The Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, Branch of the American Association of University Women met at the Great Island Presbyterian Church on Thursday, November 1, 2007, at 7:30 p.m.  Andie Bennett introduced Bobbie Jo Simcox who presented information on herbs and spices and their uses within the home.  She provided samples of an herb spread with crackers and gave members recipes and spices for mulling (cloves, cinnamon sticks, and all-spice).  She invited all members to the Herb Guild Tea on Sunday, November 4, around 1:00 at the home extension office.  Cost is $5.00.  A business meeting followed the speaker.

In attendance were President Andie Bennett, Pat Burd, Betty Nelson, Laura Long, Linda Frye, Ellie Zimmerman, Angela Black, Carol Hildebrand, Beth Brobst, Diane Whitaker, Lois Day, and Bonnie Rosamilia.  Meeting began at 8:20.

No minutes of the previous meeting were read, but Andie Bennett did declare the Candidates’ Night held on October 4 at City Hall to be a complete success.  She thanked Betty Nelson and all who helped with it.

Diane Whitaker, Program chairperson, said the next meeting will be held on Saturday, December 1, 2007, at 10:00 at the Piper Museum.  The tour will cost $4 per person and it was discussed and decided that each member will pay her own entry fee.  Lunch will follow at Ruby Tuesday’s Restaurant.

Angela Black gave the treasurer’s report (attached to minutes) which gave a balance in checking of $2,837.16 and the balance in savings of $1,550.18 for a total of $4,387.34.

Beth Brobst, chairperson of the Educational Committee, read thank you notes from Stephanie Reicheldorfer, Julie Story, and Tracy Foster, recipients of the scholarships.  Beth also passed the LAF envelope.

Andie reported on Public Policy with comments on Candidates’ Night and how smoothly it ran.  There were comments about registering voters in the future.  Andie would like the group to participate more next year in getting more people out to vote and with anything dealing with legislature for women and children.

Carol Hildebrand reported on the progress of the Book Sale.  She stated that the books in the garage have been organized and priced.  This coming Wednesday morning members will be doing books at Ross Library and hopefully this will be enough pricing until January.  Ellie Zimmerman suggested that we try a different approach to selling the books next year.  Instead of individually pricing all books, separate the books by category and then sell them by the bag with the price of the bag decreases as the week progresses.  This was discussed and some negatives were introduced such as the book sellers who come at the beginning of the first day will take all of the best buys – suggested that the book sellers are charged more money or all of the best buys are not put out on the first day.   There was a further discussion on different ways to charge for the books without individually pricing each book.  This will be discussed more at future meetings.  More help is needed for sorting books on Wednesday mornings.  Since most books have already been priced for this year, the committee will discuss any ideas about future years.

Beth Brobst suggested that we ask for help from a service club, possibly through the university.  Community service workers are helping already with moving books.

Betty Nelson reported that Angela Black presented a check to the Ross Library to be used to purchase a book in memory of Sandra Hamman.  Suggestions were made for the book to be about quilting, photography, or one of her other many interests.

New Business:

Laura Long said that the Write-Read-Write program will begin in January and will be done through Renovo Elementary School.  She is going to contact someone at the school for names of students or classes.  Both Betty Nelson and Roberta Doyle have volunteered to help with this project.

Beth Brobst asked that the Board of Directors re-write the scholarship application at a future meeting.  She requested that the board do this so it does not have to bounce back and forth between a committee and the board several times.  Andie announced that the next board meeting would be in January with the time, date, and place to be announced later.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:55 on a motion by Ellie Zimmerman, seconded by Betty Nelson.

Bonnie Rosamilia, Secretary.