Happy 163rd birthday to Kansas on Jan. 29, 2024! The Great Seal of Statehood was approved by the first Kansas legislature on Jan. 29, 1861. It was designed by John J. Ingalls, state senator from Atchison. The Kansas motto, Ad Astra per Aspera (To the Stars Through Difficulties), circles the border of the seal. Symbols on the seal include a cluster of 34 stars, marking our place in the line of states admitted to the United States of America. The sun rises over a Kansas landscape, which depicts the history of Native Americans hunting American Bison as a wagon train heads west.

Friday, Feb. 1, we will be the culmination of our tribute to Kansas. The celebration will begin at 7 p.m. in the Community Room. MLH Sunflower Lady, Polly Ferrell, will welcome all residents and friends to the event. Together we will sing our state song, “Home on the Range” accompanied on the piano by Barbara Rees. Esther Headrick has “A Kansas Tale” ready to share. Kerry Wefald, Director of Ag. Marketing at the Kansas Department of Agriculture, will be our featured program. She will share about the state trademark program, From the Land of Kansas.

Two of our most precious commodities, Sunshine and Wheat, have not made the list of official Kansas symbols, yet we are known for both. Can you name the thirteen official symbols of Kansas? The first one specified by the 1861 Kansas legislature and designed by John J. Ingalls is the Great Seal of Statehood. Our agricultural heritage is depicted with many bison, a settler’s cabin and a man behind the plow. The rising sun, wagons heading west, a cluster of 34 stars and our motto “Ad Astra per Aspera” tell the story of statehood and perseverance.

January 29, 1861 was a pivotal moment for the United States of America, because on that day, Kansas joined the Union as a Free State, tipping the scales toward freedom for all. Kansas became the 34th state while Abraham Lincoln was president. To help us remember that number—Kansas, Dwight D. Eisenhower, was the 34th president. What was happening in our “united” states in and around 1861? The Civil War about out united-ness began that year and made us rethink the solidarity of our United States of America.

On Jan. 29, this land became a state. That’s why when every year rolls ‘round, we try to celebrate. Our tenth annual Meadowlark signature celebration will take place Friday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m. To prepare for that date, we are encouraging each of you to visit the Flint Hills Discovery Center’s special exhibit—Bison, Wolves and Quilts. Please sign up in the Blue Book to be included in this field trip on Wednesday, Jan. 9. You won’t be disappointed. This is one of the best ever Flint Hills Discovery second floor exhibits (accessible by elevator).

For over 50 seasons of Christmas, I reminded each of my family members about the true Light, by giving them their own personal light. It started when my children were very young and were fascinated by flashlights. I gave each of them a pen light and the tradition began. As the years flew by, the grandchildren were also gifted with flashlights. Each year everyone wondered what the next year’s flashlight would be like.

Our grocery-style shopping cart fund continues to grow. The $600 currently raised means we are half way to the goal of $1,250. We hope you will want to help us complete the project with a donation, so that our rolling stock can increase from five to a total of 10 carts.

Our 7th Annual Kansas Day Celebration was a grand success with ninety persons attending to honor 155 years of Kansas as a state. Music from The Haymakers welcomed everyone with a few toe tappin’, hand clappin’ tunes, with the audience singing along on “You Are My Sunshine.” Polly Ferrell shared some Kansas history and refreshed our knowledge about official state symbols. Special guest, Fred Atchison, was recognized for his poetic contributions about Kansas. Polly ready one of his best, “Foundation of the Prairie.” Music continued by The Haymakers to cap the evening.

Yarns of Love, a knitting/crocheting ministry began at Meadowlark Hills in Jan. 2010. Now in its fourth year, the program continues to give support to persons in need. The first projects, Gifts of Sweaters, were sent to World Vision for distribution to children in developing countries. Eight residents created a total of 79 sweaters. Prayer Shawls are the second project, which continues today. They are given to our Assisted Living households, Bramlage House and FirstUnitedMethodistChurch. Eight residents have created 65 shawls, visible evidence of care and support.