(1A)ARKANSAS PRESIDENT'S PAGE - This page will present news and information deemed by the state president to be of general interest to the entire Arkansas Quester membership. AR State Questers President Betsy Mertz
(1A)ARKANSAS PRESIDENT'S PAGE - This page will present news and information deemed by the state president to be of general interest to the entire Arkansas Quester membership. AR State Questers President Betsy Mertz
| 2024-1_message_from_our_president.pdf |
A Message from our AR State Questers President, Betsy Mertz
It’s 2024! Another great year to make a difference as a Quester!
November 1, 2024 Fall Fun Festival Meeting reported by Thelma Poole Nov 12, 2024
We had a fun time in Clarksville on November 1. 2024 at FFF. 29 people attended.
When all bids were counted, we had made $962 from the bake auction.
The Arkansas State Executive Board encourages all Chapters to adopt a worthwhile Preservation / Restoration (P&R) project. Now is the time to adopt a new or continuing project. This is why we raise funds!
Deadline for submitting is January 15 in even numbered years.
The International Grant the deadline is 2 months earlier on November 15 in odd numbered years. That is 1 year from this posting. This is info for grants.
For international https://www.questers1944.org Look under P & R | Grants | Application Guidelines & Forms
October 2023 Fall Fun Festival
Thank you to all members and guests who joined us for an afternoon at the U of the Ozarks in Clarksville, AR. It was fun getting to know each other better, eating a great buffet, laughing while learning about our speaker’s life living in Clarksville as a boy, family doctor, and a musician, and then outbidding each other for our favorite baked treats! The consensus was “Let’s do it again!”
April 11-1 2, 2024 - AR Questers Spring Convention, Celebrating Questers’ 80th Anniversary!
1. Come join us in Eureka Springs at the Historic Crescent Hotel with time to explore the town and/or go on a ghost tour of the hotel!
(I talked recently to our International Questers President, Pam Todd, who said she had hoped to join us, but had already accepted visiting other Questers’ Spring Conventions out east. She said that she enjoyed a past visit to the Crescent Hotel, but her calm dog
shook with fear every time she started to enter the hotel! Hmm.)
2. Have fun sharing a room with 2 or more people. Roll-a-way beds are $10 extra.
3. Dress up for dinner Thursday night to celebrate the 1940s (when Questers was founded).
4. Enjoy our Full Council Meeting with news about each chapter and more.
Last year EVERY CHAPTER PRESIDENT or a chapter representative reported about their monthly programs and their work
on a project or support of an historic entity. The response from the attendees was, “WOW, we got some great ideas listening
to the updates!”
Thank you Chapter Presidents! Be prepared to report on your chapter again this year in Eureka Springs.
Best Program winners and certificates of participation will also be announced along
with the winners of chapter donated baskets and other items.
AR Questers State Board News:
1. New 2nd VP appointed: At the FFF Trail of Tears member Lisa Chaffin, our State 2nd VP asked
to step down due to her job’s workload. Davis Special member, Lacy Kennedy, our State Corresponding Secretary, volunteered to replace Lisa Chaffin as 2nd VP. She was duly appointed by President Betsy Mertz. Thank you, Lacy!
2. Best Program Contest: After hearing President reports many wondered why more programs were not entered into the Best Program Contest. Every chapter is strongly encouraged to send their Best Program Entry from February 2023 to February 2024.
Best Program entries will be accepted in all formats: mailed or emailed with descriptions and pictures or as a PowerPoint. Emailed entries are encouraged so they can be easily shared between the three judges.
Entries are due by March 15, 2024. Send entry to 1st VP Nancy Noyes,[email protected].
(972-896-3909)
*Questers International Convention May 5-9, 2024
Bahia Resort on Mission Bay, San Diego, a bungalow style hotel built in the ‘50s on Mission Bay. The hotel has many unique features including a sea lion pond, white sand beaches and more. All information and registration can be completed online at calquest.org (or send Printable Registration option.)
Quest On Fellow Questers!
It’s 2024! Another great year to make a difference as a Quester!
