Blackwell Museum readies for busy December- come see!

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I enjoy the music, lights, and all the wonderful surprises this season has to offer. It is a very busy time at the TOHS Museum as well. I hope everyone enjoys the lights and decorations at the Museum. Come by TOHS Museum anytime Monday- Satur-day 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and see our fun decorations.

We have also made the clubroom festive for parties, reunions, or special family events. The clubroom can be rented for $100.00, use for any occasion you might need. Citizens in Blackwell have celebrated Christmas time together since 1893. Blackwell celebrated with a community dinner, a Grand Ball and Santa even stopped by. Also featured was poetry written and read by Blackwell’s First Lady Celeste May, our first official Mayor’s wife. Music played in grand style for the mealtime and dance.

There were candies, nuts and small gifts for the children of our new little town. I imagine the season in Blackwell was like in the movie Mrs. Santa Claus. Everyone have a great Holiday Season. TOHS Museum will observe and remember Pearl Harbor Day with a display during the month of December to honor our servicemen.

Kay County lost five brave young men on that day. As President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said it is a date which will live in infamy. Blackwell/ Nardin lost Second Lieutenant Robert Harold Markley in Hickam Field. NOC named a dorm after Markley. Blackwell/ Talala lost Claude Albert Clemmens Navy Seaman 1st Class on board USS Arizona. Newkirk lost Mancel Curtis Lane USS Arizona. Blackwell lost Kenneth LeRoy Dunaway EM3c on board USS Arizona. Braman lost Rex Elwood Wise, Fireman 1st Class aboard the USS Oklahoma. This 80th anni-versary of the attack on Pearl Harbor can be further researched at the Museum.

I feel education is important to the prevention of other attacks on our servicemen and women. Please help educate the younger generation about the effects of war. During this holiday season we should remember our servicemen and women. On Friday, December 3rd, from 11:00am – 1:30pm TOHS will have a luncheon in the Museum Clubroom. The lunch will include all you can eat stew, chili or chicken noodles, corn bread, dessert and a drink for $8.00.

Please come join us on Friday for this light meal. During the month of December, the museum has an Elf Scavenger Hunt. Bring your family in and tour the museum and let your kids hunt for the elves who have escaped off the Elf Tree. There are prizes and goodies for children of every age.

Bring in a canned good and add a jingle bell to our Jingle Bell Tree. I hope everyone enjoys the festive decorations inside and outside the Museum.

Another statement said about the holiday is, are you having a Mary or Martha Christmas?

We all need to think about what is truly important about this holiday. Are we too busy to listen to each other? Make time for family, friends, and even strangers this season. I would like to thank the Museum Board and all my volunteers. Have a very Merry Christmas Kay County. Have a Happy and safe New Year. See you in 2022! Melissa Hudson – TOHS Museum