Holy Wow! I just won two free tickets; where would I go anywhere and everywhere? I would, of course, shop for the biggest bang for my buck, but I love all things history, so the trip would also have to be. Did I also get money for incidentals? The list, ok. I would likely top it off back to “See the sites and stay many nights in Dubai!” I left too much history unexplored. I need more time and more paper! London bridges to be claimed by castle and mountain and Europe by rail!” So hop a flight to London, and then Europe is my Oyster! Heck, Ya! Canada… Oh, Canada… land that I love… I love the coffee… Tim Hortons and so much history to explore! Niagara is called Nova Scotia and the Artic Railway. PS I love you; whoever gave me the free tickets, I will need more! I won’t be greedy, and I promise to explore and write! As always, history has the ability to illuminate! There is so much more to every story! Find it! Be sure to stop by and share with me what you uncover! #HistoryMysteries
Written by Lynn Marie Allen, Executive Director/Curator
Off on my usual journies exploring all things history and here is a bit of history that might surprise you. It is 1913, and a young couple in Ohio decides to take advantage of the many benefits of the postal service. Pinning the stamp to the shirt of their infant son, they hand off their baby to the postal service worker to deliver the infant to his grandmother, who lived about a mile away. The parents paid .15 cents in postage and fifty dollars to insure the infant. Now this was not unheard of. Once the postal service began accepting packages, people tested the limits in every way possible, from eggs, bricks, snakes, and other postal oddities.
The tradition of mailing your child by railway mail was far cheaper than a passenger ticket, so it became normal. That is until the postmaster general stopped the child postal services. I have spoken about May, the six-year-old child sent by rail to her grandparents, who were over 73 miles away. The other pieces I gathered were that the postal worker was somehow a relative. They paid the .53 cents in postage, pinning it to her coat, and May was off on her journey. The experience marks in history when Postmaster General Albert S. Burleson heard about this incident and declared, “You may no longer mail your children!” He officially “banned” mailing your children. People, however, were quick to test the limits continued, and a year later, a woman in Florida shipped her daughter to Virginia to see her father. The journey was 720 miles and cost .15 cents in postage! The last known child sent by post was in 1915; three-year-old Maud Smith was mailed the forty miles to Kentucky to visit her ailing mother. It is unclear if there were repercussions for the postal worker who accepted the child. There was an investigation and, at the very least, inquiries about why the child was allowed to travel by post! I want to say this was the last time in history that a child was mailed by post, however in 1920, two more child applications for postal mail were rejected as the postmaster determined they could not be classified as “harmless live animals” As always, history can illuminate the stories! There is so much more to every incredible story! Find it! Be sure to stop by and share what you learn! #HistoryMysteries
Pictured Hiawatha Mail Carriers 1907 which is part of the Brown County Historical Society Collection. Pictured Clint Meyers, Joe Seburn, William Wyer (Weier), Charles Carter, Frank Douthart, Luke Hall.
“History Mysteries” and “Chasing My Sparkle” are the intellectual property and creativeinspiration of Lynn Marie Allen
What exactly are my future travel plans. Naturally, I want to see everything and “nerd out about the history” with my husband and explore the world! Holy wow! Now, let me tell you I am a relatively low-maintenance kind of girl. There are a few things in the world that I love! A: To always be the passenger princess, which has been hard considering demographics and all that jazz! B: To be armed with Tim Hortons Coffee (Double double if you please). C: to always have ten-ply or better tires on the truck and a full gas tank! Plane tickets on standby, yes, please. My heart longs for Dubai again. A dream that I had waited so long to fulfill. Dang it! I wish I had not waited so long. Its beauty and history, and architecture! There are not enough words to properly illustrate the beauty you will find! Train rides, naps, soft, comfy blankets. I want to explore castles and cottages! In a word, for me, ABSOLUTELY, and you should too! Join me!
Written by Lynn Marie Allen, Executive Director, Curator
Horton is one of the little towns that can claim to be a part of Brown County History. In 1888, posters depicted Horton as “The Prodigy of the West, the Wonder of Kansas.” The sign was a treasure, described to have much information about the “Magic City.” On February 3, 1888, Horton was nearly a year and a half old. As industries began to arrive, the population exploded to 4,000 people. The town’s fabric looks much different to us today as slowly the lights dim, and the incredible stories of what once was is no longer visible.
