Footprints Feb 2021
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Volume 10, Issue 1 Footprints March 2021 A publication of the Howard County Historical Society 16 From the director thought he looked more like Ken Jennings, the display of the project was celebrated in an event current show’s guest host, who is much closer to last March in the Seiberling Mansion coordinated Peter’s age. by Reed and the HCHS Oral History Committee. Moving forward with exhibits, and events Taking the role of contestants were Howard The Jeopardy competition returned, featuring a County Commissioner Paul Wyman; Tom Tolen lot of ups and downs in the scoring. Tom Tolen and looking back at those who inspire of the City of Kokomo Department of Develop- was in the lead going into Final Jeopardy. The ment and member of the Kokomo Historic Review clue: “She became a minor pin-up sensation dur- Board, and Cheryl Graham of United Way of ing WWII when a picture of her with Old Ben was icking off 2021 with our annual meeting now, some of those selected reach back into our Howard County, who graciously substituted for sent to some Kokomo GIs.” The ever-humorous was a great way to revisit my first history. There is much we do not know about originally scheduled local radio personality Tam- Tom speculated aloud, “Who is Mary Ellen Har- months here at the historical society and these individuals, and so we piece together their K my Lively, who was unable to attend. nish?” Mary Ellen, a longtime “senior” member of look forward to my first full year of activities, pro- stories with bits of the historic record. The histori- Everything was perfectly duplicated from the the board and well-known retired local teacher, grams, and exhibits. In addition, doing the budget cal society’s job in many ways is to make those television show including the game board and was in the audience and joined in the laughter for the year has a way of really sharpening the individuals come alive through research, writing, sound effects, with the well-known “thinking mu- that followed. When the written answers were focus! exhibits, and programs. sic” playing during Final Jeopardy. Each category revealed, only Tom answered correctly with “Who While we remain mired in the pandemic, it feels Some of these, like Flossie Bailey, seem to be and all questions were about Howard County his- is Phyllis (Hartzell) Talbert?” and handily won the like there will be light in the latter part of the year. without flaws, but no one is all good or bad, and tory, carefully created by assistant curator Randy contest. What fun and what great sports! We can begin to think about how to reestablish we do those who came before us a disservice to Smith. As an added fund raiser, the historical society old norms and organize live events. But for now, present them as such. People were and are more The “show” even included a mid-point break for worked with Windmill Grill to offer meals for we are staying vigilant and safe. I am excited to complicated. While it might be hard to avoid the contestants, filled by a video of an interview HCHS members to order as part of the annual be working on the video for Hall of Legends with mythmaking when it comes to someone as pas- with Ruth Temoney, an organizer of the Black meeting with HCHS receiving $460 as its share of Awry Productions and board member Anne sionate and honorable as Bailey, she was a wom- Women of the Midwest Project (BWMW) in the the proceeds. Shaw, premiering at 6 p.m. on March 18 on our an who surely lived as we do today, struggling to 1980s. During its 35th anniversary year, “BWMW A recording of the live broadcast is available at Facebook page. It’s going to be a great way to make sense of the world, who expressed doubt, Revisited” updated the project chronicling the https://www.facebook.com/HCHistory. honor those selected into this year’s Hall of Leg- frustration, and fear. We need to be able to relate lives of black women in Indiana. A retrospective ends. to these figures of the past, so that we can see We have been very busy putting together the ourselves in them, or them in us. We can contrast first phase of our new exhibition, Howard County and compare. What would I have done in Floss- African American History Revealed. Stew, Randy, ie’s situation? Would I have been as brave? How In memoriam Heather, and I have been researching, writing is my world like the one she inhabited? In doing Fred Odiet, 95, passed away Feb. 16. He was a former Howard County historian and long-time text labels, creating graphics and arranging ex- so, we might resonate with pieces of her story member and volunteer at the Howard County Historical Society, most