October 2020 News

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October 2020

     Is anything more ideal than a beautiful Fall afternoon in Western Kansas! Cloudless, bright blue sky and blissful calm after September's heat and wind.

     As I look through the windows of the museum, I can see that although there is no color change in the trees, the bright green is fading, and some of the highest branches have begun to lose their leaves. Such perfection makes me wonder what I'm doing inside, pecking away at this keyboard!

     At the September meeting of the historical society board, it was decided to schedule the annual Member Appreciation Day in October, as has been our custom. This was fully discussed. We know attendance may be lower than usual and we will miss you, if you choose not to come, but we understand that some may still not be comfortable in group gatherings. We are also aware that a spike in the corona virus between now and then might cause us to cancel this meeting. Your health and safety is our first priority and we want everyone to stay safe and well.

     The date for the Member Appreciation Day has been set for Sunday, October 25th, at 2:00 p.m. at El Quartelejo Museum. The guest speaker will be our own County Health Nurse, Edith Tarango, who will speak on what affect the corona pandemic has had on Scott County. That should be most interesting. We will also be celebrating the 20th anniversary of El Quartelejo Museum, which opened to the public in October 2000.

     Other upcoming events include another Quilts of Valor ceremony, honoring our military veterans, on November 14th, at 2:00 p.m. These impressive services are always inspiring. Please plan to attend.

     We are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment in 2020, with a special traveling exhibit that brings to life the history of the women's suffrage movement in Kansas. You're invited to view the display from November 7th through 19th. This eight-panel exhibit titled "Celebrating the Centennial of the 19th Amendment: Women Vote" is provided by the League of Women Voters of Kansas and its Centennial Celebration Committee. Visitors will get to know the women of Kansas who led this movement in the early 20th century to bring voting rights to the nation's women. Kansas women were allowed to vote in all state elections beginning in 1912, eight years before the country followed suit.

     In addition to the traveling exhibit, we are excited to host a wonderful program for the general public and to provide 2 additional programs for our High School students. This program will feature Marla Matkin of Her-story Productions. Marla is a talented historian, actress, playwright, educator, and author. She will be portraying a Suffragist and telling Her Story. You will not want to miss this unique opportunity on Thursday, November 19th, 7:00 pm, at the Maria E. DeGeer Auditorium (High School Auditorium).

     We will be taking down the Attic Treasures display in the temporary gallery soon. If you haven't been in to see it, better come in now. The next display will feature America's First Ladies, which will be in place in time for the meeting on October 25th.

     Thanks so much to those of you who have been faithful to not only pay your dues promptly, but who have also included generous donations. We consider those extra donations to be a vote of confidence for the work being done to preserve and present the unique history of Scott County.

     And thanks, also, to the Scott Community Foundation for a recent grant funding of $800.00, for museum gallery updating.

     We are pleased to welcome new historical society members, Bill and Sharon Fry, Pat and Tonya White, and Edward Daubert.

For your calendar:

Sunday, Oct. 25th – 2:00 p.m. Member Appreciation Day

Bring a friend!

Nov. 7 – 18:   "Celebrating the Centennial of the 19th

Amendment: Women Vote" Exhibit at the Museum

Nov. 14th – 2:00 p.m. Quilts of Valor ceremony

Nov. 19th – 7:00 p.m. Women's Suffrage w/Marla Matkin

Maria E. DeGeer High School Auditorium