Category: Bonner Springs

Women served in combat roles during Civil War

Diane Eickhoff, a Kansas City, Mo., editor and author, spoke during Women’s History Month at a meeting Sunday, March 18, of the Wyandotte County Historical Society. She told of women who disguised themselves as men and fought in the Civil War.

by Murrel Bland

Many of the images of women during the Civil War have been the result of two popular books — “Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell and “Little Women” by Louisa Mae Alcott. Both stories became popular movies.

However, women played other very significant roles during this period. Diane Eickhoff, an independent author and editor, and her husband, Aaron Barnhart, told of this at a quarterly meeting of the Wyandotte County Historical Society Sunday, March 18, at the George Meyn Community Center in Wyandotte County Park, Bonner Springs. The program recognized March as “Women’s History Month.”

Eickhoff and Barnhart are the co-authors of the book “The Big Divide: A Travel Guide to Historic and Civil War Sites in the Missouri-Kansas Border Region.”

Eickhoff said that women were beginning to come into their own a few years before the Civil War. The Seneca Falls (N.Y.) Convention in 1848 marked the first meeting that focused on women’s rights. Women were forbidden to own property, sign contracts, serve on juries and vote in elections.

During the Civil War, women prepared bandages, cared for the sick and wounded and did laundry.

The story that had not been told, according to Eickhoff, was that women, both in the North and South, cut their hair and discarded their dresses, put on uniforms and fought alongside of men.

It was not known exactly how many women were in combat; estimates were from 400 to 1,000. One of the women who served was Sgt. A.J. Luther of Elwood, Kansas. She died in 1863 in the Battle of Vicksburg, Louisiana.

Eickhoff said many of these women combatants were farm girls used to hard work and handling weapons. One of the reasons that attracted women to combat was they were paid the same as men — 50 cents a day.

Eickhoff said that there was a shortage of male clerks in Washington, D.C., because many of them were off fighting the war; several women filled these positions. However, after the Civil War when the men returned to Washington, the women were dismissed.

Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is a trustee of the Wyandotte County Historical Society.

Community calendar

The Wyandotte Daily news is interested in news of your community event in Wyandotte County. Send information to [email protected] and include your name and phone number. Please send in planned events about a week before the event if possible. In the event of inclement weather, call to see if the event is still planned.

Programs offered for Spanish-speaking women
Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, offers programs for Spanish-speaking women: Grupo de mujeres: con lideres Mary Ellen Rodriguez y Ana Maria Sauer, los martes, 27 de marzo, 10-11:30 a.m., Grupo de salud emocional para la mujer, ofrecido por MOCSA, contacte a Sinead McDonough, llame al 816-285-1349, los martes, 1-2:30 p.m. For more information and registration, call 913-906-8990.

Support group to meet March 26
A Loss and Healing Support Group will meet from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, March 26, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The group is for those who have suffered a recent loss. The group is facilitated by Sister Barb Conroy, OSB. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

KCK school board to meet March 26
The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Education has scheduled a special meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, March 26 in the third floor board room of the district’s Central Office and Training Center, 2010 N. 59th St., Kansas City, Kansas. The agenda includes work on the budget with overview and planning for the public libraries, consideration of the request for qualifications for a construction manager at-risk for the new centralized kitchen, and meeting with consultants from Ray and Associates to discuss a timeline and strategy for the superintendent search, in addition to regular business. The agenda is online at https://www.boarddocs.com/ks/kckps/Board.nsf/vpublic?open.

Book sale to be March 27-29
The “My Shelf to Yours” book sale will be from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 27 and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 28 and March 29 in Room 2325 on the lower level of the Jewell Building on the Kansas City Kansas Community College campus, 7250 State Ave. Proceeds will benefit the student scholarship fund. All books will be $1 or seven books for $5. The funds are used to distribute scholarships for textbooks and tuition to students who have a financial need,

Author to speak March 27 at library
Lewis Diuguid, author of “Our Fathers: Making Black Men,” will speak at the Next Chapter Kansas City Forum at 6 p.m. March 27 at the West Wyandotte Branch of the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library, 1737 N. 82nd St., Kansas City, Kansas. Diuguid, a St. Louis native, worked for the Kansas City Star from 1977 through 2016. He will speak about his book and present suggestions for writing a memoir. His book, published in 2017, received the Philip C. Chinn Book Award from the National Association for Multicultural Education at its international conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Cookie decorating program offered March 27
A cookie decorating program will be offered from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Rachel Van Stratton is the instructor. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Parenting support group to meet March 27
A parenting support group will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Those attending will learn how to work with their children and grow in healthy relationships. The group is facilitated by Marqueia Watson. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Create beaded jewelry at March 29 program
Those attending a program from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., will create their own piece of jewelry, including beaded jewelry. All supplies will be provided. The program is facilitated by Jill Ellena Winters. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

