Posted by Mary Wildermuth on Oct 30, 2017
Program for October 30, 2017:  Affordable Care Act with Angela Cillhauer.... Meeting Location is at Muscatine Power and Water
Invocation: Mary Wildermuth
Happy News:  Sarah Lande invited Rotarians to the  China Town Hall meeting at MCC at 6 pm on Tuesday, October 24. Melanie Alexander told of the Friends of the Art Center ornament contest and design session with Carol Steinmetz this Thursday. Julie Lear will lead a kids session on ornament design/making o November 4th.  The Friends also need judges for the ornament contest.  Mike Hagerty was pleased with the participation at the Vintner's Dinner for the Kids First Fund. Erika told the club of the new Media Membership category for Media participation. We will have a information table at HyVee tomorrow to honor Polio Elimination Efforts. We will also have a social at DaBeet's WIneBar and Restaurant from 5-6:30 on Monday, November 6, 2017 to recruit new members.
 
Program: Lisa Wertzbaugher representing the Muscatine County Historic Preservation Commission gave an informative program on the mission, objectives and projects being undertaken by the county group.  Lisa is the chair of the group that is appointed and funded by the Board of Supervisors. Since their beginning in 2009 the group has become a certified local government so that we have access to federal dollars and the State Historic Society work. Two main goals are:
  • Safeguard historic, aesthetic and the cultural heritage of the county.
  • Strengthen the economy of the county.
Meetings are held in various communities to work and better understand the preservation needs and work throughout Muscatine County. Currently active projects are in Muscatine, Wilton and West Liberty. They have been successful at receiving over $2 million in grants to support this work. They work with state and federal entities including the National Register of Historic Places.  The projects being worked on have been the Muscatine County Fairgrounds, Wilton Downtown Preservation, Old Jail in Mucatine and the facade of downtown West Liberty. They are looking for County Themes to promote like the railroad or the river.  The City of Muscatine also has a Preservation Commission.