We are lucky here in Kewaunee that our local and state representatives are supporting us with more than money for a fundraising event at our museum. We are having a Victorian Picnic and two mayors, a state representative and two presidents of city councils will take a cream pie in the face if we receive a $1,000 in pledges. It looks like we will make it. :) The money will be used to purchase travelling exhibit cases to send around to the schools in the fall. The point I am making here is have you tried to involve your local politicians in events? The mayor of our city was asked (just yesterday) to give the welcoming remarks to the delegates for the N.E.W. Conference on Local History. All it costs him is a bit of his time; all it costs us is a lunch for two (we invited his wife also). In the past, we also had the mayor come out to the opening day events at our museum. We are hoping to have a wine and cheese room dedication sometime in the fall. Again, local politicians will be invited. No where in all of this have we asked for money from the town councils. By the time we do, they certainly will know us, and the types of activities we have, the kinds of things we would like to see done. It's important. (especially in an election year!) Regards Mary Haegele