Lucas, Sylvan Grove, Wilson Community Yard Sales

105 miles in search of Treasures.
In each journey we may find crossroads and have to decide which way to go. When I reached this crossroad 16 miles north of Russell, KS it looked like the Garden of Eden promised the yard sales. So I headed for Lucas, Ks where the Garden of Eden is located. Once I arrived the yard sales were not full of treasures for my picking. But I did find some great carrot cake

It was a nice day so decided to look around a bit. First I visited the Lucas Grass Roots museum


and said hello to Rosslyn Schultz who was giving guided tours. What a great place for eccentric art. I love the creativity of people who have no boundries.

Then stopped by the Garden of Eden which is a great place to learn of one man's passion and eccentricity. SP Dinsmore was 64 when he began his quest to share his opinions with the world. He created a glass casket and is buried in the foreground building so people can view his remains.

Garden of Eden, Lucas, KS

The song "John Brown's body lies a'mouldering in the grave" comes to mind.

The sun was moving higher in the sky and it was time to move on to the next town and more adventures.



(Footnote: Paradise is a town a few miles west of the intersection)

Midland Hotel Wilson KS, memories and beauty in a small town

Early Midland Hotel

Midland Railroad Hotel in 2010

Elsie Stoppel Rude stayed at the Midland Railroad Hotel in Wilson KS during the annual Czech Festival July 2010. The Festival is held the last weekend of July and celebrates the town's heritage. The small town of about 850 people is alive with visitors for the two day event when families get together to have some Czech fun. The recently reopened Midland Railroad Hotel was filled to capacity. The Festival and hotel are a testament to small town initiative. The hotel's history spans more than 111 years and even had a movie filmed there, (Paper Moon 1973)

Elsie was a chambermaid at the Midland Railroad Hotel 70 years ago and shared some of her memories about the experience. She and her two sisters worked there one summer when she was about 16. The going wage was about $4 a month plus room and board. She remembers that chickens were raised on top floor of the four story building to help defray the cost of operation. Elsie remembers getting up about 5am and working long hours in the kitchen and cleaning rooms each day.

Heddy Mahoney at front desk

Things have changed since Elsie worked there as the Midland Railroad Hotel underwent over $3 million dollars in renovation in 2003. Unfortunately after the renovation the hotel did not remain in operation and recently was sold to Tom and Heddy Mahoney of Dorrance KS.

It reopened just in time for the Czech Festival with Heddy at the front desk greeting guests and making sure everything ran smooth.

The Midland rivals any five star hotel experience but with the charm of small town living. It is within driving distance of Lake Wilson a boating, camping, fishing lake and if you have an inkling for antiques and treasure hunting the area is the place to do it. There are not any chickens on the top floor now. Restaurant is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday beginning at 5pm

Contact information for the Midland RailRoad Hotel: Telephone-785 658 226 Address- 414 26th Street, Wilson, KS 67490; email--midland@wtc/web.com. Owners Tom and Heddy Mahoney.

Kansas Originals and Red Hat Ladies

Red Hat Society ladies are true originals they are festive and fun with names like: Red Hot Jewels (Jewel County KS group) and Red Hot Czechettes (Wilson, KS group). It is great to see a group of people out for a good time enjoying a fun day with the companionship of like minded people. On Sunday, February 13, 2010 both groups of Red Hat Ladies were visiting Kansas Originals Market in Wilson, KS.

Kansas Originals Market celebrates original Kansas craftsmen, cooks and artists. It is a non profit foundation that offers "high quality and home-grown products created with pride" and exceptional craftsmanship. The products are consigned by a majority of people over 62 yrs, low income, minorities and/or women in business for themselves.






When you walk in the door it is a feast for the senses.

The Red Hat Society display welcomed the two Red Hat Society groups that came to shop and look.






The Kansas food room is full of samples for trying before buying; wonderful mixes, jellies, jams and butters, pickles, candies and relishes. There are also recipe books, embroidered tea towels and other delightful fare to fill a shopping bag with a taste of Kansas.





The Red Hot Jewels of Jewel County stopped shopping long enough to smile for the camera: Their names in no particular order are: Clarabelle, Rosella,Martha L, Roberta, Darlene, Matha H, Twila, Sandra, Jane, Betty, JoAnn.

The Red Hot Czechettes (Wilson) also took a break to show off their beautiful red hats and attire. Their names (in no particular order) are: Jan, Sue, Vera, Alice, Zona, Fran, Rita.

Take a day off to drive to Kansas Originals Market in Central Kansas, spend time browsing the wonderful Kansas products and then drive up north around Lake Wilson, across the dam and to Lucas, KS where you will see the Garden of Eden and wonderful grass roots art. Rural Kansas has some amazing surprises in store for you. Kansas Originals Market is right off I70 about 50 miles West of Salina, KS. The map can be moved with your mouse to see where Wilson and Wilson Lake are located from other major cities in Kansas. Enjoy! :o)



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Encore Antiques Collectibles, Everything deserves a second chance

"Everything deserves a second chance" and if you are looking for nostalgia, grandma's potato masher, Evening in Paris perfume, Fiestaware or your own fond memories of wonderful treasures. You will find them at Encore Antiques and Collectables on Hwy 281 in
Russell, KS. 67665

Encore Antiques and Collectables, 590 S. Fossil (Hwy 281), Russell, KS 67665 (Bob Dole's hometown) became a new vendor mall for sellers of antiques and collectibles late in 2009. In April of 2010 they expanded the space for more vendor spaces and are rapidly filling the new spaces up too. Telephone 785-445-8480

Crystal and Ward Craig and Sheryl Krug are the owners and partners of Encore Antiques and Collectables. About a year ago the idea of opening a state-of-the-art antique mall started as a dream and became a reality in Autumn of 2009 when their building was completed. They aren't just preserving bits of history through sales but preserving the area ecology with a building designed for the least ecological impact on the environment.



