tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829197682978459452024-03-13T15:01:00.427-05:00Captain 8's FoolishnessA blog featuring the history and culture of Osborne County and the state of Kansas in general, as seen through the eyes of Captain 8, mild-mannered historian and author.Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-69057443450215822082011-12-11T21:30:00.001-06:002011-12-11T21:34:18.390-06:00In Search of New Places To Go: Lorraine, Bushton, & Holyrood, Kansas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">It all started with a hankering for fried chicken.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also, three weeks of being cooped up at home due to illness had culminated in a severe case of cabin fever. So when Saturday, December 10, 2011 proved to be a great day to get out and see a bit of Kansas - sunny skies and reasonable warm temperatures in the mid-40s - hey, I jumped at the chance!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I left Lucas at 11AM and managed to get down the road a whole 22 miles before stopping at the Hungry Hunter Restaurant in Lincoln, Kansas. Their half chicken dinner - a wing, a leg, a wishbone, and a larger piece - proved a mouthwatering affair that was imminently satisfying. The many hunters eating around me seemed to agree that the Hungry Hunter is a great place to have a meal.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ77cpBUDCVBPiY-cq3quXObc-9zbEVpczqMDaRef2ik_1JHniM4GkuJjvXiDbacrk14myagXtuaxP27kQPMh92U5aqFjgmrYnmk6AZlqO_SYlykt7bHmqR6nMNh6uZADGPitoa5dA5M/s1600/1+Hexagon+House%252C+Ellsworth+KS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ77cpBUDCVBPiY-cq3quXObc-9zbEVpczqMDaRef2ik_1JHniM4GkuJjvXiDbacrk14myagXtuaxP27kQPMh92U5aqFjgmrYnmk6AZlqO_SYlykt7bHmqR6nMNh6uZADGPitoa5dA5M/s400/1+Hexagon+House%252C+Ellsworth+KS.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">From Lincoln it was south on State Highway 14 to Ellsworth, Kansas, where the above most interesting hexagon-style house stands on a side street. Why a hexagon layout? How many of these houses exist elsewhere in the state? Questions, questions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My thirst for knowledge was quenched with a double dip of chocolate & vanilla ice cream at the Ellsworth Antique Mall downtown. Across the street at Robson's Gifts & Cards I took care of the business of the day in buying my latest supply of computer printer ink cartridges.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">With work done it was now time to play! I took off on a sandy road west of Ellsworth and then south, searching for the fabled community of Lorraine. I say "fabled" as the last time I was even close to Lorraine was in June 1972, when as a ten-year old boy I participated in a 4-H geology field trip. One of the many stops on this field trip was a site about two miles from Lorraine, where hematite nodules locally known as "peanut clusters" could be found in the bank of a creek. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xQlk-2mQbDsOvtM564hlUQuan6urLy6h7UvlRYwjX3bgYwc8dnKr9YJo8zFUndW3ryzWhx8JZ_2q8ScL1pmLItUBDfhBk4cdYuEPu4Zy67BV0dKFlnL1HR1A-811Rqi3nvpoj3X-v1U/s1600/2+Welcome+to+Lorraine+KS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xQlk-2mQbDsOvtM564hlUQuan6urLy6h7UvlRYwjX3bgYwc8dnKr9YJo8zFUndW3ryzWhx8JZ_2q8ScL1pmLItUBDfhBk4cdYuEPu4Zy67BV0dKFlnL1HR1A-811Rqi3nvpoj3X-v1U/s400/2+Welcome+to+Lorraine+KS.jpg" width="168px" /></a></div> Thirteen miles later I happened across the above highway sign! Not bad for not even having a map along - today I was into true Kansas Dirt Road Exploring. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRG_TPTft6WBK5Le4O6FYomJoM4CQKFoiE0V8CL9FHnoT4163AdmSz0YohZDRUFMRjEzTrPbA9Xa9U9gJ69XvSLn3tGp2qkOmYZxIcaoXKakywsAQDYwro-0uGD1xozozwi3SMDjBv1A/s1600/3+Good+Day+to+Visit+Lorraine+KS%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRG_TPTft6WBK5Le4O6FYomJoM4CQKFoiE0V8CL9FHnoT4163AdmSz0YohZDRUFMRjEzTrPbA9Xa9U9gJ69XvSLn3tGp2qkOmYZxIcaoXKakywsAQDYwro-0uGD1xozozwi3SMDjBv1A/s400/3+Good+Day+to+Visit+Lorraine+KS%2521.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div> And it looks like I picked a good ay to be visiting Lorraine!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nO43h0xRfHOx4YbD2vbTZ0B0LlHwrnP8yAG_HoE4RpCCBbpVK74xicIjRWvOggI6NAlYNJFXR1x_r2xGhyphenhyphenPmoc22KwF3uFUxomeDMd7g994YcEdjz95TVpdua9rN9UGAYw6eihrXHqw/s1600/4+Lorraine+KS+Welcome+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nO43h0xRfHOx4YbD2vbTZ0B0LlHwrnP8yAG_HoE4RpCCBbpVK74xicIjRWvOggI6NAlYNJFXR1x_r2xGhyphenhyphenPmoc22KwF3uFUxomeDMd7g994YcEdjz95TVpdua9rN9UGAYw6eihrXHqw/s400/4+Lorraine+KS+Welcome+Sign.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Located in Green Garden Township some 13 miles southwest of the county seat of Ellsworth, Lorraine was founded in 1887 and named for the daughter of a railroad official. It sits at 1,785 feet above sea level.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUHrxYD8ely_Xd79oVlKDhV9ymflbgmvHLtfnJykTqjNO_0YAZuKZI2C_gU2EGDRSJw01RfWrqdi5WY4lgKZ-yqFFCKiBKs6h98xt0bG9FBnZkN9nCsvse7T0X1vZ87ZrQPkbhzYhpN4/s1600/6+downtown+Lorraine+KS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="110px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUHrxYD8ely_Xd79oVlKDhV9ymflbgmvHLtfnJykTqjNO_0YAZuKZI2C_gU2EGDRSJw01RfWrqdi5WY4lgKZ-yqFFCKiBKs6h98xt0bG9FBnZkN9nCsvse7T0X1vZ87ZrQPkbhzYhpN4/s400/6+downtown+Lorraine+KS.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: small;">Looking south at the main intersection in downtown Lorraine, Kansas. The population of Lorraine in 2010 was 138 people.</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLwmdfgu3ybTpQvAQhUiKahhvv7xN6iBvgYLFgosGnVoNJ5hbpm6hEc5YcWVumzOCNQk1pxnS3eIeT4OZpH9VHnwI9pDaeNnOEhpPdWZ4r4sUyPmL1va4adqX0HrhZIqi1G4Dh9sE0j4/s1600/5+Lorraine+KS+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLwmdfgu3ybTpQvAQhUiKahhvv7xN6iBvgYLFgosGnVoNJ5hbpm6hEc5YcWVumzOCNQk1pxnS3eIeT4OZpH9VHnwI9pDaeNnOEhpPdWZ4r4sUyPmL1va4adqX0HrhZIqi1G4Dh9sE0j4/s400/5+Lorraine+KS+sign.jpg" width="112px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">How small is Lorraine? Well, there is this sign at the center of town . . . . </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTUJ8YBbTNj7PiwKFyHe4Ptwk-tvvUkoqf7xHLj-mrbh5g19WZVSmaMw4Wrz3mCsRFccp7gzMyeYQJRq6oQrZ8U2QSuOgQ2U6U2tuN_o6u6L7dizoBaft2sylWrcvsMt7dRX2jn-Qk0M/s1600/7+Lorraine+Baptist+Church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTUJ8YBbTNj7PiwKFyHe4Ptwk-tvvUkoqf7xHLj-mrbh5g19WZVSmaMw4Wrz3mCsRFccp7gzMyeYQJRq6oQrZ8U2QSuOgQ2U6U2tuN_o6u6L7dizoBaft2sylWrcvsMt7dRX2jn-Qk0M/s400/7+Lorraine+Baptist+Church.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div> The impressive Lorraine Baptist Church is the spiritual center of the community.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKA50zBoTieRUq1FYk-gncL7kVOzxDQH6JLUZWn9P9f_fsVWIcpBwfj6IlizKz6DW8fX8Kq2P2KlIIip9bCs6l8HQyjjMheIV4IbywRmu3zlZeLIArq-S1vu92YQqVe7UerBeRJJxmGI/s1600/9+Bushton-Farmer+Twp+Cemetery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKA50zBoTieRUq1FYk-gncL7kVOzxDQH6JLUZWn9P9f_fsVWIcpBwfj6IlizKz6DW8fX8Kq2P2KlIIip9bCs6l8HQyjjMheIV4IbywRmu3zlZeLIArq-S1vu92YQqVe7UerBeRJJxmGI/s400/9+Bushton-Farmer+Twp+Cemetery.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Heading south and west of Lorraine I came across the intriguing town of Bushton. Located a mile to the southeast of the community is the Bushton-Farmer Twp. Cemetery, founded in 1887.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLeELPQT8Z7CAqmPoRDimLiQ3trTmFKkfh8myo3FMaqIOmixuQ3gI3g8Zlr7xXVy6-SVzdef3-nA2KIzWOrWoUQvFe0W-2mkFLLfpuucebGfowNwwAH5Wb_eo5ntHia3Ih6s-p94Ga54/s1600/8+Bushton-Farmer+Twp+Cemetery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLeELPQT8Z7CAqmPoRDimLiQ3trTmFKkfh8myo3FMaqIOmixuQ3gI3g8Zlr7xXVy6-SVzdef3-nA2KIzWOrWoUQvFe0W-2mkFLLfpuucebGfowNwwAH5Wb_eo5ntHia3Ih6s-p94Ga54/s400/8+Bushton-Farmer+Twp+Cemetery.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div> Another view of the Bushton-Farmer Twp. Cemetery.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipU4qnr7qvbmAULAvWMxDZX0KT3GRvCQbdcEZgKzlVvHMP6jGUXLG4xO7UCTdgM12mJ5pb5Q6OgHb37-oDpOgK9f4oEWoTYqi-kClNw21PLSUoDvZsq14C9Z8gzC6D-pvfO0fKKl4pxh0/s1600/z11+downtown+Bushton+KS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipU4qnr7qvbmAULAvWMxDZX0KT3GRvCQbdcEZgKzlVvHMP6jGUXLG4xO7UCTdgM12mJ5pb5Q6OgHb37-oDpOgK9f4oEWoTYqi-kClNw21PLSUoDvZsq14C9Z8gzC6D-pvfO0fKKl4pxh0/s400/z11+downtown+Bushton+KS.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Looking north into downtown Bushton, Kansas. The first frame house was erected on the townsite in 1878. On January 31, 1887, the actual town was laid out. The name "Bushton" derived from the dense growth of bushes in the in area. The brick building located second from left in the photo is the Bushton Museum.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lRx7qJieyDNH12jmRft-5YmlI6N3FMULeuOYvx-QXtijpZrA_m56_TJ5KJEFFDY-AwYSXAE1CZjZ7iNrBG4vsTNgUmHpAELfl8v7EIKRbdkItxNXM2mw3IeSMmhft-ojL0G6do1R4W4/s1600/z10+Farmer+Twp+Comm+Library+Bushton+KS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lRx7qJieyDNH12jmRft-5YmlI6N3FMULeuOYvx-QXtijpZrA_m56_TJ5KJEFFDY-AwYSXAE1CZjZ7iNrBG4vsTNgUmHpAELfl8v7EIKRbdkItxNXM2mw3IeSMmhft-ojL0G6do1R4W4/s400/z10+Farmer+Twp+Comm+Library+Bushton+KS.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div> The Farmer Twp. Community Library in Bushton.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlpa0UBKSJblxBs73Zy5nldUz5uK_N-nlOz58oCJxOBbJQF4yMdGzyiYIoA0w2UgDPpIRfMqLnwcbOam48PGHog5gBiPvR_dLdeGqRjdDDfhSWK-e6G1FvHa72XM6-5GkzXIy9tI2ljI/s1600/z12+First+United+Meth+Church+Bushton+KS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlpa0UBKSJblxBs73Zy5nldUz5uK_N-nlOz58oCJxOBbJQF4yMdGzyiYIoA0w2UgDPpIRfMqLnwcbOam48PGHog5gBiPvR_dLdeGqRjdDDfhSWK-e6G1FvHa72XM6-5GkzXIy9tI2ljI/s400/z12+First+United+Meth+Church+Bushton+KS.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div> The photo above does not do justice to the imposing First United Methodist Church in Bushton!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8yXZ_RanJlQk9joZC4cVe1qClEyVua4GIrwxZ29g0Mm0hAb2dA_Lg6-HAYOOl9XwtPdlBomP3dR69IVxpHY1doGg1UvCHrykU_192nSQ1ioJRqpqE5RSaJ-QTKNinwXklgSCQCCFuLY/s1600/z13+Architecture+%25231+Bushton+KS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8yXZ_RanJlQk9joZC4cVe1qClEyVua4GIrwxZ29g0Mm0hAb2dA_Lg6-HAYOOl9XwtPdlBomP3dR69IVxpHY1doGg1UvCHrykU_192nSQ1ioJRqpqE5RSaJ-QTKNinwXklgSCQCCFuLY/s400/z13+Architecture+%25231+Bushton+KS.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div> Gingerbread architecture in Bushton.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEmimuHOtoXbXFsXcJKMI4e1xPsrz8QHS-uT-4a7FmbNH5C6Y0iVutFqxhxDQFQRKT9aWcF5USWzJXRx-yvX-k90zG3RGCshqN0VRDeExpObg5iXz3djn0RBFATZ58WWe4wwhqDavkEQ/s1600/z14+Architecture+%25232+Bushton+KS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEmimuHOtoXbXFsXcJKMI4e1xPsrz8QHS-uT-4a7FmbNH5C6Y0iVutFqxhxDQFQRKT9aWcF5USWzJXRx-yvX-k90zG3RGCshqN0VRDeExpObg5iXz3djn0RBFATZ58WWe4wwhqDavkEQ/s400/z14+Architecture+%25232+Bushton+KS.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div> And more gingerbread architecture in Bushton! Not bad for a town of only 350 or so citizens.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2dnTwNz70PBXWKhAytkyVJ87_QOwRRry-EtmKZGXagnArNI_2Fgy_h3EXOxQNdtZ5e5UsIceUenZeCsijgeCfc8NsBfDo3HcvxE_M72qZhu1b9aNzGriLgAc0Qhdbmk-o1b0WfzF64w/s1600/z19+Heese+Stone+%25231+Holyrood+KS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2dnTwNz70PBXWKhAytkyVJ87_QOwRRry-EtmKZGXagnArNI_2Fgy_h3EXOxQNdtZ5e5UsIceUenZeCsijgeCfc8NsBfDo3HcvxE_M72qZhu1b9aNzGriLgAc0Qhdbmk-o1b0WfzF64w/s400/z19+Heese+Stone+%25231+Holyrood+KS.jpg" width="305px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">From Bushton it was a few miles journey north to the Ellsworth County community of Holyrood. On the southern edge of Holyrood one immediately discovers the Lutheran Cemetery, which is fill with interesting gavestones and statuary. A standout example is the Heesch family stone.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCO7sd9z5ORgCaudkJmJHumoZB4fzNriOTyJQvpUAy2QyiwfPreME8Zz6uHqxJyFrZtSef61kH8UKnW0XtCST3K9CFY_PMNlAafBxsD2RiJF_PjgwTb0LA7cupOZXfGqk5gmTxaRctT54/s1600/z20+Heese+Stone+%25232+Holyrood+KS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCO7sd9z5ORgCaudkJmJHumoZB4fzNriOTyJQvpUAy2QyiwfPreME8Zz6uHqxJyFrZtSef61kH8UKnW0XtCST3K9CFY_PMNlAafBxsD2RiJF_PjgwTb0LA7cupOZXfGqk5gmTxaRctT54/s400/z20+Heese+Stone+%25232+Holyrood+KS.jpg" width="262px" /></a></div> And another view of the Heesch tombstone.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBrt5CQDvYBV2YASh20exVGXAwCx8uGHLXW3FBsq8dn7K2U7w1nVrry-9gyr7xaKKw5nmdiPFsSOmuLtUqPF-FUj1BdIe0gYbVlVvEgxEWCkl7ucXNEttQxaeidsnniK_qRSzEaHpvNM/s1600/z21+Stoltenberg+Stone+Holyrood+KS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBrt5CQDvYBV2YASh20exVGXAwCx8uGHLXW3FBsq8dn7K2U7w1nVrry-9gyr7xaKKw5nmdiPFsSOmuLtUqPF-FUj1BdIe0gYbVlVvEgxEWCkl7ucXNEttQxaeidsnniK_qRSzEaHpvNM/s400/z21+Stoltenberg+Stone+Holyrood+KS.jpg" width="297px" /></a></div> The Stoltenberg family stone is also of significance.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAV5KGSzClo9NcApEB-yrEmQMHLCRVhicNhI-IqQl3L3-k3Fn9d5v7oGyJ0dW4BT4H0Q3otbWwhVQZOqn-DscoyXg-WKMpvj925dNrko9jHOcpPtNYQxOh1ZZdp1zf05bN59TyUALg-s/s1600/z22+Lillie+Stone+Holyrood+KS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAV5KGSzClo9NcApEB-yrEmQMHLCRVhicNhI-IqQl3L3-k3Fn9d5v7oGyJ0dW4BT4H0Q3otbWwhVQZOqn-DscoyXg-WKMpvj925dNrko9jHOcpPtNYQxOh1ZZdp1zf05bN59TyUALg-s/s400/z22+Lillie+Stone+Holyrood+KS.jpg" width="293px" /></a></div> Very impressive is the Lille family gravestone.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadGidibfMb808gnQG4VyIq50yvfeAmv4l_L2phAk3Al8QVpO-HwlEXcSX15_gHLyOgcX3cHPfD9gs1YNM4_j9lcC9Jss4ySt5jMJ0PtPaUiobhw7GSsEH0pG9g1nCn0KRq1aU3NggdFQ/s1600/z16+Rail+right+of+way+Holyrood+KS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadGidibfMb808gnQG4VyIq50yvfeAmv4l_L2phAk3Al8QVpO-HwlEXcSX15_gHLyOgcX3cHPfD9gs1YNM4_j9lcC9Jss4ySt5jMJ0PtPaUiobhw7GSsEH0pG9g1nCn0KRq1aU3NggdFQ/s400/z16+Rail+right+of+way+Holyrood+KS.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>The actual railroad tracks may be long gone, but the railroad bed can still be found on the northern edge of Holyrood, Kansas. How many other places can one drive down a real railroad bed??<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjwqYx1cDCHUuG_3-A6djxDAglzxSHLNKK_MPxFT-oHvr0CWROtTSGJfV0O2-zfjSX3QHzlVRfg47u6bQLqDToN4xub0Sd-_agEBIlD4AH70uFbEHCqXy9NLkH_Dh2O1stxTE2chx1VU/s1600/z17+downtown+Holyrood+KS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjwqYx1cDCHUuG_3-A6djxDAglzxSHLNKK_MPxFT-oHvr0CWROtTSGJfV0O2-zfjSX3QHzlVRfg47u6bQLqDToN4xub0Sd-_agEBIlD4AH70uFbEHCqXy9NLkH_Dh2O1stxTE2chx1VU/s400/z17+downtown+Holyrood+KS.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>A portion of downtown Holyrood, Kansas. Founded in 1886, Holyrood is noted for its strong German-Irish heritage and has a current population over over 400 inhabitants.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQah3IIiM6YsdJAtVH1C-x_3JrJzU0AGLFLlHE1eGsiah4hYcmlFObq4EI4cdcWqseH72fJaRus0XckYZyC2EsUnMTGvnZGFQgxgHXjVAxXbucqqZ-a4Y9GLcNmjewr9ug8akpa5EH2do/s1600/z18+Holyrood+City+Hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQah3IIiM6YsdJAtVH1C-x_3JrJzU0AGLFLlHE1eGsiah4hYcmlFObq4EI4cdcWqseH72fJaRus0XckYZyC2EsUnMTGvnZGFQgxgHXjVAxXbucqqZ-a4Y9GLcNmjewr9ug8akpa5EH2do/s400/z18+Holyrood+City+Hall.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div> City Hall in Holyrood, Kansas.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8bI714IuBYixhBt0p3DKx5K7rqI_lOZEMroZzbtNk9r4Sq2J0VsFGRR1pO2y4WmzektPST5WHpk1l6gEkpWUH_OcITRoUoIjXJ_DyOvg5BnXT9iLNAiKpuF7zIYalNv-VIfjQw863bM/s1600/z15+Holyrood+Fire+Dept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8bI714IuBYixhBt0p3DKx5K7rqI_lOZEMroZzbtNk9r4Sq2J0VsFGRR1pO2y4WmzektPST5WHpk1l6gEkpWUH_OcITRoUoIjXJ_DyOvg5BnXT9iLNAiKpuF7zIYalNv-VIfjQw863bM/s400/z15+Holyrood+Fire+Dept.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div> Something very nice to see in a small town like Holyrood is the large, modern fire department building.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QoW88rhi7tsjzhK6Sliqa5J5FYAxvHRI4JHWfAMIDWBs042OnD2MOW44pxuw6wJXK0pOqfq-3BvuZxSiRl2WK0eZtS5isLGbDApCh7FtkVT3BZSd-JKf6HOanNNEktUg6GOb0HvKL9I/s1600/z23+Rural+Schoolhouse+North+of+Holyrood+KS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QoW88rhi7tsjzhK6Sliqa5J5FYAxvHRI4JHWfAMIDWBs042OnD2MOW44pxuw6wJXK0pOqfq-3BvuZxSiRl2WK0eZtS5isLGbDApCh7FtkVT3BZSd-JKf6HOanNNEktUg6GOb0HvKL9I/s400/z23+Rural+Schoolhouse+North+of+Holyrood+KS.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>Driving on sandy roads a few mile north of Holyrood can be found this native stone one-room schoolhouse.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBkqoKgBOfXS-nYOJ8y3slMakHm4wGx426Z1KySy7HMdF_2qTbWoLLS0az-w-npdc4W2Enm8_XqYfn4E2fyzZ0_Iblz_MmtqEVa0QjWZYvMUNzb-L-eqhrypgyX0x1_kwonhskCOEtjk/s1600/z24+Rural+Schoolhouse+North+of+Holyrood+KS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBkqoKgBOfXS-nYOJ8y3slMakHm4wGx426Z1KySy7HMdF_2qTbWoLLS0az-w-npdc4W2Enm8_XqYfn4E2fyzZ0_Iblz_MmtqEVa0QjWZYvMUNzb-L-eqhrypgyX0x1_kwonhskCOEtjk/s400/z24+Rural+Schoolhouse+North+of+Holyrood+KS.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div align="justify">Today the cold winds of December pass by this old school, a symbol of decades of rural education.</div><div align="justify"><br />
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</div></div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-89121281370992233212011-08-07T18:47:00.001-05:002011-08-07T21:37:55.122-05:00In Search Of New Places To Go: Black Wolf<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><em>"Lost and alone on some forgotten highway</em><br />
<em> Traveled by many, remembered by few . . . ." - John Denver</em><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"> August 7, 2011. Sitting here on a Sunday afternoon at the Made-From-Scratch Cafe in Wilson, Kansas on a whim. About one o'clock in the afternoon an immense craving arose in me that would not go away, an immense craving for fried chicken. Here in North-Central Kansas that does not mean a run to the nearest Kentucky Fried Chicken; no, it meant a run to the nearest local eatery known for their Sunday fried chicken buffet. In this case that meant the Made-From-Scratch Cafe in Wilson.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The 16 miles from Lucas down to Wilson is never a chore, not when you get to drive the Post Rock Scenic Byway around Wilson Reservoir, arguably the prettiest lake in the state. Today there was no one in the car to argue with me and my personal estimation of the drive held up once again. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> I got here at the Made-From-Scratch after the Sunday church-is-out lunch crowd to find plenty of seats available and that a fresh batch of chicken had just hit the buffet counter. The waitress recognized me this time around - she still doesn't know my name, but apparently I'm now considered "a regular." She refills my Dr. Pepper without needless chatter as I tackle my second plate of buffet. Ten kinds of homemade pie is listed for today, the last being peanut butter. <em>And homemade ice cream</em> is scribbled along the side of the pie menu.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> I pay the check and waddle out, almost all cravings almost satisfied. I yield up the last of my cash for a cokefloat at the Shake Shack and then contemplate the turn north back to Lucas and home. Home, where yardwork and housework and then yet more work indexing my latest book are all beckoning.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <em>No.</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Maybe it was the fact that for once temperature was still in the high 80s and not 107. Maybe it was the "8 Wonders" Kansas Sampler Foundation t-shirt I was wearing. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <em>Turn right.</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Whatever it was, that little voice inside my head suddenly made perfect sense and I did turn right, down the sand road past the city cemetery and on, south where I have never been before.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1:11pm. I'm down some sandy county road now south and east of Wilson, lost but never truly. The road signs at every intersection would give me a hint, but I never look; I don't want to. I'm just following the road and that little voice, which then whispers the immortal words of Tolkien back to me:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>"The Road goes ever on and on<br />
Down from the door where it began.<br />
Now far ahead the Road has gone,<br />
And I must follow, if I can,<br />
Pursuing it with eager feet,<br />
Until it joins some larger way<br />
Where many paths and errands meet.<br />
And whither then? I cannot say."</em></div><br />
Yep. Tolkien would have been a Kansas Explorer. Tolkien would have Dared to Do Dirt.<br />
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I pass an old building. WHOA! I screech to a halt - as best one can on a sand road - and get out the camera.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lfFp3V2gdhLqUVo479h-fT5AO6uZoK7WEU8N961nPSWMZ1d4hq47XWGLjgJeBgN6SkeZ-XbctiyaOkr2RFRHyQAXdaA9uJtTQ1X9ahavyWCSa4Yk-n_evUi0Nh2ko8s8-6Siyc4SvCc/s1600/P8040001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lfFp3V2gdhLqUVo479h-fT5AO6uZoK7WEU8N961nPSWMZ1d4hq47XWGLjgJeBgN6SkeZ-XbctiyaOkr2RFRHyQAXdaA9uJtTQ1X9ahavyWCSa4Yk-n_evUi0Nh2ko8s8-6Siyc4SvCc/s400/P8040001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> It's just nice for once to see a great old native stone building, no doubt over a century old, having been restored and being used for modern purposes. And a Dakota Sandstone building to boot, which is still fascinating to me, having grown up in limestone country. I drive on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">1:21PM. Guy Noir is taking on bedbugs in Manhattan on the radio. I'm heading south on a great little-used lane, my fourth one in the last 15 minutes. The first petered out into a dead end as I approached the Smoky Hill River. Undaunted, I backtracked and headed east to the next one. That one also petered out just as I approached the river. The wise old saw <em>Fool me once, shame on me; fool me twice, shame on you </em>passed through my head as yes, I backtracked and again headed east to the next one. That wise old saw didn't say a word about the third time. And this road too petered out as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> I'm sure that by now most folks would have thrown in the towel and headed on east down the (shudder) blacktop and found a main road to try. I look down at my 8 Wonders t-shirt for inspiration and swear that I can see a hidden message running upside down in the "8": WWMD. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em> What Would Marci Do?</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Silly question. I know full well what Marci Penner, the head of the Kansas Sampler Foundation would do. I backtrack and head east yet again. A sign emerges. <em>Holyrood 16 miles</em> it reads, pointing south. I cross the river on this new sand road, bound for Holyrood. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> There are those people outside of Kansas that probably think being bound for Hollywood would be much more fun and rewarding. I've spoken to folk living in Holyrood before and they've assured me that while their small town does not yet have the same glamorous mystique that Hollywood enjoys, they are indeed working on it. And that it good enough for a Kansas explorer like me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9JUqrJ8xAjm9p83UN7v2F8csDqSRjwjVdIi_nUU5tQxX4IKKoPybc6I5uPqC-9wUiVjoWzy-RbpNbr2pIjVVCXRBUt1MNKX3zgar0gEcdlUYBTAJAkcTW8cmfj_PZrQN519IIe25NvY/s1600/P8040003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9JUqrJ8xAjm9p83UN7v2F8csDqSRjwjVdIi_nUU5tQxX4IKKoPybc6I5uPqC-9wUiVjoWzy-RbpNbr2pIjVVCXRBUt1MNKX3zgar0gEcdlUYBTAJAkcTW8cmfj_PZrQN519IIe25NvY/s400/P8040003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <em>Large tree holding up/knocking down a two-story native sandstone farmhouse long abandoned.</em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU3h5ztNfUzHL0QN0mn3Rh_MW01PrXFOAFV7ft0gewGPID1OBlzTcCf9wxPpvd1DMcnAnVVXmcMZzm2t-PvBjkp_xI4AIxL0PGiqDmiscKHuaMY5nBtTyPRpATlTphqVH4Bjq-iwmRHk/s1600/P8040007b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU3h5ztNfUzHL0QN0mn3Rh_MW01PrXFOAFV7ft0gewGPID1OBlzTcCf9wxPpvd1DMcnAnVVXmcMZzm2t-PvBjkp_xI4AIxL0PGiqDmiscKHuaMY5nBtTyPRpATlTphqVH4Bjq-iwmRHk/s400/P8040007b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZspWbNuvM88pbmWAg7y4LBreE00D1voh41k1oiv31PMchjI-fjzJXdPz5OPKLu4DCzqiqjhfh-2RalgoYTrTDgRjMOjkJzAzcAJds4VZeuaiufA7B1fI9NJJuIo4Z9TPNnodbcLmvJyY/s1600/P8040007c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZspWbNuvM88pbmWAg7y4LBreE00D1voh41k1oiv31PMchjI-fjzJXdPz5OPKLu4DCzqiqjhfh-2RalgoYTrTDgRjMOjkJzAzcAJds4VZeuaiufA7B1fI9NJJuIo4Z9TPNnodbcLmvJyY/s400/P8040007c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>Another abandoned farmstead found along the way. Wonderful old barn/outbuilding.</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 1:32PM. Lost in the wilds of Ellsworth County. The road to Holyrood suddenly ends in a T-insection, with no signage to dictate which way to head now for the town. I turn east and race up and down hills, crossing creek after creek. In the distance I can see the grain elevators of Black Wolf and then Ellsworth itself beckoning. <em>Maybe</em>, the little voice whispers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfcRBreEsxJ4UXN1oErNjOS9KdvRe4A6OIDkapZINC6_X8UDmB0ATMAqBTDEuanR7YHDUncm6OhoXucAVCcSm-R5zCUBq7ydbztmNWgqdETVv27Z-b8AdIEfmXCiuKfe-ku9D0OwOKow/s1600/P8040009b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfcRBreEsxJ4UXN1oErNjOS9KdvRe4A6OIDkapZINC6_X8UDmB0ATMAqBTDEuanR7YHDUncm6OhoXucAVCcSm-R5zCUBq7ydbztmNWgqdETVv27Z-b8AdIEfmXCiuKfe-ku9D0OwOKow/s400/P8040009b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>A native limestone farmhouse with an ambitious and intriguing frame addition!</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> My eastern sand road turns north and then winds on east, hugging the southern edge of the Smoky Hill River Valley. In just a few minutes I'm passing the Greenwood Cemetery on the outskirts of Ellsworth, where I pause a moment at the side of the road next to the grave of Vincent B. Osborne, namesake for the county of Osborne here in Kansas. This year marks the 140th year since the county was officially organized, so a moment of respect to Vincent is most appropriate. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCIMHk-cIrMlI-r3V5GQwHI4rGUFuYVEYf-GmhT1GVcRJwyL3_mWA7OFfvKZ3mRATf-HNamhFRIpb88Vf7ID19mFHru_tAKCO9GaELbKRkQ57Y2hoR4FD2tuIXc843kxwP-QKxtHFSG8/s1600/P8040011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCIMHk-cIrMlI-r3V5GQwHI4rGUFuYVEYf-GmhT1GVcRJwyL3_mWA7OFfvKZ3mRATf-HNamhFRIpb88Vf7ID19mFHru_tAKCO9GaELbKRkQ57Y2hoR4FD2tuIXc843kxwP-QKxtHFSG8/s400/P8040011.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjQO9bB0F-tw-FAUtCdHJqgx-O0VUOBgI4v_rBOKbppLlSvZ4Kz47BCR-2DikidFEvh5FigHfXqGOsFfijLwEMWrJSAAbtjykN6_OHkNpIBXQC8Z1p0se7EgMnJGXWgksmShxee9BFO0/s1600/P8040011b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjQO9bB0F-tw-FAUtCdHJqgx-O0VUOBgI4v_rBOKbppLlSvZ4Kz47BCR-2DikidFEvh5FigHfXqGOsFfijLwEMWrJSAAbtjykN6_OHkNpIBXQC8Z1p0se7EgMnJGXWgksmShxee9BFO0/s640/P8040011b.jpg" width="323" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>The grave of Vincent B. Osborne, for whom Osborne and Osborne County, Kansas was named.</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Entering Ellsworth I am still amazed at how well they have restored the downtown area, putting in new sidewalks and period streetlights. It makes for a very inviting atmosphere. My eyes are drawn to the stark remains of the <em>Ellsworth County Reporter</em> building, which suffered a devasting fire not long ago. I cannot even imagine the idea of trying to write about your own weekly newspaper being the top news story for the week as it was when the fire occurred, let alone figuring how to get a paper out in the first place. Yet they did, and they are still doing so in a temporary headquarters just down the street. Enterprising Kansans worthy of the name.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 1:58PM. Reluctantly I take the blacktop west out of Ellsworth. At least Old 40 is officially a county road, though that does little to soothe the Explorer purest in me. Then the grain elevator that is Black Wolf once again beckons. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> I've never been to Black Wolf.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Oh, I've thought about it. Lots of times. I've lost track of how many times over how many years I've driven on the blacktop past the beckoning elevator and never took the time to stop and visit. Black Wolf. Just the name should be enough for anyone to want to stop and visit. Black Wolf. What a great name for a small town. Not for a large city, no; but a small town, sure. Now, granted that Black Wolf aspires right now just to become even a small town, but still a great name.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> So I drive off onto the sand road and happily slide into town. Not much left; two houses, one abandoned, one occupied; and the tall white grain elevator with the name <em>BLACKWOLF</em> all run together on its sides. If you know what to look for you can discern other building and house formations. Black Wolf was never large, but then most legendary locations rarely are.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZ_sJcr8ZkeblMd6sqIeewHEnTGG03LIyEEN81CNNVyft1qjqw-ORbnEcuha8WsBwoRgU8_Q_rjnb73LIVHDI-w0oPs36ZhXefzzHhHt8l4Tz84GqEZr7dG4erqhGwBCBi2lFp0lQhPg/s1600/P8040013b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZ_sJcr8ZkeblMd6sqIeewHEnTGG03LIyEEN81CNNVyft1qjqw-ORbnEcuha8WsBwoRgU8_Q_rjnb73LIVHDI-w0oPs36ZhXefzzHhHt8l4Tz84GqEZr7dG4erqhGwBCBi2lFp0lQhPg/s640/P8040013b.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL97DHrTDZx2WHQ96AcFlrO5DLNUCGWG6WKDenP836wA_lcEhc8aXb6Dq3e_W1-GKKQ46DZZArPkQwlyaXna_vijXJyBwOAGQm4eNw63AuiZTloM0qQGpKN7bLX9B7ibh7lumrI_9k864/s400/Black+Wolf+Store+1991.gif" width="400" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <em>Black Wolf has its own website - </em><a href="http://www.blackwolfkansas.com/"><em>www.blackwolfkansas.com</em></a><em>. The site yields many interesting facts on the town, including that in 1910 the population was reported to be 100. Photographed here (and courtesy of</em> blackwolf.com) <em>is the native sandstone Black Wolf Store, which burned in 1997 and was subsequently removed. </em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9aXx2dLtF5dCW_JQwCnMeY5VplOISVs3EXhsnbbGA8VUNplykRvCtZ-cWfO9ge99lnBK8R6eEkguI_m1S0u38PatM17qyirXkUce0wsG79sRvjQoeMbGyBFNmde0vGfCgt-yNBghe5I/s1600/black+wolf+bank+1991.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9aXx2dLtF5dCW_JQwCnMeY5VplOISVs3EXhsnbbGA8VUNplykRvCtZ-cWfO9ge99lnBK8R6eEkguI_m1S0u38PatM17qyirXkUce0wsG79sRvjQoeMbGyBFNmde0vGfCgt-yNBghe5I/s400/black+wolf+bank+1991.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>Also from the website is this 1991 photograph of the Black Wolf Bank, which is also now just a memory. </em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDUVUox751syzr_swRxnezn2xVimh1lbbrM6y9N-_LgTx-7XphyphenhyphenF0Rinroq_J38gVqqbXo5vNoyz4p_hWOaxqjQd5BrCy1V1nAl2qWhYL3FtmiM5XyqDOtOYAG65n6a5wmyQaHfKFy5M/s1600/P8040014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDUVUox751syzr_swRxnezn2xVimh1lbbrM6y9N-_LgTx-7XphyphenhyphenF0Rinroq_J38gVqqbXo5vNoyz4p_hWOaxqjQd5BrCy1V1nAl2qWhYL3FtmiM5XyqDOtOYAG65n6a5wmyQaHfKFy5M/s400/P8040014.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>On the southern edge of Black Wolf the Smoky Hill River flows lazily to the east. This summer's intense heat surely has had a play in the river's obvious lack of water in its channel. However, if you are a sandbar fan, this summer is for you!</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>"Gold is just a windy Kansas wheat field</em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em> Blue, just a Kansas summer sky." - John Denver</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 2:30PM. My historic pilgrimage to Black Wolf concluded, I head north on real dirt roads and then west, past milo fields and ruins of stone farm houses, purposely knocked down to avoid extra taxes. My wanderlust is slowly fading and the little voice has not come back. Still not sure exactly where I am, after a few miles I re-enter Wilson to my surprise and latch onto the byway and then home. As the square grain elevator iconic to Lucas looms in the distance I contemplate how easy it is around here to just get away for a short time before plunging back into the demanding world. We of Kansas are indeed blessed. And know how to make great fried chicken.</div></div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-81181006197462690372011-07-11T00:48:00.000-05:002011-07-11T00:48:57.202-05:00Scenes From the Roach Family After-Harvest Get-Together<div style="text-align: justify;">Approximately five miles southwest of Alton in Osborne County, Kansas, 90-year something old Clifford Roach and his descendants held their annual celebration of the end of the wheat harvest by demonstrating some of the vintage farm implements that Clifford has collected and restored over the years. A crowd of around 100 interested visitors to the Roach farm were treated to an authentic look at how harvest was handled in years gone by. </div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Something called "The Great American Candy Machine" suddenly arrived on the scene. No one, especially the kids present, knew what to expect - at least until the short cannon went off and candy began raining down on everyone's heads. From there on it was one joyous mad scramble!</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Then it was back to the demonstrations. The entire afternoon was free of charge; anyone who wished to watch could do so. And they were also treated to free root beer floats!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCX4ZU1R_MgT2I9YSJygGxFdWnY2dRlOes6ypqEgqwdG1lXeckAZmWz0qr_xCRgrgcsmyjOSWU2VYrU0O9RfGWletrw9WB6pt0Ae8YG40vy-ysHqeMjaSxSMq1r2gz-MOCv08KV-Xlk-c/s1600/P7060089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCX4ZU1R_MgT2I9YSJygGxFdWnY2dRlOes6ypqEgqwdG1lXeckAZmWz0qr_xCRgrgcsmyjOSWU2VYrU0O9RfGWletrw9WB6pt0Ae8YG40vy-ysHqeMjaSxSMq1r2gz-MOCv08KV-Xlk-c/s320/P7060089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMa1LqYq6-dlUnYnxI6Jfzz638fLUsAlLV5EcO1Jt6sL8jvHb08Wn2f3_IncQZUkzFny-UcltCkq_9yn6XeVLvix6DN0WsnTo-oFjxkK2H4SZmwNMMl12zpWk_Fj2uIs8sSYQWiYu5VA/s1600/P7060105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMa1LqYq6-dlUnYnxI6Jfzz638fLUsAlLV5EcO1Jt6sL8jvHb08Wn2f3_IncQZUkzFny-UcltCkq_9yn6XeVLvix6DN0WsnTo-oFjxkK2H4SZmwNMMl12zpWk_Fj2uIs8sSYQWiYu5VA/s320/P7060105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmeyrRiyPq-PztYoNQp07P8QD_mRWJRAUUpLqQQ9mQ9VHPR5ggaUHbJ6B8rqZtdiGF0MTDXJsEBHEwfiCkSt6NIStZ7uMyHCGZTfLTLVj6AN9LVgB1gElo6FsIkzafYPq-ScTBFE1DjM/s1600/P7060109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmeyrRiyPq-PztYoNQp07P8QD_mRWJRAUUpLqQQ9mQ9VHPR5ggaUHbJ6B8rqZtdiGF0MTDXJsEBHEwfiCkSt6NIStZ7uMyHCGZTfLTLVj6AN9LVgB1gElo6FsIkzafYPq-ScTBFE1DjM/s320/P7060109.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And a good time was had by all! They will do it again next year!</div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-58521367222795561762011-06-19T22:58:00.001-05:002011-06-19T22:59:48.842-05:00Breaking News! More Tub Wranglin' In the Offering???<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Yes, it's true. Lucas, Kansas will soon be the location of the world's only captive wild cast iron bathtub herd. All stay tuned for further developments!!!</div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-72654040183434793282011-06-19T00:06:00.001-05:002011-06-19T00:09:46.076-05:00Go On! Take A Day! Road Trip Kansas!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">Want to cleanse your soul? Then seek a little adventure. Drive across the length of Kansas and back in a single day! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This past Friday I got the chance to do just that, and I did not even have to drive. For nearly 500 miles I could just sit back and take in the incredible vistas of everchanging color: the pastures, the hills, the valleys, the fields of golden wheat and of green corn. From Lucas to Holton and back each new view was one of simple joy in observing what there was to see.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So understand, I'm not talking about an hour or so. Really get out there - leave first thing in the morning and don't expect to be back until late that night. Just do it. And this one time, avoid the interstates and big highways - go for the little ones, the roads that abound in landscapes and sheer atmosphere as you pass through the various regions that our great Sunflower State has to offer. See people. See towns, businesses, the daily lives of fellow Kansans. Go on! Get out there!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some suggested routes: State Highway 9. Or State Highway 4. In eastern Kansas, State Highway 57. Or State Highway 31. These are all highways that tend to really meander and have a feel of their own.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">No doubt other people have some favorite routes. Send them in and I'll post them to encourage all to get out there, if just for that one day.</div></div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-4945643515635546212011-06-18T16:41:00.001-05:002011-06-18T20:25:54.365-05:00The Lost Art of Wrangling and Corralling Wild Cast Iron Bathtubs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">When Marci Penner, director of the Kansas Sampler Foundation, became aware that there was a need in Jackson County, Kansas for someone still versed in the lost Art of Wild Cast Iron Tub Wrangling & Corralling, the city of Lucas, Kansas was the obvious choice in which to search. One of the great centers of Art in the entire country, Lucas is the home of the Wild Tub Wranglers [Richard Mettlen, Tarry Dougherty, Connie Dougherty, and Von Rothenberger], last of a now rare breed of amusingly described rugged individualists willing to practice this now lost Art and drive nearly 500 miles in one day on just Cracker Jacks and a little ice cream.