Fifth and sixth graders perform Civil War reenactment

Thursday, April 26, 2012

The fifth and sixth grade classes at Fort Scott Christian Heights participated in a l865 reenactment during their study of the Civil War.

Students spent Tuesday at the farm of their teacher, Mrs. Shead.

After a day of preparing for the dinner, the students wrote a realistic scenario for their parents to act out, using terms and names they learned in their Civil War study. Then they dressed in costumes of that era.

When parents arrived, they joined the students for an evening reenactment, acting as relatives who were coming to a dinner in hopes of reuniting their divided family. Like many families, especially in Kansas, this entire family is divided with hurtful and devastating memories of the recent war.

Larry and Vickie Shead acted as the slave owners who once had slaves on their farm. Recently, according to the drama being portrayed, they had to release their slaves at end of the war -- in the absence of slaves, their 13 siblings (the students) prepared the meal and served their guests using proper hosting and etiquette.

The guests playing the part of aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins joined the drama as the Sheads attempted to heal the family from the past brought about by words, bullets, burning of homes and even death. During the evening the group attempted to put the past behind them. Conflict ensued when Sheads' sons arrived home during the evening -- one son having fought for the Union and the other for the Confederacy.

More emotions emerged when a messenger announced the news of Abraham Lincoln's death.

The entire day allowed the students to explore a wide range of cross-curriculum studies. Not only did they receive a crash course in home economics where they learned about meal planning, cooking, etiquette rules in serving proper table setting and the necessary clean up, but they also polished up on their writing skills as they developed a realistic, historical role for their parents to act out when they arrived.

In these scenarios, they were required to use at least 12 names and terms of the Civil War. The incorporated history they learned was mixed into the evening drama, complete with costumes, and played throughout the evening.

Then at the close of the evening the students took an oral test on the facts, names, events and battles they studied, allowing the parents to see the excitement and what the students have learned.

The Civil War saga is a great conclusion to their unit study. This is the eighth year that Mrs. Shead has done this activity with her students.

On the weekend of April 21, Fort Scott Manor celebrated its 50th anniversary. Residents and families enjoyed a dinner on Friday evening with entertainment and a cookout on Saturday with musical entertainment.

Tom and Phyllis Watt enjoyed the cookout and music with Tom's mother, Mae Watt, who is a resident at Fort Scott Manor. She was recently elected vice president of the residents' council.

On Sunday, Mae also enjoyed a visit from Bill Cambers and his sister, Helen Jean Green, former Arcadians.

The Arcadia Christian Church held its yearly Ladies Spring Retreat on Saturday, March 31, with 28 ladies registered from Arcadia, Arma, Redfield, Fort Scott, Mulberry, Joplin, Liberal and Pittsburg.

Patty McCullough from Pittsburg provided special music, and the speaker was Kristin Peterson Girard from Joplin, a former member of this church.

Both breakfast and lunch were served. Pamper time and crafts were included in the day. Skits were entertainment, and gifts were given to the names who were drawn.

Throughout the day, Carol Bridgewater gave a reading and Janelle Bunny performed a solo. Betty Dehn closed the fine day with a blessing to each one.

The Fort Scott Presbyterian Manor has announced the Good Samaritan Auction and Dinner to be held on Thursday, May 17, to be served from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The auction begins at 5:30 p.m. and the meals are $7 each in advance. Carryout will be available.

Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $l0. All friends are invited to attend.

On April 22, the Arcadia Christian Church announced that gospel singer Lloyd Houk will be here for the Old Time Hymn Sing and Concert on Saturday, May 12, at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served and a free-will offering will be taken.

Before the morning sermon, Pastor Cable still at the piano sang "My God and I'm Old" before going to the pulpit for the morning message taken from the 23rd Psalm.

We have a shepherd in heaven and God in our hearts.