Spring 2014 Murder Mystery Sells Out; 2Nd Event Planned for October
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Heritage The newsletter of the Harvey County Historical Museum & Archives Spring 2014 Murder Mystery Sells Out; 2nd Event Planned for October A sell-out crowd of 19 costumed participants enjoyed the Murder at the Manor Mystery Night during the evening of February 21. Games, riddles and food highlighted the evening as the crowd, portraying their characters, shared clues about themselves (and each other) in hilarious fashion. The unfortunate murder of a highly unpopular character perplexed the crowd, but all was revealed in the end. The Leaf Tea Lounge generously sponsored the event, providing appetizers, desserts and beverages throughout the evening. Treats included crab cups (pictured at left, photo by Wendy Nugent); chicken, beef chorizo and green olive empanadas; deviled eggs with caviar; bread pudding cups; Killer Brownies; and more. A second murder mystery event has been scheduled for Saturday, October 18 at 7:00. Gravestone: A Wild West Murder Mystery finds the good citizens of Duck City, Kansas meeting at the saloon to decide how to deal with the town bully-boys. Fun characters like Bella Starry, Wylie Arp and Doc Galaday may have a lot of personal history, but end up working together to solve the unfortunate murder that occurs at the meeting. Smarmy defense attorney Ms. Crimson (portrayed by Cynthia Wilson) slumps in Appetizers, beverages and desserts are again an important “death” against hairdresser Kara Tinn part of the evening. Paid registration is required, and spaces (portrayed by Melody Kuhlman) during a will fill quickly. The cost is $35 per person, or $25 for HCHM game of Catch Me If You Can. Librarian Rita Bookaday (portrayed by Tina Younts) members. (More event photos on page 2.) watches the fun. Photo by Wendy Nugent. Celebrate with Us on May 3!! What: A 110th Birthday Party for the museum building! When: Saturday, May 3 from 2:00—4:00 (come and go) What: Cake, ice cream, indoor games and yard games for all ages. Who: EVERYONE! Free and open to the public! Where: Harvey County Historical Museum, 203 N. Main, Newton Questions? Debra at (316) 283-2221 or [email protected] Heritage Spring 2014 Page 2 New Website Promotes Museum; On-line Registration for Programs Now Live HCHM will soon have a new website to promote activities, assist researchers and provide on-line registration for programs and memberships. The new site will make it possible to keep the information more current, with changes to the calendar of events made regularly, including last- minute cancelations due to weather. Changes to the research library page will also be easier to navigate, allowing archivist Jane Jones to meet the needs of researchers in a responsive way. Photo collections continue to be added to the HCHM page of the Forsyth Library site, which is linked through our website. Plans to add maps and other information are under discussion, but funding for equipment would need to be secured to make this a reality. The new site will also make it possible to add on-line exhibits, such as highlighting the USO piano and allowing visitors worldwide to search the signatures. HCHM continues to seek “outside of our walls” opportunities to serve our community and promote the stories of the people of Harvey County! More fun shots from Murder at the Manor on February 21! (All photos courtesy of Wendy Nugent.) Heritage Spring 2014 Page 3 A Guy Who Loved to Draw: Reed R. Crandall By Kris Schmucker, curator Perhaps you walked past it as a student at Newton High School or remember when it hung above the Art Room door. Today, students travel up and down the stairs in front of the painting at Santa Fe Middle School. The bright, colorful three panel wall mural of Native Americans engaged in traditional crafts has been a part of the building for nearly 80 years, since NHS sophomore Reed Crandall completed it in 1933. Crandall is best known for his work as an American illustrator of comic books and magazines, but his talent is also apparent in the pieces he created as a student at Newton High and Cleveland School of Art. Reed L. Crandall was born on February 22, 1917 to Rayburn L. and Delia Crandall in Winslow, Indiana. In 1932, the family moved to Newton, Kansas, and thirteen year old Reed Crandall enrolled at Newton High School as a freshman. The art teacher at the time was Miss Marie Orr and she encouraged Reed's talent. During his high school years, he completed the Native American wall mural at Newton High (later Santa Fe Middle School) and many other projects. In 1935, when Crandall was a senior, Miss Orr encouraged him to mount his own show in Newton before going to art school in Cleveland. The work he exhibited was diverse and included thirty-one canvases with subjects ranging from scenery, Native American life and still life in water colors and oil. He