The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" #46: 8-16-23
VOLUME 2023 AUGUST 16 NUMBER 46
President Thad Hall’s welcome was followed by the flag salute.
ACHES & PAINS: Be thankful for all your blessings and always be kind.
PROGRAM: Bruce McMillan introduced our guest speaker LaBarbara James Wigfall, Associate Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Design at Kansas State University. LaBarbara joined the K-State faculty in 1987 after ten years of private practice in Texas and faculty appointments/fellowships at Howard University, The University of Texas, The University of California/Berkeley, and The University of Arkansas/ Fayetteville. She was the first African-American female faculty member to receive tenure and promotion at K-State in 1997, having garnered several K-State awards for distinguished service to minority education and outstanding undergraduate teaching. She also initiated the KSU Hazardous Substance Research Center as a strategic planner. Community projects for Stella, Missouri; Olathe, Kansas; and Newburg, Missouri highlight the positive impact of a visioning process on community wellbeing.
Precursory research on African-American communities acknowledges the dynamic role and service cultural landscapes have performed in our nation’s history. LaBarbara expanded this scholarly work in Africa, identifying patterns in the environment that may explain African-American antecedents. Ultimately, her commitment to community empowerment and preservation demonstrates how the cultivation of human and cultural assets serves as a vehicle for building sustainable communities.
Nicodemus Kansas was a main focus this morning. LaBarbara has spent endless time there, researching and studying with students of her own. Nicodemus is a finalist for the 8 Wonders of Kansas History because it is the oldest and only remaining all-black town west of the Mississippi River that was started at the end of Reconstruction.
"In northwestern Kansas is a town that stands for freedom and family. It is a special place where roots run deep and every building has a story connecting family and friends. Located just off Highway 24 in Graham County, the town of Nicodemus is a small cluster of peaceful historic buildings, across the road from wheat fields that stretch to the northern horizon.
With efforts led by the Nicodemus Historical Society and historic property owners, Nicodemus was designated a National Historic Site in 1996, as the oldest surviving black pioneer town west of the Mississippi. The National Park Service is cooperating with the people of Nicodemus to preserve the town's historic structures - The District No. 1 Schoolhouse, Old First Baptist Church, African Methodist Episcopal Church, St. Francis Hotel/Fletcher-Switzer Residence, and Nicodemus Township Hall. Together with the NPS and the Nicodemus Historical Society, the community is protecting and interpreting the only remaining western town established by African Americans during the Reconstruction Period following the Civil War. The town of Nicodemus is symbolic of the African American experience in the West. To learn more about historic Nicodemus, visit the Nicodemus Historical Society and Museum website at https://www.nicodemushistoricalsociety.org/, stop by 611 S. 5th St. in Nicodemus, or call 785-839-4280.
CLUB STUFF/ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Chili Crawl is moving right along, please see Bill Wisdom for more information and volunteering! He has vouchers/tickets if anyone is interested in selling them OR buying them. (All unsold tickets need to be returned to Bill by Sept 20th.)
JUST TRI IT – went very well, minus a small computer glitch when getting trophies handed out. Thanks to Heather for all her hard work.
Summer Social at Optimist Park – Friday, August 18th at 6:00pm – all members and families are welcome. Meat and Drinks provided, please bring a side dish. We will be hosting Optimist Leaders from the Kansas District. (Signup sheets are on the tables for volunteers, set-up, clean-up etc…)
District Meeting will be held on Saturday, August 19th at 8:00am at the Hilton Garden Inn, 410 S 3rd and all members are welcome. Registration forms are on the tables.
Membership Recruitment Contest - $100 gift card to the member that brings in the most members and there is currently a 3-way tie! No dues until October!!!
The Leadership-Officer and Director teams have been approved, handouts were provided and thank you to all serving in those positions.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: No member spotlight today
GUESTS: We welcomed our guest speaker, LaBarbara James Wigfall and Jerry Banaka also introduced his guest, Josh Brewer, Executive Director of the Manhattan Area Habitat for Humanity. We are glad you could join us this morning.
Meeting adjourned with the OPTIMIST CREED.
AUGUST PROGRAMS: Program Chairs: Bruce McMillan/Heather Peterson/Mike Fincham
August 23 NOON MEETING: Dr. Rana Johnson, Vice President, Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Kansas State University
Topic: Diversity Introduction: Mike Fincham
August 30 MORNING MEETING: President Thad Hall
Topic: Club Business Meeting