recently serving on the Collec- hibit cases, among other tasks. We have worked and learn about ourselves. tions Management Committee. with an African American advisory group, whose Thank you for your continued to support of the members have informed and guided us as we historical society. We will be moving forward with developed the various pieces of the exhibition. the repair of the porte cochere at the mansion. Membership We are rolling it out in four phases, finalizing a That will take a lot of resources, but we are year from now in February 2022. pleased to be moving forward to ensure the Our new and renewed memberships In thinking about our Hall of Legends cohort for Seiberling’s architectural integrity. 2021, I am struck by their incredible contributions Let’s hope the snow stops soon with warmer Friedemann Arnold Janet Gunning Tyler and Ann Moore to their communities and beyond. People can days ahead. Evan Barker Harry and Roberta Hanson Larry and Marleta Newberg shape the world around them in myriad positive Catherine Hughes Andrew Barker Joan Hardesty David and Melody Rayl ways. While some are doing their good work right HCHS Executive Director Harold and Elizabeth Beal Larry and Judy Ingle Beth Rider Matthew Behnke Gloyd Johnson John and Marie Roberts Bob and Janis Bergman Mike and Kelly Karickhoff Michael W. Rodgers Carol Brock Cameron David and Janice Kellar Darrell and Tonia Sherrod In this issue Sandra L. Cross Medora Kennedy Thomas Tolen Dorothy Dague Suzanne King Douglas and Lynn Vaughn 1 From the director 4 Christmas at the 13 New board members Dean and Judy Despinoy Jim and Judy Kruggel Michael Whiteman 2 New exhibit opens Seiberling a success begin terms Janet Duchateau Chuck and Doris Lingelbaugh Christopher and Allison Wisler Dan and Carol Estle William Maple Kori Wood 3 Campaign begins for 5 From the president 14 Annual meeting Ken and Linda Ferries Don and Gloria Martin Donald and Marilyn Wooldridge porte cochere repairs 6 2021 Hall of Legends highlights David and Jennifer Foster Eugene and Nancy McGarvey Pamela Yohn 3 Porte cochere donors inductees 15 Membership Tammy Greene Thomas and Linda Miklik Jeff and Kathy Young 2 15 ‘Jeopardy’game, first African-American county HCHS opens first phase of new exhibition landowner history highlight HCHS annual meeting Howard County African American four phases over the next year. A community- History Revealed based group of shareholders have informed By Dean Despinoy of Judy Brown, the Rev. Michael Carson and Kori and provided guidance for HCHS staff HCHS Publications Committee Member Wood to fill open seats on the board. All were he first phase of a new exhibit regarding the creation of various approved unanimously. T focusing on local African pieces of the exhibition. t a time when the postponement of major Randy also presented the Board Development American history opened Feb. 26 This project is by no means events has become almost expected, it Committee’s slate of officers for 2021: Sharon at the Howard County Museum. comprehensive, but a positive A was no surprise that the Howard County Reed, president; Dave Dubois, vice president; The public is invited to visit the start toward equitable represen- Historical Society’s 2020 annual meeting could Linda Ferries, secretary; Chris Wisler, treasurer; Seiberling Mansion and Muse- tation of people of color in How- not take place in the normally scheduled month of and Larry Hayes, member-at-large. The slate was um to discover the long history ard County history. The goal is October. accepted unanimously by voice vote. On behalf of of African Americans in the area. to find ways to incorporate new Board member Marsha Santen and her commit- the organization, Dubois thanked outgoing mem- Who was the first African Ameri- information and objects into the tee, charged with the meeting planning, were well bers Nita Campbell, Linda Clark, Dana Osburn justified in thinking that by January 2021 the pan- and Marsha Santen for their service. He ad- can pioneer? Who fought in World story of Howard County throughout demic would be under control. That wasn’t to be; journed the official meeting and opened the enter- War I? Who made a positive impact on the museum, so that it is seen as not changes were needed and the result was the tainment portion by introducing Dr. Catherine children’s lives today? separate., but an integral part of our history. most creative and unusual annual meeting in the Hughes, who became the HCHS executive direc- The HCHS will be rolling out this exhibition in society’s history, a blend of face-to-face and virtu- tor last spring. al. Dr. Hughes presented the annual report for On the evening of Jan.