EWAM expansion considered

POMEROY– Eastern Washington Agricultural Museum (EWAM) Board accepted new museum pieces, estimates of donated item values, reviewed work day and potluck, and discussed plans for a third building at the October 17 meeting.

The EWAM received several museum pieces recently through generous donations. The new pieces are the stained–glass picture is an artistic piece by Vickie Fitzsimmons Brenner, donated by her daughter Jennifer Niebel; a Dekalb Corn Sack from Iowa and the history of Dekalb Corn, donated by Gaylord Lockwood of Maple Park, Ill., and a Vulcan reversible walking plow, donated by Les Echtenkamp of Walla Walla. In addition, Jay Franks purchased a set of caster wheels for Roy Wold to make the "hit and miss" engines more maneuverable.

David Ruark is working placing value on a rope making machine, the Van Brundt grain drill, and the Case 15-27 donated by the Bill Wojciechowski estate. In addition, he is working on acquiring manuals for the Case 15-27.

A museum work party was held November 6 which several projects were handled as well as basic clean-up and re-arranging.

Discussion of possibly adding a third building to the network of museum edifices–size, placement and usage were considered. More dialog will ensue before a vote is required.

In other business Ken and Kathy Wilkes of Rosalia asked to use the museum for a meeting, potluck, and tour for the American Truck Historical Society; the Garfield County Extension office tentatively set a tour for the Harvest Host program.

There were three membership renewals and two memorial donations of $150 ad $165; the Shepherd Foundation grant deadline; the possibility of a T-40 tractor donation; and securing wood for the sawmill restoration.

The meeting was held at the EWAM library. Those attending were President Krey Miller, Jack Weaver, Patti Weaver, Roy Wold, Suzanne Grove, Dennis Watson, Gary Cole, Nick Hastings, Joe Huett, David Ruark and Jay Franks.

Contributed by Jay Franks, EWAM Secretary