November 14, 2019
The November meeting was held on the above date at the Community Center. The President called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM followed by the flag salute and moment of silence. There were 12 members present: Harry Silvers, Ann Franzen, Rick Franzen, Meg Ellis, Eileen Chesla, Michelle Freudenberger, Mark LeMire, Doris Underwood, Keith Zane, Rick Haines, Stephen Cramer and Sue Shannon. Two guests, Wayne Vogel and Dick Blair, were also in attendance.
The business portion of the meeting was suspended while Wayne Vogel presented what he knew about the wreckage from Capt, Emilio Carranza’s airplane that is in his possession. He showed us two artifacts: a wooden piece and a metal and linen piece.
Old Business
The cleanup at the Pepper House was done on Monday, Oct. 12 with Eileen Chesla, Mary Ann Silvers, Ann and Rick Franzen as volunteers. The Friendship School cleaning will happen at another time.
The Tabernacle Fall Festival was held on Nov. 3. The Franzens and the Silverses manned the booth giving out Tree Lighting flyers and speaking to interested people.
Our new website officially launched in October with many different categories to explore. Neil Wilkinson was the developer of the site, with the material coming from the Society.
New Business
The Pepper House Room Committee has presented a plan to paint the right front bedroom a light cream color with celadon green trim. Carolyn Cuviello, Eileen Chesla and Mary Ann Silvers will make a quilt to fit the Civil War period of the room. The Cuviellos donated a box spring for the room and Eileen Chesla will sew curtains.
The 2020 budget was presented by the Budget Committee (Rick Franzen, Glen Petrauski and Mary Ann Silvers) and discussed by the members.
President Franzen brought up the possibility of doing road cleanup in Tabernacle to raise funds. Both Zimmerman and Bozarthtown Roads are available. Each time we clean a road the Society gets $200. We will start with Zimmerman Road before the holidays. If that goes well, we can clean the road twice in 2020 and possibly do Bozarthtown Road once or twice as well. This project compares favorably to the Strawberry Social in terms of time and energy required and funds generated. The Franzens, Silverses, Cuviellos, Michelle Freudenberger, Doris Underwood and Joe Barton all said they would be interested in helping with the road cleanup.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25. The next meeting will be a social/meeting on December 12 at the home of Mary Ann and Harry Silvers. An invitation will be sent to all members. The next regular meeting of the Society will be on March 12, 2020.
Respectfully submitted by
Ann Franzen
Secretary
OCTOBER 10, 2019
The October meeting was held on the above date at the Community Center. The President called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM followed by the flag salute and moment of silence. There were 9 members present: Mary Ann Silvers, Harry Silvers, Ann Franzen, Rick Franzen, Meg Ellis, Eileen Chesla, Bill Sprague, Glen Petrauski and Sue Shannon. Five guests, Neil Wilkinson, Janet Mozitis, Megan Mozitis and Marty Mozitis, were also in attendance.
Old Business
The Semi-annual cleanup of the historic buildings was scheduled for October 21 and 22, and members were asked to volunteer.
President Franzen reported on the establishment of our Tabernacle Historical Society website. The website is about to launch and the Society is grateful to Neil Wilkinson for his expertise and guidance. The site will have historic photos and information about the Civil War veterans buried in the old cemetery. More information and features will be added in the future.
Rick also explained about the historic sites self driving tour he has been working on with Harry Silvers. They are adding more site descriptions as well as more accurate driving directions to make the tour more user-friendly than before
Mary Ann Silvers and Eileen Chesla have volunteered to start planning the decoration of the Pepper House rooms. They will pick a room, set a time period to represent, chose paint colors and then complete with furniture and accessories.
Our President attended a recent meeting of the Indian Mills Historical Society and reported that both societies have much in common and can prosper by cooperating and sharing resources.
Dues for 2020 were collected, as they will be throughout the year.