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So early on the morning of Friday, June 17, 2011, the expedition came together, a trailer was hitched, and it was off to the wilds of Northeast Kansas. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KBkorRalzm99oL1rbOoLV4TsULhaCE3aatL-A-FIUGIORPMSraC1q8bgI4qO4MvSy066a7mPAGoiM1ByL5HKEscjM2-R2ZnvrFe561mLCt12P-0tfSKr-OSuarKRKYp78GRWgrQXbsQ/s1600/p61440002b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KBkorRalzm99oL1rbOoLV4TsULhaCE3aatL-A-FIUGIORPMSraC1q8bgI4qO4MvSy066a7mPAGoiM1ByL5HKEscjM2-R2ZnvrFe561mLCt12P-0tfSKr-OSuarKRKYp78GRWgrQXbsQ/s320/p61440002b.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> State Highway 18 and then north to State Highway 9 and east was the route of choice. Passing through Blue Rapids, Kansas, the Wranglers noted this unique take on RV camping.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0SDFw3meWWhM2fLxZq7fNaj5VegrFCmhCIsRhtg3OIWd4L7_oZOeZGAKumVQI78dywyb060SUY3MP_lvk_QqLvp_snEWM1WNXNw-Z4bw9eocGfSTfMFrnucTzmFzl3dONIwKgujQsH8/s1600/P6140007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0SDFw3meWWhM2fLxZq7fNaj5VegrFCmhCIsRhtg3OIWd4L7_oZOeZGAKumVQI78dywyb060SUY3MP_lvk_QqLvp_snEWM1WNXNw-Z4bw9eocGfSTfMFrnucTzmFzl3dONIwKgujQsH8/s320/P6140007.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7aABlZgO_WgNfsTKHQifHzG3tQChTQ97HQKrFrn1KIjfGJ4ETdKaxwfxzDo17ozziyCLc32t0MWMNC233kaqES4XR7Y-VjzDHWVPsknplpcXVMGzh_cpYGPK9QPK9jZE5L2o0DhP7wc/s1600/P6140006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7aABlZgO_WgNfsTKHQifHzG3tQChTQ97HQKrFrn1KIjfGJ4ETdKaxwfxzDo17ozziyCLc32t0MWMNC233kaqES4XR7Y-VjzDHWVPsknplpcXVMGzh_cpYGPK9QPK9jZE5L2o0DhP7wc/s320/P6140006.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The mural on the Whiting Cafe, in Whiting, Kansas enticed the Wranglers inside for a satisfying lunch of the fish special, cheeseburgers and cherry pie!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6vkMEm2xUiM4w4vdCjZQ8kDBbxx2Aoex0V9ICD2T59nerLF7k9Nkew2CXYdQ6gXT6XcbSLslGanbuUSpA4BAMIYmFfo-42H6NTZhbqG3dUk-_mixPYv7N6pyXVhXNxIyNISCGb5BKQs/s1600/P6140003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6vkMEm2xUiM4w4vdCjZQ8kDBbxx2Aoex0V9ICD2T59nerLF7k9Nkew2CXYdQ6gXT6XcbSLslGanbuUSpA4BAMIYmFfo-42H6NTZhbqG3dUk-_mixPYv7N6pyXVhXNxIyNISCGb5BKQs/s320/P6140003.JPG" width="320px" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytQpa8IRoffXyoB_7VtliPWfQdfNPQehWeZ-MZSpwBlMA_NaUCfWIQ2zjDQNnKiP5Rgo8ptiZOMOWQ5booi0kXLQlkc2r03GRL6nFuDNysKCRenTZqnPBwQNmR2j7FakUWF04aLEd9fk/s1600/P6140004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytQpa8IRoffXyoB_7VtliPWfQdfNPQehWeZ-MZSpwBlMA_NaUCfWIQ2zjDQNnKiP5Rgo8ptiZOMOWQ5booi0kXLQlkc2r03GRL6nFuDNysKCRenTZqnPBwQNmR2j7FakUWF04aLEd9fk/s320/P6140004.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjOXP13cJG-m-9aRSN13CbOeuHgfy0-INIl8N_dDhFKFDK1hF3hswhwSX9-u9es9Y4KvW-cq5AgdPDMHHq15gX1i8u11iMo1AMtBM1soHRfV-2c-2xTWYQHw7e4q-Cecytqxxg8O5Ays/s1600/P6140005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjOXP13cJG-m-9aRSN13CbOeuHgfy0-INIl8N_dDhFKFDK1hF3hswhwSX9-u9es9Y4KvW-cq5AgdPDMHHq15gX1i8u11iMo1AMtBM1soHRfV-2c-2xTWYQHw7e4q-Cecytqxxg8O5Ays/s400/P6140005.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The inside of the Whiting Cafe is still clean and inviting three years after the Kansas Sampler Foundation-sponsored makeover of the business.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6v2jLKl1Nbo0MeN8lVTsmhjdpJraXBsb2U-5xmfZQazAXCnKpf8_4m3PgbFkTtRqmvg0oFuJJAawHqiiLiiLZSEa2_L6KtbtW3MqJwJBUvIdnI_tZViXkv41zOnPbvCSNzPJ0MArTZA/s1600/Circus+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6v2jLKl1Nbo0MeN8lVTsmhjdpJraXBsb2U-5xmfZQazAXCnKpf8_4m3PgbFkTtRqmvg0oFuJJAawHqiiLiiLZSEa2_L6KtbtW3MqJwJBUvIdnI_tZViXkv41zOnPbvCSNzPJ0MArTZA/s320/Circus+Sign.jpg" width="280px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Driving on into Holton, Kansas, the Wranglers spied this sign. Naturally at first they thought that it was about them, but no, it was a normal circus . . . .</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EeLxjtkhzPzmCRCdDseVIABa2rrfvCvYrPvkl9YfnMRQ6b2C-u8jZIpQbcdYeFLh24qkyKGdtvUO7mumRt5wYojExq17yco5vqRtlQIUAlpW7ANjBcoi2nI5tLejfgYVDUwNS-lVnGw/s1600/Circus+Sign+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EeLxjtkhzPzmCRCdDseVIABa2rrfvCvYrPvkl9YfnMRQ6b2C-u8jZIpQbcdYeFLh24qkyKGdtvUO7mumRt5wYojExq17yco5vqRtlQIUAlpW7ANjBcoi2nI5tLejfgYVDUwNS-lVnGw/s320/Circus+Sign+b.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">. . . and several unique animals were out enjoying the fine Kansas weather, including this unusual animal. Informed sources later told us that this critter is called a “Zedonk.” A cross between a zebra and a donkey was actually one of the guesses at the time, but unless you're talking wild cast iron bathtubs the Wranglers’ knowledge of exotic wildlife gets a bit spotty.</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotoTheaterCaption" class="spotlight" height="240px" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/254880_1394639643592_1760238887_681711_5865298_n.jpg" width="320px" /></div>After intense negotiations over the phone with the native landowner the Wranglers were told that the elusive herd of wild cast iron bathtubs could be found to the southwest of Holton in the remote outback of Jackson County, Kansas.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUN3_PVY-4mAw0vtDM8G54-ZCD3mN4_CetyhbfwQJ_IEf087TyBiDIByrwBhchDbzhP9xw-h5fwlsGAlfArTBbeL9aLmRi8ER_jmIfsUrpj00ZMukdAzQ_Dh4AXx2vtrqjsp9pO-7fEh4/s1600/P6140011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUN3_PVY-4mAw0vtDM8G54-ZCD3mN4_CetyhbfwQJ_IEf087TyBiDIByrwBhchDbzhP9xw-h5fwlsGAlfArTBbeL9aLmRi8ER_jmIfsUrpj00ZMukdAzQ_Dh4AXx2vtrqjsp9pO-7fEh4/s320/P6140011.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> AHA! There, lying low at the far end of a grassy meadow, the Wranglers almost missed the rare sight of a herd of some fifteen wild bathtubs lying contentedly atop each other. The seasoned crew crept up silently alongside, backing up the trailer into position . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6uLC9FgbPSPc2T_L_6IbQOgbJ2cnMGp-tsKEM3vZ8NkvHUBTC-m_p7ya0j0sSaKCewQjyI5DkNk5kNMO_3PWkSzcycApYsRYRJC7-hrjG1amhThCIqNF1t28Sbwy7vAxgyesNdCYRro/s1600/P6140012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6uLC9FgbPSPc2T_L_6IbQOgbJ2cnMGp-tsKEM3vZ8NkvHUBTC-m_p7ya0j0sSaKCewQjyI5DkNk5kNMO_3PWkSzcycApYsRYRJC7-hrjG1amhThCIqNF1t28Sbwy7vAxgyesNdCYRro/s320/P6140012.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Wrangling bathtubs is no easy task. One must calculate many things: the direction and location one will place a captured tub on one’s trailer; the weight of such a foul beast when filled with noxious water; the environmental impact directed upon oneself by ants, wasps, and other dangers all too often encountered. This is not an Art for the fainthearted!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwSYPiw_ROmStQG5Xzr4ES0Otc1nRjfLYgOIvYc1iRZ9hTGYAg93pMlGF04SBLcz9PZ9h2z120WtpejDEtPuDMkmfo-TpaOTPGbj3klOaPCKMS5QrPkqMjHF4yL2ERvJ-kfiaA9BI0cQ/s1600/P6140013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwSYPiw_ROmStQG5Xzr4ES0Otc1nRjfLYgOIvYc1iRZ9hTGYAg93pMlGF04SBLcz9PZ9h2z120WtpejDEtPuDMkmfo-TpaOTPGbj3klOaPCKMS5QrPkqMjHF4yL2ERvJ-kfiaA9BI0cQ/s320/P6140013.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Danger is ever present. Here Novice Wranger #3 slips and falls, correctly rolling out of the way while Veteran Wrangler #2 willingly sacrifices his life by placing himself between his fallen fellow and the infuriated tub.</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" aria-busy="true" aria-describedby="fbPhotoTheaterCaption" class="spotlight" height="240px" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/264340_1394671604391_1760238887_681737_6475830_n.jpg" width="320px" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">A concerted effort pulls the protesting tub onto the trailer. An expert tub wrangler must be able to discern which tub is least likely to upset the rest of the herd should it suddenly find itself being pulled onto a trailer.</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" aria-busy="true" aria-describedby="fbPhotoTheaterCaption" class="spotlight" height="240px" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/264340_1394671644392_1760238887_681738_5452642_n.jpg" width="320px" /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">Once on the trailer the tub is turned on its side to expel the noxious water collected by such beasts after years in the wild.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcgTdSwP9dnw3ZMZwFTHjHDYNzbuX6VCAu1LWBScqTMo7vY3pv0p3tQqaVqB_VC2_2HBJxgRLG343Trb6GrLel8vmIgOrJSmwsI7JMVvNMrI7f4gW2jg7bjXcgXhHt9dYYAoS2k8FMNA/s1600/P6140016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcgTdSwP9dnw3ZMZwFTHjHDYNzbuX6VCAu1LWBScqTMo7vY3pv0p3tQqaVqB_VC2_2HBJxgRLG343Trb6GrLel8vmIgOrJSmwsI7JMVvNMrI7f4gW2jg7bjXcgXhHt9dYYAoS2k8FMNA/s320/P6140016.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">Working as a team the Wranglers wrangle the tub into position on the trailer. Note how Seasoned Wrangler #1 directs the operation from the head of the tub - a sign of experience in such matters.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRESHTCBH2_A3u1UuGd4pAzgxqsPGoRMfPFZjxghiFq0jj9J6maRfe83T-TQqUl8QuptCAxaVywZP0yeo8xwJL5njScn-9Md9ZH0KoK61fLwlXt15S3GK4xS_tlm8DhW0EibZA8sn5Y8c/s1600/P6140017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRESHTCBH2_A3u1UuGd4pAzgxqsPGoRMfPFZjxghiFq0jj9J6maRfe83T-TQqUl8QuptCAxaVywZP0yeo8xwJL5njScn-9Md9ZH0KoK61fLwlXt15S3GK4xS_tlm8DhW0EibZA8sn5Y8c/s320/P6140017.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">And so the operation continues over and over until the desired number of tubs is procured. Our apologies for the sudden blueness found in these photos. "O<span data-jsid="text">ften in the wild, locations are primitive, and in the course of filming high-tech equipment tends to malfunction due to the humidity and other factors." At least that is The Standard Wildlife Documentary Excuse used in all such documentaries and we are sticking to it. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBlS-5HVJQTKgrsvNiSjV2OIwW4XNPXPHlX-QRTrCNsN-ttTc9SgpI6j0k5t90RfcFoUaDDL-emwZKRtDooqMI_rB-7y5NTQjdj68BDq8uUx-TbA_ruiSj_cfaN4D9OX4oPQEyUy6UDE/s1600/P6140018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBlS-5HVJQTKgrsvNiSjV2OIwW4XNPXPHlX-QRTrCNsN-ttTc9SgpI6j0k5t90RfcFoUaDDL-emwZKRtDooqMI_rB-7y5NTQjdj68BDq8uUx-TbA_ruiSj_cfaN4D9OX4oPQEyUy6UDE/s320/P6140018.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">One difficulty with these tubs is that over the years they have a tendency to throw off their claw feet, which had to be found and collected for later reattachment.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGreEb3bkV0Pg6gG9wtTZrdzp9VeAgFJ4k2etFYECGVHeIA8yDGPpJI2czu8aAN4usE5E_h4CCSgWerINt5Uv7gyeHD9Hfb4Xddstf7OQ_a-pwFGwqjdpBljwY_SVus1BM4jnsYLCPAU/s320/P6140019.JPG" width="320px" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LiFFyLvYq79-kkOBjL-NWSbKwK8D5IT-3iSXiohvGvZsuKWRr72N8imMQq3mUFO2IYCuAho47ZNjy11WXOsw5_TgfnJ86ALlyvMRn71Dt-oIaQJSNMgs7oXteteqmNanqPaRO9pe3yU/s1600/P6140021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LiFFyLvYq79-kkOBjL-NWSbKwK8D5IT-3iSXiohvGvZsuKWRr72N8imMQq3mUFO2IYCuAho47ZNjy11WXOsw5_TgfnJ86ALlyvMRn71Dt-oIaQJSNMgs7oXteteqmNanqPaRO9pe3yU/s320/P6140021.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Most tubs are pacified, domesticated eternal friends of </span><state><place><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Man.</span></place></state><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> That is, until they are tossed out and abandoned along some </span><state><place><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Kansas</span></place></state><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> dirt road by same said </span><state><place><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Man.</span></place></state><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Then the cast iron tub quickly reverts to its wild state and happily wallows in whatever spot it was tossed in, sometimes for decades.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXoU_vb-G9GqQUvYXQ7CNQiTBFPmuQNGpWM_qLLEL__IFuPt3c3hb8zG55EFR5pIZ_DjCHmKFCmdNECovLYbE3E7rCeIaU9h7zV9pZtk6aF4JyWdoUrb-fB1hti7lx1Sj-VbDVh_YqAk/s1600/P6140022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXoU_vb-G9GqQUvYXQ7CNQiTBFPmuQNGpWM_qLLEL__IFuPt3c3hb8zG55EFR5pIZ_DjCHmKFCmdNECovLYbE3E7rCeIaU9h7zV9pZtk6aF4JyWdoUrb-fB1hti7lx1Sj-VbDVh_YqAk/s320/P6140022.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwT8X2jCtxuIKb5eJm0IkhWGcoZQpzYXOV6KXSx4-bYDInBMozRzf7ZxpfG-7xEb5-8o_PnFNuaeEurdxrurY5WrFJ5VJM5GcxMt12ST6PxQaF_70TZlmaPDjLybglz6gdapBuqBu3xeY/s1600/P6140024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwT8X2jCtxuIKb5eJm0IkhWGcoZQpzYXOV6KXSx4-bYDInBMozRzf7ZxpfG-7xEb5-8o_PnFNuaeEurdxrurY5WrFJ5VJM5GcxMt12ST6PxQaF_70TZlmaPDjLybglz6gdapBuqBu3xeY/s320/P6140024.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The sound that an infuriated cast iron bathtub makes is often described as being like metallic fingers scratching along a chalk board – only louder and more hollow-sounding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately the sound is several decibels above the hearing of a human and thus can be heard only by ants and wasps and, of course, the Narwhale.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tXM8hWV2D_Y9NB8FjwIhJJpoUtQJwbA96tAKdJNccK4TWsaCWB8oePzDQgcOVeQ4MVeTEmvAQ6XxlGVKSWGH-5NRfKQ5czzQXGL3j_TIPFO0azn74z27OwnPjZOuqigwLqZDNs9pmgw/s1600/P6140029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tXM8hWV2D_Y9NB8FjwIhJJpoUtQJwbA96tAKdJNccK4TWsaCWB8oePzDQgcOVeQ4MVeTEmvAQ6XxlGVKSWGH-5NRfKQ5czzQXGL3j_TIPFO0azn74z27OwnPjZOuqigwLqZDNs9pmgw/s320/P6140029.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The locally-mandated seasonal limit of seven tubs having been wrangled, it was time to corral the cast iron brutes for the long journey to their new homes. These tubs are destined for new lives as Much Stared Upon Wildly Painted Art Objects in and around </span><place><city><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Lucas</span></city><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">, </span><state><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Kansas</span></state></place><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwB4D-PmY2MQjfmk4XszcQazJXx4_S_J4xRIG0p3Uq0_V8gfDsuCFu3CsY4vPlt9_q21G6pJwpzimRBq2tNtcVMhVM8iCzAFT6zpQHpOdChlGE5x0kD2_LvMpTKbL_r0PNuUSP4Q5wSZw/s1600/P6140028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwB4D-PmY2MQjfmk4XszcQazJXx4_S_J4xRIG0p3Uq0_V8gfDsuCFu3CsY4vPlt9_q21G6pJwpzimRBq2tNtcVMhVM8iCzAFT6zpQHpOdChlGE5x0kD2_LvMpTKbL_r0PNuUSP4Q5wSZw/s320/P6140028.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Great care is taken not to harm the fiercely struggling beasts during the ritual "For Heavens Sake Would You Hurry Up And Tighten That Strap Before They Get Away" phase of the corralling. Again, these are Seasoned and Veteran Wranglers - do no try this at home.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvz_QFDZvQkuFzr-BeEzmlJ13PlzE7Am0sFA8R8H3a9_jPkt-1S_VSQgLgVke17pA-2-fYjHkR800kQxG0UvftpIFWH6HAPocd7ZC3VpoKP5Zqy0XVVxXkDNERCh1h645hfPyQM8z3wk/s1600/P6140036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvz_QFDZvQkuFzr-BeEzmlJ13PlzE7Am0sFA8R8H3a9_jPkt-1S_VSQgLgVke17pA-2-fYjHkR800kQxG0UvftpIFWH6HAPocd7ZC3VpoKP5Zqy0XVVxXkDNERCh1h645hfPyQM8z3wk/s320/P6140036.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The tubs at last wrangled and corralled, the evidence of wear and tear on the tired bodies of the Wild Tub Wranglers is documented and photographed for posterity. Fortunately a Dairy Queen was discovered in nearby Holton where the Wranglers were able to clean up and be made presentable in time for obtaining rehydrating ice cream.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyztWLJxFxq5P62oZHMRl58N9H41sRGekopegezUEOO5ex1v3xZ6Cfy9vhQyqz-4sOz6_os7Uq3gpfEIJ7oNt2ZSPUA0ZU9ePgAcXKt9WrCOattXParY_7aEF6j2kVAkytqQSvMa8BHPU/s1600/P6140040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyztWLJxFxq5P62oZHMRl58N9H41sRGekopegezUEOO5ex1v3xZ6Cfy9vhQyqz-4sOz6_os7Uq3gpfEIJ7oNt2ZSPUA0ZU9ePgAcXKt9WrCOattXParY_7aEF6j2kVAkytqQSvMa8BHPU/s320/P6140040.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Tradition holds that the Novice Wrangler must carry the time honored food of the Wild Tub Wrangler Wrapup Celebration Party to the celebration's secret location in Lucas. Thus ends another thrilling adventure in the wilds of Rural Kansas!</span></div></div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-43380118953372170732011-05-30T18:45:00.000-05:002011-05-30T18:45:03.164-05:00Memorial Day 2011 Through Two Photos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> There are many stories as to the actual beginnings of Memorial Day, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of the idea. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all. The first Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11. It was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays). </div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"> Presently hundreds, if not thousands, of Memorial Day services are held across the United States. The rural Vincent Cemetery is located seven miles northwest of Luray, Kansas, and has held a Memorial Day service on the Sunday morning preceding the holiday for several years. Heavy fog punctuated this year's service, which was led by local resident and U.S. Navy veteran Warren Fallis. His brief remarks came from the heart and were warmly received. The service concluded as the eternal 24 notes of "Taps" rang out over the 260 graves in the small cemetery.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvDeiSs2xbSM-9DDU7QDiDLaplX8HSu8HPRNa8zfF-JTB1OJ_roswMtxKbIUNGvYMwLLVp9fRSp2-vkQetaDSK6HK6sA3QcV-hAPLBhb8S3ITU3Zs1Ics8NEYHslPB5pqEC4PWV-dHCU/s1600/P5260015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvDeiSs2xbSM-9DDU7QDiDLaplX8HSu8HPRNa8zfF-JTB1OJ_roswMtxKbIUNGvYMwLLVp9fRSp2-vkQetaDSK6HK6sA3QcV-hAPLBhb8S3ITU3Zs1Ics8NEYHslPB5pqEC4PWV-dHCU/s400/P5260015.JPG" t8="true" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em> U.S. Navy veteran Warren Fallis collects his thoughts beneath the U.S. flag in the Vincent Cemetery.</em></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"> Over the decades Memorial Day has also come to mean a time to remember all the dead buried in the nation's cemeteries. It is traditional to take the time and decorate graves with flowers and at least this one time each year to take a moment and remember past lives. In the Vincent Cemetery alone lie over 85 relatives and friends of my family on both my mother and father's lines, and by the time my sister and I had finished decorating the graves there our shoes were well soaked from all the moisture. Of course it perhaps took us a little longer than it otherwise would, as we also decorated a number of graves we have "adopted" over the years just to ensure that they are not forgotten as well. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The afternoon found us in Osborne, Kansas, to decorate graves there in the city cemetery. By now the fog had burned away and bright sunshine was everywhere. Peonie bushes, a perennial favorite for a living memorial to the dead, were in spectacular bloom this year. Many of these bushes are now several decades old. Here as well it took over an hour to adorn and thus remember those gone as several other families all around us were doing the same. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UlYsQMXiWuVSr-r5ZbVuIVLV5NMVYMSYGCIxGweS3zPaijkNHCVeoajQUmsAu8k6GM42cJREKg8_cCpmLuRh7SaHRupWa4z6XALoBMzyk8M5R4cO6hDKT2idMfS_5lCqQbfeyLOt10I/s1600/P5260019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UlYsQMXiWuVSr-r5ZbVuIVLV5NMVYMSYGCIxGweS3zPaijkNHCVeoajQUmsAu8k6GM42cJREKg8_cCpmLuRh7SaHRupWa4z6XALoBMzyk8M5R4cO6hDKT2idMfS_5lCqQbfeyLOt10I/s400/P5260019.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><em>These peonie bushes on the Moore lot in the Osborne City Cemetery are nearly one hundred years old.</em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"> While on one hand it may be a shame that these remembrances occur only one time each year, perhaps it is best to consider that this time of year happens at all. So we pause to remember the well over 2,000 veterans as well as the over 14,000 marked graves buried in Osborne County, Kansas this Memorial Day.</div></div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-81777866810980472602011-05-04T01:02:00.000-05:002011-05-04T01:02:18.611-05:00For Mother's Day, 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz33RQ7-mnF8KSDg4Qa01Wm6bg1Qyb4o_54zz7BNzX0kg7RrPsXWNxQHq7Qtr32dm0wICXHSPiKY4Jvibn5HZPjwyB3KJPdJeCXrgnkQzyg-pI9Jn5C2AblDAgACnbPFQivJzbUyV_jYs/s1600/Delana+Pearce+Rothenberger+full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz33RQ7-mnF8KSDg4Qa01Wm6bg1Qyb4o_54zz7BNzX0kg7RrPsXWNxQHq7Qtr32dm0wICXHSPiKY4Jvibn5HZPjwyB3KJPdJeCXrgnkQzyg-pI9Jn5C2AblDAgACnbPFQivJzbUyV_jYs/s640/Delana+Pearce+Rothenberger+full.jpg" width="502px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My mother Delana (Pearce) Rothenberger's birthday was May 11th, which meant that every few years Mother's Day and her birthday would occur on the same day, making for a special celebration. She has now been gone ten years; this year would have been her 91st.</div></div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-79523419246959347652011-04-10T17:25:00.000-05:002011-04-10T17:25:50.478-05:00Sunday Jaunt - April 10, 2011, Somewhere Between Luray & Lucas Kansas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">Oncoming eye strain made it clear that it was time to get away from the computer. Temperatures in the mid-70s made it clear that it was time to drive somewhere. Thus it started out being a jaunt to discover just where the Fairview Cemetery was located southwest of Lucas. Then it became a jaunt to see if I could find the former site of the Pospect Church halfway between Luray and Lucas. Then there was this native rock barn, and then this native rock farmstead, and in an hour's time I had these photos:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnjmRK1Q6sBLKyNbOkQO2QGG1SSsNP1c9WqoaRU6QcJmCKfBSuABEvh96HH5zoQ8PIvRU3JUmztEY1YgHucAj-OmLsMW1r4HfZ0f5lj4T6uzRFOTstAxx8NwFgR1k1gcT_5RuDW60ojY/s1600/P4070013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnjmRK1Q6sBLKyNbOkQO2QGG1SSsNP1c9WqoaRU6QcJmCKfBSuABEvh96HH5zoQ8PIvRU3JUmztEY1YgHucAj-OmLsMW1r4HfZ0f5lj4T6uzRFOTstAxx8NwFgR1k1gcT_5RuDW60ojY/s320/P4070013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Gravesite marked with stone posts & chain, Fairview Cemetery.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPScx0W5UhaMFtUdpAivTHK7H1dvk20ojyCTj0nUNwCQvQ93RbKd8Wm2m0Mtq4-w4ik0twWpDOrf8tSs3XMLDgktjjyKDFn8cQqjnq676TqfwUsmn9KGXmWM3lFafp13agNio-xyoPYXA/s1600/P4070015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPScx0W5UhaMFtUdpAivTHK7H1dvk20ojyCTj0nUNwCQvQ93RbKd8Wm2m0Mtq4-w4ik0twWpDOrf8tSs3XMLDgktjjyKDFn8cQqjnq676TqfwUsmn9KGXmWM3lFafp13agNio-xyoPYXA/s400/P4070015.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eqUAstIyaIZEpxDUUqxE37bDH5fBED26GaOMQ5nVGk1dllINpcCE80Sb_6mocSuyGiTjSBeF6skofpiHXY3x-XSkx3VAYGJQ1j_Hg1kXd31gCZIWwfswcxR-EnIKWwraG_NtW-urjMk/s1600/P4070016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eqUAstIyaIZEpxDUUqxE37bDH5fBED26GaOMQ5nVGk1dllINpcCE80Sb_6mocSuyGiTjSBeF6skofpiHXY3x-XSkx3VAYGJQ1j_Hg1kXd31gCZIWwfswcxR-EnIKWwraG_NtW-urjMk/s320/P4070016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Grave of James E. Hall, Fairview Cemetery.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsunQ-oHoZvBZu0c8MvhbOMVS0GuwBHy6-4hh0dJ_rHqJlNQgV730E7jtS0Jv7syUI6PZTqcHpfqCcKy_Onk3zxU8jtDZ4Nj5iPni6aAgkM2AWQEwEISs0QXjnott9iP0QSbWR7ZDAT8/s1600/P4070018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsunQ-oHoZvBZu0c8MvhbOMVS0GuwBHy6-4hh0dJ_rHqJlNQgV730E7jtS0Jv7syUI6PZTqcHpfqCcKy_Onk3zxU8jtDZ4Nj5iPni6aAgkM2AWQEwEISs0QXjnott9iP0QSbWR7ZDAT8/s320/P4070018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The remains of just four grave sites are all that now can be found in the Fairview Cemetery.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPONVbWBVMe86Vvs-tlr_aws0T72zwdILplFq9cxQf_lKLFfjvUnCirphw9qAGuAcJ5VL3e2Vr4KXzncl4e1SMmeaxOTVL5qi0BwJAK_pLquMOuO1MOKbh1lgoM-9urnpugGO75uLF0M/s1600/P4070021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPONVbWBVMe86Vvs-tlr_aws0T72zwdILplFq9cxQf_lKLFfjvUnCirphw9qAGuAcJ5VL3e2Vr4KXzncl4e1SMmeaxOTVL5qi0BwJAK_pLquMOuO1MOKbh1lgoM-9urnpugGO75uLF0M/s400/P4070021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Classic Post Rock Limestone square barn.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTOtqmq70GX3LD3R8n6VmccpV65-iWfGTdLVmJKipNnH8mf0v6CDX7ZHZMaUXE38E7YyTwxrEKCoOJnE-6OM7J_FDUb2-McXiv43Oz0Q05kv0YNkelahauwHiPm3LIwwEpdma7TuSeIs/s1600/Farm+stead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTOtqmq70GX3LD3R8n6VmccpV65-iWfGTdLVmJKipNnH8mf0v6CDX7ZHZMaUXE38E7YyTwxrEKCoOJnE-6OM7J_FDUb2-McXiv43Oz0Q05kv0YNkelahauwHiPm3LIwwEpdma7TuSeIs/s400/Farm+stead.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Classic Post Rock Limestone farmstead.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjui2D1utv-1CjzlgRz0Jxrk1q4VDdlvHxq5pQ6qzSte5nQxhfiBifDwJe1FGlrya2mhdpdkZVvv9XXsMG55v3nlMRr6034o4BJRZ5y3mfqgJ7HGqZwD_WhaD0uTQD9rNE0Rh2tcvna764/s1600/P4070033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjui2D1utv-1CjzlgRz0Jxrk1q4VDdlvHxq5pQ6qzSte5nQxhfiBifDwJe1FGlrya2mhdpdkZVvv9XXsMG55v3nlMRr6034o4BJRZ5y3mfqgJ7HGqZwD_WhaD0uTQD9rNE0Rh2tcvna764/s400/P4070033.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Classic Post Rock Limestone fencepost.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkXCnZ6JuTT8MO5DZutneojQp1RIndUMSFrZcGRRhhlTPrD9fBRFe3SlmQjmkH7lVuXHzRqaegcv2vwBJ0I8tvt9E9I8TOMGmAQsisH3wz7o4gx3CKkVctA44KK6nHmFId2Mfx4WJO4E/s1600/P4070032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkXCnZ6JuTT8MO5DZutneojQp1RIndUMSFrZcGRRhhlTPrD9fBRFe3SlmQjmkH7lVuXHzRqaegcv2vwBJ0I8tvt9E9I8TOMGmAQsisH3wz7o4gx3CKkVctA44KK6nHmFId2Mfx4WJO4E/s320/P4070032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The stone posts go on and on and on and . . . . </div><div style="text-align: justify;">(This one is for my California cousin, Tim Ruth, who like most people was fascinated with the stone fenceposts!)</div></div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-8550553439563910382011-03-14T23:15:00.000-05:002011-03-14T23:15:34.689-05:00Guest Writer Louis Copt with "Arts Should be Funded, not Cut, during Economic Crises"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"> In Lucas, Kansas, it has been impossible in recent weeks not to have an opinion on Kansas Governor Sam Brownback's Executive Order eliminating the Kansas Arts Commission. In just two days, on March 16th, the Kansas Senate is set to vote on whether or not to let the Order stand. A vote of no would negate the Order; a vote of yes would allow it to occur.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> In a response to the controversy surrounding this subject the following article by Louis Copt in the <em>Kansas State Collegian</em> does a magnificent job of articulating why the Senate should vote to reverse the Order. I repeat the article here in its entirety so that everyone can read for themselves the eloquence and surety of Copt's words; words that every Kansan - and indeed every American - should take to heart. </div><br />
And on a personal note to Mr. Copt: as Jean-Luc Picard would say, <em>"Nicely done."</em><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Arts Should be Funded, not Cut, during Economic Crises</span></strong></div><br />
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By Louis Copt<br />
Published: Friday, March 11, 2011<br />
<em>Kansas State Collegian</em><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"> From the vast plains of Western Kansas, to the tree covered hills near the Missouri border, the state of the arts in our beloved state is in jeopardy. No doubt we are in difficult times, with a sagging economy, spirit sapping unemployment and changing political fortunes. We look to an uncertain future.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> There is no need for me to go over the litany of losses the state would suffer if the Kansas Arts Commission loses its funding. The dramatic drop in matching funds, the effect on jobs and the blow to small towns and tourism is well documented in the explosion of web-based communication from e-mail to Facebook. One only has to google the Kansas Arts Commission to find a host of information and action-based response opportunities.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Arts spending has become the obvious example when it comes to illustrating the evils of wasteful government. For conservatives, this has become a rich vein to mine, a platform to pontificate and a desperate distraction from more important issues.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Arts funding did not get us into financial trouble. There is plenty of public funding for highways and tax breaks for new businesses and subsidies to smooth out the business cycle for farmers. We will be further impoverished — not better off — if state funding for the arts comes to a halt.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> It is often argued that the wasteful spending of today is passed down to our children. The same argument could be made that cutting the arts funding of today robs future generations of inspiration.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> During the Depression, there were many farsighted people in government who joined with Roosevelt to create the Federal Art Project which, in 1934, created over 5,000 jobs for artists and produced over 225,000 works of art for the American people. Writers like Langston Hughes wrote poetry and plays. Others compiled histories and artists painted murals in small towns throughout Kansas including Sabetha, Eureka and Goodland, plus the Curry murals in the state capitol, all of which would not exist today without public arts funding. These works of art now stand as a reminder of a time in our country's history when dreams were not allowed to be destroyed by economic disaster.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Now is not the time to let our theaters go dark, our galleries to stand empty or for music to go silent. Now is not the time to pull paintbrushes from eager hands of school children or clog the pens of poets and writers. Now is not the time to put Kansas in the spotlight of ridicule or to move to the mode of mediocrity but rather to lead and inspire. Now, in fact, would be the time to increase arts funding in Kansas. Now would be the time for those interested in growing the state and jobs to step forward and champion the quality of life the arts can bring.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> It is within the realm of possibility to have essential services and a healthy funding for the arts. This should not be an either/or situation. This should be an opportunity to have a dialogue on both sides to clear a path for rational thinking, to sweep aside stereotypes and know that we can have both bread and roses.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> To me, the Governor's Arts Awards are not just a recognition of an individual in the arts, but a celebration of what it means to be a human who can lift hearts and minds through creative expression.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Let us tell the nation of our arts here in the sunflower state where I was born and raised, where I was educated and where I found my artistic voice. Let us now raise all our voices through painting, sculpture, theater, dance, music, arts education and philanthropy to say with one clear message, that arts in Kansas matter.</div><br />
The link for this article is: <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kstatecollegian.com/opinion/arts-should-be-funded-not-cut-during-economic-crises-1.2511370">http://www.kstatecollegian.com/opinion/arts-should-be-funded-not-cut-during-economic-crises-1.2511370</a>. </div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-49174275254545212902011-02-05T15:59:00.001-06:002011-02-05T16:01:03.873-06:00Update on Celebrating Kansas Literature: Tell Me What Is On Page 56, The 5th Sentence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my last entry I asked for everyone to grab the Kansas-themed book - either about Kansas or by a Kansas author - closest to them, open it to Page 56, choose the fifth sentence and then send it to me for reposting. The response has been great and the entries sent in most interesting in their variance. Here are the entries I've received so far:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Velta Ince:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Levin concluded the supper I made for him was good enough for him to live on.” – <em>Sod-House Days</em>, by Howard Ruede.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Erika Nelson:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I wish I had a rolltop desk.” Liz Knitter, <em>The New Kid In Town - a collection of poetry and essays and articles from The New Kid in Downs, Kansas</em>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Connie Dougherty:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Layer potatoes, beef, and mushroom soup in casserole and top with vegetable soup and put in oven until everything is blended (30 min at 350 degrees).” From <em>The Muscotah Cookbook</em>!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sue Parker:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">OK! You ready for this spell binder? “However, at various places in Kansas - especially in northeastern Stafford County and near Jamestown in Cloud County - salt flats occasionally form (see figure 32).” <em>Kansas Geology,</em> Edited by Rex Buchanan. Fill free to look up figure 32. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Katie Parker: </div><div style="text-align: justify;">“More traditional entrepreneurs might simply locate a company such as Dessin Fournir’s in a crowded urban ‘fashion center’ and never consider a rural option.” <em>Survival of Rural America</em>, by Richard E. Wood. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Frank Thompson:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sentence: “For a time she forgot herself, and only came back to reality when Henry turned in his chair to see what had happened.” Closest book: <em>Sod and Stubble</em> by John Ise.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tracy:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It just so happens that I am sitting here working on the 2011 edition of the Kansas Authors Club yearbook -- www.kansasauthors.org. So this is from a book soon to be published. Unless I find major page number errors in my final edit, page 56 is a poem by Roy J. Beckemeyer titled, <em>A Kansas Farm Wife's Snow Song</em>. I will share the 4th sentence since the poem only has 4 stanzas:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> “At last the end of fence mending is near,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> we are about to end this cold day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Your day’s work is done and now you’re a mere</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> quarter section of snowdrifts away.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This poem was also the first place winner in the “Poet's Choice” category of the 2010 Kansas Authors Club Literary Contest.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stephen Locke:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“She is suffering severely with the inflammatory rheumatism; sometimes she seems to be in perfect anguish - could not move her hands at all to-day.” <em>Went to Kansas</em>, by Mrs. Miriam Davis Colt, Page 56, Line 5.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cheryl Unruh: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The first book I picked up was <em>Ducks Across the Moon</em> by Ken Ohm, which I am about to read, but its page 56 was blank. So . . . .</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> From Pam Grout’s <em>Kansas Curiosities, 3rd Edition</em>: “Not more than ten days after he was buried, Hillmon’s body was dug up at the bequest of the insurance company that held three life insurance policies in his name.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Marcia Lawrence: </div><div style="text-align: justify;">From William Least Heat Moon’s <em>PrairyErth</em>: “The land was not at all barren, and, when the immigrants of Cottonwood Falls and Council Grove and a hundred other Hills places saw their apple trees bloom and their corn and oats grow, all that remained was to get clear title and evict the inhabitants of the last ten thousand years.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tom Parker:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> “With only the yard light for navigation, I walked across the road to where Maclura grows thickest.” Page 56, fifth sentence, <em>Dispatches From Kansas</em>, by Tom Parker. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Just happened to have a copy sitting beside me – but then, I wrote the book. I just learned of your blog through Cheryl Unruh on Facebook. I’ll definitely be checking for updates!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The wealth and depth of Kansas literature is truly something to behold. Let's keep them comin' in, folks!</span></div></div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-72566437247372963442011-02-04T01:52:00.000-06:002011-02-04T01:52:16.729-06:00Celebrating Kansas Literature: Tell Me What Is On Page 56, The 5th Sentence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">Somewhere else on the vast and wonderful Internet is a very popular site called Facebook. You might have heard of it. Anyway, yesterday my niece Katie Parker posted the following Literature Game contest. She got it from one of her Aunt Robin's friends, and . . . anyway, I thought on it and decided to restate the Game Rules that she sent me here - with a slight variance. In honor of the Sunflower State's 150th birthday year here now are the Kansas Literature Game Rules. Let's see how many people we can get to do the following: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Grab the Kansas-themed book closest to you right now. It can be either about Kansas or by a Kansas author. Open it to Page 56 and choose the fifth sentence. Then send it to me at my email address of <a href="mailto:vonrothenberger@gmail.com">vonrothenberger@gmail.com</a> and I will publish here everyone's results.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Remember, <u>DO NOT</u> choose the Kansas book you like best or think is the coolest, but the one that is closest to you. </div><br />
