Powers Museum Hosts Local WWI Historian Kavan Stull And His Live Portrayal Of Harry S. Truman

Malorie Spangler of the Power’s Museum joined us on a Friday Morning Edition
Portrait of President Harry S. Truman (ca. 1947).

Local World War I historian Kaven Stull will portray Harry S. Truman during his presentation titled “Harry S. Truman: World War I Memories”. The one man production will take place on Sunday July 28 starting at 2 pm. It will take place at The Powers Museum in Carthage, Missouri as the museum will have special hours that Sunday only, from 12-5 pm. (The Powers is not normally open on Sunday.) Malorie Spangler joined us on a Friday Morning Edition on KRPS to speak about both Stull’s production which coincides with the start of World War I and the Over Here Over There exhibit currently on display. The event is open to the public.

Harry S. Truman to many was the 33rd President of the United States. During his two-terms in office from 1945-1953, succeeding for Franklin D. Roosevelt as his vice-president Truman implemented the Marshall Plan and established both the Truman Doctrine and NATO.

“He has several World War I uniforms and artifacts from that time range, and I think it builds more of a deep respect for Harry S. Truman in an effort to share his story and his service.”

Malorie Spangler of the Power Museum Speaking of Kavan Stull’s portrayal of President Harry S. Truman
Kaven Stull in WWI uniform as Harry Truman

Long before the national stage and being elected president Truman was born in Lamar, Missouri on May 8th 1884. He would serve in the Missouri National Guard, and both the United States Army and U.S. Army Reserve. He would also go on to become a Judge in Jackson County, Missouri and served a decade as a Missouri State Senator from 1935-1945. All of that experience, both military and civilian prepared Truman to take one one of the most turbulent eras of American history in the the 20th century. Truman died on December 26, 1972 at the age of 88.

The Powers Museum of Carthage

The Powers Museum will be open special hours on Sunday July from 12-5pm. Normal business hours from are Tuesday through Saturday from 12-4 pm. It is located at 1617 Oak Street Carthage, Missouri 64836. You can also call the museum at (417) 237-0456 or email at powersmuseum@att.net.

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‘Friends Of Historic Girard’ Host Little Blue Book Festival

Terri Harley of ‘Friends Of Girard” joins KRPS’s Morning Edition
Emanuel Haldeman-Julius, ca. 1923-24. From the Haldeman-Julius family collection. (This photograph also appeared in McClure’s in August, 1924.)

In these modern times it might be hard to believe that among the cornfields and mining widely seen throughout Southeast Kansas in 1919 that one of the countries most influential Socialist publishers settled in the area. Terri Harley with the group ‘Friends of Historic Girard‘ joined us on a Wednesday Morning Edition on KRPS to talk about the 100th Anniversary of the Little Blue Books and Emanuel Haldeman-Julius. The groups is hosting a two-day festival taking place on Friday July 19 and Saturday July 20 to remember Haldeman-Julius everlasting mark on Southeast Kansas history.

A Collection of Little Blue Books

Little Blues Books were introduced by Emanuel Haldeman-Julius a atheist-Jewish, socialist, newspaper publisher in 1919 after he purchased publishing house in Girard, Kansas. Haldeman-Julius was not a native Kansan. Far from it, as he was born to Jewish parents in 1889 who fled to the US from Odessa, which was then part of the Russian Empire to escape religious persecution. The Julius family would eventually settle in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His Father was a book binder which lead to books always being around the Haldeman household and Emanuel becoming a heavy reader.

The Haldeman-Julius house is located at 310 N Sinnett Avenue in Girard

Haldeman-Julius got his start in publishing working for various newspapers on the East Coast but he rose to prominence during a 7-year stretch between 1915-1922 while editor at the socialist newspaper, ‘Appeal To Reason’. During Haldeman-Julius’s time at ‘Appeal’ he would purchase the newspapers printing operation in Girard in 1919 and the start the publication of what he would gone to be known for 100-years later. The early editions of the Little Blue Books costs 25-cents and where yellow or red in color. Similar to the colors of the State Flag of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. His Little Blue Books, which would go through many name changes throughout the decades would be published from 1919 until 1978.

