The County Line
The Carmel Clay Historical Society, promising a newly energized approach to meet community demands, has announced new officers and plans for the coming year. Deborah Gangstad has been appointed executive director of the organization. A former school teacher in Carmel, she is a lifelong resident and daughter of Betty Clark and the late Eric Clark.
At the annual meeting of the society on Sunday, Mrs. Gangstad announced new part time members of her staff. Jessica Fischer is archives manager, Amy Grove has been named museum director, and Andy Wright is historical researcher. The staff will maintain regular hours at the Monon Depot Museum, home of the society.
Upcoming plans include the popular Holiday Home Tour, set for Dec. 1, a depot exhibit in early 2019 on the history of Carmel High School radio station WHJE, the sale of personalized sidewalks bricks for the downtown area, and the opening of a community archives, commissioned by city government to give the public easier access to photos, clippings, etc. of local interest.
The depot office at 211 First Street S.W., is now open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The depot faces the new Monon Boulevard and trail which was formerly the Monon Railroad right-of-way.
At the annual meeting last Sunday, new officers and board members were elected. Beginning Jan. 1, Sharon Kibbe will take over as president of the board from Dan McFeely. Also at the meeting, a video featuring the life and times of well-known Carmel educator Dale Graham was shown. Copies of the video will soon be available for purchase at the depot along with the commemorative bricks.