I’d like to give you a review of our fairly recent activities: First, I’d like to mention our Microfilm/Microfiche Reader/Printer. We are really pleased with it. Now we can look up census records or newspaper articles and read them. Most importantly, after we read them, we can print them out! What we were using before wouldn’t do that, and you had to hand copy all of the information. We have had the new machine for over a year.
     This year we added Lawson and Pell to our Funeral Home File. Grace Cohn deserves a great big “Thank You” for copying all the information we are allowed to give to the public on 3” x 5” files cards. So, if you’ve looked in that file before, look again.
     We purchased several more rolls of microfilm. Now we have The Brazil Times and The Clay City News up to 1950. We already had many of the older papers that are no longer in existence. Please explore these resources the next time you are in the library.
     The major change this year is that we redecorated. The Center Point Firemen boxed all of our books and records and carried absolutely everything that wasn’t nailed down out of the building. Everything was stored in the Center Point Town Hall and in the fire station. Pat Wilkinson and Suzanne Mace painted the walls a shade of pale green; the windows, doors, and other trim is white. I can’t remember the color of the newly installed carpet, but it has a lot of green and looks great. Huck Steinstra made a couple additional sections of shelving that were installed when the firemen carried everything back and put it in place.
     On July 17th we had an Anniversary/Open House. We celebrated the 25th Anniversary of our Society and at the same time proudly “showed off” our beautiful interior. Over sixty people attended the celebration. We still want people to come and say, “Ooh and aah” over our clean walls, new carpeting, and added resources. Please come and stroke our egos.
     During the year a group of children that are being home schooled toured our library. Betty Herbert and Carolyn Branson had the privilege of greeting the students and their parents. They were shown what we have and how to use our resources. We also had the newly formed Wabash Valley Genealogical Society tour our library. Joyce Oehler was the hostess the day they visited. We enjoy having groups like this. I was honored to speak at the Clay County Historical Society and also at the Lowdermilk Family Reunion. Both groups were most gracious hosts.
     By the time you receive your next RESEARCHER, you will have a new president. This has been a memorable year. A lot has happened. But next year will be just as exciting, and I know you will join me in wishing the new officers a great 2006.