Centennial Large Group Meeting
April 24, 2007
The 5th large group meeting to plan for the “2010 Centennial” was
held on April 24, 2007 at the Oklee Hall with 24 people in
attendance. Chair Ardis Hofstad called the meeting to order at
7:30pm. She handed out an agenda and the minutes of the Executive
Board meeting. The minutes of the meeting were read and then
approved with a motion by Leo Olson, seconded by Larry Skallet, and
carried. Leo handed out a statement of the treasurer’s report from
Jan. 1 to April 24. There was a beginning balance of $-1,164.76,
$157.00 of total receipts, and an ending balance of $-1,007.76. Leo
said he will get postage stamps for anyone who needs them for
Centennial business.
Old Business:
Ardis sent a sign up sheet around for people to sign up for bringing
bars, and, or, helping at the May 5th dance. She encouraged everyone
to spread the word about the dance and to invite others to come. She
also talked about the possibility of not having as many large group
meetings thinking that people may get “meetinged out” before the
Centennial occurs. She encouraged the separate committees to start
meeting on a regular basis, that the Executive Board will be meeting
quarterly until we get closer to 2010. New Business:
Ardis passed around a picture of a “Heritage Tree” that former
Okleeite, Arnie Lillo had made out of iron for another town’s
celebration. It was 35 feet tall and would be a permanent part of
Oklee if we would decide to have one made.. The cost for him to make
it was approximately $7000 and he would be willing to donate a large
part of it if we would like to order one. He would need ideas of
what we would like on the tree. Some of his suggestions were: the
Tom Toulouse drayline, Cyr Hardware, something to do with Coya
Knutson. To see more of his work you can go onto his website which
is: www.arnielillo.com
A 15 foot vinyl banner is being ordered with the Centennial logo
saying Oklee Centennial 1910 - 2010. This will be used for the first
time at the May 5th dance.
Committee Reports:
History/Souvenir
Comm.
No report with Chair being ill
Fundraising Comm.
Lori Melby reported that their committee decided that our goal
should be raised to $60,000 from $50,000. With the rise in costs
they thought we should be prepared for a larger expenditure than
Plummer had for their 2004 event. Their committee decided to try
selling the Game Cards twice a year and by doing that will raise
$39,000. A 4-Wheeler that may be donated by ArticCat will be raffled
off closer to the Centennial. If the Spring Dance is a success, they
plan to make that an annual event, and, also the Chili Cook-Off for
the fall each year for additional money-makers. She said they plan
to pursue getting Sponsorship money, also, in the near future. Lori
said that there will be a $5 admission to the dance. Each person
will receive a dance card to be filled out with 10 names for 10
dances. Those dances will all be ‘50's music that will be played
randomly throughout the night. Popcorn & bars will be served. The
Firemen will have a Beer Garden and will be serving a meal from
5-8pm to raise money for the Jaws of Life machine. The advertising
for the dance will be done on the radio, on the Garden Valley cable
TV station and in the Oklee Herald. Bonny Cote from the Advertising
Comm. will take care of this.
Beautification Comm.
Darrell Tougas reported that their committee had met and were
planning to meet with Pat Paquin to get some landscaping ideas for
the gazebo area. They also discussed looking at the space where the
Veteran’s Memorial will go. Mary Lynn said that Dan Benoit has drawn
up some proposals for that area, and that Travis Nelson is also
working on plans.
School Reunion &
Accomodation Comm.
Had not met yet, but were planning to meet tonite following this
meeting.
Parade Comm.
Cheryl O’Neill
said they had met and have people working on different areas. She
has been checking on getting a “Parade Train” from Drayton, ND. They
would go through the parade and then could be available for rides
following the parade. Cliff Melby is checking on the Shriners
coming. They had discussed having 2 emcees along the parade route,
but may need 3. Plummer had 170 entries in their parade.
History
Comm.
No report with Chair Eric being ill
Entertainment
Comm.
Shannon Moen has been checking on bands. The Johnny Holms band would
charge $15,000. They recommended charging $10-$15 admission. The
group decided that we won’t be charging admission and felt that
$15,000 was too high a cost for one band. Shannon named other bands
she had checked on that were in the $3,500 range. Three of them
were: Billie Dee & the Crystals, The Roosters, and The Shakers. Deb
Amiot said that they are working on ideas for a Queen Pageant. They
will check on the numbers of girls that may be interested in being
in one for the teen age years. If there isn’t enough interest there,
they would pursue doing a “Little Miss Pageant”.
There was a discussion on whether to keep producing the Community
Calendars. The general consensus was to keep doing them and that
people look forward to getting them each year. Phyllis and Mary Lynn
said they would still be willing to work on the calendars.
Ardis said that we need to begin work on getting grant money for
specific projects.
She asked for a show of hands of those in favor of looking into
having a Heritage Tree made. Everyone was in favor of pursuing this
idea. Leo said that this project could also be presented to the City
Council, since it would be a permanent fixture for the town.
Ardis spoke to the Seniors at their evening meal about the upcoming
dance.
Earl Swenson said that the School will be purchasing his building
next to the Post Office. This had been a proposed site for a
Centennial museum.
Mike Dessellier said that the Fair Board would be willing to help
pay for a Carnival if they could have the fair previous to our
Centennial. They want to keep it going for the 4-Hers. There would
be no Open-Class and they could fit all their 4-H entries into the
building behind the grocery store. The group felt that this might be
too much to handle that year. The location of the carnival rides was
also questionable. Ardis asked Mike, who is a Fair Board member, to
bring the details from the Fair Board to the Executive Board.
Phyllis made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Cheryl seconded the
motion, and it carried.
Barb Melby
Secretary