Mouth of the Platte Chapter

Transcription

1 Mouth of the Platte Newsletter Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation Volume 2015, Issue 1 Mar 2015 ÍÑyíBraxge (Ee-Nee-Brath-ga)(Otoe-Missouria) Special Interest Articles: Memberships Renewals Individual Highlights: 100 Days 3 Dinner Mtgs 4 Mouth of the Platte Chapter Mil Reunions 5 Memberships are due! Please see Ms. Della Bauer or Scotty Stickels for further information

2 President s Message Dear Members of Mouth of the Platte: Thanks to Scotty Stickels for another great newsletter, He highlights several events from MOP s winter events. Note especially the reports of our two Saturday lunch programs at Harmony Court provided with assistance from Humanities Iowa. Keepers of the Story ~ Stewards of the Trail We preserve, promote and teach the diverse heritage of Lewis and Clark for the benefit of all people Mouth of the Platte Chapter Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 3344 Omaha, NE mouthoftheplatte@cox.net ~~ Mouth of the Platte Activities Annual Events: June: July: Lewis and Clark Festival Lewis and Clark State Park Onawa, IA White Catfish Camp Western Historic Trails Center Council Bluffs, IA Wednesday Morning Study Group: The Wednesday morning Study Group at Western Historic Trails Center (9:00 A.M. most Wednesdays) is an unqualified success story. Started in 2001 by Kira Gale and Darrel Draper, it continues to attract people every week for stimulating discussion, good food, and great fellowship. The Study Group is presently reading the abridged version of Dr. Gary Moulton s The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Betty Smallen started us off with a reading of the Introduction - enhanced, as usual, by Betty s scenic Power Point slides of places along the trail. The Study Group then covered the beginning of the expedition from St. Louis in discussions lead by Denna Massey, Shirley Enos, Tom Coenen, myself, Chet Worm, and Steve Brockway. While each presenter is responsible for a specific set of dates from the Journals, each finds ways to make the presentation and integral discussion uniquely interesting. Jim Christiansen runs a tight ship as leader while letting the ideas flow openly. Please join the Study Group for a great time on Wednesday mornings all are welcome. MOP continues its participation in the annual Missouri Valley History Conference each March at Embassy Suites in Omaha. In addition to our presence as a vendor and promotion of MOP and LCTHF memberships, our own Harlan Seyfer presented history papers on the Mouth of the Platte River. Look for Harlan to present a related theme on our namesake river at our May 19 dinner meeting at Tish s Restaurant. Also coming in May is a reception hosted by MOP for some of the LCTHF Board members and National Historic Lewis and Clark Trail folks from the National Park Service. Our own Della Bauer of the LCTHF Board and former LCTHF Board member and former Trail expert Dick Williams are making arrangements for this special get-together of Friday, May 15. Save the date and watch for an invitation in a couple of weeks. Lots going on with MOP. Please join us at our dinner meetings on April 21 and May 19 and at the Wednesday morning Study Group to get involved. Thanks to all who participate and who coordinate these many events. Sincerely yours; Don Shippy, Chapter President 9 a.m., most weeks Western Historic Trails Center 3434 Richard Downing Ave. Council Bluffs, IA MOP Board of Directors Re-elected for Don Shippy, President ( ) Dick Williams, Vice-president ( ) Della Bauer, Treasurer ( ) Harlan Seyfer, Secretary ( ) At-large Board Members Mary Jo Havlicek ( ) Tom Coenen, ( ) Scotty Stickels ( ) Page 2

3 The First Hundred Days of MOP 2015 Wednesday Morning Scholars Missouri Valley History Conference Volunteers Page 3

4 January Dinner Meeting Darrel Draper presented Daniel Freeman: American s First Homesteader. His presentation covered the life of Daniel Freeman who lived and his times as a doctor, Civil War officer, coroner, and County Sheriff. The presentation also addressed the changes in Nebraska and America throughout the 19th Century. The audience at Harmony Court Retirement Community enjoyed the hour of insight from one of MOP s favorite speakers. February Dinner Meeting Gail George Holmes presented at the Feb 21, 2015 MOP dinner meeting - Pioneer discoveries and settlements in the greater Council Bluffs-Omaha Area. The presentation by Gail Holmes included maps and pictures of the French period, ; Spanish period, ; and the American period thereafter; Otoe-British Trade Trail across Iowa 1790's; founding of Point aux poules (Prairie Chicken Point...25 miles south of future Council Bluffs) soon after the Lewis and Clark Expedition, ; founding of Bellevue, Nebraska in 1820; Mormon Trail and Council Bluff, Iowa 1846; founding of Miller- Miller's Hollow-Kane-Kanesville-Council Bluffs 1847; and Omaha, NE The program was enjoyed by MOP members and residents of Harmony Court Retirement Community. The historic photos and maps were interesting and led to many discussions following the presentation. Page 4

5 Opportunity for Lewis and Clark Presentations at visiting Military Reunion Groups The following exchange occurred between Ms. Jennifer Morrell, Park Ranger, NPS and Mr. Bill Slovinski, Group Tour Coordinator at the Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau please contact Mr. Slovinski if interested in presenting and to be considered for possible opportunities Hi Jennifer, Thank you for speaking with me today in regards to possible Lewis & Clark presentations to various military reunion groups visiting Omaha. Each year we have many reunion groups that select Omaha for their reunion. These groups sometimes request available speakers for social events such as evening banquets at the hotel property. The presentations are generally are from forty-five minutes to one hour. The reunion groups might also request a presentation for a breakfast or luncheon meeting. Since the Lewis & Clark expedition was a military expedition, the story of the incredible journey would make a connection with the veterans of each organization. Along with the story, interesting facts about military life and procedures during this period would also be entertaining. If you decide you would like to participate please me a short description of your presentation. In turn I will give this information to reunion leaders inquiring about possible presentation opportunities. A requested donation of your choice is acceptable. Reservation for presentations will not be made by the Omaha CVB. Our organization will simply pass your contact information on to the reunion leader. Then the reunion leader will contact you directly. Please contact me if you have any questions. Best Regards, Bill Slovinski Omaha CVB Bill Slovinski Group Tour Coordinator Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau 1001 Farnam St Omaha NE Phone: Fax: bslovinski@visitomaha.com Page 5

6 MOP Chapter Memberships Reminder Memberships Due! All memberships are renewable annually by March 31. Memberships Individual membership... $20 Family membership... $25 Student membership... $10 Business/Organization... $25 Charitable contributions to support: Mouth of the Platte Chapter programs Newspapers in Education... Boy Scouts of America activities... Gifford Farm Lewis and Clark programs Western Historic Trails Center... Total enclosed: Make Check Payable to: Mouth of the Platte, Inc. PO Box 3344 Omaha, NE Name Address City State ZIP Phone Lewis and Clark interests Current member of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation? Page 6

7 A Short Note from the Short Editor Send any comments, suggestions, and ideas to -- Thanks for the support to date and in the future Scotty Stickels Mouth of the Platte, Inc. Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, INC PO Box 3344 Omaha, NE Page 7