2/18/26 Meeting
- Call to order:
- The Rutledge Ad Hoc Historical Committee was called to order at 6:32pm on 2/18/26 at 212 Unity Terrace, Rutledge, PA 19070 (Rutledge’s Lower Hall).
- Roll call:
- Committee Members:
- Roxanne Ward
- Andrew Marques
- Robert Morbeck
- Valerie Marlow
- Alan McPherson
- Residents:
- Mike Karpyn
- Jake Mergott
- Caitlyn Mierau
- Chris Gradel
- Committee Members:
- Reading and approval of minutes:
- Minutes for 1/21/26
- Alan first
- Roxanne second
- Approved unanimously
- Minutes for 1/21/26
- Project Updates:
- Welcome our newest committee member (appointed by borough council 2/16/26): Valerie Marlowe
- Recap of America 250 flag raising
- Excellent attendance:
- Flag Raising: 38 people
- Reception: 31 people
- Lecture: 15 people
- The feedback from the community was overwhelmingly positive.
- Discussion of what could be done differently:
- Send a photo to swarthmorean — editor@swarthmorean and also email Elizabeth Spencer to be featured in the swarthmorean
- Most common feedback related to the food spread with residents asking if we may have meatballs served at the next event.
- Excellent attendance:
- Council approved the reimbursement for the America 250 flag
- Review of Finances
- Discuss scavenger hunt activities (following up from last meeting)
- Rutledge Scavenger Hunt made by Jake Mergott and Committee
- Committee unanimously determines that the Rutledge Scavenger Hunt will be presented at the 2027 celebrations, the USA scavenger hunt will be the only one offered in 2026.
- USA Scavenger Hunt made by Chris Gradel, Jake Mergott, with feedback from the committee
- 6/20/2026 Saturday:
- Happy Hour
- Debut Rutledge Antiques Roadshow
- 6/27/2026 Saturday:
- Another Happy Hour
- American History Trivia? – Mike is interested in this
- Live Music at the Borough Hall?
- 6/29/2026 Monday:
- Art Contest Activity: Make art and post it in your home’s window or in your front yard. Recommended to leave up through 7/4/26.
- We could have red white and blue chalk
- Competition:
- Slllliest Goose
- Largest surface area
- Most historically accurate
- 6/30/2026 Tuesday:
Scavenger hunt – Rutledge History related items. You may receive a pretzel prize if you find everything.- Decision to hold on this activity for 2026 and potentially do it next year for Rutledge’s anniversary
- 7/1/2026 Wednesday:
- No scheduled event
- 7/2/2026 Thursday:
- Craft activity
- Roxanne will contact the girl scouts
- Craft activity
- 7/3/2026 Friday:
- Scavenger hunt – US History. You may receive a donut prize if you find everything.
- Components proposed by Christine Gradel
- 7/4/2026 Saturday:
- 7/4 – Usual Rutledge festivities led by Activities Committee with a table or booth to represent Rutledge History?
- Parade costume contest for historical significance.
- Rutledge Scavenger Hunt made by Jake Mergott and Committee
- Discuss Lecture from Delaware County Historical Society updates
- Attempting to reserve the Upper Borough Hall for Friday 5/1/26, already booked for Saturday 5/2/26.
- Upper borough hall should be reserved
- Friday 5/1/26
- Topic: still TBD
- Delaware County and the Revolutionary War
- We will have food that is in the back but this is BYO food and drinks
- Jake will work with Rob and Zach for flyers
- Discuss timing and what we should cover.
- New business:
- Newsletter topics
- Committee Meeting
- t-shirt content
- Antiques Roadshow
- Rutledge Oral History
- Explore the Archive
- Ideas for Merchandise Prizes
- water bottles and coffee
- Mugs
- Your design is on the merchandise
- Newsletter topics
- Announcements:
- Please follow https://www.america250padelco.org/events for other events in our area. They helped advertise our event and supplied video documentation of the flag raising.
- Our next meeting will be 3/18/26.
- Adjournment:
- The meeting adjourned at 7:20pm 2/18/26