Alderman Mark Fitzsimmons gives presentation Saturday

The Stanley Area Historical Society held their 2022 Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 21. The meeting was called to order at 12:45 pm. President Dave Jankoski welcomed the attendees and then introduced Mark Fitzsimmon’s, First Ward Alderperson and the Chairperson of the City Buildings Committee. Fitzsimmon’s was present to share information on plans for the former Stanley Depot and for informational purposes, he brought enlarged drawings of the proposed building. He noted that some sandstone and wood from the former depot will be incorporated into the new structure. Comments and discussion occurred, questions were answered, and input was provided. Out of the December 15, 2021 tornado destruction of the historic depot will arise a structure that will house restrooms, storage and picnic shelters on each side of the structure. The west side of the building will most resemble the former depot structure and will have places for some historic depot related scenes. During the annual meeting attendees voted to provide permanent pictures for display on the west wall of the structure, pursue a Chippewa County Historical Marker for placement on the west wall and decide on participation in helping with any overage costs, when and if, they occur.

The Annual Business Meeting began with a presentation of the minutes from the 2021 Annual Meeting by Secretary Sharon Wundrow. Treasurer, Jim Ericksen, followed with a comprehensive presentation of the organization’s 2022 income, expenditures and the current status of the organization’s overall financial status. Total donated income in 2022 was $41,581.44 and total expenditures were $50,462.31. He noted that the refinishing of the museum’s 2002 addition floors was a major 2022 expenditure at $9,800. Several other major expenditures were toilet upgrades at $1,159.98 and floor protectors on most of the furnishings in the 2002 building at $1,764.59. It was also noted that the memorials to the Trust Fund in 2022 were $10,715. Ericksen was again lauded for his excellent work as treasurer.

In a Buildings and Grounds report, it was noted that the Floor Project was a major undertaking and was accomplished with a two month disruption of work activity by the volunteers. Everyone who has seen the floor agrees it was well worth the inconveniences as the floors breathe a beautiful renewed life in the 2002 addition. A 2023 project to be undertaken will be to enclose the lower level digitization work area and build display cases on the outer wall, thus creating a more inviting connection with the north building.

In his 2022 Annual Recap of the historical society activity, President Jankoski noted that regular quarterly meetings were able to be held in 2022 and that the museum was open each weekend during June, July, August and September, thanks again to a host of around 50 docents who volunteered. Visitor numbers were 561 during the year. He ended by again thanking the membership for their continued financial support, and the Board of Directors for their service.

Connie Pozdell reported that the Digitization Work Group took a big hit with the passing of Cheryl Kern-Simirenko, who headed the group since its inception. Luckily she was a good teacher and two of her students, Pozdell and Sharon Wundrow are carrying on with the work. It was announced that they could use, one or two, additional volunteers to work with them on Tuesday afternoons. It was also reported that SAHS’s digitization pioneering work has resulted in the Rusk County Historical Society and the Grantsburg Historical Society using SAHS as a resource for instructional use of Past Perfect programming and cloud storage of data and photos. Wundrow has provided an on-site visit to the Rusk County Museum and provided an in-service.

Wundrow reported on the work of Melanie Schmidt, the museum’s summer intern. Melanie was an advanced student who came with experiences and skills that previous students had not had before arriving. SAHS will soon be in communication with the Public History Department at UW-Eau Claire and it is hoped SAHS will again be able to offer an internship to another student.

Betty Plombon sent word that she and Judy Judnic will be changing the large exhibit space in the North Building and it will feature businesses on South Broadway. Plombon is planning two presentations for 2023. She will offer a repeat of her KKK presentation and a wedding dress review.

In announcements, and other actions, the 2022 Financial Audit will again be conducted by Connie Pozdell, Donna Endru, and Joyce Boie. The January newsletter was mailed on January 20. Discussion on establishment of a Long Range Planning Committee took place. Among the charges to the committee will be a plan for succession for two key positions – the fact exist that the president and museum director are aging out and there needs to be a plan developed for their replacement in the not to distant future. There also needs to be a determination made if any further expansion of museum buildings should take place. A five person committee will be established to study and come forth with recommendations. Connie Pozdell and Jankoski reported on the November meeting of the Clark County Historical Society that was held at Spencer City Hall. The next meeting of the Clark County Historical Society will be held at Colby.

Annual elections returned incumbent Dave Jankoski as President and Jean Ketterhagen as Vice-President. Returned to the Board of Directors were Mark Bernklau, Mary Fitzsimmons and Donna Endru. Still to be determined is a replacement to finish out the term of Cheryl Kern-Simirenko. Jankoski thanked the board members for their willingness to continue their service.

The next regular meeting of SAHS will be held on Monday, April 24, 2023, at 7 p. m. In closing, President Jankoski thanked those who participated in the potluck that preceded the Annual Meeting.

Stanley-Boyd high school guidance counselor Brennan Schrader oversees scholarships at the district. Image courtesy school website.