Chester Tourism Commission to explore partnership with River City Renewal
<span>After stating at its last meeting that it wanted to "get serious" about the National Register of Historic Places, the Chester Tourism Commission decided to take the next step in that regard during last week's session.</span>
<span>The commission will be examining the possibility of a partnership with River City Renewal to try and get the more than 20 Chester sites that already have preliminary approval onto the list.</span>
<span>The ultimate goal is to hire a consultant to help with the process.</span>
<span>"Right now, I have nothing to report other than to ask for permission (from the Chester City Council)," said Commissioner Brenda Owen, who - along with Commissioner Linda Sympson - is on the River City Renewal board. </span>
<span>Owen noted that she would be working very closely with the consultant and the approval process takes about a year.</span>
<span>"It makes perfect sense," she said. "We are tourism. It will bring people here."</span>
<span>Owen said that part of the process in this project would be talking with individual property owners and convincing them why their properties should be listed. She stated that she and Sympson would discuss the idea with River City Renewal and report back to the commission.</span>
<span>Chester Recreation Director Patti Carter updated the commission on the results of the American Queen riverboat visit on Oct. 13.</span>
<span>The commission was paid $1,478 by Shore Excursions of America, which operates the American Queen, for its work on the bus tours, with $250 each going to the Randolph County Museum and Archives and the Cohen Memorial Home and the rest to the commission.</span>
<span>As she did during last month's meeting, Carter reiterated the need for volunteers for the bus tours. Minimum age is 25 years old.</span>
<span>Carter also highlighted the Holiday Rambler Recreational Vehicle Club (HRVC) would be visiting Du Quoin from July 15 to July 26 of next year with the theme of "Memories."</span>
<span>As part of its visit, HRVC members will be taking a two-to-three hour tour, which will include a meal at Reids' Harvest House, of Chester on July 26.</span>
<span>A tour procedures meeting will be held in January.</span>
<span>"Guides are not funded, but we did ask that the guide's meal be paid for at Reids'," Sympson said.</span>
<span>In addition, Carter raised the possibility of moving the city's Christmas on the River Celebration so that it doesn't conflict with Ste. Genevieve's annual Holiday Christmas Festival, which also runs Dec. 4-6.</span>
Stone Cottage
<span>• Owen noted that the Stone Cottage Committee is waiting for the pouring of the sidewalk in front of the cottage and the commission discussed new brochures for the landmark.</span>
<span>The commission later voted to approve the purchase of 250 color brochures for $225 after updating the pictures on both the front and the back of the brochure.</span>
<span>"A hundred wouldn't last us a couple months," Sympson said.</span>
Randolph County Tourism
<span>• Norma Baughman reported on plans to distribute the book "Where Illinois Began: A Pictorial History of Randolph County" by Carol Pirtle to each third grade classroom in Randolph County.</span>
Roundup
<span>• Commission Treasurer Linda Rader reported a balance of $7,496.8 in the bank, with $128.88 in petty cash.</span>
<span>nThe next meeting of the Chester Tourism Commission is scheduled for Dec. 16 at 10:30 a.m. at Chester City Hall. It is open to the public.</span>
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