Tuesday, April 5, 2005.

The president called the meeting to order in the meeting room of the Rockport Public Library with 10 members and four guests present.

The order of the meeting was changed since we had a guest speaker. It was decided that we would have the program first, followed by our regular meeting. Don Rebel, formerly of Chrisney, IN, now living in Louisville, KY, spoke about his ancestors.

One of his ancestors was George Honig, noted artist, sculptor, and also designer of the Lincoln Pioneer Village. He told of how he had acquired some of the works and other memorabilia of George Honig's. When George was in art school in New York, NY, one of his teachers said that the Lincoln family just passed through Indiana on their way to Illinois. The teacher, and many others, did not know that the Lincoln's lived in Indiana for the formative years of Abraham Lincoln's life, 1816 - 1830. George did a lot of research into the life of Abraham Lincoln and had intended to publish a book about him, but the book was never published.

Another guest, who was also a relative of George Honig, told of some of his recollections about George and his wife Alda when they would visit his family. He also had pictures of a plaque that George had made for his family's homeplace.

The program about George Honig was very interesting and informative.

The minutes from the last meeting were read and approved.

The treasurer's report was given. The bill for the 100 copies of the 1879 Illustrated Atlas of Spencer County has been paid. The books were delivered last week and are now available for sale in the Genealogy Room for $25 + $2 S&H.

There was a discussion on the Historian of the Year Banquet, which is to be held on April 23, 2005 at 5:30 PM at the Chrisney Community Center. A member is ordering the plaque and nameplate for the recipients of the Historian of the Year awards. The society will need to purchase the paper goods and utensils for the meal. It was decided to meet at 9:00 AM on April 23 to set up and decorate the tables. You can contact Steve Sisley, 812-362-8586, for tickets. The cost is $10.00.

A member had a cost list of supplies needed to do work on the Huffman Bridge. He is going to present it to the County Commissioners. It was decided that May 7 and May 14 would be workdays for the bridge.

A letter from the USI Foundation was read about the funding for the Lincoln Amphitheater this summer.

Before the end of the meeting, one guest had become a new member. We always welcome new members to the society.

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn. The motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.

The meeting was called back to order to discuss the letter from the Friends of Lincoln Amphitheater. Apparently, the programs will be given again this summer. They wanted contributions to help with the costs. A motion was made and seconded to send $100.00 to the USI Foundation. Motion carried.

Again a motion was made and seconded to adjourn. The motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.

The next meeting will be Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 7:00 PM.