Posts tagged with Community News
But, Mom, Does it Hurt?
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For Tracy Hill giving blood is a family matter as her children Martin, Gordon, Truman and Vivian along with husband, Dennis, gather around to provide company and ask questions.
And no, it doesn't hurt.
Stull United Methodist Church filled their entire Community Blood Center schedule with donors Sunday, January 17th. It is a cheerful gathering as donors roll up their sleeves for a nearly critical blood shortage. The delicious bowl of soup provided by the church bolsters the atmosphere.
Click here and fill in your zip code then "search" to find a donor location and date with the Community Blood Center. Walk-ins are always welcome.
Here are American Red Cross donation sites within 50 miles for the next month.
Celebration in Stull Cemetery
http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/e... A cemetery tour might seem an unusual beginning of a 4th of July celebration. On the other hand, it is a place of history, a documentation of the opportunities and sacrifices our freedom offers.
Stull United Methodist Church began its 150th anniversary celebration with a potluck supper and fireworks display on Friday night. Continuing on Saturday, July 4th, is the cemetery tour.
A cloudy rather dreary morning greets an upbeat group gathered on the hayrack for the ride around and through the Stull cemetery tombstones. Our tour guide Iona Spencer has researched the lives of over 4,000 people in the Stull and Lecompton communities. Elsie Middleton also works on the project and provides color commentary for the tour.
The first grave marker we encounter is Wittich, 1832-1910. An unfortunate family name spelling most likely is the reason for persistent stories of this cemetery being haunted. A KU professor, bed sheets and fraternity initiations fuel the fire. Over the years, Iona Spencer said she frequently brought coffee and cookies to Douglas County Sheriff deputies guarding the cemetery at Halloween and the 13th of the month. Razing the original church high on the hill has deterred this activity in recent years.
Tombstone names are familiar to most on the wagon. Many families emigrated from Germany in the mid 1800s because of the unrest in Europe as well as opportunities to find cheap land here in the newly organized Kansas territory.
There seem to be many old tombstones with birth and death dates indicating children. One baby is buried with its mother, both having died during childbirth. Diphtheria was often a deadly early disease for children. One child died because of a prairie fire. His older brother was able to climb the rock fence to escape.
Adults died before their time. A roll over lumber wagon, family feud over equipment and as well as hard work involved in living off the earth—all stories affecting the lives and deaths of local residents.
Perils of early homesteading often found children with one parent other than their own. One father raised two sets of stepchildren plus his own.
The common European homeland gave the community a connection and often children found their partners within the community. An assumption for someone new in the community is, “always assume everyone is related when talking about anyone.” A custom in Germany, which carried over to early America, was if a family were all girls, the eldest would retain the family name when married.
All too soon, our 4th of July cemetery tour is over. It was a great opportunity to hear Stull community history by looking at family burial plots. We appreciate Iona and Elsie’s work in chronicling the past and, in doing so, gathering stories for future.
Love in Six Words
Love letters remind me of the yearly Valentine Peanuts cartoon. Charlie Brown is waiting by his mailbox for a love letter only to be disappointed. Love letters are wonderful if they appear. Often, as with Charlie, they don’t.Still, as the Country Parson once mused, “Spoken words tend to float away—only written words endure.” How many of us have a box of keepsake letters in the back of the closet.So, what if the thought is there, but time is short. An alternative to a long, romantic love letter might be the six word memoir.Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser, editors of Smith Magazine's Six-Word Memoirs on Love and Heartbreak, visited with NPR’s Neal Conan on NPR's Talk of the Nation about their collection of well known and not so well known authors who share their six word tell all. Listen to podcast here. Smith and Fershleiser, said their inspiration was Ernest Hemingway who penned, “For Sale: baby shoes, never worn” when asked to write a full story in six words. My personal favorite from the program was, “He sees the me I don’t.” and the most sobering, “For the children, I remain his.”Several friends agreed to share their six word statement on love. We would love to read yours."Ralph, Martha. Laughs, tears. Indelible years." Ralph Gage"We kissed and then played house." David Lignell"in your arms, I was born." Marlo Angell"love abandons, ethereal promises in dream." Ronda Miller"Confused, used, enthused, contused, infused, amused." Multidisciplinary"Sometimes love makes my face red." Aaron Hoobler (age nine)"Friends for life, love seals deal." Linda Hanney
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Super Bowl Ads Don’t Measure Up
Clydesdales, snow globes, and which soft drink ad is the best. The buzz this week is as much about the advertisements as the Super Bowl game. http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/e... down, outside of the Super Bowl hype, I think the Angus beef breeders have the best advertisement campaign.The experts who know about grades and types of beef say it is true, Angus beef is a good product. They tell us to purchase an Angus hamburger at Hardees and which roast or steak to purchase at the meat case.Now, as this can spotted in a grocery store indicates, they are appealing to the most discerning palate.http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/e...
