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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION PRESERVATION SPECIALIST REPORT December 15, 2014 Hello Commission! Well, here we are again finishing up another year of preservation, education, and random acts of tourism. I would like to thank you again for the opportunity to be a part of something so unique and so very important. I have been working on getting to all the county and city landmarks to visually confirm which have or do not have the Historic Landmark plaques. Since we have these plaques already in inventory we thought that perhaps it was time to offer these for sale for those who do not yet have one. It opened itself up to a great opportunity to visit all of our landmarks one more time this year before the weather changes. Elicia created a great postcard to send to those that yet still need a plaque. I am working on an expert and a location for next year's power tool workshop which will focus on trim work, angles, and proper uses and types. Since Indiana Landmarks will be hosting monthly workshops at their Chapin St project, they will not be partnering with us on Restore Michiana in 2015. Instead we will be doing the power tools workshop and workshops dealing with the city cemetery and tombstone cleaning. Speaking of which, I have been in contact with Carla Bruni who was our benefactor for some of our power tools from last year's workshop (via Sears and Craftsman tools). She thinks that it is a great idea and would like to forward our application and donate the needed corded drills for the cleaning workshop and volunteer days. This could not have come at a better time since the Cemetery was in the news again last week and perhaps keep these in the news and on everyone's agenda for the city's 150 year anniversary. I have also written the tour schedule for the Studebaker Drivers Club homecoming meet on May 2, 2015. There will be a tour that includes the Studebaker Administration Building hosted by Todd Zeiger, a tour of Building 84 hosted by Tim Janowiak and two retirees, and a bus tour hosted by myself that will follow parts of the Bendix Heritage Trail as well as a quick tour of St. Paul's Methodist Church. Rob DeClene of Visit South Bend/Mishawaka has agreed to pay for the bus for the day to make this happen. We would like the proceeds to go to the Studebaker Electric Fountain Project if that is still a "go". If not, then a proper recipient will be determined. I hope that each of you have a great holiday season and I look forward to seeing and working with you again next year! Thank you, Steve Szaday Preservation Specialist HPCSBSJC