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SUMMARY
Lots of ideas: some, like the Funday/Campout/Movie Night were new and need worked on from scratch. Some, like flier and business plan, have starts but need upgrade. We do need to divide work into committees and then recruit experienced people to take part in attendance: Corey Ringle / Donna Speigler / Lynn Richardson / Rob Richardson/ Karen Kelsie / Jenny Austin / Linda Fleming/ Jeff Trellbig [?} / Chris Naizer / Judi Zivic/ Cookie Krizmanich/ Lucy Hanigosky / Barb Starr/ Pat Boczar Wow. An enthusiastic group. I thought we were going to have a small tidy business meeting and plod along. Instead it was like fireworks ( but in a good way! ) after some time on introductions and bringing people up to speed on current status ( which continues to be completely uncertain) we moved into agenda which is not presented chronologically here Money
Communications
Good point brought up: whatever we are communicating, we need to have a business plan so that people know WHAT they are contributing to. We currently have a set of goals, but we have to have a more formal plan. Strong suggestion that we need to be going door to door and talking to some of these affluent people. Much like a political campaign. Events Corey has been in contact with Michelle Jester – a GS leader/ Richfield resident who really wanted to get her kids into camp & bring in their parents with the idea that once they see it they will love it & support it. However- GSNEO allowed one open House. They aren’t going to open the camp for hiking/ events/ etc because the entire point of their selling it is that they do not want to be responsible for it. But idea evolved :why not sponsor a Sunday/ Funday event on the Village Square? This idea rapidly took off as a camp in / family movie night – an event which has been successful elsewhere. Could be a way of getting Revere school kids involved. Posh fund-raiser event at the Tavern- getting the Chamber of Commerce involved Suggestion to get Jim & Laura Fry to host something at their place: Stone Farm On the way out the door a few people got into a conversation about holding a Mardi Gras event early March we forgot to bring up Flier distribution at Hinckley’s Buzzard Day- but that’s coming up.
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Come November, the Western Reserve Land Conservancy will decide if they can complete their purchase of Crowell Hilaka . Since last Sunday’s open house, pledges have been rolling in steadily. After just one week we are almost at $9,000 combined pledges and donations. We will keep counting up the pledges right up until the minute the Conservancy makes their decision.
Comments from the website: from Akron: “I have been there for 1 tour and am amazed at the jewel in our midst. I commend your efforts.” from Rocky River: “In the 1960's I was a Girl Scout leader for an intermediate group of girls, grades 4 through 6. We had many wonderful camping trips to Hilaka and Crowell. Fond memories were resurrected when I read the article in the Plain Dealer. Good luck in your laudable efforts to save Crowell/Hilaka.” from Richfield : “I am hopeful for the day my girls and their girls can camp there again!! “ from Kent: “How do I become a member of Friends of Crowell/Hilaka and to what address would I send a donation? “ Guided Tours of Crowell Hilaka Time is running out! If you are dedicated to preserving the past, conserving precious green space and protecting our future, please join us on Sunday, October 20th for guided tours showcasing an irreplaceable Ohio treasure, Crowell Hilaka. Crowell Hilaka is currently for sale through Western Reserve Land Conservancy. Formerly the estate of inventor James Kirby, this beautiful 336-acre property has two self-clarifying lakes, captivating historic homes, as well as the Kirby Mill — recognized on the National Register of Historic Landmarks. Western Reserve Land Conservancy and Friends of Crowell Hilaka are soliciting pledges and raising the money needed to secure the property as a community resource and a premier recreational facility. We invite you to become a funder. Please come to our open house to learn why this land is so important to Northeast Ohio. Sunday, October 20th 12 noon-3:00pm South Entrance: 3771 Oviatt Road, Richfield, Ohio 44286 North Entrance: 4374 Broadview Road, Richfield, Ohio 44286 Thank you. We look forward to seeing you next Sunday. If you have questions or need more information before then, please visit our website www.friendsofcrowellhilaka.org or email: [email protected] or call 216.921.8789 for more information On Tuesday evening, the Richfield Village council passed an emergency resolution supporting FoCH’s intent to purchase the property currently known as Crowell Hilaka from the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. The resolution acknowledges the historic, cultural, and environmental value of the property. The formal document of Richfield Township’s endorsement was similar- not simply the short notation as I originally thought.
