150th events drew crowds

News

February 1, 2011 - 12:00 AM

Iolans large and small participated in a week’s worth of events celebrating Kansas’ 150 years of statehood.
Events began Jan. 23 with “Fabrication,” a reception for Ada Niedenthal’s colorful abstract quilts at the Mary L. Martin Gallery at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center. About 30 people attended the afternoon event.
The artwork is on display through March 9 and is viewable whenever the Bowlus is open. Call 365-4765 for details.
“A View of Iola 1925-1990” delighted 117 people at the Bowlus the night of Jan. 24 with slides, photographs and film of early Iola. Iolan Max Snodgrass provided the images.
On Tuesday, the Frederick Funston Meeting Hall was packed with 60 curiosity seekers learning about “History’s Mysteries” as their fellow Iolans shared novelties and memories in artifacts large and small. From a red sand wasp’s nest to a tin plunger for washing clothes the hard way, the crowd delighted in their neighbor’s treasures.
“Kansas: One State, Many Stories” found Iola Public Library children’s librarian Leah Oswald in the library’s Flewharty-Powell annex Wednesday, reading books to a dozen and a half youths who completed rhymes and learned about famous Kansas people such as Jack Kilby, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist who invented the integrated circuit, and Walter P. Chrysler of auto-industry fame, as well as state icons such as bison and box turtles.
After the stories, the youths decorated sunflower cookies.
Thursday, 32 attended “Let’s Talk Kansas Books,” also at the library’s Flewharty house. Five Iolans shared tales —  true and not — about the state, its history and people.
The Lyric Arts Trio performed twice on Friday.
An afternoon performance for Iola fifth-graders and educators reached 200 ears. The same number were entertained that evening at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center when 100 Iolans listened to the Trio’s “Ad Astra” program.
On Saturday, the Allen County Historical Society hosted a  birthday party for almost 60 at the ACHS museum in culmination of the week’s celebration. Along with cake and cheer, prizes were raffled off for those who had attended at least two of the week’s events as evidenced by a special punch card available at each program.
Winners were Jeanice Cress, four Bowlus tickets; Saundra Upshaw, four movie passes; Ronnie Higginbotham, an Allen County Historical Society prize package; and Scott Riebel, an autographed picture of Kansas City Chief Jamaal Charles.
In addition, about 950 of 1,000 available Allen County collectible trading cards were distributed throughout the week. The trading cards each feature a prominent person, place or event in Allen County or Kansas history.
Kansas 150 Week events were produced by the Bowlus Fine Arts Center, Iola Public Library and Allen County Historical Society with sponsorship by the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces Grant; Kansas Arts Commission; and Monarch Cement Company.
Additional sponsors include Booth and McIntosh Insurance, Leon’s Designs, Community National Bank and Trust, Iola Pharmacy, Jim Talkington/Shelter Insurance, Arnold’s Greenhouse (which also distributed sunflower seeds to students), Allen County Hospital and Personal Service Insurance.

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