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Here are the AMS meeting minutes for October 18, which were approved at last night's meeting. President, Jim Russell called the meeting to order beginning with the Pledge to the Flag. A   copy   of   the   September   minutes   was   handed   to   everyone   by   Secretary,   Sue   Fleshman,   and   after   all   had time   to   read,   hearing   no   corrections   or   additions,   Richard   Lohmeyer   moved   to   approve   the   minutes   as presented.  Bill Ward offered a second and the minutes were approved. Treasurer,   Margaret   Hambrick   is   currently   traveling   abroad,   so   no   treasury   report   was   available   for   this meeting. OLD  BUSINESS: Lynda   Howe   reported   on   the   progress   of   her   Grand   Illumination   for   Christmas   plans   for   which   AMS   has hired   her   to   coordinate.      This   year’s   title   is   “Gem   of   the   Hills   Christmas”   and   she   noted   that   most   of   the equipment   for   the   new   lighting   portion   has   been   received   and   she   is   busy   building   and   painting   to   get   it   all ready   for   set   up   beginning   on   Nov.   18   &   19.      She   also   requested   help   to   get   it   all   painted   and   that   should begin   on   Nov.   4th   &   5th   at   the   Visitor’s   Center.      She   needs   painters,   tarps,   saw   horses   and   at   set   up   point will also need ladders and screw guns. Doris   Kasley   reported   that   they   were   having   problems   getting   homes   for   the   potential   homes   tour,   so they’re   looking   in   another   direction   at   this   point.      Doris   is   still   expecting   to   have   the Tea   at   the   Old   Victorian Inn   and   there   is   potential   for   a   “Farm   to   Table   Dinner”   also,   perhaps   December   20th.      The   Train   Show   and Methodist   Church   Bazaar   will   likely   be   the   first   weekend   in   December,   so   perhaps   the   Tea   can   be   the second weekend. Jim   Russell   reported   that   he   has   developed   a   list   of   Alderson   area   businesses   with   addresses   and   has plans   to   personally   visit   and   solicit   donations   from   said   businesses   to   help   finance   the   Grand   Illumination.     It   was   generally   agreed   that   if   extra   funds   are   collected   a   special   Grand   Illumination   Fund   could   be established to help fund our Grand Illumination in future years. Jim   Russell   also   reported   that   the   Small   Business   Forum   co-sponsored   by AMS   and   the   Greenbrier   Valley Economic   Development   Corporation   is   scheduled   for   Monday,   October   22nd   from   6   –   8   pm.      At   this   time he   has   spent   only   a   small   portion   of   the   allotted   $250.00   sum   which   was   approved   for   this   event.      As   of this meeting there were 17 participants currently registered. Lynda   Howe,   Doris   Kasley   and   Judy   Lohmeyer   are   planning   to   decorate   the   Visitor’s   Center   and   have Trick-or-Treating for children there from 5 – 8 pm on October 31st. NEW  BUSINESS: Bill   Ward   asked   about   future   plans   for   a   portion   of   the   Riverfront   Enhancement   Project   and   was   assured that   a   handrail   is   part   of   the   plan,   but   it   isn’t   currently   known   just   when   that   handrail   and   a   few   other additions will be added. Lanny   Howe   noted   that   another   display   case   like   the   one   at   the   Visitor’s   Center   on   the   Greenbrier   County side   has   been   located   and   with   AMS   permission   he   plans   to   move   it   to   the   Depot   on   the   Monroe   County side and operate as a second Visitor’s Center.  I heard no objections to his proposal. Jim   Russell   requested   anyone   interested   in   serving   on   a   nomination   committee   should   either   let   him   or Fawn   Valentine   know   soon.      Fawn   Valentine   will   chair   this   committee,   as   she   did   last   year,   and   it   is   time   to begin that process again in order to be ready to elect officers at the beginning of 2019. Discussion   followed   the   announcement   that   True   Value   Hardware   would   be   closing   their   White   Sulphur and Alderson   stores,   effective   November   15th.      Concern   was   expressed   over   the   loss   of   another   business in   our   community   and   a   few   suggestions   were   made   to   involve   AMS   in   a   positive   way   to   assist   and support   finding   another   hardware   company   that   may   consider   coming   to Alderson.      It   was   decided   that   our President   and   Vice   President   would   go   see   the   current   True   Value   business   owner,   Brian   Dotson,   to   see what options may be available and perhaps learn some way AMS can be helpful. The meeting was adjourned, noting that our next meeting date will be November 15. Respectfully submitted, Sue Fleshman, Secretary