Mailbox Requires Respect
http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/e..., well kept homes, pastures with grazing cattle, a lazy stream lined with trees. A typical drive along many rural roads in Douglas County.Unfortunately, people traveling down roads in western Douglas County will also see beat up mailboxes or empty posts with boxes on the ground. Some would say the 1986 Rob Reiner movie “Stand By Me” which featured young people hitting mailboxes with a ball bat made this activity an accepted rite of passage for teenagers. For people experiencing the senseless destruction of private property, it is neither cute nor funny. And, it is expensive. Depending on type of box, replacement may be $100 or more.Recently, there is a new worry. A neighbor found mail scattered on the road on either side of their mailbox. Some of it was open. With the prevalence of identity thief, perhaps it is time for law enforcement and postal inspectors to start taking this activity seriously. Violating personal mail and mailboxes, is a crime that should not be tolerated. According to information published by the USPS, “mailboxes are considered federal property, and federal law (Title 18, United States Code, Section 1705), makes it a crime to vandalize them (and to injure, deface or destroy any mail deposited in them). Violators can be fined up to $250,000 or imprisoned for up to three years for each act of vandalism.”According to the USPS, if your mailbox is hit, do the following:
1. Call your post office
2. Call the sheriff or police department
3. Log on to The Postal Inspection Web site and file a report. If you feel you have lost mail, try to get as much information as possible to fill in the forms.Finally, young people should be alerted one night of “fun” could follow them a lifetime.
Wild Women of the Frontier Ride in Lawrence
Children and adults line Mass Street in a lively tailgate atmosphere for the Annual Horse and Buggy Christmas Parade Saturday morning. Mittens and stocking hats prevalent, but hardly needed. As if in another century, the festive carriages pulled by perfectly groomed and disciplined horses slowly move by. I am reminded pride in transportation spans time.Then the announcement, “Hold your hats and watch your wallets….hog tie your man and get a good grip on your woman...”http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/e... Wild Women of the Frontier have arrived. Whooping, hollering and creating general havoc, the women make their presence known, just as they did a century ago.The Wild Women attend many festivals and events around the Midwest. I had an opportunity to visit with several of them at The Great American Cattle Drive in Ellsworth. It seems friends from Topeka came upon the idea to form the group with the intent of educating the public about women from the 1800s and 1900s.They choose a woman of history, research and design an authentic costume to fit the personality of their choice. They expertly ride their own horse while depicting hard working women such as Cattle Annie, Nellie Cashman, and Martha Jane Cannary (Calamity Jane). Etta Place, Belle Starr and Pearl Hart have robbed a stagecoach and bank or two. Or, Sadie Orchard, Laura Evans and Big Nose Kate who are in the “entertainment business.” Biographies of all the women are on Wild Women of the Frontier web site. I personally recommend their recipe book also available there. Among other things, it includes Rules for Riding the Stagecoach as well as Carry Nation’s Fruit Cooler for Non-Sinners and Calamity Jane’s Red Eye A... Kicker. There was another group of Proper Women in the parade. While dressed in beautiful and appropriate costumes, I am sure The Wild Women of the Frontier have more interesting stories.
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You Won’t Believe This Gig
How about traveling the world and writing about it-for pay!Pam Grout has this gig. She is a professional travel writer and author of Kansas Curiosities, the Read Across Lawrence 2008 book.Always on the lookout for writing information, I was excited for the opportunity to hear Ms. Grout speak Tuesday evening at the Lawrence Public Library. In addition, to her award winning column, "Now, Where Was I?" Grout's articles have appeared in Lawrence Journal World's Boomer Girl and many popular magazines including Travel & Leisure, Cooking Light, Midwest Living and Modern Bride. In addition, she has written fourteen books.In her short introduction, she mentions an early love of reading and a journalism degree as her incentive to write. However, her father, who loves to travel and takes time to visit places off the beaten path, is the motivation for her fascinating career as a travel writer. Still she portrays herself as "lucky" when success comes her way. When asked how she broke into the professional writing field, her answer suggests the luck is more the result of hard work.Smartly she lets us demonstrate our interviewing skills by asking the questions. Whether a personal journal, blog or for pay, she offers the following travel writing suggestions. Try to find local residents who are willing to talk about the area and share insider views. The server at the locally owned cafe knows all. When observing and writing, engage senses. The writer is the eyes, nose and hearing of the person reading the article. If the destination smells good, write about it.Find at least three interesting bits of information or descriptions about the place you are visiting. Perhaps not the obvious rather the unusualFinally, take a vocation vacation. Always be on the lookout for a good story when traveling.All too soon, our time is over. Pam Grout has a wonderful career story. She possesses a keen ability to listen and a honest open approach. Perhaps in the end, these traits are her most important advice for a good travel writer. Lawrence Public Library is hosting additional authors and workshops at the library with their Read Across Lawrence 2008 and at their River City Reading Festival 2008 on Saturday 27th, 2008, 10:00 a.m. 4:00 pm. Pick up a brochure at the library check the schedule online or contact Maria Butler, Public Relations Coordinator.
