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Eugene Ware students observe Kansas Day
Schools throughout Kansas took time to teach their students about the state's history in observance of Kansas Day on Jan. 29.
Among the local Kansas Day activities on Tuesday, Eugene Ware Elementary School fifth grade teacher Gayla Croan invited the singing group Fuss and Feathers to perform Kansas songs for her students.
Many area residents are familiar with this singing duo comprised of Ralph Carlson and Jim "Red"Stradley. Playing with the duo on Tuesday was local musician Jerry Bahr. The group entertained Croan's students not only with songs about Kansas, but also period pieces in honor of Kansas Day, Croan said.
According to Croan, the performance by Fuss and Feathers is a long-standing tradition.
"They have come to perform for us for many, many years," she said. "Glenda Miller started this tradition when she taught first grade at Winfield Scott and brought it with her to Eugene Ware when she transferred to fifth grade," Croan added.
Croan said that the group utilized a tool that Stradley brought with them to assist in keeping rhythm.
"Jim Stradley had a small wooden horse with jointed legs that he used to keep rhythm with as the group played," Croan said. "Whinney, the horse was a big success."
Croan said her students really enjoyed being able to celebrate Kansas Day with Fuss and Feathers this year. Each student enjoyed a different aspect of the event.
"I liked the horse jumping to music," Dustin Mackley said.
Tori Miller said, "I liked how Mr. Stradley could play the harmonica and play with the horse."
Payton Wheeler enjoyed being asked to perform with the group while they visited the classroom.
"I liked when they had us sing 'Home on the Range' with the instruments playing," Wheeler said.
Croan said that the school is excited that Fuss and Feathers makes an annual visit to sing to the children and share Kansas history.
"We are so pleased that these gentlemen honor us each year," she said. "We are fortunate to have such talent in our community."
While local children were celebrating Kansas Day at school with their teachers in different ways, some Kansas students could be found celebrating in the state capital.
In a press release on Jan. 10, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius invited Kansas students to observe the state's birthday at the Capitol Building in Topeka. According to the press release, Kansas is 147 years old, as it entered the Union as the 34th state in 1861. Sebelius said that by celebrating the state's 147th birthday at the Capitol, students would expand their knowledge about Kansas.
"We have such a strong heritage, and it's a wonderful opportunity to share our pioneer spirit and strong beginnings with young Kansans," Sebelius said.
While at the capitol, students were able to complete a worksheet titled, "I am a Fan of the Capitol," which was created to provide Kansas Day students with an opportunity to collect five reasons why they enjoy visiting the Capitol, the press release said.
"There are 12 stations to visit and each station will have at least one label with a special message. Students can collect all twelve labels or pick the five they like best," the statement said.
The press release said costumed reenactors and knowledgeable staff were to be positioned at each station to help provide the students with more information.
According to another press release, some students observed the state's birthday at the Kansas Museum of History. The museum presented a "Be a History Detective" theme at this year's event. The students collected, analyzed, organized and interpreted clues related to Kansas history. The museum activities also included performances and exhibits that explored the same theme.