Bonfire 4-H
Wilma Brooks, founding member of the Bonfire 4-H Club, sadly passed away in December. This February, her family attended our meeting to deliver a memorial gift. During new business, a committee was formed to decide how to use this memorial gift. Wilma encouraged 4-Hers to attend camp, participate at the county fair, and complete record books. We plan on using this gift to carry on her legacy.
On Feb. 17, members of Bonfire participated in the Riley County Showcase. Located at the Riley County Grade School, this event consisted of project talks, demonstrations, illustrated talks, pickle talks (impromptu), musical performances and 4-H trivia competition. Bonfire was the first club to participate in 4-H trivia, an event created this year. Horticulture, FACS, and Photography judging along with a variety of STEM activities were enjoyed by all. Showcase is an opportunity for 4-Hers to practice public speaking, receive feedback from judges, and become familiar with skills that are useful for the County Fair.
Manhattan
Duplicate Bridge Club
The Manhattan Duplicate Bridge Club held a seven table Educational Fund game Feb. 19. The North/South winners were Larry Corah and Roger Allerheilegen, with Pat and Tom O’Grady second, Nancy Gugler and Georgia Reynolds third, and Robin Spencer and Tom Shields fourth. Elizabeth Jankord and Dianne Childs won East/West. Linda Schottler and Judy Hildreth tied for second with Scott and Lyn Patterson, and Graham Rose and Larry Lord were fourth. The duplicate club meets each Monday at 1 p.m. at the Seniors’ Center and invites all interested bridge players to come and try duplicate. For more information or partnerships, call Pam at 785-456-3117.
Gamma
Omicron-ESA
Members of Gamma Omicron chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha met on Feb. 13 at the home of DeAdre Strouts. Judy Ahrens, longtime member of Gamma Omicron, presented our educational about how to wear our organizational pins, badges, etc. She reviewed the importance of what all the pins mean, and showed us wear they should be worn. She reviewed what the Pallas Athene Awards encompass, and what is expected in each category. Additionally, she reviewed the philanthropic service guidelines.
Additionally, at this meeting Brenda Schaffer introduced our scholarship winner (Allie Cloyd of Manhattan High School) along with both of her parents. Brenda read her letters of recommendations which were very complementary regarding this outstanding candidate. Miss Cloyd read her essay to all of us that was just amazing. Allie has shown great service to the community, along with her school, and is very active in many clubs. She has a great passion for environmental improvements, and plans to attend KSU to study Environmental Science. Our opening thought was read by Donna Dawson who read quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson, Vincent Van Gogh, and Frank Lloyd Wright. Reports were given by committee chairs regarding donations made for the state’s three philanthropic projects to include Heartspring, Goodwill Industries and Capper Foundation. A total of 15 members were present. Our next social will be “One birthday for all” on Feb. 28 at Debbie Hodges’ home. The social committee plans to celebrate everyone’s birthday with members bringing pictures of their family siblings.
Our next business meeting will be March 13 at Carolyn Myers home. The next District J meeting will be March 17. Those interested in hearing more about Gamma Omicron and Epsilon Sigma Alpha can contact Debbie Smith at debra0188@gmail.com or 785-776-5464, or Maureen Wells at maureenw53@yahoo.com or 785-477-1070.
Manhattan Rotary Club
President Mitzi recognized greeters, Lori Feldkamp and Gary Fees and guests, Connie Hamilton and Scott Voos. The meeting began with a moment of silence for the violent events that occurred after the Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade. Randy Peterson presented the January Cup Money to Scott Voos for Be Able. Scott expressed appreciation for the support toward Be Able’s mission of connecting adults with resources such as food, a secure environment, a hot shower, laundry facilities, computer access, and more. These funds will contribute to Be Able’s acquisition of two duplexes, aiding in the provision of housing for individuals transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing. The Community Cares Chest distributed products to nine nonprofit organizations. Rotary on Tap is March 7 at Wareham Hall from 5-7 p.m.
Karen McCulloh introduced Michelle Haub, leader of the Meadowlark special programs. Karen shared the positive impact these programs have had on her family and families in the region. Michelle conveyed the rich history and positive impact of the holistic and collaborative approach taken by the Parkinson’s and Memory Programs since their inception in 2006, underscoring the commitment to comprehensive care for participants and their families. Michelle elaborated on the significance of the Memory Program, addressing the unique challenges faced by those with Parkinson’s-related dementia. The program focuses on memory enhancement and empowers individuals to understand how they interpret their world differently while striving for independence. Emphasizing the holistic nature, the program addresses the physical, emotional, and cognitive aspects of Parkinson’s and memory-related challenges. Since these programs are ‘no charge’, contributions can be made to the Meadowlark Foundation indicating your designation to Meadowlark Special Programs. In recognition of Michelle’s presentation, a children’s book titled “The Sweetest Scoop” will be donated to Marlatt Elementary School Library.
Riley County
Historical Society and Museum
The Riley County Historical Museum will sponsor the next Fireside Chat from 5:30-7 p.m. March 12 at Flight Crew Coffee, 423 Poyntz Ave. Derrick Doty will present “Playing Its Way Through History: The Banjo and Its Masters.” The program will begin at 6 p.m. Seating is limited and it fills up fast! The chats are free and open to the public.
Melanie Highsmith, museum curator, will discuss Women’s History Month on KMAN’s “In Focus” program on March 18. Mary Frances Winston Newson from the Chapman Center for Rural Studies will be on the program with her.