KCK schools to hold public ‘listening tour’ March 31
Members of the Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Education will meet the district’s parents, students and community in a public listening tour. The board will listen to what is important to parents, students and the community concerning the Kansas City, Kansas, Public School district. The listening tours will be a chance for the board to hear first-hand about important opportunities that could help inform future board priorities, a spokesman said. It also gives parents, students and the community a chance to meet new members of the board. Some listening tour programs have already been held. Remaining listening tour dates include:
• Saturday, March 31: 1 to 3 p.m. at Washington High School, 7340 Leavenworth Road
• Tuesday, April 3: 10 a.m. to noon at the Central Office and Training Center, 2010 N. 59th St.
Those unable to attend in person, can engage with the board by sharing their comments or questions during a YouTube Live event on the school district’s page: www.YouTube.com/KCKPSTV.

Keeler Center to be closed April 2
The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., will be closed Monday, April 2.

Workshop offered on how to write a resume
A workshop on how to write a resume is planned from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, at the Bonner Springs City Library, 201 N. Nettleton Ave., Bonner Springs, Kansas. The GoodWorks Career Resource Center at GoodWill, Mental Health America, Design Benefits Group and the Bonner Springs Library are joining together to offer 12 weeks of job-finding workshops on Wednesdays at the library. For questions or to pre-register, call 816-223-9409.

UG Ethics Commission to meet April 5
The Unified Government Ethics Commission will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 5, at the Wyandotte County Courthouse, second floor, Division 18, the old county commissioners’ chambers, 710 N. 10th St., Kansas City, Kansas.

UG Commission to meet April 5
The Unified Government Commission is planning to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 5, in the Commission Chamber, lobby level, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Planning and zoning items are expected to be on the agenda, along with other items. An agenda may be posted in advance of the meeting at www.wycokck.org.

Grinter Friends taco dinner to be April 7
Grinter Place Friends will hold a Tacos N More fund-raising dinner from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. April 7 at the Grinter Barn, 1400 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Tacos, nachos, dinners, drinks and dessert will be available for purchase. A meal of two tacos, refried beans, rice, chips and a drink will be $6.50. A meal of three tacos, refried beans, rice, chips and a drink will be $8. Individual tacos will be $2 each, and nachos will be $1.50 each. Dessert will be available for $1.50. There also will be a raffle for a cooler full of barbecue, with three gift cards from local barbecue restaurants, with a $350 value. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. For more information, call 913-334-2500.

Grinter Jamboree to be April 10
The Grinter Jamboree will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, at the Grinter Barn, 1400 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kansas. The MP3 Band will perform country music, with guest Donna Hensley. Admission is $5. Refreshments will be available. For more information, call 913-481-3527.

Jazz cabaret to be April 12
The Kansas City Kansas Community College Jazz Cabaret is at 6 p.m. April 12 in Upper Jewell on the KCKCC main campus, 7250 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Tickets are $25 and $15 for children. Tickets are $10 after 7:30 p.m. Children 10 years old and younger are free. The cabaret will feature the KCKCC Blue Devil Jazz Ensemble (directed by Jim Mair), the KCKCC Latin Jazz Ensemble (directed by Justin Binek), the college’s three vocal jazz ensembles (Vocal Lab, Fusion and The Standard, all directed by John Stafford) and the KC Latin All-Stars, who will be playing at 7:30 p.m. The first half of the show will feature the student ensembles in performance with a catered taco dinner and drink options of beer, wine or non-alcoholic cocktails. The second half of the production will feature the KC Latin All-Stars who will provide music for everyone to dance. The event is sponsored by the KCKCC Music Club, with help from the KCKCC Intercultural Center, the Art Department, the Tech-Theatre Department, Media Services, Building and Grounds and the Division of Art and Humanities. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact John Stafford at 913-288-7137 or email at [email protected].

KCKCC awards and scholarship event planned April 21
The Mid-America Education Hall of Fame Awards and Scholarship Event will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the Kansas City Kansas Community College Thomas R. Burke Technical Education Center, 6565 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The annual event is the signature initiative of the Kansas City Kansas Community College Foundation, raising over $100,000 in 2017 to support student scholarships. The event will include a student art show, silent auction, student jazz performance, dinner and awards program. For more information, visit http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=jfwtcnmab&oeidk=a07eet196g932877f2a.