On February 24, 1888, a Horton City councilman granted Citizen Light, Heat, and Power Company a franchise. The franchise, once established, is charged with the operation of the City of Horton Electrical Plant. The directors were C.F. Todd, L.H. Smyth, and C. W. Durfee, all of Horton. Additional directors included William Bowen of Oskaloosa, Iowa. Within thirty days, will build the plant and business operational in ninety days. The directors agree, and arc lights are provided at a maximum cost of $10 per month, and incandescent lighting with a full charge of $1.25 per month. The proprietors seek the support of the Horton Community in this industry. As always, history can illuminate the stories! There is so much more to every incredible story! Find it! Be sure to stop by and share what you learn! #HistoryMysteries
Pictured Horton Electric Power Plant circa 1909 which is part of the Brown County Historical Society Collection. Image from a Pictorial “History of Brown County.“
“History Mysteries” and “Chasing My Sparkle” are the intellectual property and creativeinspiration of Lynn Marie Allen
Now clearly, I can proclaim a favorite but why choose just one? Food and the memories associated as a result of our olfactory system (the sense of smell) are most closely linked to emotions, feelings, and memories! Now I will tell you I am very much a creature of habit, I love chicken fried chicken and a baked potato from Texas Roadhouse. I love samosas the crunchy part especially! I cannot wait to try more of these! I loved shwarma (sp) when I was in Dubai and this is a new favorite. I love hot pastrami on rye bread ( it can be light or dark rye, love them both) with yellow mustard, and I love it the way my grandma made it in the pot, in true New Englander style, not the lunchmeat knockoff! Food is an experience and I am stepping, although lightly (wink wink) into other foods! I don’t want to choose a favorite because my favorites might not be your favorites but I was to celebrate all the parts of each of us that make us wonderful! I love a wonderful apple pie with crust, a really yummy pie crust not a cheap one. A pie crust that is flaky and rich all at the same time and someone poured their heart into that crust and made it spectacular, but even more I love the memories that fill my heart when I think of my grandmother saying, “An apple pie without any cheese is like a hug without any squeeze!” Now I never ate apple pie with cheese like she did but the phrase goes with the pie perfectly. For me, it’s a glorious cup of coffee. Tim Horton’s preferably because my friends in Canada got me hooked!
Off on a journey chasing history, and as usual, history turns up for the show! A fellow history investigator is researching Bill Martin Jr.’s life while Bill was in Hiawatha. If anyone has any history gems hidden in your treasure chest that you would be willing to share and contribute to the research, we would love to hear from you! For those of you who don’t know or have not heard of Bill Martin Jr., get a little googly, beloved childrens author who was born and raised in Hiawatha, KS, and loved for his book “Brown Bear.. Brown Bear!”
As many of you are aware, in anticipation of the upcoming events, Jere Bruning would seek donations. Sadly, Jere is not with us, so we are looking for other ways to communicate and raise money for the Farmer and Merchant Appreciation Dinner, Annual Meeting, and Ice Cream Social. Therefore, if you are inclined to donate to the upcoming event, BCHS board members would greatly appreciate the support! You may still see and hear from BCHS board members in ways Jere previously contributed, such as visits to the business location or mailing regarding these events. As always BCHS board greatly appreciates all the support offered and given. As always, there is so much more to every story! There is so much more to every incredible story! Find it! Be sure to stop by and share what you learn! #HistoryMysteries
Aug. 8, 2023 Farmers and Merchant Appreciation Dinner, Ice Cream Social, and Annual Meeting in Carwell Building. Previously we had said we would hold in the barn, but Board Members felt there needed to be more time to complete the remaining tasks. Dinner will be served at 530 p.m. Menu and Price TBA
(“History Mysteries” and “Chasing My Sparkle” are the intellectual property and creative inspiration of Lynn Marie Allen)
I have written articles about being kind, falling in love with your life, appreciating kindness, and taking opportunities to look at life with your rose-colored glasses. Let me share overshare just a little! Each month after the bills are reviewed and paid following the board meeting, I take the opportunity to deliver the ones I can by hand. While that may seem very inconsequential I appreciate the things, such as the tops of buildings. I’m always looking up. Let me tell you about my experience with a few of the bills I delivered. I was greeted with “Hi and Thank you” at the first location I walked into. It gave me that warm, fuzzy feeling we all love! Its recognition and kindness. The next bill that I delivered, I got my cardio in and was given to “thank you again!” While I am walking to the third location I appreciated the history and all the wonderful things the community has to offer.
