By Connie Mitchell
In February of 1997 the Wichita County Recreation
Commission asked Janice Rewerts if she would give a workshop on Genealogy.
This seemed like a good idea but Janice felt more genealogist could
present more ideas. She asked Karen Walk, Connie Mitchell and
Lori Graff if they would help her. They all consented and met at
Janice's home for the first meeting. There were about 10 in
attendance and the next week more. When the workshop ended no one
wanted to quit! Everyone was enthused and wanted to continue.
The problem now was where, as we had outgrown Janice's living room a
long time ago. Connie was talking to Pat Norton and mentioned our
dilemma. She had an immediate solution. She asked the Wichita County Historical
Museum Board if we could use one of the rooms in the museum. At the
present it was being used for a storage room and all we had to
do was clean it out and it was ours!! We were delighted and quickly
accepted the kind offer. We now had a place to meet!
An organizational meeting was held March 3, 1997, and officers
were elected. Pres., Connie Mitchell, VP, Janice Rewerts, Secretary,
Karen Walk, Treasurer, Sheila Campas and Reporter, Lori Graff.
From there it has just blossomed. Sheila read in her church
bulletin of some wonderful cubicles that were being given away. We
borrowed a trailer and picked up eight cubicles which fit into our
room perfectly. We have been very fortunate to have so much
help from our local people. The Wichita County Thrift Shop has given
us money to help buy our computer, and the Museum Board has
been very generous in helping us any way that they could and we can
never thank them enough. We are grateful to any and all who
have helped.
To obtain the things that we felt were necessary we have
served farm sales, raffled off a beautiful wooden stroller that was generously
made and donated by Judy Lechtenberg, plus all of the free donations
by not only the members but the local people of our town.
Our society continues to grow. Genealogy is something that
continues on and on. One can never say, "I have my genealogy all
done." Therefore we hope to continue growing to meet the needs
of not only our community but the counties and states surrounding
us. |