With such a rich history in Southesast Kansas, ‘The Friends of Historical Girard’ are hosting a two-day event to celebrate the creation and publication of the Little Blue Books. The event is taking place on Friday July 19th at 4 pm and Saturday July 20 starting at 9 am. It is open to the public.

Mindy Lee of the Kansas Small Business Development Agency at Pittsburg State

‘Doing your taxes’, it’s a phrase that evokes many feelings, probably most of them negative. Even more so if your a small business owner. But it doesn’t have to be that way if you attend one of the two tax workshops taking place later this month hosted by the Kansas Small Business Development Agency at Pittsburg State.  The special guest speaker is Carl York, a Tax Specialist for the Kansas Department of Revenue. Carl has been with KDR for over 12-years and has all of the up to date information on how to do to your taxes properly if you own a retail business or our a contractor. Better yet, you can attend both or one of the tax workshops for free!

They are taking place on Tuesday July 16 at Neosho Community College. The Use and Sales Tax for Retail Business seminar gets underway at 9 am. Followed by the Sales Tax for Construction Workers workshop at 1 pm. Each class is about approximately  three hours in length with time to ask specific questions about your particular business.

Mindy Lee of the Kansas Small Development Center stopped by KRPS recently to talk about the tax seminars. She says the workshops were developed to be more of an informal conversation between Mr. York and business owners. Also, that Mr. York will answer specific questions about almost any type of business and its taxes in the state of Kansas.

While both seminars are open to the public an RSVP would be appreciated. To learn more about the SBDC and their workshops click this link. Or call (620) 235-4921

Neosho Arts Council Hosts Science Fiction Authors Dayton Ward and Kevin Dilmore

Two well-known science fiction authors are coming to the Four States on Saturday June 22. Kevin Dilmore and Dayton Ward will speak at the offices of the Neosho Arts Council starting at 2 pm. They are scheduled to talk about working as full time authors and collaborating with publishers, creating tie in novels for series like Star Trek, and how science fiction writing can be intertwined with the work of NASA.

Earlier this week, President of the Neosho Arts Council Sarah Serio spoke with KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro about Kevin and Dayton visiting Neosho. Sarah also spoke about how the NAC looks to step outside of the box and attract different types of artists in addition to the traditional photographers and painters.

The event is open to the public.

For more information about the event on Saturday June 22 2019 click this link.

Pittsburg Downtown Advisory Board Hosts 1st Annual “620 Day”

Taking place on the final day of Spring as we turn the seasonal calendar to Summer the Pittsburg Downtown Advisory Board is throwing a party! The first annual “620 Day” is taking place on Thursday, June 20 from 5:00 to 8 pm. Joining us on a Wednesday Morning Edition was Assistant Planner for the city of Pittsburg, Brittan Brenner who told us the committee wants to celebrate the culture, heritage and uniqueness of the city.  In addition, there will be a farmers market, 6-food trucks, live music and the Shutter Bus photo booth. Also, several local businesses are staying open late and will be participating in the DAB passport bag giveaway. If you visit 5 participating local businesses and get your passport stamped you will receive a free downtown Pittsburg tote bag.

Pittsburg State University Department of Music Presents 2019 Summer Music Festival

Taking place the week of the summer solstice the Pittsburg State’s 2019 Summer Music Festitval will take advantage of the longest nights of the year to perform music under the stars starting on Monday June 18. “Jazz Under The Stars” under the direction  of PSU’s Bob Kehle will kick-off the Summer Music Fest with the performance taking place on the lawn in front of the Bicknell Center For The Arts at 8:30 pm.  The performance is one of nine genres during the festival that has something for every music lover. Genres will range from heavy metal, to classical and chamber music, jazz, acoustic and folk music. And the finale of it all on Friday, June 21 is a Summer Band Concert directed by Pittsburg State’s Dr. Andrew Chybowski featuring patriotic and pop pieces, and standard band literature.