Both the Township and the Village resolutions note that the property is zoned as a Conservation District, intended to preserve historic and scenic areas, protect ecological balance, and to reduce the flooding problems associated with intensively developed areas. Having the endorsement of both the Township and the Village gives our plan an official stamp of approval which will make it easier to attract pledges. Corey gave a great presentation to Village Council using a power point made by Kelly Clark. The problem with any discussion of CH is that there is so much to say that it’s hard to fit it all into a short speech! Besides the power point, she had a large, painted map of C/H on a floor easel; and a smaller display board showing how the mill produced electricity and can be used for STEM education programs. During her talk she touched on the topography , history, and current recreational facilities very briefly. Then she moved on into our plans for future operations- including a very nice description of zipline networks. Then we got into the pledge campaign and the timeline etc. A slam dunk. If we had more time, I have no doubt at all we’d be able to raise the full amount. Lynn Question on George Gund Hall- were they major donors or what? To the camp fund or directly to the council? Kathleen
Answer- it looks like the Gund donation was specifically toward the camp campaign – and a later donation at that. When I went to look it up I got involved in tracking the story over several issues of The Millwheel: Capitol campaign to improve the West Richfield property opened Nov 1, 1963. Goal was $650,000 over 3 years. General Campaign Chairman was Frank A. Kender Mr. Frank C. Jones was the Campaign Director. The campaign Kick-off dinner was held at the Masonic Temple at 3651 Euclid Avenue on Dec 3, 1963. It was attended by about 350 members of the “Inner Leaders Division”. These were selected business leaders as well as any GS volunteers who responded to an open invitation in The Millwheel. The large color map that everyone likes was altered from the “centerfold” map of the Jan/Feb 1964 Millwheel. It showed the numerous planned improvements The campaign moved to scout families in March 1964. Volunteers and parents were urged to talk the campaign up to small businesses and the girls’ parents. ”Tell your prospects that they are making an investment not only for your daughters, but for your daughter’s daughters” said Mr. Jones. “Back in 1937 someone else bought the camp which your daughters are now enjoying” . Two large gifts were announced at that time: $25,000 each from the Cleveland Foundation and the Beaumont Foundation. Also: Addressograph-Multigraph Corp: $2,000 Carling Brewing Co: $2,000 Clevite Corp: $2,000 Ernst & Ernst: $650 Midland Ross Corp: $3,000 White Sewing Machine Corp: $1,000 Warner & Swasey: $2,500 G.E. pledged dollar for dollar matching gifts About 700 clubs and organizations were approached for donations by letter. By April 1, 1964, $340,626 ( little over half of the goal) had been collected in 10,716 individual gifts. The official campaign office was closing although follow up phone calls would continue to be made. Sept/Oct 1964. $435,000 had come in. The council president, Mrs. Vernon Latimer, stressed that “some large contributors are waiting to contribute substantially, dependent on our making a larger percentage of our goal. She urges those who would like to add more to what they have already given to do so.” Pictured in this issue is General Motors manager Howard Holmes presenting LEGSC with a check for $15,000 Nov/Dec 1964- reports Coach House upgraded to a troop site instead of being used as the camp manager's house. A new caretaker house and maintenance garage were constructed. The entrance on Broadview Rd was formed and the long driveway cleared. Of the different groups of targeted donors- the Scout Family and General Division was doing the best. 78% of goal at $153,771 Special Gifts Division - 70.1% of goal - $87,656 Inner Leaders - 60.3% of goal – $75,497 Advance and Major Gifts 58.1% of goal – $116,239 Clubs and organizations also contributed $1,890 to the fund drive. In Jan/Feb 1965, The Millwheel reported $448,000 had been pledged. The Chagrin Valley District pledged the money for a new cabin which was then named after them. By May/June, the total had inched up to $462,277 From The Millwheel March/ April 1966: A “less ambitious” swimming pool and dining hall for our West Richfield property has been decided upon by our board of directors because of failure to reach our goal in the Camp Development Fund Drive and because of the large number of unpaid pledges, Mrs. Alto Brown told those attending the annual meeting of the Lake Erie Girl Scout Council on Feb. 7. “Even so,” she added, ”we are not able to definitely at this time able to say that we can go ahead with these revised plans. It is our hope that enough pledges and additional gifts will come in between now and June 1 so that we can begin both projects, together with the sanitation system , as soon as the resident camping season is over” In the last year, she said, additional gifts have totaled $42,000, bringing to 492 the amount contributed toward the $650,000 goal. Nov / Dec 1966 “ A new swimming pool and dining hall by next Summer! That’s the prospect now for our camp sites at West Richfield, thanks to funds received and being received from our Camp Development Fund Drive. ” The ground for the pool is now excavated, the pipes are laid, and the gunite shell is going in on property north of the gas cut at Camp Hilaka. Central Pools is building it, and promises full operation by next summer “ Construction of the dining hall at Camp Hilaka,by the the Burns Construction Company, is now underway. It will serve campers in less advanced units, and will be a commissary for the advanced units – paddlers, waterfront, pioneers, outposters, primitive, and CITs – who will still cook and eat out as usual. “Now finished and working at Camps Julia Crowell and Hilaka is our new sanitation system, also thanks to the Camp Development Fund Drive monies. Our new treatment plant is behind a fence enclosure near the parking lot at Camp Julia Crowell” May/ June 1967: announced the May 21 dedication date of the Louis D. Beaumont Pool and the George Gund Dining Hall . The centerfold of the Sept/Oct 1967 issue shows pictures from both with the the full names. Everything we know about the Freeman farm in Richfield is now on the Crowell Hilaka timeline
The Freemans including historic photos / Ruth’s 1862 diary / the official farm inventory – turns out it was mostly a wool & dairy farm, not apples as previously thought. Much credit goes to Bruce Leech of Troy, Michigan for sharing his family history. Enjoy! Lynn Last minute reminder - FoCH annual membership meeting this evening 6:30 Richfield Historical Society Museum
All are welcome Free Ice Cream - update on the local and national legal issues - discussion of direction for C/H -presentation everything we know so far about the Kirby mill - Voting members* will elect the FoCH board for the upcoming year and decide whether to reduce the minimum number of board members to 5. * voting members : at least age 12 years old provide at least one form of contact information to FoCH not currently a member of GSNEO board or staff dues ( $5) paid for 2013 FoCH permits proxy voting per our bylaws. Regarding the future of Camp Crowell Hilaka:
There are four possibilities that I can see: 1. Girl Scouts keep the camp and re-open it. 2. The Land Conservancy buys the camp and sells it to us. 3. The Land Conservancy buys the camp and sells it to an organization that will use it as a park or a camp. 4. The land conservancy buys the camp and sells it to an individual or private organization that prohibits access . 1. Girl Scouts keep the camp and re-open it. Not likely in the current regime. If it did happen, it would be because of some outside force – either the courts or public pressure. More concerns have been raised recently - not just over camps- but about decisions being made at GSUSA. There are related lawsuits pending in Tennessee, Iowa, Alabama, and New Jersey. I hope GSUSA will hit the brakes on this crisis, but so far there are no signs that it will do so in time to help GSNEO. If by a miracle it did, we could go back to being awesome GS volunteers running awesome programs. OR we could negotiate a shared responsibility/ownership plan so that we don’t put a lot of work into something that can get sold out from under us at a later time. 2. The Land Conservancy buys the camp and sells it to us. This worked for Camp Little Notch in New York State. This might be a possibility IF we had a good business plan for running the camp ourselves AND enough pledges of financial backing. 3. The Land Conservancy buys the camp and sells it to an organization that will use it as a park or a camp. We can either volunteer for the new organization or go pro-active negotiating partial ownership of some aspect in exchange for responsibility. 4. The Land Conservancy buys the camp and sells it to an individual or private organization that prohibits access. In which case we are pretty much done. As you can see, there is a lot that is out of our control. But we still have options. All of the options call for a goal and a business plan: which just means what WE are willing to do and how we want to do it. Scenarios 1 & 3 come with a ready-made clientele and mission. Scenario 2 is wide open- but it’s unlikely that we could survive financially by only catering to troops who got blocked out of GSNEO camps. So that means broadening the clientele base. And if we broaden the clientele base- to say, families; what is it that we would offer? We aren’t going to develop a full-scale business plan on June 6. For one thing, we are still hoping for the Girl Scout Miracle. But we want to get a sense of general direction. What would you be OK with? What would you actively support? What would be be unacceptable? The sky is the limit- because we pick a goal first- and THEN work out the details of how to get there. Some examples: - “just keep it a camp- allow families” - most family camp grounds allow RV’s because that’s the demand. Nothing wrong with that. We’d have to install hook-ups. But if that were our only business plan, a lot of land would be turned into parking lot. It makes me cringe. If it were the only way to survive so that kids could use the place, I might be