November 1, 2024 Fall Fun Festival Meeting reported by Thelma Poole Nov 12, 2024
We had a fun time in Clarksville on November 1. 2024 at FFF. 29 people attended.
When all bids were counted, we had made $962 from the bake auction.
The Arkansas State Executive Board encourages all Chapters to adopt a worthwhile Preservation / Restoration (P&R) project. Now is the time to adopt a new or continuing project. This is why we raise funds!
Deadline for submitting is January 15 in even numbered years.
The International Grant the deadline is 2 months earlier on November 15 in odd numbered years. That is 1 year from this posting. This is info for grants.
- Select a Project – Restoration or Acquisition
- Adopt the Project – Requires a majority vote by the Chapter membership
- Request State Executive Board approval for your Project – The State Executive Board will verify that your project meets all requirements for Grant funding. (This step is crucial, because you must enclose a copy of the approval letter with your Grant Application. International Bylaws, Article XVI, Section 14, states, “Chapters in Chartered States which solicit support from other Chapters or from the public for preservation and/or restoration projects must obtain prior written approval for the project from the State Executive Board.”)
- Matching Funds – The Arkansas Quester Grant Program requires that the Chapter applying for a grant contribute matching dollars equaling 1% per member of the total grant project’s cost.
- International has similar matching dollar restrictions.
For international https://www.questers1944.org Look under P & R | Grants | Application Guidelines & Forms
October 2023 Fall Fun Festival
Thank you to all members and guests who joined us for an afternoon at the U of the Ozarks in Clarksville, AR. It was fun getting to know each other better, eating a great buffet, laughing while learning about our speaker’s life living in Clarksville as a boy, family doctor, and a musician, and then outbidding each other for our favorite baked treats! The consensus was “Let’s do it again!”
April 11-1 2, 2024 - AR Questers Spring Convention, Celebrating Questers’ 80th Anniversary!
1. Come join us in Eureka Springs at the Historic Crescent Hotel with time to explore the town and/or go on a ghost tour of the hotel!
(I talked recently to our International Questers President, Pam Todd, who said she had hoped to join us, but had already accepted visiting other Questers’ Spring Conventions out east. She said that she enjoyed a past visit to the Crescent Hotel, but her calm dog
shook with fear every time she started to enter the hotel! Hmm.)
2. Have fun sharing a room with 2 or more people. Roll-a-way beds are $10 extra.
3. Dress up for dinner Thursday night to celebrate the 1940s (when Questers was founded).
4. Enjoy our Full Council Meeting with news about each chapter and more.
Last year EVERY CHAPTER PRESIDENT or a chapter representative reported about their monthly programs and their work
on a project or support of an historic entity. The response from the attendees was, “WOW, we got some great ideas listening
to the updates!”
Thank you Chapter Presidents! Be prepared to report on your chapter again this year in Eureka Springs.
Best Program winners and certificates of participation will also be announced along
with the winners of chapter donated baskets and other items.
AR Questers State Board News:
1. New 2nd VP appointed: At the FFF Trail of Tears member Lisa Chaffin, our State 2nd VP asked
to step down due to her job’s workload. Davis Special member, Lacy Kennedy, our State Corresponding Secretary, volunteered to replace Lisa Chaffin as 2nd VP. She was duly appointed by President Betsy Mertz. Thank you, Lacy!
2. Best Program Contest: After hearing President reports many wondered why more programs were not entered into the Best Program Contest. Every chapter is strongly encouraged to send their Best Program Entry from February 2023 to February 2024.
Best Program entries will be accepted in all formats: mailed or emailed with descriptions and pictures or as a PowerPoint. Emailed entries are encouraged so they can be easily shared between the three judges.
Entries are due by March 15, 2024. Send entry to 1st VP Nancy Noyes,[email protected].
(972-896-3909)
*Questers International Convention May 5-9, 2024
Bahia Resort on Mission Bay, San Diego, a bungalow style hotel built in the ‘50s on Mission Bay. The hotel has many unique features including a sea lion pond, white sand beaches and more. All information and registration can be completed online at calquest.org (or send Printable Registration option.)
Quest On Fellow Questers!
