Bellevue Valley Historical Social Club

The first meeting this year for the Bellevue Valley Historical Social Club was had on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at the Caledonia Community Center located in the Village Park. Five members were present. Club President Mac Robinson called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. and asked the group to take a moment of silence at the loss of one of their members Ms. Lillian Moses. He noted that Lilly had been part of the original historical society and then Social Club and past Assistant Treasurer/Secretary since 2008.

In the absence of Club Secretary Sandra Dalton, Club President Mac Robinson asked Director John Robinson, III to take the minutes.

In the absence of Club Secretary/Treasurer Sandra Dalton; John Robinson, III noted there was no correspondence that he knew of and gave the group the approximate amount in the savings account.
The minutes from the previous meeting in December 2020 were not available. John, III noted a copy will be available at the next meeting.
Mac Robinson noted there was no old business to discuss.

New Business:
Club President Mac Robinson asked John Robinson, III to give an overview of the regional Highways of History Project and the Bicentennial passport project. John, III brought the Club members up to date on the creation and status of the Highways of History Planning Committee, their ideas and tentative events throughout the region. The Highways of History Planning Committee has been working for over a year and half on various regional projects, resolutions and events. John, III reported the first event and “kick-off” event was held in Farmington at Long Park on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. John, III reported that he was the Planning Committee treasurer and had been asked to speak at that event.

He noted the bicentennial passports are being sold for $ 1.00 each and the stamping stations in Caledonia are the Old Village Mercantile, Caledonia’s Vintage & More Gifts and Village Hall, all during regular business hours. The passports will be sold at the July 10th event and stamped.

The next event will be the day event to be held in Caledonia on Saturday, July 10, 2021 in the Village Park.

The next item under new business was the club as a whole discussing ideas and activities for celebrating the (1) State’s Bicentennial and (2) the recognition of the Highways of History project (primarily the Trail of Tears); as Caledonia has already been designated by the Missouri chapter of the National Trail of Tears Association, the Club decided that limited resources would be allocated for that portion of the celebration.

John, III informed the Club that the Caledonia Community Foundation had contracted with a living history actor (Mr. Christopher Sutton, Owner of Tales with a Twist) of St. Louis who will be performing two, roughly 45 minutes narratives {one in the morning and one in the afternoon}, The local VFW post had been contacted and they will open the event with their impressive flag/color guard presentation. The national Trail of Tears Association also has a video that can be shown.

Abbie Bast suggested that the Club use this time to recognize the State’s 200th birthday and have a time for complimentary cake & ice cream for all attendees; to that end Abbie Bast made a motion to enlist the help of Cindy Merx (Sweet Memories, Potosi, MO) to make a “birthday” cake similar to what she made for the village’s 195th birthday event and get a cost for ice cream from the Old Village Mercantile, seconded by Thelma Robinson, Motion carried. Abbie asked John, III to make the contacts. It was also discussed to have one or two food trucks in the park for that time, if available.

Abbie asked if there might be some simple games or activities for children. John, III said he would talk with Pastor Beth Allen as she had discussed youth activities in the past. Everyone agreed they would be at the park on the 10th between 9/9:15 a.m. for setup.

As there was no additional new business or items under open discussion, Mac Robinson asked for the meeting to be adjourned; motion made by Robert Bast, seconded by Thelma Robinson, Motion carried. Social time was enjoyed by all in attendance. Refreshment Committee was Abbie & Robert Bast and Thelma Robinson.
Those attending were Mac & Thelma Robinson, John Robinson, III, and Robert & Abbie Bast.

Submitted by: John Robinson, III, Secretary Pro Temp