Hello everyone and Season’s Greetings!

Thank you to all those intrepid folks who braved a downpour and made it to our November meeting to participate in a unanimously affirmative vote on an important change to the SJHS bylaws.

Beginning on January 1, 2012, the SJHS will implement an all-individual membership policy, which will replace the previous tiered membership categories. For everyone who pays membership dues on an annual basis, those dues will now be lowered to $20 per individual, and student memberships (for those with a valid student ID) will be free. “Partners” and “Household” memberships will no longer be offered. Anyone who purchased a life membership back when these were offered by the Society will be unaffected by this change.

The primary motivation behind this change is twofold. First, in these times of global economic stress, the SJHS board is committed to keeping membership in the Society affordable for everyone. And, by offering student memberships free of charge, we hope to relieve some of the financial burden on families, while at the same time encouraging greater participation among the youth of our community. Secondly, as the SJHS has grown from a small group of 50 or 60 friends a little over a decade ago into an actively expanding organization with many hundreds of members, it has become increasingly hard for our all-volunteer staff to manage membership lists and subscriptions.

The SHJS Board, as directors of a not-for-profit, community-based organization, feel strongly that membership dues should not be the primary revenue source of the Society. Instead, the SJHS should earn financial support through the demonstration of its unwavering commitment to historical and cultural preservation, advocacy and education. A trickle of dues, books and t-shirts sales might provide day-to-day working funds for the Society, but it is only through direct appeals and fundraising that the organization will be empowered to expand its efforts as it looks forward into the future.

There is also another innovative and necessary change on our horizon that every member needs to be aware of. As of January 2012, the Society will be launching its all-digital newsletter, “Quarters.” From the January issue onward, all members in good standing will be receiving this newly-expanded, full-color, newsletter via email in the form of a downloadable PDF file. For those of you who have not yet seen a preview copy of Five Quarters, it is truly a most impressive publication. Receiving the newsletter as a PDF file by email not only allows everyone to save a copy to their computer and print out as many copies as they like, it also insures timely delivery, while saving the Society a bundle in outside printing and mailing charges.

So, don’t miss a single issue of this outstanding new publication. Make sure to provide the Society with your email address when you purchase or renew your membership. And to all our Life Members, be sure to update your membership information with an email address by going to www.StJohnHistoricalSociety.org and signing up for digital newsletter delivery – it’s quick and easy, or contact SJHS Secretary Mary Andrews at any of our regularly-scheduled membership meetings.

Okay, that’s plenty of business for one president’s message -- after all, it is the holiday season. Before closing, I would like to send out a warm personal invitation to all of our members to come and enjoy the two exciting events the Society has planned for December: a visually stunning and informative presentation, Another Perspective: Images of the Danish West Indies by Emilie Langkjaer, 1904 – 1913, presented by Danish Westindies Society President Anne Walbom, and a very special holiday get-together, In Quest of Guavaberry Perfection, hosted by SJHS board member Brion Morrisette on the terrace of the beautiful Lindholm Guest House (if anyone is interested in assisting with preparations for this holiday festivity please contact Lolly Prime at: daypress@att.net).

So, mark your calendars everyone; we look forward to seeing you all there.

Peace and Joy for the holiday season, David Knight, SJHS President 2011-2012

Join us on Tuesday, February 14, 7 p.m. at the Bethany Moravian Church Hall, as preservationist, artist and architect Gerville Larsen presents, "How and Why We Need to Preserve and Conserve the Built Cultural Heritage of the USVI."

Gerville Larsen is a sixth generation Crucian, born and raised on the island of St. Croix. He is the principal and owner of TALLER LARJAS, LLC. Gerville has extensive experience in the V.I. Government, having worked with DPNR and the Department of Public Works. Gerville has several pursuits, including his strong desire to preserve the unique natural and built environments of the territory. He is a member of the St. Croix Historic Preservation Committee and the former Chair of the St. Croix Landmarks Society.

Join us on Saturday, February 18, at 9 a.m., as Naturalist and SJHS Historian Eleanor Gibney offers an informative glimpse into St. John's shifting cultural landscapes from the grounds of the historic Estate Bellevue great house.

Prominently sited on a high knoll off Gift Hill Road, the Bellevue estate was once an active and diversified farming operation before its abandonment in the middle part of the 19th century. We’ll look at St John’s agriculture of the past, both during the sugar era and the many decades that followed. Discussions will include how topography and climate limited these activities, and how past agriculture land use altered the island landscape in ways that are still visible today. Meet at the St. John Community Foundation’s Bellevue property, at the beginning of the unpaved road just past the Bellevue housing development (across from the dumpsters). There is limited parking so carpooling is suggested.

Two Members-Only Special Events: Sailing Voyages Aboard the Classic Sailing Schooner Heron

All members of the St. John Historical Society are invited to participate in what is sure to be a very memorable day of sailing aboard the classic wooden schooner S/V Heron. Two unique and exciting voyages are scheduled for Sunday, March 18.

A daytime sail will depart from Maho Bay beach at 10 a.m. Passengers will be treated to the presentation, "Envisioning St. John's Historical Landscape" by David Knight and Eleanor Gibney, as the Heron sails along the beautiful north and northeast shore of St. John. This sail will conclude by 2 p.m. Then, a sunset sail will depart from Maho Bay beach at 3 p.m. Passengers will be treated to the presentation, "Shifting Sands: Reflections on Life Along St. John's North Shore" by Eleanor Gibney and Rafe Boulon, who will share their memories of growing up on some of the island's most picturesque beaches. The sail will conclude at about 6 p.m. Water, rum, fruit punches and snacks will be provided on both sails, and red and white wine will be provided on the sunset sail.

Heron is a family built, owned and operated vessel. Owner/captains Nigel (aka Twig) and Bonnie live aboard this beauty, where they home school their two girls. Heron is a famous and proven John Alden design. She is fast and comfortable, and is one of the most notable classic yachts of all time – she was featured in the hit movie "The Rum Diary" starring Johnny Depp, which was based on the book by Hunter S. Thompson. It's a real thrill to have the opportunity to sail on the Heron, and with the two unique on-board presentations it's safe to say this will be a memorable event.

The cost for each sail will be $80 per person. Proceeds will go toward funding the Society's future endeavors. There are just 18 spots available per sail and they're selling out fast, so make your reservations today by contacting SJHS Vice President Robin Swank at 776-6694 or ContactUs@StJohnHistoricalSociety.org. Please note that this is a members-only event, and 2012 dues must be paid before signing up for the sail. A signup sheet will also be available at February's membership meeting, but don't wait – sign up today!