Vol. 21, No. 3, February 2006

Holiday time has come and gone since our last newsletter and here we are well on our way into 2006. We have continued to be busy, but have had some time to catch our breath.

The Board of Directors met recently for their quarterly meeting and one of the main items on the agenda was to make plans for the April Luncheons at the
E. B. Black Historical House. Luncheons will be held April 4, 6, 11 and 13 at the historical house and will also include a program featuring vintage clothing from the collection at the Deaf Smith County Museum. Heading the committee to plan the luncheons are Judy Detten and Kitty Gault. The volunteers that serve on the Board of Directors of the Historical Society prepare the gourmet meal. They also arrange the decorations for the tables and the house, and present the program. Proceeds from the luncheons are applied to the cost of maintaining and updating the beautiful flower gardens around the gazebo and the Black House. A donation of $25.00 for each ticket is suggested and must be prepaid for reservations. Call the museum at 363-7070 for reservations. We look forward to seeing you in the month of April.

Peggy Hyer, chairman of the Garden committee, reported some 2000 spring bulbs have been planted, so we are looking forward to having beautiful flowers through the spring months. Peggy also reported that pre-emerge had been applied to the flower beds, and needed repairs to the sprinkler system were made.

Our special art exhibit by Graham Nugent, “A Texan Paints New Mexico”, has until the last of February before it will be taken down. We appreciate Jane Gulley and her brother, Dale Hampton, for sharing their personal collection of paintings by this artist and for taking their time to set it up and help with the opening reception.

Claudia McBrayer and her display committee will be setting up a new display on the lower level and will have it in place the first part of March. We look forward to seeing a new display that will have a Spring//Summer theme highlighting vintage clothing and artifacts.

Tonya Kleuskens continues to work with our digital oral histories, doing interviews to enlarge our file of Deaf Smith County citizens. If you would like to have an interview recorded, please call 363-7070 to make arrangements. Also, if you have an interest in conducting interviews, please let her know. We have many interesting people who have come to make Deaf Smith County their home and have had unusual and interesting stories and experiences to share.

The quarterly report given by Paula Edwards, Director, stated that 758 people had registered at the Museum in that period. This number included visitors from 14 different states. Guided tours were given to various groups, totaling 136 students and 30 adults. The opening reception in October for the art exhibit drew in 32 visitors, and they enjoyed the narrative remarks made by Dale Hampton, giving history of the artist and describing the artist’s concepts in painting.

In November the museum hosted the meeting for the group representing ExhibitsUSA/Texas HELP and members of the participating Panhandle museums. A luncheon at the E. B. Black House was prepared and served by the Board of Directors, and enjoyed by this group.

Our Christmas Open House was attended by over 200 people as they viewed various demonstrations and enjoyed holiday music presentations and refreshments.
Students of Susan Shaw were presenters of musical selections, as well as the flute ensemble from Community Christian School. The demonstration of arranging Christmas floral designs by Terry Sparks is always a popular draw. Many children came to visit Santa Claus (Larry Paschel) and participate in making their own Christmas ornament.

The museum was the site for 2 club meetings and 2 chapel weddings. The E. B. Black House was used for 1 wedding, 3 showers, 1 party, 1 club meeting and a family photo session.

During this quarter our Indian Trunk Program was given to 178 students and 53 adults; the Pioneer Program was given to 83 students and 6 adults. We appreciate Claudia McBrayer and Francie Farr for volunteering to give these programs.

We welcomed a new member who will serve on our Board of Directors – Lori Hall. Our appreciation and many thanks go to all of the volunteers who serve on the Board of Directors and others who volunteer to help us with keeping the museum and the E. B. Black House showplaces for the community and to help preserve and present our local history. We receive many compliments on the quality of our museum from out of town visitors, and we are pleased and proud to agree with them. We are very appreciative of the support we get from the county and from the members of the Historical Society who pay dues to help us continue this legacy.

Submitted by Troyce S. Hanna

Memorials:

In Memory of Stanley Black-D S C Historical Society, Mr. & Mrs. Jayson
Grimsley, Katherine B. Thurber, Bob & Nancy Josserand
In Memory of Richard Jowell-Vel Simpson
In Memory of Marguerite McSpadden (Amy Gililland’s mother)-D S C Historical Society, Randell & Frances Farr, Grant & Troyce Hanna

MEMORIALS/HONORIUMS

Please send your gift contributions to the Deaf Smith County Historical Society, P.O. Box 1007, Hereford, Texas 79045. When a gift is received, if designated, your friend or loved one is notified by us. No mention of the amount. Checks made out to Deaf Smith County Historical Society are tax deductible.

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