November 2009 _________________________________________ Carolyn Ernst, President
FROM THE PRESIDENT:
We are very proud to
honor our 2009 recipient of the Grapevine Historical Society's Lifetime
Membership, Helen Jean Lucas Reed. Be sure to read the Membership Chairman's
article as she reflects on the many contributions Helen Jean bestows
on our Society. What an asset it is to have such a dedicated member
as Helen Jean!
November is a wonderful
month. The leaves are turning color, the temperature is cooling off,
and we take time to reflect on all the things for which we are thankful.
Let’s take a stroll down Main Street to see what blessings we enjoy.
Starting at the Grapevine
Public Library where the Executive Board of our Society meets each month,
we should be thankful to this dedicated group of volunteers, each of
whom spends many hours each month overseeing the business of our group.
We are also thankful for the library, its staff, and its store of historical
and genealogical information. It’s a terrific resource for information
about our area.
At the Cotton Belt Depot
we can pause to give thanks for the Historical Museum which tells the
story of Grapevine, its beginning, and its people. And don’t forget
the docents who welcome guests from all over the area, state, and world.
Outside the Depot is
the statue reminding us of the many service men and women who have protected
our freedom and way of life. I’m glad of this reminder of the sacrifices
they have made and continue to make for us and pray for a safe return
home for all of them.
The “Sunday Skaters”
depict the exuberance of youth. Although we look to the past for lessons
already learned, down the ages we have always looked to the future through
our children.
Ambling on down Main
Street we enjoy the many old buildings from the early 1900s. They are
not just buildings, but represent the people and businesses that have
occupied them throughout the years. How fortunate that these stories
are documented in our Grapevine Area History
and Grapevine’s Most Unforgettable Characters
books.
The gazebo tells the
story of citizens gathering together to enjoy music on a pleasant evening
and catching up on the news around town. Perhaps the “Sidewalk Judge”
sitting on the porch of the Wallis Hotel has observed something of interest
to share. Grapevine’s City Hall, with the nightwatchman perched atop
it, stands opposite the statue of our pioneers and the Torian cabin.
How fortunate we are
to have city leaders who recognize and help preserve the history of
our town that makes it so unique. Of course B.R. Wall stands vigil outside
the City Hall. His vision for the small town of Grapevine was so impressive.
He brought us the first Boy Scout troop west of the Mississippi, founded
The Grapevine Sun, established ties with Pitcairn Island, a small
island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, etc., etc, etc. With goals
like those we were destined for great things.
The depiction of the
prairie and its wildlife, at the intersection of Main Street and Northwest
Highway, remind us of the many natural resources the area has. No wonder
the American Indians and the pioneers found this an ideal location.
Grapevine offers much for which to be thankful with a rich past and
a bright future. Take your own stroll down Main Street or in your own
neighborhood and be thankful for all you have.
The right to vote, a
November tradition in the U.S., is something we all cherish. The members
of the Historical Society will have an opportunity to elect three new
officers (1st Vice President, 2nd
Vice President, and Publicity Chair) at our November meeting. Also we
will have a panel of speakers who will examine all aspects of the Kennedy
assassination. You won’t want to miss this informative meeting.
I hope to see you at
the Library on November 23, 7:00 p.m. Since we will not be meeting in
December, let me take this opportunity to wish you all very happy holidays
and, if you are traveling over the holidays, a safe journey.
Carolyn Ernst, President
Our Grapevine Historical
Museum continues to have large numbers of visitors from all over the
world: Labrador, Russia and Singapore are some of the countries we haven't
seen until recently. The total number of visitors for September was
2549 people. For the month of October we had 1994 visitors.
Have you ever rummaged
through your treasured items of years gone by and reminisced? Well,
this past week, that is what I was doing. Reading articles in the Grapevine
Historical Society's newsletters dating back from 1998 makes me realize
how much progress our community of Grapevine has made in developing
its historic culture – its downtown area, the residential township
and more!
I've been your Newsletter
Editor since January 2004. Preceding me there have been two other editors.
Your first editor was Jesse Woods, a man I never had the pleasure of
meeting, but certainly wish I had. Jesse, a retired USAF Officer moved
here with his wife Maybelle after retiring from the military because
his brother Ira E. Woods "got here first." He was a member
of the Grapevine Rotary Club and I learned that he was the one who encouraged
the Rotarians to line up the array of American flags on Main Street
during the various patriotic holidays. He started your newsletter
in 1998 and was followed by Sallie Andrews in 1999.
