November 12, 2015
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OF TOBYHANNA TOWNSHIP
November 12, 2015 • 5:30 p.m.
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Road, Pocono Pines, Pa.
Attendees: 38
Speakers: Dr. William Lewis, “Lincoln’s Friends and Foes in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” and Maddie Lewis, "Fishing Creek Confederacy"
The meeting was called to order by Rick Bodenschatz. He welcomed members and guests and thanked them for attending.
Rick announced the Lion’s Club wreath placement and ceremony in honor of Veterans Day this Sunday, 2 p.m., at the Pocono Lake Cemetery right next door.
He also announced the upcoming ticket sessions for HATT’s Home for the Holidays concert on Saturday, December 12.
Our first speaker was then introduced by Rick — Dr. William Lewis, who presented “Lincoln’s Friends and Foes in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
The presentation was based on his book released earlier this year. It is remarkable that President Lincoln had so many political supporters as well as detractors in the northeastern part of Pennsylvania, ranging through the coal regions of Hazelton and Jim Thorpe to the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre areas, and on into Wayne County.
Dr. Lewis then introduced his daughter, Maddie Lewis, for the second presentation of the day.
Maddie, a 9th grade student, repeated her 2014 History Day performance about the Fishing Creek Confederacy, an event that occurred in Columbia County during the Civil War. She portrayed a 19th-century farmer and draft resister during the Civil War, when about 100 people was arrested for resisting the draft and opposing the Union. It was a distinguished performance and conveyance of historical fact.
Certificates of appreciations were presented to Dr. Lewis and Maddie Lewis after they answered several questions from the audience.
Rick closed the meeting by asking everyone to remember all of our veterans who have served our country and our freedom.
HATT member and veteran Ike Olsen led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance before we departed.
Respectfully submitted:
Rick Bodenschatz, Immediate Past President
