Historic Shepherdstown newsletter – December 2021

Dear Supporter of Historic Shepherdstown,

We hope you are all having a happy and healthy holiday season. Historic Shepherdstown Commission and Museum wants to thank you for your support throughout 2021 and bring you up-to-date on a few items of interest.

Volunteer Recognition Event
Historic Shepherdstown Commission recognized its 2021 volunteers at a “We are Thankful for You” reception on Dec. 7, 2021 at the Historic Entler Hotel. In all, 35 volunteers, including docents for Historic Shepherdstown Museum, members of the HSC Board of Directors, and members of various committees were honored.

HSC Board President Donna Bertazzoni thanked the volunteers for their willingness to contribute to the organization during Covid-19. “Both 2020 and 2021 were difficult years,” she said. “Some of us lost family and friends. Other were isolated or unable to regularly visit with the people we love. So, I am exceedingly grateful that during both years, Historic Shepherdstown continued to be guided by a strong board of directors and we had the support of many other volunteers.”

She noted that because of volunteer support in 2021, Historic Shepherdstown was able to reopen the Historic Shepherdstown Museum on a limited basis, resume its annual speaker series via Zoom, offer Ghost Tours at Halloween, host a third-grade field trip, and continue to maintain the historic Entler Hotel complex.

Shepherdstown Mayor Jim Auxer also attended the event. He spoke about the importance of HSC volunteers to the town of Shepherdstown because the Museum helps both residents and visitors understand Shepherdstown’s place in history and its centrality to the region.

All of the volunteers received a certificate of appreciation and a travel mug. In addition, Museum docents, who despite continuing concerns about Covid were willing to greet visitors during 2021, received a gift card donated by German Street Coffee and Candlery.

Historic Shepherdstown received a $400 mini-grant from Volunteer West Virginia to host the event. Volunteer West Virginia started the Volunteer Recognition Mini Grant Program to recognize West Virginia’s volunteers for their outstanding volunteerism during Covid-19. More than 3,500 volunteers, from throughout the state, were recognized through this program.

Christmas in Shepherdstown

Several members of our board marched in the annual Christmas Parade on December 4. We were accompanied by two classic vehicles, a fully-restored 1957 Mercury, owned and driven by Andrew Kavaliunas, and a 1986 Ford Ranger pickup owned and driven by Bruce Massey. Thanks to all who joined our contingent.

Historic Shepherdstown’s Museum was open on Saturdays during Christmas in Shepherdstown, and we saw a steady stream of visitors. We want to thank all of the docents who made it possible for us to open.

Holiday ornament sales
Our 2021 Holiday Ornament, which features the Shepherd Grist Mill, has been a hot commodity. So far, close to 150 of the ornaments have been sold. The last day for sales before Christmas is Wednesday, December 22. The best way to ensure that you will receive the ornament before the holiday is to visit the HSC office in the Entler building on Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The office is located on the second floor, Room 200. Ornaments are $20 each, cash or check.

HSC holiday office closures
Historic Shepherdstown Commission’s office will be closed for the holidays from Dec. 23 through Dec. 27. It will be open on Dec. 28-29, and then close again from Dec. 30 through the end of the year. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022.

Annual membership drive
Historic Shepherdstown will be holding its annual membership drive beginning in mid-January. Keep an eye on your mailbox for more information. We rely on members to help support our activities, including opening the Historic Shepherdstown Museum to the public; maintaining the Historic Entler Hotel Complex and the Shepherd Cemetery; offering an annual Speaker Series; and co-sponsoring the Holiday Tour of Historic Churches. We hope you will maintain your membership in 2022.

Have a happy holiday season, and please remain safe and healthy as we move into 2022.

Best wishes,
Donna M. Bertazzoni
President, Historic Shepherdstown Commission