Suggestion Box - For the Mountain Community Center

[Willis]

Suggestion Box

I've taken the liberty to stick this topic to the top of the SAMCCP's forum. I'm sure we all have an idea now and then of how we can increase interest in our Community Center. I personally know ole Willis even occasionally gets a brainstorm, but forgets to write it down. Let's put on our "thinking caps" a la Romper Room, and post those thoughts here. ]
FYI: The Community Center's URL is
SAMCCP.org

[Willis]

Oooh, Oooh I get to start.

The Library needs some signage. I ponied up the dough for the blue sign on the sign post, but we need a "generic" OPEN sign-the most visible would be some banner type flags such as those now used for the market.

Speaking of the market, we need to get out the word that the market is still a viable enterprise, albeit much less ambitious right now. I believe those present at the membership meeting last month decoded that the set up fee would be FREE, using the entry hall only, given the sparse number of participants. The hours would be con concomitant with those of the Library, every Sunday.

Signage needs to be kept up-to date: see the post HERE

We need to schedule a work day to clean up and thin out the clutter in the MCC's basement. I suggest a Book Sale be held in time for Christmas shopping.

The sign atop the front of the stoop's steps is disreputable looking and that's a description expressed with a superfluity of kindness. Its replacement need to be high on the priority list.

Anyone else want to take a turn?

[LFE]

Christmas shopping would seem like a great thing/theme if you can get enough folks that have craft, goods, services etc that would make good gifts to set up booths... Maybe try to mimic the German Christmas Market (hot spiced wine and all)? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_market

[Library Lady]

How about a cookie exchange?

[Library Lady]

Also, Willis, I'm waiting for the shelving to be built for the children's room, so I can move the children's books out and thus move some of those books from the basement to the "adult" room. I have some time planned for sorting coming up soon, not to worry.

[Willis]

I just noticed there have been no suggestions in the box for quite some time. Are all perfectly satisfied with everything at the MCC? No suggestions? Should we just consider the project finished? Is it time to put away the suggestion box?

[LFE]

A winter emergency shelter might not be a bad idea for folks that can not make it home on snow days.
- BTW... LE did a great job during that lstorm before last getting folks that stayed with their cars on rt 9 to make at the MCC and then drive them home in 4 wheel drive SUV's!

That said.. maybe just an emergancy parking place might be a good idea (esp if hot cups of Black Dog coffee were available).

[KatherineA]

I like the idea of a snow/power off shelter.

[MountainMoon22]

There are teen dances there, but what about adult ones, like a big band night or a country night or something? We'd go.

[Willis]

Let Me Wax Facetious

Nearly two and a half months have passed w/o any suggestions so I guess we've run out of ideas. Should I close and unstick this thread? OK, I'll stifle the smart-alecky comments. I KNOW there are more ideas out there. Let's see, Hmmm...

• The basement is still cluttered, not only with books (a good # are scheduled to be sold at the coming spring fling) but other items. I'm going to take some of S&B's stuff and cram it into MY basement.
• Signage is still a work in progress 6 months later
• The library's children's room is still unfinished. I hope you haven't been holding your breath for that shelving, Library Lady.
• Thanks to rooneymom the market is still viable, but needs more vendors.
• The MCC still lacks curb appeal (that's understatement of the year, so far)
• The building still needs some major TLC
• The former play area still remains overgrown
  
• Some hidden improvements HAVE been accomplished such as insulation of the ceiling/roof-many "behind the scenes" projects remain.
  

Can you add to the list?

How about some demonstrations now that warm weather is on its way

• Spinning
• Pottery
• Weaving
• Basket Weaving
• Blacksmith/Farrier
• Bee Keeping
• Chair Making
• Soap
• Chickens

Can you add to this list, too? Do you know anyone who would be interested in showing their skills/wares/services?

How can we engender interest? How can we recruit volunteers?

Of course it's easy for me, the consummate armchair quarterback, to make crappy comments and spout lofty ideas:

Unfortunately I'm not much of a doer. I'm leaving it up to you.