<br />
Here is my entry: "The control of a horse actually does depend on the control of the bit in its mouth, he observed." - <em>Trail of the Spanish Bit</em>, by Don Coldsmith. Page 56, 5th Sentence.</div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-71503282201395261182011-02-03T23:27:00.000-06:002011-02-03T23:27:26.066-06:00A Civic Group's Best Friend: The U.S. Board of Geographic Names<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">Civic Groups Everywhere, take note: you are going to love the <u>U.S. Board of Geographic Names</u> (BGN). <br />
<br />
First some background. This Board was formed in <date day="4" month="9" year="1890">September 1890</date> and was given the authority to resolve all unsettled questions concerning geographic names. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Evidently this problem occurred and does occur more than most of us realize. </span>Decisions of the BGN were accepted as binding by all departments and agencies of the Federal Government. </div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Names are submitted for decisions to the Board of Geographical Names by individuals, private organizations, or government agencies. It is the BGN's responsibility to render formal decisions on new names, proposed changes in names, and names which are in conflict. The decisions define the spellings and applications of the names for use on maps and other publications of Federal agencies.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">Although its official purpose is to resolve name problems and new name proposals for the federal government, the BGN also plays a similar role for the general public. Any person or organization, public or private, may make inquiries or request the BGN to render formal decisions on proposed new names, proposed name changes, or names that are in conflict. Generally, the BGN defers federal name use to comply with local usage. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">I discovered this agency's existence a few years ago, and in early 2010 on behalf of the Osborne County Genealogical and Historical Society I went to the Board's website and discovered that the majority of local natural landmarks in the county did not have official names. As many of these features have had local names for the past 140 years, I downloaded the website's forms and filled out several for notable county features, submitting the local names for future official designation. And the whole process was free!!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">A few months later, on January 7, 2011, I received a letter from the Board informing me that the Society's proposal to make official the names for eleven geographic features in Osborne County was approved. The names have been entered into the Geographic Names Information System, the nation's official geographic names repository, which is available and searchable online at <a href="http://geonames.usgs.gov/"><span style="color: black;">http://geonames.usgs.gov</span></a>, and will always be used in the future on all official Federal maps. The actual entries read as follows: </div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Alton Bluffs</u>: cliff; located in Sumner Township 1.4 kilometers (0.9 miles) south of Alton, on the south bank of the South Fork Solomon River; named in association with the nearby community of Alton; Osborne County, Kansas; Sections 12-14 & 18, Township 7 South, Range 15 West, Sixth Principal Meridian; 39°27'09"N, 98°56' 52"W; USGS map -Alton 1 :24,000. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Dry Creek</u>: stream; 18 kilometers (11 miles) long; heads in Lincoln Township of Smith County, Kansas, 12 kilometers (7.4 miles) northeast of Portis at 39°37'32"N, 98°34'42"W, flows south into Ross Township of Osborne County, Kansas, to enter the North Fork Solomon River, 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) southwest of Downs; Townships 5 & 6 South, Range 11 West, Sixth Principal Meridian; 39°29' 40''N, 98°34'13"W; USGS map -Downs South 1:24,000. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Elm Creek</u>: stream; 21 kilometers (13 miles) long; heads in Lincoln Township of Smith County, Kansas, 12 kilometers (7.7 miles) north-northwest of Downs at 39°36'41''N, 98°33'23"W, flows south into Ross Township of Osborne County, Kansas, to enter the North Fork Solomon River 4.3 kilometers (2.7 miles) east-southeast of Downs; Townships 5 & 6 South, Range 11 West, Sixth Principal Meridian; 39°29' 40"N, 98°34' 13"W; USGS map -Mill Creek 1:24,000. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Gimblet Creek</u>: stream; 12 kilometers (7.3 miles) long; heads in Winfield Township of Osborne County, Kansas, 22 kilometers (14 miles) south of Osborne at 39°14'09"N, 98°39'08"W, flows northeast into Twin Creek; named for local settler Josiah Gimblet (1817 -?); Townships 8 & 9 South, Range 12 West, Sixth Principal Meridian; 39°18'36"N, 98°39'08"W; USGS map -Osborne SW 1 :24,000.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Higgins Bluff</u>: cliff; located in Ross Township of Osborne County, Kansas, on the southern end of a prominent hill 6.9 kilometers (4.3 miles) northeast of Downs; named for buffalo hunter John Higgins (died 1870) who was killed by Indians and buried at the foot of the hill; Sections 2 & 18, Township 6 South, Range 11 West, Sixth Principal Meridian; 39°33'25''N, 98°31 '16"W; USGS map -Downs North 1 :24,000. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>North Hill:</u> summit; elevation 543 meters (1,782 feet); located in Penn Township of Osborne County, Kansas 4.3 kilometers (2.7 miles) north of Osborne; Sections 6 & 18, Township 7 South, Range 12 West, Sixth Principal Meridian; 39°28'35''N, 98°41 '48"W; USGS map -Osborne 1:24,000. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Pilot Mound</u>: summit; elevation 592 meters (1,941 feet); located in Mount Ayr Township of Osborne County, Kansas, 0.6 kilometers (0.4 miles) south of Medicine Creek, 4.6 kilometers (2.9 miles) west of Kill Creek; named by local residents because early travelers and current airline pilots use the summit as a location marker; Sections 22 & 18, Township 8 South, Range 15 West, Sixth Principal Meridian; 39°20'39''N, 98°58'37"W; USGS map -Alton SW 1:24,000. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Skunk Creek</u>: stream; 18 kilometers (11 miles) long; heads in Grant Township at 39°33' 12''N, 98°56' 14"W, flows south-southeast through Hawkeye Township of Osborne County, Kansas, and into Sumner Township, to its confluence with the South Fork Solomon River 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) east-southeast of Alton; named by local residents because of the large number of skunks encountered along the stream by the area's first settlers;; Townships 6 & 7 South, Ranges 14 & 15 West, Sixth Principal Meridian; 39°27'34''N, 98°53'43"W; USGS map -Alton SW 1:24,000. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>South Hill</u>: summit; elevation 550 meters (1,805 feet); located in Hancock Township of Osborne County, Kansas, 5.9 kilometers (3.7 miles) south of Osborne; Section 6, Township 8 South, Range 12 West, Sixth Principal Meridian; 39°23 '05''N, 98°41' 57"W; USGS map -Osborne 1 :24,000. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Sunny Slope Mound</u>: summit; elevation 568 meters (1,864 feet); located in Covert Township of Osborne County, Kansas, 22 kilometers (14 miles) south-southeast of Osborne; Section 14, Township 9 South, Range 13 West, Sixth Principal Meridian; 39°16'35''N, 98°44'09"W; USGS map -Osborne SW 1 :24,000. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Tabletop Hill</u>: summit; elevation 568 meters (1,864 feet); located in Valley Township of Osborne County, Kansas, 32 kilometers (20 miles) southwest of Osborne;; Section 29, Township 10 South, Range 13 West, Sixth Principal Meridian; 39°09'36"N, 98°47' 58"W; USGS map -Paradise NE 1 :24,000. </span><br />
<br />
So other than cleaning up some names on the Osborne County map for the Federal Government, just what does this have to do with the hard-won love of Civic Groups Everywhere, you ask?<br />
<br />
It's this: take a moment and think of the possibilities. You have a local notable figure that you want to honor in some manner. Traditionally it has been normal to name a street, building, park, etc., after a deserving person. But look around! Is there a nearby unnamed creek, or unnamed hill, or some other significant geographic feature nearby that could be officially named/renamed in someone's honor? <br />
<br />
Or create your own name for a geographic feature in order to draw attention to your city or region. A great example is the highest point in the state of Kansas. The site is actually unimpressive on its own; simply another spot amid relatively flat terrain in Wallace County. But give it the grand name of "Mount Sunflower," add a small shrine featuring a metal sunflower sculpture and a picnic table to the site, and after a bit of advertising it has achieved iconic status and regularly draws people from all over the United States to "scale the summit."<br />
<br />
So add this potential blockbuster to your arsenal of possibilities, you civic, town, county, regional, and statewide boosters! Get out there and let's see an entire set of new names spread out across the Kansas geographical landscape in this new century!</div></div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-30247108535245013922011-01-28T21:16:00.072-06:002011-01-31T11:49:54.143-06:00The Settlement of Kansas: Railroad Hype Drew Settlers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Settlement of Kansas: Railroad Hype Drew Settlers</span></strong></div><br />
<br />
BY FRED MANN<br />
The Wichita Eagle<br />
Sunday, January 23, 2011<br />
reprinted from <a href="http://www.kansas.com/2011/01/23/1686997/the-settlement-of-kansas.html">http://www.kansas.com/2011/01/23/1686997/the-settlement-of-kansas.html</a>#<br />
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To hear the railroads tell it, Kansas was the Garden of Eden. "Temperate Climate, Excellent Health, Pure & Abundant Water," the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad declared on an advertising flier in 1876. <br />
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The "best stock country in the world," the Kansas Pacific Railway boasted in 1878.<br />
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The state was more productive than most, according to an 1870 handbook printed by the Kansas Pacific. Its crops yielded more profit because they were cheaper to raise. Its weather allowed farmers to do more work.<br />
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Kansas, the handbook said, offered "unsurpassed grazing" and an "enterprising population."<br />
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The climate, it said in a statement that would be proven wrong more than once in the state's early decades, "is mild and pleasant."<br />
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The hype worked.<br />
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People came to Kansas from around the world in the 1870s, after the Civil War and "Bleeding Kansas" days had ended.<br />
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In large part, the new immigrants made the prairie into productive farmland and shaped our future.<br />
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They farmed the land and founded towns, and they passed their pioneer hardiness and work ethic to future generations of Kansans.<br />
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They came from Croatia, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Denmark, England, France. <br />
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They came from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, New York.<br />
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Ethnic groups from foreign lands formed colonies all over the state, retaining their languages, customs and cultures and passing them on.<br />
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They came for land and opportunity, and also to escape religious persecution, poverty and compulsory military service in their home countries.<br />
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"From the beginning we're being shaped by people of different backgrounds, particularly parts of Europe, but also African Americans and Native Americans," said Virgil Dean, editor of Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains and publications director for the Kansas Historical Society.<br />
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"It's kind of symbolic of the story of America."<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Railroad Promotions </strong></div><br />
The railroads, trying to sell the millions of acres given to them by the U.S. government to grow their business, promoted Kansas all over Europe and Russia and the rest of the American states.<br />
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"The railroads were highly privileged, and the Supreme Court supported them lock, stock and barrel," said Robert Linder, history professor at Kansas State University. "They were able to make fortunes off settling the Great Plains."<br />
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Railroads offered free or reduced-rate transportation to Kansas, and settlers from overseas could bring all of their household goods at a railroad's expense.<br />
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It wasn't always a pleasant way to travel. The authors of an 1859 handbook offering advice to prospective settlers of the Kansas and Rocky Mountain territories cautioned that they "will probably have to put up with a sleeping cot in the saloon — a style of nocturnal accommodation which is exceedingly uncomfortable to persons unaccustomed to Western travel."<br />
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The restaurants on the trains were run by "very avaricious and inhospitable persons" out to swindle diners, they wrote.<br />
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"Frequently, too , the food is filthy, bread badly baked and unwholesome; the tea and coffee cold, or so bitter and black that they are far from furnishing an agreeable repast," they wrote.<br />
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And yet, people came. In 1860, a year before Kansas became a state, its population was 107,000. By 1875, it had grown to more than half a million.<br />
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Germans were the largest group of foreign immigrants to Kansas. Some came from Germany, but many came from the Volga River in southern Russia, where they excelled in agriculture and were drawn to Kansas by railroad posters.<br />
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But before the Volga Germans came, they sent five scouts to investigate. They were wary about the new territory after what had happened to them in Russia.<br />
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They had left their native Germany on promises from Catherine the Great of exemption from military service, freedom from taxation and free land. These privileges had slowly disappeared.<br />
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One of the scouts was Anton Wasinger, great grandfather of Leona W. Pfeifer of Hays. He and four other men came to America in 1874 to look at the territory and returned to Russia with some soil samples and a favorable report.<br />
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The land reminded them of the Volga.<br />
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A year later, groups of Volga German colonists came over by ship, then traveled by train to Topeka, where they spent the winter before moving west and starting villages in Ellis and Rush counties, each with its own dialect.<br />
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"They were a hard-working people, very reliable," said Pfeifer, who speaks with a trace of a German accent.<br />
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Self-reliance was important to them. They were ridiculed in newspapers for their dress, speech and customs, Pfeifer said, so they developed a mistrust of outsiders.<br />
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"They didn't get any help from anybody, so they had to take care of themselves," Pfeifer said.<br />
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Hard work was the family ethic.<br />
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"They worked from early morning to late at night. That's what made Ellis County," said Pfeifer, a former history and German teacher.<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Hardy Settlers </strong></div><br />
Most early Kansas settlers had lived in states farther east before making a final push west.<br />
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In 1871 Jesse Tyler Sturm of Shinnston, W.Va., traveled to Kansas by train with a brother-in-law looking for land to homestead.<br />
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As a Civil War veteran on the Union side, he was entitled to 160 acres of free land from the U.S. government, although it could have been railroad land they were after as well, said Karen Sturm, wife of Jesse Sturm's great-grandson, Harold, of Caldwell.<br />
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After failing to find any land that hadn't been claimed, they planned to return to West Virginia. But when a stage coach they were awaiting arrived, a passenger told them about great land in the southern part of Kansas that hadn't been taken.<br />
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The men traveled by covered wagon to the Oklahoma line, seeing Indians and buffalo but no trees, Karen Sturm said.<br />
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Jesse Sturm staked a claim northeast of Caldwell in spring 1872 and brought his wife and four children to Kansas.<br />
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They lived out of covered wagons the first year. They had to travel 80 miles to Newton to buy processed lumber to build a house, Karen Sturm said.<br />
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"That was the way life was. It was hard and they didn't think anything about it," she said. "They were so hardy, our ancestors. They had to be."<br />
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Jesse Sturm was a gifted storyteller. In 2002 the state of West Virginia published his Civil War book, "From a Whirlpool of Death ... to Victory," remembrances of his service with the 14th West Virginia Infantry.<br />
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Sturm became a justice of the peace, and township trustee and assessor.<br />
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He was Sumner County treasurer and trustee of Sumner County high schools, and was appointed by the governor as a member of the River and Harbor Congress and a delegate to the inter-state wheat congress.<br />
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An active Republican, he was urged to run for the state Senate in 1918 but declined because of failing health.<br />
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His great-great-grandson, Ryan Sturm, is the fifth generation to farm in Sumner County.<br />
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His farm is five miles from Jesse Sturm's original homestead.<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Haven For Ex-Slaves </strong></div><br />
Kansas, where anti-slavery forces had prevailed in its "Bleeding Kansas" days, became a haven for former slaves.<br />
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W.R. Hill, a white land speculator in Nicodemus in Graham County, traveled through the South to sell the state to African Americans still burdened by Jim Crow laws.<br />
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He promised that they could own their own land, build their own town and govern themselves.<br />
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Angela Bates' family was among the first group of 350 to make the five-day trip from Kentucky by train in 1877.<br />
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Most of them had never been on a train.<br />
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And they didn't like what they saw when they crossed the Flint Hills into Graham County — barren terrain where the few residents of Nicodemus lived in earthen dugouts.<br />
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"There was nothing except a few holes in the ground," Bates said.<br />
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About 60 returned to Kentucky.<br />
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More came as part of the exodus of former slaves from the South, but it took strong spiritual resolve to remain, Bates said.<br />
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Those who did built the town rapidly in the 1880s, replacing the dugouts with successful stores and businesses.<br />
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Bates, who worked to get Nicodemus designated as a national historic site, said the town "represents us and what we did with freedom. It became the icon of our ability to self-govern and make it on our own.<br />
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"These people had tenacity," she said. "They took freedom and did something with it."<br />
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Nicodemus failed to attract railroad lines in the late 1880s, and its economy declined. Many residents, including Bates' parents, were forced to leave. <br />
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But they took the spiritual values and work ethic of their Nicodemus heritage with them and were able to get middle- to upper-class jobs, she said.<br />
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Bates said she sees a difference between African-Americans descended from the people who ventured to Kansas and those from families that remained in the South.<br />
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"There's a lot of complacency there," she said. "They conform to that environment because that's where slavery took place."<br />
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Kansas African-Americans are resourceful, Bates said.<br />
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Many of those who left Kansas had sense enough to come back and make Nicodemus their home again.<br />
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That includes her father, James Bates, 83, who still farms a mile north of Nicodemus.<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Building Towns</strong></div><br />
While many came to Kansas to farm the land, others came to build the towns that served the farmers.<br />
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It's a misconception that Kansas was just a farm settlement, said Dean, of the state historical society. <br />
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"A big majority came for farming, but a few miles away there's going to be a town starting at the same time."<br />
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Arriving trains unloaded merchants, bankers, blacksmiths, painters, gunsmiths, bricklayers, shoemakers, tailors and peddlers.<br />
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And stonemasons, like Franklin Rothenberger, whose family would build much of Osborne and the surrounding area.<br />
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Rothenberger was 9 when he came to Kansas by rail as part of the "Pennsylvania Colony" that founded Osborne in 1871.<br />
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On the wagon train taking them on the final leg of the trip, the tallgrass was so high they couldn't see where they were going, said Von Rothenberger, Franklin's great-grandson.<br />
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Somebody who left the group for supplies couldn't find the party when he returned and had to ask for help.<br />
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Franklin Rothenberger eventually was designated a stone and brick mason by the colony because that had been the family's business back in Pennsylvania.<br />
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He was trained by fellow homesteading stonemasons and in 1884 started the Rothenberger Construction Company.<br />
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Franklin and his five sons quarried and laid the stone for St. Joseph's Church in Damar, a finalist for the Eight Wonders of Kansas Architecture. At the same time, he bicycled to other towns in the region to oversee other construction projects.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Zk5PVjrkua34f3Q7Z7fo8MJglXNdJeEt28k4_228QZdMmvmJfBK61MFRj4Wqfo8G3XmFkncSxvTBrsB30iRJus1Mq2mBnjKFHRxVKovdaMeP2Un88BYLnp9qX3FC0DI-IQkVmJrF3Tg/s1600/2+St.+Joseph%2527s+Church+Damar+KS+construction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Zk5PVjrkua34f3Q7Z7fo8MJglXNdJeEt28k4_228QZdMmvmJfBK61MFRj4Wqfo8G3XmFkncSxvTBrsB30iRJus1Mq2mBnjKFHRxVKovdaMeP2Un88BYLnp9qX3FC0DI-IQkVmJrF3Tg/s320/2+St.+Joseph%2527s+Church+Damar+KS+construction.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="justify"><em>The first story of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Damar, Kansas, nears completion. In the center doorway stands Iva (Claytor) Rothenberger, wife of my grandfather Franklin LaVerne ("Vern") Rothenberger. In the foreground at center right is Viola (Mark) Rothenberger, wife of my great-grandfather Franklin Antone Rothenberger.</em> <em>In the foreground at center left can be seen the steeple of the previous frame church building.</em></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFrLC4BHVBSHc1ClIiOlhvPh-HsulIrmUVvoFduD_O9_S-Yf9kTZW-bAuAyyJgiJfAqQRuRLhzfc4mC2_wKGlTD5czTQfatQwUIgX3y7KTx3ji7lYIx3Xa7cR4_72lLg7-1slS8JK4NQ/s1600/6a+St.+Joseph%2527s+Church+Damar+KS+towers+almost+finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFrLC4BHVBSHc1ClIiOlhvPh-HsulIrmUVvoFduD_O9_S-Yf9kTZW-bAuAyyJgiJfAqQRuRLhzfc4mC2_wKGlTD5czTQfatQwUIgX3y7KTx3ji7lYIx3Xa7cR4_72lLg7-1slS8JK4NQ/s400/6a+St.+Joseph%2527s+Church+Damar+KS+towers+almost+finished.jpg" width="325" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="justify"><em>Stonework on St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Damar, Kansas, is nearing completion. The four walls are finished; only the two towers remain. In the center right foreground in front of the church are the horses Dolly & Polly, who were trained by word command to walk forward or back up. Attaching these horses to a rope & pulley was how the heavy stone blocks were raised into place.</em></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9IVq-uBBPqsYgfLAokolc02TK_YLMupAfLxxBjo_8i0RONknkFzX2vF0xwW4PlLrekcz_gQLEPSwq5E_H43h7cDKKElCtIhLhdbSUOD4WXS1MdOUQ3X7ShjWZsE6Ykv7zl7HocbrlDo/s1600/7+St.+Joseph%2527s+Church+Damar+KS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9IVq-uBBPqsYgfLAokolc02TK_YLMupAfLxxBjo_8i0RONknkFzX2vF0xwW4PlLrekcz_gQLEPSwq5E_H43h7cDKKElCtIhLhdbSUOD4WXS1MdOUQ3X7ShjWZsE6Ykv7zl7HocbrlDo/s400/7+St.+Joseph%2527s+Church+Damar+KS.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="justify"><em>My grandfather "Vern" Rothenberger (right) was 21 years old when work on St. Joseph Catholic Church started. The eldest of Frank Antone Rothenberger's five sons, Vern was often laft in charge as his father attended to other work projects in the region. He took over the company when his father retired; when it was his time to retire as well he turned it over to his son David "Pete" Rothenberger . </em></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_dRazRiEBbhbmNbgAyesg2XKZg8G-230COavtOUmdGym7YvE6KmljfbBFBiaH2g3FVc98bNlgUzqYztefFekhvDwxlck39ZlTsOnyP77K2bvfT2hjSZ_M1IL1H8lfnb72fR3TQhHX6M/s1600/Frank+A.+Rothenberger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_dRazRiEBbhbmNbgAyesg2XKZg8G-230COavtOUmdGym7YvE6KmljfbBFBiaH2g3FVc98bNlgUzqYztefFekhvDwxlck39ZlTsOnyP77K2bvfT2hjSZ_M1IL1H8lfnb72fR3TQhHX6M/s400/Frank+A.+Rothenberger.jpg" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="justify"><em>Franklin Antone Rothenberger was nine years old when the town of Osborne City, Kansas was founded on May 1, 1871.</em></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggK9DJN-zPXV1cbbSZKgxq6GFyz-NED7s8wuWlZd7nlcUxrKs99k1qGesG7xIHXOVgh99XnmFGACaU5FboaRLru77K5HBRoepGJhzxWyVprJYU20JtYK-q1sWd5xRCZulP_xFotDUyiOQ/s1600/R0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggK9DJN-zPXV1cbbSZKgxq6GFyz-NED7s8wuWlZd7nlcUxrKs99k1qGesG7xIHXOVgh99XnmFGACaU5FboaRLru77K5HBRoepGJhzxWyVprJYU20JtYK-q1sWd5xRCZulP_xFotDUyiOQ/s320/R0044.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="justify"><em>The Rothenberger Construction Company laying down the first brick sidewalks in downtown Osborne, Kansas in 1908. Here Frank Rothenberger (center) is directing his brother Peter (left). </em></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPdvAR4bmpaI4fi6z3_74a1b0W9IUC1tTErQ7pxipvEjrQweQ4gTP2qjimo8utaMQcB165YsFuLzhnTEta5COKdTh2uKedRFbNI_b7WMzzXfLMKbH5xg7sOFFVAQ67Wl_05XZhnr8_Ic/s1600/R0042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPdvAR4bmpaI4fi6z3_74a1b0W9IUC1tTErQ7pxipvEjrQweQ4gTP2qjimo8utaMQcB165YsFuLzhnTEta5COKdTh2uKedRFbNI_b7WMzzXfLMKbH5xg7sOFFVAQ67Wl_05XZhnr8_Ic/s320/R0042.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="justify"><em>One of the numerous jobs that the Rothenberger Construction Company did over the years. The number of jobs completed in the 95 years of the company's history is believed to be around 15,000.</em></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The business was passed on to succeeding generations until it closed in 1979.<br />
<br />
By then, Von Rothenberger said, the family had built foundations, churches, homes, buildings, even sidewalks and curbs, across western Kansas from Syracuse to Medicine Lodge to Salina.<br />
<br />
What Franklin gave to his family was the satisfaction of seeing a job done, Von Rothenberger said. "He instilled a work ethic into the family and into the business."<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Laughable Conditions </strong></div><br />
Those who settled Kansas occasionally may have found conditions as agreeable as the railroads had advertised.<br />
<br />
But they also faced drought, harsh winters and summers, jackrabbit attacks, grasshopper infestations, dust storms, financial downturns, and dwindling populations.<br />
<br />
In the 1890s, the railroads stopped advertising Kansas.<br />
<br />
"People laughed at the railroad enthusiasms that once so gripped them," the late Wichita State University history professor Craig Miner wrote in "West of Wichita: Settling the High Plains of Kansas, 1865-1890".<br />
<br />
A Mitchell County schoolteacher wrote in her diary in 1881:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">"This is a hard place to live, this Kansas is. I wonder what in the world will become of us, anyway?"</div></div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-22342845412126221982011-01-25T14:29:00.002-06:002011-01-25T14:42:37.714-06:00The 2011 Ride of the Kansas Gazatteer Musketeers, Day Three<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">That Wednesday of January 20, 2011 the inclement weather changed many of the plans for the 2011 Retreat for Relentless Rural Leaders at the Barn Bed and Breakfast Inn near Valley Falls, Kansas. For the rest of afternoon, part of that evening, and much of the next morning were spent in group sessions discussing a number of very serious topics and concerns affecting Rural Kansas and what positive measures might be taken to correct them. Potential cuts in Arts funding, more needed aid for the elderly, the much-needed role of young people stepping up to take leadership positions in all communities -all this was openly and passionately debated. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Later on Wednesday evening the somber tones gave way to a lighter tradition - the White Elephant giveaway. Some items had been picked up on the way to the Retreat; others had been found amid the various towns earlier that day; and there was also one or two items that returned from yesteryear.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbB0m9DVRUX95yng1EhOWEUcEg92EZYDehasGoYX4SD7UEdqEq7lMKiJ-Cj05bejdjBfSYJjvjsVIK0pMTteO6yhrgoPTr3nBLSh3cwNnDcIkyE6XudlBijC5LQPrRqJz_ol01SbQuC0/s1600/19c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbB0m9DVRUX95yng1EhOWEUcEg92EZYDehasGoYX4SD7UEdqEq7lMKiJ-Cj05bejdjBfSYJjvjsVIK0pMTteO6yhrgoPTr3nBLSh3cwNnDcIkyE6XudlBijC5LQPrRqJz_ol01SbQuC0/s320/19c.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">All were now comfortable and patiently waiting their turn in the White Elephant Giveaway.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTykUivuhkq-tHdr3AvsmzR-1qoafg4UNWZJP7tA74mTntWULLH3k4vkbcG5X0pV4nCOz23hkbOSdXrnSZiuUtwZmeRCeL5USvmqY5ZQ6TXXjaCrvwViy8e4f1qjJ3b6BOHfMeLu9nwiM/s1600/19e.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTykUivuhkq-tHdr3AvsmzR-1qoafg4UNWZJP7tA74mTntWULLH3k4vkbcG5X0pV4nCOz23hkbOSdXrnSZiuUtwZmeRCeL5USvmqY5ZQ6TXXjaCrvwViy8e4f1qjJ3b6BOHfMeLu9nwiM/s320/19e.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Martha Slater Farrell of Andover, KS wonders what is in her box.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsf5i3K9Nwt-0nhsw_nwkBVuqWSai-yy7L7UYmQ0mQVlQvEqXHDl_JMNHWfw42L9K3Rblm4N6lDIab4CHTyGdf_XIOcOTKt22RuMRQ8_8C1YznJfzQ_GvXEOgHlJWQwoUCP7QTtwosVc0/s1600/19i.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsf5i3K9Nwt-0nhsw_nwkBVuqWSai-yy7L7UYmQ0mQVlQvEqXHDl_JMNHWfw42L9K3Rblm4N6lDIab4CHTyGdf_XIOcOTKt22RuMRQ8_8C1YznJfzQ_GvXEOgHlJWQwoUCP7QTtwosVc0/s320/19i.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Jay Yoder of Partridge, KS really liked Martha's Las Vegas Dice Clock, but . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9it8ssrxbReNF7vn_WLK7pDoLOjtbeZS6Dldo91ZBvHZn19hP2j0g_uzefscQYYTpcQ-lf5CC_FN2Qoc4oFQEZcayC6IOjb09ENexeH1mCQnFiio0W-SFVXHcQKmewV1zEt1hH1LyWKU/s1600/19n.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9it8ssrxbReNF7vn_WLK7pDoLOjtbeZS6Dldo91ZBvHZn19hP2j0g_uzefscQYYTpcQ-lf5CC_FN2Qoc4oFQEZcayC6IOjb09ENexeH1mCQnFiio0W-SFVXHcQKmewV1zEt1hH1LyWKU/s400/19n.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He decided that this Viking Horned Helmet was more his style.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0J_TzMRYGzyDvDJHTc83BJWF5B4zgyZKJoA7yQMAOgs7t3UGdI2Rlg47IcNcQNBF-L1MS_1rIHsmsrw1vgNFIjip1iGaDC_kvyBzz8UGdTysY-E1EOwRmdpWaEmo9sIMRoLuE_ze6aaY/s1600/19o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0J_TzMRYGzyDvDJHTc83BJWF5B4zgyZKJoA7yQMAOgs7t3UGdI2Rlg47IcNcQNBF-L1MS_1rIHsmsrw1vgNFIjip1iGaDC_kvyBzz8UGdTysY-E1EOwRmdpWaEmo9sIMRoLuE_ze6aaY/s320/19o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Eileen Robertson of Humboldt, KS, 39-something and matriarch of the group, thoroughly enjoyed her new moustache!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMV0DSHKWTGITDb19OnGW5rgV_0sZ41JXfmBsrkZMAQZHz26fWQhCTt0dELC-m1RsPR0bSGCfO20urdW4UOItpuLwBGgn68IpCTycHL0_n7j9tRMgNuedhWY-fBp68LocADWVmUJyrx80/s1600/19q.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMV0DSHKWTGITDb19OnGW5rgV_0sZ41JXfmBsrkZMAQZHz26fWQhCTt0dELC-m1RsPR0bSGCfO20urdW4UOItpuLwBGgn68IpCTycHL0_n7j9tRMgNuedhWY-fBp68LocADWVmUJyrx80/s320/19q.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Add Jay Yoder's hat to her ensemble and the transformation was complete. Was that Einstein sitting there? </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDabcIIjRwv_20sjH6IKQ-UOL3Rq3OwYnIcniUMEeBx7EEA9pv2SD-0sANo2zlVMqCqQ0jJj8y6OjSoxiEgEw2dDtVgN11HkQSI_yrUjiAZ4hEmbmrRGPtut3MumHDFXkJPSGYnA89T0/s1600/19s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDabcIIjRwv_20sjH6IKQ-UOL3Rq3OwYnIcniUMEeBx7EEA9pv2SD-0sANo2zlVMqCqQ0jJj8y6OjSoxiEgEw2dDtVgN11HkQSI_yrUjiAZ4hEmbmrRGPtut3MumHDFXkJPSGYnA89T0/s320/19s.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNfR09trkj4AM8QGmeD3U2bOQAZqnWmZrFPehmv5cb_8mR0xuAt853oiIe5sSm-CFKhqIJFbKxB5b2vao8UkWsrOWtUYTm0fi10U0g9_eCW8ICANSiWdNgZ3hEKf6KgEAxki8AzpnBg8/s1600/19u.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNfR09trkj4AM8QGmeD3U2bOQAZqnWmZrFPehmv5cb_8mR0xuAt853oiIe5sSm-CFKhqIJFbKxB5b2vao8UkWsrOWtUYTm0fi10U0g9_eCW8ICANSiWdNgZ3hEKf6KgEAxki8AzpnBg8/s320/19u.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Things got even lighter when Anita Goertzen of Goessel, Kansas was urged into telling a couple of jokes!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTNvVOmpq08o314brdtlpQIfXvaB3_dA4cmVNm-YElhllLqnChyphenhyphenUx2N23OBU3eyrAP0dPmVjO0O7ZuydlW-P4dwL-ZQtHGK5HKYKh2wpS90jYP9WVQ4gmDCMXMjL7nvLu7KyXtZ3Wlrg/s1600/19zb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTNvVOmpq08o314brdtlpQIfXvaB3_dA4cmVNm-YElhllLqnChyphenhyphenUx2N23OBU3eyrAP0dPmVjO0O7ZuydlW-P4dwL-ZQtHGK5HKYKh2wpS90jYP9WVQ4gmDCMXMjL7nvLu7KyXtZ3Wlrg/s400/19zb.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The White Elephant Giveaway concluded with a major revelation: we had amongst us long-lost triplets! From left: Gloria Moore, Barnes, KS; Jay Yoder, Partridge, KS; and Ashley Bogle, Eureka KS. