Wendy Werner
CherryRoad Media
At the Annual Meeting of the Otoe County Museum of Memories on October 21, 2024 a new slate of officers was approved. A review of the previous year that included a number of updates was presented.
Leading the OCMM will be President, Deb McWilliams; Treasurer, Lori Carper; Secretary, Sharon Davis; and Social Media, Tracy Zahn. In the 2023-2024 period, retiring volunteers were Jane Ross and Janet Zieger and new volunteers were David Beccard, Pam Henke, Kati Robinson and Carol Wallman.
For the 2023-2024 season, 519 individuals visited the museum.
The minutes of from the previous year’s meeting were read and approved. Carper gave the financial report
Going forward, there will be a three-tier annual membership dues structure: Nursery Hill Member, $20; Hartley Burr Alexander Contributing Member, $50; and OCMM Support Members, $100. Membership dues help support the care and operation of the Otoe County Museum of Memories collections, buildings and grounds.
Among a long list of accomplishments, one was the OCMM receiving their 501(C)(3) status that allows them to directly receive donations. The museum now has an email syracusenemuseum@gmail.com; a website https://syracusenemuseum.org; a Facebook page Otoe County Museum of Memories and a telephone number 402.269.6785. Numerous improvements were made to the building and grounds that included new doors and new hot water heaters, repainting the “quilt” sign, added solar lights to west lawn signage and landscape and foundation repair. McWilliams recognized Seth Kruse for mowing the grounds and Lisa Buchholz and Connie Kreifels for caring the Rose Garey herb garden.
OCMM hosted six events/educational activities including the third graders’ annual visit, hosted Music at the Museum of Memories and participated in Tannenbaum. The museum also joined the Syracuse Area Chamber of Commerce, hosted a Coffee & Contacts and were represented at general membership meeting and other events. Volunteers worked to update they bylaws and other form. Loans were made to Aldrich House in Elmwood and Wildwood in Nebraska City.
The officers shared thoughts on short- and long-term endeavors like obtaining a scanner to make more information available online, signage and other ways to collaborate with community partners. Tasks within the museum will continue through the winter months to ready the museum for opening again in May 2025.