[Willis]

Boyoboy, two posts in suggestions on the same day. I was sent the news release below by Curt Mason. In addition to being a honcho with the Historical Society, he's the coordinator for the Summit Point Library. Just another idea that lends itself to the SAMCCP's project.

SUMMIT POINT, WV, April 15, 2011. The South Jefferson Public Library at 49 Church Street, Summit Point WV, is pleased to announce the eighth in its series of free concerts. Between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. Sunday, May 1, 2011, the Country Roads Barbershop Quartet will perform a diverse selection of musical creations relying upon human voices to produce a harmonious blend of rich and satisfying texture which will please the ears and invigorate the soul.
The recently formed quartet is composed of Shannon Armel - Baritone, Bill Armel - Lead, Steve Hebert - Bass, and Kenny Floyd - Tenor. Country Roads members belong to the Barbershop Harmony Society (http://www.barbershop.org/), and the group is registered with the Society. The group meets regularly to practice and to promote music through harmony. Please no tape or video recorders or phone or movie cameras.
Funding has been provided in part through a grant from the Arts and Humanities Alliance of Jefferson County. Come early and view the colorful and diverse exhibit of paintings by students of Ms. Judy Chesley’s art classes at South Jefferson Elementary School. For additional information about the library’s art or music programs contact Curt Mason, the library’s coordinator, at [email protected]. For information about or to book Country Roads contact Kenny Floyd at [email protected].

[Steveo]

With the economy going to the pits and the uprise of backyard " homesteading" maybe a garden workshop or a lecture from someone on self sufficency. we coul;d have a chickenstock of our own, seed exchanges, websites that demo this are; frugalsquirrel.com, backwoodshome.com, not to mention urban farm,hobby farms, backyard chickens and backyard herds.com.
Just a suggestion.

[John]

With the economy going to the pits and the uprise of backyard " homesteading" maybe a garden workshop or a lecture from someone on self sufficency. we coul;d have a chickenstock of our own, seed exchanges, websites that demo this are; frugalsquirrel.com, backwoodshome.com, not to mention urban farm,hobby farms, backyard chickens and backyard herds.com.
Just a suggestion.

I good one Steveo! There are many Shannondale.org users with expertise to share. Big Tom supplies ferilizer to area gardeners, and Neophyte man mentioned an interesting use for old tires as planters a few months ago. We also have several board posters who are raising chickens and many who might have advice about keeping out deer. This would fit in nicely as a follow up to the Locovore lecture serires.

[Steveo]

Keeping out deer? fishing line deer can't see it and they don't jump what they cant see, my .02 for the day

[kkrapf]

Not exactly a suggestion, but: Does the MCC have any need for a coffee maker? We have an old one to recycle to a new owner, so I thought of there first.

[John]

Probably so - downstairs. I will check to be sure, but they go through a lot of coffee.

[kkrapf]

Posting in the suggestion box reminded me of a suggestion I had. Perhaps an enclosed bulletin board (example: http://www.amazon.com/Quartet-Enclos...3234412&sr=1-9 - someone feel free to insert this as a link for me) for the wall space just to the right of the outside door? At this point if people walk up to the building they often are greeted by a locked door without much indication of what or when the MCC is available for use. Library hours could be posted, event flyers, info about renting the space, etc. etc...

[Willis]

Posting in the suggestion box reminded me of a suggestion I had. Perhaps an enclosed bulletin board (example: http://www.amazon.com/Quartet-Enclos...3234412&sr=1-9 - someone feel free to insert this as a link for me) for the wall space just to the right of the outside door? At this point if people walk up to the building they often are greeted by a locked door without much indication of what or when the MCC is available for use. Library hours could be posted, event flyers, info about renting the space, etc. etc...

That's a great idea KK. Combined with a cork/dry erase board in the hallway, folks would be able to check on activities if they didn't have ready access to or know about internet links.

[Willis]

Can anyone con some slob into giving a talk about the Iron Furnace or Shannondale Springs.

[cindylu]

Willis - I have a coffee maker, 12 cup, still in the box that I'm willing to donate. Also have a bunch of VHS some DVDs and CDs I'd like to donate. Is the Center open Saturday--particularly today, 28 May. Thanks