DIXIE DIGGINS NEWSLETTER

DIXIE, ID

DIXIE DIGGINS NEWSLETTER

March 27, 2008

EDITOR: Roxie Edmonson

Greetings from Dixie!  Well the month of March has almost slipped by!  Spring has come to other places but not here YET!  We are still getting snow almost daily.  It settles in a day or two but on the snow stake we are still reporting 55 inches.  The high so far this month of 49 was on March 1^st.  The low was -9 on March 6^th.  Yesterday’s high was 35 and the low was 17 with 2 ½ inches of new snow.  On the 23^rd we got 3 inches of new snow.  As cold as it has been getting we are not loosing much of our snow pack.  So if you are still interested in snowmobiling, come to Dixie! 

Winter Carnival came off without a hitch.  There wasn’t a large turnout but the ones that were here had a great time.  Thanks again to Lisa Gunter and her crew they made sure that it was a fun filled day for the younger generation along with their parents. 

As spring is approaching (hopefully for us too) we are beginning to prepare for activities that will be taking place in Dixie.  Memorial Weekend, May 24^th, 25^th are the annual meetings for all the Dixie community organizations.  There will be one meeting added this year.  Here is the info presented by Richard Marlatt: LOG SALE .  The log sale last fall raised $8,100. for the community.  Everyone who owns property received a letter last fall about the sale.  There will be a town meeting on Saturday, May 24^th, 2008 to discuss how the community wishes to spend the money that was given to the community.  If you are unable to attend the meeting, please let Richard know how you would like to see the money spent – what projects, etc.  You can write Richard Marlatt at P O Box 101 , Dixie , ID 83525 -101 or email him at marlatt@wildblue.net.  Please let anyone you know who does not receive this newsletter about this very important meeting.  We do want everyone’s ideas and suggestions.

There will be a baked food sale and coffee at 9:00 am at the community center prior to the first meeting.  No times have been set at this time for any of the meetings other than they will begin at 9:30 am.  A flyer will be included in next month’s newsletter. Thank you

This article prepared by Walta McCarley:

PIANO. At the 2007 Community Center meeting the membership voted to

donate Zip’s piano to St. Gertrude’s Museum.  Due to space St. Gertrude’s declined our offer.  Several people have expressed an interest in purchasing the piano to preserve and care for it.  Lately it has been used as a coffee table and it has sustained some water spots.  During our evacuation period last summer the piano was removed for safety.  It is currently being stored in a member’s home.  The Board has decided, since several people have come forth requesting it, to hold a sealed bid.  History – if you are fortunate to have a copy of Gold at Dixie Gulch, written by Marian Sweeney in 1982, there is an article about the piano.  “Popular subscription bought the Dixie piano, which George Otterson transported by wagon from the Elk City community house.  A place was made for it in the store by Howard Powelson.  Anyone who could play was welcome to it and Fred Silige was one of the professionals to tickle the ivories.  Les Powelson gave it his TLC for many years and finally those who still had an interest in it told him, ‘If it weren’t for you giving it a home and caring for it, it would have deteriorated long before this.  We want to give it to you; it’s yours’.  Thereafter, Les allowed ownership of the piano to go with the store.  Neither the  Scotts, Richardsons or Stouts took the piano when they sold out and it fell to the Wenzels.  Zip is a pianist and both she and Jack appreciate the fine instrument that it is.  The old Dixie piano has finally found permanent owners and a permanent home on Airport Drive . H.E.” It was placed in the Community Center in 1999.  Zip had it appraised and a heater added to it to keep it from freezing in the winters when the Center was not being used.  The piano tuner sent Walta a letter in December 1999 with the following information.  A square grand is more of a museum piece now days and are getting fewer every year.  This Schiemayer & Soehne was made in Germany around 1872.  This piano is in excellent mechanical shape except low of pitch (-140), strings are original.  The European wood used is of a beautiful grain.  Current market value:  $3,000.00 - $3,500.00.  New price: equivalent to a 6-ft. regular grand made by Schimmel of Germany.    Therefore there will be a sealed bid offering of the piano.  Bids must be postmarked by April 25, 2008.  Send bids to Walta McCarley, % DCC, 15823 S E 5^th Pl., Bellevue, WA 98008.  Bids will be opened May 1^st and all participants will be notified by phone call.  

Here are the minutes from 2007’s Dixie Community Center and Chapel Inc. prepared by Walta McCarley: Dixie Community Center Annual Meeting Minutes May 26, 2007 at DCC

Present:  Roxie Edmonson, President; Walta McCarley, Secretary/Treasurer; Board members: Rosemary McLeod and Shannon Rauch, Members: Glen and Alice Brown, Skipper McCarley, Kathy Johnson, Cliff

and Joyce Ragsdale, Mary Kay and Kenny Merten, Linda Purnell, Phyllis Henderson, Roy and Helen Wood, Rita Repp, Linda Ceasar, Daphne Kinskie, Not present:  Richard Marlatt, Vice President; Terri Marlatt, Julie Olive, Mary White, Guests:  Kim Coppernoll and Diane Hall

The meeting convened at 1:45 p.m. with Roxie Edmonson, President presiding.

The minutes of last year’s annual meeting were published in the April Dixie Diggins’ and copies were handed out.  MOTION:  minutes of last year’s annual meeting are approved as published.  Motion passed.