Fall Fun Festival October 27, 2023
Fall 2023
Dear Fellow Questers
Spring Convention April 2023
I must say, a Big Thank You to Davis Special, Calico Bluffs, and Indian Rock Chapters for the wonderful job of putting together our Arkansas State Spring Convention in Fairfield Bay! We had great speakers, awesome food, lots of fun getting to know each other, plus decisions and news.
100% of chapter presidents or designated readers/reporters gave Chapter President Reports for the 2022-23 calendar year. Thank you for your reports! Those listening heard lots of ways to get volunteer hours and programs for their chapters.
5 chapters entered the Best Program contest. After the presidents’ reports were given, everyone wondered why there were only 5 chapters that entered for the Best Program. All had great programs! The winners of the Best Program Contest were within points of each other! None of the judges were members of the chapters that won.
Best Program Contest Winners:
Butterfield Trails
Davis Special
Trail of Tears.
Honorable Mention:
Indian Rock
Pinnacle.
Cash prizes for their P&R funds were given to the 1st – 3rd place chapter winners.
Important Council news and decisions:
1. Online voting for executive officers will replace the expense and time of snail mail.
2. International is no longer mailing out the Questers Quarterly. It will only be emailed. Chapter members who receive it by email are requested to make/or show a printed copy to those who do not have email.
Presently, Editor Aurian Zoldessy says that expenses for mailing copies of The Trav'ler this calendar year are covered, but requests chapters begin sharing downloaded copies with those who cannot receive an email copy.
3. State Web Site: Thelma Poole reported that there was a request on our website from a group in eastern Arkansas requesting information about becoming a Questers chapter. She then said that she would like to see more Questers using the website. A password is needed to get into the Member section of resources and programs. Contact Thelma (see below) or me for the password, or if you know someone who could help her with the website.
3. The chapters that were present voted to have an October 2023 Fall Fun Festival Meeting that was centrally located for all Arkansas Questers chapters. They also chose to have it on a Friday afternoon. It was decided to have this be a half-day event to make it possible for more Questers (and guests) to attend. Thelma Poole sent me information from the half-day FFF that was held at the College of the Ozarks on October 26, 2019. Many of us dressed up for the Prairie theme with lunch provided by the university. We had a great speaker and a short Council meeting. Then the fun began with the bake sale! (The plan is to have a similar event, but schedule an Executive Board Zoom meeting the week before instead of that day, allowing more time for fun!)
Exciting News!
I called the College of the Ozarks to check on using their conference center for our single-day Fall Fun Festival. They only had one date left in October! It is the perfect date we needed: Friday, October 27, 2023!
Presidents: During your May meeting PLEASE HAVE EVERYONE MARK THEIR CALENDARS AND GET BACK TO ME WITH A COUNT OF MEMBERS IN YOUR CHAPTER THAT BELIEVE THEY CAN COME. This is necessary to reserve the appropriate room space needed and set up the approximate booking amounts needed from the campus catering service which includes tables and food.
P.S.
Thelma's New Address (May 1)
418 West Cross Street
Benton, AR 72015
501-837-5115
Betsy Mertz
Arkansas Questers State President
[email protected]
612-251-6988
Dear Fellow Questers
Spring Convention April 2023
I must say, a Big Thank You to Davis Special, Calico Bluffs, and Indian Rock Chapters for the wonderful job of putting together our Arkansas State Spring Convention in Fairfield Bay! We had great speakers, awesome food, lots of fun getting to know each other, plus decisions and news.
100% of chapter presidents or designated readers/reporters gave Chapter President Reports for the 2022-23 calendar year. Thank you for your reports! Those listening heard lots of ways to get volunteer hours and programs for their chapters.
5 chapters entered the Best Program contest. After the presidents’ reports were given, everyone wondered why there were only 5 chapters that entered for the Best Program. All had great programs! The winners of the Best Program Contest were within points of each other! None of the judges were members of the chapters that won.
Best Program Contest Winners:
Butterfield Trails
Davis Special
Trail of Tears.
Honorable Mention:
Indian Rock
Pinnacle.
Cash prizes for their P&R funds were given to the 1st – 3rd place chapter winners.