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90gt_7PlJXa4m8JjbtL40yLBr04-gMWBJ3hxzBmBHXHnJIQ99JtJ1tedQkNkeiGuJghuJv553TMuDpSA2tY6s-tHfzZ52Ko-HzN6r1ORaiJq9mHUcSvTDZ-1MJx1M3eMwsYRzeCPLEc0/s1600/P1200001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90gt_7PlJXa4m8JjbtL40yLBr04-gMWBJ3hxzBmBHXHnJIQ99JtJ1tedQkNkeiGuJghuJv553TMuDpSA2tY6s-tHfzZ52Ko-HzN6r1ORaiJq9mHUcSvTDZ-1MJx1M3eMwsYRzeCPLEc0/s320/P1200001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The next morning Retreat organizer Marci Penner led still more serious discussion before giving way to the second great Retreat tradition: the Sampler Auction. Never discussed or solicited, every year those attending the Retreat bring items for the others to bid on, with the proceeds going to the Kansas Sampler Foundation. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5h-RK9dgjP4caDvPfdKC7aN6iS1u4soUpO-HsFjmTe-0aDgezZE1xP6dBtNAHPen_mcpcQ9vZz44lKzcjSqYxhOYpVRbtu_xnXyfIwjgELQm5c3cnf6-5R4Z5p_oAOKKYj_PqTH__mw/s1600/P1200004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5h-RK9dgjP4caDvPfdKC7aN6iS1u4soUpO-HsFjmTe-0aDgezZE1xP6dBtNAHPen_mcpcQ9vZz44lKzcjSqYxhOYpVRbtu_xnXyfIwjgELQm5c3cnf6-5R4Z5p_oAOKKYj_PqTH__mw/s320/P1200004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Bob Topping of Leavenworth, KS served as the auctioneer for the event. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoCxDiSRy9y3mNg1ua4i9HaOXCq4VuwzEI3p1EFdAu7PzM7ESuwevvCCg6U0ko8a-T3bzR5CtabsseGBsFUovFpfTkomjW-KhyphenhyphenGWQLe5NRLXAk13WYFDlYTpB4Z3CtrbgbW85iyJZ52A/s1600/P1200007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoCxDiSRy9y3mNg1ua4i9HaOXCq4VuwzEI3p1EFdAu7PzM7ESuwevvCCg6U0ko8a-T3bzR5CtabsseGBsFUovFpfTkomjW-KhyphenhyphenGWQLe5NRLXAk13WYFDlYTpB4Z3CtrbgbW85iyJZ52A/s320/P1200007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The Ta-Da Girls - Susie Haver of Concordia, KS (Center background) and Commodore Bacon (Lucas, KS) assisted the auctioneer. Here the Commodore displays and explains the tiems for auction from World's Largest Things, Inc.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGQchTaVlF3NBzw1xN3I_gi_74T8h72wCpQZLTFEGVLVKezW-NkIRkeCU1MfdKZ2ysYof8duB3oHdXe5dD8BMmHUA82IBLKYRQ9BPI3SoAVwAjavY_TUkQ1B3gpkRo4F_WF4Q_yx_3TQ/s1600/P1200008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGQchTaVlF3NBzw1xN3I_gi_74T8h72wCpQZLTFEGVLVKezW-NkIRkeCU1MfdKZ2ysYof8duB3oHdXe5dD8BMmHUA82IBLKYRQ9BPI3SoAVwAjavY_TUkQ1B3gpkRo4F_WF4Q_yx_3TQ/s320/P1200008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And here the Commodore shows off the Get Lucas Chamber Special Package deal.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaFs1grvuZ3clyLkZ35PkyR5eNMxHzr93E4c6CQDQHwEKTtQbvzqkearyFBbS4DIf0vd-ViisfzUjXl21AO5wtHzBYyKzs7Tvr7sYeiaBZVJSwTxwLiY073jAlKFyhxa9Edr-LRTaOgA/s1600/P1200009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaFs1grvuZ3clyLkZ35PkyR5eNMxHzr93E4c6CQDQHwEKTtQbvzqkearyFBbS4DIf0vd-ViisfzUjXl21AO5wtHzBYyKzs7Tvr7sYeiaBZVJSwTxwLiY073jAlKFyhxa9Edr-LRTaOgA/s320/P1200009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She really worked the crowd with all the items. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuh2_2_jC7CmqNFR1ZwiaOoWBZ-vqdrEDCAxBpXJYMa0mVdU3dPjO1SyNMEY0ntK2cMI2V9JC5gDCHAYMY-yB3cfUG_XbD3Z39SQNH01JhaKKE-TJcZ_77mFjg7Ms7ZixTxzXh18CgPU/s1600/P1200010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuh2_2_jC7CmqNFR1ZwiaOoWBZ-vqdrEDCAxBpXJYMa0mVdU3dPjO1SyNMEY0ntK2cMI2V9JC5gDCHAYMY-yB3cfUG_XbD3Z39SQNH01JhaKKE-TJcZ_77mFjg7Ms7ZixTxzXh18CgPU/s320/P1200010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">After a spirited bidding war the triumvirate of Julie Roller, Wamego KS (center); Jennifer Arnold, Clearwater KS; and Abby Amick, Alma KS won the Lucas package and will be visiting very soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-x-hALRWvHeXyQATXnYbGVE0WUPiaNNmzLFgjLaRXzd9lq-4M4k73-mk9rLKDDkFpaRfUE0TvfrLn4bnn4uUaeNu44UYgqGCfc1vFzILSucFnl1RwrJBIqQUiC0QdQEQjryRSMqMwYJo/s1600/P1200012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-x-hALRWvHeXyQATXnYbGVE0WUPiaNNmzLFgjLaRXzd9lq-4M4k73-mk9rLKDDkFpaRfUE0TvfrLn4bnn4uUaeNu44UYgqGCfc1vFzILSucFnl1RwrJBIqQUiC0QdQEQjryRSMqMwYJo/s400/P1200012.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Oh, in case you were wondering - Flat General Direction and Flat Princess Pee were not left out of the auction. Both bought a book for the other and then spent the rest of the Retreat reading!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">At noon the Retreat ended. There was time for a quick bite, a last ice cream cone for the Count, and a weather update - up to 10 inches of snow overnight, potentially icy roads across central and western Kansas - and being all packed the Kansas Gazetteers Musketeers bid their goodbyes and hit the road. Bearing southeast down State Hwy 4, they headed west at Topeka on US Hwy 24, passing through Silver Lake and Rossville before stopping on the west edge of St. Mary's, Kansas at a thrift store that was closing out. Calumet, tap shoes, and books were just some of the bargains that they managed to discover. Then it was on to downtown St. Mary's to see about Commodore Bacon picking up a pith helmet of her very own at the St. Mary's Military Surplus Store. Unfortunately they were sold out, the clerk having just sold his last two to a guy from Rossville. But he would reorder! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The Musketeers then passed on through St. Mary's and Belvue and around Manhattan, their lunch destination being a certain restaurant at 8th and Grant in Junction City, Kansas that neither had been to before. Taking State Hwy 18 they headed west down to Interstae 70 and then on State Hwy 57 into Junction City. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Here is where the younger Musketeers really missed General Direction's guidance! After driving around the downtown they dedcided to drive west down 8th Street, looking for Grant Street and the fabled restaurant. They never found Grant Street; indeed, all of 8th Street is a residential area with no commercial buildings until its western intersection with Old Hwy 18! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cTbxKzKRUGKQpvMb0HEQhzCOguRrD30kO_fOXGpMuWWyY0wpEgqxmw5Gkt8NGGhc4LdFTSGs14PIw5775pm3E7jDyt2Pf4RyYga9v1OyHl9D7i2jGiUbW9uZL8l39WqkhAa08aUHqTg/s1600/P1200013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cTbxKzKRUGKQpvMb0HEQhzCOguRrD30kO_fOXGpMuWWyY0wpEgqxmw5Gkt8NGGhc4LdFTSGs14PIw5775pm3E7jDyt2Pf4RyYga9v1OyHl9D7i2jGiUbW9uZL8l39WqkhAa08aUHqTg/s320/P1200013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">They did, however, manage to discover this great eight-sided business building in Junction City. And along 8th Street to boot!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR73zav_2G_glLdKoU7vu2G-PwJ15bQv03b6R6acBqJ5G7eQIB7eDgVmbx_gnoDx5pehfWjhy9aY2uIKKj-F2h-LmaZc4z-FeZgAfQqnZnTD2sLGS-7Uou0u-9dVzgZbwBPDTE-Ray-4/s1600/James+Bond+at+Bennington+Linger+Longer+20+Jan+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR73zav_2G_glLdKoU7vu2G-PwJ15bQv03b6R6acBqJ5G7eQIB7eDgVmbx_gnoDx5pehfWjhy9aY2uIKKj-F2h-LmaZc4z-FeZgAfQqnZnTD2sLGS-7Uou0u-9dVzgZbwBPDTE-Ray-4/s400/James+Bond+at+Bennington+Linger+Longer+20+Jan+2011.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Taking State Hwy 18 west from Junction City the Musketeers drove this new road for the Commodore past Talmadge, past the turnoffs for Manchester and Solomon and Vine Creek and Niles and Verdi, until at last they drove into Bennington, Kansas at 4PM to stop at the Linger Longer soda fountain, their third soda fountain of the trip and one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Customs. The Commodore immediately met one of the few people she knew in Bennington, the Count had a real chocolate shake made with chocolate milk, and then the Commodore had a dream come true: she got to play a real James Bond pinball machine that was in the back! That was the perfect end to the trip for her. Reluctantly they left the soda fountain and its impressive collection of Dr. Pepper memorabilia and sojourned on west, through Tescott, past Beverly, around Lincoln, past Vesper, Denmark, and Sylvan Grove until, with the sun going down, they rolled into Lucas at 5:30PM - just in time for the Lucas Area Chamber of Commerce meeting at 6PM at the K-18 Cafe. And so ends the 2011 Tale of the Kansas Gazetteer Musketeers for this year! </div></div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-32725278288187020932011-01-25T12:40:00.000-06:002011-01-25T12:40:09.832-06:00The 2011 Ride of the Kansas Gazetteer Musketeers: Day Two<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Wednesday morning, January 19, 2011, dawned early for the 26 men & women, both young & old, gathered from all points of the state of Kansas for the 19th Annual Retreat for Relentless Rural Leaders at the Barn Bed & Breakfast Inn near Valley Falls, Kansas. The Retreat is organized and facilitated by the Kansas Sampler Foundation (KSF).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">"The Retreat is designed to rejuvenate individual spirit, increase peer networking and discuss new ways to look at common rural issues. One of the main topics this year was figuring out how to identify and match community needs with citizen’s skills to improve quality of life in a community." - Marci Penner, Kansas Sampler Foundation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This was the real full day of the Retreat and the morning session started at 8:30AM. Everyone learned quickly that (a) there was an impending snowstorm due to hit later in the day, and therefore (b) many plans that had been made for the day were being thrown out the window, including a meeting with the civic leaders of Everest, Kansas, and attending a pot luck supper in Muscotah, Kansas. Instead, we would be getting on a bus and traveling that morning to five communities in Northeast Kansas - Bendena, Denton, Purcell, Everest, and Muscotah - and still try to beat the storm by getting back by mid-afternoon.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCb1ef1CFQT66heLkpYu8h8OgB8K2i_EtioqqDikZK1VZp1f_25TTm9bzIAoDhVixTcAVvrgyZg8ZpzGHhX0P_QudWlgZAXj7OqJ9m4UodPoUhuyrXlbIe22nKmmYGsHeaMR_4QpMjINw/s1600/Marci+Penner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCb1ef1CFQT66heLkpYu8h8OgB8K2i_EtioqqDikZK1VZp1f_25TTm9bzIAoDhVixTcAVvrgyZg8ZpzGHhX0P_QudWlgZAXj7OqJ9m4UodPoUhuyrXlbIe22nKmmYGsHeaMR_4QpMjINw/s320/Marci+Penner.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Marci Penner, Director of the Kansas Sampler Foundation. - Photo courtesy of Cloud County Tourism.</em> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNszdCMOGow8PpLUkqpqVYgmJ16EbAisgoVTpEP5aoT668XKzRpARpQh5Rs8E_jdxy_7YSu2WXP0ba-K98ALcXHNEqZuawA6IS_nDd6t2Z9jjgaxx1qICj93yjuxsTNYGHAZhZ1sFgpPI/s1600/P1190007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNszdCMOGow8PpLUkqpqVYgmJ16EbAisgoVTpEP5aoT668XKzRpARpQh5Rs8E_jdxy_7YSu2WXP0ba-K98ALcXHNEqZuawA6IS_nDd6t2Z9jjgaxx1qICj93yjuxsTNYGHAZhZ1sFgpPI/s320/P1190007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-size: small;">The first photograph the Count has ever been able to take of the Barn Bed and Breakfast Inn in the daylight! Well, he was excited. Sigh. Fine. Moving on . . . .</span></em></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNArYi_uCssKZXW0-kkwWXACqjuXa6RoJ6jDd5OQXLtVDg-UcOmGrHjqMiIOC4BylDrktgGr-4ZwsD6Wj5xYz-PKKLnpkxXReKrghKrdyB0TOqcIQWUPpgqjQ6NKYLr64gYD1Ui0dhVU/s1600/P1190004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNArYi_uCssKZXW0-kkwWXACqjuXa6RoJ6jDd5OQXLtVDg-UcOmGrHjqMiIOC4BylDrktgGr-4ZwsD6Wj5xYz-PKKLnpkxXReKrghKrdyB0TOqcIQWUPpgqjQ6NKYLr64gYD1Ui0dhVU/s320/P1190004.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="justify"><em>On the bus the travel time between towns enabled the KSF group to hold "interviews" with one another, trading information and establishing new friendships.</em></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: right;"></div>Today's trip was first northeast into Atchison, Kansas, and then north and west to the group's first stop: Bendena, Kansas.<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Bendena is an unincorporated community in Doniphan County, Kansas, United States. Its ZIP Code is 66008. It was named for the sweetheart of the first telegraph operator at the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska railroad station." - <em>Wikipedia</em>.</span></strong></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The KSF group was divided into two groups - one to explore the downtown, and the other to visit the Bendena State Bank. The Count found himself in the second group.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jcd4OsZmkj4Mido6iDvT0H4ydK8AQCmvcbAikkeVBjFgYwJiXOXq-UzqpQZRfHlWHprl1rl54R0UeNM-UIYoU93ORsSKRbpwKI34CkcRnJu0qbG-w0Go9wVfU4hPaTfe2eWRQGO1dlw/s1600/P1190008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jcd4OsZmkj4Mido6iDvT0H4ydK8AQCmvcbAikkeVBjFgYwJiXOXq-UzqpQZRfHlWHprl1rl54R0UeNM-UIYoU93ORsSKRbpwKI34CkcRnJu0qbG-w0Go9wVfU4hPaTfe2eWRQGO1dlw/s320/P1190008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>The Bank in a Barn - the Bendena State Bank on the community's eastern edge.</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCvxbCz_kIKeHEbQ083bBOyKkkK5-0j3qoPMkK-us77i_eBtRCI_aeis1-KuJoV2aygTMACSXHLBgJUBv_pOAWo1wKjgvrTlvVAPddBokAMu4HFI-TNIXhU8cRAKMup44ZbsewsTewns/s1600/P1190010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCvxbCz_kIKeHEbQ083bBOyKkkK5-0j3qoPMkK-us77i_eBtRCI_aeis1-KuJoV2aygTMACSXHLBgJUBv_pOAWo1wKjgvrTlvVAPddBokAMu4HFI-TNIXhU8cRAKMup44ZbsewsTewns/s320/P1190010.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Inside the bank are framed photos of the barn before and after it became a bank. </em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">The story the Count heard was that in 1906 a bank robber tried to hold up the bank at its original location in downtown Bendena, but ended up shooting himself. A writeup of the robbery in the local newspaper noted that the robber "was easy to lay out" and had "a fine physique." Decades later the bank had outgrown its building, and at the same time a large hog barn on the edge of town was in need of preservation. So the bank moved into the barn and the renovation worked. The old loft was turned into two apartments. Inside the bank can be seen several photographs of Bendena High School classes through the years.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9hGbwKIFxGBtYcE_tUKfnrdJZopcn3kZlYzWJfZ6eArQVJKT5Pdm9EssL5wuoZjA_GrlTOACZ9qTWK52ZX1oWgsKIdgLo9io5KDHhNoNvBcN2J43hJSsMJKf9wyCykcbJVAhJIDAKcY/s1600/P1190015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9hGbwKIFxGBtYcE_tUKfnrdJZopcn3kZlYzWJfZ6eArQVJKT5Pdm9EssL5wuoZjA_GrlTOACZ9qTWK52ZX1oWgsKIdgLo9io5KDHhNoNvBcN2J43hJSsMJKf9wyCykcbJVAhJIDAKcY/s320/P1190015.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="justify"><em>Photographs inside the now insurance agency.</em></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Afterwards the Count and his group were brought back to downtown Bendena. In the old bank building, now an insurance agency, they were shown photographs of the old bank, the new bank, and one other photograph . . . .</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9oGkyTzdsnfCfM5UEEORy46fO4CN7aW5yCs5IRJHMXwhqW3x3nPDLezyPOpdjmn7swg-CJsYEJ8tAAaYDQxS3IYa4ljHQeIf7X0Zu_3ofNMtlG8r310quWAZRPIH-m9Mr70fMtb4Ubw/s1600/P1190016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9oGkyTzdsnfCfM5UEEORy46fO4CN7aW5yCs5IRJHMXwhqW3x3nPDLezyPOpdjmn7swg-CJsYEJ8tAAaYDQxS3IYa4ljHQeIf7X0Zu_3ofNMtlG8r310quWAZRPIH-m9Mr70fMtb4Ubw/s320/P1190016.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the photos on the wall was indeed of the 1906 bank robber! Evidently he <em>was</em> "easy to lay out."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-KnRA0eZrVRwoszbBYi_rUOst-8CtlysLIhlrP9NoGCF3uspYne02CcOMPM13d-OdrPdzfvz85R-oEV9t4bv8jxn8vNrgJ29AqLDCHWH-82XPDZ4fdAw-qNxo4V7NQdS6cNiP6erZlw/s1600/P1190019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-KnRA0eZrVRwoszbBYi_rUOst-8CtlysLIhlrP9NoGCF3uspYne02CcOMPM13d-OdrPdzfvz85R-oEV9t4bv8jxn8vNrgJ29AqLDCHWH-82XPDZ4fdAw-qNxo4V7NQdS6cNiP6erZlw/s320/P1190019.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Iktcp_wn2_TlG8B-hJbeLrgYhirQwGS5FRvmmeFYMRrVUG9UixaXnsnDtYh7ih0qI7-44d0Dc9bYZ4iAbShbh3n7996TMAFJPX8lsu-x2Z4UQjgU3GkbFNx7S_PO4XNN4nYr3P1z7zs/s1600/P1190020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Iktcp_wn2_TlG8B-hJbeLrgYhirQwGS5FRvmmeFYMRrVUG9UixaXnsnDtYh7ih0qI7-44d0Dc9bYZ4iAbShbh3n7996TMAFJPX8lsu-x2Z4UQjgU3GkbFNx7S_PO4XNN4nYr3P1z7zs/s320/P1190020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4LPMGvPnKLrSX1sSgczXjYagVnh2d8U0F9h3Vstn0vJOofoDhfUmlllo6MJpFjKPabekeHVm3MDLouBeM75aO8USz8dJmscekPG5Eem5D0CGE2WkGShYhFXVwEwFxg9bebC64ySMpyk/s1600/P1190022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4LPMGvPnKLrSX1sSgczXjYagVnh2d8U0F9h3Vstn0vJOofoDhfUmlllo6MJpFjKPabekeHVm3MDLouBeM75aO8USz8dJmscekPG5Eem5D0CGE2WkGShYhFXVwEwFxg9bebC64ySMpyk/s320/P1190022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIuyQI4Zj70226odWHAJWFG0sAU53SIHYNRM_cbGUt5t_c_nGOfcL9NW7kB31-v3UvduaY433FeH-Gk7hQ89eWFUgpYR-wZKs8WkIOjOusQedE3fcRIvAybzFAqChv_OnvnljreCXMHE/s1600/P1190024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIuyQI4Zj70226odWHAJWFG0sAU53SIHYNRM_cbGUt5t_c_nGOfcL9NW7kB31-v3UvduaY433FeH-Gk7hQ89eWFUgpYR-wZKs8WkIOjOusQedE3fcRIvAybzFAqChv_OnvnljreCXMHE/s320/P1190024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: small;">The four photos above are what one can see of downtown Bendena from just outside the insurance agency.</span> </div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XJ1OHPMnnwqfZRmrQ6FuJoZ1aUF9Eyo0oCCpmhvbtR8li6U5qD-UlOiWT2AWLMH9ao6EqhXtaiQ_b4P_m49xZ0Tba049Fbcky0RBXU1yX10lcTLEnYhGMxG8zImR09pcVX4Q7KTRg6U/s1600/P1190023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XJ1OHPMnnwqfZRmrQ6FuJoZ1aUF9Eyo0oCCpmhvbtR8li6U5qD-UlOiWT2AWLMH9ao6EqhXtaiQ_b4P_m49xZ0Tba049Fbcky0RBXU1yX10lcTLEnYhGMxG8zImR09pcVX4Q7KTRg6U/s320/P1190023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One never knows what one will see when looking up in downtown Bendena!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2pr8KR74mBsuio9TPO6hxucnfUqg6A3Dvit_gaxCfeTgCWS6NUfVNZmms5PkRrs3eKeOyk66Wbo1iQsdZBPkOwaalMyNK0ww9-8IKdxWIJrPJhFX9EzsW6LnvzQ893bKla51xDz1Wxw/s1600/P1190025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2pr8KR74mBsuio9TPO6hxucnfUqg6A3Dvit_gaxCfeTgCWS6NUfVNZmms5PkRrs3eKeOyk66Wbo1iQsdZBPkOwaalMyNK0ww9-8IKdxWIJrPJhFX9EzsW6LnvzQ893bKla51xDz1Wxw/s320/P1190025.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Heading into the Bendena Grocery Store.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGgRIMi-nWEGcZ3SeK149xHqth9ipUToDBZ7ivBoqg2DOwJwa-mzWO0SCElZbjc5D0nLqfs2vw7YytB8I5DSDpIv7qpcZWNHilW4T9-VLs-68N_FDtGVYF-JMSoRCtdcwHy97wyNhkXo/s1600/P1190026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGgRIMi-nWEGcZ3SeK149xHqth9ipUToDBZ7ivBoqg2DOwJwa-mzWO0SCElZbjc5D0nLqfs2vw7YytB8I5DSDpIv7qpcZWNHilW4T9-VLs-68N_FDtGVYF-JMSoRCtdcwHy97wyNhkXo/s320/P1190026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some of the KSF group shopping happily inside the Bendena Grocery Store.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span id="goog_42495446"></span><span id="goog_42495447"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-S5z_aSz9Q-U29q4RZ65ZGbZqByeUzTSBwbTHgnwUr9PsXORiSrOnxvVIJu5Gtuojk9aAllZPjHrjP-5hiJQxiHl3U5sciurdlF95nSW4HpTnn6QRbLfJJ37J9buOGTLwB1g4jNoNDg/s1600/Bendena+grocery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-S5z_aSz9Q-U29q4RZ65ZGbZqByeUzTSBwbTHgnwUr9PsXORiSrOnxvVIJu5Gtuojk9aAllZPjHrjP-5hiJQxiHl3U5sciurdlF95nSW4HpTnn6QRbLfJJ37J9buOGTLwB1g4jNoNDg/s320/Bendena+grocery.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: small;">A local customer unfortunately got caught behind the KSF group in being helped at the Bendena Grocery Store. Happily she was the patient type! (Photo courtesy of Commodore Bacon.)</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfN01PRW8qdlcPY0C8BQBF_iLoqXTzRwFVlqu_RCDh97zVNM2mcBKm80bSXA3AN0jh6tVlte1CT05ObDuM5QhONQIF6wZWxT_FRfgdglGU1nXQBX8KT7u-JZ_k4adE6eZvJRttyFLWyrI/s1600/Connie+helps+Erika+in+Bendena+grocery+store.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfN01PRW8qdlcPY0C8BQBF_iLoqXTzRwFVlqu_RCDh97zVNM2mcBKm80bSXA3AN0jh6tVlte1CT05ObDuM5QhONQIF6wZWxT_FRfgdglGU1nXQBX8KT7u-JZ_k4adE6eZvJRttyFLWyrI/s320/Connie+helps+Erika+in+Bendena+grocery+store.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Flat Princess Pee helps Commodore Bacon select the correct pie at the Bendena Grocery Store!</span></em></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">After getting back on the bus it was time for new "interviews" and then a stop 4.5 miles on west at Denton, Kansas.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>"Denton</strong> <strong>is a city in Doniphan County, Kansas</strong></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>. The city is the location of Midway High School. The zip code is 66017. The population was 186 at the 2000 census</strong></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>." - <em>Wikipedia</em>.</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>"Denton was laid out October 27, 1886, by D. C. Kyle assisted by Moses, John, and William Denton." - <em>Gray's Doniphan County History: A Record of the Happenings of Half a Hundred Years, </em>by P. L. (Patrick Leopoldo) Gray [Bendena, Kan.: The Roycroft Press, 1905].</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> "Mr. [George] Denton had friends in Kansas, who had sought the west at an early day and who induced him to join them by sending him encouraging reports as to the climate, the soil and the crops. Soon after arriving in Doniphan County [1873], he bought the Underwood farm, once the site of the Underwood post office. He resumed there the business of farming and combined with it, as opportunity arose and his property permitted, the feeding and shipping of stock. </span></strong><br />
<div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong></strong></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong> "Upon the organization of the bank of Denton in 1894, Mr. Denton was chosen its president and has since been identified with the active management of its affairs. He is universally regarded as one of the most successful of men. His ready grasp of situations and conditions and his guarded manner and conservative methods in transacting business bring to him and his institution the confidence of financiers and the unreserved patronage of the community." - <em>Genealogical and Biographical Record of North-Eastern Kansas, dated 1900.</em></strong></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">At Denton the KSF group was given some minutes to explore the downtown and talk to the local business owners. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MMc2hQo5eQJLP2exHSHMBfoC6dWeiojoWYybHnjJ7ZAuVMxbwPOt4ZSFyDtA9MOo80JT86SIWKXYsiXK0S-hnvCHO3bKsBMQd4SC_CYrUpFltAJ_94UOR4cBFWuRAiapveYvkdhf7E4/s1600/Denton+KS+community+well+in+middle+of+Main+Street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MMc2hQo5eQJLP2exHSHMBfoC6dWeiojoWYybHnjJ7ZAuVMxbwPOt4ZSFyDtA9MOo80JT86SIWKXYsiXK0S-hnvCHO3bKsBMQd4SC_CYrUpFltAJ_94UOR4cBFWuRAiapveYvkdhf7E4/s320/Denton+KS+community+well+in+middle+of+Main+Street.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>The community well in downtown Denton, Kansas.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEian9OP6NnpECn9E214mjgaLc8KoXE4bC__jPr18xvlzE9vroTjSuPeEMDAkBBKo0tX7X68q_FZGC9gOhrQHDdX2nkh_Xzy3K8jjpTBBCGxKmZF0YH9MK1WhOqLlf5Osh1ev3qGnLHXHxg/s1600/Erika+Nelson+at+the+Denton+Community+Water+Pump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEian9OP6NnpECn9E214mjgaLc8KoXE4bC__jPr18xvlzE9vroTjSuPeEMDAkBBKo0tX7X68q_FZGC9gOhrQHDdX2nkh_Xzy3K8jjpTBBCGxKmZF0YH9MK1WhOqLlf5Osh1ev3qGnLHXHxg/s320/Erika+Nelson+at+the+Denton+Community+Water+Pump.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Commodore Bacon</em> almost <em>sticking her tongue on the well pump. Don't do it, Commodore!</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2H9hRF_sXFZWYQfScftJgkJOYUwvsTpuKhlRKeuYS-4AV4qortyHEjtBYRNJNcJ-GLheXlyuPk1bdQlh2LbWOlBg0NGvEbxKazM1MG4E7AMpVp6aF3uHMUbdMJXdtzL-CgRMxuhpSk3I/s1600/P1190028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><em><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2H9hRF_sXFZWYQfScftJgkJOYUwvsTpuKhlRKeuYS-4AV4qortyHEjtBYRNJNcJ-GLheXlyuPk1bdQlh2LbWOlBg0NGvEbxKazM1MG4E7AMpVp6aF3uHMUbdMJXdtzL-CgRMxuhpSk3I/s320/P1190028.JPG" width="320" /></em></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: small;">The count began taking a walk west from the community well one block. First he found The Denton Cafe.</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm54Y-RERXZH9tr6S5zmaj1MGiUK1hARFnPLJgHNY-jMawZ1BciqKTtZ5UZV0Q7nmR2sKjv_mJb_Pr1ZWO_S-abpPo78sbEVHwf7RGX9aeltAfXcEJenww_zieVSNE07_d4zl_qIMy1Ls/s1600/P1190029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm54Y-RERXZH9tr6S5zmaj1MGiUK1hARFnPLJgHNY-jMawZ1BciqKTtZ5UZV0Q7nmR2sKjv_mJb_Pr1ZWO_S-abpPo78sbEVHwf7RGX9aeltAfXcEJenww_zieVSNE07_d4zl_qIMy1Ls/s320/P1190029.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">While across the street was the Denton Post Office.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgX3vSl3pG2PAzVxMZ5a1RNeutOVhwVEhFnmyBvkRzqxCUKiJC1ySIkBO3YJNwZJL2ELqaMe9kD12XKbXJ-9vxLiKfXcEGL07qT4hAvv-6vlAntfnkDexlkTvm0lQ60TobsEm3nF1qCg8/s1600/P1190030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgX3vSl3pG2PAzVxMZ5a1RNeutOVhwVEhFnmyBvkRzqxCUKiJC1ySIkBO3YJNwZJL2ELqaMe9kD12XKbXJ-9vxLiKfXcEGL07qT4hAvv-6vlAntfnkDexlkTvm0lQ60TobsEm3nF1qCg8/s320/P1190030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And around the corner from the post office was the local Co-op office.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvjUyl1wELtcc8L3g954Ph2F-iWzCAwtqQb7p_BYuIF2FTGs0pojFAkdX76D-pTV2f4xorZVVCC9LawtcF8kWehynm8beyhzQp7gZl3IXXISqpHHhqycLZJSCMUqtDf1QHhrqglzVXmU/s1600/P1190031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvjUyl1wELtcc8L3g954Ph2F-iWzCAwtqQb7p_BYuIF2FTGs0pojFAkdX76D-pTV2f4xorZVVCC9LawtcF8kWehynm8beyhzQp7gZl3IXXISqpHHhqycLZJSCMUqtDf1QHhrqglzVXmU/s320/P1190031.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Looking back toward the bus in downtown Denton.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPIUuiQlMqv4z3cXutRlasXTOX1be6qaMOZhGEZpqpbj-JuCBIdkawa23kabJPWBQyqQeE-qq8hpbHWNBdRmcVaL4shuY1DwIMhLY5I4hryV693df11RLZMvSEPXEmfoCdicwSyDqXPM/s1600/19v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPIUuiQlMqv4z3cXutRlasXTOX1be6qaMOZhGEZpqpbj-JuCBIdkawa23kabJPWBQyqQeE-qq8hpbHWNBdRmcVaL4shuY1DwIMhLY5I4hryV693df11RLZMvSEPXEmfoCdicwSyDqXPM/s400/19v.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: small;">And then who did he run into? None other than Flat Princess Pee and Commodore Bacon coming out of the Denton Post Office!</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMpCV3r7SoaFYM03jy0gSNi1p3_GUXEQGCAeclh2oasnq8QB-iPb-HHB7fYBibkL8cLYtmtP7DkXUWApHLmgAlll4t1JO3YNrmGCIR-hyjor6QZTHZb3JNgQxrikxwogq7RW0dLQRLfo/s1600/P1190033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMpCV3r7SoaFYM03jy0gSNi1p3_GUXEQGCAeclh2oasnq8QB-iPb-HHB7fYBibkL8cLYtmtP7DkXUWApHLmgAlll4t1JO3YNrmGCIR-hyjor6QZTHZb3JNgQxrikxwogq7RW0dLQRLfo/s320/P1190033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Denton Bank first opened in 1894.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VNwV4e3_QtvSrQFJBxI4Yqrd-hZ4krKhVirxvl1_VL1wEKgLr1qCGMdgaxEtbprpvmxfiiksoYC-CJdQx7QTwse2wPjiank9fO3uNz7uTGYI_EWhkWg2R_NQoDVz5ppokB5f05y1IOQ/s1600/P1190034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VNwV4e3_QtvSrQFJBxI4Yqrd-hZ4krKhVirxvl1_VL1wEKgLr1qCGMdgaxEtbprpvmxfiiksoYC-CJdQx7QTwse2wPjiank9fO3uNz7uTGYI_EWhkWg2R_NQoDVz5ppokB5f05y1IOQ/s320/P1190034.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Behind the bank was either the old coal shed or the original outhouse!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoKl8PDlO0Euq5Hms5TeqFqUbmK6lJyx7MILp9za_8JColEjHOrb5SU3DSJGSATq-ooh9723r6BCSslNvThMZxDbr8s3w5alIAac693rKfrS2Zi0mathYLocim2n1oQ41aTS6CNKBads/s1600/19y.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoKl8PDlO0Euq5Hms5TeqFqUbmK6lJyx7MILp9za_8JColEjHOrb5SU3DSJGSATq-ooh9723r6BCSslNvThMZxDbr8s3w5alIAac693rKfrS2Zi0mathYLocim2n1oQ41aTS6CNKBads/s320/19y.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">While taking a walk around the block west of the bus the Count was discovered by one of the town's watchdogs, who was very unsure of this unknown foreign person type!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivewNTKO3BGCBCjULH8elZjlQ_laivQhh7SjN9w00KAiiS1gQSk4sNzjPBiCXFSFdveakz13-vYEX5sVZ_qGM0fANnnfNapywL9JBKt4g7a9GGJsdHR7nr-40oFlat_9-e39WNv2NXJEU/s1600/P1190036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivewNTKO3BGCBCjULH8elZjlQ_laivQhh7SjN9w00KAiiS1gQSk4sNzjPBiCXFSFdveakz13-vYEX5sVZ_qGM0fANnnfNapywL9JBKt4g7a9GGJsdHR7nr-40oFlat_9-e39WNv2NXJEU/s320/P1190036.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Down the street stood a very nice home in Denton.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7G5-jbMmysPqNLrgpUrerSWKF7vm0KkmIJ6nFqD11cGNCFOHhzhphi9zac2Dqmx_oidUx0uy31NYo3gQxcklXrOs0QRVCDyP0JMh9GTNY_pGXp-BFq5W3xy1VJ_oAiSOi1kVkldv_KQ/s1600/P1190037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7G5-jbMmysPqNLrgpUrerSWKF7vm0KkmIJ6nFqD11cGNCFOHhzhphi9zac2Dqmx_oidUx0uy31NYo3gQxcklXrOs0QRVCDyP0JMh9GTNY_pGXp-BFq5W3xy1VJ_oAiSOi1kVkldv_KQ/s320/P1190037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And another stood just next door.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hFELgS7XDjP9tfm_h3DrS-aA1PuZS2pZcArk_C-3rWwWcWtVuRu5ej9SIAKgGnHqNc8KgjrXL2bNWunpYdDi6CWmgsC1wrozi3BYXztG-gevhChNRc-WaloIwTEyaUlnwwzAd13yrjk/s1600/19za.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hFELgS7XDjP9tfm_h3DrS-aA1PuZS2pZcArk_C-3rWwWcWtVuRu5ej9SIAKgGnHqNc8KgjrXL2bNWunpYdDi6CWmgsC1wrozi3BYXztG-gevhChNRc-WaloIwTEyaUlnwwzAd13yrjk/s320/19za.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Around the corner this garage sported monarch butterflies.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJtVxlLzdazhqBCkF26-8a_XCeGy3xbo2g2ZAcYt9EJ91jG6YEBzTv25FuWKnxF3Qar9mKjKonv0SUsOeUtS1hm4XqBWqucNPrv9ecaqGk7N3YyyV6GoWeoMA1A2G4_yijeN5GutK3y8/s1600/P1190040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJtVxlLzdazhqBCkF26-8a_XCeGy3xbo2g2ZAcYt9EJ91jG6YEBzTv25FuWKnxF3Qar9mKjKonv0SUsOeUtS1hm4XqBWqucNPrv9ecaqGk7N3YyyV6GoWeoMA1A2G4_yijeN5GutK3y8/s320/P1190040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A block south of the bus stood this ceramic tile building, whose faded signage once read: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>"C. H. Gish Company</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Lumber Hardware Paint"</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwA7tq4OmjeZs5nhxB7o_4nPWBwsJ5wyZDxJZTVHQFV0M09on8jYajMttwg0deetOxbRN0WMcGtmp-KN-LVX600OkQ7vki9W3hjrHH0mij63vnf0cPnl2O7cLYX1dCW6ABI1WIc1fbwg/s1600/P1190041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwA7tq4OmjeZs5nhxB7o_4nPWBwsJ5wyZDxJZTVHQFV0M09on8jYajMttwg0deetOxbRN0WMcGtmp-KN-LVX600OkQ7vki9W3hjrHH0mij63vnf0cPnl2O7cLYX1dCW6ABI1WIc1fbwg/s320/P1190041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Completing his tour of the block, the Count came to this now empty building for sale that appeared to have last been used as a daycare. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then it was back on the bus and another "interview" on the way to the unincorporated community of Purcell, Kansas.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"PURCELL. This little town came into existence about the time Bendena and Denton were born. It at once became a good shipping point for the farmers who had long been obliged to haul their grain to distant points. It is not likely that the town will ever develop into a city, but it will always remain 'a handy little place to have on the map.' The farmers in the neighborhood are among the wealthiest in the county. One of the finest church buildings in northeastern Kansas is St. Mary's near this place, erected about 1898." - <em>Gray's Doniphan County History: A Record of the Happenings of Half a Hundred Years,</em> by P. L. (Patrick Leopoldo) Gray [Bendena, Kan.: The Roycroft Press, 1905].</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">At Purcell there are two things left of the community, one of which was the KSF group's main stop. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKllCPfGW-jBvkP_hSdrA24vhEjbAuVkxCGYfZh5GAYjULALSt7lMz3KzGkIjsIMqnqWjtT8B_jTHKinS5QRJmtv5FsNVDb9VdWSBbRQLj7_AilIm2b9hzLVgxzS6-qLHHhbyYPxMx24I/s1600/P1190045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKllCPfGW-jBvkP_hSdrA24vhEjbAuVkxCGYfZh5GAYjULALSt7lMz3KzGkIjsIMqnqWjtT8B_jTHKinS5QRJmtv5FsNVDb9VdWSBbRQLj7_AilIm2b9hzLVgxzS6-qLHHhbyYPxMx24I/s320/P1190045.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alright, the KSF group leader is lying on the cold, hard, tarmac. Whatever is she taking a photo of?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ji5iKTz-i3NniduAO2v38iNgSDoYCfsFi1LSbtT-Bk-ABaWuWUJ9KhoSIeGI-vJfgvV9sI7mH6UM379W5jKYqaeaicgHEGGU0Uw3YJSSq7T7Rnjovlk04Qs_TbTi8wjuEDSHEn48Vs4/s1600/P1190043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ji5iKTz-i3NniduAO2v38iNgSDoYCfsFi1LSbtT-Bk-ABaWuWUJ9KhoSIeGI-vJfgvV9sI7mH6UM379W5jKYqaeaicgHEGGU0Uw3YJSSq7T7Rnjovlk04Qs_TbTi8wjuEDSHEn48Vs4/s320/P1190043.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ah! The spire of St. Mary's Church! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhNdWgFdnsZxjGm3d_VlFh1lVLtg0VIRNOaIAx1eyWXdtsPEYW-QEaBllhm-gPb3rY0IYbLdZsZHWcit8eeoTQfH3Ngx6R-8o9KvqMHqqvrVrAxBGO3NHSL0hNzmCvNlcIy5hrlTJvm8/s1600/P1190046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhNdWgFdnsZxjGm3d_VlFh1lVLtg0VIRNOaIAx1eyWXdtsPEYW-QEaBllhm-gPb3rY0IYbLdZsZHWcit8eeoTQfH3Ngx6R-8o9KvqMHqqvrVrAxBGO3NHSL0hNzmCvNlcIy5hrlTJvm8/s320/P1190046.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With the weather getting colder, the group was pretty fast in getting out of the bus and into the church.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszLY9bzRQVWohtFj9SXo7f9fbandt2Vxg4-LU_0Ru6WJXz-8XNnVHvK5Sw6hEp3PCOQi_pWID1k4HsslSNkH93M-MKctyCJ92QJ5rKg4qSqRuCvhRvbcmXNNIufHMEKG-d2F1KRZV5Os/s1600/P1190048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszLY9bzRQVWohtFj9SXo7f9fbandt2Vxg4-LU_0Ru6WJXz-8XNnVHvK5Sw6hEp3PCOQi_pWID1k4HsslSNkH93M-MKctyCJ92QJ5rKg4qSqRuCvhRvbcmXNNIufHMEKG-d2F1KRZV5Os/s320/P1190048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzOdCRwUwmQICytxpsi_sb3_gQA2nJVvnwJv6LJuoKI-HEkbFFxP0wvBBjJLwmXmLxT74ryzQM0kWXVBZz9ypGSkdb68dQ5ADnbIPGpjO6c_i02fI6PIBFdFDdTf4M8dr3zPAEZQKemw/s1600/P1190049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzOdCRwUwmQICytxpsi_sb3_gQA2nJVvnwJv6LJuoKI-HEkbFFxP0wvBBjJLwmXmLxT74ryzQM0kWXVBZz9ypGSkdb68dQ5ADnbIPGpjO6c_i02fI6PIBFdFDdTf4M8dr3zPAEZQKemw/s320/P1190049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrm51R_Y_GtwreFXgEgW9OTrbL-VzPPeNThNhIe9fZ8CIoDhZwBAVpq7ib7F3q3PPZlt5682Lojq3iyMZ8rWjBPJREdyiNObiqB5-HV_hmMQ44bur9y3RMDCsZF4CV75beK-NwKW81_Ts/s1600/P1190050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrm51R_Y_GtwreFXgEgW9OTrbL-VzPPeNThNhIe9fZ8CIoDhZwBAVpq7ib7F3q3PPZlt5682Lojq3iyMZ8rWjBPJREdyiNObiqB5-HV_hmMQ44bur9y3RMDCsZF4CV75beK-NwKW81_Ts/s400/P1190050.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVQykw2G8Rvm0tB8Af2Xskn62vGHa6R_IZtpp0uKzw3mOkmn2U_gEpgkcNhwClK1g-YAk7OKYfiBVEE_w3pRMb82o2UzmvjomEXQsNthL4_qnJGQHsTE4EYWltlzwRw9b3ZaS-gbG20E/s1600/P1190051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVQykw2G8Rvm0tB8Af2Xskn62vGHa6R_IZtpp0uKzw3mOkmn2U_gEpgkcNhwClK1g-YAk7OKYfiBVEE_w3pRMb82o2UzmvjomEXQsNthL4_qnJGQHsTE4EYWltlzwRw9b3ZaS-gbG20E/s400/P1190051.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJtSjA2F3Z2-aDjdfLgCXm4cdNmOgZNH-onKfr18XcHmpKbW5Mp49xoTMxeJKcLGI5j0qRkachvYX8k1xR1Lc6zC2JgTMfeYMQtyVfqdZ7ycIZs-oNMYb9Y5CJzidhf6915cxgXI6XJA/s1600/P1190052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJtSjA2F3Z2-aDjdfLgCXm4cdNmOgZNH-onKfr18XcHmpKbW5Mp49xoTMxeJKcLGI5j0qRkachvYX8k1xR1Lc6zC2JgTMfeYMQtyVfqdZ7ycIZs-oNMYb9Y5CJzidhf6915cxgXI6XJA/s320/P1190052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The local guide (center) told of the history of the church and of the long efforts to restore it. St. Mary's Catholic Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU10nadfiZuui7sGcFO9xP0bSIQLsTa5BRao6RJ0LDJLycIxakuapCqT_qDWI24973aTwh2jpnUzJE_aNrHH-ABGvWBFRoBeDNKXnIl4Cd0n1G7y5BnwjqNK_em_nKWhyphenhyphenribKc03jLwX0/s1600/P1190053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU10nadfiZuui7sGcFO9xP0bSIQLsTa5BRao6RJ0LDJLycIxakuapCqT_qDWI24973aTwh2jpnUzJE_aNrHH-ABGvWBFRoBeDNKXnIl4Cd0n1G7y5BnwjqNK_em_nKWhyphenhyphenribKc03jLwX0/s400/P1190053.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>GOOD THINGS TO KNOW: The Ushers' responsibilities at St. Mary's Church.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tqcjxO0DsorxIEsLUdMS5vzd3Qspl4t3wMtn1DjvKf75Nvd19Eem1sTm3ucWMJRx9Imwa1j2M1GIBpM-1U53BYMbJN1k1_601IkK4i2esdabKVsMq56wmuKLJWNeOLwKAfqsp0g4qg0/s1600/P1190054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tqcjxO0DsorxIEsLUdMS5vzd3Qspl4t3wMtn1DjvKf75Nvd19Eem1sTm3ucWMJRx9Imwa1j2M1GIBpM-1U53BYMbJN1k1_601IkK4i2esdabKVsMq56wmuKLJWNeOLwKAfqsp0g4qg0/s320/P1190054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">View out the bus window of the Purcell school. The snow had started by the time the bus was loaded and rolling on down State Highway 20 five miles to the next town, Everest, Kansas.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>"Everest is a city in Brown County, Kansas. Elevation is 1,150 feet above sea level. The population was 314 at the 2000 census. Everest was named in honor of Colonel Aaron S. Everest, an attorney for the Central Branch Union Pacific Railroad. Everest also represented Atchison County in the Kansas Senate. The city's 1880 Methodist Church can now be found in Ward-Meade Park in Topeka, Kansas." - <em>Wikipedia</em>.</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now, originally the KSF group was to meet with community leaders and discuss the many ways that the local Everest bank and other investors had turned the economy of this town around in just the past ten years. But due to the incoming snowstorm, the group found themselves at the Everest Cafe in time for the noon meal. So 26 hungry people took up 90% of the seats in the cafe; as the locals came in they were greatly surprised to see their customary seats taken by strangers from far, far away.