April 10 2013
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OF TOBYHANNA TOWNSHIP
April 10, 2013
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Road, Pocono Pines, Pa.
Speaker: Julie Burger Counterman, “History of the Burger Family”
Attendance: 53
The meeting was called to order by President Rick Bodenschatz. The program schedule for the 2013 HATT year was announced.
Mr. Gene Kerrick introduced our speaker, Julie Burger Counterman of the Burger family.
Julie presented a program about the history of her family beginning in 1754. The first family arrived here in the Blakeslee area from Germany. The early settlers were farmers, and throughout the generations they intermarried with the Blakeslee and Henning families.
Men in the family served in the Civil War and World War II. Julie showed artifacts from both wars. The Burger family homestead was built in 1912, and family members, including Julie, still live in the residence. The Burger family over the years played a large role in establishing and maintaining the volunteer fire department in Blakeslee.
BUSINESS MEETING: Rick Bodenschatz announced that the meeting minutes will be posted on the web site and will not be read at each meeting. The treasurer’s report was given by Treasurer Fred Tim. Motion was made and accepted to approve both the secretaries and treasurer’s reports.
SUTTMEIER FUND: Rick Bodenschatz announced that in our treasury we have $980 that was donated to HATT as a memorial to Ted Suttmeier. Rick spoke to the attendees about an idea the officers of HATT had as to how to use the money in a way to honor Ted and help the Clymer Library.
The plan would be to buy new chairs for the library that we would use at our meetings. Each chair would have a plaque on the back or a plaque would be placed on the wall stating the chairs were purchased in memory of Ted
Rick asked the members of HATT if they had any other ideas for the money and asked for new ideas to be presented at the May meeting.
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: Rick suggested that HATT may want to think about participating in the Memorial Day Parade. He asked if anyone had any ideas as to how we would go about organizing and running the event. He stated that we would need a chairperson to oversee this event.
Interested individuals are to contact Rick.
COMMUNITY DAY: The annual Community Day is being held on Saturday, July 13 from 2 to 8 p.m. As in the past, HATT would like to have a table with artifacts and photos. Volunteers are needed to set up the event and man the table. A total of six to eight volunteers are needed.
Please contact Rick if you have an interest in helping with this event.
ANNUAL HATT DINNER: The annual dinner will be held this year on October 9. Three or four individuals are needed to plan this event. Pat Baker has offered her services. Any other interested persons should contact Rick.
ARTIFACTS: Jim Forcella has volunteered to help with the artifacts. He needs volunteers who are willing to meet with the persons donating artifacts to discuss the history of their artifacts and research further any important facts about the items. Contact either Jim or Rick if you would like to help.
Rick announced that the HATT officers are in the process of applying for a 501©3 nonprofit status.
Meeting was adjourned. Refreshments were served. Everyone had an opportunity to view the Burger Family artifacts.
Respectfully submitted:
Jeanne Dyer, secretary