Suddenly I noticed trash on the ground. Now, as much as I’d like to tell you, I didn’t give it a second thought, picking up the garbage and throwing it in the proper disposal. I had several thoughts that went through my brain. I contemplated because I didn’t have any hand sanitizer with me, and I was like, gross germs, right? Let me just put all of your minds at ease. “Yes, I did pick up the trash and threw it in the trashcan, but as I walked into the third location to deliver the payment, I was greeted with a condescending attitude. “Can I help you “came behind the computer screen, and I replied oh, I’m just delivering the payment, and I’m going to borrow some of your hand sanitizer. Normally, I am greeted with bright, bubbly and friendly at this location. A little dismayed, I gave a quick thanks, and off I was on the rest of my day with the feeling I was left with at the third location.
People are so quick to be unkind anymore, and I don’t know what has changed about the world. I have witnessed such encounters and heard of even more similar encounters such as an individual intentionally working and striving to hurt other humans. Every single one of us can take a moment to be kind and gentle! Stop and consider that you have no idea what people are experiencing each day. The person you pass may be dealing with any mountain of circumstances in their life that you know nothing about. None of us truly knows, but we can take the opportunity to be better humans. You never know when you might be placed in a situation where kind and gentle is exactly what you need. Fall in love with all the reasons you can be kind and gentle to each other.
I’m a history nerd, and I love all things history. Given my choice of activities, I want to look up in the clouds, celebrate history, and explore and appreciate everything in my life for which I’m grateful. Hence, if you haven’t done it lately, take out your rose-colored glasses and look at the world with fresh eyes! Fall in love with your life. Fall in love with the things that make you happy fall in love with the things that bring you joy! Spend less time tearing apart people for no reason and lifting them! As always, there’s so much more to every story. Find it! Be sure to stop by and share with me what you uncover! #HistoryMysteries
Aug. 8, 2023 Farmers and Merchant Appreciation Dinner, Ice Cream Social, and Annual Meeting in Carwell Building. Dinner will be served at 530 pm. The menu is to be pulled pork, baked beans, chips, cole slaw, and potato salad. The event will be featured as a free-will donation offering.
(“History Mysteries” and “Chasing My Sparkle” are the intellectual property and creative inspiration of Lynn Marie Allen)
How do I express my gratitude? I hope gratitude exudes me and that I make more and more! I am humble, grateful, and appreciative of every single blessing in my life, which is immeasurable! Some mornings I forget my thoughtful reflection because let’s be realistic as a person who takes self-care very seriously! Since taking in my mom, there are many days my gratitude prayer is I just need two extra minutes for the toothbrush rather than the portable toothbrush experience in the car. I am grateful for those little Colgate whisps. They are brilliant! But I kind of enjoy my two minutes of peace with my toothbrush. This morning I was driving to work, and I offer up my gratitude prayer. I am grateful for the 7 hours of sleep I got, man I needed it! I’m grateful for naps! My gratitude list is extensive (I think that is a good thing!), and I won’t burden everyone with the entire list. I am grateful I love and get to explore all things history and the incredible journey I take every single time! I am thankful for my family’s health; that’s my family, both near and far.
I am grateful for my husband, who lights up my world in the most brilliant, tender, and loving ways! I am so thankful that my husband inspires me to dream and explore and is willing to grab my hand and explore the world with me! I am incredibly grateful when he shares how he sees the world with me! I love that he knows I love learning and language and lovingly shares more with me! I love that he is quiet, loud, funny, sincere, tender, fierce, loyal, and protective! I love when he smiles because it lights up the entire world! I love when he wraps me in his arms, and I find the most incredible serene peacefulness! I am so thankful for all of my children and every single one of their incredibly talented, brilliant hearts! I am so grateful for my Benny and JuJu Bean, beyond the world’s greatest grands! I am thankful that I had a day where I laughed and joked with my mom, and she imparted her hilarious wisdom and laughter. I am grateful that she laughed because most days for, her to even find anything beyond the pain she exists inside of!
