Delphi Public Library was awarded the Historic Commercial or Public Building Award presented by the Delphi Preservation Society. Pictured are library director Kelly Currie and DPS president Greg Norman. Comet photo Delphi Preservation Society (DPS) held its annual meeting May 19 at the Opera House Gallery of Contemporary Arts. Several reports were given and awards were presented.

Anita Werling showed a slide presentation of activities over the past year, from the renovation and opening of the Gallery, purchases, and grants to accomplishments towards restoring the Opera House. Also mentioned in Werling’s report was the successful functions that have been held at the Gallery.

Carol Wellnitz announced that business and corporate membership increased from 8 to 14 and individual and family membership from 40 to 77.

A new tenant in the building’s retail space, Martha Rose Gifts & Interiors, will open on May 26.

Delphi Preservation Society President Greg Norman presented Bill and Andrea Smothers with the Post-1920 Historic Residence Award at last week’s DPS annual meeting. Comet photo Martin Krutek, Rotarian chair for The Evening for the Opera House, presented a proceeds check to DPS president Greg Norman and Werling for $2,000 from the event. Krutek stated that he had hopes that this year’s event will be the first of many over the years to come.

The first annual Delphi Diamond Dash, a 5K run/walk, will be Sept. 18. Other events that day will be a Delphi Lions Club sponsored breakfast and Delphi Rotary Club sponsored Pork Fest.

The Gallery still has copies of its cookbook, Delicious, Delightful Delphi, available for purchase.

By-law revisions, nominations, and election of board members were voted on. Re-elected for an additional three-year term were Norman and Lynn Corson. Other board members elected were Hannah Germond, Craig Wellnitz, Jane Miller, and Kevin Kologinsky.

Maxwell Winners of the 2010 DPS Recognition Awards were announced. Library director Kelly Currie accepted the award for Historic Commercial or Public Building on behalf of the Delphi Public Library (Carnegie Library circa 1905). The Parks-Vaknin house, owned by Brenda Vaknin, won the award for Historic Residence Pre- 1920. Bill and Andrea Smothers accepted an award for their Post-1920 Historic Residence, a craftsman-style bungalow.

Bonnie Maxwell was presented the Charles Gerard Historical Archival Award and Greg Norman was presented the Atkinson, Sanders, Rodriguez Leadership Award.

The Opera House Gallery of Contemporary Arts will celebrate its first anniversary on June 19.

The Opera House Gallery of Contemporary Arts is owned and operated by the Delphi Preservation Society, Inc. Individual donations can be made to the Delphi Preservation Society, P.O. Box 161, Delphi, IN 46923 or visit www.delphipreservationsociety. org.

DPS meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. in the Gallery. All interested persons are invited to attend.