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJU8nKWjHlhC3bjPOeZ1hMCASAuwRifRp0fEQk6QwxovrXAqSqzZGvWAQi4G5dOO7QlHlp1tE2WnFNfLeRz97u6pOIqfz4J8rCnveWhTWz-hFQRG0vzKKMeohvQML6zjU9YUpc6TBrFCg/s1600/P1190055b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJU8nKWjHlhC3bjPOeZ1hMCASAuwRifRp0fEQk6QwxovrXAqSqzZGvWAQi4G5dOO7QlHlp1tE2WnFNfLeRz97u6pOIqfz4J8rCnveWhTWz-hFQRG0vzKKMeohvQML6zjU9YUpc6TBrFCg/s320/P1190055b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The day's specials. A large portion of the group asked for the meatloaf; unfortunately there were only two servings of that left. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_siyFay-cehSIGKMNpu2TdDMrE1nDP8TCwhiivxQ1hkKovRymEO_fJ_9p2OEa3ES7vp2Rl6ESh6Rp0jxsqlqVx4N9Tpe7rPEf3iEJ_-_P-dGothPRZUL892YpVT0qdPlr-_zq9QX3Ro/s1600/Chicken+%2526+Noodles+dinner+at+Everest+Cafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_siyFay-cehSIGKMNpu2TdDMrE1nDP8TCwhiivxQ1hkKovRymEO_fJ_9p2OEa3ES7vp2Rl6ESh6Rp0jxsqlqVx4N9Tpe7rPEf3iEJ_-_P-dGothPRZUL892YpVT0qdPlr-_zq9QX3Ro/s320/Chicken+%2526+Noodles+dinner+at+Everest+Cafe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Chicken and Noodles special. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEAPAKZ8Hbhrq9ZXwZ289jeF0IHHRp98bHAKWVNjMGPDTCvRd-GXjsi0BpMLm8y2bfhXS-QC3VuyHQ5RgROmbtTsk6UzvUGbx92JJUaScULb0gP1FUEFdJCs7TBqxGr0g69mfeX8DuI0/s1600/P1190060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEAPAKZ8Hbhrq9ZXwZ289jeF0IHHRp98bHAKWVNjMGPDTCvRd-GXjsi0BpMLm8y2bfhXS-QC3VuyHQ5RgROmbtTsk6UzvUGbx92JJUaScULb0gP1FUEFdJCs7TBqxGr0g69mfeX8DuI0/s320/P1190060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The Bacon and Cheese Chicken Sandwich was nothing to complain about, either! Yum!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1npqfGm1XYZRFo5_IvQZO-38Ls24UjF4emvOqCe0Qx2ZippjxbmDguBnwLwksI9kwnKcscKc2HpCezzmdbOjAucl6JDMn8bVqqYEc7AQD7pO0OPiF5sptZFnfjG764aJC8zXV96Lmso/s1600/P1190059+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1npqfGm1XYZRFo5_IvQZO-38Ls24UjF4emvOqCe0Qx2ZippjxbmDguBnwLwksI9kwnKcscKc2HpCezzmdbOjAucl6JDMn8bVqqYEc7AQD7pO0OPiF5sptZFnfjG764aJC8zXV96Lmso/s320/P1190059+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the Everest Cafe Homemade is indeed Best!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwt1PSX-1ZuSzrTRxEZBK2K9WtPs7hu0VGizqNgGk7KtMhJSx5t52b7JyNwsy16ps_afQ837x69ooIE5wMkUxa6jrOy2s3dO0ryplpfAN981GFbD2JG_VoZ1VAHmEbaT9TvtDa22YMwq0/s1600/P1190062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwt1PSX-1ZuSzrTRxEZBK2K9WtPs7hu0VGizqNgGk7KtMhJSx5t52b7JyNwsy16ps_afQ837x69ooIE5wMkUxa6jrOy2s3dO0ryplpfAN981GFbD2JG_VoZ1VAHmEbaT9TvtDa22YMwq0/s320/P1190062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvjaX1RTirqS3M2ZezawbpUEVPOB-JOVA7TmuiBhaiiYhjYeVudicx5V7_ZE4zXLULQGpfg8ad-VGlTPdLp582LtoVwbMHhXwwRDxzPQG20ZPWSKoXMUKF7h1DLoQVo0Y2YKWcprsxgQ/s1600/P1190065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvjaX1RTirqS3M2ZezawbpUEVPOB-JOVA7TmuiBhaiiYhjYeVudicx5V7_ZE4zXLULQGpfg8ad-VGlTPdLp582LtoVwbMHhXwwRDxzPQG20ZPWSKoXMUKF7h1DLoQVo0Y2YKWcprsxgQ/s320/P1190065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The Count then went out and walked around the city. First he looked west and then east in the downtown district . . . .</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMfm_WtoOZkCthN1kUuSSLfIr2RXeVJQWDeNNpR5R3SAsMIAiR_1HRO1ETcAHfiisAjsFMqKzaPwQzW3u2pjfXptBuJI4Lk5SiF_a33Wpe8d7vKTS8e8BGIVWC8BrTntQDzKd2y2vCPc/s1600/P1190066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMfm_WtoOZkCthN1kUuSSLfIr2RXeVJQWDeNNpR5R3SAsMIAiR_1HRO1ETcAHfiisAjsFMqKzaPwQzW3u2pjfXptBuJI4Lk5SiF_a33Wpe8d7vKTS8e8BGIVWC8BrTntQDzKd2y2vCPc/s400/P1190066.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dJlhVsjgVNvXfvCsDEtArAVQ6OU7F5UCrEq-7c8Q8Dw-cMdZhlfKEzaYTRpU_kOcUYO6dJ7ktm6yvYwRi7_CtH2m8rYXpE72fzVmRBdHeeXveeDUSNbLlORrmCEvUVSqc7xYgEi7Hic/s1600/P1190067b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dJlhVsjgVNvXfvCsDEtArAVQ6OU7F5UCrEq-7c8Q8Dw-cMdZhlfKEzaYTRpU_kOcUYO6dJ7ktm6yvYwRi7_CtH2m8rYXpE72fzVmRBdHeeXveeDUSNbLlORrmCEvUVSqc7xYgEi7Hic/s320/P1190067b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHXowA-xcjgcFpcAd3MK3CxgMWY1Oii_90WpzG1f2c_E1xgL-iris4F9229RRum9Mx5Qz9YeW7_PCQ_yc7yB5knShGGIKxestx2w2geYTwUX0h79UeUUdV6sIb4JBnx82uhUs0VtRGzo/s1600/P1190068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHXowA-xcjgcFpcAd3MK3CxgMWY1Oii_90WpzG1f2c_E1xgL-iris4F9229RRum9Mx5Qz9YeW7_PCQ_yc7yB5knShGGIKxestx2w2geYTwUX0h79UeUUdV6sIb4JBnx82uhUs0VtRGzo/s400/P1190068.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Then he set his sights on walking the block north to the town watertower.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBi-DSKX_dHFTaeQz7Hupj1P60DSSqlCdpwGB36kxvzNbhEB9a3P7P76LlWtDK5uIHy7bkQRHX1sarxQYGKiFlm3ZAg_34ZKLf3hv_KDadxYfYPkx2OGxzeLQKOR4A30h01_bEmZ3lvvg/s1600/P1190070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBi-DSKX_dHFTaeQz7Hupj1P60DSSqlCdpwGB36kxvzNbhEB9a3P7P76LlWtDK5uIHy7bkQRHX1sarxQYGKiFlm3ZAg_34ZKLf3hv_KDadxYfYPkx2OGxzeLQKOR4A30h01_bEmZ3lvvg/s320/P1190070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">A block west of the watertower was the old junior and senior high school building, now the home of the Everest Historical Society.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksCUJGUZWGiX0jo1qdQsf5cGyj0Najd27_3BVlTPZYgnNBz6z79x2bupvg8WkTnqiaeKVFPxc8K6NTVQqbamlBQ4qRuHarS5H2YEMN01mQ1L-2z4aqMyrx7QkQ2M4GyBwoMS9FIZPJ-A/s1600/P1190072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksCUJGUZWGiX0jo1qdQsf5cGyj0Najd27_3BVlTPZYgnNBz6z79x2bupvg8WkTnqiaeKVFPxc8K6NTVQqbamlBQ4qRuHarS5H2YEMN01mQ1L-2z4aqMyrx7QkQ2M4GyBwoMS9FIZPJ-A/s320/P1190072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">While a block south and a half block back east stood the Everest Public Library. The time was 1:30PM, and it did not open until 3:30PM.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_bYAZt0w78hoKjjAuJdy_0eukpiJg-kmRN86hdGPW2Dp3o71iMZq3mEEri9Obb4o0WjH48-be31qIOqz29CC_O59B_Yhf2_YsJJgkxiYDIViIk_LIuzqrmfklcQqCqUD2WEOGBmHMFw/s1600/P1190071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_bYAZt0w78hoKjjAuJdy_0eukpiJg-kmRN86hdGPW2Dp3o71iMZq3mEEri9Obb4o0WjH48-be31qIOqz29CC_O59B_Yhf2_YsJJgkxiYDIViIk_LIuzqrmfklcQqCqUD2WEOGBmHMFw/s320/P1190071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Across the street was the Everest Christian Church. By now the snow had really begun to fall.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf64O6Fsh5z2afZXEcuMzMbxDHYfA95NEww2fCkevSznKv7qtMMznloQIoRQXUoXp-2U-gfOihIxtUBOsNrQSaR0rs-EuzrfgYnAooS60SJ_nAfxasJIioSibohqPCCot9O_Jr4j5qj94/s1600/P1190073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf64O6Fsh5z2afZXEcuMzMbxDHYfA95NEww2fCkevSznKv7qtMMznloQIoRQXUoXp-2U-gfOihIxtUBOsNrQSaR0rs-EuzrfgYnAooS60SJ_nAfxasJIioSibohqPCCot9O_Jr4j5qj94/s320/P1190073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">A block to the east, at the intersection of 6th Street and Main Street, four of the KSF group were huddled together in the middle of the streets. What was going on?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj382VOsn4NGV1vNEMZwO7GyzRtar1f-vkxr3Lu8OcFX0dU01BoVJ3J5KZzY0rdBdJeVOOqXkozvDTDkq8yxTEe1wZOyDx7UM7dQrIQaNrit0S2oZAsRfp-MADAFSOxxt-Y5tFL7U_x02Y/s1600/WenDee+LaPlant+%2526+Erika+Nelson+on+Mount+Everest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj382VOsn4NGV1vNEMZwO7GyzRtar1f-vkxr3Lu8OcFX0dU01BoVJ3J5KZzY0rdBdJeVOOqXkozvDTDkq8yxTEe1wZOyDx7UM7dQrIQaNrit0S2oZAsRfp-MADAFSOxxt-Y5tFL7U_x02Y/s320/WenDee+LaPlant+%2526+Erika+Nelson+on+Mount+Everest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Aha! Turns out that the KSF group had scaled Mount Everest and did not even know it. WenDee LaPlant and Commodore Bacon are shown here in a photo of their taking a photo atop Mount Everest in downtown Everest, Kansas, just before WenDee's death-defying slide down the sheer face of Mount Everest. (Photo courtesy of Cloud County Tourism.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3zKKhSfOdwt3fBhangSVVFhW4F2MI_jdIYqtmprndNWXzRrcLVhuQhkGgDqslCTw5kGIH0b0OlJtPPJSHUhC3wBHdtRPntErbsdwMEhdsnJw8Uf8uqS0DmjbQGthe3t28IKLHLedvrs/s1600/WenDee+LaPlant+%2526+Erika+Nelson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3zKKhSfOdwt3fBhangSVVFhW4F2MI_jdIYqtmprndNWXzRrcLVhuQhkGgDqslCTw5kGIH0b0OlJtPPJSHUhC3wBHdtRPntErbsdwMEhdsnJw8Uf8uqS0DmjbQGthe3t28IKLHLedvrs/s320/WenDee+LaPlant+%2526+Erika+Nelson.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: small;">WenDee LaPlant and Commodore Bacon in their self-portrait atop Mount Everest in downtown Everest, Kansas. (Photo courtesy of Commodore Bacon herself.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">With the snow coming down harder it was time to head back for the Barn - literally. On the way the group stopped at the town of Muscotah, site of last year's Retreat meeting. The group was originally scheduled to attend an evening potluck here and learn of the many things that the local residents had accomplished in the past year, but instead the group broke into to factions - one to visit the Muscotah Mercantile, and the other to tour the former schoolhouse/now private home where palns are being made to turn part of it into a restaurant. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> "Muscotah - Located about 26 miles west of Atchison in Atchison County, Kansas, the first town site was situated about 2 ½ miles northeast of the present town. It was surveyed by Dr. W. P. Badger and Major C. B. Keith, proprietors, who had settled there in the spring of 1856. The survey was completed in the fall of that year, and in 1858, Mr. Keith opened the first store. Dr. Badger soon became the local Indian Agent, a position he held from 1858 to 1862. The town name is of Kickapoo Indian origin and means 'beautiful prairie' or 'prairie on fire.' The village gained a post office in December, 1861. In 1867, the Union Pacific Railroad purchased land on the present-day town site with Dr. W.P. Badger acting as agent for the railroad. The land was surveyed that fall and the first general store was opened by a man named Armstrong. Soon, other residents and businesses moved closer to the tracks and the former town site was then referred to as 'Old Muscotah.'</span></span></strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"> "By the early 1880s, Muscotah had grown to the largest town in the county, boasting over 500 residents. it also had four general stores, a grocery store, three drug stores, three blacksmith shops, a bakery, meat shop, two shoemaker shops, two cabinet shops, one pump dealer, a nursery, three hotels, two livery stables, a grist mill, a school, one lawyer and three doctors. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> "By 1910, the town remained prosperous and continued to maintain a number of businesses. At that time its population was nearly 500. Like other small Kansas towns, Muscotah declined over the next century. Though it still maintains a post office and about 200 people, the village is filled with abandoned buildings." - </span></strong><a href="http://www.legendsofkansas.com/atchisoncountytowns"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">www.legendsofkansas.com/atchisoncountytowns</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">.</span></strong><br />
</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9D-_7R92dNBtlXuXIWfInOMBGPdDUJZztwHmrG63lSVuRLZpKwJkqvm9vmrXwevpvPlLO0rGHo6h7yUoF8y4jeLv6c4HDGDFlwlDTh9ksRkvy-nFuTl91pKibeSf9Dz4K8gO5zKft9c/s1600/P1190076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9D-_7R92dNBtlXuXIWfInOMBGPdDUJZztwHmrG63lSVuRLZpKwJkqvm9vmrXwevpvPlLO0rGHo6h7yUoF8y4jeLv6c4HDGDFlwlDTh9ksRkvy-nFuTl91pKibeSf9Dz4K8gO5zKft9c/s320/P1190076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The Count was part of the group that visited the Muscotah Mercantile. It opened less than a year ago in a house in the middle of town. The Mercantile has a great selection of antiques, woodcuts, groceries and sundries. <br />
<br />
By the time the Count's group had gotten back aboard the bus and over to the site of the former Muscotah school building, the weather had turned definitely for the worse. So it was decided to immediately head back for Valley Falls. If we could turn the bus around.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The streets of Muscotah are narrow, and the bus was big and long. Our bus driver Stephanie did her best, but in the end all she could do was back up until she could come to an intersection where she could turn onto another street. </div></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsCWh-VMd9sMUM3CkNR6R0-tta-tZVxw_1laIja5NMsNWIqNyCLUyy2HLgIdsRZcTE76BCw2Y00vYVCywUQLnaGER86sroPsPo5zgo7rwIQCOb2obk_T6CsPhAzrMhJV0JkvHa9qc_VQ/s1600/Bob+Topping+directing+the+bus+driver+in+Muscoutah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsCWh-VMd9sMUM3CkNR6R0-tta-tZVxw_1laIja5NMsNWIqNyCLUyy2HLgIdsRZcTE76BCw2Y00vYVCywUQLnaGER86sroPsPo5zgo7rwIQCOb2obk_T6CsPhAzrMhJV0JkvHa9qc_VQ/s400/Bob+Topping+directing+the+bus+driver+in+Muscoutah.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="justify">Bob Topping braved the snow and cold to help the bus driver back the bus down several blocks until it came to an intersection that it could turn on. (Photo courtesy of Erika Nelson.)</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Then it was (for several in the group) a scary ride back to the Barn. But our bus driver was up to the occasion and got us through the snow-packed roads safely. </div></div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-59869275455586119002011-01-23T00:51:00.000-06:002011-01-23T00:51:40.910-06:00The 2011 Ride of the Kansas Gazetteer Musketeers - Lucas to Valley Falls, Kansas!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">Tuesday morning, January 17, 2011 dawned cold but with no major weather patterns, allowing for the reduced Kansas Gazetteer Musketeers to focus on their annual mission of attending the 2011 Retreat for Relentless Rural Leaders at the Barn B&B near Valley Falls, Kansas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We say reduced, as this year both Princess Pee (Connie Dougherty) and General Direction (Laura McClure) were unable to go along on the trip. This left the youngsters, Count de Ice Cream (Von Rothenberger) and Commodore Bacon (Erika Nelson) to fend for themselves. How will they know when to take a pitstop, without Princess Pee? How will they even know where to go, without General Direction? The proposed trip was fraught with danger and uncertainties. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Ah, first problem of the day resolved! Flat General Direction & Flat Princess Pee were created for the trip. The youngsters have fussy chaperones once more who like to whack the youngsters in the back of the head now and then when they deserve it.</div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMx0UcKNSIFFfxA719VpYBv8e42Hm01HKGfhv3zmNWRk4ELwCrAHGYnuzzdSk1pXRSPEOP92l7EXqrUxqVhH7jkQQiALcmmvmu8R1N2nxBpE5UHh1LlSIly97FqaSxI3vjKRMhHH2rim8/s1600/P1180011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMx0UcKNSIFFfxA719VpYBv8e42Hm01HKGfhv3zmNWRk4ELwCrAHGYnuzzdSk1pXRSPEOP92l7EXqrUxqVhH7jkQQiALcmmvmu8R1N2nxBpE5UHh1LlSIly97FqaSxI3vjKRMhHH2rim8/s320/P1180011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>FROM LEFT: Commodore Bacon, Flat General Direction, Flat Princess Pee, and the Count de Ice Cream.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">8:30AM: The first stop was at Brant's Meat Market in downtown Lucas, one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Art. Third-generation-owned-since-1922 Brant's, one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Commerce, was the perfect place to pick up sausage for the snack table at the conference. This all may sound like an 8 Wonders of Kansas advertisement, and you are right. We Lucasites are proud to be the poster children for this statewide project recently completed by the Kansas Sampler Foundation.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">From there the Musketeers headed south on KS Hwy 232 - the Post Rock Scenic Byway - and into the city of Wilson, where at the Made From Scratch Cafe they ordered breakfast.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVkLjZGwmgIzVWLhgEDDBzfdJ6CBxbnaWT6eCVxZMlC4Hc0ZW-_IpKb8sKfScup6Cv8cUeEthScPHqeY-Fx2G_98Qkm6z1y3oLvSKg5RR1-LODPnc86l6HOv9oCyZYw31iAyNrjVY8yk/s1600/P1180013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVkLjZGwmgIzVWLhgEDDBzfdJ6CBxbnaWT6eCVxZMlC4Hc0ZW-_IpKb8sKfScup6Cv8cUeEthScPHqeY-Fx2G_98Qkm6z1y3oLvSKg5RR1-LODPnc86l6HOv9oCyZYw31iAyNrjVY8yk/s320/P1180013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"> And their breakfast? Why, homemade ice cream and bacon, of course! They ordered and, after the slightest of pauses, the waitress replied, <em>"We can do that,"</em> and nonchalantly strolled off. She was back quite soon with the orders. Quite tasty orders, too.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">Off then on Old Hwy 40 east to Ellsworth, and then east on State Hwy 140. They approached the turn-off for Mushroom Rock State Park - one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography - and the Commodore remarked that she has never been there. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">Well, it was easy to fix that. Off they went on the country roads south and east to Mushroom Rock, first reported to disbelieving folks east of the Mississippi by American adventurer Kit Carson over 150 years ago. An excellent place to bring the family for a picnic - in summer, that is.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">A few miles east of Mushroom Rock the Musketeers turned north onto State Hwy 141, part of the Prairie Trail Scenic Byway, their second such byway of the day. Then a right back onto State Hwy 140 and east on to Salina and then a few miles of - sorry - Interstate driving south before turning off at the Mentor Road exit. Got all that? General Direction would have been proud.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">Being the classically trained Explorers that the pair are, the Musketeers drove east on Mentor Road through small but proud Mentor, Kansas before turning south on Ohio Street. It was then east on State Hwy 4, through the Saline and Dickinson County countrysides through Gypsum, past little Carlton to the wonderful near-ghost town of Elmo, at the crossing of State Hwys 4 & 15, with its distinctly unique large round grain elevator. They drove down two of the remaining four streets, past the still thriving Catholic Church. Then it was on east on State 4, past Dillon and on into the Dickinson County community of Hope. Yes, Rural Kansas, you still have Hope - along with all the other plethora of terrible jokes that spring thereof. Flat Princess Pee just whacked the Count in the head.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85Vqd4ZMbLqwvRSrMKImZVCdeG1GrC_gj7qjL6SHTMG10kfwDC5dYXVFkVol2a_PzqawhUg_du2PV960v9Lx1eQ7Lf1yMhA2-lsX5EzIZb4nzg6k99w6pbtINlp-xa-itDGxzLh5wwng/s1600/P1180014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85Vqd4ZMbLqwvRSrMKImZVCdeG1GrC_gj7qjL6SHTMG10kfwDC5dYXVFkVol2a_PzqawhUg_du2PV960v9Lx1eQ7Lf1yMhA2-lsX5EzIZb4nzg6k99w6pbtINlp-xa-itDGxzLh5wwng/s320/P1180014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7ixNszDtf4if02J1Jl4wuQWWCdRfiBVsDne9iJKECrkEJo1QiG25vkPG1AlTdln-w2H_KrNMyRLNt80Wyjrqgmuuqk9hkw6947zRB1noQWLhS8Hdv_rnywJsoAdDaU_klqOgIFIo-fo/s320/P1180017.JPG" width="320" /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hUuQvS4zpnlYL5OQqIy32gmIeCTkpfWV0x3uULEAiAefq5RX9jO3Mxeh_w0vxbyUrSMITRZP66zNhLin4aT63YOFNde_3eZLaDgC7R4jbMpMKRW9eEmRtCUvlBo1a3fAj14Un0r7piQ/s1600/P1180015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hUuQvS4zpnlYL5OQqIy32gmIeCTkpfWV0x3uULEAiAefq5RX9jO3Mxeh_w0vxbyUrSMITRZP66zNhLin4aT63YOFNde_3eZLaDgC7R4jbMpMKRW9eEmRtCUvlBo1a3fAj14Un0r7piQ/s320/P1180015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="justify"><em>Shots of Downtown Hope, Kansas. Surprisingly few of the downtown buildings were empty. While at first the Musketeers thought that the occupant of the Sheriff car in the above photo was visiting the pink Ladies Lounge, upon further review of the photo it is now believed to be more likely that they were visiting the Hope City Hall next door. Apologies all around and the Musketeers ask all to chalk their jumping to conclusions up to being without the normal accompanying yet annoying common sense of their elders.</em></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">The Musketeers drove on, past rural St. John's Lutheran Church & One-Room School & Cemetery, then around the east edge of Herington, Kansas and east on U.S. Hwy 56. Just a few miles further they passed through the near-ghost town of Delavan, Kansas.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8E1Vs8Dal4Fz8fpnO6Ym1eJFdSCoC8OgeUtrEs1LjH34hrs2vfXENwf6hLNSt1D5SMnMxXanOsrpvEJfBDxBYHd0cVWmDB2mxLcEaolKUWQF9785KiMRMnx62h527Vxn4ntjmDWMnyKo/s1600/P1180019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8E1Vs8Dal4Fz8fpnO6Ym1eJFdSCoC8OgeUtrEs1LjH34hrs2vfXENwf6hLNSt1D5SMnMxXanOsrpvEJfBDxBYHd0cVWmDB2mxLcEaolKUWQF9785KiMRMnx62h527Vxn4ntjmDWMnyKo/s320/P1180019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>What is left of downtown Delavan. A bank or post office, this one-fine brick building is slowly collapsing.</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGwEqL3uxf5ZYHoerJswBBwnAVPosuO9nrx90kJSxKTgVBDS9hXmAoXkqaTltCL4filPCUGFfwsjsHKA_gowTUuX8TlsLeHdg8WccJyBnzaNA77aKQlVADAV87j3LpMBuiQtGEcOexYs/s1600/P1180020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGwEqL3uxf5ZYHoerJswBBwnAVPosuO9nrx90kJSxKTgVBDS9hXmAoXkqaTltCL4filPCUGFfwsjsHKA_gowTUuX8TlsLeHdg8WccJyBnzaNA77aKQlVADAV87j3LpMBuiQtGEcOexYs/s320/P1180020.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Delavan City Park.</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivv3-dTg_4qV_l2hr83crD4gWxquSxglVgDnkRt4O04kvGIYCorFBJcTlQrkpjM-Q2Q6EovxxBHBJ-j4jcxFDRmeVUyWqE46q4JSZ_QNwgYkyuFyF-tPDwQP83dDcX2bhD8wR4hLCeVG8/s1600/P1180021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivv3-dTg_4qV_l2hr83crD4gWxquSxglVgDnkRt4O04kvGIYCorFBJcTlQrkpjM-Q2Q6EovxxBHBJ-j4jcxFDRmeVUyWqE46q4JSZ_QNwgYkyuFyF-tPDwQP83dDcX2bhD8wR4hLCeVG8/s320/P1180021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>The former Delavan School is still used as the Grandview Township Community Center.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">As the Musketeers soldiered on east through Morris County along the Sante Fe Trail Auto Tour, past the turnoffs to Burdick and Wilsey and the road to White City, the Commodore suddenly realized that they had already visited at least three of either the winners or nominees of the eight categories of the 8 Wonders of Kansas: Art, the city of Lucas; Brant's Meat Market, again in Lucas; and Mushroom Rock State Park for Geography. Without deviating from their pre-selected route east to Ottawa and then north to Valley Falls, they would be seeing at least one of each of the other five Wonder categories as well. An amazing concept, when you factor in the facts that (a) they didn't plan any of this, and (b) their route was one of the straightest that they had ever taken to the annual Retreat in Valley Falls. And all this without General Direction! She would have been so proud.</div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cG8oYfNeFVz4UiEYqqJ3y1vtSehK1NpfG6epHZo3hU8keFvdk8oL2dYCdlcgchosFWyT2Acp5P3VT2sOqqqgWui_EBYbGL-RCb_p2gGhek4ldFjGB1HwtnS-Hce440j8XkQobNH-r10/s1600/P1180022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cG8oYfNeFVz4UiEYqqJ3y1vtSehK1NpfG6epHZo3hU8keFvdk8oL2dYCdlcgchosFWyT2Acp5P3VT2sOqqqgWui_EBYbGL-RCb_p2gGhek4ldFjGB1HwtnS-Hce440j8XkQobNH-r10/s320/P1180022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Musketeers entered the city of Council Grove, Kansas - county seat of Morris County - and parked across the street from the Hays House, oldest restaurant east of the Mississippi River and one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPU1PaRhkHkP7KjXQrufrOD8DZfpS1J4rotzT1Vn6NHTx-4Flt58_1OaLrrEZqukgi4tvJc55UDEQuGshORauP0p9SnQBMg1x6qsVSw1veGbZMPE_Fy6SQzrzHU_qDcFpX7oy9escvhww/s1600/P1180023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPU1PaRhkHkP7KjXQrufrOD8DZfpS1J4rotzT1Vn6NHTx-4Flt58_1OaLrrEZqukgi4tvJc55UDEQuGshORauP0p9SnQBMg1x6qsVSw1veGbZMPE_Fy6SQzrzHU_qDcFpX7oy9escvhww/s320/P1180023.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">Lunch at the Hays House is always an occasion. For this lunch the Commodore ordered the fish & chips (background) and the Count the handbreaded chicken fried steak (foreground). </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYJ8LaiVlRoFLxotXocIfnLWetadmQU8wunZMh08d9xZZLCKM04ZAJEvFfta1bOnb1v7hxUHfkO8g-krLrs4s8gmJRuMfr6l_8__ON_buhWARPqjGwm2J1GaxtV_DUGeE46rT2gRcGVw/s1600/P1180024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYJ8LaiVlRoFLxotXocIfnLWetadmQU8wunZMh08d9xZZLCKM04ZAJEvFfta1bOnb1v7hxUHfkO8g-krLrs4s8gmJRuMfr6l_8__ON_buhWARPqjGwm2J1GaxtV_DUGeE46rT2gRcGVw/s320/P1180024.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">The Count took his eyes off his mouth-watering chicken fried steak long enough to snap this official photo of the lovely Commodore at her very first meal ever at the Hays House. they forego dessert and after a very satisfying meal explored the rest of the building before stepping out and taking a stroll around downtown Council Grove.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSk-29KQFMvxCMp3hgue_jt8itbAv6__vOVBZffoXSqGecCYh-kI-ht4PGVkW-7kOrHTrzQci0JHAlcpZbo1Qu6WzhN8rs0ld313P72XVA4KC4uUlCRkCKG53LvKojl4oFdDT4nuAE4c/s1600/P1180025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSk-29KQFMvxCMp3hgue_jt8itbAv6__vOVBZffoXSqGecCYh-kI-ht4PGVkW-7kOrHTrzQci0JHAlcpZbo1Qu6WzhN8rs0ld313P72XVA4KC4uUlCRkCKG53LvKojl4oFdDT4nuAE4c/s320/P1180025.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">One of the first things wthe pair noticed was that all the other eating/drinking establishments had these bright, cheerful <strong><em>OPEN</em></strong> flags waving. The downtown was clean and nearly every building occupied. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">You may have noticed earlier that the Musketeers decided to forego dessert. No, this was not a typo. They merely showed abnormal patience in waiting until their walk brought them back to Aldrich Apothecary, directly south across the street from the Hays House, where they sat at the 1920s-era soda fountain (one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Customs) and had authentic chocolate malts. Oh yeah. Well worth the wait.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjrtNvr8uttA3rzSTNxE498pYm6b_IdY48Kd_2R7IKEdeNFCyyIRK1xrx7dHQYB_86lWTG7M4ZSwSYAtE96yjdWJuwUwcAWd0mFDuxvi5Nn2xrlFLGXdeIeEGuOMAL3CpDxRn4RGlLO0/s1600/P1180026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjrtNvr8uttA3rzSTNxE498pYm6b_IdY48Kd_2R7IKEdeNFCyyIRK1xrx7dHQYB_86lWTG7M4ZSwSYAtE96yjdWJuwUwcAWd0mFDuxvi5Nn2xrlFLGXdeIeEGuOMAL3CpDxRn4RGlLO0/s320/P1180026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Getting back in the car Flat Princess Pee complained of having to wait in the car. The Count replied that she was given the window seat (above) and could see everything and so quit complaining or he would turn this car right around. Then the Commodore realized that this was the very first time anyone could ever remember seeing Flat General Direction being in the back seat of a car, and so had to take a photo (also above). </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">With everyone settled back down the Musketeers took a short driving tour around Council Grove, past the Cottage House Hotel/Motel and the Kaw Indian Mission State Historic Site and the Hermit's Cave and the Historic Terwilliger Home Museum & Trail Days Cafe and Post Office Oak and Council Oak and even a block on State Hwy 177, the Flint Hills Scenic Byway (our third such byway of the day). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is easy to see why the entire city of Council Grove was voted an 8 Wonders of Kansas History. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Time was moving on, and so the Musketeers proceeded east once more on US Hwy 56, past Allen and the first consolidated high school in Kansas history (Northern Heights High School, 1952), past the roads to Admire and Miller, then on south and east along State Hwy 31 through Osage City to the junction with US Hwy 75, at which the road east turned into State Hwy 268 past Vassar and Pomona Reservoir. Two miles east of the reservoir the road now became State Hwy 68, which they followed into Pomona. It was a purely silly moment when the Musketeers saw the sign on one business - "<em>We Haul Off Old Vehicles 1-785-###-####"</em> - and spent the next half hour envisoning numerous conversations that this business owner might have with his various customers. You just had to be there.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSGYIvA8QI_H2WenUMaqRgdk_hLWhLt9DQvQQteWUdburczqGqflbMQr9kkCYKM4ALG4cUbrdVvAY78HtRDqy-DYYcZOz7MsZqmAvZo5f4NKeevahU_7Gav_W5vL4kbjLE8D_ZfMGdA8/s1600/P1180027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSGYIvA8QI_H2WenUMaqRgdk_hLWhLt9DQvQQteWUdburczqGqflbMQr9kkCYKM4ALG4cUbrdVvAY78HtRDqy-DYYcZOz7MsZqmAvZo5f4NKeevahU_7Gav_W5vL4kbjLE8D_ZfMGdA8/s320/P1180027.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, the Count have been driving this route east since the 1960s, when his family would go to visit his grandparents in Osawatomie, Kansas. So by now he had driven past Woodlawn Cemetery on the western edge of Pomona more times than he could remember, and had always saw the tall obelisk in the cemetery but had never stopped to view it, thinking that it was just one more monument to the Civil War era. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This time, however, the Commodore saw the obelisk and wondered what it was for. So the pair pulled off the road and into the cemetery.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptyurQD2jB1VH4X0i9VqOytIyQhYE9DQM1zYfPP-CTaIq7ampi2Eg0Pte2dsyJUm4UNTl9vjttj8kOHlbeftTrjkzer9LQSGwqP9Z4OAeoCmeTiv2xaNwdgYCCiBrJSbUaDy-kiBxwoI/s1600/P1180028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptyurQD2jB1VH4X0i9VqOytIyQhYE9DQM1zYfPP-CTaIq7ampi2Eg0Pte2dsyJUm4UNTl9vjttj8kOHlbeftTrjkzer9LQSGwqP9Z4OAeoCmeTiv2xaNwdgYCCiBrJSbUaDy-kiBxwoI/s320/P1180028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">To the Count's immense surprise, the obelisk was not "just one more monument to the Civil War era." Turns out that this obelisk is easily one of the largest single tombstones in the state of Kansas! Above is the obelisk's plaque, listing it to be the graves of Dr. Henry Johnson and his wife, Agnes Johnson. Once again the lesson of looking at familiar things with a new eye was hammered into the Count.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYc1tuf1iOaLnEJhul0IHNC4QWXphucsBkXn7h7SZlG8vJy__cMU6thqfEflcvUbxa-dZiFsZUqBWTSM2ojbQIfj55X_1dhhE6w6ZeSGhy8jE2u-KZ6ikFyzH2OMeBudClvPcscGoSjg/s1600/P1180032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYc1tuf1iOaLnEJhul0IHNC4QWXphucsBkXn7h7SZlG8vJy__cMU6thqfEflcvUbxa-dZiFsZUqBWTSM2ojbQIfj55X_1dhhE6w6ZeSGhy8jE2u-KZ6ikFyzH2OMeBudClvPcscGoSjg/s320/P1180032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Ten more miles and the Musketeers entered the historically and architecturally significant city of Ottawa, Kansas, county seat of Franklin County. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmQPFD61qOhUKxpdHbkwAiml1b32MIvzF4jec9S_V2OKQ0HRcPTYjpw2Coc8XwL172Z336wR9Ax6XLBxhTbj5rHpcQFJeNvukctP9KzbTqW86rhQWZPTodjX2Dbn3yuegZg-uqMCUPgg/s1600/P1180031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmQPFD61qOhUKxpdHbkwAiml1b32MIvzF4jec9S_V2OKQ0HRcPTYjpw2Coc8XwL172Z336wR9Ax6XLBxhTbj5rHpcQFJeNvukctP9KzbTqW86rhQWZPTodjX2Dbn3yuegZg-uqMCUPgg/s320/P1180031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They stopped briefly at the Franklin County Courthouse, one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-idoq4qFUHp_KuyDiLuGD8hTdGMd15WQx4FS7_S3xWJBA7ssx71QM3rDgcqfz-kwXHTBp16C_V1aZhu3iu4Pauo3fJwb87GHARGWWBfyVVYNjq29vtK6iEJowvsf_T2PDQZbg1uoLG4/s1600/P1180033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-idoq4qFUHp_KuyDiLuGD8hTdGMd15WQx4FS7_S3xWJBA7ssx71QM3rDgcqfz-kwXHTBp16C_V1aZhu3iu4Pauo3fJwb87GHARGWWBfyVVYNjq29vtK6iEJowvsf_T2PDQZbg1uoLG4/s320/P1180033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then came the main stop in Ottawa: the Old Depot Museum. As they got out of the car, the Count couldn't help but notice this lopsided bell. It was all he could do to ignore the temptation to go over and push it erect! <br />
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The Old Depot Museum is also located at the northern end of the 51-mile long Prairie Spirit Rail-Trail, a finalist for the 8 Wonders of Kansas Customs.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Musketeers got to the museum only twenty minutes before closing time, so the Commodore had to move fast. She had come far to see the postcard collection of Ottawa native W. H. Martin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlxCWGx5v-SOBymfX1AQ4qguHnXXWJg2n1rEOeCDgOzMU-BSjqON5DuPTXSUYehqkiUYAtT9KcJKF7aT1L5OW_Y4kk-x0DG4nNFA9RNjIOu6vvxabkE9z6y1otjQpz4iBgeD3qdsrrc4/s1600/P1180035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlxCWGx5v-SOBymfX1AQ4qguHnXXWJg2n1rEOeCDgOzMU-BSjqON5DuPTXSUYehqkiUYAtT9KcJKF7aT1L5OW_Y4kk-x0DG4nNFA9RNjIOu6vvxabkE9z6y1otjQpz4iBgeD3qdsrrc4/s320/P1180035.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">Photographer William H. "Dad" Martin took over a studio in <place><city>Ottawa</city>, <state>Kansas</state></place> in 1894. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He began using trick photography in 1908, producing a series of wildly exaggerated post cards. These were so popular that he sold his studio the next year to concentrate on the post card business. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within three years, Martin's trick photos earned him a fortune. Demand was so strong that his firm reportedly purchased photographic emulsion by the railroad tank car-full (or was that another tall tale?) Martin sold the business in 1912 and founded the National Sign Company. So far as we know, he never again ventured into the darkroom. But during his brief career as a post card photographer, "Dad" Martin tapped into the national psyche with his own imaginative brand of homespun surrealism.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2MdoNwojhqX76jIKTE92pU0xiTo73M0hqjiPz5OQa44rk3rww1KZ6lJ7B7cnMi0_JYfO-H3dkckGTR5nfk-TZwqG-B4Z7K2TgKFSVjUly9OnKQYPmg4XdbZn2SXCKaa1pMhqFEQcdSM/s1600/W+H+Martin+Rabbit+Postcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2MdoNwojhqX76jIKTE92pU0xiTo73M0hqjiPz5OQa44rk3rww1KZ6lJ7B7cnMi0_JYfO-H3dkckGTR5nfk-TZwqG-B4Z7K2TgKFSVjUly9OnKQYPmg4XdbZn2SXCKaa1pMhqFEQcdSM/s320/W+H+Martin+Rabbit+Postcard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOm-X24-PZ6REYPsGUDalqZUOBX5PL2E4QeRCtV-6Pj4qsK2uAzTqgUljkusB79PqDJ714N1DfyLnYY8Gd9_xEEy5fPvtPG3DCM29UvA8CK-_952T1vqXDI_DWRMUeqiY8080b76SSqU/s1600/W+H+Martin+Bass+Postcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOm-X24-PZ6REYPsGUDalqZUOBX5PL2E4QeRCtV-6Pj4qsK2uAzTqgUljkusB79PqDJ714N1DfyLnYY8Gd9_xEEy5fPvtPG3DCM29UvA8CK-_952T1vqXDI_DWRMUeqiY8080b76SSqU/s320/W+H+Martin+Bass+Postcard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The Musketeers managed to sit at the museum's soda fountain, took in the museum's exhibit on the Pottowatomie Creek Massacre and John Brown (finalist for the 8 Wonders of Kansas People), and the Commodore managed to take a few photos and also purchase two very good books on Martin's collection before time expired. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Very satisfied with their well-spent half hour, the Musketeers took a well-needed pitstop (Princess Pee would be proud) and turned their face north, traveling along US Hwy 59, then bypassing Lawrence to the west and taking US Hwy 40 to the eastern edge of Topeka, where they then turned north on State Hwy 4. At the intersection with US Hwy 24 the Count noted that they were passing by the Rees Fruit Farm. <em>"Never been there,"</em> remarked the Commodore. And so they stopped at the farm, in the Rees family since the 1850s and the fruit market having been operated since 1904 by the past three generations of family members. There the Commodore bought apples and the Count apple ice cream. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">At 5:30PM the Musketeers turned off onto Blue Mound Road and into the parking lot of the Barn Bed & Breakfast Inn, in time for the evening meal. So ended a great day of Exploring Kansas. Now would come the time to roll up the sleeves and get busy for the next two days, working with other rural leaders from across the state.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0GzFzfNXFVi0crYDUWlKKajHTz0PjKVsEpOJJNq0VICk2_dtaUxQPWS2amHaQ7VZSf9MM1ERDEZTMhXMj_gyVfFPjP048z64U6Yec254_LPJuyQ59mzlsex59NbJkvhiBcmP8GN0RMc/s1600/Barn+B%2526B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0GzFzfNXFVi0crYDUWlKKajHTz0PjKVsEpOJJNq0VICk2_dtaUxQPWS2amHaQ7VZSf9MM1ERDEZTMhXMj_gyVfFPjP048z64U6Yec254_LPJuyQ59mzlsex59NbJkvhiBcmP8GN0RMc/s400/Barn+B%2526B.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="justify"><em>The Barn Bed & Breakfast Inn, operated by Tom & Marcella Ryan and site of the 2011 Retreat for Relentless Rural Leaders for the 19th consecutive year.</em></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div></div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-31054733625109199492011-01-17T18:23:00.000-06:002011-01-17T18:23:14.112-06:00The Kansas Gazetteer Musketeers Ride Again!<div style="text-align: justify;">It's that time of year - tomorrow morning the Kansas Gazetteer Musketeers will once again venture east to congregate with other like-minded folk at the 19th annual invitation-only Rural Leaders Retreat in Valley Falls, Kansas. The three-day Retreat is sponsored by the Kansas Sampler Foundation and brings together leaders from across the state for serious and varied discussions on issues affecting the state of Kansas. Traveling to Valley Falls and back is part of the educational portion of the Retreat, because you always see & learn something new every time. Last year it was lost hubcaps, the World's Oldest Motorcycle, and other fun. Can't wait for this year!!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sadly, this year the Musketeers are reduced in number from four to two - Princess Pea (Connie Dougherty) and General Direction (Laura McClure) will be keeping the home fires burning. Nevertheless, both Commodore Bacon (Erika Nelson) and Count de Ice Cream (Von Rothenberger) are ready to step up and assume their roles as Ambassadors From Lucas To The World! But is the world ready?