Important Council news and decisions:
1. Online voting for executive officers will replace the expense and time of snail mail.
2. International is no longer mailing out the Questers Quarterly. It will only be emailed. Chapter members who receive it by email are requested to make/or show a printed copy to those who do not have email.
Presently, Editor Aurian Zoldessy says that expenses for mailing copies of The Trav'ler this calendar year are covered, but requests chapters begin sharing downloaded copies with those who cannot receive an email copy.
3. State Web Site: Thelma Poole reported that there was a request on our website from a group in eastern Arkansas requesting information about becoming a Questers chapter. She then said that she would like to see more Questers using the website. A password is needed to get into the Member section of resources and programs. Contact Thelma (see below) or me for the password, or if you know someone who could help her with the website.
3. The chapters that were present voted to have an October 2023 Fall Fun Festival Meeting that was centrally located for all Arkansas Questers chapters. They also chose to have it on a Friday afternoon. It was decided to have this be a half-day event to make it possible for more Questers (and guests) to attend. Thelma Poole sent me information from the half-day FFF that was held at the College of the Ozarks on October 26, 2019. Many of us dressed up for the Prairie theme with lunch provided by the university. We had a great speaker and a short Council meeting. Then the fun began with the bake sale! (The plan is to have a similar event, but schedule an Executive Board Zoom meeting the week before instead of that day, allowing more time for fun!)
Exciting News!
I called the College of the Ozarks to check on using their conference center for our single-day Fall Fun Festival. They only had one date left in October! It is the perfect date we needed: Friday, October 27, 2023!
Presidents: During your May meeting PLEASE HAVE EVERYONE MARK THEIR CALENDARS AND GET BACK TO ME WITH A COUNT OF MEMBERS IN YOUR CHAPTER THAT BELIEVE THEY CAN COME. This is necessary to reserve the appropriate room space needed and set up the approximate booking amounts needed from the campus catering service which includes tables and food.
P.S.
Thelma's New Address (May 1)
418 West Cross Street
Benton, AR 72015
501-837-5115
Betsy Mertz
Arkansas Questers State President
[email protected]
612-251-6988
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Its 2023! A new year to enjoy being a Quester!
October 2022 Fall Fun Festival:
A Big thank you goes out to our members and guests who helped us have a fabulous Fall Fun Festival in Rogers, hosted by NW Arkansas Chapters! Thursday evening, we enjoyed dressing up in early 1900’s summer white outfits as ladies and gentlemen visiting a special local vacation destination, Monte Ne. Our speaker told us about its history and demise. Fantastic decorations were provided by Happy Rackensackers! On Friday they included Arkansas Black Apples into their table center pieces to highlight the days’ presentation about the former famous Arkansas apple industry. Lastly, the bake sale auction was another big hit!
State Board News:
At our formal meeting on Friday, October 28, 2022, Trail of Tears member Lisa Chaffin was sworn in as our new Arkansas 2nd Vice President, and President Esther Osbahr, who has moved out of state, passed the gavel on to me. Nancy Noyes (pronounced like noise) eagerly accepted being appointed as our new 1st Vice President.
Best Program Entries
Every chapter is strongly encouraged to send their Best Program Entry (any program that another chapter might enjoy that was presented since February 2022) to Nancy Noyes, 1st VP. Best Program entries will be accepted in all formats from simple mailed or emailed typed descriptions with pictures to PowerPoints. Emailed entries are encouraged so they can be easily shared between the three judges. Entries are due by March 15, 2023. (See page 2 of the 2023 Spring Trav'ler - Website 4B.)
Arkansas State Questers Spring Convention
Our State Spring Convention will be at the awesome Fairfield Bay Convention Center with a fabulous chef and lots of amenities! Check this newsletter for more information. New Questers members in this Questers’ calendar year have no registration fee! (See page 6)
The need for International Dues to be Increased Melissa Morris French, International Treasurer, has determined along with the International Questers board that the loss of over 2500 members since 2018 as well as the increase in inflation over the years has drastically affected our Questers International annual operating budget to the point where a Questers International deficit is projected for this fiscal year forcing the need for a dues increase. (See p. 4 of the 2023 Spring Trav'ler.)