New Business
Program Chair, Sue Shannon, introduced our speaker for the evening. Tony McNichol, the Archaeologist and Cultural Resources Planner for the Pinelands Commission presented a fascinating program on the Brotherton Reservation. He discussed the 1758 establishment (and subsequent dissolution) of the Brotherton Reservation in socio-historical context with reference to the French and Indian War as well as the Walking Purchase and the Treaty of Easton.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:05. The next meeting will be on November 14. There will be a short presentation by Wayne Vogel who will show some of the wreckage that was found from Emilio Carranza’s plane crash in Tabernacle in 1928.
Respectfully submitted by
Ann Franzen
Secretary
September 12, 2019
The September meeting was held on the above date at the Community Center. The President called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM followed by the flag salute and moment of silence. There were 10 members present: Mary Ann Silvers, Harry Silvers, Ann Franzen, Rick Franzen, Meg Ellis, Eileen Chesla, Peggy Pitney, Rick Franzen, Glen Petrauski and Sue Shannon. Two guests, Neil Wilkinson and Suzanne Buckley, were also in attendance.
Installation of New OfficersNew officers were sworn in for the term of 2019-2022: President, Rick Franzen; Vice-President, Mary Ann Silvers; Treasurer, Mary Ann Silvers and Secretary, Ann Franzen. President Rick Franzen thanked Harry Silvers for his service as Treasurer and reviewed Mary Ann’s many accomplishments as President. Mary Ann was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a Certificate of Appreciation. Harry was also presented with a certificate and a boutonniere. Rick then outlined his goals for the Society going forward.
Old BusinessMary Ann reported on the success of the recent Chicken Barbecue. The Society and our partners, Tabernacle Rescue Squad, each made a profit of $2,128.06 after serving 423 dinners.
Glen Petrauski and Ann Franzen and were thanked for manning the Friendship School during the “Passport to History” Open Houses this year.The semi-annual cleaning of the Pepper House and Friendship School was scheduled for October 21 at 9:30 AM with an additional date of Oct. 22 if required.
New BusinessDues for 2020 were collected, as they will be throughout the year.
A motion was made by Glen Petauski and seconded by Sue Shannon to reimburse Ann Franzen for $25.99 for a new photo album for the Society. It passed by voice vote.President Franzen explained about the work being done to launch a website for THS with the help of Neil Wilkinson of the Indian Mills Historical Society. Neil offered to give access to members of the Society to the webpage under construction for the purpose of giving feedback and suggestions. The site will include information, photos and links to documents such as the oral histories that have been collected over the years.
Rick reported on the work he, Harry and Mary Ann are doing to update and improve the auto tour of our historic sites. Better descriptions and directions (including GPS coordinates) will be included. Some historic markers are missing, some are missing township stickers and some additional sites may need to be marked as well.Committee assignments for the year were reviewed and volunteers thanked. Additional help will be needed on some assignments.
Buildings and Grounds – Harry Silvers, Cemetery Sextant – Keith Zane, Budget – Rick Franzen, Mary Ann Silvers and one other member-in-good-standing, Historian – Mary Ann Silvers, Historical Site Committee – Rick Franzen, Harry Silvers and one or two others, Librarian – Mary Ann Silvers, Membership – Ann Franzen and one other, Museum – Ann Franzen and one other, Programs – Sue Shannon, Refreshments – Meg Ellis and Publicity – Ann Franzen.After listing the goals Mary Ann Silvers had enumerated for the Society in the past, Rick discussed the future directions for the Society. Among the topics outlined and discussed were: documentation of the dairy and poultry farms, the facebook page, networking with our neighboring historical societies, meeting with Township and School District officials regarding space needs, roadside trash pick-up, our Scholarship Fund, designating the time periods for rooms in the Pepper House, a newsletter and transcribing oral histories.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35. Refreshments were served, including a special cake in Mary Ann’s honor. The next meeting will be on October 10 when we will have a speaker, Tony McNicholl of the Pinelands Commission, on the history of Brotherton Reservation.Respectfully submitted by
Ann FranzenSecretary
JULY 11, 2019
The July meeting was held on the above date at the Community Center. The President called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM followed by the flag salute and moment of silence. There were 9 members present: Mary Ann Silvers, Harry Silvers, Ann Franzen, Rick Franzen, Meg Ellis, Betty Orme, Bill Sprague, Michele Freudenberger and Doris Underwood.