also had a dozen pieces of sculpture. In the fall of 1935, Crandall entered the Cleveland School of Art, Ohio, which even today has a reputation of being one of the best design schools. His dream was to find work as an illustrator for magazines. Crandall graduated from the Cleveland School of Art in 1940, and was awarded a $400 prize and voted " the best illustrator in the school." In June 1939, Crandall undertook his first professional illustration project for a fee of $150. However, the role of magazine illustrator was gradually being phased out due to new advances in photography. Crandall heard about a new, growing field that was paying artists well - illustrating for comic books. Beginning in 1938 through 1950, comic books became more and more mainstream. Many comic book historians consider this period to be the 'Golden Age' of American comic books. Stories filled with superheroes and villains gained readers and fans. During this time, publishing comic books became a major industry and provided jobs for artists and writers. Crandall began working in the Jerry Iger Shop, an early supplier of stories and art for various comic book publishers, in approximately 1940. Igler turned out comic art quickly and cheaply in a production assembly line. Crandall could draw quite fast, so he quickly became a popular artist with Igler. Crandall earned a salary of $30 a week. He also took jobs on the side. In 1941, one of his side jobs led him to his " debut in the world of four-color comics" when he inked a fifteen page story for Timely Publication's " Captain America #2" (April 1941, photo at right). In late 1941, he began working for Quality Comics and Everett 'Busy' Arnold. His salary was $1000 a month. While at Quality Comics he worked on the popular comic, Blackhawk. Originally created by Will Eisner and Charles Cuidera, the comic first appeared in Military Comics #1 (August 1941). Blackhawk was a "military strip with grim mercenary characters" (photo at left) produced during the height of the Second World War. Comics during this period reflected "not only the positive attributes of patriotism, courage, and honor . but also a darker view of the American dream, including racism, nationalistic (Continued on page 4) Heritage SpringWinter 2014 2012 Page Page 4 4 Museum Support (Crandall, continued from page 3) (November 2013 - January 2014) chauvinism and sexism." His concern for detail and realism apparent, Members Reed's work was more realistic than many working at that time, Mark & Andrea Andres Paul & Beverley Buller reflecting his interest in illustration and not cartooning. He Rose Campbell Nancy Christensen authentically depicted the planes, tanks and weapons of the period. Roland Claassen His last appearance as a Blackhawk artist is in the August 1953 issue. Helen Collins Daryl Cooper After he left Quality he went to work at Entertaining Comics Dr. Charles & Nancy Craig JoAnn Funk Publications (EC) and publisher William M. Gaines. Then, in 1964, Mary Ann Gertsen James Warren, publisher of Famous Monsters , contacted Crandall to Matt & Jill Harms Richard & Rebecca Hege work on a new, black and white horror comic magazine. One of the Lori Hein projects Warren was working on featured adaptations of Edgar Jane Hershberger Courtney & Beverly Hiebert Allan Poe stories for Creepy . Crandall drew for "The Cask of Keven, Debra & Lauren Hiebert HWM, dba Hardwood Supply Amontillado" ( Creepy #6 ) and many consider it one of his greatest Ted & Sue Ice achievements. His attention to detail was again evident, as he was Richard Janzen Jarrell & Mary Jones able to capture the dark, dank underground catacombs perfectly, Lanny & Jane Jones Susan Koehn drawing every brick, spider web and rat that created the dark Dean & Linda Koppes setting for the tale. One comic book historian noted that "Crandall Margaret Lambert Nancy McFarlane was an immensely gifted illustrator, a master of anatomy whose figures Karen Monroe were full of grace, character and realism." Crandall also worked on Helen Pauls Evelyn Quiring another Poe classic, "The Tell-Tale Heart" for Creepy #3. Jim & Katie Reese Tom & Mary Sandwell In 1967, Reed began drawing for the Flash Gordon comic book. Robert & Betty Schmidt Over three years, he produced four issues. At the same time he was Blake & Kris Schmucker Javen & Beth Schmucker drawing for Treasure Chest . Crandall had started to draw for Treasure Ken & Irene Shaw Chest, an educational Catholic publication, in the late 1950s. For Alma Shelly Joe Smiley twelve years, the Treasure Chest contract would be his " bread and Pandea Smith Somers, Robb and Robb butter" providing him with a steady income. Clifford & Irene Sommerfeld Although Reed Crandall is best known for his work as a Brian Stucky Dennis Walker comic book illustrator, he worked in a variety of mediums including John & Mary Jane Waltner Byron & Marge Warta watercolor, painting and scratch board.