Randolph County Historical Society fete Brookfield Sesquicentennial Group

The Randolph County Historical society held its annual meeting Tuesday night and received some tips on holding a successful sesquicentennial event, something the city of Moberly will be looking at in the year 2016.

Three members of the Brookfield Sesquicentennial committee gave the presentation “How to plan for a sesquicentennial celebration”. Beverly Liebhart introduced some ideas for fund raising to help with costs incurred during the celebration. She said that Christmas ornaments were sold as well as commemorative plates, designed by a local artist. Mugs, hats, fans and other items were sold, prices geared to all types of consumers.

Regina Smith was on the Brookfield celebration steering committee.

“Much of the work requires long term and short term plans”, she said. “We started some four years ago to get ready for Brookfield’s Sesquicentennial. We produced a video, had several books printed, some reprinted covering the centennial as well.”

The committee related what a whole week of celebration could include. In Brookflied, each day was assigned a theme, some of which were Patriot Day, Transportation Day, Agriculture Day and the popular Alumni Day. The celebration culminates with a nondenominational religious service Sunday afternoon. Sharon Connor, the third member of the committee, wrote articles, organized the Brookfield Cemetery Walk as well as other outreach programs designed to get the word out about the celebration.

The total budget for the Brookfield celebration was about $150,000. The committee did indicate that they did make some money over the week long celebration, more importantly they did not lose money.

“The Historical Society would need to start making plans, after all we are only six years from Moberly’s Sesquicentennial,” J. W. Ballinger said.

Following the dinner, provided by the Huntsville Lions Club, a business meeting was chaired by Karl Rice, past president. Nancy Copenhaver, member of the board and chair of the nominating committee read the slate of nominees. Officers chosen for the 2010-2011 term include Kathy Blandford, presidentl; Ralph Gerhard, first vice president; J. W. Ballinger, second vice president; Ingrid Jones, corresponding secretary; and Bonnie Kilgore, recording secretary. The position of treasurer will be filled at a later time or possibly include the employment of an accountant.

Several members were recognized for their volunteer efforts. J. W. Ballinger was cited for his hard work on the Wabash caboose at the railroad museum. Regina Lee has been instrumental in updating and cataloging the African-American collection at the museum as well as serving as the membership secretary. Van Dell Jordan, retired city manager from Colorado, has been updating the map collection, his area of expertise. Ingrid Jones is the current editor of the newsletter for the historical society. Doris Brown has been the treasurer of both the Society as well as the Fourth Street Theater project. Bonnie Kilgore works on the planning of the Ice Cream Social, one of the main fund raising activities, which is held during Railroad Days every June.

In 1997 the Historical Society bought the Fourth Street Theater from the Bills family with the idea that it would one day be restored to its original use. This month the RCHS sold the theater to the Randolph County Theater Group. The latter group will endeavor to complete the ongoing renovation that is now entering its thirteenth year.