Old Business
The Charities Registration has been completed and we are in compliance with the State of New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs. A check was sent in the amount of $330 to cover the years 2010-2015.
The annual Chicken Barbecue in partnership with theTabernacle Rescue Squad will be held on July 20 from 1 to 6 PM at the Community Center. Unsold tickets need to be returned to Mary Ann so they can be sold at the door. Betty Orme, Mary Ann Silvers, Ann Franzen, Eileen Haines, Midge Hangley, Carol Touchton, Donna Wallen and Sharon Grovatt have volunteered to make potato salad. Michael’s Event Catering will again provide the cole slaw at no charge. Peggy Pitney, Eileen Chesla, Glen Petrauski, Bill Sprague, Carolyn Cuviello, Barbara Toms, Sue Shannon, Ann Franzen, Mary Ann Silvers and Betty Orme will be baking desserts. Mary Ann Silvers, Harry Silvers, Ann Franzen, Rick Franzen, Keith Zane, Eileen Chesla, Carolyn Cuviello and Glen Petrauski also volunteered to work during the event. We will need to bring some of the potato salad on Friday night in order to package it for take-out orders in advance.
New Business
Letters of thanks were sent to Corky and Laurie Lowe for their gift of an antique yarn winder and a Conestoga wagon jack; to Betsy Piner for her check of $100, to Wilma Davison for her check of $100 and to Janice and Joe Rubino for a box of vintage toiletries, books, bottles and other items.
Rick Franzen and Jim Cuviello moved the loom from the kitchen to the left bedroom in preparation for acquiring a wood burning cook stove and a dry sink.
The Corporation Annual Report filing has been completed. Rick Franzen made a motion to reimburse Mary Ann Silvers for the $33 she paid on our behalf. Meg Ellis seconded and the motion was approved.
Mary Ann thanked the Society for our support during her tenure as President. She reviewed the accomplishments of the last few years including painting and new roofs on the Pepper House and the Friendship School, new windows at the Pepper House, new siding on the Cemetery Buildings and much more.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05. As there is no meeting in August, the next meeting will be on September 12 when we will have the induction of new officers.
Respectfully submitted by
Ann Franzen
Secretary
June 13, 2019
The June meeting was held on the above date at the Community Center. The President called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM followed by the flag salute and moment of silence. There were 13 members present: Peggy Pitney, Keith Zane, Carolyn Cuviello, Mary Ann Silvers, Harry Silvers, Ann Franzen, Rick Franzen, Barbara Toms, Meg Ellis, Bill Sprague, Eileen Chesla, Sue Shannon and Glen Petauski. In addition, there were 5 guests: Michele Freudenberger, Doris Underwood, Penney Haines, Bob Ritter and Carol Ritter.
Old Business
Elections were held at the May meeting. The new officers will be: Rick Franzen, President; Mary Ann Silvers, VP and Treasurer; Ann Franzen, Secretary. They will assume their new roles at the September meeting.
The 3rd Grade Tour was held on Monday, May 20 from 9 AM to 12:30 PM. All went well. Each class was presented THS commemorative bookmarks and pencils. The cost of $99.02 was re-imbursed to Mary Ann Silvers who made the payment.
The Memorial Day Parade occurred on May 25. Betty Orme presented the THS flowers, Mary Ann Silvers, Ann Franzen and Peg Pitney manned the table at the Pepper House and gave tours. Rick Franzen filled in as emcee for the event.
The Strawberry Social of June 8 was a success. We brought in $717 and paid $180 for the strawberries. Profit was $537 – enough to finance our scholarship.