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sigh. We're not even on the road yet and the Commodore has already decreed a "Bacon & Ice Cream" breakfast stop to start off the trip. See what already happens when both the Princess & the General are not along to restrain us . . . ! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">the Count</div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-11248382719872458822011-01-14T22:56:00.000-06:002011-01-14T22:56:30.963-06:00Just A Great Little Story From Yesteryear<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> June 23, 1872—"Dan Otto, while quarrying stone north of the townsite [Osborne, Kansas], gets into a recontre with a buffalo, and commences retreating, but is overtaken by his pursuer, tossed over head and lights astride the animal’s hump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With remarkable presence of mind the rider retains his position, while the frightening beast runs for miles to the northwest, and finally slackens its pace, when Daniel draws his revolver and discharges its contents into the vitals of his charger, which continues its course a short distance, and, stumbling in a ravine leading into Lawrence Creek, falls headlong in its dying struggles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otto, liberated, escapes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(See <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Harper’s</i> series 1872 for illustration.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our hero has returned to </span><state><place><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Pennsylvania</span></place></state><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> - Taken from Zachary T. Walrond's "<u>Annals of Osborne County, Kansas, 1872</u>" in the <em>Osborne County Farmer</em> newspaper of September 9, 1880.</span></div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-68361577876203098102010-12-19T15:57:00.001-06:002010-12-20T00:23:50.989-06:00November 4, 2010: Another Day Out & About the New Home<div style="text-align: justify;">Still unpacking boxes and boxes and boxes and boxes and boxes and boxes and - who packed that, that isn't mine - and boxes and boxes and boxes and I think that it is time to get out of the house for sanity's sake and take another look at my new home of Lucas, Russell County, Kansas. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhic3pwHA2wzt73RU-9yxIYgXo8jdUDU9SBKvF_Wkrzwmlvd7aRPzpzWtAdWvrEB8nlCN3kvx8U-MHXYB2j3zanlnSR10CdreDO_b2FI8drlM0ylBWjbz0mLPGlITpvJKnlVi9JNTPphGs/s1600/PB020007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhic3pwHA2wzt73RU-9yxIYgXo8jdUDU9SBKvF_Wkrzwmlvd7aRPzpzWtAdWvrEB8nlCN3kvx8U-MHXYB2j3zanlnSR10CdreDO_b2FI8drlM0ylBWjbz0mLPGlITpvJKnlVi9JNTPphGs/s320/PB020007.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is one town that is not one bit shy of letting you know where you are . . . . <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2OP-amvYLBbiJtxv9uxLXhg5pbfFNcLofoFsHcTsRbIUdLHP0j13Sl9LUHVtaaAaNh_Eqm7-o-g043DzizPdi5NzAkbpLtEvP5437xwej5sD_4Ug9qt_8gzezWTFhJ_25LcE1tMSKiE/s1600/PB020006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2OP-amvYLBbiJtxv9uxLXhg5pbfFNcLofoFsHcTsRbIUdLHP0j13Sl9LUHVtaaAaNh_Eqm7-o-g043DzizPdi5NzAkbpLtEvP5437xwej5sD_4Ug9qt_8gzezWTFhJ_25LcE1tMSKiE/s320/PB020006.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They even for many years have hosted a Little Apple Festival. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMLT8zL0f5LvcyOXvETzYTVb_Zj_fxxKay1KRwR-fO7j-7VpB890bMBPBGUtQ6NjSSRc2ONZg1lBQ4FRqZ2aHou2a1YOgmyKqpo54qhAEEM8MNHPhgXlGhqOYe3A1k9iXRT_jno-0yVA/s1600/Lutheran+Church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMLT8zL0f5LvcyOXvETzYTVb_Zj_fxxKay1KRwR-fO7j-7VpB890bMBPBGUtQ6NjSSRc2ONZg1lBQ4FRqZ2aHou2a1YOgmyKqpo54qhAEEM8MNHPhgXlGhqOYe3A1k9iXRT_jno-0yVA/s320/Lutheran+Church.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYvITUrS86NK2PxWHlCIA6M2uUrsPhqdbKctnat9ePRLHZ9wz_8iGBT1X9k_ly7aOCsvn5uu37mn4l_277cOYaDHSA4fM9-cYSTGiIL3dyaWraktCBa1UdmYK0Q0QYuP4hI4XKzYyUO0/s1600/PB020004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYvITUrS86NK2PxWHlCIA6M2uUrsPhqdbKctnat9ePRLHZ9wz_8iGBT1X9k_ly7aOCsvn5uu37mn4l_277cOYaDHSA4fM9-cYSTGiIL3dyaWraktCBa1UdmYK0Q0QYuP4hI4XKzYyUO0/s320/PB020004.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The new Lutheran church has wonderful tinted glass windows . . . .<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKh1s7euvpeesssyWPzm6m-y82B0Jc3uAicIDmI6U9rsJOPq5iDhMX19quTivRTAmmS4G_2PUQKLB5LGOw98pS1evf-2Jp3ivicISyLpy0Zo9F7O2S_WywfUUbIBGO33QzRF94S-QhHEw/s1600/PB020001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKh1s7euvpeesssyWPzm6m-y82B0Jc3uAicIDmI6U9rsJOPq5iDhMX19quTivRTAmmS4G_2PUQKLB5LGOw98pS1evf-2Jp3ivicISyLpy0Zo9F7O2S_WywfUUbIBGO33QzRF94S-QhHEw/s320/PB020001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">And one can relax in a spacious city park!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DuGKhPLpUDbX4fAa06lexC_DkzpMnYM0TgEckZDA9LV6_zdvFNFN85HHV4d9C8xs4-XAy515RDn_OeC2X10YtbAqe5Z4PjiIKZIYIYVglpXDfS3zMLp4qiIXo9PF7OK02zvKYRzpIc4/s1600/PB020028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DuGKhPLpUDbX4fAa06lexC_DkzpMnYM0TgEckZDA9LV6_zdvFNFN85HHV4d9C8xs4-XAy515RDn_OeC2X10YtbAqe5Z4PjiIKZIYIYVglpXDfS3zMLp4qiIXo9PF7OK02zvKYRzpIc4/s320/PB020028.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30LjbxC_pm6SNUIJvCx1P2kFC0ahRUcYGhznmxsZnw6S0lm3DsbkLWjW8q-D9PP6f3yJwKnUMD3pR7-pXcPyOi-d9nX8sRV34G1mFTQ0dsPt9iuQLAJmoHjJFIv31QRFiNe4GGzBtyWM/s1600/PB020027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30LjbxC_pm6SNUIJvCx1P2kFC0ahRUcYGhznmxsZnw6S0lm3DsbkLWjW8q-D9PP6f3yJwKnUMD3pR7-pXcPyOi-d9nX8sRV34G1mFTQ0dsPt9iuQLAJmoHjJFIv31QRFiNe4GGzBtyWM/s320/PB020027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">The school football field is a classic of its kind . . . . </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjA5ZuJgF5wxfOHpT59Vtfu9ran7T9me_-9bFOKX6yPe5S5oG-dBEc95ECebr_NnJfpT_Sthnd10D5nZZr5eY7a00AA5HaUDp7NMo8-DVaNQgKlnVKRDOltUyBkbIv6BdNZGs_C3luWjs/s1600/PB020030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjA5ZuJgF5wxfOHpT59Vtfu9ran7T9me_-9bFOKX6yPe5S5oG-dBEc95ECebr_NnJfpT_Sthnd10D5nZZr5eY7a00AA5HaUDp7NMo8-DVaNQgKlnVKRDOltUyBkbIv6BdNZGs_C3luWjs/s320/PB020030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">And the modern (appearances are deceiving!) school itself has evolved from Lucas to Lucas-Luray to Sylvan-Lucas, and yet continues to be a topnotch educational facility!<br />
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</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tZvgKDzve6a4Zzvq7xl7mTrRW3wDTvKygY3MoTXbaA4i4ZJLuk4Wk7jVYcmsnVpnX-6fhPZmlGjdTZF98n-DhTZF_5eL0xiiMcofjA2bB9JwRMbMlvym7wt6pQMhYMvMfbn8WPCcqws/s1600/PB020005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tZvgKDzve6a4Zzvq7xl7mTrRW3wDTvKygY3MoTXbaA4i4ZJLuk4Wk7jVYcmsnVpnX-6fhPZmlGjdTZF98n-DhTZF_5eL0xiiMcofjA2bB9JwRMbMlvym7wt6pQMhYMvMfbn8WPCcqws/s320/PB020005.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Ah, Lucas! Where else can you see everything from the World's Largest Souvenir Travel Plate . . . .</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8kTv5ZU0RPGD5rdhZHcf0MAS8raQekrfn254KUktpJd6wo3MBUCL8fz83-2LtDNq2OyPlgQAf0WbVehcoj1YnewuMK601Qpxr94YmLq1tXuoxUrTXwpk5ygTNWCHLkBs_3iHTE1gASc/s1600/Chairy+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8kTv5ZU0RPGD5rdhZHcf0MAS8raQekrfn254KUktpJd6wo3MBUCL8fz83-2LtDNq2OyPlgQAf0WbVehcoj1YnewuMK601Qpxr94YmLq1tXuoxUrTXwpk5ygTNWCHLkBs_3iHTE1gASc/s320/Chairy+Tree.jpg" width="193" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To the one and only authentic Chair-y Tree in the World!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92_zzYqPxtHPkZD67vJLxNHY8GTdjkSqo3MmW4hDzWWM8IRnbyVJrTFmfVjnpYxQuSzz6ZzzKjnJTPIizaGAyoVadc9UZzfkrj6CyTVUrgIspDu8L0VttpM72f1_lWEFp1K9V-HrPW28/s1600/Lucas+119+Power+No+Guns+Allowed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92_zzYqPxtHPkZD67vJLxNHY8GTdjkSqo3MmW4hDzWWM8IRnbyVJrTFmfVjnpYxQuSzz6ZzzKjnJTPIizaGAyoVadc9UZzfkrj6CyTVUrgIspDu8L0VttpM72f1_lWEFp1K9V-HrPW28/s320/Lucas+119+Power+No+Guns+Allowed.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Speaking of mysteries - and of course we were - the "No Guns Allowed" sign makes for a good mystery at the Lucas City Power Plant, on the west side of town and on Power Street, no less . . . .</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-Tk0Agfs0bSPcKWX5T_UjZLogTads87CysrasiRKZDZy2_tJZsWjSR3-8nztG8JM7T4MCmD6kTfVHbuyfD-eMmr5aC7ra9F9ZbCzdP7jQY52u6hbVR0SNe2NzxdDzD-Lx0dSvBSz3-4/s1600/Kansas+Avenue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-Tk0Agfs0bSPcKWX5T_UjZLogTads87CysrasiRKZDZy2_tJZsWjSR3-8nztG8JM7T4MCmD6kTfVHbuyfD-eMmr5aC7ra9F9ZbCzdP7jQY52u6hbVR0SNe2NzxdDzD-Lx0dSvBSz3-4/s320/Kansas+Avenue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">While on the east side of town Kansas Avenue may look short - only a few blocks long - but the sites to be beheld along it more than make up for its relative short stature.</div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOEWaF1qZ6G6aSTOWOfjpASsOmqzilUagPXv-LJbYgfD46ETkebD66wSNm4f979Cs-FF5K7poU9OaTn0EFU5DUSpSDIaei3v5ZiQW9_U1S1eJqMaHQcBpx6qulJBsC0aYD5QnEXsSXEY/s1600/PB020034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOEWaF1qZ6G6aSTOWOfjpASsOmqzilUagPXv-LJbYgfD46ETkebD66wSNm4f979Cs-FF5K7poU9OaTn0EFU5DUSpSDIaei3v5ZiQW9_U1S1eJqMaHQcBpx6qulJBsC0aYD5QnEXsSXEY/s320/PB020034.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This is an interesting concrete fence . . . . </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7BilclTgmZ_jI86Ro3kLW7NfG-T6sA19bAJho0XPVH9Sa7HpsdUuFZpRPHacbYPIheYqeb27KD5F5Dmsosy4gqAt49MATAWW5y2uuVQdL4wKsjV_SgescheDQ9lKwpjQLJwuM0TPLrA/s1600/PB020037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7BilclTgmZ_jI86Ro3kLW7NfG-T6sA19bAJho0XPVH9Sa7HpsdUuFZpRPHacbYPIheYqeb27KD5F5Dmsosy4gqAt49MATAWW5y2uuVQdL4wKsjV_SgescheDQ9lKwpjQLJwuM0TPLrA/s320/PB020037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And an even more interesting concrete aviary . . . . </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qGH8keWSy6vGgutMTbMO4W1iRcxYdLmKz4UlJsJZy5JWdTxHwmEWNJ2QrMN0Oh7lH0lxSeHau3W1pqgAbDH5YjQKQRoOUzTv5bDzUDAaV0avlDAg69qr6JjhbwCgoHC-39293vui07A/s1600/PB020033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qGH8keWSy6vGgutMTbMO4W1iRcxYdLmKz4UlJsJZy5JWdTxHwmEWNJ2QrMN0Oh7lH0lxSeHau3W1pqgAbDH5YjQKQRoOUzTv5bDzUDAaV0avlDAg69qr6JjhbwCgoHC-39293vui07A/s320/PB020033.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Which means that we have happened upon the legendary Garden of Eden, on Kansas Avenue! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_ZAnz91uGAYU2bPbP0NGIZlX00893acUruBIaLka_nDfDBQ9RrF1-RnAmvn3i6DD7iDwr734bV2ozZgQRlWiqwpv5tiX4IcpmKM8IMuBu6shFFEfNWovCxrRNHrQjGhadp3E9ApYr44/s1600/PB020050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_ZAnz91uGAYU2bPbP0NGIZlX00893acUruBIaLka_nDfDBQ9RrF1-RnAmvn3i6DD7iDwr734bV2ozZgQRlWiqwpv5tiX4IcpmKM8IMuBu6shFFEfNWovCxrRNHrQjGhadp3E9ApYr44/s320/PB020050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now there are other more sedate homes along Kansas Avenue . . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxhWU1siQ6akt3Ws1aC7zQ1R3B4myVVjBTISwyd8LXgZl5IFllWecA0R9T-wlKWOwfZjpI6Z1bcq4STmbeRQlegLW3TqxM0KDY7FNaGsckEW_jjGaoswiyZrmznYYSXngqEn21tgnPus/s1600/PB020038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxhWU1siQ6akt3Ws1aC7zQ1R3B4myVVjBTISwyd8LXgZl5IFllWecA0R9T-wlKWOwfZjpI6Z1bcq4STmbeRQlegLW3TqxM0KDY7FNaGsckEW_jjGaoswiyZrmznYYSXngqEn21tgnPus/s320/PB020038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">That have very interesting signage on their outbuildings. An ode to old radio station call letters? A math equation? A Twitter message? I've just got to follow the arrow and find out . . . . </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-UiPije7DqZODrx5XWCFyc1sduVkcIVLOkuoigxx4uzXbWpmXQgBM23-xaYwt9HD_lF_yHTIVFLgSGBoIrOiJpoO1FroJDWMOoebP49xRCOToRBt0KnOkmJLbRADUHN-7a84fWa9nFU/s1600/PB020039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-UiPije7DqZODrx5XWCFyc1sduVkcIVLOkuoigxx4uzXbWpmXQgBM23-xaYwt9HD_lF_yHTIVFLgSGBoIrOiJpoO1FroJDWMOoebP49xRCOToRBt0KnOkmJLbRADUHN-7a84fWa9nFU/s320/PB020039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Why, look, I've stumbled upon the World Headquarters for the Worlds Largest Collection of the Worlds Smallest Versions of the Worlds Largest Things Traveling Roadside Attraction and Museum - Erika Nelson, Director! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5mPR9XWIpfEaskf6q_jx9DwEVajYltKDq_nSjUl0jT4i2Gf1ItwBvOiqqQAXdkClTutttZUBAghtNP0ZnKWpSBeOdfFEYRn9e56pgaA_XpjzlTbl3GQ09THdAIgILn1tH25HY0bgwsI/s1600/PB020045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5mPR9XWIpfEaskf6q_jx9DwEVajYltKDq_nSjUl0jT4i2Gf1ItwBvOiqqQAXdkClTutttZUBAghtNP0ZnKWpSBeOdfFEYRn9e56pgaA_XpjzlTbl3GQ09THdAIgILn1tH25HY0bgwsI/s320/PB020045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">Just behind the WLCWSVWLTTRA&M (hold on, gotta check that back over - yep, got it right) one can find a fallen star . . . . </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1D7kiaeMMdMENuYvIEVxtrABzERcv4Kk-NqYGfqn488Q0lFV1Vip7ZEgdORvAYw4RDbNckeOICJfXodAe4Do2MUsN1cNyam3F5FqRQQicLMdYAAMjNX0PLAtN9ZA5eMJwqTt2rt5KjE/s1600/PB020048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1D7kiaeMMdMENuYvIEVxtrABzERcv4Kk-NqYGfqn488Q0lFV1Vip7ZEgdORvAYw4RDbNckeOICJfXodAe4Do2MUsN1cNyam3F5FqRQQicLMdYAAMjNX0PLAtN9ZA5eMJwqTt2rt5KjE/s320/PB020048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="text-align: justify;">And one can even find a rising star - Land Pride, a division of Great Plains Manufacturing, at Lucas, Kansas!</div><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5drCOKUrPp-6_hwinbZxL_KXDscq-ljm2nOO5yQD_-5dL7rM6JpDg2e1947cRxqyuRPXw7Zcsvw2uSLzUdlNiB42c93Pl0huHplkwiaYU77Ol68ce-3NSJih1EznPTFhqwQSOkEXN6k/s1600/PB020046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5drCOKUrPp-6_hwinbZxL_KXDscq-ljm2nOO5yQD_-5dL7rM6JpDg2e1947cRxqyuRPXw7Zcsvw2uSLzUdlNiB42c93Pl0huHplkwiaYU77Ol68ce-3NSJih1EznPTFhqwQSOkEXN6k/s320/PB020046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Land Pride is going strong even in this economy and makes all kinds of things . . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2fkBxGZbpCSJwdJ8ic1tqczPHOqAZGzNnRiDtiR_8vmzFxJR-4SYO5tZhGA_axOmmrgmpCQ933nbd9HHLp0jPklfo8uq2LyEDO8nlMTaJCebC8i58qsK6WvD_2R0mhLnYrkymS4ZvMo/s1600/PB020047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2fkBxGZbpCSJwdJ8ic1tqczPHOqAZGzNnRiDtiR_8vmzFxJR-4SYO5tZhGA_axOmmrgmpCQ933nbd9HHLp0jPklfo8uq2LyEDO8nlMTaJCebC8i58qsK6WvD_2R0mhLnYrkymS4ZvMo/s320/PB020047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That are colorful, to say the least!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dWtLNHzvlXmWBp38O_MPG-jx7ejAVEyQhSRaBH5FJQZoDZeFQ-BecaHr1_BG62NdONztNRXD-6c2qOgmzNKv9RlAv1w4JFubvcf2FFssLuZdRg87WGSPR05qQhuNP8RDnGW3B0zdd2Y/s1600/PB020032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dWtLNHzvlXmWBp38O_MPG-jx7ejAVEyQhSRaBH5FJQZoDZeFQ-BecaHr1_BG62NdONztNRXD-6c2qOgmzNKv9RlAv1w4JFubvcf2FFssLuZdRg87WGSPR05qQhuNP8RDnGW3B0zdd2Y/s320/PB020032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Speaking of color, the roses are still going strong in town even in November . . . .<br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uCojivsGiGh3qN5lAp2N9WPU3s-pGd7447HTuTuQ4M1WLe2xGak9BEHmfSHSN_kbSIihHOFsWOUNZ960lEJL-B-7UmsSx5MoxLbrCozYwb6sqecltL3HPGZ8iw51tjDrsXHmPQDzXFw/s1600/PB020012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uCojivsGiGh3qN5lAp2N9WPU3s-pGd7447HTuTuQ4M1WLe2xGak9BEHmfSHSN_kbSIihHOFsWOUNZ960lEJL-B-7UmsSx5MoxLbrCozYwb6sqecltL3HPGZ8iw51tjDrsXHmPQDzXFw/s320/PB020012.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Which reminds me that I am thirsty and it is time for a drink at the iconic K-18 Cafe!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLEMIKQPqTBDdB7ThkOxrYx46GSGxBXOF9zocMXfpC-8JysMzm75jzpJmAohVehmBhyphenhyphenD5ZQw1bxxQ_cYPwIZA3qinrtP2n04Ikz1xpmuq0IuYUwgXTN6DexfXl_Zm873AHbSMXTvag1E/s1600/PB020013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLEMIKQPqTBDdB7ThkOxrYx46GSGxBXOF9zocMXfpC-8JysMzm75jzpJmAohVehmBhyphenhyphenD5ZQw1bxxQ_cYPwIZA3qinrtP2n04Ikz1xpmuq0IuYUwgXTN6DexfXl_Zm873AHbSMXTvag1E/s320/PB020013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Open seven days a week, the K-18 Cafe has been around for years and is known far and wide . . . .</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfvuE57yt37Qf7ozpnyD5kKQzN5p0Xbs5l_Ztgpn9U6H4heFHv1sPq2CDZQKIty5w3BxJwipI9Ie0V0jLYnKb8cIM8XvLOxO0FIPL8RWN-glKCI7BhzjdQ0C0RnNhIad7CdB5kVEudJw/s1600/Conoco+Gas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfvuE57yt37Qf7ozpnyD5kKQzN5p0Xbs5l_Ztgpn9U6H4heFHv1sPq2CDZQKIty5w3BxJwipI9Ie0V0jLYnKb8cIM8XvLOxO0FIPL8RWN-glKCI7BhzjdQ0C0RnNhIad7CdB5kVEudJw/s320/Conoco+Gas.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> As is the gas station just next door!</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQshphk5oCaShJRZPRJSHp3rQgpAUL07-AwZT7cwwmWPTzU0mtX5z9AojlPrj6o8C8tbv-Km75Q7-rrKlG_6gqHBvjk4m7XclAbmDKXPJQanFn0z0phTvZSxgWi26MabrP-7LmUdLcBw/s1600/PB020015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQshphk5oCaShJRZPRJSHp3rQgpAUL07-AwZT7cwwmWPTzU0mtX5z9AojlPrj6o8C8tbv-Km75Q7-rrKlG_6gqHBvjk4m7XclAbmDKXPJQanFn0z0phTvZSxgWi26MabrP-7LmUdLcBw/s320/PB020015.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Now if there's a real storm a'brewin', or if you are in trouble and need a quiet place to hide out, just behind the cafe is a nifty storm shelter featuring the new Lucasite Ever-Efficient Impenetrable 9000 Door Lock . . . . </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6ChWBsLUYekY8L-6HwImfCw1P3zEay_Z8_de5634gZ4bhuZO_B0Drt5V9cwafRcaVhdLyBXPBk0TacBJ-KCi46S-Tjuw-DS3BZqEaytlV1XbTHijNfXx7xrwhL5rR6u_PCZ3OnO7YCs/s1600/PB020052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6ChWBsLUYekY8L-6HwImfCw1P3zEay_Z8_de5634gZ4bhuZO_B0Drt5V9cwafRcaVhdLyBXPBk0TacBJ-KCi46S-Tjuw-DS3BZqEaytlV1XbTHijNfXx7xrwhL5rR6u_PCZ3OnO7YCs/s320/PB020052.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And still more signage around town to signify that there is still more to explore than can be seen by the mere eye! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnho9qGujBy-19qqq6VYrOJH0Gqw1hEpr11-MswdejtAYPqnDcCL6kIqacWUkNXmlv7XbRcAEcS1ppIec-uZZzG7hyphenhyphenIHBRHFRTEKPxJQYS8LJiTQpeQ4JwA8cBUTgBNsvq1Z6uc2srVg/s1600/PB020051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnho9qGujBy-19qqq6VYrOJH0Gqw1hEpr11-MswdejtAYPqnDcCL6kIqacWUkNXmlv7XbRcAEcS1ppIec-uZZzG7hyphenhyphenIHBRHFRTEKPxJQYS8LJiTQpeQ4JwA8cBUTgBNsvq1Z6uc2srVg/s320/PB020051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Again in the alleys of town one finds gems previously unknown and undiscovered . . . . </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2-tawJQBudUQhprGvn9_5KYLwnsWybez4nY-w8Fnw6N_JSAIyqu_ollZvpLxfHlcgBm7k8Qg0GmWwFyZQbw62pkmzxEk2WUb3PbIOvJ5TXk3Rt-QWPzETOyWUicO8TdRWbffpV22fmA/s1600/PB020054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2-tawJQBudUQhprGvn9_5KYLwnsWybez4nY-w8Fnw6N_JSAIyqu_ollZvpLxfHlcgBm7k8Qg0GmWwFyZQbw62pkmzxEk2WUb3PbIOvJ5TXk3Rt-QWPzETOyWUicO8TdRWbffpV22fmA/s320/PB020054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While again the signage tends to let you more than it intended! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamE5mEas3J9-CrhCoRcnP3kKE7T8RcE8jYy3Pr-jZpBH_1qMSG7vOZH077lwrGx1A30ycygxpQecI_WlYHm9RvnxsBeSuWqkOywFEnjw5qAPoDwxdlRsV9FTdL_HwnzD1HnxF_Dl1LQw/s1600/PB020011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamE5mEas3J9-CrhCoRcnP3kKE7T8RcE8jYy3Pr-jZpBH_1qMSG7vOZH077lwrGx1A30ycygxpQecI_WlYHm9RvnxsBeSuWqkOywFEnjw5qAPoDwxdlRsV9FTdL_HwnzD1HnxF_Dl1LQw/s320/PB020011.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some signage is very important to we two-leggers . . . .</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1VCXpuiccVQveKJUnzNu04UEixJdOlBuqrTRbXHM8vS71oVe2C9wJYm2QkTsNaHeKLA-7Ld0UqEY4CZjA7yJVJu2ZYNpIO8YWk4pE7TXroyZiBHq_K3xVIbtBDi-dHwWyV6wLTomK1I/s1600/PB020009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1VCXpuiccVQveKJUnzNu04UEixJdOlBuqrTRbXHM8vS71oVe2C9wJYm2QkTsNaHeKLA-7Ld0UqEY4CZjA7yJVJu2ZYNpIO8YWk4pE7TXroyZiBHq_K3xVIbtBDi-dHwWyV6wLTomK1I/s320/PB020009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">While other things need no signage whatsoever to convey their meaning. Timeless. Sturdy. Enduring. Artistic. Functional. Kansans. Lucas.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNnfgp9wfA8KV1gORkjLP5gbd8BGTOWJ9xFy_SW0meb9-ExvSyIXswBZOVUPZAUchyphenhyphenuyPNNnT-UsOTS0CwEOj6sL2pKdkiEXBlYWCi-AgbYTfvqp2G1Kf9sXMJFD7alK8lqJJl4csnOk/s1600/PB020017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNnfgp9wfA8KV1gORkjLP5gbd8BGTOWJ9xFy_SW0meb9-ExvSyIXswBZOVUPZAUchyphenhyphenuyPNNnT-UsOTS0CwEOj6sL2pKdkiEXBlYWCi-AgbYTfvqp2G1Kf9sXMJFD7alK8lqJJl4csnOk/s320/PB020017.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, I eventually found my way to the city cemetery . . . .</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjol8QkaQZOY9bHP-uZK7fKypJX23coy8JAB_NJhXpvcn6g_q8XSk7Odd6JSgFpmpLNbwoKEkBy1XQo1J3zpjLvnBBG6lxM02DAepZZ_mg-enn5q8o0Eo2uIkmU3wBBRiHOK3_2ywU3CJc/s1600/PB020019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjol8QkaQZOY9bHP-uZK7fKypJX23coy8JAB_NJhXpvcn6g_q8XSk7Odd6JSgFpmpLNbwoKEkBy1XQo1J3zpjLvnBBG6lxM02DAepZZ_mg-enn5q8o0Eo2uIkmU3wBBRiHOK3_2ywU3CJc/s320/PB020019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And paid my respects to the only relatives I have buried here (my great-grandfather's older brother's eldest child - Helen [Rothenberger] Brichacek) . . . .</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_a7BmhamTjYxoPQNGzgIBznh00Fq-OIkIPGXOV-L3bTNhqqpB-cSxUGgonjkQ_PdZWnnBXxrvQuPNaDHvK0Fj1MB0TPXDgVBr2NqWW_y_SiLLcODCJ8PA14dWeYIZP2ZmjwPqoVVr_o/s1600/PB020020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_a7BmhamTjYxoPQNGzgIBznh00Fq-OIkIPGXOV-L3bTNhqqpB-cSxUGgonjkQ_PdZWnnBXxrvQuPNaDHvK0Fj1MB0TPXDgVBr2NqWW_y_SiLLcODCJ8PA14dWeYIZP2ZmjwPqoVVr_o/s320/PB020020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5yr3A7e8Mc0H_W7blYkrq8oVXIhQtO5iOzqY1IRTmJJAgMGiUJYPbVM9dD7ZPwAm743m39JByroaB2Yw8NrOKEihKLCQa6UISJpCe5bFHneIpTkgoOcInbOpQyDSUBkpHTULIn4K30Q/s1600/PB020021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5yr3A7e8Mc0H_W7blYkrq8oVXIhQtO5iOzqY1IRTmJJAgMGiUJYPbVM9dD7ZPwAm743m39JByroaB2Yw8NrOKEihKLCQa6UISJpCe5bFHneIpTkgoOcInbOpQyDSUBkpHTULIn4K30Q/s320/PB020021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Now art is NOT a relatively recent idea around Lucas, judging by this Art Deco-style burial lot . . . .</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxLrBibVR8jNzKuQe9wN0UWoyBUfsNRklqTMcLR64FRmJdOViMPWLiZAy-X2AxDp71UiAHD7WrAJLiM0fSVaJnJePO9IM7yRyW2DA5giOaKJMuAX6EdO7vj6WpPeynk5UZ2Wlhs-L80o/s1600/PB020023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxLrBibVR8jNzKuQe9wN0UWoyBUfsNRklqTMcLR64FRmJdOViMPWLiZAy-X2AxDp71UiAHD7WrAJLiM0fSVaJnJePO9IM7yRyW2DA5giOaKJMuAX6EdO7vj6WpPeynk5UZ2Wlhs-L80o/s320/PB020023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Or this one, made in classic concrete . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjBdnxmmgpCYoEy7C7v6QGAgFWou4ob3CJ_1CTd6uobSnv9HuTsg5Xv_twO-peXrRxKGKPYyy5Jm7SwBKtPNbc3qSkAtZk8Big-b1iIHFxbudXX0AiXK2iA6IvTJqUWUlUE5CxFmBFMU/s1600/PB020024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjBdnxmmgpCYoEy7C7v6QGAgFWou4ob3CJ_1CTd6uobSnv9HuTsg5Xv_twO-peXrRxKGKPYyy5Jm7SwBKtPNbc3qSkAtZk8Big-b1iIHFxbudXX0AiXK2iA6IvTJqUWUlUE5CxFmBFMU/s320/PB020024.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And way back in the 19th Century they created art in bronze as tombstones . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAAr5k0eQ4jUDUoti1XBsjGcDUflymAzwtAHHa6yi3VEdSfCqOa1_uRvlnYAn28FKEifKEqatyYqfZch0ORe2vPQGM9XNIZ1nUj2PjO_fazTeQe_u7yqzw7g6ka6woHB3Kaat0yUUJ-E/s1600/PB020025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAAr5k0eQ4jUDUoti1XBsjGcDUflymAzwtAHHa6yi3VEdSfCqOa1_uRvlnYAn28FKEifKEqatyYqfZch0ORe2vPQGM9XNIZ1nUj2PjO_fazTeQe_u7yqzw7g6ka6woHB3Kaat0yUUJ-E/s320/PB020025.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">While managing again to create signage that tends to let you more than it intended . . . . </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKmt-gJhyhQaZp7rLAgBF5ZJIOACmceGKw_cu8UeSShVqrZqd00q7bCmMgZ_ZfjHIMqzPNt4ir6dhhQDwQaIo7bYuk2nOgujHQOdXsqImtXlUK_iGUDmdccM2bHPdemcPigWu6MvAC68/s1600/Carbiener+stone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKmt-gJhyhQaZp7rLAgBF5ZJIOACmceGKw_cu8UeSShVqrZqd00q7bCmMgZ_ZfjHIMqzPNt4ir6dhhQDwQaIo7bYuk2nOgujHQOdXsqImtXlUK_iGUDmdccM2bHPdemcPigWu6MvAC68/s320/Carbiener+stone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In France a name like this would embellish a bottle of wine, or water at least. Lucas might be missing something here!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XpODU1SrLP59KhjZHAkupUVsTIY1EqQFBhEkb0uVjbOUl14vpVzgXr0EGeiQMD96ZZEsVYI_ezmZiuLR2q7JDs1LJIBi9UZkLpvnw2gRtngftYIDwApD0jGBrQicU8ldVLzyO6n2_MQ/s1600/PB020008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XpODU1SrLP59KhjZHAkupUVsTIY1EqQFBhEkb0uVjbOUl14vpVzgXr0EGeiQMD96ZZEsVYI_ezmZiuLR2q7JDs1LJIBi9UZkLpvnw2gRtngftYIDwApD0jGBrQicU8ldVLzyO6n2_MQ/s320/PB020008.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the east side of town one finds even more land serpents - or land somethings, anyway . . . .</div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjy8so34Y_0cOx7SMp0CBynwo4xpW68fkFRJqGkQzwn_HE_iD6pc5zlsqT67J-JDxqf2WTUMxlIc_aSibXlqf35b_amjT6c_-ffGTt3rDVllO7e59N_ff4W1b9q3f92QG9tnFT3F6Gg64/s1600/PB020041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjy8so34Y_0cOx7SMp0CBynwo4xpW68fkFRJqGkQzwn_HE_iD6pc5zlsqT67J-JDxqf2WTUMxlIc_aSibXlqf35b_amjT6c_-ffGTt3rDVllO7e59N_ff4W1b9q3f92QG9tnFT3F6Gg64/s320/PB020041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And though sometimes it may appear that Lucasites are being still, they are certainly not - they are constantly thinking, creating, and challenging one's impressions of Rural Kansas!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The World's Largest Tipping Moo Cow???????</div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-31279649778690339552010-12-18T16:51:00.001-06:002010-12-18T18:31:05.403-06:00October 30, 2010: First Full Day in the New HomeThere was ice cream in the freezer.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On it was a note that read <em>"Welcome to Lucas!"</em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Hmmm . . . I think I made the right move!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">But it was not easy by a long shot - physically or mentally. Osborne to Lucas, Kansas is only 32 miles, but when you drive it 20 times and more just moving things, it gets to be pretty long! My sincere thanks to Sue Parker and Joe Hubbard, who in spite of all the boxes worked up a sweat to get me from one place to the other.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGytjLzZvRtcmCJDxv9AX8xYp8KbqvQcFxsfkhvaNjYZEcaT2CVhZo3sczKugu-942EaPQXNN0lA7sl40obymsPDCcLWtFw0j9Qg_TlweHsyLqM1yRXwfvWGTf0vC8_yKPAT0UQo9CWM/s1600/PA230002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGytjLzZvRtcmCJDxv9AX8xYp8KbqvQcFxsfkhvaNjYZEcaT2CVhZo3sczKugu-942EaPQXNN0lA7sl40obymsPDCcLWtFw0j9Qg_TlweHsyLqM1yRXwfvWGTf0vC8_yKPAT0UQo9CWM/s320/PA230002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">The all-important bed and dining table makes it way to their new home. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqLTNMl6jHVJqICCBPQmvJnlNsg5aghbPQ9SGL6_ACxYbHkLSotos0IuBO-vF5q-N1qGwPci-CXzglwgMFxt8jkjXvK1-8PCy8Vjw5EruvTIo9f_5P12l3mT40SCaa1pXt0FONt4oAlI/s1600/PA230003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqLTNMl6jHVJqICCBPQmvJnlNsg5aghbPQ9SGL6_ACxYbHkLSotos0IuBO-vF5q-N1qGwPci-CXzglwgMFxt8jkjXvK1-8PCy8Vjw5EruvTIo9f_5P12l3mT40SCaa1pXt0FONt4oAlI/s320/PA230003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And so do the chests of drawers, file cabinets, and bookshelves as well. The former home in Osborne is in the background.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjt_cpSOaAD-oAZmj6Ryl5POTSWyxqOBqDhMqfg-37zGCzFWR7S2fffG4BRstOKEFrutzGy6ufGloZObI9DTmEr3_yLcxHwpzXt_umWqhcJBklvCQ1DlJIYymxjDS79Y5GGaCsJl6-IPw/s1600/PA300014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjt_cpSOaAD-oAZmj6Ryl5POTSWyxqOBqDhMqfg-37zGCzFWR7S2fffG4BRstOKEFrutzGy6ufGloZObI9DTmEr3_yLcxHwpzXt_umWqhcJBklvCQ1DlJIYymxjDS79Y5GGaCsJl6-IPw/s320/PA300014.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">First shots of the new home. Here is the living room . . . . </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99FHbGV_xmrXm2LcQoTmK9Fg5bZtc85PrWb5vyEdOlj6ROD_f42G3_v5mMX3TBiMIW8CxJp2mY7bzMPoXcLO1k89bAp_modLHew0Fu_G5FDEYsJ82aYhkciHmDjE1oZd6ko5isoQOn8E/s1600/PA300017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99FHbGV_xmrXm2LcQoTmK9Fg5bZtc85PrWb5vyEdOlj6ROD_f42G3_v5mMX3TBiMIW8CxJp2mY7bzMPoXcLO1k89bAp_modLHew0Fu_G5FDEYsJ82aYhkciHmDjE1oZd6ko5isoQOn8E/s320/PA300017.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;">And more of the living room . . . isn't it cosy . . . . </div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWA5FEwC757QL75l53HgBz0wvG_G2fZ3dQUd6IVlcjqOVNvNwDY9IvrlnezhAn87ZYE8fitbGMJlngwa9psqGW-WVRK7-T_UunM0vzMFZvjJ0ItLztm2Aj6hnJcOZepjQCnnBwPkcu7kU/s1600/PA300019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWA5FEwC757QL75l53HgBz0wvG_G2fZ3dQUd6IVlcjqOVNvNwDY9IvrlnezhAn87ZYE8fitbGMJlngwa9psqGW-WVRK7-T_UunM0vzMFZvjJ0ItLztm2Aj6hnJcOZepjQCnnBwPkcu7kU/s320/PA300019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">and here is the kitchen . . . .</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTDLdsxttPJsU50W81py2ONrNukqs2DkUW2GWXiZfeDy2rQLYnmzxeoDare9WltIp0OZ6qAP_ZzNFC421D0ysKgZy1SIEFd1VRSaGeQVm5xeOs2mqXcOw9WA9jwdNKaIeddsKA-uUo4E/s1600/PA300022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTDLdsxttPJsU50W81py2ONrNukqs2DkUW2GWXiZfeDy2rQLYnmzxeoDare9WltIp0OZ6qAP_ZzNFC421D0ysKgZy1SIEFd1VRSaGeQVm5xeOs2mqXcOw9WA9jwdNKaIeddsKA-uUo4E/s320/PA300022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Another view of the kitchen . . . .</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBCzWBkt-0bySpAKAGMuNCO4R3mD7yJajqyxoXxHrssSnFGQwwLgC-w6KR40T9lqzGtrO5SLbDK8euNbPxUBXnycm0kp2NjEI_esqpx5wbQ6eBeQC582BmWoaXDO5Dmp9CyZKpOsg3RU/s1600/PA300023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBCzWBkt-0bySpAKAGMuNCO4R3mD7yJajqyxoXxHrssSnFGQwwLgC-w6KR40T9lqzGtrO5SLbDK8euNbPxUBXnycm0kp2NjEI_esqpx5wbQ6eBeQC582BmWoaXDO5Dmp9CyZKpOsg3RU/s320/PA300023.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We would show you the office, but I'm afraid that at the moment this is all the farther one can get in to it!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI90tkaz1b5DriNrc-1s9jd7MzxliiN97VR3opMKzzQBM-pVcDbnVm6N-BmkeB9HIpD3J00S14knQzMX6wObnWWo0wFqQsMxIKC5bV9wuSXr-8FXVOlMx6eOGb9zIn05FELAnYkDEypQo/s1600/Lucas+City+Limit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI90tkaz1b5DriNrc-1s9jd7MzxliiN97VR3opMKzzQBM-pVcDbnVm6N-BmkeB9HIpD3J00S14knQzMX6wObnWWo0wFqQsMxIKC5bV9wuSXr-8FXVOlMx6eOGb9zIn05FELAnYkDEypQo/s320/Lucas+City+Limit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And so welcome to Lucas, population just over 400 to just over 600, depending on what source you use . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpfqER3OmWaJV90k2I1ZVGBcPR0pyGFWwQj2QYruN_FF0up1rRuV87QDPULYbG-miHWWunH-kBVb63Y-7zWRu6sVrZsB8s_66EfIkAhATOddP_86ygOeZZJ_1ZfT4U_X8S8SRFKpDxs4/s1600/Erika+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpfqER3OmWaJV90k2I1ZVGBcPR0pyGFWwQj2QYruN_FF0up1rRuV87QDPULYbG-miHWWunH-kBVb63Y-7zWRu6sVrZsB8s_66EfIkAhATOddP_86ygOeZZJ_1ZfT4U_X8S8SRFKpDxs4/s320/Erika+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">Lucas is the home to interesting things and interesting people, like the director of The World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things, Inc. Here is director Erika Nelson in the company car.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_iEQRdxufTXetZnnVu75V9M0tf50pDa4FDMjIl7-nmu_txwuAZOFiT5wdFgxMGYi_t5REdkJROj58K6VFUIkY5MsGlFFCGd6ErrW4I21vPpLfxx93kX_4Tog3MXyhidVnwNGRtPk2rc/s1600/Grass+Roots+Barbed+Wire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_iEQRdxufTXetZnnVu75V9M0tf50pDa4FDMjIl7-nmu_txwuAZOFiT5wdFgxMGYi_t5REdkJROj58K6VFUIkY5MsGlFFCGd6ErrW4I21vPpLfxx93kX_4Tog3MXyhidVnwNGRtPk2rc/s320/Grass+Roots+Barbed+Wire.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">There is natural art in the backyards . . . .</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSnQDSctAaHZ0zb6JirVcvfLWKXckOM6rfqptaxvYpWixZDUkonwTBEl4j5Qr3qdND7b0nIfNNQ7nGpkKo_o_-uaJCrfL8C17CE08YJe1ggnHChlOdOFfFLbOHPx3cBKIO2NUyB7gXn0/s1600/Grease+Only.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="76" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSnQDSctAaHZ0zb6JirVcvfLWKXckOM6rfqptaxvYpWixZDUkonwTBEl4j5Qr3qdND7b0nIfNNQ7nGpkKo_o_-uaJCrfL8C17CE08YJe1ggnHChlOdOFfFLbOHPx3cBKIO2NUyB7gXn0/s320/Grease+Only.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;">And even man-made art in the alleys.</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTqC9AJBtc6WH_sZIPEUnurmD9rpp82hxm4v5KnyFjTdi54jhfPB-bXWOJ01sviEpZFg22ja1Nw6usGwLCF7_EIqY4zIDJQgz4apuTF94v5UJJfplmKRmiUpee1b4E4R3HnTo4SMEdyk/s1600/Linda's+Cafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTqC9AJBtc6WH_sZIPEUnurmD9rpp82hxm4v5KnyFjTdi54jhfPB-bXWOJ01sviEpZFg22ja1Nw6usGwLCF7_EIqY4zIDJQgz4apuTF94v5UJJfplmKRmiUpee1b4E4R3HnTo4SMEdyk/s320/Linda's+Cafe.jpg" width="204" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The downtown has places to visit . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRMCYha5y3ItX2U3ViZ-BvA2eJkyB5hu0zhxC5qBP_SkokdYoLAXsFIiIqOl7Y1l4QZV40YuIauQkyw85h5_vzCG6C24HsKgjsUelFuSYuP-dku3C_jhgES-qXCPpT4LitaEP3GjUOug/s1600/Buffalo+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRMCYha5y3ItX2U3ViZ-BvA2eJkyB5hu0zhxC5qBP_SkokdYoLAXsFIiIqOl7Y1l4QZV40YuIauQkyw85h5_vzCG6C24HsKgjsUelFuSYuP-dku3C_jhgES-qXCPpT4LitaEP3GjUOug/s320/Buffalo+Sign.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pGhjZgEKcOqxn5atb2mUsLcrZ4R4pXflgxTv040X_hAekjipMVMx0rGs53_Ii7gTggGq6Ctqoj3ZgOIqM31l_W3rvil51bmpAc0ugz5P72pF73XLCHF5U1t5UhDUa7VNvE4-yLDsPz4/s1600/Lucas+Buffalo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pGhjZgEKcOqxn5atb2mUsLcrZ4R4pXflgxTv040X_hAekjipMVMx0rGs53_Ii7gTggGq6Ctqoj3ZgOIqM31l_W3rvil51bmpAc0ugz5P72pF73XLCHF5U1t5UhDUa7VNvE4-yLDsPz4/s320/Lucas+Buffalo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">And elsewhere in town there are natural artificial critters to watch out for!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0ParXLU9WT4AZZ6iT1gc9AvsyTCbWDYBa2nMsEhWvcFXee8EisqLT2Enk1YkA_en5HimuAF8DHUQfdeoQ4KAoNjh6giqhsmSa8nzawqWr8uiyKmDLpUCuMEUhpR_ZK6k2clrIcHJ0Fw/s1600/Lucas+Grain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0ParXLU9WT4AZZ6iT1gc9AvsyTCbWDYBa2nMsEhWvcFXee8EisqLT2Enk1YkA_en5HimuAF8DHUQfdeoQ4KAoNjh6giqhsmSa8nzawqWr8uiyKmDLpUCuMEUhpR_ZK6k2clrIcHJ0Fw/s320/Lucas+Grain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even the area harvest becomes art in Lucas . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidnWuEh6RSC-cbJG-VOUM0ALYopHUiSys7XaDfckKgnP6kmXjrm4dTRAZe5Al-qSg2w9NWnC0p5gBsx0TLhNskrNiVuzX-seH3Q_xWnX88vhrXhCztiUqlony0h5UOMRlq0-ZRhlcahI/s1600/Lucas+Hair+Designs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidnWuEh6RSC-cbJG-VOUM0ALYopHUiSys7XaDfckKgnP6kmXjrm4dTRAZe5Al-qSg2w9NWnC0p5gBsx0TLhNskrNiVuzX-seH3Q_xWnX88vhrXhCztiUqlony0h5UOMRlq0-ZRhlcahI/s320/Lucas+Hair+Designs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The town has a bit of everything, including the local hair salon.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOH057JTMwEZSIPyO84FCJmRCFalaC3ElbsAbqanvqRB95hUSTgkkEbGfHEpcmI0PIDmpodpMQP863EPHYBxIihOngByQyJpJGgJEz8owDcNikVE-YDTZLYTRatmsslNzhBrB6G0q1Ho/s1600/Lucas+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOH057JTMwEZSIPyO84FCJmRCFalaC3ElbsAbqanvqRB95hUSTgkkEbGfHEpcmI0PIDmpodpMQP863EPHYBxIihOngByQyJpJGgJEz8owDcNikVE-YDTZLYTRatmsslNzhBrB6G0q1Ho/s320/Lucas+House.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Here even abandoned Ar Deco-era gas stations become private homes, and yet look like gas stations . . . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtD92TKDh7gRkJmQ9N3GYDSFfZpcu2bpGYUwuoagQKUw2yr5upWo4JYb0X6OiJJ2_53HXfyAHa6jjaMBpF7FA0TiHXsvrazCW0oSyaShA-x-PeEee64EW7C7LswTEJXVeNu5H9t_wBvaI/s1600/Lucas+Library+plaque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="79" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtD92TKDh7gRkJmQ9N3GYDSFfZpcu2bpGYUwuoagQKUw2yr5upWo4JYb0X6OiJJ2_53HXfyAHa6jjaMBpF7FA0TiHXsvrazCW0oSyaShA-x-PeEee64EW7C7LswTEJXVeNu5H9t_wBvaI/s320/Lucas+Library+plaque.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Throughout Lucas' history they have had far-seeing citizens . . . . </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi066tLlAyHqyLSnjdFkHKGoG6i_VEC9Oc_JveOqPLNyrVQDyFB4icrX3as450mE8nm4Pnpl9cVgMB4l8-7xzACyWktHkIDmfcAGqx0vLNVkJvw0IIrjyZXYE_-YxyKNFVR9WTuQ01u4z8/s1600/Lucas+Lumber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi066tLlAyHqyLSnjdFkHKGoG6i_VEC9Oc_JveOqPLNyrVQDyFB4icrX3as450mE8nm4Pnpl9cVgMB4l8-7xzACyWktHkIDmfcAGqx0vLNVkJvw0IIrjyZXYE_-YxyKNFVR9WTuQ01u4z8/s320/Lucas+Lumber.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While in the present day the local lumberyard keeps busy!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUA4HDrzN74UHAtI-oL57t0bgSHkJ4Zv_OrSg_k02mkM9jhhG0fbP3wgwEFN7RGdZWZN3jUtdhNiq_KfbLc2HIaRzn5dnLpC8yYevvHxKmwYNCMiXnJvZEMucuBEbfLFRSmwiWmzdNriQ/s1600/Lucas+Methodist+Church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUA4HDrzN74UHAtI-oL57t0bgSHkJ4Zv_OrSg_k02mkM9jhhG0fbP3wgwEFN7RGdZWZN3jUtdhNiq_KfbLc2HIaRzn5dnLpC8yYevvHxKmwYNCMiXnJvZEMucuBEbfLFRSmwiWmzdNriQ/s320/Lucas+Methodist+Church.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Turns out the Methodist Church on North Main was bricked by the Rothenberger Masonry Company of Osborne, Kansas (my uncle and my father) . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEird4IPFng9xRVRwr77iknjhcOIHFwUCSL0lBOBne7-yhCYShrGCfAg1p5Od_Y2Ej-ujK5Ay8fs8u_Wjv_36CWFglEfwi616x56kCuo5u8Nr4UHghcoWn4tUHAoh-0XjqkjPik9F-lamAk/s1600/PA300028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEird4IPFng9xRVRwr77iknjhcOIHFwUCSL0lBOBne7-yhCYShrGCfAg1p5Od_Y2Ej-ujK5Ay8fs8u_Wjv_36CWFglEfwi616x56kCuo5u8Nr4UHghcoWn4tUHAoh-0XjqkjPik9F-lamAk/s320/PA300028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And Lucas is the home to the legendary Brant's Market, one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Commerce and as original as they can get these days!