Tourism Commission to make donation

<span>As part of its monthly meeting, the Chester Tourism Commission voted Wednesday to make a donation to the Pierre Menard Home for termite treatment.</span>

<span>The donation is not to exceed $200 and will come from the commission's general fund. Commission secretary Brenda Owen shared a concern about the commission's authority to choose a property outside of city limits.</span>

<span>"How many people come to Chester and don't go to those two places?" she asked, referring to the Pierre Menard Home and Mary's River Covered Bridge. "It is part of our mission to bring people to the area."</span>

<span>Similar to the commission's restoration of the Shadrach Bond Monument in Evergreen Cemetery, the money would be paid directly to contractors. The commission later voted unanimously to approve the donation.</span>

<span>Chairwoman Sandra Starr read a letter from commission member Lauren Rinne, who could not attend the meeting, on the progress of the Evergreen Cemetery Comes Alive event scheduled for Oct. 18 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.</span>

<span>In her letter, Rinne stated she is still looking for two people to play Charles Cole and Bud Cohen and that she was looking at the possibility of a high school student for Cole.</span>

<span>Five members of the Liberty Bell of the West chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be volunteering at the event, with some reenacting their revolutionary ancestors.</span>

<span>A new addition for this year is chalk and rubbing paper, for those who wish to make a copy of the epitaph on their family members' tombstone.</span>

<span>"We need more lanterns because it seems like we will go into dusk," said Commission member Pam Fraley. "We thought the lanterns would enhance the look."</span>

<span>Starr also updated the commission on the progress of the flagstone walk in front of the Stone Cottage.</span>

<span>"The city will be putting a sidewalk in front of the cottage," she said. "After that is complete, we will work on the flagstone walk from the sidewalk to the cottage."</span>

<span>Owen gave an update on the cottage's restoration and said she has been in contact with Dr. Walter Wendler from the SIU-Carbondale School of Architecture, who also contributes higher education columns to the Herald Tribune, about help with the cottage's architectural description.</span>

<span>"We're getting a quote on painting and trim in the East Room," Owen said.</span>

Roundup

<span>The commission reported a balance of $6,880.40 in its general fund, with $128.88 in petty cash.</span>

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