It is harvest time once again. We have a new twist this year called RAIN making the task somewhat challenging.

Our annual meeting was held July 19, 2007 at the St. Michael Social Hall.
The meeting was opened by President Tim Sliva. Secretary’s report was read and approved. Treasurer’s report stated our income was $9,691.00. This includes: Membership, Memorials, Donations, Soup Lunch, Sales of our History Book & Afghan, Gift Shop and Laura’s B-D Matching Fund donation. We spent $7,625.00. Expense items were: insurance, maintenance and new displays, utilities, supplies and $4,000 down payment on the windows and $1,000 toward the parish lawn mower since this is used to maintain the cemetery. Election of officers followed. They are as follows: Prisident – Tim Sliva; Secretary – Judy Hanzel; Treasurer – Mary Jane Rosenthal . Board Members are as follows: Sally Paprocki, Ben Jarosz, Clarence Torczon, Theresa Smith and new board member, Gene Shemek.

BUILDING REPAIR

We finally put new storm windows on the West, North and East windows of the school building. Several years were spent discussing how to do that job. The State Historical Society was consulted so we would be in compliance. Your generosity made this project possible. The total cost was $ 16,679.00. Carl Jarosz Construction did the work. Hopefully next year we can finish the South windows. I think there are as many windows on the South as on the other three sides.

Renovation continues on the interior of the building. The second floor is the focus of our work. Tim Sliva sanded and sealed the Auditorium floor and Judy and Mary Jane did the finishing touches. The hallways have been finished. Some drywall work had to be done on the ceiling area as you entered the second floor. Walls were washed and painted and two walls had to be plastered, varnish was removed from the floor and new put down. We are currently working on the west wing and have one of the rooms finished. One of the stairwells has also been washed and painted. This year we had some students needing Community Service hours for Confirmation helping with the wall washing and painting. They were good energetic workers but have busy schedules which limited their time with us.

The Michael House has been a busy place this year. The kitchen carpet is being replaced with vinyl floor covering. This will be easier to maintain. There are a couple windows that need replacing. Judy is checking on prices.

NEW BUSINESS

With the second floor looking so beautiful it would be nice to use the auditorium for events. So far the only thing scheduled is a picture exhibit of the book Crazy Horse:Strange Man of the Ogalas by Maria Sandoz . We will have the exhibit for four weeks in September.

The same two or three people are doing the renovating, tours and tending the open Sundays plus keeping their home life on schedule. There are many opportunities for exhibits through the Humanities Council or State Historical Society. We need someone to volunteer to do the research, make the calls and just concentrate on one aspect of making our Museum stand out and put Tarnov on the map. We have contact information if interested let Mary Jane know. Whenever we have visitors we tell them to spread the word that there is something to see in Tarnov, NE. The Sunday’s we are open are only once a month (May – October) from 1:00 to 5:00. Can anyone out there spare one Sunday?

OTHER NEWS

We were saddened by the death of Laura Schemek. One of the founding members with a vision for St. Michael’s. She gave 110% of her energy, held a treasure of knowledge about the area and had many unfinished plans but God decided her work was done. Judy Hanzel has taken her place as Secretary. We received many matching fund dollars through Laura and B-D. This is one avenue for revenue we hope those of you working at B-D will check into. Thank You to those who remembered the Historical Society in a Memorial donation on behalf of Laura.

We still have many of the History Books for sale as well as the Afghans and Commemorative Crosses and Christmas Ornaments. The Books are $30.00, Afghans $40.00 , Ornaments $5.00 and Crosses are $10.00 add $5.00 if you need them shipped. Keep these items in mind for gift giving.

If anyone is employed by a company that contributes matching funds to a non-profit organization with a 501C3 IRA number and would like to make that matching donation to St. Michael’s Historical Society please contact a member of our historical society.

Remember our web and e-mail addresses website: Tarnov. org
e-mail: stmichael@tarnov.org.

Something to think about
The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us