something in the winter, spring, summer and fall. After checking the Historical Society’s booklet, Brigid Gunn found that the actual incorporation date for Granby was October 12, 1786. That would be about the time of Granby High School’s Homecoming, and perhaps that might be the time for the culminating event. Others thought a bike ride of historical sites, a farmers’ market, a Christmas tree bonfire or dog sledding would be great seasonal weekend events. Krista Karlson thought it important to have a special children’s/young persons event each season. Others suggested a fair “like the Annual Fair that occurred in Granby back when”.
FORMATION OF STEERING COMMITTEE
Chairman Allen reiterated the importance of having a steering committee since “the P&R Board does not want to tell you what to do - that you aren’t going to be just worker bees but will take the leadership role.” Mrs. Woodford commented that the committee will need to have a budget and go to the Selectpersons… and from her experience with the 1986 celebration, that it is important to start organizing for it will take the 1½ years to plan out.
Chairman Allen asked for volunteers and the following people offered: Martha Delaney, Corinne Dickerson, Krista Karlson, and Kate Bogli. Debbie Cramer said she would reach out to some other groups not represented at the meeting. “Anyone else interested in attending the next meeting will be welcome. The steering committee is not limited in number,” Chairman Allen emphasized.
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Those at the meeting agreed to meet the first Thursday of each month. The focus of the next meeting will be establishing ground rules that can be communicated to all civic groups and interested residents. Chairman Allen suggested that the steering committee start with the idea of having a “four seasons” structure and groups would choose what they wanted to do at what time. Krista Karlson suggested that the minutes of each meeting be sent out by e-mail. Mrs. Woodford will do this as well as putting the minutes on the Park & Recreation website and articles in the Drummer. It was suggested that blogs and Channel 16 might be used in the future for publicity.
ADJOURNMENT
The next 225th Celebration meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 6, 2008 at 7:30 PM in the Senior Center/Youth Services Building, Activity Room #1. If you are not able to attend please remember to call Mrs. Woodford at 844-5356.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Pat Ward
Recording Secretary
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