May 10-13, 2023 Questers International Convention, Sioux Falls, SD
I attended my first International Convention in Milwaukee last May. The tours, history seminars, meetings, and entertainment were worth every penny! Check out the International Questers Quarterly at www.questers1944 under Members, Newsletter for more information. (Ask your chapter president for the password.)
Sincerely,
Betsy Mertz
Arkansas State President
(612-251-6988)
Dec. 20, 2022 - Christmas Greetings to All! This is a busy time of the year, but I wanted to get this message out to everyone.
Click below to read a letter from our enthusiastic International Questers President, Pamela Todd, who I had the pleasure to meet in Milwaukee at the International Convention. Her letter has important information for everyone, including a change in our Questers' membership fee and a need to register by Jan 1 for anything you want to sell at the international convention.
20221220_intl_letter_to_state_presidents_call_jan_3x.docx Letter in PDF
October 2022 Fall Fun Festival:
A Big thank you goes out to our members and guests who helped us have a fabulous Fall Fun Festival in Rogers, hosted by NW Arkansas Chapters! Thursday evening, we enjoyed dressing up in early 1900’s summer white outfits as ladies and gentlemen visiting a special local vacation destination, Monte Ne. Our speaker told us about its history and demise. Fantastic decorations were provided by Happy Rackensackers! On Friday they included Arkansas Black Apples into their table center pieces to highlight the days’ presentation about the former famous Arkansas apple industry. Lastly, the bake sale auction was another big hit!
State Board News:
At our formal meeting on Friday, October 28, 2022, Trail of Tears member Lisa Chaffin was sworn in as our new Arkansas 2nd Vice President, and President Esther Osbahr, who has moved out of state, passed the gavel on to me. Nancy Noyes (pronounced like noise) eagerly accepted being appointed as our new 1st Vice President.
Best Program Entries
Every chapter is strongly encouraged to send their Best Program Entry (any program that another chapter might enjoy that was presented since February 2022) to Nancy Noyes, 1st VP. Best Program entries will be accepted in all formats from simple mailed or emailed typed descriptions with pictures to PowerPoints. Emailed entries are encouraged so they can be easily shared between the three judges. Entries are due by March 15, 2023. (See page 2 of the 2023 Spring Trav'ler - Website 4B.)
Arkansas State Questers Spring Convention
Our State Spring Convention will be at the awesome Fairfield Bay Convention Center with a fabulous chef and lots of amenities! Check this newsletter for more information. New Questers members in this Questers’ calendar year have no registration fee! (See page 6)
The need for International Dues to be Increased Melissa Morris French, International Treasurer, has determined along with the International Questers board that the loss of over 2500 members since 2018 as well as the increase in inflation over the years has drastically affected our Questers International annual operating budget to the point where a Questers International deficit is projected for this fiscal year forcing the need for a dues increase. (See p. 4 of the 2023 Spring Trav'ler.)
May 10-13, 2023 Questers International Convention, Sioux Falls, SD
I attended my first International Convention in Milwaukee last May. The tours, history seminars, meetings, and entertainment were worth every penny! Check out the International Questers Quarterly at www.questers1944 under Members, Newsletter for more information. (Ask your chapter president for the password.)
Sincerely,
Betsy Mertz
Arkansas State President
(612-251-6988)
Dec. 20, 2022 - Christmas Greetings to All! This is a busy time of the year, but I wanted to get this message out to everyone.
Click below to read a letter from our enthusiastic International Questers President, Pamela Todd, who I had the pleasure to meet in Milwaukee at the International Convention. Her letter has important information for everyone, including a change in our Questers' membership fee and a need to register by Jan 1 for anything you want to sell at the international convention.
20221220_intl_letter_to_state_presidents_call_jan_3x.docx Letter in PDF
Introducing our new 2nd Vice President, Lisa Chaffin
Fall Fun Festival October 27-28, 2022
Arkansas Trav’ler Presidents Message - August 2022
Dear Arkansas Quester Friends,
Thank you to the Little Rock Quester Chapters for a fun-filled and exciting Spring Convention in April, 2022. What great activities you had planned. I know everyone there had a wonderful time being together again. Check our state website for great photos of the event.
