One-on-One

There has been an upsurge in interest for Stevens County History.  The Colville Chamber of Commerce has designated April as "History Month" and is scheduling history theme presentations for their Tuesday, noon, meetings at the Eagles in Colville.  The first, on April 1st, (no this is not a joke), is Pat Graham, speaking on the origins of the City of Colville.  We are also hoping for presentations on Leno Prestini, Civil War Soldiers buried here, Genealogy and progress on Preserve America.

The first batch of Preserve America Crossroads on the Columbia DVDs flew out the door, and more have been requested.  Thank you Grady Knight!  As a matter of fact, many people have been lending their time and experience to the project.  I have a tally of some $1400 in contributed time, mileage and other expenses right now.  If you have been spending any time in research or plans for research, I would like to know about them so they can be added to the tally.  Grant applications have a lot to do with showing local interest and support.  Partnerships and plans go a long way toward demonstrating that we are working together.  If your museum, municipality or even just you and your family have been spending time on local history, I would like to hear about it.

Some people I have talked to lately are Alan Bedford with the City of Colville Historical Preservation Committee, Fran Bolt, the mayor of Marcus and Kathy Berrigan of the Kettle Falls Historical Society.  I have a long list of others to talk to - and add to the tally.  Fran contributed a nice sketch she wrote of the history of Marcus.  They are working to restore their old High School Gym into a Community Center and have a grant to work with.  It may be a nice opportunity for historical interpretation.  I have a list of other people to talk to within the County and at higher levels of preservation activities.  If you don't hear from me in the next few weeks and have some ideas, please call me, Joseph Barreca, (509) 738-6155 or email Joe.Barreca@gmail.com.