The following messages are from the Reverend Dr. Scott Boughner, our first president, and Jayne Trachsel, our newly elected president.
President’s Message
I begin by acknowledging that the aim of the SDHS in advancing public education, understanding and awareness of the history of Stratford and District is more important now than ever before. When the realities of the pandemic became apparent we have disseminated the historical information of Covid-19 and also 50 minutes of other history on a documentary video using an illustrated USB card.
Until recently, we have not been able, due to health restrictions, to host in-person events, displays, exhibitions and performances. In light of this, supporting programs offered by the Society have been limited mostly to the Ghosts Are Inn 2021 Tour.
Thanks to Nancy Musselman for writing a captivating script, and to Cambria Ravenhill for co-hosting the tour.
It should be noted that researchers at Canada’s national archive have seen reduced access to just three days a week, due to Covid-19. I mention this because we have an excellent relationship with the Stratford-Perth Museum and Stratford-Perth Archives.
As you participate in this virtual Annual General Meeting by Zoom, please be assured that we will continue to produce educational materials such as the Historically Speaking Documentary video Series, Facebook page, and monthly Historically Speaking Newsletters.
As more people in Stratford and Perth County get their third vaccination and booster shots, the Society will be in a better position to weather the crisis and continue its effort to develop public awareness lectures. Perhaps, in the new year, we can lobby the City of Stratford for a historical plaque for recognition of Dr. Heny Eidt on the St. Vincent St. S. bridge.
This past year saw the continuation of our documentary series thanks to the talented production of Andrew C. Brown and generous donors.
As your Executive and Board of Directors, we have continued to meet monthly via Zoom calls. We continue to solicit memberships through an appeal in our newsletter. As I finish my term as your President, I am indebted to the tireless work of our Vice-President Jayne Trachsel, Treasurer Allan Tye, Membership Secretary Sandra Huntley, Secretary Pat Bolton, Programme co-ordinators Carole Huband and Nancy Musselman, and Newsletter Editor Howard Shubert.
Respectfully Submitted,
Rev. Dr. Scott Boughner
Vice-President’s Message
As Rev. Dr. Scott Boughner, our President, mentioned in his report, we have had a wonderful team effort to produce what we could through these difficult times.
A big Thank you to Scott, being our President for the last three years, it’s been a pleasure working with you from our first project, the acquisition for the Museum of the Waldie Village, to the our last project, finishing our first Historically Speaking documentary series. Scott, we hope you will stay on our events committee to help with our upcoming projects. Again, thank you for everything you have done.
It’s been very educational and a wonderful experience for me to have been the Vice-President for the last three years. I look forward to my new role as President.
Stay tuned for some exciting new projects including some walking tours, and our next Historically Speaking documentary series. Please check our website for updates.
Have a wonderful evening
Jayne