Les Novelettes Club to host fashion show

Vanessa Johnston, chief of security at the GEO Reentry Services at the Grossman Center – Residential Reentry Center, joined the Les Novelettes Club in the summer of 2017 because she liked the idea of helping young people in their quest for a higher education. 
The club was organized in 1950 and members chose the motto “Unity for Progress.”
The aims were to provide scholarships that would support the educational endeavors of local high school students heading to a higher institution of learning.
Besides awarding thousands in scholarship money to approximately 165 graduating seniors from Leavenworth High School, Lansing High School and the former Immaculata High School, the club also endeavors to lend charitable aid to the community. One of its proudest achievements was raising funds that resulted in the purchase of band uniforms for students at Warren Middle School.
This year the club, which has 16 members, will celebrate its 69th anniversary. One of the club’s favorite events, a fashion show, is coming up.
“The main fundraiser is the Fashion Show,” says Johnston. “We also have a fundraiser celebrating Martin Luther King Day. We have local sponsors who help defray the cost of events.“
The theme is Trendsetters In Motion. It will be from 1-3 p.m. April 20 at the Heritage Center in downtown Leavenworth, with a light lunch at noon.
“Your $20 donation will be used to help a local high school student continue their education with a scholarship,” says Johnston. 
Many of the club’s scholarship recipients have been able to pursue their dreams in some of the most coveted professions. And recipients have also adopted the club’s goal of “paying it forward,” repaying the generosity of others by giving something of value to someone else.
Les Novelettes’ scholarship recipients have gone on to become military leaders, doctors, nurses, teachers, etc.
Les Novelettes’ ability to ease the financial burdens of so many is directly related to the benevolence of the Leavenworth/Lansing community. Les Novelettes Club became more determined and committed to expand the scope of its fundraising abilities over the years. In order to reach out to broader funding opportunities, the club applied for and received a 501(c)3 charitable status. 
As a result, local businesses and private donors are able to realize the advantages of a tax deduction.
“My favorite thing about being a member of Les Novelettes is being around a lot of professional women who have the same goals as I do,” says Johnston. “It’s the idea that we as a club are investing in the higher education that will benefit the community. For the past 69 years, the Les Novelettes Club has provided charitable aid to the community as well as providing scholarships to three high school graduates in the Lansing and Leavenworth area each year. The club is well known for charitable contributions.”
Club members want to continue to invest their leadership and commitment to the youth in the community by modeling basic values and a personal responsibility for good deeds.
As the club’s motto indicates, they have been “united” for 69 years and their “progress” has become legend.
Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling Johnston at 936-544-0345.

By RIMSIE McCONIGA
rmcconiga@leavenworthtimes.com 

Jackie Chambers - LHS

Jackie Lee Chambers, Sr, 82, Leavenworth, Kansas passed away Wednesday December 26, 2018. Jackie was born February 9, 1936 in Leavenworth, Kansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Sandra, son Jackie Lee Chambers, Jr and daughter, Kathy McClain.
He is survived by three daughters, Pamela (Howard) Gauger, Leavenworth, Kansas, Gwen (Steve) Bromell and Debbie (Steve) Kincaid, Parkville, Missouri, Numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, a sister, Claudine Holland, Springfield and a brother, Donnie Chambers.
Jackie served in the United States Navy.
He was a cement mason, retiring after 40 years, he worked for Kersten Concrete Co and Leavcon.
Jackie enjoyed fishing, hunting, and the animals.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 PM Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at the Davis Funeral Chapel. Graveside service will be held 11 AM Thursday, January 3, 2019 at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Lansing, Kansas.

Carl Johnson - LHS

Carl E. Johnson Jr., 77 of Horton, Kansas, passed away on November 28, 2018 at the Mission Village Living Center in Horton, Kansas. He was born on September 23, 1941 in Leavenworth, Kansas the son of Carl E. Johnson Sr. and Leona (Cramm) Johnson.
He graduated from Leavenworth High School. He attended Kansas University in Lawrence, Kansas where he received his Master Degree in Music and Organ Performance. His love for the organ sent him traveling over the country. 
Carl worked with Reuter Organ Company in Lawrence installing pipe organs. Through his knowledge and the generous donation of Mrs. Albert (Ella) Rake the Horton United Methodist Church received one of those Reuter Pipe Organs. He enjoyed teaching others how to play the organ including Ella Rake. He also taught piano to many students. He had been a music teacher in School District 430 for his entire teaching career until he retired in 1997. He freely gave of his time and talent to directing church choirs and the community choir. He was the choir director for the 1986 Centennial of Horton. 
He was preceded in death by his parents. 
Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at the United Methodist in Horton, Kansas. Burial will be at Mount Muncie Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas. 
Memorials may be made to the Horton High School music program for a student planning to attended Kansas University music department.
You may leave condolences and messages for the family on 
Carl's online guest Book.

