El Quartelejo Museum and Jerry Thomas Gallery and Collection - El Quartelejo Museum and Jerry Thomas Gallery and Collection
Newsletter
February 2018 Newsletter
SCOTT COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
FEBRUARY 2018
It was early in January when I started thinking it was time for a newsletter. Seems like just a couple of weeks ago, but here it is – February! Time used to march – now it flies!
We finished 2017 in fine style. The Holiday Open House and Sugar Plum Sale was such a fun event!
Three 8’ tables held an amazing array of delectable cookies and candies, and sales were brisk. In spite of a chilly day and two major anniversary celebrations in town that afternoon, we had a good turn-out, and an excellent sale, bringing in over $1155.00.
The four raffle prizes went to: Barb Hutchins: Tava’s German Chocolate Cake. Charlene Hughes: Barb Dickhut’s quilted table runner. Bill Simpson: Dean Fairchild’s handcrafted Nativity scene. Charlene Hughes: Historical Society’s Goodie Plate.
Large cookie and candy plates were delivered to City Hall, the Courthouse, and The Scott County Record. THANKS to each of you who brought goodies, bought goodies, or helped in any way!
Now it’s onward and upward, with great anticipation of another year of special programs and events, and ever-increasing visitation.
We hosted 84 fourth graders for a tour on Kansas Day. (You DO know when Kansas Day is, don’t you?) They only have an hour to spend with us, so we use five tour guides, each beginning a group in a different area of the galleries and rotating to end up around the old pump organ, where everyone sings our state song. (You DO know what our state song is, don’t you?)
Our program director, Stephanie Fisher, is doing a great job in many ways, currently offering monthly “Trunk Talks” to four groups. The February trunk, is Kansas and the Civil War. So much great history, presented with hands-on materials. Traveling Trunks are furnished by the State Historical Society, and are being funded by a grant from The Western Kansas Foundation. The homeschoolers will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 7th at 1:30 p.m. Other students and adults will meet on Saturday, Feb. 10th at 1:30. Both at El Quartelejo Museum.
Our next special event will be the annual meeting of the historical society on Sunday, April 22nd. Returning as guest speaker will be Sara Richter, with a program titled “Getting’ by by Makin’ Do – Plains Women of the Dust Bowl.” An appropriate topic for Earth Day! We’ll send a reminder closer to date, but put this on your calendar now.
We’re already planning something special for June Jaunt (June 2nd) and for a summer workshop for children directed by the ever-popular Thad Beach, June 28-30th. More information later on.
We have been given some generous donations through the past few months, and recently received memorial funds from the family of Arlene Beaton. All such gifts are greatly appreciated, but we especially encourage you to think of the historical society to honor your loved ones, both living and deceased. It is our mission to collect, preserve, protect and display the history of Scott County, and a memorial gift is a great way to link the life of our cherished citizens with our unique history.
KUDOS to our exceptional historic sites tour guides, Dennie Siegrist, Larry Hoeme and Jerry Snyder. Our Western Vistas Historic Byway Tour has been rated second out of ten of the best guided tours in Kansas! Check out bestthingsks.com for details.
REMINDER: We continue to ask for photographs of our veterans for a permanent collection. Any veteran of any era, in uniform if possible, and with information of rank and years of service. If the response is adequate, we would like to display those photos for Veteran’s Day or some other appropriate time, but our main desire is to have those irreplaceable photos permanently collected, filed and protected. Please help with this project.
There will be an election for board members at the annual meeting of the historical society on April 22nd. If you are interested in being nominated for a position on the board, please contact Patsi Graham, president, before March 15th. Call 620 872 5912 (museum) or 872-3523 (home).
The Scott County Historical Society is a growing and active organization, with a current membership around 240. Thank you for supporting the society with your dues and your volunteer services. All you do is greatly appreciated.