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPk9rN_rQs5jn5LOyTBCrHMrS26MIGFmKwyisxXd6pss6roQNo8l6aiWcz0Oat5lPYxefEJ43tXZP4-00d1AQ4dAMRZD9wfBbP2134EQ-f9hov0KpURrgjXn5B8lntSoOtQ8Ik4vnG4M/s1600/PA300030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPk9rN_rQs5jn5LOyTBCrHMrS26MIGFmKwyisxXd6pss6roQNo8l6aiWcz0Oat5lPYxefEJ43tXZP4-00d1AQ4dAMRZD9wfBbP2134EQ-f9hov0KpURrgjXn5B8lntSoOtQ8Ik4vnG4M/s320/PA300030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In Lucas the old and the new are side by side (Moran won the November 2010 election for U.S. Senator from Kansas) . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqiLnW4ChOxgyJD8J6SO-TuP6kI1aLkr8dOqP1bE6GICkV_8KsTUnpejNrW3iDu4j4nJ03PDHwb2X2v-0LYOdtFPFgarA4boYzObBA_lSeIE0_4jnotLilt2IuygNfz_iUEM6QEvnh60/s1600/PA300033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqiLnW4ChOxgyJD8J6SO-TuP6kI1aLkr8dOqP1bE6GICkV_8KsTUnpejNrW3iDu4j4nJ03PDHwb2X2v-0LYOdtFPFgarA4boYzObBA_lSeIE0_4jnotLilt2IuygNfz_iUEM6QEvnh60/s320/PA300033.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And where else can you still find a public pay phone in a town this size?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2qLUKjqhdg7aqaZrM4uhGpyGfaGZBdRne9mhs8kBg-oCDaGxMxD2-vFpl5CHLzlCSanFr1d9dg0rvMZ82e558CRb2YXLDoywGWN4Vu-kBOg9sh8EFwYfbZ2uE8u3UsHOYaKBS2wAG9Q/s1600/PA300034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2qLUKjqhdg7aqaZrM4uhGpyGfaGZBdRne9mhs8kBg-oCDaGxMxD2-vFpl5CHLzlCSanFr1d9dg0rvMZ82e558CRb2YXLDoywGWN4Vu-kBOg9sh8EFwYfbZ2uE8u3UsHOYaKBS2wAG9Q/s320/PA300034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In Lucas they come up with unique ways in which to celebrate the various holidays . . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu24RFIeAbzMtwv-g8Admnf3LyxFEOudN0rCcwH-o2bgjaFbU2qBenMrlvylBvyyd_TNlfnxLH5Fc-8mtKgdZYDuKHfhhKyz39S8J8oQopBI_9Eq7qJg_z1iW-ZOnnRo_w0Gc3UYQwZw0/s1600/PA300035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu24RFIeAbzMtwv-g8Admnf3LyxFEOudN0rCcwH-o2bgjaFbU2qBenMrlvylBvyyd_TNlfnxLH5Fc-8mtKgdZYDuKHfhhKyz39S8J8oQopBI_9Eq7qJg_z1iW-ZOnnRo_w0Gc3UYQwZw0/s320/PA300035.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3V0g7NojC0VyZ2CgNnPJ-5TnQA8RnjAQmFOL2597ILD5EeMEPQFpO64_LZfCanFjVyN42BEXc6zEpmQZ-eMabH7pZjil1jWoZ_6h2gEZlqM6C3zsEzTypojwBG47NFRck4GU6lUL6XA/s1600/PA300036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3V0g7NojC0VyZ2CgNnPJ-5TnQA8RnjAQmFOL2597ILD5EeMEPQFpO64_LZfCanFjVyN42BEXc6zEpmQZ-eMabH7pZjil1jWoZ_6h2gEZlqM6C3zsEzTypojwBG47NFRck4GU6lUL6XA/s320/PA300036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9fN_f3YzgXmtRIaxGrH7qRTLZ9SNO76af1ym7DDDy79yz_pbWmS90dT1vZfZK6TJCPSkfZYrw_S2qdGjoXmHE1ygGVB_SDMzZ9RMnfMXL76buhJfgQ4RFHXAfJfaD9my5ECaKnyH00o/s1600/PA300037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9fN_f3YzgXmtRIaxGrH7qRTLZ9SNO76af1ym7DDDy79yz_pbWmS90dT1vZfZK6TJCPSkfZYrw_S2qdGjoXmHE1ygGVB_SDMzZ9RMnfMXL76buhJfgQ4RFHXAfJfaD9my5ECaKnyH00o/s320/PA300037.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the Baptist Church in town is both architectually interesting and welcoming!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9UWJf4tUnKhyphenhyphenp6IS2ggkBIk6a3gLAQNUinVXJFLJzY73vRiFMBjk1ptWCSSgXD0RZaIYBu7XUjRJRQmPu7PrTg9uwFJfez3DLvUMcV-sp3M2G2zHpmj6BFVRPC6szyj5Kxz1Ml1alqg/s1600/PA300038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9UWJf4tUnKhyphenhyphenp6IS2ggkBIk6a3gLAQNUinVXJFLJzY73vRiFMBjk1ptWCSSgXD0RZaIYBu7XUjRJRQmPu7PrTg9uwFJfez3DLvUMcV-sp3M2G2zHpmj6BFVRPC6szyj5Kxz1Ml1alqg/s320/PA300038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For Halloween all the kids in the community are treated to a hayrack ride to houses all over town . . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZeCQcGIcBzavVmrcdjWBJLv5TBK52glQiwXYamsw0q2TaaNCUJ5ZxYPIjd9uCw67h1m-8lzmRFCg3fU30jw3qTy9Zhx11T_gJKCi05OJgWxf3jin3bdwylE6kNGd2WvTIYBdytpCxg8A/s1600/PA300040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZeCQcGIcBzavVmrcdjWBJLv5TBK52glQiwXYamsw0q2TaaNCUJ5ZxYPIjd9uCw67h1m-8lzmRFCg3fU30jw3qTy9Zhx11T_gJKCi05OJgWxf3jin3bdwylE6kNGd2WvTIYBdytpCxg8A/s320/PA300040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And while they no longer use the old city jail, they keep it around for show.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xEJ5jhH7X6zqgYOgQgt22gmo7B__0a3mcBQzmigGkgAIPGFxGzczfSBt3qlXubjTU6lTwsUyDlJg3OiMNyqoEVExzyVnXl3TrMGE_aUyPQrkIX1hXf7HR2TYMXZb6cxbRZE_Ubu-yY4/s1600/PA300041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xEJ5jhH7X6zqgYOgQgt22gmo7B__0a3mcBQzmigGkgAIPGFxGzczfSBt3qlXubjTU6lTwsUyDlJg3OiMNyqoEVExzyVnXl3TrMGE_aUyPQrkIX1hXf7HR2TYMXZb6cxbRZE_Ubu-yY4/s320/PA300041.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Local artist Eric Abraham points to a picture of himself inside his Flying Pig Art Gallery . . . . </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufbV3n3Pijxw7Wxw6nR8Ka3Y9JEiX6noAPwBlYv9g322ZVmZ7iY-iwiSSs_mh_xOgtbXJp87V_2TC0vzJppUuYY1Q9e6JKc8Wu2YOHcNeV_hNktY8USG2WTxTx2waBT5IPFtUTaH4NDQ/s1600/PA300043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufbV3n3Pijxw7Wxw6nR8Ka3Y9JEiX6noAPwBlYv9g322ZVmZ7iY-iwiSSs_mh_xOgtbXJp87V_2TC0vzJppUuYY1Q9e6JKc8Wu2YOHcNeV_hNktY8USG2WTxTx2waBT5IPFtUTaH4NDQ/s320/PA300043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While also downtown the hardware store welcomes customers sone and all.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpm93cbBrxDuph5n5QmrQXNNzvsQfvqx6AJTlle_-WPXsWt915FX_VxSTB6X8CITCL6NcR12iMbtuyLUWs0g6dkU-G3xkYY_2xnBSZMIGgf36wvZG8qwzX2xmEMly-JOhnzkcaYf2CRg/s1600/PA300044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpm93cbBrxDuph5n5QmrQXNNzvsQfvqx6AJTlle_-WPXsWt915FX_VxSTB6X8CITCL6NcR12iMbtuyLUWs0g6dkU-G3xkYY_2xnBSZMIGgf36wvZG8qwzX2xmEMly-JOhnzkcaYf2CRg/s320/PA300044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, yes, there's that major folk art attraction also in the town . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVg1mWSSK_jiDQCdpRkOLTLM7sM4Hc8CEgoc5E14Jo7A1sxDm0v0tQBR3HhJ5mPPgTM8SKtnw6wxieF92ZZKcI8nqWBdzKhm8rgg2WzVyyarrfj2TOfndaUvmSpL6QhrGwbXd8iV7vx0/s1600/PA300045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVg1mWSSK_jiDQCdpRkOLTLM7sM4Hc8CEgoc5E14Jo7A1sxDm0v0tQBR3HhJ5mPPgTM8SKtnw6wxieF92ZZKcI8nqWBdzKhm8rgg2WzVyyarrfj2TOfndaUvmSpL6QhrGwbXd8iV7vx0/s320/PA300045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Whose downtown does get busy whenever there is an event - and there are a lot of events!!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnsArGkaBISpmrNgoltSlyDf5PBu2f5FBuB1M1MWEH2TLIu9_BbXbs0D_UHJpLVw32y14ZMLIN0jVS3hBKCrsJVE-7MSVRUi6t9Bwscy6zFlOczA_Er3NRBEvTTRedsu_knZE094_rc0/s1600/PA300046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnsArGkaBISpmrNgoltSlyDf5PBu2f5FBuB1M1MWEH2TLIu9_BbXbs0D_UHJpLVw32y14ZMLIN0jVS3hBKCrsJVE-7MSVRUi6t9Bwscy6zFlOczA_Er3NRBEvTTRedsu_knZE094_rc0/s320/PA300046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even the local bank has a bit of flair in its name . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXihOBnkB45CZwZoYtrAgOGHnR4nkbm-m1bcqtJpuHbaaZgU728o5aN6x2rYgKqkoehptK8Jkh1IxUJKjHfvwPD-o6vP6KmPPQyaHWgCL2o11YAsATwER5kEnzPSoeDWziwj48FE3iM4/s1600/PA300047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXihOBnkB45CZwZoYtrAgOGHnR4nkbm-m1bcqtJpuHbaaZgU728o5aN6x2rYgKqkoehptK8Jkh1IxUJKjHfvwPD-o6vP6KmPPQyaHWgCL2o11YAsATwER5kEnzPSoeDWziwj48FE3iM4/s320/PA300047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While the local Troy's Grocery Store might sound plain, but it has pretty much everything.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmo8sUcxVaEB55f8XBslcLizU_HmCovteYd1_vVr58s0cyn5dmTQNugeXvPh3cpbDJPrhnMlW6l4-yOY-shd5ahtGfjCpW3mtnO-lJaKdEivTEneLwme4ENzL1DfjmR248CAsSo9bK8D0/s1600/PA300048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmo8sUcxVaEB55f8XBslcLizU_HmCovteYd1_vVr58s0cyn5dmTQNugeXvPh3cpbDJPrhnMlW6l4-yOY-shd5ahtGfjCpW3mtnO-lJaKdEivTEneLwme4ENzL1DfjmR248CAsSo9bK8D0/s320/PA300048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This fall they started a marvelous mural on the side of the grocery store . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRUxvcOO2cI2hbD-n5QBfM358YtR-MT1jE1sogGUfZWqSZadss09wLuZxZkJM2FI5cjOdGMqJcler_1GIvAVk_ByXNjKyGuXEIrlOrYC2qQqFg22zXBZq9sNYW2pnF8Ut1W0HwHmiAcQ/s1600/PA300049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRUxvcOO2cI2hbD-n5QBfM358YtR-MT1jE1sogGUfZWqSZadss09wLuZxZkJM2FI5cjOdGMqJcler_1GIvAVk_ByXNjKyGuXEIrlOrYC2qQqFg22zXBZq9sNYW2pnF8Ut1W0HwHmiAcQ/s320/PA300049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Which when completed in 2011 (winter has asserted itself) will tell of the history of the region.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznmKrOSYTbtrTGXviHwVNpvyQv6ssEMeZioWAnfaTCi1oA7ZzPzgCtzud9OZ-vVi62KCrVu8IX3BbE-2Va0YbTLvJNUxQJ84-gnN-R7kE0r4Y5SK2RlJwixP7aPdryKMMl30jIy2tsX0/s1600/PA300050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznmKrOSYTbtrTGXviHwVNpvyQv6ssEMeZioWAnfaTCi1oA7ZzPzgCtzud9OZ-vVi62KCrVu8IX3BbE-2Va0YbTLvJNUxQJ84-gnN-R7kE0r4Y5SK2RlJwixP7aPdryKMMl30jIy2tsX0/s320/PA300050.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Witches have a tough time of it in Lucas . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATqA_R3CzqjWAaK0AwN6CGUY4HEiE5JuR8De2tSiDKKUWxpiI6agGMu33SLXugRpBmNQ4ipUnh4LhCV0WTT_sVwAkjs_VGqPK9uIL2tysFrkgy2EAxaOMZhVFtjhx55K-bamn5bYC-us/s1600/PA300053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATqA_R3CzqjWAaK0AwN6CGUY4HEiE5JuR8De2tSiDKKUWxpiI6agGMu33SLXugRpBmNQ4ipUnh4LhCV0WTT_sVwAkjs_VGqPK9uIL2tysFrkgy2EAxaOMZhVFtjhx55K-bamn5bYC-us/s320/PA300053.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Where the flag flies proud!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgct_P-ExB0KzODfTJHSjA0mfQd1UkycTEv3dOIV9vMpPBqsBbUrQp2iXUxMVw-ltv34xfuRbSrH0CEkuVCMu4vjthHM9QZkCbrK1HcpygvUIuwyXc2iIPlog6Uda9VXA2DyBINuLywyGM/s1600/PA300054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgct_P-ExB0KzODfTJHSjA0mfQd1UkycTEv3dOIV9vMpPBqsBbUrQp2iXUxMVw-ltv34xfuRbSrH0CEkuVCMu4vjthHM9QZkCbrK1HcpygvUIuwyXc2iIPlog6Uda9VXA2DyBINuLywyGM/s320/PA300054.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Along the streets is the unusual artwork Lucas is known for . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjav1FpwOD5XJmr-TeE2CuU9iuyL1K3fsLksCqOuG5jDDgPIvjql1ggPYhV0uwQSXN5u9mhmRSkp-qOrp3uv_XvMJqteajABk5aUTHHHLbfMdl-jWcSD3zThSHzmG_ardDY7vXpSSXFvUQ/s1600/PA300059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjav1FpwOD5XJmr-TeE2CuU9iuyL1K3fsLksCqOuG5jDDgPIvjql1ggPYhV0uwQSXN5u9mhmRSkp-qOrp3uv_XvMJqteajABk5aUTHHHLbfMdl-jWcSD3zThSHzmG_ardDY7vXpSSXFvUQ/s320/PA300059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But in this community one must also look in the alleys!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBJK15E64CdUHY8Gb-XrWSE-WVnDfPp3V4LpT0j3Cx1ToOLLxmnlLAUej2We3AzbfLd8FsZ2w2acWb32sQUfRl1LKD3_lsW54xzBGmSaChMNGoojbZ7oL8-cvWxUbpzs2alRE9IBXYUw/s1600/PA300060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBJK15E64CdUHY8Gb-XrWSE-WVnDfPp3V4LpT0j3Cx1ToOLLxmnlLAUej2We3AzbfLd8FsZ2w2acWb32sQUfRl1LKD3_lsW54xzBGmSaChMNGoojbZ7oL8-cvWxUbpzs2alRE9IBXYUw/s320/PA300060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nature gets into the act here in regards to creating art . . . . </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5qWew9duag4JgMyUt1omBKebcT_nIn3PwbcY8XEJVUBpA0Tq3kPG2zJcY27dfiZWVFQKAIfIKMzvuOIa3ELZ-gEIRCANBNMZ4PNWvleLwEPouC7DAfCiNlCq-cMri7cu_TMJDnp5jxQ/s1600/PA300055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5qWew9duag4JgMyUt1omBKebcT_nIn3PwbcY8XEJVUBpA0Tq3kPG2zJcY27dfiZWVFQKAIfIKMzvuOIa3ELZ-gEIRCANBNMZ4PNWvleLwEPouC7DAfCiNlCq-cMri7cu_TMJDnp5jxQ/s320/PA300055.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And if one looks up one can discover still more classic old man-made art!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5s9LpcVySn7NzM_unzahqkgJ84s-DJX7CYn4VZHqH9dJXlTlmGNoL_szeyk4N4zMpN2S0DUChQh3JsuCchbJR50zGEp7eFH5g_Qfq3Wo7xMcDDtQDtPwR3N6a6GnwiCK1FOiAt_dDuk/s1600/PA300056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5s9LpcVySn7NzM_unzahqkgJ84s-DJX7CYn4VZHqH9dJXlTlmGNoL_szeyk4N4zMpN2S0DUChQh3JsuCchbJR50zGEp7eFH5g_Qfq3Wo7xMcDDtQDtPwR3N6a6GnwiCK1FOiAt_dDuk/s320/PA300056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Grassroots Art Wall of Fame can be found here . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2I7H2_CjFbWu99kUQjOK-diXNIHJoJhhEbYx4tndtGhKFRu_h7IPYiNxRGpJRyHB7qQIzzKUx_jQXuUfqAATVAG8LIC8fiw0yNqfog2v_c1OBdEt0y7DJHDNfo0ki4_ugSZIje0yP-Q/s1600/PA300057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2I7H2_CjFbWu99kUQjOK-diXNIHJoJhhEbYx4tndtGhKFRu_h7IPYiNxRGpJRyHB7qQIzzKUx_jQXuUfqAATVAG8LIC8fiw0yNqfog2v_c1OBdEt0y7DJHDNfo0ki4_ugSZIje0yP-Q/s320/PA300057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Right next to the soon-to-be-finished Bowl Plaza - the public restrooms that will have to be seen to be believed!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fY6InwcsypM2S1eWnJ62lD5041LS7jtK0Dls7rwnAUgZ18nWq4FmFy-aw3szTFi1VT69_WWJvKz32OIX05ItzSreC4Ita9gD3gSSR_NIUaoACh5e8cqdoFMdYwaycjsVmQ0ykU5dgmc/s1600/PA300061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fY6InwcsypM2S1eWnJ62lD5041LS7jtK0Dls7rwnAUgZ18nWq4FmFy-aw3szTFi1VT69_WWJvKz32OIX05ItzSreC4Ita9gD3gSSR_NIUaoACh5e8cqdoFMdYwaycjsVmQ0ykU5dgmc/s320/PA300061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is unintentional artwork to be found . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0t69A1ApbYMrkDuDam8saiBielyQ0cfMWEKUtTVZc7PeWRpt3l8QAoSBrI0A0ZTRGelSxkiVJu84HgX_yI_2JEawDEMCGRIZHMSfc5JIW5hy9P9UP1A0EzSJYNHGIzkdw4ZoZ9tOuNb8/s1600/PA300062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0t69A1ApbYMrkDuDam8saiBielyQ0cfMWEKUtTVZc7PeWRpt3l8QAoSBrI0A0ZTRGelSxkiVJu84HgX_yI_2JEawDEMCGRIZHMSfc5JIW5hy9P9UP1A0EzSJYNHGIzkdw4ZoZ9tOuNb8/s320/PA300062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In addition to even more irrevelant man-made art!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIYIYax2z4fRlJOrxMLwbdTGVN0C1-etaJI4pE6aoJxVq_M5MsDzH2zVgqJMTBWB1uYhbh73DZFkgBOs4xNrR4OMn8OEivCcIE9HTpIIQX1Qfdqa2wXPvRYhs88iLDk-G9yJEj6vLbOo/s1600/PA300063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIYIYax2z4fRlJOrxMLwbdTGVN0C1-etaJI4pE6aoJxVq_M5MsDzH2zVgqJMTBWB1uYhbh73DZFkgBOs4xNrR4OMn8OEivCcIE9HTpIIQX1Qfdqa2wXPvRYhs88iLDk-G9yJEj6vLbOo/s320/PA300063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Only in Lucas can be found a sign reminding you of what town you are in . . . . </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MtlicS5ZMrXFvFrI4I0nLiKFQahLI4xXpA_miG49zPflkGcgFcH26sbKc1cnDFyyBC23ql_XYEJifX911pTboYsHkmdzF0CkJ2mxFHD5omrqn-01NqK-TiVY1Wxa_aOdOADsh6WL1ZY/s1600/PA300064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MtlicS5ZMrXFvFrI4I0nLiKFQahLI4xXpA_miG49zPflkGcgFcH26sbKc1cnDFyyBC23ql_XYEJifX911pTboYsHkmdzF0CkJ2mxFHD5omrqn-01NqK-TiVY1Wxa_aOdOADsh6WL1ZY/s320/PA300064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As if you need yet another reminder, amidst the middle of an American Fork Art garden!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSE-aAuURiqoOjM6Wy9ui7Yl1p2dr3TcqsNNOKohXtr2B4uIsh8PGMQTsjybsIUngd_8ZA2SpMUqRAQNPGi4nYBqrH51Drf1nkBwEoSA7R1YJamAOrCwkSBgUK3aQp4ezwC5Us8jVnt70/s1600/PA300065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSE-aAuURiqoOjM6Wy9ui7Yl1p2dr3TcqsNNOKohXtr2B4uIsh8PGMQTsjybsIUngd_8ZA2SpMUqRAQNPGi4nYBqrH51Drf1nkBwEoSA7R1YJamAOrCwkSBgUK3aQp4ezwC5Us8jVnt70/s320/PA300065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In Lucas the downtown is Wi-Fi'ed and has a very discernable line down Main Street . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpQPeghx0xd7O7vyWo5IVEKVzk91JwoTAXJJAX8oyQ7UIOvAHN47wjyYZxK6jc4khACi7QSo2s29ox7fzbW9sjrNBVDTPEzFMqCh6M42Xl4WVyhJPnQid9ezNPJst4dFpD6o9uL7ynAY/s1600/PA300067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpQPeghx0xd7O7vyWo5IVEKVzk91JwoTAXJJAX8oyQ7UIOvAHN47wjyYZxK6jc4khACi7QSo2s29ox7fzbW9sjrNBVDTPEzFMqCh6M42Xl4WVyhJPnQid9ezNPJst4dFpD6o9uL7ynAY/s320/PA300067.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And local pride can be found in the fabulous all-volunteer Theater!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgau77Qnro6J2ZGDdYQl-hjySBK5Yr6UENlw_wzjaJVpSxtqNCoT4i3h8xJ8c21tvBpA8JfnFOzLTsT7C1FC8gTZryXBX44FlBnkczlFCybU7SsrDrfPMgdBjeK13q6hi13noAMfN6nrpc/s1600/Lucas+Video+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgau77Qnro6J2ZGDdYQl-hjySBK5Yr6UENlw_wzjaJVpSxtqNCoT4i3h8xJ8c21tvBpA8JfnFOzLTsT7C1FC8gTZryXBX44FlBnkczlFCybU7SsrDrfPMgdBjeK13q6hi13noAMfN6nrpc/s320/Lucas+Video+Sign.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Downtown Lucas is made safe for your protection . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAL8-CuZE9qVYbRW0qKGqCHgjFMJUkkknnJWCSiOfQGmJQlMh0Jsyhk4uKpuqX7cf0R_GbIqYvwxX8OCWL7QmVJucnx3ST0PWnyaz3lD_pyL2-YWyRjd9bk66wZ0QexHXO3FrcUG8-VM/s1600/PA300070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAL8-CuZE9qVYbRW0qKGqCHgjFMJUkkknnJWCSiOfQGmJQlMh0Jsyhk4uKpuqX7cf0R_GbIqYvwxX8OCWL7QmVJucnx3ST0PWnyaz3lD_pyL2-YWyRjd9bk66wZ0QexHXO3FrcUG8-VM/s320/PA300070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the city office shows its pride with pride!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBInSJJoqm4VJn-2QrKYJZEazwysCg9huPZR72oQguqOT5nQ1XkwaPSMHF0d-qEFGFkEwa1242OSVlKkX6h6NeTh_4ZttsM5PlHTWw-gdZwFw3L0Jr7e5lXBAtpfrD8iWSdjw01ObEDUA/s1600/PA300073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBInSJJoqm4VJn-2QrKYJZEazwysCg9huPZR72oQguqOT5nQ1XkwaPSMHF0d-qEFGFkEwa1242OSVlKkX6h6NeTh_4ZttsM5PlHTWw-gdZwFw3L0Jr7e5lXBAtpfrD8iWSdjw01ObEDUA/s320/PA300073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is a Lucas Public Library . . . . </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhWCprkKKEw2U59Bb4ETAW_qOyYF9_9ddSy0MmNmjJyJpP9PBMzCcBnda9KpCrIbgC-8WdEBDeS30wdT2SBhUl01V_YYV-5LStdBD9cgOCaRE2hyykCOUXODkLdpvfAtFyF_NdM7bjao/s1600/PA300075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhWCprkKKEw2U59Bb4ETAW_qOyYF9_9ddSy0MmNmjJyJpP9PBMzCcBnda9KpCrIbgC-8WdEBDeS30wdT2SBhUl01V_YYV-5LStdBD9cgOCaRE2hyykCOUXODkLdpvfAtFyF_NdM7bjao/s320/PA300075.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And older buildings downtown sport even more architectural wonders!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVmEN2RBsvRqcrXHj-P8sXIYbb0GsoJXbBEUvBq3hDtR1wCIwtx7wVDh86JkNImdrclNFDb4RlpSgOMCn3DSfYOg0_KIx2rsu5KbVsbNui9hYRav7L-JNf8W5nN-4mzCxbqd6VK8RQGQ/s1600/PA300076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVmEN2RBsvRqcrXHj-P8sXIYbb0GsoJXbBEUvBq3hDtR1wCIwtx7wVDh86JkNImdrclNFDb4RlpSgOMCn3DSfYOg0_KIx2rsu5KbVsbNui9hYRav7L-JNf8W5nN-4mzCxbqd6VK8RQGQ/s320/PA300076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ah, yes, the Grassroots Arts Center is here in Lucas . . . . </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4v2ANEzUaF2q_f7pIcF9wyod4-3WTHCzYbjgnF7zc01bWMa_ys5m4r-79sK-09zyv8X41ZPFeL7VeDsGsBn1HbkjMdbDrqbIuq4mCxMjlVFb0QnDnIAf6RrDWaA5nFmT5tiomN-YYois/s1600/PA300077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4v2ANEzUaF2q_f7pIcF9wyod4-3WTHCzYbjgnF7zc01bWMa_ys5m4r-79sK-09zyv8X41ZPFeL7VeDsGsBn1HbkjMdbDrqbIuq4mCxMjlVFb0QnDnIAf6RrDWaA5nFmT5tiomN-YYois/s320/PA300077.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And they are ready for Halloween!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPY9Tml83Tc1uqHhYeBIqpX4f8kc1hhlNjqg6gMwofoR3AK2Er3x0iNrdSTmnbhublYtPt8SZ09BNKN7HfLnLD_HhmIRx-MisfkNEqxddoEGF7VXJGwP-jRCLIcjL7mFe5Bb_G9V-cWY/s1600/PA300080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPY9Tml83Tc1uqHhYeBIqpX4f8kc1hhlNjqg6gMwofoR3AK2Er3x0iNrdSTmnbhublYtPt8SZ09BNKN7HfLnLD_HhmIRx-MisfkNEqxddoEGF7VXJGwP-jRCLIcjL7mFe5Bb_G9V-cWY/s320/PA300080.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lucas does have some very interesting signage . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8CoRXrHb3-94Yk4h-7SsRku8se28-im8jLApg5gTg0npIXXvf9vZT2uQeuwc84NRHpV1xR_N4xKqTdKeyeF7xRuB3vFd-fc5YlX7PZgdEhr0owtaecH0khj9QkvVf40q9OpsV_ygXhw/s1600/PA300084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8CoRXrHb3-94Yk4h-7SsRku8se28-im8jLApg5gTg0npIXXvf9vZT2uQeuwc84NRHpV1xR_N4xKqTdKeyeF7xRuB3vFd-fc5YlX7PZgdEhr0owtaecH0khj9QkvVf40q9OpsV_ygXhw/s320/PA300084.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And some classic stone carvings as well!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPrSaHHtIMzIGUVNduk2wFqi1NlD07PqFROlBLOcfA65rhdErLgfBlNGiL3HNuIY0l578evEQBDX3icB_8T2hrp7xeqjJ4lF_43JbpRLxvpJmDq73UbVmwHofUWsxU3q6u6Irdw7kIIs/s1600/PA300085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPrSaHHtIMzIGUVNduk2wFqi1NlD07PqFROlBLOcfA65rhdErLgfBlNGiL3HNuIY0l578evEQBDX3icB_8T2hrp7xeqjJ4lF_43JbpRLxvpJmDq73UbVmwHofUWsxU3q6u6Irdw7kIIs/s320/PA300085.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A throughly modern volunteer fire department can be found here . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigx4U4-74svf8JRZaIwZ07TGJRpON_-_Z3kUnV_P6dDqUaPE1Lmihm7xsMd_-uY95fUswqxmrhn0XQq6y8qze2xZoTD-YRU4bQe1cGfdyaQYNVBbpmSHO78CHB1GJm0ATCLtV-VPvpShE/s1600/PA300086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigx4U4-74svf8JRZaIwZ07TGJRpON_-_Z3kUnV_P6dDqUaPE1Lmihm7xsMd_-uY95fUswqxmrhn0XQq6y8qze2xZoTD-YRU4bQe1cGfdyaQYNVBbpmSHO78CHB1GJm0ATCLtV-VPvpShE/s320/PA300086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And again in the back alleys can be found more interesting gardens and fences.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIxuAe8i__sT5F6msVL2UecE1WduNpdxAVqdmOb4NJTPNH2wZ8N8oizfYEj04YLP2jwiC0PAa5F6xdvqE4Go0V58JyQLY7J8luiAgYa6CKp31Gm5Ti7cBY31vfLMVCW9jD3qFQmOCG08/s1600/PA300088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIxuAe8i__sT5F6msVL2UecE1WduNpdxAVqdmOb4NJTPNH2wZ8N8oizfYEj04YLP2jwiC0PAa5F6xdvqE4Go0V58JyQLY7J8luiAgYa6CKp31Gm5Ti7cBY31vfLMVCW9jD3qFQmOCG08/s320/PA300088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In Lucas you can find wire Bald Eagles . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUPYRaT2DItZTnHqegPBchgNcztATYolfvJgGrLj2GhYn5r80DsbQ30dLRjQeZCxsByN_S1AUcLkV3srBsi39nrw5PP0bquDTriFl-KPX5okftVMFOLFnLkIBfdvaLUgGAlj9InSv0-k/s1600/PA300094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUPYRaT2DItZTnHqegPBchgNcztATYolfvJgGrLj2GhYn5r80DsbQ30dLRjQeZCxsByN_S1AUcLkV3srBsi39nrw5PP0bquDTriFl-KPX5okftVMFOLFnLkIBfdvaLUgGAlj9InSv0-k/s320/PA300094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And classic churches . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETxCoq5hazymJlKpXb6gdwUf6Iaij0BrFB2TqrxRycjYr0_LdLHMbH947BcfFVrkl3NRUJcXfU-wA9PklEMoJuN3DOl2UyNLrSoysR4pNb9g-BxRCK9uqhVudI4Zb1RWZGMisakz8Tho/s1600/PA300099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETxCoq5hazymJlKpXb6gdwUf6Iaij0BrFB2TqrxRycjYr0_LdLHMbH947BcfFVrkl3NRUJcXfU-wA9PklEMoJuN3DOl2UyNLrSoysR4pNb9g-BxRCK9uqhVudI4Zb1RWZGMisakz8Tho/s320/PA300099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not to mention the random land serpent.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7Y52TuwWoj1Z4MbgeLHbH34kfuHM4ZmS5HaZCnwoOOvlI4xDucnigxPPs3kBW59x-EKPTw9RdU1b7XeLWmwVrOtFB4iATEBASH7geURzgZra8pChOkfuC2lXo-OC21uSKlRA9yqWTps/s1600/PA300100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7Y52TuwWoj1Z4MbgeLHbH34kfuHM4ZmS5HaZCnwoOOvlI4xDucnigxPPs3kBW59x-EKPTw9RdU1b7XeLWmwVrOtFB4iATEBASH7geURzgZra8pChOkfuC2lXo-OC21uSKlRA9yqWTps/s320/PA300100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Yes, Lucas is the birthplace of K-18 Baseball, which gave hundreds of kids over many decades great fun . . . .</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85BL9ccKb9nIXNUIYYKMel-Feo4M97nivzZlkOfJiWEF9owXcPQQuNGtmboverM4K1pP7Zp2hy7uCy1jOug4BNE1YRMIWSiG_vjd5NpxpG2Uj6oWUGPOperslfvqcp6LUMf71HjgkHNI/s1600/PA300102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85BL9ccKb9nIXNUIYYKMel-Feo4M97nivzZlkOfJiWEF9owXcPQQuNGtmboverM4K1pP7Zp2hy7uCy1jOug4BNE1YRMIWSiG_vjd5NpxpG2Uj6oWUGPOperslfvqcp6LUMf71HjgkHNI/s320/PA300102.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And one of the first things one notices about the town is that it is a green-topped water tower town.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3u90S_F2PXoXzfFwTuew0PtnI6HbV3rKaxoG6PNlCnC6bQ-8s8hgSRNHg7Qd4RjmkggF-cQmOTaQpGCR1jNwSHPEwd10juxHC9he8AXnRcjaIC5-MpVzNjjNlCStZqK2IczQV_NTAYyI/s1600/Tinwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3u90S_F2PXoXzfFwTuew0PtnI6HbV3rKaxoG6PNlCnC6bQ-8s8hgSRNHg7Qd4RjmkggF-cQmOTaQpGCR1jNwSHPEwd10juxHC9he8AXnRcjaIC5-MpVzNjjNlCStZqK2IczQV_NTAYyI/s320/Tinwork.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is great tinwork to be found, if you once again look up once in a while . . . .</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMH22XG_jXhjNCNON2ImOJ3XzB_D3I06aJoG88_C5cAc4dKyS0LS4zMzMbM1rUYV6NVSCl4iAa0H1i1qFTZjuA9BOtZJbw6RnrDLoZqktYF-49ANlLrI0Nx5T0FQiRn7I2CBHo2EsJTc/s1600/Wanted+Eccentricity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMH22XG_jXhjNCNON2ImOJ3XzB_D3I06aJoG88_C5cAc4dKyS0LS4zMzMbM1rUYV6NVSCl4iAa0H1i1qFTZjuA9BOtZJbw6RnrDLoZqktYF-49ANlLrI0Nx5T0FQiRn7I2CBHo2EsJTc/s320/Wanted+Eccentricity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And did we mention the unusual signage?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlmBwlJjToLyFuckIB6msAOS5BN6Jk3EGwbsoM4MYP0sNHEzUhPVq6htw-8LVdIFQg5CKw9Y0LYgL40Qfrnu-cpHutOt1yw9wMAo9get_i0ndCQqO_Kf7fp0vhJEQ2Tp-8x94ISXYV4Y/s1600/Welcome+to+Lucas+Ice+Cream!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlmBwlJjToLyFuckIB6msAOS5BN6Jk3EGwbsoM4MYP0sNHEzUhPVq6htw-8LVdIFQg5CKw9Y0LYgL40Qfrnu-cpHutOt1yw9wMAo9get_i0ndCQqO_Kf7fp0vhJEQ2Tp-8x94ISXYV4Y/s320/Welcome+to+Lucas+Ice+Cream!.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">And now that we've roamed our new Home, we really do need to get back to that ice cream! Thank you, Lucas!!!</div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-10242281189771571952010-12-18T14:32:00.001-06:002010-12-18T16:59:31.098-06:00IN SEARCH OF: May 26, 2010 - Charlie Brenscom & The Great Indian Scare of 1878<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">THE SCENE: For over a year I had been crisscrossing Osborne County, taking photographs of every tombstone known standing in the county. Now I was down to trying to locate those solitary stones rumored to be scattered here and there across farmers’ fields and ranchers’ pastures. Today’s hunt would be for the gravestone of Charlie Brenscom.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">THE BACKGROUND: Charlie Brenscom was an invalid living in Mount Ayr Township of western Osborne County when one of the more notorious incidents in Osborne County history occurred. What afterwards became known as the two days of “The Great Indian Scare of 1878” had its origins in late September of that year, when a band of Cheyenne Indians left their reservation in Indian Territory (today’s Oklahoma) to seek their old homelands in the Dakotas. They headed north through Kansas between Forts Wallace and Hays, throwing the western half of the state into a panic as one can imagine. The commandant of Fort Hays was unsure of the Indians’ intentions and <em>as a</em> <em>precaution</em> sent riders galloping east down the Saline and Smoky Hill river valleys to warn everyone of the potential danger.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Word reached Osborne County on October 7th via freight wagon drivers from Russell, Kansas, who by the time they arrived in the southern half of the county managed to change the message from “potential danger” to “they are coming!” </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">Now all of Osborne County was thrown into a panic. Stories abound both comic and tragic of the settler’s reactions over the next two days. Former Civil War soldiers now homesteading the region took up their guns, organized under old officers, and took to roving the countryside searching for incoming war bands of Indians. The dust rising from these roving soldier bands in the Paradise Creek region of southwestern Osborne County was mistaken by other roving bands as being “the Indians – they are here!” and soon hundreds of people were tossing their belongings onto horses and into wagons and fleeing to the north and east. At Covert, halfway across the county, a funeral was being held when the news came. The mourners immediately fled northeast to the county seat of Osborne, leaving the unfortunate Mrs. Morris in her coffin still resting on two sawhorses, the pages of the Bible atop the coffin flapping in the breeze. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The domino effect continued. At Vincent in southern Osborne County a little girl mistook just cut stalks in a cornfield for Indian teepees and raced to town to warn everyone. Most of the community formed a small wagon train and fled northeast through the Blue Hills to the next small community of Potterville. Several men volunteered to stay behind and so give their loved ones a chance to get away. They raided the local general store for guns and gathered in Ira Pitzer’s stone house to make a last stand against the oncoming Indians. Only then did they realize that they had neglected to bring any ammunition along. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">When the Vincent refugees reached Potterville that community was promptly abandoned at the news, the all-important post office was packed in a trunk, and still more wagons and people joined the growing train that now made its way fifteen miles northeast through the hills to the comparative safety of the town of Tipton in Mitchell County. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Scare was in full swing by the time the news reached Osborne in the north central part of the county. Five hundred settlers overturned wagons, barrels, and anything else they could find to build a barrier, quickly dubbed “Fort Osborne,” behind which they settled all that day and through the next night, waiting in vain for Indian warriors that never came.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The next day, October 8th, the word reaching far eastern Osborne County from fleeing refugees warned that “the entire Indian nation in the West was uprising” and that “three million Indians” were bearing down on the poor settlers, causing still more panic. But by October 9th things began to die down as people started realizing that no real Indians had actually ever appeared. Sheepishly they began to return to their homes. But not all. The estimate is that approximately ten thousand people fled from Osborne County alone over those two days, and of that number nearly four thousand never came back. They had had enough of the "Wild" West.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In his 1882 “<u>Osborne County Annals of the Year 1878</u>” Osborne lawyer Zachary T. Walrond had this to say about the Scare: <em>“October 8th: There is a great scare in the western part of Osborne County, the alarm originating from a rumor that the wild Indians are raiding down Paradise and Eagle Creeks; five hundred settlers go to the defense of Osborne. Chas. Branscomb</em> [sic]<em>, an invalid, dies while his friends are removing him to a place of safety.”</em></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Which brings us back to Charlie Brenscom.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWKBThBC8EUwHmY9NwvS07l6xcmDgh1azhYFV1TmG7AVnxfsEC2L_cC7CEZaI5MsEz7kA-Ek36AOS6533GXgYKWUVISxmiVBd8u1HCWeshX7KhGtgz8ze8KdRECkmQJem5ZsqQ583BbM/s1600/Charlie+Brenscom+grave+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWKBThBC8EUwHmY9NwvS07l6xcmDgh1azhYFV1TmG7AVnxfsEC2L_cC7CEZaI5MsEz7kA-Ek36AOS6533GXgYKWUVISxmiVBd8u1HCWeshX7KhGtgz8ze8KdRECkmQJem5ZsqQ583BbM/s400/Charlie+Brenscom+grave+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">THE SEARCH: What I had to go on to find Charlie Brenscom's gravestone came from two sources. The first was Mrs. Auldin Conrad, who lives across the road from the Fairwest School, District #38, a long-abandoned frame one-room rural schoolhouse still standing in the northeast quarter of Section 25 in southeastern Mount Ayr Township. Now well into her 80s, Mrs. Conrad had just a few years ago had told me that the stone was still to be found "just behind the schoolhouse" and then told me the wonderfully absurd story passed down in the area that periodically Indians used to stop by Charlie's stone, and after they left the local people would come and poke around the grave, thinking that the Indians might have buried treasure there. My second source was the above photo, taken in 1977 of the headstone by the Osborne County Genealogical & Historical Society, showing the Fairwest schoohouse in the left background. The closeness of the stone to the school in the photograph made seem that this stone would be easy enough to find.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5Flg9nD-FjDjTJMaucPDsu3q1mMh4nyoXou4r_x1pSxlmDkd84BKE0YfefkpRMO25QlAfXONA142LO-MEm1d1Z2R9vPZhqJUE7Qhw98PuaYFi7ngwovDB_FwJNEbeAXW-OjW7N3kTvI/s1600/Fairwest+School+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5Flg9nD-FjDjTJMaucPDsu3q1mMh4nyoXou4r_x1pSxlmDkd84BKE0YfefkpRMO25QlAfXONA142LO-MEm1d1Z2R9vPZhqJUE7Qhw98PuaYFi7ngwovDB_FwJNEbeAXW-OjW7N3kTvI/s400/Fairwest+School+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">So 23 years after that last photograph I and my recruited help, Merlyn Brown, owner of Osborne’s Merlyn Entertainment Group graphic arts company and an avid photographer by trade, found us driving the gravel roads of <place><placetype>Mount</placetype> <placename>Ayr</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place> toward the <place><placename>Fairwest</placename> <placetype>School, seen here in center background</placetype></place>.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQl9ChXInSBAYjf2V91Kz5cJxvRmkiUMJ2EOKaKi0stwQIxSake_RD9SU1BzOZeftZUhG9RsUTyph2apyhWmV3ScI78ltMY4iCn2RN56i8skR_ZamoKYtDx9tafU7F6wiVAlUX5tPxEE4/s1600/Fairwest+School+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQl9ChXInSBAYjf2V91Kz5cJxvRmkiUMJ2EOKaKi0stwQIxSake_RD9SU1BzOZeftZUhG9RsUTyph2apyhWmV3ScI78ltMY4iCn2RN56i8skR_ZamoKYtDx9tafU7F6wiVAlUX5tPxEE4/s400/Fairwest+School+1.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">The night before I had tried to contact Randy Conrad, the local landowner, to let him know that we might be out and about on his land around the schoolhouse, but had no luck in reaching him. In our confidence on knowing local customs and figuring that if we ran into Randy we could let him then know what we were doing, we proceeded with no guns or bags, only cameras, in trespassing on his land - you kids reading this at home should NEVER do this. We were wrong and I apologize here to Mr. Conrad and to all rural landowers for our arrogance. And yes, we paid for it. </div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwL17UyKFBaWLYxYkt1KnBLshc2SPKn4T2InelIGkWYfCs3zBgzHAQVLk_REeWDgDbwTlNvInkui23DPN6A5gpyQ545K6VPMaW8hwa2BLzCrb_7ojbRDdwfBkkU9h7JtdsbaYJ_S3UdoQ/s1600/Brenscom+search+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwL17UyKFBaWLYxYkt1KnBLshc2SPKn4T2InelIGkWYfCs3zBgzHAQVLk_REeWDgDbwTlNvInkui23DPN6A5gpyQ545K6VPMaW8hwa2BLzCrb_7ojbRDdwfBkkU9h7JtdsbaYJ_S3UdoQ/s400/Brenscom+search+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mrs. Conrad had said that the stone was "just behind the schoolhouse." Well, it wasn't. We searched and searched, getting into some pretty rough overgrowth that stood taller than what the gravestone probably was. In the photo above the Fairwest School can just be seen to the left of the trees in the far background.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkad2I2MAO9PW1UYxWmrkgQ47cSy6zxaPV7FW-NPO8R29tNN5O9EFb9m_Z_s7VObVbnly6rIunDk26vZD1sDLdhnoBNhZHAxmt7QHxdG0LaEj5tysyD2Xrh9jd8jNIPF_NxXs9zU7kheM/s1600/Brenscom+search+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkad2I2MAO9PW1UYxWmrkgQ47cSy6zxaPV7FW-NPO8R29tNN5O9EFb9m_Z_s7VObVbnly6rIunDk26vZD1sDLdhnoBNhZHAxmt7QHxdG0LaEj5tysyD2Xrh9jd8jNIPF_NxXs9zU7kheM/s400/Brenscom+search+2.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-r55KYDH8fGGPXxtBDHpCpMyiSGaehEg8YJfj5nusbt67q4YEWDSKzlnOfRlxYnjeCp73uqWR1e3xs9_EYRoB6jZNIaHHH9LsrGkkcD1gZxolSW2WQoYXXticEG5UrsR4PCu9TfzB2hU/s1600/Brenscom+search+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-r55KYDH8fGGPXxtBDHpCpMyiSGaehEg8YJfj5nusbt67q4YEWDSKzlnOfRlxYnjeCp73uqWR1e3xs9_EYRoB6jZNIaHHH9LsrGkkcD1gZxolSW2WQoYXXticEG5UrsR4PCu9TfzB2hU/s400/Brenscom+search+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We continued to search in this overgrowth for nearly an hour in vain. If the stone was here it might be knocked over by now, and if that happened in this growth then there was no way to find it - unless one literally stumbled over it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwLprdQjlDP4g90t-eAvhrf6Jd5PmxHTPhOndgNFw-1hFeyv_3Ijv5tR4m3LHrFYzQNYhjSvXBCTdunCg89qfJeqW8SHyPaG2s2v82TpzHVTbZ7FrWQE6UBWx0ItfWZXYBYTG2WCLoro/s1600/Brenscom+search+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwLprdQjlDP4g90t-eAvhrf6Jd5PmxHTPhOndgNFw-1hFeyv_3Ijv5tR4m3LHrFYzQNYhjSvXBCTdunCg89qfJeqW8SHyPaG2s2v82TpzHVTbZ7FrWQE6UBWx0ItfWZXYBYTG2WCLoro/s400/Brenscom+search+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Over an hour later we were well to the south of the schoolhouse. No gravestone. Nothing else of worth to even photograph. Nothing but sweat, bites, welts, and a couple of small cuts to show for our efforts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtvMrAtRzvhArVuNY6AQo3wonD8EFWLlgd1PLHA6GFkuZsqf_6R32TP8Uxt-v84UEUhMc087aZDbky3JyB3b_AaU7_mckikrApL_pEw6eh_SrQHLrQ2GziVrWM3NgEt8WAZzyaYZ8maU/s1600/Charlie+Brenscom+grave+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtvMrAtRzvhArVuNY6AQo3wonD8EFWLlgd1PLHA6GFkuZsqf_6R32TP8Uxt-v84UEUhMc087aZDbky3JyB3b_AaU7_mckikrApL_pEw6eh_SrQHLrQ2GziVrWM3NgEt8WAZzyaYZ8maU/s400/Charlie+Brenscom+grave+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Taking a look at that 1977 photograph again, this time it registered that the stone might not behind the schoolhouse, but more to the south of the school. As in the next field? Merlyn went ahead of me, and sure enough, there was the grave. Hey, Merlyn, look behind you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ToTbVX2Rjt2M2Wo5OUxHRKv0JCxSN-Bes6MTtONBePgvl0N-ASGVjadFPLromcKhR9I7dpCMDaEWae8ZrS_dYeaPDCp8YjP4u9jFUnHiDY3v7HlzbX4EO981g44DpaFVke88joRgtpg/s1600/Charlie+Brenscom+grave+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ToTbVX2Rjt2M2Wo5OUxHRKv0JCxSN-Bes6MTtONBePgvl0N-ASGVjadFPLromcKhR9I7dpCMDaEWae8ZrS_dYeaPDCp8YjP4u9jFUnHiDY3v7HlzbX4EO981g44DpaFVke88joRgtpg/s400/Charlie+Brenscom+grave+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Charlie Brenscomb's grave lies at least a quarter mile south and just a smidgen west of the schoolhouse in the middle of a corn field. Just to the right of Merlyn's camera you can see the Fairwest School.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXO2NfZqURXjVYubKgUJU-ok0wJkHCq9dV_8U2D159Lbs8NFNVfCiGdmbgxD5Z6LA4etbUQeuu0YramKMB2RsPAHCm7BqobIHI8oGzkQsuVjVsXawhI2z1Q_5hGn7pAWCVevEwZLsStVw/s400/Brenscom+Charlie+h+b+24+May+2010.jpg" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhyphenhyphenJ2NeW1AwrbwI9L-2zZFNOMm289Wgpz0Fgj95HpbSXgFVUzUrdwfxNCEzLANPLZQUzhR18MRwSV7S0cc6CsBseUUrfPtIQP5QgBOI2yYSEmATTVhg7MtCZ6YSxyeCHUcb70EYu-rE4/s1600/Charlie+Brenscom+grave+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhyphenhyphenJ2NeW1AwrbwI9L-2zZFNOMm289Wgpz0Fgj95HpbSXgFVUzUrdwfxNCEzLANPLZQUzhR18MRwSV7S0cc6CsBseUUrfPtIQP5QgBOI2yYSEmATTVhg7MtCZ6YSxyeCHUcb70EYu-rE4/s400/Charlie+Brenscom+grave+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhf4Dp3jWdU7_5WH0aLiiK6lpP0uworpMQ00yd3h4Xz86ujlWdVmWmagO5V_qVB9ZQ-x3iN2mB-J_Fm-hpVg0o74OzldwI67ZsDAUfq0I6-gnQRKuVMyPcHn9vVUc3rNJv68ie81F-Ijw/s1600/Charlie+Brenscom+grave+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhf4Dp3jWdU7_5WH0aLiiK6lpP0uworpMQ00yd3h4Xz86ujlWdVmWmagO5V_qVB9ZQ-x3iN2mB-J_Fm-hpVg0o74OzldwI67ZsDAUfq0I6-gnQRKuVMyPcHn9vVUc3rNJv68ie81F-Ijw/s400/Charlie+Brenscom+grave+1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4tuFhWcTjbIMWx6KLC72JbJD_HR9XH2DFexh5e8tDZPO9_AamOD59rdGJqiKznVi1l3tRoECLH9anYG1sqAfPgA3OaHMT9WLSVMbolm7sqF2vV52QdUC_XF9ezMDGvMufUsEK7VvnV0/s1600/Charlie+Brenscom+grave+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4tuFhWcTjbIMWx6KLC72JbJD_HR9XH2DFexh5e8tDZPO9_AamOD59rdGJqiKznVi1l3tRoECLH9anYG1sqAfPgA3OaHMT9WLSVMbolm7sqF2vV52QdUC_XF9ezMDGvMufUsEK7VvnV0/s400/Charlie+Brenscom+grave+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Considering its age (129 years), Charlie's native limestone, handcarved headstone is in remarkable shape and still quite readable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIL7CNlI1bf-DTTAIeMmQyhYV5GiyeCMbWbZB6qjzarzj_K6yf8e1Gkb984GItovKSqfMxYA18_V7WUcuaGlUNIkZSoV_hPzTvuWDJSMkqtce5S2_mKCeVGBLuft_AnkG01n1Vqo_cMB4/s1600/Charlie+Brenscom+grave+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIL7CNlI1bf-DTTAIeMmQyhYV5GiyeCMbWbZB6qjzarzj_K6yf8e1Gkb984GItovKSqfMxYA18_V7WUcuaGlUNIkZSoV_hPzTvuWDJSMkqtce5S2_mKCeVGBLuft_AnkG01n1Vqo_cMB4/s400/Charlie+Brenscom+grave+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We take one last photograph of Charlie's grave, secure in the knowledge that it was still to be found in the year 2010. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7yuFVpi8khc8UuQK0b4wOKyNREDcUIzGNVVVQHczRhK2XKn54Q4YglZ-S6B1E-Bch65SGTuIcqREAMwx9Ii7a4OACX10eAJVoA-7ioPbZi9_Ng7sf2vrlncWd1tqsyRrrioSzIE5cfM/s400/Natoma+Cem+horses+1.jpg" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEizM65BYGG8RTCOuNo_JqXcllIQuvP3PcTHVonCFmMndbtgn-1i95RRsKOwtF_PRC9rFsMrMLtuBWeyWWwU73NDJpuGjvihYnSr2wwLcqNvu8jor5Enb0k73vV_gCbBl16xq0MMudMw/s1600/Natoma+Cem+horses+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEizM65BYGG8RTCOuNo_JqXcllIQuvP3PcTHVonCFmMndbtgn-1i95RRsKOwtF_PRC9rFsMrMLtuBWeyWWwU73NDJpuGjvihYnSr2wwLcqNvu8jor5Enb0k73vV_gCbBl16xq0MMudMw/s400/Natoma+Cem+horses+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Flush with success, we head south to Natoma in southwestern Osborne County and stop at the cemetery there. Why? Why, so Merlyn can take photos of horses, of course!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7whX1L33zGz2qmR9kq0jwo82LXRKUn1XbRxSOlGrkGvJBFlNMgAPpGDjk0oEuSes5o1UdWHmMYMCH78Ba_tnfED9jytKpYHbGtT6ztcB63vCW8vZhZN8K283mSm8pA9UlHWSqE0e2EpI/s1600/Natoma+Cem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7whX1L33zGz2qmR9kq0jwo82LXRKUn1XbRxSOlGrkGvJBFlNMgAPpGDjk0oEuSes5o1UdWHmMYMCH78Ba_tnfED9jytKpYHbGtT6ztcB63vCW8vZhZN8K283mSm8pA9UlHWSqE0e2EpI/s400/Natoma+Cem.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Actually, there was one more tombstone that I needed a good photograph of in the Natoma Cemetery. For this region the stone on Ken and Leah Griffin's grave is a bit unusual!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYA9vXq25kkMctVgK3D8wThmcPiiqdAMakVHFjss0-PGUziFg1ljULlkIp64J0GsAyzOkhK2wb1sXQ3dKRMMFYCTLiCDDBZYCzBjn6GAT8HmSohYc4hPN_gHMVBlEeY70-bdC_uFXuxB4/s1600/Paradise+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYA9vXq25kkMctVgK3D8wThmcPiiqdAMakVHFjss0-PGUziFg1ljULlkIp64J0GsAyzOkhK2wb1sXQ3dKRMMFYCTLiCDDBZYCzBjn6GAT8HmSohYc4hPN_gHMVBlEeY70-bdC_uFXuxB4/s400/Paradise+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We then turn east from Natoma down Kansas State Highway 18 under a beautiful sky. We are approaching the town of Paradise, Kansas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYi7lYcwhDWf8aa0G34xn4_aVaJcagKe6r0voAM5NGfLz8R4XU1IAqpuL9KndtFLqt0aA-FDGwRgfVr-OWxzsktFqCU_CZ9UbdGoN4H-BrHIsjLwzST0FBlBRG82WItiLjKcB4dauHqLk/s1600/Paradise+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYi7lYcwhDWf8aa0G34xn4_aVaJcagKe6r0voAM5NGfLz8R4XU1IAqpuL9KndtFLqt0aA-FDGwRgfVr-OWxzsktFqCU_CZ9UbdGoN4H-BrHIsjLwzST0FBlBRG82WItiLjKcB4dauHqLk/s400/Paradise+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In approaching Paradise one cannot help to see the iconic 1888 Post Rock Limestone city watertower.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmIOMyLn7eayAMxBqrQXTt3Qf_i4RW284z9qBW96yr9sq1emGHYLOvoIWMvNjQE0YJL1AoheXbCP1upLRZOzaPDdkEcH9APHo-cc7e8sc6FuiJpAKe-3GU1WvUSM8aKVFjoWlGEdGlQI/s1600/zGarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmIOMyLn7eayAMxBqrQXTt3Qf_i4RW284z9qBW96yr9sq1emGHYLOvoIWMvNjQE0YJL1AoheXbCP1upLRZOzaPDdkEcH9APHo-cc7e8sc6FuiJpAKe-3GU1WvUSM8aKVFjoWlGEdGlQI/s400/zGarden.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Now, if one kept going on down Kansas State Highway 18 one will eventually come to the Garden of Eden, in Lucas, Kansas. Russell County, Kansas - one of only two places I know in the world where one can find in close proximity Paradise and the Garden of Eden!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtP05tzm2W-_4lsSVZxoxDJeJAo1tC6mQs84_UXJn_uwuMiRoVIR-qlM_R6KBXqmQr8EktTb2gdYzLQ_cxlQ87aT0K4AC74IbgYsId3aaBHbKHPiGXVfi3M4lMKnFwTI9D4HtyAUT4ng/s1600/zCedar+Bluff+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtP05tzm2W-_4lsSVZxoxDJeJAo1tC6mQs84_UXJn_uwuMiRoVIR-qlM_R6KBXqmQr8EktTb2gdYzLQ_cxlQ87aT0K4AC74IbgYsId3aaBHbKHPiGXVfi3M4lMKnFwTI9D4HtyAUT4ng/s400/zCedar+Bluff+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Needing to get back to Osborne, we take the opportunity to drive down a few Kansas backroads so that I can take Merlyn to the Cedar Bluff Cemetery in central Osborne County, as he had never been there before.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ujLSD8PsU5o6i8S6rR45baX68vadjZtfgJ7K9y66MAispp9TwPJqEsRh-HW2Ad3yuyM3uzgU9xIf6WkT6OU4FC4HHEr7YvHJjedc4IbDsc2urApI1BiLCNFzjiL4cDVqUp9n1Ag6VFg/s1600/zCedar+Bluff+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ujLSD8PsU5o6i8S6rR45baX68vadjZtfgJ7K9y66MAispp9TwPJqEsRh-HW2Ad3yuyM3uzgU9xIf6WkT6OU4FC4HHEr7YvHJjedc4IbDsc2urApI1BiLCNFzjiL4cDVqUp9n1Ag6VFg/s400/zCedar+Bluff+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And he was immediately captivated. What is he taking a photo of??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2goKDpSIkqWxi20MA5qudEaDo3vlJ8EknFweH-Z9F0LJleV6j7M-vtQhprCod5zarjmWx_XmFF30zho9d_thOK5UcB1kOIeVuOlvg1Qoz5SavK5kPs4iIiCEbjBaDblfmX8xdGtb-iCY/s1600/zCedar+Bluff+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2goKDpSIkqWxi20MA5qudEaDo3vlJ8EknFweH-Z9F0LJleV6j7M-vtQhprCod5zarjmWx_XmFF30zho9d_thOK5UcB1kOIeVuOlvg1Qoz5SavK5kPs4iIiCEbjBaDblfmX8xdGtb-iCY/s320/zCedar+Bluff+3.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ah. I see.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-88ebEM7zuqfeknH_5mmJ6aO3XwKwRcZauDrmJ9lN2__bUvaWFW7-Zq-9BkwkNGKopycMeWD8uqTS60CvTiPLcCabCT2-lXLZH7kHAKrW1cCwk6UD8TZcZe56QiNeQp_IocZwDVLq2M/s1600/zCedar+Bluff+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-88ebEM7zuqfeknH_5mmJ6aO3XwKwRcZauDrmJ9lN2__bUvaWFW7-Zq-9BkwkNGKopycMeWD8uqTS60CvTiPLcCabCT2-lXLZH7kHAKrW1cCwk6UD8TZcZe56QiNeQp_IocZwDVLq2M/s400/zCedar+Bluff+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqAoVR_tpLmXHybMmf_H3XRIKIETsgZoUNNfhwCyQ51PlArnZV-tCzl-YPRWABINV5FwYhSo2Ccuqj4vxqD5r7rvZdoj9w_XgHDp-vWAsOUTt65SCAQ1L12wg136gJiG7rXWpNuySW14/s1600/zCedar+Bluff+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqAoVR_tpLmXHybMmf_H3XRIKIETsgZoUNNfhwCyQ51PlArnZV-tCzl-YPRWABINV5FwYhSo2Ccuqj4vxqD5r7rvZdoj9w_XgHDp-vWAsOUTt65SCAQ1L12wg136gJiG7rXWpNuySW14/s400/zCedar+Bluff+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cedar Bluff Cemetery is noted for the large cedar trees that tower over the cemetery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNpVfS9Ze5uwKZlFFr7qqXdh9omLtfj1L4ytJK5cGOGn1OuKlApgP0hXmwC3_xZyW7WbVB-ymuqFf01VTwzRQWPKEW_dq25AoJyKSN2G3ykVjsiyiQQsVfh9wt1hJRm54REwZzkja0NA/s1600/zCedar+Bluff+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNpVfS9Ze5uwKZlFFr7qqXdh9omLtfj1L4ytJK5cGOGn1OuKlApgP0hXmwC3_xZyW7WbVB-ymuqFf01VTwzRQWPKEW_dq25AoJyKSN2G3ykVjsiyiQQsVfh9wt1hJRm54REwZzkja0NA/s400/zCedar+Bluff+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here in late May older strains of the iris flower abound around 120-year old graves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPIWsqfRl8Hf35xR71zoL6nliCl7nLRuHLfY1RV8AqWdDWYWAniMstFjfjQZS71rbQF-THnvR2Nzo7vWaCp_-moUyWyJo1Fam4cXyvUSP1r4FoUU3ACWfpf6xSaPyv7TWbNpf4KMQVFM/s1600/zCedar+Bluff+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPIWsqfRl8Hf35xR71zoL6nliCl7nLRuHLfY1RV8AqWdDWYWAniMstFjfjQZS71rbQF-THnvR2Nzo7vWaCp_-moUyWyJo1Fam4cXyvUSP1r4FoUU3ACWfpf6xSaPyv7TWbNpf4KMQVFM/s640/zCedar+Bluff+7.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even the summer lilac can be found here!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXq3rmLc_pToZ9wrO48c4eYjQR55us8hGmJOjqscLcGtGCISB7NfdYX9A8jynkPuNPa5-RncZ9Db65lAK6P48bh6zxsZccK-7YW_OFkwZ8isENb61jNyWeYjF8Qnjha0Y3fRWqUpI1bY/s1600/zCedar+Bluff+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXq3rmLc_pToZ9wrO48c4eYjQR55us8hGmJOjqscLcGtGCISB7NfdYX9A8jynkPuNPa5-RncZ9Db65lAK6P48bh6zxsZccK-7YW_OFkwZ8isENb61jNyWeYjF8Qnjha0Y3fRWqUpI1bY/s400/zCedar+Bluff+8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the road into the cemetery. Some people, upon seeing it, might just be a little bit hesitant . . . . </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcwA1DAS6bAou3fz7KHwU0p-PJQq9x4WsRdvp8gMuxyNHbQ5Xs8tSxstMEb3ApS2snaIGv-KrVcrPJsbMLHSJlSNA0Qup1yjCDhp2JOrKcE5K1sU1qeoZFc6EvAe2FPVaCc1AlZiZE9c/s1600/zCedar+Bluff+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcwA1DAS6bAou3fz7KHwU0p-PJQq9x4WsRdvp8gMuxyNHbQ5Xs8tSxstMEb3ApS2snaIGv-KrVcrPJsbMLHSJlSNA0Qup1yjCDhp2JOrKcE5K1sU1qeoZFc6EvAe2FPVaCc1AlZiZE9c/s400/zCedar+Bluff+9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> . . . . especially when they see the old 1920s era bridge they have to cross!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2YexEJch4X6ktZjuNocjWoOi_TmKLJE2VmgwibfxdSpid-xTkpbKIGBjJCGcFs5Zf5sDAcLitUQT0ndEmXc_Qc9F7p6XzYjx7r4x96NH2YPsUxejLWVJmYDLEaV-ozvVik2_asVIXx4/s1600/zCedar+Bluff+z10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2YexEJch4X6ktZjuNocjWoOi_TmKLJE2VmgwibfxdSpid-xTkpbKIGBjJCGcFs5Zf5sDAcLitUQT0ndEmXc_Qc9F7p6XzYjx7r4x96NH2YPsUxejLWVJmYDLEaV-ozvVik2_asVIXx4/s400/zCedar+Bluff+z10.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The bridge spans Covert Creek, which is flowing nicely due to recent rains in the area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXgIau7L9_PUfkkO_CmPJ0w552x3IaU7fn3chBj8S45K6GWPrKyPcRIJD9J22dmh-kQOdG4FeEAOFNUt7oY2hzbi-K_XUgH17Px2NNQy-8DSTGq1alN0r-N3qYYExWsxMURxabcn9b20/s1600/zCedar+Bluff+z11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXgIau7L9_PUfkkO_CmPJ0w552x3IaU7fn3chBj8S45K6GWPrKyPcRIJD9J22dmh-kQOdG4FeEAOFNUt7oY2hzbi-K_XUgH17Px2NNQy-8DSTGq1alN0r-N3qYYExWsxMURxabcn9b20/s400/zCedar+Bluff+z11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here the summer lilacs can really be found in full bloom!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfMa-G6qQfJz0VohQYem6wBKabvwnIDC-n3fzjrTY7MvTQP1PI86X6ho0UcIjDzC7YMlVdYCSVU9U04XN2HBud4GehCq4L4G-6yo_w2FMbaahZAqQ-A67Oyc0l2RuoCMPBIfuTeyu0Bk/s1600/zzend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfMa-G6qQfJz0VohQYem6wBKabvwnIDC-n3fzjrTY7MvTQP1PI86X6ho0UcIjDzC7YMlVdYCSVU9U04XN2HBud4GehCq4L4G-6yo_w2FMbaahZAqQ-A67Oyc0l2RuoCMPBIfuTeyu0Bk/s400/zzend.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">Reluctantly the day was ending, and we would have to wait until another day to once again explore the backroads of Osborne County!</div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-17962280760273412332010-12-18T11:03:00.001-06:002010-12-18T16:54:37.490-06:00Personal Blog Moment: A Christmas Card TraditionUna Mae's card came yesterday.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuTrzEkVwA6AZh7dvHMNNJJu-zEIIiA9OKzA6yWaLbmKjw6et1s3ppfoV5g5EtKYiTqQh2cCPpoSfLSyjsIgBZCDJZlvbMoYj3ntbLuOjxgiqtbPGpvcYaLWiLU9ztHsm1QK2LUGirY0/s1600/Una+Mae+envelope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuTrzEkVwA6AZh7dvHMNNJJu-zEIIiA9OKzA6yWaLbmKjw6et1s3ppfoV5g5EtKYiTqQh2cCPpoSfLSyjsIgBZCDJZlvbMoYj3ntbLuOjxgiqtbPGpvcYaLWiLU9ztHsm1QK2LUGirY0/s320/Una+Mae+envelope.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC89tRhM5HWj63B205eVMDrX4t9xAR0qIAhyfARUNP5Unj81Dsft2eaISpiY1AuqwbQdRZvBcTAQuRpoo1rxlwcZsSlmaV8wNAJz1IKKlYVA5HPdk-RSODiDj-S5piyk2EjkNdoPjU8LI/s1600/Una+Mae+Christmas+card+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC89tRhM5HWj63B205eVMDrX4t9xAR0qIAhyfARUNP5Unj81Dsft2eaISpiY1AuqwbQdRZvBcTAQuRpoo1rxlwcZsSlmaV8wNAJz1IKKlYVA5HPdk-RSODiDj-S5piyk2EjkNdoPjU8LI/s320/Una+Mae+Christmas+card+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Christmas traditions are especially revered in our culture. Everyone has certain small things that their family invariably follows year after year - special Christmas ornaments passed down that are put on the tree, foods that are always served at Christmas dinner, even the way presents are passed out. For me the annual card from Una Mae carries on a very personal tradition.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Back in the fall of 1941 my father, Waldon Rothenberger, was serving in the U.S. Army at Westover Air Field (now Westover Joint Air Reserve Base) in Chicopee, Massacusetts, just outside of the city of Springfield. In those uncertain days just prior to the United State's entry into World War II my mother Delana went to join him there, and on November 27th they were married in Chicopee. Their first home together was an apartment in a private home in nearby Holyoke, Massachusetts. There they became great friends with Una Mae Facetti, their landlord's daughter, who was of junior high age.<br />
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The next year Waldon was transferred to England and my mother came back to Kansas for the duration of the war. In December 1942 she sent a Christmas card to Una Mae, who was very surprised. She sent one back, and so an annual tradition of exchanging Christmas cards between the two began. <br />
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In 1992 I got to make a trip with my mother back to Massachusetts, and Delana and Una Mae got to finally meet again face-to-face after 50 years of exchanging cards. The two never met again but kept the card exchange going until my mother's passing in January 2001. The following Christmas it just seemed natural for Una Mae to continue sending a card - this time to me. <br />
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Fast forward a mere 68 years later to December 2010 - well into "The Digital Age" - and still a card made its way two weeks ago to Massachusetts, and this week a Massachusetts card made its way to back to Rural Kansas. I wrote about my move to Lucas, Kansas and Una Mae wrote of new great-grandchildren and of snow and of the possibility of having to move as well from her home of many decades. The news exchanged was small, but for a moment it made the distance halfway across the United States even smaller. <br />
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Here's to one small holiday tradition hopefully continuing well into its seventh decade.</div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-11764360174447221802010-12-01T12:56:00.000-06:002010-12-01T12:56:39.054-06:00DO NOT PANIC!!!"<em>DO NOT PANIC! PLEASE REMAIN CALM!</em>" - from the movie <em>Animal House</em> (1978).<br />
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It <em>SEEMED</em> like a good idea at the time.<br />
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They <em>THOUGHT</em> it would be easy.<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">For those of you who are still worrying about THIS year and have not been paying attention, next year is the 150th birthday of Kansas. For some months various state officials and agencies have been wracking their brains trying to think of ways to celebrate this important milestone - cheaply, of course. </div><br />
And on November 5, 2010, the following email was sent out across the state:<br />
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<em>"Dear Genealogists and Historians, </em><br />
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<em>In commemoration of Kansas’ 150th Birthday and in conjunction with Savor Kansas and Visit Topeka Incorporated, Kansas Network to Freedom is holding a drive to collect local Kansas history for the Kansas 150th Commemorative Calendar. </em><br />
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<em>We are asking every county and/or local society to contribute important dates, pictures of important historical figures and places, and information about their local history to include in the calendar that will be available at the 150th Celebration in Topeka on January 29th, 2011. </em><br />
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<em>Submissions should be sent as attachments via email. Deadline for submissions is November 20th. Selections will be chosen from submissions sent in by the due date. If you have any questions please email or call Sherri Camp. See my information below.) </em><br />
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<em>To contribute, send email to: </em><br />
<em>Sherri Camp, President </em><br />
<em>Kansas Network to Freedom </em><br />
<em>785-969-9144 </em><br />
<em><a href="mailto:sherri@kansasnetworktofreedom.com">sherri@kansasnetworktofreedom.com</a></em><br />
<em><br />
<em>Thank you, </em><br />
<em>Sherri Camp"</em></em><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Now, to the average layman 15 (fifteen) days would no doubt seem like plenty of time to compile such a list of dates, events, and photographs from every county. They all have them just lying around already compiled, right?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unfortunately, no. Most counties don't have anyone who has sat and thought out such things. Oh, they might remember such events as when the county was formed, and when the county celebrated its centenary, but that is pretty much about it. And as to the actual dates? And photos as well? All that takes time to gather - say, six months, or more. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>And here you have been given 15 (fifteen) days.</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now imagine what the Osborne County Genealogical & Historical Society thought when they read this email. Like most of the small, local, all-volunteer-run such organizations across the state of Kansas, the OCGHS does not have someone reading the emails each and every morning. Truth be told, they are lucky to have volunteers to even man the Society's office/archives for a few hours on any given day. So when this particular email was read on November 18th - yes, <u>November 18th</u>, as in <em><strong>two days</strong> </em>before the deadline for submissions - one can imagine the panic that set in. After all, they want to be included in this celebration of the state, but - !</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Years of being a state representative allowed OCGHS president Laura McClure to marginally control her personal panic enough to quickly send out emails asking for help in the matter. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As one can imagine, the emails flew back and forth fast and furious. No one - in Osborne County, at least - had ever sat down and compiled such a list of important events from throughout the county's history. And we are talking about combing through the county's entire 140 years of political, social, and economic legacy <em>in just two days</em> to make such a list! What events are important enough to be included? Usually a year can be found for when events occurred, but what were the actual dates? And where do you find these at? And what events are important enough to be included? And photographs, if available, would need to be found and copied. And what events are important enough to be included?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And so it was with some relief (and great coincidence) that on that same day - November 18th - a second email was received announcing that the deadline for submissions was extended to December 1st. Evidently the uproar had not come from Osborne County alone. Still, that only left 12 (twelve) days in which to compile such a submission. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So books were pulled, photographs and CDs of scanned photographs perused, the poor people at the county courthouse in charge of maintaining the county records duly harrassed, and every site on the Internet dealing with Osborne County history was consulted, and in 12 days 36 points from the county's past were brought forth. Of these, two dates could not be confirmed in the time alloted, so they were dropped, leaving just 34 items from the county's 140 years of existence to be shared with the rest of Kansas. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The following is the 34 entries sent in, along with the two not submitted - still great events in their own right - by the Osborne County Genealogical & Historical Society. While the list does give some insight into this typical Rural Kansas county's legacy (as well as the mindset of those who compiled the list) please keep in mind that this list merely scratches the surface of this county's rich history, and in no way should be considered the final product:</div><br />
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<strong><u>Important Historical Dates - Osborne County, Kansas:</u></strong><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">July 21, 1866 – Irish-born U.S. Army soldier Edward Roche of Company I, 2nd U.S. Cavalry, is killed by Indians along Twin Creek while escorting the party surveying what will later become Osborne County. They bury Roche at what later becomes the common corner of Corinth, Penn, Winfield and Bloom Townships; he is later moved to the Osborne City Cemetery.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">March 3, 1867 – Kansas Governor Samuel B. Crawford officially names Osborne County in honor of Captain Vincent B. Osborne, a Civil War veteran who lost a leg in a battle on January 17, 1865.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">January 14, 1870 - The first homestead in Osborne County is settled on by George Wolberd in the northeast corner of the county, in Section One of what later becomes Ross Township.<br />
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March 4, 1870 – Charles and William Bullock settle on claims in what later becomes Tilden Township, where they erect Bullock’s Stockade, the first permanent settlement in Osborne County.<br />
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July 2, 1870 – The Last Indian Raid in Osborne County takes place by a band of approximately 50 Indians at Bullock’s Stockade. Two Indians are killed in the brief skirmish.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
August 10, 1870 – Around this time Dr. Daniel Tilden arrives in Osborne County to claim a homestead in what later becomes Tilden Township. In the spring of 1871 he lays out and plats the townsite of Tilden on his homestead. In 1874 the town’s name is changed to Bloomington.<br />
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September 12, 1870 – Founding of the town of Bull City by Hiram C. Bull and Lyman T. Earl. A coin toss determines the name of the town. In 1885 the town’s name is changed to Alton.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">November 8, 1870 – Founding of the town of Arlington by Calvin Reasoner and others and opening of the Reasoner-Thompson General Store. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">May 1, 1871 – Founding of the town of Osborne City by the Pennsylvania Colony. By the early 1890s the “City” is dropped from the name.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">June 2, 1871 – Founding of the town of Bethany, named by Zachary T. Walrond, and opening day for the Bethany Post Office. In 1880 the town’s name is changed to Portis. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">June 3, 1871 – Meeting for the formal organization of Osborne County is held at Arlington on the steps of the Reasoner-Thompson General Store.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">October 29, 1871 – J. B. Emley begins touting his new town of Emley City, at the center of Osborne County in what later becomes Independence Township, as the perfect site for the permanent county seat. In 1873 the town’s name is changed to Centerville. In 1876 it is changed again, this time to Bristow. <br />
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April 2, 1872 – Fourth and final election for permanent Osborne County Seat. Osborne City receives 267 votes to Arlington’s 214.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">June 19, 1873 – Arrival of Henry and Rosa Ise at Henry’s homestead in Ross Township of Osborne County. The story of their life on this homestead, <em>Sod & Stubble</em>, written by their son John Ise, was first published in 1936. Still in print 75 years later, the book is considered a classic on the homesteading era of the Great Plains of North America.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">March 22, 1877 – Arrival of Howard Ruede on his homestead in Kill Creek Township of Osborne County. The story of his life on this homestead, <em>Sod-House Days: Letters of a Kansas Homesteader 1877-78,</em> was first published in 1937. Still in print nearly 75 years later, the book is considered a classic on the homesteading era of the Great Plains of North America.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">June 5, 1879 – The townsite of Downsville is platted by landowners John Bea1, Azariah & Marinda Blunt, Mrs. Harriet DeLay, with Missouri Pacific Railroad president R. M Pomeroy in Sections 28 and 29 of Ross Township. Within six months the town’s name is shortened to Downs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">October 12, 1879 – Osborne County State Representative Hiram C. Bull and two other men are attacked and killed at Bull City by Bull’s pet elk. The sensational event makes national headlines and the subsequent funeral draws approximately 2,000 people. It is still considered the largest funeral ever held in northwest Kansas.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">October 19, 1880 – The townsite of Covert is surveyed and laid out in central Osborne County, with a plat of the town being duly recorded on October 26, 1880. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">May 1, 1887 – What is considered to be the first self-driving vehicle ever built in Kansas is invented by Osborne City blacksmith Frank Hatch. The vehicle consists of a wagon propelled by a four-cylinder vapor engine. It is driven that spring and summer through the streets of Osborne City and the surrounding countryside before being dismantled.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">October 15, 1888 – The Union Town Company surveys and lays out a plat for the new town of Natoma in the southwest corner of Osborne County. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">November 1, 1901 – Around this time is the establishment of Meades Ranch in Delhi Township, Osborne County as the Geodetic Center of North America. This unique and important scientific site is the reference point for all property lines and city, county, state and international boundaries on the North American continent that are tied to the national triangulation networks of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central America. It was renamed the North American Datum in 1927. <br />
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May 29, 1904 – Birth in Downs, Kansas of psychiatrist Dr. Robert Hanna Felix, creator of the National Institutes of Mental Health. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">June 8, 1904 – Birth in Alton, Kansas of internationally-acclaimed architect Bruce Alonzo Goff. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">January 25, 1907 – John Locke, 1976 National Basketball Coach of the Year and the winningest high school basketball coach in Kansas history, is born on the family farm in Kill Creek Township of Osborne County. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">October 7, 1912 – The original landowners relinquish all rights to a 40-acre tract around the Seventh-day Adventist-operated Hill Agricultural Academy in eastern Bethany Township. The land is laid out and platted as the townsite of Academy.<br />
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April 26, 1929 – Osborne High School junior Fred Stambach Jr. makes a high jump of six feet, 3.5 inches at the county track meet in Downs. With this one jump Stambach breaks six records – the school, county, district, state, national, and world’s interscholastic records. Though his world record is beaten just 24 hours later, Stambach’s jump stands as the Osborne High School record for the next 70 years. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">September 22, 1943 – Crash of a B-24 bomber from California to Topeka, Kansas in southern Covert Township of Osborne County, killing eleven military servicemen aboard. In April 2004 a memorial was dedicated at the site to their memory.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">October 19, 1968 – Agra High School’s football team defeats Alton High School 19-13, ending Alton’s six-year, 51-game winning streak. The streak was the all-time state record for most consecutive football victories for nearly 35 years and for three decades was among the Top Ten such streaks nationally as well. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">May 22, 1970 – Last day of classes for Oakdale School, District #3, in Ross Township. This was the last one-room rural schoolhouse in Osborne County. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">October 14, 2000 – Osborne High School senior Brittany Dietz wins her fourth straight Class 3-2-1A girls’ tennis championship. She finishes her high school career with the all-time state high school single-season record of 43 wins (1997) and the greatest all-time career record of 149 wins and no losses. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">March 27, 2003 – Osborne High School senior Brooke Ubelaker is named Miss Kansas Basketball. In four years she led the Bulldogs to a 99-5 record, two state championships, and two state runner-up finishes. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
November 27, 2003 - Acknowledging Osborne County as the home of two famous books on the homesteading era of the Great Plains of North America, the Osborne County Commissioners adopt a proclamation designating Osborne County, Kansas as "The Homestead Literature Capital of Kansas." <br />
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April 2, 2007 - The Kansas Senate passes Senate Resolution No. 1859, declaring that the "Sod & Stubble Country Self-Guided Tour" in Bethany and Ross Townships of Osborne County to be an official state heritage tour.<br />
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April 25, 2008 – The century-old Osborne County Courthouse is named one of the 24 finalists for the 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture contest. The building is selected as being the best example of James Holland-designed courthouses in the state.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>[And here are the two deleted entries, again only because the exact dates were not able to be found in the time allotted:]</strong></div><strong></strong><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">1880 – While digging a well in Section 27 of Hawkeye Township a man uncovers what he believes to be gold nuggets. Word quickly spreads to the nearby community of Bloomington, and the great Bloomington Gold Rush of Osborne County is on. Hundreds of area farmers immediately converge and illegally begin digging in and around the homestead where the strike occurred. The next day two experienced miners now farming in the area examine the original rocks and determine that they are indeed pieces of pyrite, or “fools gold,” effectively ending the rush.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1904 – Bert Walker buys the <em>Osborne County Farmer</em> newspaper in Osborne. Together with <em>Farmer</em> editor and Kansas Speaker of the House of Representatives Charles Mann, the newspaper over the next 44 years becomes for a time the most influential weekly small town newspaper in Kansas. </div><br />
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">To sum it all up: if anyone out there of any influence or position has been reading this, please in the future take the time to truly consider what you are asking and to properly think it all through first. You are driving the volunteers - that are driving this state in the first place - absolutely nuts!</div><br />
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</div>Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2382919768297845945.post-6971904091247324792010-11-01T21:00:00.001-05:002010-11-02T17:36:56.900-05:00Some Words of Wisdom From Rural Kansas to Rural NebraskaThe following story ran on Friday, October 29, 2010 in the <em>Grand Island</em> (Nebraska) <em>Independent</em>, by reporter Amy Schweitzer:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Rural Young People Encouraged To Network</span></strong></div><br />
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Young people in rural Nebraska sometimes feel like the older generation doesn't really want to listen to them.<br />
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The town councils in many small towns bemoan the fact that young people aren't getting involved in the town. Then when some of the "under 40 crowd" join a civic group, they are told that things have to be done the way they have always been done.<br />
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"We would really like to you to use your youth and energy to do things our way," said Marci Penner of Inman, Kan., a town of about 1,100, quoting a fictional town council filled with "gray hairs."<br />
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She, Jenny Arnold and Erika Nelson, all from small Kansas towns, spoke Friday at the Connecting Young Nebraskans Summit in Grand Island. They and others are trying to start a networking group they call "Power Up" across Kansas for residents ages 21 to 39 who are "rural by choice."<br />
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Penner explained that the "by choice" designation is important because they are not talking about those who are living in their rural community because they had no other choice and hate it.<br />
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Several people Friday said they often felt the older people in their town almost looked down on them because they hadn't moved to the big city.<br />
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"It's not just networking within your community, but across the state to connect with others like you," Penner said. <br />
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The network's website also could have a "dream wall" where rural young people and those who would like to move to a small town could tell others about what they hoped to do.<br />
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"How can we help that man go back to the family farm, when financially he feels he has to stay in a metropolitan area?" Penner used as an example.<br />
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Nelson, an artist in a town of 400, also talked about the importance of opening, and keeping open, the lines of communication not just between rural and urban folks, but also between generations.<br />
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"It is important to empower the younger voices to be heard and empower the younger ears to listen," she said.<br />
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The Kansas trio also talked about the power that the younger generation has as a whole. A town may listen if the younger generation states that they would return to the small town if it had a fast Internet connection and reliable cell phone service.<br />
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"We're the generation that doesn't want to sit around and talk about it. We want to do something," Nelson said.<br />
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Connecting Young Nebraskans is a network of citizens under 40 who live in rural Nebraska that provides an opportunity for younger people to share their knowledge, insights and dreams while learning more about topics related to personal, professional and civic growth.<br />
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The University of Nebraska Rural Initiative provided support for a Connecting Young Nebraskans (CYN) group because it is important that all age groups and occupations participate in the decisions and actions that will build the future, yet too often those under 40 are not fully engaged in the process.<br />
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Members communicate via Facebook and other social networking sites. While the focus of this network is on connecting young people across rural Nebraska, there will also be communication with urban areas as needed.Von Rothenbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714188847390479027noreply@blogger.com0