Kansas State Fair 2008
The Kansas State Fair is in full swing this week. Half of Kansas must have been there last Sunday. Well, perhaps a bit of an exaggeration, but many took advantage of a near perfect day to experience a Kansas tradition.No problem finding the fair. Hutchinson makes sure of that. http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/e... is the fair. A sample of our day will give you a taste of what is available: fried green tomatoes, Pronto Pup, BBQ beef sandwiches, nachos, cotton candy, hot apple dumpling and cherry strudel alamode, a couple of funnel cakes, ice cream cones, malts and root beer. Did I say healthy eating is a part of the fair?http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/e... Big swings, upside down rides, loud music. The carnival harkens. We put down something like $30 for the Farris wheel, several white water rides, bungee jump and the Mega Loop. A bit expensive but fun stuff for ten and eight year old grandkids.The Cosmosphere, Hutchinson's outstanding space museum, managed to blast off several rockets during their presentation. Good information for elders and children alike.http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/e... Pride of Kansas Building is home to the biggest pumpkin-all 652.7 pounds of it. While looking at the pumpkin, check out the butter sculpture. A display of noxious weeds of Kansas puts names to plants.During the day we walked past the chainsaw artist, hot tubs, several free music concerts, hot tubs, farm and lawn machinery, hot tubs, a large Army tank for inspection, hot tubs. Wonder how many are soaking in a state fair hot tub right now. The 4-H building houses many hours of work. Photography is a popular project. The cow looked ready to have her calf at the Kansas Veterinarian exhibit. We checked twice, but no baby. Who can blame her with everyone watching?Then there are the exhibitors. It seems they add a new building each year to house the politicians, state agencies, state colleges (yes KU had a big exhibit) and many businesses. We wondered over to the area under the grandstand, just for old time sake. A vacuum cleaner salesman perks up as we approach, but we avoid eye contact and he is too tired to rein us in. Not so the cleaning and cooking innovator sales persons. They had their mojo going. Standing off to the side, it reminded me of a card dealer at the casino. The crowd watches the amazingly quick hands work the product. Then just when you catch the crowd start to slightly move away probably thinking, "I don't need that" extra gadgets are thrown in and the money flows. We didn't sit elbow to elbow with an arm wrestler nor enter the text messaging contest (overall winner gets $1,000), ride the sky ride or purchase a hot, butter-dipped grilled ear of corn. There is always next year.One of the best entertainment bargains in the State, the tickets are $8 adults, $6 seniors, and $4 children over six years old. It runs through September 14th. Plan three hours one way for the trip to Hutchinson. Try to arrive about 10:30 am in order to have a chance to catch all the programs for the day.It never changes. The Kansas State Fair is where tradition and excitement meet.
Kansas Native Plant Foray
By LindaKShirley Braunlich, Lawrence, Board Member of the Kansas Native Plant Society is excited to see the federally protected Mead's Milkweed in the Coblentz Prairie last Sunday afternoon.The Native Plant Society from the State of Virginia joined Kansas society to appreciate not only this Mead's milkweed but many other plants on our native prairie right here in Douglas County.The Third Biennial Coblentz Prairie Foray, co-sponsored by KNPS and Grassland Heritage Foundation, enjoyed a sunny and nearly cloud free day of identification and discovery. Co-leaders of the event were Braunlich and Jeff Hansen, Topeka, KNPS Past President and Board Member.We learn June is Kansas Native Plant Appreciation Month. The prairie is beauitful this time of year.Everyone quickly forms small groups with Braunlich, Hansen and Carl Paulie, an expert identifier with the distinction of finding the elusive Mead's milkweed later in the afternoon.I chose Shirley Braunlich's group because she said she "talks" in common names. Then she hands me a list containing 287 plants of Clinton Lake Wildlife Area Coblentz Marsh. I am excited. Not a good thing when trying to take pictures and scribble names.All I heard was "this plant was used in ceremonies." Did not get a picture or name. Prairie potato, often gathered by Native Americans. Did get picture and name. Rattlesnake Master, it is said to have been used to treat rattlesnake bites. Yes, picture and name. The vastness of the prairie seemed to narrow down to each individual plant and its story.The guests from Virginia were gracious, happy to share their knowledge. I learn many Kansas native plants and non-native noxious weeds are found in Virginia as well, perhaps because the climate is similar. They have traveled 20 hours to visit our prairie and look forward to the Council Grove Flint Hills followed by Konza Prairie near Manhattan. Their group formed for the purpose of a Kansas native prairie vacation.All to soon, everyone disperses. I download my pictures which in my excitement and rush are somewhat disappointing. Then my notes do not follow the pictures. The Kansas Native Plant Society, Monarch Watch Milkweed Photo Guide and Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses web sites are helpful. Thank you Shirley B. for completing my identifications.What did I learn from this educational afternoon?A prairie speaks beautifully for itself.