The original mall spaces were filled within two months and they have expanded into a larger area for more vendor spaces.

What a pleasure to walk in the front door of this beautiful building with spacious aisles and well placed and stocked booths with everything you might want in easy reach. Come on in and browse the memories, you can touch and remember and even find a taste of Kansas made offerings. Chat with Crystal, Sheryl and Ward and maybe just revisit your your yesterdays.

Christmas Days, Christmas fun, New memories

I have to admit I was a little nervous Christmas morning. The wind was howling and threat of snow hung heavy in the clouds. By 11 A.M family was trickling in the back door with faces flushed and smiles and hugs all around. We breathed a sigh of relief at a safe journey to central Kansas. the 8 ft. tree was waiting for everyone to gather around.

The two year old boys were so excited they helped hand out the gifts and loved trying to unwrap theirs. Two year old Austin pulled hard at that ribbon and was rewarded with his first drum set. He and cousin, Corbett, really worked hard at learning to play the drums until a couple adults decided it was time for a quieter Christmas gift. Austin's mom said the drums were staying at my house. I can't imagine why. :o)

My youngest son, Michael, gave me a wonderful memory gift this year. He has been sorting through family photos. He came across one taken Tucson AZ in 1964 when he and his brother, a neighbor girl and her baby brother played out a living nativity beneath a creche of lawn chairs.







He had an ornament made of that picture and also a framed picture of the same scene. What a precious memory, what sweet, beautiful children kneeling in their own special living nativity.

Dinner was simple but good. Homemade chicken noodles, smoked ham, mashed potatoes, biscuits, fresh fruit, fresh salad, steamed veggies with cheese sauce, cranberry relish, green bean casserole, deviled eggs, pumpkin pie and applesauce cake

I had to explain to the older boys that pass the biscuits did NOT mean toss one to me!

It was a great day everyone was here, happy, healthy and fun loving. Merry Christmas from our house to your house 

Frosty The Snowman silly clown

Hi Frosty, old friend,  I am delighted you are our guest of honor again this year. It's so nice to have you join us for ....how many years now? Really over 45 years, my you hold your age well, wish I could say the same for me.

I'll never forget the first time we met and I thought you were so darned cute. It must have been three years after my little sister (17 years old) was killed by a drunk driver and our lives were so devastated. Our Mom grieved so hard she didn't put a Christmas tree for a couple years and when mom's don't celebrate well.....the whole family spirit dwindles and suffers.

So I wasn't looking forward to going home that third Christmas as I really didn't want to grieve anymore. Boy! was I surprised when I walked in Mom's front door. There in the foyer on a cotton draped card table stood you!!! Bright cheerful and welcoming. Next to you stood a big twig tree with lights, garlands and ornaments. Who would have thought she would create you from a magazine how-to article (you know I still have that magazine article) when she wasn't quite ready for a real Christmas tree. My heart sang because I knew Mom had started her healing process and we were on the road back to becoming a whole family again.

Years later after taking care of her in our home for 8 years as Alzheimers robbed her of all thing that made her Mom you came out each year and reminded us of how life, no matter how sad, has gently happy moments to cherish. You are such a wonderful and enduring guest, we cherish your visit.   Welcome to our Christmas again this year.

The meaning of Thanks and Giving

A true warm fuzzy Thanksgiving day

Serving up the food

Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell, KS held their community Thanksgiving dinner November 26, 2009 at noon. They served over 175 meals and delivered 30 of them to anyone who requested them. That extended beyond shut-ins to the sheriff's office and Casey's on duty employees.

Dannie'll and helpers

This wonderful community dinner (a 30 year tradition) was nearly canceled two years ago when the church felt there were not enough people participating to make it worthwhile and volunteers were hard to find. Fortunately the church secretary, Danniell Heaton talked them into trying one more year. With the help of volunteers and sponsors everyone really worked hard to put it together last year serving about 125 people. This year they served 175 dinners.

"Was the food good?" "You betcha!"

What a joy it was to be there with great family food: turkey, mashed and sweet potatoes, three kinds of dressing, green bean casserole, hot rolls and covered dish goodies. Yum

What a blessing this tradition was rescued for the community. What great fun to see all the smiles and people lingering in the church hall long after dinner sharing their time with each other. When asked " was the dinner good" the reply "you betcha!"


What greater Thanksgiving pleasure than seeing children fully invested in the event through their laughter and play.









"Anyone coming?"



"I dunno, maybe we should pray or
somthin"

Rural paths took on the true meaning today in Russell, KS.

Thanks--people came together and shared dinner in a true community spirit much like the first Thanksgiving.
Giving--the cooks, bakers, servers, donations and covered dish treasures made it all happen

Have a blessed and happy holiday season and enjoy the rural lifestyle we all find so wonderful

Eating at the community dinner even left time to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade