Back in the race -- walking race

Hi neighbors. What a lovely week it has been! I have finally gotten some energy back and have been making the rounds of all of my old haunts to start some volunteer work.

I will be helping out with the genealogy room on Thursdays and perhaps another day as well.

Also, I'll be serving as docent for the Bushwhacker Museum on some as yet undetermined, Saturdays.

If it works out that I can be of assistance, I will be helping with the Vernon County Historical Society and Bushwhacker Museum's newsletter The Musings. In regards to that, by the way, if you have any interests in learning more about a specific historic event or place in Vernon County please give me a call or leave a message at the Museum, and I'll do my best to get some research rounded up on it for The Musings.

Since it has been several years since I did any volunteer work for the Bushwhacker Museum or the Genealogy Society, I'll need at least another week to get reacquainted with the duties, new exhibits, new staff and the terrain.

I have really missed being able to participate in both the Historical Society and the Genealogy Society and look forward to being part of that unique group of people again.

Although I have retired from the work world, I have not retired from the work of doing something productive. The nice thing about retirement is I can set my own pace and determine my own interests.

For those of you who have never had the time to visit the Bushwhacker Museum just off the Nevada Square, I would advise you to take some time to do so. You will be amazed to see the history of Vernon County come alive. The admission cost is minimal and adults and children alike always find something fascinating with every visit.

On the other hand, if you are only interested (for now) in your own family's history, visit the Cedar and Vernon County Genealogy Society's research room in the Nevada Public Library. The more you learn about genealogy research, the more you will appreciate and wonder at the many resources found there.

You need to realize, though, that as your family tree roots deepen, so will your need to know about the world surrounding your ancestors. Yes, you will need to know and grow to understand the history they lived through. This will give you a greater concept of how their lives unfolded and how the changing world they lived in affects your family and your world today.

Ah, research always reveals greater and greater mysteries my friends! A wondrous puzzle that takes forever to solve and has each piece repainted almost daily as you come to realize what the completed puzzle picture might reveal.

On another topic, I have been encouraged by members of the Creative Writers Group to restart the meetings. At this time it seems we will be meeting every other Monday, starting Sept. 8, at the Nevada Public Library meeting room in Nevada just west off the Square on Walnut Street.

This is a unique writer's group, and I hope for many new members to join! If you are, or are NOT, a published writer, author, poet, or any one who uses words on paper for any reason, this is the group for you to visit and/or join.

Each meeting will have a guest speaker or a member acting as a discussion leader to help those who write for any reason find better ways to communicate. Group meetings are very informal: members chat in round table discussions on all aspects of various types of writing. We use different tools, such as timed writing, impromptu drawing, inspirational music and photos to help jump start the creative process.

I tell you, the meetings are lots of fun! And of course, they are free to the writing public. The Creative Writers Group has no dues and nothing to sell. We don't take a roll-call and no one is forced to participate or share their writings if they choose not to do so.

Until the next time friends, remember that our family ties actually do tie us to our county, state and country and finding our roots is the greatest adventure quest one can attempt.

However, after you start your journey, don't forget to put it all in your journal.