convinced. But not happy about it. - “ bring back the horses- build a full service equestrienne center” - Always a lot of interest in this. Girls LOVE horses. Richfield/ Bath are “horsey’ places- so there are probably lots of the nessessary support services around. Downside: expensive start up & maintenance. There is probably a reason most riding stables around here closed years ago. “ focus on arts and science/ bring in school field trips” We have the capability. The GSUSA consultant Glen Chin even suggested that the old buildings inspired arts programs. Downside: Schools tend to look for cheap field trips “full service spa/ retreat center” Similar to horses – nice idea, but expensive and requires specialized expertise. Bigger issue: if we are about kids (especially girls) being able to experience nature and learn life skills – how does building a spa promote that? I have a feeling that we will come up with something unique that we haven’t hit on yet. But we will. Just because something has a downside doesn’t mean we can’t do it. There’s pros and cons to everything. But whatever we settle on has to be do-able and worth the bother of doing. So write down your thoughts and bring them on June 6 Lynn I went looking through the archives of the Plain Dealer for Julia Crowell. The person- not the camp. I was coming up with nothing- which was not just frustrating.....it was wrong. Not only was she the first commissioner of the Cleveland Girls Scout, she was so beloved that they named a fantastic place after her. Besides that, she was a wealthy Society woman. Her husband was an inventor, a dashing war hero, and the contractor for the Cleveland Museum of Art (the 1916 part). How could she have disappeared without a trace???? Turns out I was looking in the wrong place. Women back then went by their husband’s names. We are so used to thinking of Juliet Low using her own first name in 1912 – we forget she was that that was permitted because she was a widow. When I tried searching “Mrs. Benedict Crowell”, there were so many articles – I haven’t even scratched the surface yet. Then I tried under her maiden name The late 19th century took “Society” very seriously. The wealthy, elite families were listed in an annual yearbook called “The Social Register ”. Those in the book were “Society” – a sort of American aristocracy who went to each other’s parties and worked on each other’s charitable causes. It was a world with little business or industrial regulation, and NO income tax. It seems like anything anyone in the register did was considered newsworthy In 1895 the paper reported every time one of the young Society ladies went to and from boarding school. Miss Julia Cobb and her friend Grace attended Miss Hershey’s school in Boston. In September 1896, “ Miss Julia Cobb gave a bicycle ride and dinner at the country club for 16 of her young friends” . Assorted parties, weddings, frolics were all duly noted along with their guest lists. January, 1898 “One of the largest and most beautiful dancing parties of the season was given at the Colonial Club on Tuesday evening by Miss Grace McBride and Miss Julia Cobb, “buds” of the winter. Mrs. J.H. McBride and Mrs. Lester A. Cobb and their daughters received guests in the red parlor. There was a brilliant assemblage of society’s elect, over 400 being present, and the number of handsome toilets was notable [These “toilets”can’t possibly mean what we think- but I have no idea what they are supposed to be. Considering the fuss over flushies, I had to laugh] [Addition by Rob after reading this: "toilet" refers to a person's grooming in this context.] Miss McBride wore white crepe du chine and carried La France roses. Miss Cobb was also in white, her gown of point d’esprit over satin insertion bands. She carried Lillies of the Valley. Pink was the color scheme in the banquet room and the decorations in the other apartments were very effective. I skipped up to 1904 to find her wedding to Mr. Crowell. Like many weddings of the time, it took place in her parents’ home. I will spare you the description which sounds like a crawl through a florists’. During WWI, the Crowells moved back and forth between Cleveland and Washington, DC. During that time, Julia becomes the commissioner of the D.C. Girl Scouts. Washington is crowded with extra personnel needed for the war effort. But there is nowhere for all the extra people to get food. Girl Scouts to the rescue! They set up lunch wagons everywhere in the city, and the nation is grateful. [You can see a picture of Julia Crowell from around this time by Googling “Mrs. Benedict Crowell”. There are a couple pictures which show her with standing next to General Pershing and Mrs. Warren G. Harding. There is a fourth- unidentified- adult in the pictures. But if you’ve ever watched “the Golden Eaglet”, you will recognize Juliette Low.] February, 1922 Much space is devoted to the newly re-organized Cleveland Girl Scouts. The intrepid “Black Duck “ troop goes out hiking, gets caught in a rainstorm, the water freezes on their clothes, and they arrive at the commissioners house wearing ”ice jackets”. They dry off and spend the evening in happy signaling practice. |
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