LHS ROTC Regimental Commanders in the 1950s

1950 Harold Bays

1951 Jack Kirsch

1952 Robert Last

1953 Robert Cooper

1954 Gene Wentworth

1955 Sidney Jones

1956 Rob Kunkle

1957 Jack James

1958 David Lindsay

1959 Jerry Sage

Let's Hear From You

Let us know what's going on in your life. Tell us about your family. Mates, kids, grandkids, even the "great" ones. Got none of those? Then let us know about your friends and/or activities. At the very least tell us what part of the world you're living in. We know you're out there somewhere!
Just click on "comments" below to read what others have to say or to add your own "two-cents worth". We're looking forward to hearing from you!

Karl Bardroff - LHS

Karl Werner Bardroff, 79, of Leavenworth, died, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, at his home. He was born Nov. 12, 1937, in Bad Neustadt, Germany, the son of Joseph Karl and Olga Catherina (Schafer) Bardroff.
In 1979, Karl married Margaret Winsor. She survives at the home. He is also survived by a daughter, Tammy (Rick) Wagner; a son, Karl II (Kerry) Bardroff; five stepchildren; Jeff (Melinda) Herrig, Stephen (Patsy) Herrig, Tammy (Steve) Reid, Ken (Katina) Herrig and Michelle (James) Wolk, 34 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
Karl came to the United States from Germany at the age of 10, living a short time in Washington, D.C. before moving to Leavenworth. He attended St. Paul Lutheran School and Leavenworth High School. He worked various jobs before owning his own filling station and eventually owning and operating his own body shop and wrecker service, Bardroff Inc. Karl’s passion was his business and he loved taking care of his black bears, cougars, llamas, potbelly pigs, goats, fish and his donkey, Lucy.
Karl was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Freddie Eisler.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, at the R.L. Leintz Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, at Saint Lawrence Church. Burial will follow at Saint Lawrence Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to The Center for Advanced Heart Care at the University of Kansas Hospital, American Heart Association, Kidney/Dialysis Foundation, American Lung Association or a personal choice.

LHS JROTC Drum & Bugle Corps in 1955

Li'l Leavenworth Lassies

Future LHS coeds at a 1946 birthday party. click image to enlarge

Queen Rozella 1952 AD

The Les Novelettes Club crowned Miss Rozella Rogers as their Mardi Gras queen at the costume ball held Saturday night, March 1, 1952 at the City Hall auditorium.  

Miss Rogers was chosen from a group of five contestants from Leavenworth Senior High School who solicited votes throughout the city.  The funds raised will go to make up the annual scholarship fund for the Negro student who has the highest scholastic rating throughout four years in high school.  The queen's attendants were Mary Holmes ('52), Margie Burton ('52), Grace Evelyn Bragg ('53) and Celeste Colby ('52).

McLain Photo 

Our LHS Today (You'll have to imagine it)

L>R First Methodist Church - Old Carnegie Library - First Presbyterian Church

Click HERE to learn what happened...

Was it worth it?

Read more about the statue >> HERE...

Time to say goodbye...

 
Some final thoughts...

The demolition of the former Leavenworth High School is the story of more than the bulldozing of an old building. Although the legal process has been completed by the owner of the building and the demolition permit was duly granted, there are lessons to be learned.
First, the school district was allowed to dispose of a large building as expediently as possible. They were not required to take any responsibility for reuse or disposition of what taxpayers of the 1930s paid for in a time of economic hardships. The building replaced the previous high school which had been destroyed by fire in 1932.
Second, while the Leavenworth Preservation Commission unanimously denied the demolition permit, the owner appealed the decision to the City Commission as they have the right to do. LPC was overturned by a vote of 3 to 2.
I don’t believe the commissioners gave appropriate consideration to the alternatives. The building could have produced taxes. The parking lot that will soon be at 4th and Chestnut will produce no new tax revenues.
After the school district vacated the building in 2000, it was sold for $15,000. The new owner did not present a plan other than a wish to control the property to prevent something like a convenience store being built there. Several attempts were made to educate the new owners as to the potential of the building. On three different occasions over nearly a decade, the owners, city officials and representatives of the Carnegie Arts Center and First Presbyterian Church were invited to meet with different qualified architects and developers to discuss new uses.
These discussions included information about the financial incentives that would be available either to the owner or a new non-profit owner who would accommodate the owner’s needs for classrooms, kitchen area and meeting space. Parking issues were also included in these discussions. The meetings were to no avail. Out of more than 20 responses, the only architectural firm answering their request for proposals calling for demolition was chosen.
What could this city have had if a different path had been chosen?  There could have been a theater for performing arts with a 500 seat capacity.
The gymnasium has space for 1,000 people, larger than most other spaces in the city. We could have had a heritage trades training program in the former shop class area. Artisans of this type are in demand with all the historic buildings in Leavenworth.
The classes of the Carnegie Arts Center could have been greatly expanded. There could have been arts exhibition space and artist’s studios.  There could have been living space for artists-in-residence.
We could have had a culinary training program to enhance the hospitality industry of Leavenworth which we hope will expand.
The whole square containing two churches, the first Carnegie Library built in Kansas and the former high school could have become a National Register Historic District and one of very few squares of this importance remaining in Kansas.
Hopefully, better education of the school board and the City Commission will prevent the wasteful destruction of another valuable Leavenworth asset.