On Wednesday June 19, Dr. Raul Munguia will perform as apart of the the “Kaleidoscope of Styles” concert with four groups featuring classical, chamber and world music at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Pittsburg, Kansas. The performances begin at 7:30 and is open to the public. 

Eight of the nine concerts featured as apart of the 2019 Pittsburg State Music Festival are open to the public and there is no entrance fee. The Vogts Sister performing on Tuesday night inside of the Bicknell  Family Center For The Arts will require the purchase of a $12 ticket at the door.  The performance begins at 7:30 pm. 

For a complete listing of concerts, times and locations click this link. 

Earlier this week we got a preview of the “Kaleidoscope of Styles” performance from Raul Munguia, Denissa Rivas De Munguia and Rusty Jones inside of McCray Hall. 

Dacia Clark and Mindy Lee of Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State

The Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State is hosting a Rural and Independent Innovators Conference on Tuesday, June 18 at Block 22 in downtown Pittsburg. The event starts at 8:30 am. Assistant Director Dacia Clark and Mindy Lee of the SBDC joined us on Morning Edition and spoke about both the conference and the focus on the SBDC. The day long conference was designed to help entrepreneurs and innovators start and grow their business, and turn their ideas into reality. RIIC is a series of events by the Kansas SBDC throughout the state and the June event is for the Southeast Kansas region. The conference is to open any business owner or someone thinking about starting a business in the Four States.

Registration is required. $35 for general admission and $20 for a student.

Click this link for more information. Or contact the SBDC at (620) 235-4921 or email ksbdc@pittstate.edu

Joplin Moms Demand Action Raise Awareness For Gun Safety In The Four States

Starting Friday June 6 and running through Sunday June 8 is National Wear Orange Weekend in order to raise awareness for gun safety across the United States. Moms Demand Action chapters across the country are holding Wear Orange events to raise awareness for the 100 people on average across the US that are affected by gun violence daily according to the group. Locally, the Joplin Moms Demand Chapter is hosting a Wear Orange Event at Landreth Park in Joplin starting at 11 am.

On a Friday Morning Edition, we were joined by Louis Morgan of Moms Demand Action Joplin. Morgan said that the event is open to the public and that there will be music, food and family friendly events. In addition, the group will be giving away free gun locks to gun owners who would like one. According to Morgan, Moms Demand Action isn’t looking to change or alter the 2nd Amendment, but rather to bring the issue of gun safety and the affect that it is having on American culture to the forefront of society.

 

Connect 2 Culture’s Launch Party For the Cornell Arts And Entertainment Complex

On Monday afternoon in Joplin, the arts and entertainment non-profit Connect 2 Culture hosted a launch party to announce that the organization has raised over 14-million dollars to go towards the construction of the Harry M. Cornell Arts And Entertainment Complex. The 14-million dollar milestone was important for C2C as it allows the organization to continue a memorandum of understanding with the city of Joplin which is providing the land at the intersection of S. Wall Ave and W. 7th St where the Cornell Complex is set to be built. Ms. Frankoski also said that the Cornell Complex is scheduled to be completed by the Spring of 2022.

Bells of the Balkans Director Janis Saket and the 7th Annual Pittsburg Bell Festival

The 7th annual Pittsburg Bell Festival is taking place on Saturday June 1st at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts. The ringing begins at 7pm. Director of Bells of the Balkans, Janis Saket joined us on a Thursday Morning Edition to speak about how the group formed and how they stepped out of the the box to play jazz, pop and even the song Bohemian Rhapsody. The Bells of the Balkans are one of five groups that will be performing others include Belles of the Bells, the PittPres ringers, the St. Lutheran’s Bell Choir, and Bell soloist Terry Cox.  The event is open to the public and donations will be accepted to further promote bell ringing in the Four States.

The concert is taking place in the Linda and Lee Performance Hall of the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts.