There were many winners at Art Mingle: Plein Air Affair.
Guest artists Kim Casebeer and Susan Rose saw 28 of their original landscape paintings leave in the hands of new owners via the event’s silent and live auctions as well as a “buy it now” opportunity in their Artist’s Showcase rooms. Casebeer’s “Quiet in the Valley” generated the highest bid of the night at $1,750, while Rose’s “Winter Meadowlark” was snapped up quickly for $1,300 in her Showcase room.
The question remains, can we place additional recycling containers in common areas, such as the Game Room, Billiards Parlor and Kansas Room & Pub and to encourage even more recycling? My short answer is no, but my explanation is a little more lengthy.
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.
I am comfortable in our little two room apartment. I am warm and comfortable, watching T.V., wrapped in a blanket, and have been to a program in the Community Room next door earlier this evening. It is cold blowing and snowing outside. However, I remember that our comfort, for all 370 some of us, comes with a price to others. On a cold morning after a snow we hear with appreciation the snow shovelers and scrapers and they are out in the cold and snow.
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).
Alzheimer’s Association Central and Western Kansas Chapter announced the 7th Annual Duane Smith Caregiver Award at the 2018 Kansas Education Conference on Dementia in Wichita Tuesday, Nov. 13. Resident Kay Shanks was recognized as a caregiver who supports individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Duane Smith passed away in October and his daughter, Becky, presented the award on his behalf.