Sally Dorr Hatcher
Leavenworth, Kansas
August 23, 2011

Good government at work?

The Leavenworth community should be proud of the procedural outcome, if not the results of the recent city commission decision to allow the United Methodist Church (UMC) to proceed with their request for demolition of the old Leavenworth High School. As is known, the church purchased the building several years ago from the school district and is now considering options for the land adjacent to the church.

The original purpose of the purchase is apparently unclear or least not public, but the building remained vacant and unused in the interim. Over the years, the congregation considered options; but without decision. The building continued to “deteriorate through neglect.” Several weeks ago, the congregation petitioned the Leavenworth Preservation Commission (LPC) seeking approval to demolish the building. The building resides within historic district environs, though it is not on a historic register. Consequently, appearance before and approval from the LPC is part of the administrative process. The commission disapproved the request; setting up an appeal to the city commission. The city commission could either over-rule the “lower” body and allow the demolition or uphold the decision and disapprove the request. In a close vote, the city commission agreed with the UMC and will allow a request for demolition to advance. That is the background – and to some degree, the drama.

The issue is important to the community on several levels. The citizens speaking in support of and opposed to the demolition brought forth arguments with merit. Both sides expressed views in good faith and what they believed to be in the best interest of their position. The debate was informative, emotional yet measured and respectful. Both sides represented their position the way a serious issue should be. However, as important as the specific issues are; the procedure and operation of local citizen government was impressive and exceeds the specifics.

Think about this – the Preservation Commission has a strong and specific charter and responsibility to the city and state. In the initial round, the UMC brought their proposal forward; the LPC considered the merits, consulted the guidelines and made their decision – as they are obligated to do.

The UMC took advantage of their right to appeal and on Sept. 28. Mayor Dedeke and the commissioners listed attentively to citizens, considered the merits, expressed their views openly, and proceeded to vote and decide the matter – which they are obligated to do.

This is solid, good government working at its best – fidelity to administrative procedure, an expeditious hearing, exercise of rights and a decision by locally elected officials.

Regardless of the side of the issue you agree with; we all must agree that at least in our little part of the U.S., democratic government worked effectively.

Mike Stephenson
Leavenworth, Kansas
October 7, 2010

It's all just a memory now...

L>R First Methodist Church - Old Carnegie Library - First Presbyterian Church

Coming erection at LHS...

Local artist Michael Young showcased the clay mold he created for the Leavenworth High School's Alumni Association's Pioneer Pete Statue last week. The project took Young 12 months and now will be used to create a bronze statue, which will be debuted during Leavenworth's homecoming weekend in mid-October. The finished product will be placed at the corner of 10th Avenue and Marion Street.

The Old Man thinks that this bit of art should provide a challenge to future sudents for generations to come:

  "What can we hang on it or how can we paint it?"

The Old Man asks, "How about some recognition for the pioneers who cared for and educated the pioneer children?   Not all pioneers were men."

Time moves on...

In 1923, a twelve acre plot of ground lying north of Parker’s factory and running from Second to Fourth Street, was sold to the school district by the Hooper family. On June 2, 1928, Morris Abeles, at the instigation of his brother, Julius, gave $5,000, with the understanding that it would be matched by the Rotary Club, toward the erection of a stadium and field house. The Rotarians took immediate steps by soliciting the business men of the city and sponsoring a “Festival of Fun.” Enough money was raised by these methods to buy the field and equip it also. The plans included a gridiron, a quarter-mile track, a baseball diamond, a tennis court, and a small lake for boating and swimming. There were also to be dressing rooms and showers for the players and a grandstand on the west side. The stadium, seating 1,500 persons was erected as a memorial to the late Joseph N. Abeles. It was dedicated on September 12, 1928, preceding the first football game of the season. Flood lights for night games were added later.