Greetings from sunny and hot Arizona. My husband, Richard and I moved to Sun City West, near Phoenix, in May. We are enjoying all the natural beauty of Arizona and taking advantage of the amenities in our community. I have found a Quester Chapter, “Road Runners” to join too!!
Even though we may be separated by 1000 miles, you are all still in my heart. The friendship we share is a treasure I will hold dear. This is not good-bye, only “see you again”. My term as your state president will always be a highlight of my Quester activities.
In the meantime, I remain available to help any of you with your Quester activities in any way I can. Please do not hesitate to call or email me with any questions or concerns.
At the Fall Fun Festival, I will turn the gavel over to your First Vice President, Betsy Mertz, Butterfield Trails, of Bella Vista to complete my term. Lacy Kennedy, Davis Special, is the new State Corresponding Secretary. Second Vice President was accepted by Lisa Chaffin, Trail of Tears #904. We need to assign a new First Vice President. The position would be for 18 months, until the Spring of 2024. If you would like to nominate someone from your chapter, please contact me as soon as possible. 479-426-6646
The Fall Fun Festival will be a relaxed and enjoyable event in Rogers Arkansas this year on October 27-28, 2022. I’m looking forward to seeing all of you again. It will be my last event with you as president, but you just never know when I might come back to celebrate friendships again. Please plan now to attend. See more details in this issue and make your reservations now!
Quest On,
Esther Osbahr
Arkansas Questers State President
My new address is: 14127 W Casa Linda Dr, Sun City West AZ 85375.
My phone and email remain the same. [email protected] and 479-426-6646
Introducing our new 2nd Vice President, Lisa Chaffin
Fall Fun Festival October 27-28, 2022
Arkansas Trav’ler Presidents Message - August 2022
Dear Arkansas Quester Friends,
Thank you to the Little Rock Quester Chapters for a fun-filled and exciting Spring Convention in April, 2022. What great activities you had planned. I know everyone there had a wonderful time being together again. Check our state website for great photos of the event.
Greetings from sunny and hot Arizona. My husband, Richard and I moved to Sun City West, near Phoenix, in May. We are enjoying all the natural beauty of Arizona and taking advantage of the amenities in our community. I have found a Quester Chapter, “Road Runners” to join too!!
Even though we may be separated by 1000 miles, you are all still in my heart. The friendship we share is a treasure I will hold dear. This is not good-bye, only “see you again”. My term as your state president will always be a highlight of my Quester activities.
In the meantime, I remain available to help any of you with your Quester activities in any way I can. Please do not hesitate to call or email me with any questions or concerns.
At the Fall Fun Festival, I will turn the gavel over to your First Vice President, Betsy Mertz, Butterfield Trails, of Bella Vista to complete my term. Lacy Kennedy, Davis Special, is the new State Corresponding Secretary. Second Vice President was accepted by Lisa Chaffin, Trail of Tears #904. We need to assign a new First Vice President. The position would be for 18 months, until the Spring of 2024. If you would like to nominate someone from your chapter, please contact me as soon as possible. 479-426-6646
The Fall Fun Festival will be a relaxed and enjoyable event in Rogers Arkansas this year on October 27-28, 2022. I’m looking forward to seeing all of you again. It will be my last event with you as president, but you just never know when I might come back to celebrate friendships again. Please plan now to attend. See more details in this issue and make your reservations now!
Quest On,
Esther Osbahr
Arkansas Questers State President
My new address is: 14127 W Casa Linda Dr, Sun City West AZ 85375.
My phone and email remain the same. [email protected] and 479-426-6646
Arkansas President 2020-2022 Esther Osbahr of Trail of Tears #904
August 2021 Trav’ler Message from the President
Summertime in here!! Perhaps you have been able to travel or have houseguests or you are enjoying outdoor time in the yard and on the golf course.
Arkansas Questers have had a very good year, even though we had challenges with meeting in person.
Congratulations to QUAPAW #519 of Little Rock on achieving their GOLDEN Anniversary – 50 years as a Quester chapter. They were a chapter before Arkansas was a chartered State. It will be my pleasure to celebrate with them in August. Watch the website for photos and be sure to send greetings to Kay Tatum, president of the chapter.
