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Sayre Historical Society

THE 2011 ANNUAL DINNER MEETING REPORT

A Summary for the public and members unable to attend

The 2011 Annual Dinner Meeting was held beginning at 6 pm on Tuesday, March 8, at the Sons of Italy Lodge, 301 Desmond Street in downtown Sayre.

President Ken Bracken welcomed the members and guests; the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Nancy Brittain; the Invocation given by Bill Ransom.

The Annual Report by the president provided those attending with the status of the society activities in 2010 and the plans for 2011. President Bracken reported on the society’s accomplishments in 2010 including the publication of the postcard book Sayre by Jim Nobles in time for Christmas holiday sales but still ongoing, the update on the grants received and the completion of several museum projects, including the long-awaited installation of interior storm windows and window blinds. CLICK HERE for the President’s Report.

The 2011 society focus will be the continuation of the museum build, he stated. The Stephens/Redman gallery, relating the history of the Lehigh Valley Railroad in Sayre and in nearby locations and slated to be completed for a late spring opening, and the preparation work to be done on the second floor for the Henry Farley Community Room and the Jim Nobles Library will take up the society’s attention for 2011.

PROGRAM: The featured speaker for the evening wasthe museum designer, Linda Norris, a Fulbright Scholar to the Ukraine in 2009 and again in 2010. Her graphic presentation titled: “Ukraine in a Time of Change” related the country’s changing culture. She explained the balance of life between the old and the new in Ukrainian food, traditions, churches, museums and everyday life as the country became an independent nation following not only the demise of the Soviet Union but also the aftermath of the 2004 Orange Revolution. Her photographs reflected the old and the new in Ukrainian traditions, churches, museums and everyday life in Ukraine. The presentation was very well received by the audience, many of whom had Ukrainian ancestry. A lengthy question and answer period followed.

Ms. Norris along with her husband Drew designed and built the first gallery of the Sayre Historical Society Museum, the Guthrie Gallery. They also designed and are in the process of building the Stephens/Redman Gallery, the focus of which is the Lehigh Valley Railroad with its influence in the development of Sayre. The gallery is expected to open in late spring.

A successful raffle as a society fund-raiser was held with large photographs of Sayre as the three prizes.

Those attending enjoyed a sit-down dinner of Italian chicken and potatoes, mixed lettuce salad, green beans, rolls and butter, with coffee or tea and a dessert of chocolate mousse.