With the building of the new Leavenworth District Activities Center on the LHS campus, Abeles Field will no longer be used by the district. The Alumni Association is planning a special event after the last football game at Abeles Field on Friday, October 23, 2009. The special event will be after not before or during the game. The event is still in the planning stages, but as envisioned at this point would include the history of Abeles Field, recognizing winning teams, JROTC students who used Abeles for “Field Day,” cheerleaders, band members, etc. If you have any information to share about those who should be recognized, please send it to the address below. In addition, the committee plans to have specially made T-shirts, concessions, and the singing of Loyalty and the Alma Mater. Please save the date to say “Farewell to Abeles Field” which has been a part of LHS history since 1924.

From dust to dust...
Like the rest of us...
says The Old Man

Update July 23, 2009
Members of the Leavenworth Board of Education held a special meeting Thursday to discuss an offer that has been made for the purchase of Abeles Field.
Board members authorized district administrators to negotiate for the sale of the land as well as other properties school officials are trying to sell.
Leavenworth school officials are trying to sell Abeles because the football field no longer will be needed once a new athletic complex is completed behind Leavenworth High School.
“We have an offer from an unknown buyer through the (Reilly & Sons) agency,” board president John Chapman said Thursday.
The Leavenworth Times

Update August 24, 2009
Some in the community may question whether the Leavenworth Board of Education has the authority to sell Abeles Field.
The Times has heard from local residents who believe restrictions placed on the school district at the time the property was acquired may prevent it from being sold today.
But school officials said they have researched how the land came into the district’s possession and found no commitments that would prevent it from being sold.
“It’s ours to sell,” said Superintendent Kelly Harris.
The Leavenworth Times

Update October 21, 2009
The Leavenworth High School Alumni Association will sponsor a Farewell to Abeles Field event Friday at the athletic field, Fourth and Poplar streets. The event will follow a Leavenworth High School varsity football game at Abeles Field. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
The game will mark the last time a Leavenworth High School football game is played at Abeles Field. Future games will be played at the Leavenworth District Activities Center which is under construction at Leavenworth High School.
The Farewell to Abeles Field event will include a reading of a short history of the athletic stadium and recognition of winning teams and various leaders of the past. A video featuring photographs of the field from 1926 to 2009 will be screened.
The high school alma mater will be played, and balloons will be released.
“I think it will be a nice trip down memory lane,” said Carol Ayres, director of the Leavenworth Public Schools Education Foundation.
High school band members, cheerleaders and the JROTC Drum and Bugle Corps will be participating in the event.
Ayres said the Farewell to Abeles Field program will be canceled in the event of rain.
The Leavenworth Times
The Old Man thinks maybe it would have been better to cancel the ball game (see results below).

Update October 23, 2009
Leavenworth said farewell to Abeles Field on Friday evening, struggling in the second half of the goodbye game as they were dealt a 63-0 loss by the visitors from Olathe Northwest. After trailing just 21-0 at the break, the wheels fell off the bus for the blue and white late in Friday’s contest as the Ravens totaled nearly four times as many offensive yards as Leavenworth. The Pioneers also celebrated senior night before the loss.
The Leavenworth Times

Update October 27, 2009
The Farewell to Abeles Field was a very successful evening. Returning alumni reminisced sharing the great memories that still hover about the field. Alumni who endured the cooler temperatures were rewarded by an opportunity to purchase Farewell to Abeles T-shirts and view the great video. They were also able to receive the "History Booklet" handed out to all attendees. "Farewell to Abeles Field" T-shirts were all sold. However a new order will be made if we get 15 or more orders. If you are interested in ordering a t-shirt please send a check to Carol Dark Ayres, 200 N. 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kansas 66048. The cost of the T-shirt is $10; add $5 if you want it mailed.
LHS Alumni Association

Update March 31, 2010
Abeles Field was sold to K&L Leasing for $180,000.

Update 2012
The property is being offered for sale by K&L Leasing for $785,000.