I am grateful for every day with the “Tiny TRex,” aka “Baby Bear” or “Oliver,” where we were seizure-free and his little heart! (Yes, that is my tiny monster)Ok, who the heck am I kidding? I swear to you, his heart is bigger than the Titanic)he fills my life with absolute immeasurable JOY! All of the Puffle-puff gang does! But I digress, how do I express my gratitude, I think I do it humbly and gently (I hope) I hope I always give more than I take, I hope I always listen more than I talk. I hope I jump when it’s needed (more jumping, my hubby would say). Let’s be realistic I think he would probably say need to listen more. I am grateful for each moment I can offer up my gratitude. There are no words, just unfathomable gratitude for the beauty in all things. I hope if you are reading this, your day and your heart is filled with more gratitude than you can properly express, and the blessings surround each of your hearts and lives. May you have wisdom and peace and find the sweetest pleasure in all the gifts offered to each of us in the most beautiful world we inhabit. It’s not beautiful always because of the people, but you can find the most beauty in the ordinary if you only look. I am glad I have been given the time and opportunity to appreciate and explore the things I love!
So many things make a teacher great, and everyone has the ability and opportunity to teach! The first is that we immerse the students and ourselves in learning experiences! Taking the time to allow the student to learn information in a meaningful way that creates and establishes connections. Did you know that the least effective teaching model is rote learning, lecture-based? Therefore, these are fundamental truths; if you want to teach a person to speak, speak to them. Use language meaningfully, consider yourself the broadcaster at the football game, and each word is a connection to an experience! If you want to teach a child to read, read to them. Let them see you reading! If you want a child to learn about climate change, take them to the forest and teach them why these systems are critical to our earth! If you want to teach a child to cook, get in the kitchen and cook with them! The best way to retain critical information and store it in our brains for later retrieval is to experience the experiences! Not to hear someone talking about the experiences!
Albert Einstein was considered a genius who despised rote learning and, even in certain circumstances, was considered a “problem” student! A brilliant genius knew that rote learning was, for the most part, ineffective. When I am listening to a lecture, I take notes; if I have to be forced to endure the rote portion, I find a way to immerse myself in it. I doodle while I listen, and it creates connections!
Great teachers love learning and crave it! They don’t ever stop learning and growing! Great teachers know that “education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire!” William Butler Yeats. William was not an educator. William was a writer, poet, and politician but knew enough to educate us on what makes a superior educator and teacher! The ability to inspire people! Everyone can inspire and teach; it can be a singularly moving and thoughtful experience.
Food is an exploration! It’s a celebration! Food can be a way to draw people together. Food can be beautiful and should be something that is enjoyed. I can tell you that I do love food! Who doesn’t, but what is more meaningful for me is the experiences that surround that food. So, I will never choose just one food because each experience usually has a brilliant memory connected to the food experience!
The olfactory system (the sense of smell, FYI) is the strongest of our sensory systems, and the system links our mood, memories, and even behavior.
Think back in time how many times when you smell a certain aroma, it triggers memories, emotions, and so much more! Celebrate the aromas and the beautiful experiences that surround each one! My family and I will be around celebrating as well; perhaps we will bump into each other and create new olfactory memories!
Did you know that as far back as the ancient Egyptians, they were known for adding olfactory presentations to their traditions and customs? The earliest perfume bottle originated around 1000 B.C. The Egyptians manufactured perfume bottle glass treasures. Then Persian and Arab chemists began to codify (word candy; means to develop standard formulas for the perfumes). During the Dark Ages and the rise of Christianity, perfumes’ popularity suffered greatly. Still, with many thanks, the Muslim culture and people recognized these aromatic traditions and sought to preserve them so that you might appreciate them today. You are welcome! Enjoy all the beautiful notes that make your aromatic olfactory system uniquely yours!
You may be on a journey to celebrate or create an aromatic treasure defining all that is uniquely you. In that case, I suggest you visit one of the many shops that can take the notes you are fond of and create an aromatic treasure. I don’t know if these beautiful creations are available online, but getting a little googly may be worthwhile! Every culture and tradition has value and presence, so celebrate all history! I know I will be! Each culture separates and connects us in mere distinctions, making us as unique as the olfactory memories we each hold dearly!
Forest of Words 