WSCS Hall Becomes GDHS' Home
On Tuesday, December 19^th, 2006, the Greene-Dreher Historical Society (GDHS) got an early Christmas present - The WSCS Hall on Route 191 in South Sterling. The generosity of preservationist and society member George Stone of LaAnna made it possible.
  The WSCS Hall was built in 1904 for Washington Camp #422 of the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America (P.O.S. of A.) on land purchased from James Gilpin. Next it served the South Sterling Methodist Church until the church burned in 1979. Then it became the property of the LaAnna Methodist Church, which sold the hall to the Greene-Dreher Historical Society.
Kay Swingle, a member of GDHS and the LaAnna Methodist Church, glowed as she sat in the hall on December 19^th and recalled being in the building years ago as a teenager at a Christian Endeavor meeting. She had feared that the hall would be sold for commercial use.
In its early days the historical society met in members' homes, then the Greene Township Building on Brink Hill Road, and recently the Newfoundland Moravian Church Fellowship Hall. For five years Greentown Agway has let the society store artifacts on its second floor.  But always the society had hoped for a home of its own and now it has one where it can hold its meetings as well as store and display its artifacts.
If you have memories and/or photos of the WSCS Hall that you're willing to share, please contact Sam Jackson (676-4602; sbcj2@yahoo.com).
The pencil sketch of the WSCS Hall in the corner of this newsletter was drawn by Alden Jackson who, until recently, served as GDHS Secretary.  Alden's artistic talents can also be seen in the sketches found in Dreher Township History published 2 years ago.  Thank you Alden for sharing your talent.
Under the leadership of Webb Gilpin, Facilities Committee members Bill Brennan, Roy Richmond and John Barna recently inspected the Hall.  The overall condition is very good, thanks to the care by its previous owner.  The Committee is also identifying and prioritizing future maintenance needs and improvements for the hall.  We'll keep you posted on their progress.

The 1958 Blizzard
2008 will mark the 50th anniversary of the 1958 blizzard.  If you have photographs and/or eyewitness accounts of the blizzard to give or to lend, please contact Ruth Altemier (676-4354 or rorualt@verizon.net) or Betty Roach (676-4729).

2006 Annual Report
The 2006 GDHS Annual Report is available on our website or, if you prefer a paper copy, contact Bernadine Lennon (857-0882, balennon@att.net).

Interested in Genealogical Research Techniques?
The Wayne County Genealogy Group has offered a monthly series on genealogy research techniques. Four GDHS members have been attending. If you want to join them on the last Thursday of the month at 4:30pm, call Ruth Altemier at 676-4354.

Thanks to Bue Moris Associates for the Xerox Copier
Engineering firm Bue Moris, South Sterling contacted Art Frey, asking about a local organization that might need a copier.  Thanks to Art for referring them to us.  Thanks also to Roy Richmond, Webb Gilpin and Bill Brennan for muscle power in moving the copier to its new home.