Alderson Main Street Meeting Minutes – November 21, 2019 The    meeting    was    called    to    order    by    President,    Judy    Lohmeyer,    in    the    basement    of    the    Alderson Presbyterian   Church   without   the   Pledge,   due   to   the   cold   temps   and   no   flag   readily   available.   Court   was being held in City Hall. A   copy   of   the   October   meeting   minutes   was   passed   to   everyone   and   after   a   brief   time   Margaret   Hambrick made   the   motion   to   accept   the   minutes   as   presented,   Ann   Eskins   seconded   the   motion   and   the   minutes were accepted. Treasurer,   Margaret   Hambrick   presented   a   partial   financial   report,   noting   there   were      changes,   especially to the Grand Illumination column, to be made and a full report would follow with the next meeting.  OLD BUSINESS: Lynda   Howe   presented   copies   of   the   large   poster   of   events   for   the   Grand   Illumination   for   2019.      She   gave a   brief   update   on   work   completed   and   work   dates   yet   to   come   for   this   holiday   project.      Volunteers   have assisted   and   this   promises   to   be   another   success-ful   holiday   adventure   for   all   our   community.   The   home and   business   decorating   contest   entries   will   likely   be   judged   on   Friday,   Dec.   13th   with   the   winners   being announced   on   Sat.,   Dec.   14th   at   the   Mistletoe   Market   at   the Alderson   Community   Center.      They   still   have room   for   more   vendors   at   the   Market   also.     AMS   and   a   generous   donor   will   provide   signs   for   display   in   the yards   of   the   contest   winners.      There   is   still   an   opening   for   non-profit   organizations   to   collect   donations   on Fri. and Sat. nights, Dec 13th and 14th for vehicles driving under the bridge lights. The   Winter   Solstice   Celebration   to   be   held   at   the   Train   Depot   on   Saturday,   Dec.   21st   from   6-8   pm   has many   family   and   traditional   activities   planned,   including   a   tree   to   be   decorated   which   will   also   feed   the   wild animals. Tickets   are   now   available   for   the   American   Victorian   Tea.      There   will   be   only   30   seats   available   for   two seatings   on   Sunday   afternoon,   Dec.   15th   at   1   pm   and   at   3   pm.   Please   contact   Doris   Kasley   to   share   what you can plan to donate or how you can assist. AMS is still seeking someone to proceed with the web page begun by Bill Ward. Stacy   Eskins   did   secure   the   free   rendering   of   a   very   attractive   clock   for   our   town.      However,   the   cost   of such clock is prohibitive at this time, so this nice idea has been tabled. Roofing   concerns   at   the   Visitor’s   Center   are   being   addressed   by   Roger   Thomas   and   tree   expert,   Leonard Bowyer.      There   are   plans   to   remove   two   unhealthy   trees   which   are   adding   pine   needles   to   the   drainage system and thus causing leakage problems. The   nominating   committee   is   seeking   volunteers   willing   to   serve   as   officers   in   the   positions   of   Vice President    and    Secretary    for    the    2020    term.        It    was    suggested    we    might    have    co-secretaries,    thus rendering   it   much   easier   for   a   secretary   to   have   a   cover   if   a   meeting   needs   to   be   missed.      Another suggestion   was   for AMS   to   possibly   not   meet   EVERY   month,   thus   making   the   number   of   meetings   officers would   need   to   attend   being   reduced.   Other   suggestions   are   welcome,   please   contact   Fawn   Valentine   or one of the current officers. We have no update on the wood carved lion for the Monroe side of town, at this time. NEW BUSINESS: The   Fourth   of   July   Committee   requested   our   planned   date   for   the   Ice   Cream   Social   for   2020.      It   was agreed AMS   would   continue   this   tradition   and   we   expect   to   serve   free   ice   cream   from   1   –   3   pm   on   Friday, July 3rd, 2020. Barbara   Bowling   and   Lynda   Howe,   Bridgewalk   Vendors,   regret   to   inform   AMS   that   they   will   be   financially unable   to   renew   their   contract   in   the   spring   of   2020   due   to   lack   of   sales   and   incoming   funds.     AMS   thanked these   ladies   for   such   a   valiant   effort   and   the   attractive   transformation   they   created   at   the   Visitors   Center. AMS   is   sorry   this   venture   didn’t   achieve   success   for   all   concerned,   but   certainly   does   understand   the situation.   ANNOUNCEMENTS: Lynda   Howe   reports   that   Strawberry   Festival   packets   for   2020   have   been   sent   out   to   vendors   and   festival plans are underway. Next meeting will be Thursday, January 16, 2020 at City Hall. Respectfully submitted, Sue Fleshman