Historical society hosts covered dish lunch for meeting Aug. 1

The Lincoln County Historical Society met on August 1, 2007 for a covered dish lunch. Over 50 members and guests were present. Special guests were grandchildren who zoomed out after the meal to play in the park. All agreed there was enough food to feed the crowd all over again when everyone was finished.

The country store project is moving along well, Jerry Stone reported that the rough grading and footings at the park are ready for the store. In Woodlawn, that morning, the Historical Society men finished cleaning out the store, braced the inside and removed the chimney from the attic. Next steps are for the Beggs Brothers and their team to dig out the front porch and install the lifting rails and then to remove the metal roofing and lay down the roof trusses so the store will fit under powerlines between Woodlawn and the Historical Park. No specific day is scheduled for the move. Nina Albea has started setting up the country store's inventory and will be open for business on Pioneer Day.

Mrs. Mobley Ross complemented the work done on the One Room School House. The weather board siding has been replaced and matches the existing 100 year old school perfectly. The school will be ready for lectures on Pioneer Day. The society needs a few more old school desks and any other school house fixtures to round out the furnishings.

Barbara Ware donated several paintings of the Historical Park and these will be used in various locations. Jamie Reese reminded the group that the Christmas Tour of Homes will be Saturday December 8, 2007. Joyce Leland, Jamie Reese and Flo Pursley have been working a proposed revision to the Park/May House Rental Agreement and copies were passed out for members to review prior to next month's meeting.

Pioneer Day is scheduled for the Saturday before Thanksgiving, November 17, 2007. Team Leaders will be the same as last year. Pioneer Day is only 90 days away and there is much to get ready.

Last year over 2000 people attended Pioneer Day to enjoy apple fritters, hayrides, homemade soap, antique tractors, horses, apple cider, beautiful quilts, sorghum syrup, stone ground corn meal and grits, turnip greens, chili, red beans and rice, ham biscuits in addition to top notch entertainment and historical tours, demonstrations and lectures. Mark your calendars for Lincoln County's own homegrown festival. What a great day to invite out of town guests to Lincolnton.

If you would like be a part of Pioneer Day and help with this year's party contact any member of the historical society. Volunteers are needed in all venues for an hour or two and then the volunteers can still enjoy all the Pioneer Day activities. Anyone who would like to get updates from the historical society can send an email to history@nu-z.net.

The society's next meeting is September 5, 2007.