Financial Report:  Beginning balance $8,870.94, income $8,277.57, expenses $7,679.66 for an ending balance of $9,468.85.  Savings account has $2,014.78.  Discussion about moving money into savings.  Further discussion about closing savings account and putting $5,000 into a flexible CD.  Walta will pursue this option.  MOTION:   Put $5,000 into CD account of some sort where it will earn more interest.  Rosemary, Skipper.  Motion passed.

MOTION:  that the Financial Report be approved as presented.  Rita, Glen.  Motion passed.

President’s Report:  Thank Kathy for getting activities going at the Center.  Note new benches and cupboards and countertop in kitchen area. 

Recap of other annual meetings:  Walta gave a brief recap of the earlier meetings – Fire, Water, and Snowmobile Club. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

Building usage – Ladies Day on Wednesdays, church services, potlucks and parties.  The building is being used for the purpose it was envisioned.   The building is not locked during the week so people can get access to the library and use the Center.

Maintenance – Ells and Roger did the benches, etc.  Jerry McCullough helped Kathy with the foam cushions.  New cushions will be made for the 2 pew benches so they will match the other cushions.  The blinds look great.  Screen doors are needed and Kathy will see if they can be in place before Dixie Days.

Benches, counter, cupboard, blinds, staining of the building has all been done since the last meeting. 

Community sign – original sign is no longer in place.  There is space behind the Gold Rush Trail sign for use.  The front of the store is not being used for advertisements, items for sale, etc. 

Dixie Defibrillator Program – Rosemary will do it when people are available.  The previous defibrillator was recalled so we need to learn the new protocol.  Delvin can get replacement batteries.  The machine resides in the store and will be there until there is heat in the Fire Hall.  The first aid equipment is in the store.  Rosemary may do a class over Labor Day Weekend.  She will put a notice in the newsletter for class time and place. 

Annual Community Work Day.  This was started by Richard last year and was the 4^th Saturday in June.

 Due to the July 4^th weekend it is changed to July 7^th, when people may be finishing up their vacation week.  There will be a contest with a hefty prize for the person who collects the most trash from the creek starting at the dumpsters and working south.  This will be an adult function.  We may be able to get a party going afterwards for everyone.

Linda brought up a discussion about the dumpsters, what can be done to keep the garbage out of the creek and out of the ravens’ way. 

Dixie Days report from August 2006.  We made $2,081.13.  Everyone had a good time.  A more complete report was in the Dixie Diggins last fall. 

Richard’s survey and what will be done this year – no report as Richard is ill.

NEW BUSINESS:  Book of unusual names being published by Stan Drash of Chattanooga , TN.  Dixie is being included.  The book should be available by the end of the summer.  DCC will buy a copy for the library.  If anyone else wishes a copy I have the address and email address.

Zip’s piano – Roxie.  Jane Holman is researching the status with St. Gertrude’s Museum.  It is all right with her if we donate the piano to that museum.  She will let us know what transpires.  We do need to get pictures of the piano before it leaves. 

Wooden carvings which were originally made for the Lodgepole Inn were moved to the Center by some owner of the Lodgepole.  There are not in good condition and there is a couple who bid on them at the Dixie Days silent auction last August.  They were removed from the auction at the request of members.  The couple is still willing to buy them.

Ballot votes were done for donating Zip’s piano to St. Gertrude’s Museum and selling the wooden carvings.  Both motions passed.  Further discussion determined the carvings would be put into this year’s silent auction during Dixie Days with starting bids where they left off last year.  Walta will let the couple know the members’ decision.  They are currently being stored at Richard Marlatt’s place.

Dixie Days August 4 and 5, 2007.  Roxie is chairman this year.  Walta will assist.  Shannon will order baseball t-shirts and DCC will pay the costs this year.  (Last year the snowmobile club bought them).  Greased pole – after the yard is mowed it will be determined where and if poles can be erected on the side yard.  There would be 2 poles – 1 for adults and 1 for children.  $50.00 prize for adult and $10.00 for child.  Jerry and Wes will be asked if they can donate poles.  They would sit in metal sleeves so they can be removed if necessary for winter.  Townsfolk will be asked if they wish to sponsor a Forest Service crew member for a meal that day.  Picture contest – no duplications, please.  The quilt has been made and the gold jewelry piece was shown.  People were asked to take raffle tickets.

Old Timers Day – last year Art Randall came and brought pictures and talked about his time in Dixie in the 1930’s.  A few other people also shared their stories.  This year it will be held August 18^th.  Letters will be sent out.  If you know someone who would be interested please let Kathy know.

The picnic tables and benches are in poor condition.  A motion was made to purchase some new ones.

  Motion passed.

More efficient heating process will be researched.

Thank you scrolls will be given to the outgoing board members.

Next annual meeting May 24, 2008

Elections:  Richard Marlatt, Vice President and Board members Terri Marlatt and Mary White.  Richard Marlatt was re-elected for 3 years.  New board members are Jerry McCullough and Linda Purnell.

Motion for adjournment – meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.

Submitted by Walta McCarley, Secretary/Treasurer

Well that is a wrap for this month.  Thought for the month: “Success does not come to you, you go to it.”

Roxie Edmonson POBox 83, Dixie, ID 83525 scruffy@wildblue.net