Leonard at large 7/16

In 2005, Vernon County will be celebrating its sesquicentennial. I can not pronounce that word, but hope I will learn it. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Vernon County, preparations are already started. Plans include publishing a community/family history book. This will help to preserve the rich heritage of Vernon County and is a major undertaking. The committee would like for the book to contain all the families in Vernon County and each organization. Jerry Janes said that a book of this type has not been published since 1911, which was 92 years ago. Randy Bell, Rich Hill, is the person working with the committee and will be publishing the book as he has for many other communities. I have known Randy for several years. He is an active member on the McGennis Youth Center Board and the former publisher of the Rich Hill Miner. In the past I had wondered what Randy was doing, knowing that he was publishing books for different communities. Now we will be involved in the experience of working with him. Betty Pitts, Walker and Helen Embry, Nevada, are the chairpersons for the history book committee. They have gotten others involved with the committee and still recruiting contact persons for each organization and township. The committee wants to include all families living in Vernon County currently or have lived in Vernon County. Some of us will have a family story and now our adult children will also have their family story. A brochure has been published by the committee that announces the plans for the book and give instructions on what is to be included. A brief history and a picture will be published in the book for all those wishing to participate. Your pictures will be returned to you. In addition to all households, the committee wants to include all schools, churches, social, civic and fraternal organizations, celebrations, early businesses and current businesses. In approximately 300 words per household, they are asking those submitting a story to explain the beginnings and bring the story up to today. Examples are included in the brochure. Each story is to be signed by the person submitting it. Approximately 300 words is rather a brief story, which is necessary for this type of publication. They are asking for a picture to be submitted with the story, with a caption written for the picture as well as the name and address of the owner. This is needed so that the picture can be returned after the book is written. These pieces of information is to be taped to the back of the picture. It is suggested that if your picture is old and fragile to have a photo-print made by a photographer. The picture and story is to be sent in or turned in by December 1, 2003. That will be here before we know it. It will be helpful to the committee to get them turned in sooner, but most of us will wait until the last minute. The challenge that I have is to go ahead and get our family story submitted. First we will have to decide what we want included. We also will want to challenge our children to get their stories written. Two of them are living in Vernon County, and the other now lives in an other location. If you want additional space than what is being offered free, then you may purchase the additional space. You can also be sponsor of a page. The book is expected to contain 600 to 800 pages or more and include 800 to 1,000 pictures. The Early Bird Price is $75 for the two-volume set. After that, the price will be higher. This will be a limited edition printing and expected that it will become a collector's item and will increase in value. According to the brochure, the book will be of excellent quality, beautiful, permanent, hand bound. I am sure that Randy Bell will do us a good job and we will be pleased. The pictures, story, and order forms may be left at the Chamber of Commerce office or the Museum. A copy of the brochure announcing the plans for the book is at several locations. For additional information call Betty Pitts at (417) 465-2558, Helen Emery at (417) 667-6367, or any of those listed in the brochure. By your participation, we can look forward to a great publication that will be meaningful in future years. Your story or stories are wanted as a part of this special publication.