The meeting was called to order at 5:30 P.M. 6 persons were present. Maralynn Rinker, Dan Brubaker, Nancy Hanaman, Dick Bardole, Phyllis Bardole, and Mary Weaver.
Dan called the meeting to order. The last meeting was held November 2, there were no minutes, but at that meeting it was determined to post pone the Sesquicentennial celebration in light of the Covid Pandemic.
The agenda for the 3-14-21 meeting was distributed, along with a draft baseball post card created by Raspberry Ridge.
Mary provided the treasurer’s report: Friends of Rippey holds the money for the Sesquicentennial, and the baseball field. The sesquicentennial account has $19,773.00; the funds for the baseball field have $437.00 available of $3,750.00, with $3,293 going for matching funds for Louie Dreyfus and the Greene County Community Foundation. Those grants when awarded will be used for upgrading the ball field. The FOR account has $17,099.85 available. The total for the Friends of Rippey account is $40,622.85.
113 I REMEMBER RIPPEY books have been sold. There are caps, t shirts in assorted sizes, and plates available for sale.
Discussion focused on whether or not to have the Sesquicentennial in 2021. While there was some trepidation about the Covid Pandemic for out of state travelers coming to Rippey, it was decided to go forward with the July 31st date.
The parade will begin at 10:00. Origin point will be at the former Rippey School Building, now the fire station. Further details regarding entries and route will be determined.
The entries for the CAR SHOW will be encouraged to be in the parade, but the show will run from 12:00-4:00 and be housed on the Main Street area.
The Methodist Church will serve a noon meal including sandwiches, pie, and homemade ice cream beginning at 11:30.
A children’s tractor pull will be from 12:30-1:30. This is sponsored by the Greene County Farm Bureau.
A bubble show will be entertainment for families from 1:30-3:30. This is tentatively planned for the City Park, where the time capsule is buried. Plans will be made to open the capsule.
The old timer’s baseball game will be played at 3:00.
The Town and Country Band of Churdan will be asked to play at the ballfield in the evening prior to the fireworks.
30 portable toilets will be ordered and distributed throughout the town. The Street Dance, the Jump houses, and the carnival were omitted from the previously planned activities. The portable toilets will cost approximately $1500. Dan will contact the fireworks company, but expectations the cost will be $15,000.
Funds from the Friends of Rippey were granted for $300 to Dan Brubaker to purchase magnets showing the new date, and for Nancy Hanaman to pay for a ½ of the Bubble entertainment, or $250.00.
Prizes for the car show, parade, tractor pull, and t shirts for the baseball players have generously been donated by TC&B apparel. (Thank you Clarke Fessler)
Post cards will once again be sent to Friends and Rippey Alumni. Additional marketing will be done via Facebook, and the Rippey News web site.
It was suggested that an unused livestock tank be procured and filled with ice and bottles of water to have available on the lawn of the library.
It has not been determined if to have a flea market. Mary will contact Carrie Monthei regarding this project.
A reminder was given to those in attendance that a mid-western baseball tournament with teams from South Dakota, Minnesota, and Des Moines playing on Friday night, all day Saturday, Saturday evening, and Sunday morning. David Hick is the leader for this activity of bringing baseball back to Rippey May 14, 15, and 16th.
The next planning meeting will be held April 11 at 5:30 P.M. at the Rippey Library.
The meeting adjourned at 6:15 P.M.
Summary Minutes submitted by Mary Weaver