OVHS NEWS LETTER

May 1, 2006 

Things are going well for the Historical Society. Membership stands at 90 members. (This does not include the multiple members of one household). The financial status of the Society is sound with over $9000 now available to start projects. The Board of Directors has been expanded to 7 members. These are: Roxy Johnson, Georgia Hollinger, Joe Frannea, Lyra Done, Pat Spoerl, Dick Eggerding, and Jim Kriegh. The officers will remain the same for the next year: Jim Kriegh, President: Dick Eggerding, Vice President: Pat Spoerl, Secretary/Treasurer. 

Following are discussions of special topics: 

1.      The Society does now have liability insurance. Under the definitions it is stated: "Insured(s)" means the Organization and the Individual Insureds.  Also is defined "Individuals Insureds" means any persons who were, now are, or shall be directors, trustees, officers, employees, volunteers or committee members of the Organization, including their estates, heirs, legal representatives or assigns in the event of death, incapacity or bankruptcy. 

2.      An excellent joint study session meeting took place involving the Oro Valley Town Council and the Historic Preservation Commission. This meeting was scheduled for review of the draft of the proposed Oro Valley Historic Preservation Ordinance and to meet with Mr. Robert Shelton, the founder of the Old Tucson Corporation. This was to discuss the possibility of establishing a museum in Oro Valley to include old Tucson Movie memorabilia as well as two other museum quality collections. 

3.      White Stallion Ranch fund raising event on May 6th at 6:00PM. As of this time there are only 3 seats left available for the hayride. If going on the hayride you need to be on the wagons by 6:00PM so get there early. Eleven (11) places are open for the dinner which will be served at 7:00 PM. There is time for any of you that are interested to still sign up for the event. There will be society members to show you where to park, to sign you in, and to tell you where the restrooms, bar, petting zoo, gift shop and other features of the ranch are located. If you haven't signed up for this event, it is not too late. You can still call Jim at 297-4161 to make your reservation for the hayride and the dinner. (If no answer leave a message). 

4.       The next general membership meeting of the Society will be on May 18th at 6:30 PM at the Oro Valley Library meeting room. We will be showing a video which shows Connie Allen-Bacon and Betty Chester Dreyfus being interviewed by Carmen Villa Prezelski on the TV program Tucson Remembered. This program discusses people, places and events that had an effect on the greater Oro Valley area including the Rancho Romero home and the Hohokam Indian Village.

 

     We are very fortunate to have Connie Allen-Bacon as a member of our Society and she will attend this meeting and be available to further discuss the events and answer questions from the audience. Connie is an Archaeologist and she has done extensive studies about the Santa Catalina Mountain areas including those in the greater Oro Valley area. 

      The video has been made available by Carolyn Brown who was co-producer and director of the program. Carolyn lives in Oro Valley. 

 

5.   Mayor Paul Loomis has proclaimed May as Historic Preservation Month in Oro

Valley. This follows the national celebration of preservation month which   showcases our country’s diverse and unique heritage.  The theme for this year’s month is “Sustain America – Vision, Economics, and Preservation.  These themes fit well with the progress Oro Valley is making and preserving our cultural heritage. 

6.       The Historic Preservation Commission and the Oro Valley Historical Society will 

host a table at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday May 20th at Town Hall as part   Historic Preservation Month. As part of this event, the Town of Oro Valley plans to show a program produced on a DVD which features Henry Zipf and Jim Kriegh talking about the History of the area before and after the founding of the Town of Oro Valley. This was produced by Epic Productions under the direction of Bob Kovitz, public information officer for the Town.  Stop by and see us.