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Cisco Museum a success. . . .
The ‘Work Weekend’ for the Lela Latch Lloyd Memorial Museum in Cisco, Texas, was a big success and for those who showed up to work, we were tired but had a great time. The excellent accomplishments we made for the museum was so rewarding in the end. Our goals were to secure the un-used drive-thru area in the rear of the museum building so it could be used to house an old 1920s complete Fire Engine nearly 30 feet long. Also, we needed to complete an un-used room in the museum for the future Metal Detecting Room with displays of metal detecting finds. Both these projects were major efforts, and I'm proud to say are now complete. Secure double doors were installed on both ends of the drive-thru, an outside metal door and framing was installed for an exit door, lighting was installed as well as electric for the drive-thru and all was secured along with the outside windows so all exhibits inside the drive-thru would be safe. The extra room in the museum now has its new drop-in ceiling, doors repaired and painted, lighting install, electric plugs wired, windows secured and after a little carpet, it will be ready for the newest of metal detecting related exhibits to be placed on display. The rest of the museum received a good cleaning, new lighting, repaired bathroom, and reworked ceiling fans, more security and a few added displays.

Everyone that came to help work was astounded at the amount of work and fine exhibits that were on display at the museum already. The Southwest Searcher Club in Cisco has done all this work. It showed there was one truly dedicated and hard working club to be sure, 17 members strong. So it was about time that the Texas Clubs took some interest in this project and we did on for the Museum. It was a little disappointing that only 12 folks showed up to help this weekend out of all the many clubs in Texas; as well as the only donations for buying the materials needed came from just a handful of clubs and individuals. However, that is okay, for I now know what my answer to folks will be in the future when they come to me and ask: "Why doesn't the Texas Council of Treasure Clubs do anything else other than a hunt and convention once a year?" We spent close to $1500 for materials needed to complete this working weekend; several clubs sent $100 each (thank you: Central Texas Club with 17 members, Golden Triangle Club, Lone Star Club, Cowtown Club, and the Austin Club) Private contributors we also thank (Larry Vickers, Keith Wills, Duane Hale, and Frank Lawson), thank you much. It was necessary to spend ALL of the museum monies to complete these projects and make the work weekend a success. I can tell you this, we were so tired each evening, that when we ordered our supper at the local cafe', we just sat there staring at it wondering if we had enough strength to chew it. If you missed this wonderful weekend then you missed working along side of some of the finest folks in our hobby today. You also missed Ed Ferguson in his ‘80s and Elton Cox, 88, take down a 100-pound solid door, rework it, do the hinges, paint it and re-hang it.

You also missed seeing the president of the Austin Club--Blaine Nelson cleaning displays and ceiling fans, as well as outside on a ladder sealing cracks in the building bricks-she was a blessing. You missed the Texas Council President--Dave Totzke get the dirty jobs of sweeping up and hauling trash; he did get out of changing the commode seat somehow, HA! Everyone worked and worked hard, my hat is off to them all. Me, I just stayed on an 8 foot ladder all weekend, sleeping--not hardly!
If any club would still care to help, donations to the museum are still needed, since we spent all their funds to get the work done and they have nothing to pay this month’s utilities with. I donated some diggers and aprons for the museum to sell to help them raise funds as well. You can send these donations to Jerry Eckhart, 704 Ave. I, Cisco, TX. 76437, they would be much appreciated. Also now that they are nearly finished with the new metal detecting room, personal displays are needed to fill their cases. I brought one and have several more I'm going to donate. Maybe you have just too many of some relics or wish to make up a nice little display to place in the museum for others to see what metal detecting is all about and what can be found with a metal detector. It touched my heart to see they had both Joe Mannear (write-up and first detector on display) and Nolan Underwood write-up on display, both some of our greats in our hobby now missed. Pictures of the work weekend and the museum should be on the Texas Council website at: www.texascouncil.com soon. Hopefully we will see more of you all at next months annual Lions Camp for Cripple Children in Kerrville, TX. on June 9th & 10th. Look forward on seeing you there. Keith Wills