Subject: Re: Derleth Center Dream
From: "Jack Berndt" <[email-masked]>
To: "Jim Kirchstein" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 12:59:27 -0500

What happened at the CWM event Sunday where Char was criticized - lack of people attending? Way it was organized? Kay can't afford to "lose Char, IMHO." Wonder how long before Tracy will see the forest thru the trees, when comes to Kay? One of my friends from high school days - Jim Schwarz, from SC - was President of ADS for a term 10 years ago, or so. Like me, he's a real fan of Aug's literature, esp. the Sac Prairie works. Now has literally nothing to do with the Society, saying even then that Kay had all of these grandiose ideas that never were based in reality. Fundraising pros cost BIG bucks - $3-5K & upwards if I recall correctly - then the problem at the end of the day is you have beaucoup strategies, but still need dedicated people & volunteers to put their boots on the ground & go out knocking door-to-door to get the funds! Not a lot of people are comfy doing that. K might be in for a big surprise if she herself tries to do this locally. She is not a part of any community group or organization in this area & people pick up on that; so probably unbeknown to her, she has a reputation for being uppity & better than we common folks. Not the way you want to be perceived when asking for $$$$. Jody made a couple of interesting comments too, but I'll hold off on those cuz I need to get to Tripp! Later.  

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jim Kirchstein 
  To: Jack Berndt 
  Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 10:20 AM
  Subject: Re: Derleth Center Dream

  Your questions are the same as mine. Back in the 1980's the ADS had people that were scholars and savvy, and with Bill Dyke there, talent for productions, and that was started by Richard Fawcett who knew what should be done. But most have passed, Bill Dyke fell out with Kay, and what was left was Kay with a lot a of talk, running a hobby rather than a Society. Hugo was talked into giving the harness shop to the ADS and I shamefully was part of arranging that...Hugo knew my great-grandfather who passed a few years before I was born, used to deliver leather to him, and he and I talked about that years ago. I don't think that any of Aug's close friends were of favor with Kay's ties to him. If there was any funding to remod the harness shop, it could possibly have been saved for ADS use, but estimates were quite high and pressure was on to fix it up since it was far below code. Also, no one wanted to volunteer to be there for visitors once the shop was fixed up. George Marx, one of the board members at that time, had a nephew that wanted to buy, so that influence was a major part of selling it. I was not on the board at that time, and did not want to be back.

  Bart is anti-ADS. Derleth's rep is still a problem when it comes to fund raising. Char went to the board recently to have funds (sizable) allocated for hiring a pro to fund raise ant that didn't fly. Tracy is in favor of these big ideas and wants to move his family back to SP area (he was raised out by Witwen and misses that area...I think the ADS with him at the helm is part of the desire).
  Char is very unhappy with Kay, mainly over criticism of the Sunday event.  TheCWM/ADS event was all Char's idea...I think you knew.

  I would be surprised if anything comes of these big ideas...........but what do I know?
  Stay tuned.
  Carry on.

  From: Jack Berndt 
  Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 7:48 AM
  To: saxon 
  Subject: Derleth Center Dream

  Am curious... from a practical standpoint, what in the heck would be the business model that the ADS is following in terms of creating a Derleth Center? They would need a few hundred thousand dollars to buy, (or build) & then operate, don't you think? Suppose the plan is to pledge drive & of course, go after the usual Big Guns in area: Culver's, Wollersheim's, Mueller, etc., etc. (Or Char & Bart can always foot the bill! :) Was this discussed with the public on Sunday? 

  Looking back they had the perfect little place 10 years ago - the Harness Shop per Hugo's gift. And it had historic significance, to area & esp. to Aug's life & literature. And if Kay et al couldn't afford to keep it & fix up then, with maybe a cost of $75-100K, how do they now expect to start from scratch & sally forth?  

  Are there really that many people "out here" in 2013 that give a rip about Derleth to begin with & more importantly, are willing to donate money towards this. And here's another interesting Q.... let's say they do a Fund Drive & come up "way short" of their Goal... do you then keep that money & use for other purposes, when you've told all your Donors it will go towards a Center? Hmmmmm.... 

  Any thoughts? Am I missing something here?! Aren't you glad you did your part, that important pieces are archived & you can walk away "clean."