Update May 2016
The Delaware Tribe of Indians is requesting the Bureau of Indian Affairs to place the property in trust for the use of the tribe.
See details at http://delawaretribe.org/wp-content/uploads/res-2016-31.pdf 

Lickskillet

Julius Cord has brought Lickskillet back to Leavenworth after a brief absence.
Cord, born in Leavenworth and now living in Okemos, Mich., recently published “Lickskillet Revisited,” his second anthology of stories about growing up in Kansas.
Cord said the stories still draw on his own experiences growing up in Lickskillet, a section of northeast Leavenworth from the Missouri River to Fifth Street.
Tim Linn - Leavenworth Times

Julius

Betty

Update - Julius Cord (IMAC Class of 1945) passed away August 12, 2013, on his 88th birthday, in Okemos, Michigan. He and Betty Wiehe (LHS Class of 1948) were married on May 23, 1964, the first couple to be married in the New Cathedral.  Betty, 86, died November 21, 2016, at Easton Country Care, Easton, Kansas.

Political activists - 1952

A bouquet of beauties...

Upper left to right are Mary Ann Tinkler '53, Phyllis Arisman '53, Carolyn Berkowitz '53, Penny Birmingham '54,
Joan Poell '55, Linda McGuire '54

13 inducted into LHS Hall of Fame

Leavenworth High School has much to be proud of.  That was an assertion made last week on a night when several of the school’s graduates were honored.  Dale Winetroub, president of the Leavenworth Public Schools Education Foundation, said the ccomplishments of those who were honored are truly outstanding.
“You’ve made us extremely proud,” he said.
Winetroub spoke at the beginning of Saturday’s third annual induction ceremony for the Leavenworth High School Hall of Fame.  The event was organized by the foundation and Leavenworth High School Alumni Association.
Thirteen people were inducted into the Hall of Fame in recognition of their achievements in fine arts. Fourteen others were recognized as outstanding graduates of artistic achievement.  Carol Ayres, foundation coordinator, estimated about 300 people attended the program, which was open to the public.
“Everyone loved the program,” she said.
Before the start of the program, displays were set up in the hallway outside of the high school auditorium to exhibit the works of honorees.
The ceremony included a piano performance by one of the Hall of Fame inductees, John Tibbetts. Tibbetts also served as the master of ceremonies for the event.
Heather Claybrook sang two country music songs. Claybrook, a Kansas City area television news personality, was among the 14 people recognized as outstanding graduates of artistic achievement.
Writer Bill Van Parys, who also was among those honored as an outstanding graduate for artistic achievement, read from a piece he wrote that marked the 10th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Gary

Gary Foster (Class of 1954), who was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his work in jazz music, performed pieces on a saxophone with accompaniment from a guitarist.
Ayres said all of the performers did a good job.
“But Gary Foster was just amazing,” she said.
The Hall of Fame inductees included Foster, Tibbetts, Richard Brunson, Melissa Etheridge, Lisa Henry, Carl Johnson, David Jones, Lewis Ketchum, John Leavitt, Gene Adams Logan, Roland Logan, David Reubhausen and Richard Sanders.
Those named outstanding graduates of artistic achievement included Claybrook, Van Parys, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Charles E. "Buzz" Dolsberry (Class of 1951), Dennis Foley, Ronald Hysten, Henry W. “Bill” Johnson (Class of 1954), Maggie Linton, Sue Miller Malloy, David Miller, Howard Renensland, Nicholas Sebastian, Kim Leigh Smith and Douglas Tarbet.
Books featuring biographies of the honorees as well as information about their works were sold at the event. Ayres said copies of the book can still be purchased at the school district’s central office.
Each year’s Hall of Fame induction has focused on people involved in a specific area. The focus for the first year’s induction was athletics. This was followed by military achievement last year and this year’s focus on fine arts.
Ayres said seven disciplines were selected when the Hall of Fame was started.
Four remain including business; education; math, science and technology; and law and politics. She said one of these areas probably will be selected for next year.
By JOHN RICHMEIER, Leavenworth Times Staff Writer

Up and over . . .

David Black said he’s anxious for spring.
That’s because the warmer weather will allow students in the Junior ROTC program at Leavenworth High School to take advantage of an obstacle course.
The course, which includes nine obstacles, was constructed in October near tennis courts and practice fields at the high school.
“We wanted to build something that was physically challenging to the kids,” said Black, senior Army instructor for the high school’s JROTC program.
In addition to JROTC cadets, the course is available for others at the school including sports teams and physical education classes. Read more...

By JOHN RICHMEIER, Leavenworth Times Staff Writer

Note from The Old Man: And I thought JROTC was a way to get out of Phys Ed . . .

Click on the button to read about JROTC at LHS

Are you loyal?

Click on the cheerleader to see . . .

Or maybe you're just thirsty . . . then click HERE!