In Vol. 1 #1 of the newsletter,
there was an article stating that the Museum and VIC were moving
from the Depot to the "newly remodeled (and renamed) Founders Building."
Did you know that our Museum has another home besides our Cotton Belt
Depot? Actually it started out in the Depot but that was when the building
was sitting in Heritage Park on Ball Street where the beautiful Botanic
Gardens are now located. We created our first directory of members
which Sallie Andrews compiled for us. In Vol 1 #3 newsletter, our members
planned a road trip to historic sites in Fort Worth and Northeast Tarrant
County. As you know, we are once again planning a tour of this area
for May of 2010. Last May we had Dr. Paul Benson lead us to some historic
locations in Dallas County. He has agreed to take us to Tarrant County
this coming May. I know you will want to mark your new 2010 calendar
and make plans to attend.
Many articles from our
first publication Grapevine Area History
are noted in the early newsletters. I hope you have had the opportunity
to purchase a copy and learn about this wonderful area of North Texas
that you call "home."
Pam Price, 1st
V.P./ Museum Curator (817) 481-3774
FROM THE 2nd
VICE PRESIDENT:
Thanks again to our member
John Kalvelage for bringing history alive with his WW II stories
and artifacts that illuminate the era in such a enlightening and penetrating
way. His enthusiasm certainly penetrates us all.
Our last program of the
year will be November 23 at the library as we explore maybe the
greatest mystery in US history, a shocking event that occurred within
25 miles of us. The Kennedy assassination changed history and
has been the most investigated crime and act maybe in world history,
but has not resulted in any kind of consensus in understanding and agreement.
Polls show that 75% of the American public do not accept the Warren Commission's findings
that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone and that there is no credible evidence
of a conspiracy. We will have three speakers to explore the facts and
conclusions of a number of books written on the subject and investigations
by individuals and organizations. You will definitely know more about
the arguments and conclusions by attending this provocative discussion
covering as many aspects as we can in the time allotted. One speaker,
Jim Gatewood, has written a book outlining what he claims shows Mafia
involvement. Two members of our group, John Price and I have spoken
on this, researched and discussed with many involved in the capture
and other events. Note that my presentation and summary of various publications
is available if you will email me with a request at rvg5@juno.com.
We have the first half
of next year's programs lined up, and you will not want to miss any.
Our popular Dr. Paul Benson will lead us off in January and you
will want to invite friends and especially church members to hear our
February speaker discuss his book and research into the favorite hymns
of the presidents with his many interesting stories of their faith.
We don't refer to Grapevine
as the greatest Metroplex community without reason. Our interest in
the area and willingness to volunteer and work to make the community
outstanding and serve many enhances all of us. Let's all work and take
an interest to be even more proud of where we live.
Remember that our meetings
are held at 7:00 p.m. in the Meeting Room of the Grapevine Public Library.
Come join us! This is a great way to learn about your community, meet
others, and spend an interesting evening. As always we ask that ideas
for programs and presenters be relayed to the executive committee. Let’s
work together to find great programs and learn more about our heritage
and community. You may contact our new 2nd Vice President/Program
Chair with your suggestions or visit www.grapevinehistory.org.
As I close my final newsletter
article to you as your 2nd Vice President/Program Chair,
I want to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and Healthy &
Happy New Year as we enter 2010! Thank you for letting me serve you
these past four years. It has certainly been my pleasure to work with
you.
This is our last meeting
for 2009 as we take the month of December off for the Holiday Season.
See you at 7:00 p.m. in the library on November 23rd,
Ralph Gary, 2nd
VP/Program Chairman
FROM THE TREASURER:
The Grapevine Historical
Society's September 30, 2009 Checking Account balance was $7,467.52,
and Total Funds balance was $29,545.47.
October receipts totaled
$2,494.86. The sale of two books and their mailing cost amounted
to $165.00. Donations equaled $639.50, $500.00 from ExxonMobil
for Helen Lucas Reed's volunteer hours and $139.50 from Museum donations-lower
this month than in the past. Other receipts included the C&VB 4th
Quarter Grant of $1690.00 and Checking Account Interest of $ .36.
