Your society continues, with varying degrees of activity, to organize our assets at the former middle school building and begin the Oral History project with the Capital Area District Libraries. The sorting of materials has slowed for the summer months and hopefully we will see renewed activity in the fall. Our first oral history interview has been conducted and we will be discussing that process with the CADL folks to consider any adjustments as we move forward. This is a pilot project for CADL and what we learn here will help them roll it out to their other communities. After editing, the interviews will be available through the library and your society in various audio formats – this is yet to be determined. So stay tuned for further information. We do not anticipate written transcriptions at this time.
The society newsletter you hold – and all the previous issues you’ve enjoyed – have been the labor of love of Richard “Dutch” Ramsdell, its creative and dedicated editor. Many of you are familiar with Dutch’s participation on the society’s board throughout most of the past 14 years, but you are probably not aware of the broad range of challenging and time-consuming activities he has shouldered to keep the society going, serving the membership and the public at large.
Dutch was involved in filing the initial organizational papers with the state and he has served as president of the society for more years than anyone else. In addition to the newsletter, Dutch has researched and composed many of the “cemetery tour” scrips used by himself or others; he has researched and replied to countless genealogical queries and cemetery burial questions received at our website or P.O. box; and he has managed most of the correspondence of the society over the years.
His leadership, energy and dedication have been immense and critical to the society’s existence. Dutch will be stepping down from the board’s corresponding secretary position and his volunteer duties as newsletter editor and membership chair. Needless to say, he will be sorely missed and his shoes most difficult to fill. We look forward to any contributions he may continue to make to the society and our activities. We thank him immensely and society members and the community owe him a huge debt of gratitude.
Dutch, thank you!
David Lindemer
President, Stockbridge Area Genealogical/Historical Society