The Stanley Area Historical Society held their 2020 Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 23. The meeting was called to order at 1 pm by President Dave Jankoski with his acknowledging and thanking those in attendance. Minutes of the last quarterly meeting were presented by Acting Secretary, Patricia Jankoski. Treasurer, Jim Ericksen, followed with his extensive report on the income and expenditures for the calendar year 2020. Among his highlights was the north building’s roof replacement project that occurred in 2020. Ericksen noted that the cost of the project was $22,730 and that to date donations have totaled $15,185. Thus funds remaining to be raised to pay for the project are $7,545. Ericksen also reported on the progress that has been made in replacing more of the old lighting in the museum. Expenditures during 2020 for the LED Light Project totaled $1,136. Ericksen said the project is nearly completed and that most of the work remaining is replacing light fixtures in the individual exhibit cases and one room in the north museum building. Total income for 2020 was $45,064 and total expenditures were $51,368, due to the expensive roof project.

In his 2020 Annual Recap of the historical society activity, President Jankoski highlighted the affects the COVID-19 pandemic had on the museum’s operations. The society’s April Quarterly Meeting was canceled for the first time in the organizations 44 years of existence. The museum opening date was pushed back three weeks to the weekend of June 20-21. Visitor numbers were substantially less. Little digitization of artifacts occurred because key volunteers were not able to participate. No programs/presentations were held during 2020. Jankoski thanked those who were able to volunteer during the year for their service. He noted that the museum had their first summer intern from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire this past summer and that he had returned as a volunteer after completing his internship. He ended by thanking the membership for their continued financial support, and the Board of Directors for lending their support to the efforts of SAHS, The Digitization Work Group reported that some members managed periodically to work at the museum. Most of the artifacts donated during 2020 have been photographed. Several other smaller projects have also been completed. Betty Plombon noted that she and Judy Judnic recently finished the new North Gallery Exhibit, which features the businesses on First Avenue in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Their extensive research has resulted in an interesting and informative display of pictures and tidbits of information. They have also displayed a number of the museum’s collection of wedding dresses. The Foreign Wars exhibit is also being completely redone. Connie Pozdell led the development of a new exhibit featuring paintings by Hazel Heagle, which are exhibited in the Mortensen Meeting Room. Hazel was known for her small paintings, especially of Stanley structures painted on wood blocks. All the exhibits mentioned will be available for viewing in 2021. Plombon noted that possible 2021 programs could be wedding dresses and the local KKK.

Cheryl Kern-Simirenko reported on her involvement with a Wisconsin Historical Society organized strategic planning group that is developing a statewide Digital Readiness Community Practice. As a member of this group, she remains vigilant in providing the perspective of the all-volunteer historical societies and museum’s. The goal is helping local historical societies across the state build relationships and share knowledge to support their digital work.

Jim Ericksen lead a discussion on moving SAHS forward into the 21st Century. The collective ideas discussed were developing a monthly E-mail to members, enhancements of the organization’s Facebook page and Website, accepting alternate forms of payment of dues or making donations, use of electronics within the museum and for events and meetings, perhaps hiring professionals to assist with messaging, having museum’s items and information available for purchase, use of Clio software for tours, and using our Past Perfect software to the fullest.

In announcements, it was noted that the 2020 Financial Audit will again be conducted by Connie Pozdell, Donna Endru, and Joyce Boie. The January newsletter went out in early December and was mailed to over 400 households. Betty thanked the work crews who prepared the newsletters for mailing. Jankoski reported on the November meeting of the Clark County Historical Society had been canceled due to COVID and that a decision on the fate of the June meeting was being deferred until April or early May. Annual elections returned incumbent Dave Jankoski as president and elected Jeanne Ketterhagen to the position of vice-president. Fred Evans was thanked for his years of service to the organization. Returned to the Board of Directors were Mark Bernklau, Mary Fitzsimmons, and Donna Endru. John Pozdell agreed to serve on the board filling the one vacant position that has remained vacant for the past year. Jankoski again thanked the Board of Directors for their dedication, support and assistance.

The next regular meeting of SAHS will be held on Monday, April 26, 2021, at 7 p. m. In closing, President Jankoski again thanked those in attendance for the extra effort in attending this years meeting.

Betty Plombon (right) shows off a History Board recently put together for a local business. The plan is for the business to display it in their office area. SAHS President Dave Jankoski (left) is helping Plombon hold up the completed project. The picture was taken on the upper floor near the meeting room entry.