Expenses in October totaled
$697.25. That amount covered Communications Expense of $179.57,
Museum Professional Fees of $500.00, and various small expenses totaling
$17.68.
The Checking Account
balance at the end of October was $9,265.13. The Society's three CDs
total $22,077.95. Total Society Funds amounted to $31,343.08 on October
31, 2009.
Margaret Wood, Treasurer
FROM THE MEMBERSHIP
CHAIR:
Congratulations to
Helen Jean Lucas Reed on receiving the Lifetime Membership for 2009.
Helen Jean has worked tirelessly to promote, lead, and support the Grapevine
Historical Society and Museum since returning home to Grapevine. Her
many hours of volunteer service: scheduling the volunteers at our museum,
working uncovered shifts herself, leading our organization as Past President
and serving on the Board in addition to many other projects she has
willingly undertaken that have benefitted the Historical Society. Helen
Jean has contributed through financial donations from her previous employer
Exxon Mobil to our Society as well. Thank you, Helen Jean, for your
continuing support of our mission and goals.
There are 195 individual/family
memberships and 16 Business/ Organization memberships for a total of
211 members to date for 2009.
Janis Roberson, Membership
Chairperson
FROM THE PUBLICITY
CO-CHAIRS:
Thursday, November 12,
through Sunday, January 3, including holidays (daily):
ICE! featuring How The Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss, showing at the Gaylord Texan. See
the Gaylord Texan website at
www.gaylordhotels.com for more info.
Saturday, November 21
from 10 am to 2 pm:
PUMPKIN PICKING and PROCESSING
at NASH FARM, 626 Ball Street: Pick your own pumpkin and learn how to
make a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.
Monday, November 30 at
7 pm:
CAROL OF LIGHTS at the
Gazebo on Main Street. Kick off the holiday season in the Christmas
Capital of Texas. Delight in the sights and sounds as Historic
Downtown Grapevine dances to life with the spectacular choreographed
light show.
Monday, December 7, 11:30
am:
CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON for
Museum Docents, VIC Volunteers & VIC Staff: Formal invitations
will be forthcoming. If you are not a Museum Docent, NOW
is the time to call Helen Jean Lucas Reed to join in the fun and serve
your community.
If any of you have special
news items we should know about or have an idea for an article, please
contact Margaret at Margaretharper@juno.com or phone Janie at
817-481-1266.
Margaret Harper and Janie
Harper, Co-Chairs
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
NEXT MEETING:
November 23rd at 7:00 p.m. in the Grapevine Public Library
1201 South Main Street, Grapevine, TX 76051 – Phone Number: 817-410-3400.
At this meeting we will
be voting for these Executive Board officers for the 2010-2011 term:
1st Vice President/Museum Curator, 2nd Vice President/Program
Chair, and Publicity Chair.
We appreciate the services
of our current officers: Pam Price, Ralph Gary and co-chairs Margaret
Harper and Janie Harper. They have done an excellent job for the Society!
A sincere "Thank You" goes to all four of them!
NO DECEMBER MEETING
– Have a blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday with your family
and friends! See you January 25, 2010!
TIME TO RENEW YOUR
MEMBERSHIP! Look for your 2010 membership form on the website. It
will also be enclosed in your newsletter. Congratulations to you! We
ended the 2009 year with our largest membership ever: 211 family, individual,
business and organization memberships.
Why not introduce your
family and friends to the Grapevine Historical Society where they will
be able to share the history of the people of Grapevine and the surrounding
countryside known as the Grapevine Area? We have some of the most informative
and interesting programs at our monthly meetings and enjoy an annual
road trip to a town or historic site in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
You will meet some of the most dedicated residents of Grapevine in the
Society where friends and families meet and share their interest in
our wonderful city. There is a tremendous amount of Grapevine History
shared and the fellowship is endearing!
We would love to have
YOU join us. Membership as an individual member is $10; as a family
member is $15; and as a business/organization member is $20. What a
wonderful gift you could give one of your family members or a friend
who would like to know more about our community! Come join us!
Grapevine Historical Society Books
Mail orders should be sent to:
Grapevine Historical
Society
P.O. Box 995
Grapevine Texas 76099-0995