Registration open for Blue Devil 5K and Kids Trot May 5
The 2018 Blue Devil 5K and Kids Trot will be May 5 at Kansas City Kansas Community College. The Blue Devil 5K, which is in its 14th year, is at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 5. The course winds through the KCKCC campus on the roads, walking paths and sidewalks. The Kids Trot follows at 9 a.m. and is geared toward children 11-years and younger. Childcare volunteers will provide activities for the children from 7:30 to 9 a.m., so parents can participate in the run-walk. Registration for the 5K is $20 per person through March 31. The Kids Trot is $10. Registration for both the Blue Devil 5K and the Kid’s Trot includes a T-shirt, Finisher’s Medal, Goodie Bag and an all-you-can eat pancake breakfast following the event. About 200 people participated in the 5K and Kids Trot in 2017. Awards will be given to the top overall male and female finishers. In addition, the winner of each age group will receive an award and a prize. Children in the Kids Trot will run in heats based on age groups. Distances will range from 25 meters to one-quarter of a mile. No strollers are allowed. For more information about the Blue Devil 5K Run/Walk and Kids Trot, visit www.kckcc.edu/campus-life/health-rec/WFC/blue-devil-fun-run-walk. Information is also available by calling the KCKCC Wellness and Fitness Center at 913-288-7610. For information on how to volunteer for the Blue Devil 5K Run-Walk and Kids Trot, call 913-288-7370.

Counseling offered
The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., is offering individual and couples counseling to women and men who might not otherwise be able to afford counseling. Counseling services are available in English and Spanish. Nothing is billed. Donations are accepted. Call 913-906-8990 for information or to do an intake and schedule an appointment.

Wyandotte County Museum
For information about the Wyandotte County Museum, 631 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs, call 913-573-5002 or visit https://www.facebook.com/wycomuseum/.

Strawberry Hill Museum
For information about The Strawberry Hill Museum, 720 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kansas, call 913-371-3264 or visit www.strawberryhillmuseum.org.

Grinter Place Museum
The Grinter Place State Historic Site, 1420 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kan., is one of the oldest homes in the area, built in 1857. For more information about hours and days it is open, call 913-299-0373 or visit http://www.kshs.org/p/grinter-place-plan-your-visit/15857.

Old Quindaro Museum
The Old Quindaro Museum is at 3432 N. 29th St., Kansas City, Kan. For more information about the museum, call 816-820-3615 or visit https://www.facebook.com/ccoqmuseum/.

Legislators face prospect of longer session

by Murrel Bland

The leadership of the Kansas Legislature has told its members not to make any summer vacation plans. The legislative session, which is only supposed to last 90 days and end in late spring, may well run into summer months.

This was one of the comments that came out of a legislative coffee Saturday morning, March 24, at the Bonner Springs Public Library. Legislators attending were State Sen. Steve Fitzgerald, R-Fifth Dist.; State Sen. Pat Pettey, D-Sixth Dist.; and State Rep. Tom Burroughs, D-33rd Dist. The sponsors of the coffee were the Johnson County League of Women Voters and the Bonner Springs NAACP.

This is an election year for members of the Kansas House of Representatives — all 125 seats are up. And one of the issues for both representatives and senators is how to pay for schools and other essential services such law enforcement, the court system, mental health services and prisons. The prospect of higher taxes is not particularly popular in an election year.

The Kansas Supreme Court has given legislators until Monday, April 30, to come up with a plan to fund K-12 Kansas public schools adequately. The Kansas City, Kansas, Public School District, is one of four districts suing the state, seeking more funds.

Republican legislators commissioned Lori Taylor, a University of Texas professor, to study the Kansas education situation and make recommendations. They were surprised when Taylor said that schools were substantially underfunded and that more than $2 billion more could be needed. This increase would be phased in over a five-year period.

David Smith, a spokesman for the Kansas City, Kansas, School District, said this consulting report, which cost more than $200,000, has inaccuracies including incorrect enrollment figures.

The current legislative budget is about $6 billion. Of that, about 60 percent is for education.

The Kansas Supreme Court has not set an amount to fund the schools. Sen. Fitzgerald, who has been quite critical of the court, has suggested that court members should determine the level of funding.

Sen. Pettey said she can trace the problem back to past years when state funding for education was cut and never has been restored. The consultant’s report suggested that funding, once increased, be indexed to the cost-of-living.

Legislators will be looking at those receiving sales tax exemptions as a possible new source of revenue.

Sen. Fitzgerald said he sees other serious critical areas that need funding such as highway maintenance and mental health. He said for several years, money intended for roads has gone to other places, starving the Kansas Department of Transportation. He said Don Ash, the Wyandotte County Sheriff, sees a critical need for mental health services for about 40 percent of prisoners in the Wyandotte County Jail. But there is no place to treat these prisoners, so they stay in jail or are sent to the state prisons.

Rep. Burroughs said he has requested a meeting with Gov. Jeff Colyer to discuss creative ways of providing security for schools. This plan would involve help from the private sector.

Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is the executive director of Business West.