By Gerald M. Berry, Chairman DHSF
Dillon Historic School Foundation held its regularly scheduled meeting on September 6, 2016. Since then, several DHSF members have been actively involved in numerous projects.
On the afternoon of September 8, Chairman Berry met with Mr. Tommy Taylor of Taylor Garden & Gift Shop (Florence, S. C.).Berry had invited Mr. Taylor to come to Dillon to visit the Dillon Graded School historic site and to offer DHSF his suggestions for planning a landscape design. DHSF has realized that professional advice is invaluable if the site is to attain a natural beauty, only guaranteed when shrubbery and trees have been carefully selected, planted, and allowed to grow into maturity with a predetermined, balanced symmetry. DHSF intends to follow the original design as a permanent “blueprint” and complete the landscaping project by developing specific areas of the site as time, finances, and community support allow.
In the September 13 edition of The Dillon Herald, DHSF announced its plans to organize a choir of DHS graduates who would rehearse and record an SATB arrangement of the DHS Alma Mater composed by Jimmy Woodle. Any DHS graduate (class of 1936 up to the present) who has had choral music experience and would like to participate in this recording project was invited to notify Gerald Berry by phone (843-632-2774) or by email (berrygm327@aol.com). Mr. Robin Thompson, Main Street UMC’s Music Director, has graciously agreed to assist in this unique project. The practice schedule will be announced in The Dillon Herald and by email to those who have responded.
On September 14, Mary Miller and Gerald Berry held their third and final workshop session to compile and complete a DHSF project requested by Robin Tallon, Former Congressman. Mr. Tallon had asked that DHSF create a scrapbook that reflects Dillon Historic School Foundation. The scrapbook included copies of important documents, as well as newspaper accounts, brochures, photographs, a picture CD, a DVD, and other definitive items. Mrs. Miller and Berry very much appreciated the Adult Education Center’s allowing them the opportunity to work in that space, and they thank Mrs. Singleton, Mrs. Monahan, and Mrs. Hunt for their assistance.
On September 15, three members of DHSF—Gerald Berry, Lloyd Brown, and Terry Morris—attended the inaugural meeting of “Help for Vets, Inc.” Organized by Mr. Johnnie Daniels, this meeting was held at the City of Dillon Wellness Center and offered those attending an overview of this new organization’s mission, purposes, and plans for the present and future. Mr. Daniels had previously spoken to DHSF members at their September 6 meeting, inviting DHSF to attend the meeting and expressing his desire for “Help for Vets, Inc.” and DHSF to cooperate, helping each other accomplish the groups’ stated goals and realize their missions bringing positive changes to Dillon and Dillon County. DHSF has since expressed full support of this worthwhile organization.
Also on September 15, DHSF Secretary, Mary Miller, attended the fall meeting of the Dillon County Historical Society of which she serves as current Vice-President. Mary requested support from the Society to help DHSF finance the roof repairs of the historic Dillon High School Auditorium. After some discussion, a motion to donate $500 was subsequently made, seconded, and approved by the members present. DHSF acknowledges this generous donation.
On September 20, the DHSF Board of Directors met at 5:00 p.m. in the conference room of the Dillon County Chamber of Commerce. Attending this meeting were Gerald Berry, Mary Miller, Terry Morris, Barbara C. Herring, and Abbott Shelley. Absent from this meeting were board members Jimmy Humphrey and NaTalia McLeod. Only two items were addressed at this abbreviated meeting: a response to “Help for Vets, Inc.” and a discussion of the DHSF Barbeque fundraiser tentatively scheduled for early to mid-November.
Dillon Historic School Foundation meets on the first Tuesday of every month in the Conference Room of the Dillon County Chamber of Commerce located on Main Street in Dillon, S. C. The next meeting will be on October 4 at 7:00 p.m. Please plan to join DHSF in its ongoing efforts to reclaim Dillon’s past and proclaim Dillon’s future! Your support will be very much appreciated. Please join the DHS Graduate Choir and be a part of this unique recording experience.
To receive updated information, simply email DHSF at berrygm327@aol.com. and continue to follow DHSF progress by reading its two regular monthly articles in The Dillon Herald.