CASSVILLE TOURISM COMMITTEE MINUTES

January 8, 2009

The meeting was called to order by James Koopman. Members present were Jane Bernhardt,Pat Friesen, Elaine Gehde, Barb Kienitz, James Koopman. Laurie Koopman and Eleanor Mumm and Bob Vogt.

Minutes of the November 13, 2008 meeting were reviewed and accepted.

The financial report was reviewed. Moved by Barb Kienitz and seconded by Elaine Gehde to accept the report. Motion carried.

The election of officers took place. Jim Koopman agreed to continue as treasurer and Laurie Koopman to continue as secretary. Moved by Jim Koopman and seconded by Barb Kienitz to nominate Elaine Gehde as president. Motion carried unanimously.

Eleanor Mumm presented the coordinators report:

Since Doug Mergen is no longer on the committee, we need to find a replacement. Names suggested were Amy Okey, Brenda Dean, Barb Okey and Monte Scholl. Eleanor will contact these people to see if any of them are interested.

There was a discussion about reprinting the Cassville brochures. Since we are not going to as many travel shows, and due to information being available on the internet, we are not distributing as many brochures as in the past. It was moved by Jim Koopman and seconded by Barb Kienitz that we order 5,000 brochures. Motion carried.

Eleanor reported that posters and ads will be going out for Bald Eagle Days to be held January 24 & 25. The following programs will be presented: Herb Lange, The Bat Conservation of Wisconsin, Bob Anderson, Hoo’s Woods, Art Shegonee, and Coulee Rehab. The 4-H club will host a bake sale and the Cassville Coffee will be serving coffee. Eleanor has checked with the St. Charles Youth Group about serving a lunch. If they do not want to, she will check with the Lioness Club to see if they are interested. There will be no Candlelight Hike due to poor attendance in prior years. St. Charles will be serving a Spaghetti Supper that evening. Jim Koopman has contacted volunteers for the viewing site.

Attendance numbers were down for Christmas in Cassville, however, it was agreed that the event is still worth continuing. There was discussion about Stonefield hosting the event, but that is not a possibility due to budget and the work involved. Bob Vogt suggested that in order to attract more people, we should aim at something to draw children–maybe a substantial prize to be given away. We will discuss this further.

Eleanor suggested that we may want to consider posting village committee minutes on the website since they are not published in the newspaper. She will discuss with Bob Hudson. She has also spoken to Dick Schnering about making some corrections to the history of Cassville.

The Tri-State Tourism Spring Conference will be held on March 12th. Cost is $65.00 per person. Both Eleanor and Elaine would like to attend . Since the workshops at the conference will focus on websites, and other computer technology, Bob Hudson will be asked if he would also like to attend. Moved by Laurie Koopman and seconded by Barb Kienitz that we pay for three people to attend the conference. Motion carried.

Bob Vogt reported that the new shelter at Riverside Park should be ready by mid-August. This may be a better location for the Farmer’s Market given its proximity to the road and to the boat docks. Bob also suggested that we advertise the Farmers Market at Buena Vista, IA boat landing. Eleanor said that we need to have better signage everywhere to advertise the market.

Modern Woodman is planning on a fish fry sometime during 2009 which would be another community event.

The next meeting will be held Thursday February 19,2009 at 3:30 p.m.

Motion by Elaine Gehde and seconded by Pat Friesen to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.

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