More trench and stone work was done at the Pepper House by Keith Zane and his crew of teenage volunteers. Keith was also thanked for the work he and his son, Nathaniel, did in placing new Township logo seals on the THS historical signs around town.
Ann Franzen was re-imbursed for the $56.57 she spent on curtain rods and shades for the first floor of the Pepper House. A motion for this was made by Eileen Chesla, seconded by Barbara Toms and approved by a voice vote.
Mary Ann completed the very complicated Charities Registration online. Fees of $30 and $55 were paid by Mary Ann. A reimbursement motion was made by Sue Shannon, seconded by Bill Sprague and passed by voice vote. In order to be in compliance with the state, FY 2010-2015 forms will also need to be filed.
New Business
The annual Chicken Barbecue in conjunction with Tabernacle Rescue Squad will be held on Saturday, July 20 from 1 to 6 PM at the Community Center. The tickets, priced at $15 each, were distributed to the members to sell. Un-sold tickets are to be returned to Mary Ann to be available for sale at the door. Volunteers are needed to make potato salad, bake desserts andwork on the day of the event.Keith Zane said that he is exploring with the Methodist Church the possibility of using their facilities next year for the Barbecue and the Strawberry Social.The meeting was adjourned at 8:30. A presentation followed by Marisa Bozarth on “Agriculture in the Pine Barrens”. The next meeting will be on July 11. Refreshments followed the meeting. Respectfully submitted by
Ann FranzenSecretary
May 9, 2019The May meeting was held on the above date at the Community Center. The President called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM followed by the flag salute and moment of silence. There were 16 members present: Peggy Pitney, Keith Zane, Carolyn Cuviello, Mary Ann Silvers, Harry Silvers, Ann Franzen, Rick Franzen, Barbara Toms, Meg Ellis, Betty Orme, Carol Touchton, Bill Sprague, Ralph Shrom, Eileen Chesla, Sue Shannon and Judy Witowski-Argentine.
Old Business
Paper ballot elections for officers were conducted by Bill Sprague. Elected were: Rick Franzen, President; Mary Ann Silvers, Vice-President; Mary Ann Silvers, Treasurer and Ann Franzen, Secretary.
Update on Pepper House renovations: The exterior has been painted light gray by Revive Painting who also painted the exterior trim of the new windows. The inside window trim will be done soon, and we are waiting for the three outside doors to be replaced.
A check for $500 has been sent to the Seneca Scholarship fund to be awarded to a graduating senior interested in college studies of history, government or education.
The Friendship School will once again be open each 1st Saturday this Summer as part of the Burlington County Passport Program. Ann Franzen, Glen Petrauski and Mary Ann Silvers will be taking some of these dates.
New Business
The annual Memorial Day Parade will be held on May 25, 2019. Ann Franzen suggested that we use Harry Silvers’ truck as a float this year. She, Carolyn Cuviello and Eileen Chesla will decorate it.
The Strawberry Social will be held on June 8 at the Community Center. Various tasks were assigned. Keith Zane volunteered to bring water, ice tea, hot dogs and rolls. Lots of volunteers are needed to cut up strawberries, bake cakes and help during the event.
The annual Chicken Barbecue will again be in July. The date will be determined later, but July 20th is a possibility.
The committees outlined in the by-laws were discussed and members were urged to volunteer for one or more of them.
Rick Franzen asked about the wreath presentation at the parade. It was decided that Betty Orme would do the honors on our behalf.
Keith Zane reported that he and his student-volunteers will be cleaning and resetting some of the tombstones in the Cemetery. He also said that Nathaniel Zane will be placing new Township seals on the historic markers around town and may also work on creating a video/power point presentation on Tabernacle History.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30. The next meeting will be on June 13 when we will have a presentation on farming in the Pine Barrens by Marisa Bozarth.
Respectfully submitted by
Ann Franzen
Secretary
MARCH 14, 2019
The March meeting was held on the above date at the Community Center. The President called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM followed by the flag salute and moment of silence. There were 9 members present: Peggy Pitney, Ralph Shrom, Sue Shannon, Stephen Cramer, Keith Zane, Nathaniel Zane, Carolyn
Cuviello, Mary Ann Silvers and Harry Silvers.
