RETURN TO MAIN MINUTES PAGE

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OF TOBYHANNA TOWNSHIP
May 15, 2013
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Road, Pocono Pines, Pa.

Speaker: Rick Smith, “Local Industry in the Poconos”

Attendance: 52, including 13 visitors

OPENING AGENDA: Meeting was called to order by President Rick Bodenschatz. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Gene Kerrick, followed by a moment of silence for recently deceased HATT members and/or relatives of HATT members.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Rick reminded the attendees that our next meeting (June 12) will be a talk by Laura Altemose on “Lake Naomi Club’s First Half Century.”

June 26/July 2 we will be touring the Wills Mansion, and sign-up is required.

The HATT annual bus excursion this year will be to America on Wheels and the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum on September 25 at a cost of $60. Only HATT members are able to sign-up until July 15th.

PROGRAM/SPEAKER: Fred Lehrer introduced our speaker, Rick Smith, who spoke about “Local Industry in the Poconos.” Rick is a native of Tobyhanna Township.

Rick told us that some of the industries in the 1900s included logging, peat moss, ice, dairy farming, a clothes pin factory, resorts, and camps. Many of the above were seasonal industries, so people worked at different jobs depending on the season.

He then went on to discuss the Swiftwater Lab that came to the Poconos in 1897 and remains here today.

The first lab begun by Dr. Richard Slee produced smallpox vaccine. The lab had several owners over the past 100-plus, years and today is known as Sanofi Pasteur. The lab produces flu, meningococcal, and yellow fever vaccines, employing 3,000 individuals and bringing $1.5 billion dollars to our local economy.

Fred Lehrer presented a plaque to Rick Smith and expressed our appreciation for his talk to our organization.

BUSINESS MEETING: Rick Bodenschatz continued the meeting by introducing new HATT members and encouraging visitors to join as well. Our current membership is 131, with 17 of those new in 2013.

REGIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: Rick reminded attendees that on Memorial Day (May 27) there is a dedication at Hungry Hill honoring the Sullivan Trail expedition. The dedication begins at 8:30 a.m., but people are encouraged to arrive by 8:15. The annual Memorial Day Parade begins at 10 a.m., followed by a ceremony at the cemetery. HATT will have a presence in the parade along with “General John Sullivan” and the Bill & Maggie Mullen (the driving force behind the Hungry Hill dedication.)

An announcement was made to remind everyone of the election on May 21.

SUTTMEIER FUND: Rick Bodenschatz once again discussed how HATT wanted to use the money from the Suttmeier Fund. Possibilities include chairs for the library and a plaque honoring Ted, a history contest for the elementary school students, a local history section for the library, and pay for speakers. Rick asked for any other suggestions. None were offered. The executive committee will decide what to do with these funds.

COMMUNITY DAY: Volunteers are still needed to man a booth at the Community Day event on Saturday, July 13. The event runs from 2-8 p.m., and six to eight individuals are needed, each working a two-hour shift. Please contact Rick if you want to help.

SPIRIT OF SWIFTWATER: Rick Smith donated a book “The Spirit of Swiftwater: 100 Years at the Pocono Labs,” to HATT.

At 11:40 the meeting was adjourned and refreshments were served.

Respectfully submitted:
Jeanne Dyer, secretary

Helen Witt shares historical photographs with the audience