The Cornstalk Heights Historical Community Organization (CHHCO) held their annual meeting on Sunday, and discussed findings and events the group had taken part in over the last year.
The meeting started off with a recounting of of William Frederick Gates, the Founder of Harriman, and the namesake of the venue the meeting was taking place within. After this, CHHCO president Bruce Knobloch gave special recognition to specific members of the community including elected officials, school and organization reps, and fundraising volunteers.
After this, Knobloch displayed a slide showing all the newly board-nominated officers who will be taking positions starting April 1.
Dick McPherson will be taking over as president, Bruce Knobloch will be Vice President, Theresa Pitcock will be Secretary, Elizabeth Conley will be Treasurer, Johua Gillespie will be Historian, and Jerry Lively, Donna Demyanovich, Bob Harnden, Garry Barton, Joe Jones, Ron Becker, and Pat Ladue will be Directors.
“Dick McPherson has been our vice president for the last 4 years, and I have been president for the last 4 years,” said Knobloch. “Interestingly, we are all as officers term limited to four years. We’ve been serving for the 4 years which is added to our continuity in the organization. Taking on a project like Harriman Hall needed continuity to be viable. So I think you all for what you’ve done over the last 4 years and it’s been great working with you.”
Following the introduction of the new officers, current treasurer Bob Harnden took to the podium to present his report of the group’s expenses.
At the start of last year the group’s account balance sat at around $32,160, and pulled in a gross income of $30,642 over the course of the year. The report showed $11,221 have been earned from the Harriman hauntings tour, $9,694 had been earned from the Christmas home tour, and $9,581 had been received in direct donations for the sake of restoring Harriman Hall.
However, over the year the group had spent roughly $30,797. With $6,167 spent on the fundraising events, $640 spent on administrative activities, $22,542 spent on the Harriman Hall renovation and taxes, $1,446 spent on charitable projects and events. Leading to an overall net income of -$154 over the course of 2022.
“We had a great year in 2022,” said Harnden. “And 2023 is already off to a good start. We’ve received $14,000 in donations already, and brought our account’s balance to over $46,000. We have a healthy financial status.”
Next, Knobloch summarized activities and events the organization had taken part in throughout the year, as well as laid out the plans for activities and events for this year. The groups plans for this year’s events include increasing outreach to historic district residents and property owners, community service including cleaning up killer for Park and a Babahatchie band concert to take place on June 11, CHHCO information booths at festivals, Trunk or treat participation, further interior renovations to Harriman Hall, and dates for the hauntings of Harriman tour being Oct. 20 and 21, and the Christmas tour of homes being Dec. 9 and 10.
The meeting concluded with a demonstration of the Harriman Hall renovations goals for the year. Among these goals are a complete renovation of the vestibule and two classrooms on the primary floor, installing restrooms towards the office space in the Southeast corner, installing plumbing, electrical, and HVAC that will allow use of renovated interior spaces.