The Treasurer’s report showed a beginning balance in the regular checking account of $15,096.02, income was $200.00, debits were $1,364.00, for an ending balance of $13,932.02.
The Cemetery Savings Account has a balance of $6,472.37 after the addition of $5.31 in interest and the Cemetery checking account has an end balance of $120.94 after a deposit of $1.00 to keep account active. The Treasurer’s report was approved by Ralph Strom and seconded by Keith Zane.
Old Business
It was reported that the Pepper House windows have not been painted.
The budget was reviewed by all and approved by Keith Zane, seconded by Ralph Shrom.
New Business
Insurance was paid to Franklin Mutual Insurance Company on March 4, 2019 in the amount of $1,364.00. Due to Franklin’s format changes, THS went from Commercial to Business designation. Due to a 2% increase in policy building valuation, the Pepper House went from $29,300 to $30,200; the Tabernacle Cemetery went from $41,400 to $43,000 and the School went from $65,800 to $68,000. The payment stayed the same. Mary Ann Silvers will be questioning the change in status and what this means.
Federal Income Tax was filed for our exempt organization via 990-N form outline
The Community Center Facilities were approved for our use by Town Hall.
Dine and Donate Night at Upper Crust will take place on March 20th from 4-8 PM. We will be receiving 15% from each bill. Coupons were given out to be used that night.
A nominating committee is needed to present a slate of officers for the April meeting. No one offered to take on this position. It was suggested that a special email be sent out to request candidates for the position of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Voting will take place in May.
The budget was reviewed and approved by Keith Zane and seconded by Ralph Shrom.
A lengthy discussion took place regarding the campaign to save Tabernacle’s Sequoia High School. Mary Ann Silvers wrote a letter to the School Board President and the Superintendent of Schools asking to save the school. This building would be a welcomed addition for community use and for town business. Keith Zane suggested a Non Profit should be formed to manage the building, but first there would need to be a plan to determine how this could be accomplished.
Mary Ann wrote another letter to Mayor Joe Barton expressing the Society’s concerns and goals both immediate and long range. Short term goals should be done this spring and summer. Our main concern is the cost of insurance. Most of the goals moving forward have to deal with the maintenance of the Pepper House and the School.
Nathaniel Zane, Keith’s son, will be working on the Cemetery grounds as part of his Boy Scout service project. A clean-up was suggested for the week of April 8th, but it would depend on what else would need to be done after Nathaniel finishes his project.
A request was made to have any pictures, books, newspaper articles, documents, or anything of historical value brought to the attention of the Historical Society. A suggestion was made to have the Tabernacle Sun run our notice asking people to bring these items to a specific location on a designated day where the items would be scanned and given back immediately. Ralph Shrom will write the notice.
The Society is looking for an iron wood-burning stove, a dry sink with cabinet base, all authentic to the late 1800’s or early 1900’s. Also painters are needed to prep and paint the walls and woodwork in the Pepper House.
Finally, Stephen Cramer, a 6th & 7th grade teacher, presented his ideas for involving his students in a cemetery project. He presented some of his objective which would be to encourage student research, introduce students to the study of genealogy, and give them an opportunity to become familiar with Tabernacle history. It would involve researching the people buried in the cemetery and developing a plan to clean and refurbish the gravesites in an appropriate manner. Keith Zane pointed out that the Boy Scouts have an approved formula for cleaning tombstones. It was also pointed out that it would be a great way to further the students’ understanding of the Tabernacle history that was initially presented during the 3rd Grade Tour.
The next meeting will take place on April 11.
The program will feature Vincentown History presented by the President of
Southampton Historical Society, Bob Ritter with his wife, Carol.
Adjournment at 8:34 PM.
Respectfully submitted by
Carolyn Cuviello, substitute for Ann Franzen, Secretary
Tabernacle Historical Society 