Pecatonica Improvement Association

 

“The purpose of this association is to promote the betterment of the Pecatonica area”

 

Meeting Minutes for meeting held on May 7, 2003

 

                President:           Terri Gregersen                            Vice President:                             Dr. Don Sandell

                Treasurer:           Joy Seaton                   Secretary:                             Janet Fuenty

Member at large:                Ed Smith

 

Members in attendance:  Janet Fuenty, George Anderson, Terri Gregersen, Marie Doran, Ed Smith, Don Sandell, Joan Cunningham, Ruby Kramer, Linda Knapp, Tara Thiesen and Jeff Sterling

 

Meeting called to order by Terri Gregersen at 8:00 a.m.

 

New members and businesses are always encouraged, but none to report this month.

 

Minutes of the last meeting were distributed.  Ed Smith moved to amend the minutes to clarify that, while the community has a parking problem, no one wishes to discourage new business or the expansion of current businesses.  The PIA hopes the Village will consider means by which to alleviate the problem.  George Anderson seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

 

Treasurer’s report was excused, as there was nothing to report.

 

Committee Reports

 

Finance and Administration Committee, Chairperson, Joy Seaton, was absent and no report was made.

 

Membership Committee, Chairperson, Janet Fuenty, made no report. 

 

Welcome Center Committee Chairperson, Joan Cunningham, reported on recent activities to promote tourism in the community.

 

Streetscape Committee

Discussion was had regarding repairing and replacing the lights outlining Cimino's.  Terri and Ruby will investigate getting new lights for Cimino's and the Laundromat.

 

The Pecatonica Garden Club will be replacing the flowers before Memorial Day.  PIA wishes to recognize and thank Ted and Elaine Long for their work in cleaning up the clock corner.

 

Terri and Joan will contact the Illinois Visitors Bureau about improving the appearance of the Illinois Trail sign in the parking lot.

 

 

Advertising and Business Promotion committee Chairperson, Tara Thiesen, will be presenting Plaques and Golden Hammer awards on Friday, June 6th, at Sandell Family Chiropractic and the Ferguson Agency.  George will attempt to contact Dean Foods to accept a Golden Shovel Award.

 

PIA members also expressed their pleasure and discussed the positive feedback they’ve received from customers with regard to the continued positive newspaper coverage given for last month’s awards by the Gazette.

 

Discussion was had regarding the community advertising insert in the Freeport Journal Standard.  Ed Smith moved that PIA reimburse George Anderson for $218.00 he paid to publish the two-page ad in the Journal Standard.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Crooked River Days and Memorial Day Parade Chairperson, Don Sandell reported that the Gazette would provide some promotion for the festival for free.  George Anderson reported that the parade plans were coming together with several new and exciting events. 

 

On Friday, there will be a street dance beginning at 5:00 p.m. near the American Legion on Third Street with two (2) bands performing, Class Reunion and Split Decision.

 

On Saturday, various business and organizations will be sponsoring events.  The Lions Club is expected to sponsor a Walk/Run.  US Bank will again sponsor the popular haystack hunt.  A Car Show is planned for Main Street.  Sumner Park, the Pecatonica Historical Museum and the Pecatonica Playhouse will be providing displays and activities.  Other members that intend to sponsor an event should contact Don or George in order to include their event in promotional materials.

 

The carnival will be in the parking lot on Third Street on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  George Anderson has received the carnival tickets.  Each ticket is one dollar ($1.00) and is good for one ride at the carnival.  Businesses may purchase tickets from George and may use them for promotional give aways.

 

The Equine Center will also be sponsoring a variety of unique events on Saturday and Sunday, including Mutton Bustin’, Bull a Rama, a Cow-Chip contest, Ranch Rodeo and a Civil War re-enactment.

 

On Sunday, the public is invited to participate in the Memorial Service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  The boy scouts will burn old and tattered flags at the American Legion at 12:00 noon.  At 1:00 p.m. the Air Force Band “Pops Unit” will perform at the American Legion.  At 1:30, J & J’s Tumbling Troupe will be performing near the clock on 4th Street.  At 2:10 the parade crowd will be treated to a fly-over to kick off the parade.  The Pecatonica Memorial Day Parade will begin at 2:15.

 

All members in attendance were very grateful to George Anderson for his hard work and awed by the outstanding pre-parade events he arranged.  Thank you, George.

 

Community Calendar is now posted on pecweb.com.  Not-for-profit organizations may e-mail the details of their event to pecweb@aeroinc.net for inclusion on the calendar.

 

Businesses can post their special sales and events on pecatonica.com.

 

 

Old Business

Lloyd Faulkner spoke to a small gathering on Tuesday, April 8th at 7:00 p.m. at U.S. Bank.  Attendance was poor and discussion was had regarding future speakers should, perhaps, be scheduled during the day.

 

New Business

Pecatonica’s new Library will be open today.

 

The Encore shop will host a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring county board chairman, Kris Cohen on May 21, 2003 at 10:30 a.m.

 

The Pec Thing, a huge antique show and flea market, will take place at the Winnebago County Fair Grounds on Saturday and Sunday, May 17 & 18.  Local community groups, such as the Lion’s Club and Pecatonica United Methodist Church, could use volunteers for their booths.

 

Our thanks to Art Stites and Dave Paullus for removing the flag from the covered wagon and seeing to its restoration or replacement.

 

Don Sandell reported that two people have hit the planter near Market Street.  PIA dedicated the planters to the Village.  George will help secure the equipment necessary to move them rather than wait for the Village.

 

No officer’s meeting will be held this month.

 

Motion to adjourn:  The meeting adjourned at 8:45.

 

Next meeting will be on Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at 8:00a.m. at the Stonewall Café.  Please notify Terri prior to Monday June 2 if you wish to add any agenda items.