The Riley County Historical Society will have its first 2024 quarterly meeting from 5:30-7 p.m. March 25 at Wareham Hall, 410 Poyntz Ave. Blade Mages, president of Wareham Hall Inc., will host the meeting before he closes the hall for a couple of years for renovations. He will share his vision for the historic Wareham Opera House to be transformed as a place for concerts, music, performance arts, and art movies.
Harry P. Wareham bought a stone and wood theater that had been built in 1884 in downtown Manhattan and reopened it in 1893 as the Wareham Opera House. The building has been updated and re-purposed as an entertainment venue several additional times.
This event will begin with beverages and light refreshments and a presentation of the vision. Those in attendance will then break into smaller groups to see behind the scenes of the historic building. The public is welcome to join in. Advance reservations are required for all attendees by Tuesday, March 19, end of business day. The cost is $12/person payable online (rileychs.org) or by paying in person at the Riley County Historical Museum, 2309 Claflin Road in Manhattan.
The Riley County Historical Museum team installed a small exhibit about the Thomas Edison phonograph at the Flint Hills Discovery Center as part of their new temporary exhibit, “Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab,” which will be up until May 3. There is an admission fee at the center.
The RCHS membership committee, with support from the museum, hosted a members’ opening on Jan. 19 for a new Wolf House Museum exhibit — “Forget Me Not: Funerals in Victorian Era Riley County” — produced by museum curator Melanie Highsmith. The exhibit will be up until May 26 and is free and open to the public during the Wolf House regular hours or by appointment.
The museum presented Kansas Day programming Jan. 28, 29 and 30 to student groups at Bluemont Elementary and audiences of all ages at the Randolph Community Center and the World Friendship group.
Museum director Katharine Hensler and museum curator Highsmith worked with the City of Manhattan Parks and Recreation Department to assist in creating content for the sculpture unveiling at the Douglass Community Center on Feb. 20.
Welcome Club
of Manhattan
The Welcome Club of Manhattan met Feb. 15 at the Blue Hills Room for the monthly luncheon and meeting with President Sharon Stemple presiding.
Melanie Highsmith, curator of education and design at the Riley County Historical Museum, presented the program. She shared information on the Kimble Castle and the Kimble family.
Ann Smith was the guest of Kathy Lanksbury, Betty Dummeth was the guest of Ann Foster, and Tami Crow was the guest of Thyra Davis. New members are Peggy Link, Kerrin Kirkpatrick, Liz Peterson and Tami Crow. President Sharon presented long-stemmed roses to birthday celebrants Rose Robinson, Jan Byars, Ronnie Drees, Karen Tinkler, Roxie Erickson, Ute Cruz and Marian Quinlan.
March activities include First Tuesday Bunko March 5; Third Monday Bunko March 18; Hand and Foot cards March 14 and 28; Bridge March 22; Book Club March 12; Coffee Tyme March 8; Mexican Train March 26. The March luncheon will be held at the Blue Hills Room March 21.
The Welcome Club is open to all new and current members of the Manhattan community. For more information call Sharon Zierlein, membership chair, 785-282-0594, or Sharon Stemple, president, 480-220-1340, for club activities or reservations.
Solar Kiwanis
The Manhattan Solar Kiwanis Club met at noon on Feb. 20, at the Blue Hills Room. There were 14 members present. Club President Karl Dean led the meeting. Charlie Sargent led the song, Chad Tepe led the pledge and Ron Jackson gave the invocation. We had one club members with a birthday before our next weekly meeting: Vera Williams (March 1).
Announcements were led by President Dean. Due to a scheduling conflict, we will not have a noon meeting next Tuesday, Feb. 27. Our next weekly meeting will be March 5. Ron Jackson has had to withdraw from the 2023-2024 President Elect due to employment conflicts. Solarian Treavor Heeney has volunteered to accept the nomination for the 2023-2024 President Elect to replace Ron. If any club member wants to nominate another Solarian for that position, please let President Dean or Secretary Ackley know. We will have a vote for the 2023-2024 President Elect at our March 12 weekly meeting. The Kansas District Kiwanis Spring Rally will be from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 9, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Salina. Please let Secretary Doug know if you are able to attend. Our club will reimburse attendees for their registration fee, which includes lunch. The Kiwanis Key Club District Convention will be in progress at the Hilton at the same time as our Spring Rally and we are welcome to sit in on any part of their conference as their guest. As one of our club’s service projects, twice a year we clean up a mile of road on U.S. Highway 24 between Manhattan and Wamego. March 23 will be our spring cleanup date.
President Dean called on Solarian Ron Jackson to introduce our speaker, Jeff Barnes, who is the director of parking and transportation services at Kansas State University. Barnes updated us on the relatively new KSU license plate recognition and the electric vehicle charging systems. Barnes said that they no longer require a hang tag to park in campus lots…all information needed is tied to the vehicle’s license plate. Parking Services has vehicles with top mounted readers that scan license plates to determine is the vehicle is parked legally. There are two electric vehicle charging stations on campus in the KSU parking lot just north of St. Isidore’s church. The new station provides a place for electric vehicle owners to charge their vehicles. The station offers more than 100 miles of electric range in a few hours of charging. A K-State parking permit is required to use the electric vehicle charging station from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Solar Kiwanis meets at noon at the Blue Hills Room next to RC McGraw’s in the Blue Hills Shopping Center. Our next weekly meeting will be March 5, and Solarian Randy James will introduce Cynthia Domenghini, Ph.D who will tell us all about K-State’s Horticulture Rapid Response Center. Contact Secretary Doug Ackley (rda@ksu.edu, or, 785-539-4945) if you have any questions.