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| Kansas Native Plant Society Coblentz Foray |
4-H Learn by Doing
What do St. Patrick's Day and 4-H have in common?The answer is green and lucky four leaf clovers. The clover with four H's signifying Head Heart Hands and Health is familiar to many local residents who are current or former members of the Douglas County 4-H club program or clubs in other parts of the state or country.4-H clubs formed in the early 1900s teaching young people new farming and homemaking practices. "Learn by doing" was the motto. Over the years, emphasis expanded to include personal development by encouraging public speaking, talent and judging.Dr. Virginia Moxley, Dean, College of Human Ecology, Kansas State University, is an alumnus of Kansas 4-H. She appreciates the opportunities 4-H offers kids to learn from each other.
I think the greatest thing about 4-H Community Clubs is the opportunity they afford for kids ranging in age from 7-18 to learn from each other. Children today can choose from a variety of youth organizations and activities that provide the opportunity to learn. But, in most organized youth activities, the youngsters are segregated by age and led by adults.The magic in 4-H Community Clubs is that young members interact directly with older members who have clear memories of what it felt like to practice skills for the first time. These older youth mentors learn through their interactions with younger youth the skills of coaching and leading and nurturing talent. Those of us who benefited from the wisdom and coaching provided by older members in our community clubs passed the skills along to younger members--and I, for one, continue to draw on those capabilities everyday in my work.Douglas County has an excellent selection of 4-H clubs in all areas of the county and the city of Lawrence. With summer approaching, now is the time to explore what 4-H has to offer. With the current emphasis on living green, children will learn gardening, cooking from scratch and care of animals. My personal favorite was the sewing project because the project meetings were fun.Interested? Call Emily Morehouse, Douglas County 4-H Program Coordinator at 843-7058 for information about Douglas County 4-H Clubs. Visit the official Kansas 4-H site for information about camps and other activities.
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- On the street: How did you spend your Memorial Day? May 28, 2012 · 37 comments
- District Attorney Charles Branson to run for third term May 29, 2012 · 13 comments
- National group seeks repeal of 'Stand Your Ground' law in Kansas May 27, 2012 · 165 comments
- Information gap May 29, 2012 · 2 comments
- Experts: Remedial college classes need fixing May 28, 2012 · 19 comments
- Kansas tax act most regressive in nation May 27, 2012 · 275 comments
- Poll: Have you ever considered running for public office? May 29, 2012 · 1 comment
- U.S. military sees new appreciation May 28, 2012 · 46 comments
- Blog: Iranian Nuclear Energy: Will It Destroy Lives Or Save Them? May 29, 2012 · 4 comments
- Tax gamble May 26, 2012 · 94 comments
- Kansas tax act most regressive in nation May 27, 2012
- Thread of pain ran through Jackson’s career June 28, 2009
- Friends mourn Lynn Bretz, former voice of KU May 28, 2012
- Hilltop executive director Pat Pisani stepping down May 28, 2012
- Town Talk: UPDATE: Frank Male files for county commission; keep an ear open for local sales tax talk; city hires new city engineer; wholesale water district buys land near Kaw; weekly land transfers May 29, 2012
- How to help: Guides needed for Lamplight Tour of Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park May 27, 2012
- Library kicks off reading program May 27, 2012
- City, county mull upgrade to emergency radio system May 28, 2012
- Town Talk: UPDATE: Thellman files for re-election to county commission; News of salvage yards, curbside recycling and a pig May 25, 2012
- Fraternal reorder: Clubs, lodges face dwindling membership in modern world January 10, 2010
