DHA LII
(3/18/2004)
The March (3rd) DHA Board meeting was at the Kountry Kookin Cafe at 12, noon. Present were all five board members: Melanie Parsons, Toots Peterson, John Overby, Lester Lauritzen, and Grant Petersen, Sr. Also present: Palmer and Marg Peterson, Roberta Rasmussen, and from Beresford, Ralph Jensen. Much was discussed, the meeting lasting beyond the usual that businessmen members can usually spare, to one-and-one-half hours, or more.
A brief treasurer's report was give, and a submitted bill was approved. Progress in preparing DHA's building for museum use was discussed at length. Melanie Parsons reported that she, Gary Ward, and S.E. Facilitator Nancy Larsen had completed the Federal forms to establish non-income-tax status for DHA, with a filing fee of $500 having been paid. Other recent legal work included transferring the electrical and water service to the DHA name.
Picture post cards were again discussed for the museum as an additional item of supplemental income, as well as attracting people to the museum, and satisfying visitors' wishes for souvenirs, as DHA experienced at the DHA room at the school during Danish Days last year.
It was announced that DHA has been offered a baseball uniform from the first Viborg School baseball team. Ralph Jensen displayed a Viborg Centennial dress of his late mother, Alice Jensen.
Safety inspection, upgrading, and adapting the electrical service was considered the top priority. Track lighting was suggested as desirable for the varying needs of a museum.
The soon need for fireproof file cabinets was mentioned.
Some roof repairs are needed. Replacing the sidewalk past the building is being considered. North and south walls have been insulated. Some painting has been done. Inside wall finishing was discussed and is in progress. Some windows need glass and painting. Palmer Peterson has put in many hours working in the building. Marg Peterson, Toots Peterson, and Roberta Rasmussen have also worked there. Also, Mike Lohan has been employed as needed.
Wall displays of photos and illustrations, in addition to table display of albums, scrap books, etc. was suggested as important to attract casual viewers.
Alternative uses, other than artifact display, of the museum's basement area, was discussed at length. The Boy Scout Troup wants to have a room there for meetings and locations of their equipment. Other youth activities were suggested. One is that there can be made room for a pair of bowling lanes for such use. The museum needs a workshop area for repair of artifacts, etc. Such shop equipment could be used for individuals' own projects also. This facility, with proper adult supervision, could be made available for youth of appropriate age. An outside basement entrance appears feasible, from the east, south of the steps up to the main floor. Such non-museum basement alternatives would be provided by users or community funding. This would preserve DHA's limited income for the museum itself. Appropriate insurance for such permitted non-museum activities would be required of the sponsors for the protection of DHA. DHA's insurance would cover only museum activities.
Minga tak
Voting Member
Also to contributors of photos and information for both this DHA news and information column and items to be preserved in the museum.
And to SDSU Prof. John E. Miller, for visiting Viborg for more information on VIborg's probably most famous son, as noted on the front page of the March 4 Enterprise. And for a previous visit, reflected in information about Dr. Alvin Hansen, in Miller's article, "From S.D. farm to Harvard Seminar: Alvin H. Hansen, America's Prophet of Keynesianism" in the Spring/Summer 2002 issue of THE HISTORIAN, Vol. 64, Nos. 3-4. Mr. Miller provided copies of the article, which will be available in the museum in due time.
And, last, but not least, for attending and reporting on the above meeting by Viborg Enterprise editor, Cyndi Jensen.