Fall Fun Festival is planned for October 27-28, 2021 (Wednesday night – Thursday) at beautiful Mt Magazine Lodge near Paris, Arkansas. Autumn is my favorite time of year, so I chose to set the scene where we could enjoy the lovely fall colors. Every room at the lodge has a great view and the valley below is ever-changing in beauty. Our theme is “GLAMPING”, so get out your flannel and sequins and let’s enjoy one another after such a long absence. More details in this newsletter
This is the year to apply for GRANTS – both Arkansas State grants and International. (See websites for application form and more guidelines) Please contact me if you have any questions about the application process.
Application for Arkansas State Grant: Postmark or email deadline DUE: JANUARY 15, 2022 (in even numbered years) Submissions should be sent to : Camille Hatcher 9 Monikie Cir, Bella Vista AR 72715 or emailed to [email protected]. The Arkansas Quester Grant Program requires that the Chapter applying for a grant contribute matching dollars equaling 1% per member of the total grant project’s restoration or acquisition cost.
International Grant Application Deadline : Postmark or Email Deadline : November 15, 2021
Questions and Submissions to: [email protected]) Kathy Halsey, International P&R Chair
20% of requested amount to be earned by local chapter.
SPRING CONVENTION 2022. Three Little Rock Chapters will host the Arkansas State Spring convention
April 7-8, 2022. (Thursday – Friday) at Hilton Garden Inn, West Little Rock 10914 Kanis Rd. Little Rock.
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION 2022 The 72nd International Convention
May 12 - 15, 2022 at the historic Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin Overlooking Lake Michigan. Founder's Award Topic – 2022: “Northwoods Logging-Myths and Legends”
Due March 1, 2022. Please consider entering the Founders Award Contest. You will be rewarded with a great educational experience and learn more about how to research any historical topic. Your chances of winning are great. Fewer than 10 people enter this contest every year. This is the highest award given to a Quester for a research study paper.
Please save these important dates on your calendar and I look forward to Questing with you this year!
Your Humble President,
Esther Osbahr
Summertime in here!! Perhaps you have been able to travel or have houseguests or you are enjoying outdoor time in the yard and on the golf course.
Arkansas Questers have had a very good year, even though we had challenges with meeting in person.
Congratulations to QUAPAW #519 of Little Rock on achieving their GOLDEN Anniversary – 50 years as a Quester chapter. They were a chapter before Arkansas was a chartered State. It will be my pleasure to celebrate with them in August. Watch the website for photos and be sure to send greetings to Kay Tatum, president of the chapter.
Fall Fun Festival is planned for October 27-28, 2021 (Wednesday night – Thursday) at beautiful Mt Magazine Lodge near Paris, Arkansas. Autumn is my favorite time of year, so I chose to set the scene where we could enjoy the lovely fall colors. Every room at the lodge has a great view and the valley below is ever-changing in beauty. Our theme is “GLAMPING”, so get out your flannel and sequins and let’s enjoy one another after such a long absence. More details in this newsletter
This is the year to apply for GRANTS – both Arkansas State grants and International. (See websites for application form and more guidelines) Please contact me if you have any questions about the application process.
Application for Arkansas State Grant: Postmark or email deadline DUE: JANUARY 15, 2022 (in even numbered years) Submissions should be sent to : Camille Hatcher 9 Monikie Cir, Bella Vista AR 72715 or emailed to [email protected]. The Arkansas Quester Grant Program requires that the Chapter applying for a grant contribute matching dollars equaling 1% per member of the total grant project’s restoration or acquisition cost.
International Grant Application Deadline : Postmark or Email Deadline : November 15, 2021
Questions and Submissions to: [email protected]) Kathy Halsey, International P&R Chair
20% of requested amount to be earned by local chapter.
SPRING CONVENTION 2022. Three Little Rock Chapters will host the Arkansas State Spring convention
April 7-8, 2022. (Thursday – Friday) at Hilton Garden Inn, West Little Rock 10914 Kanis Rd. Little Rock.
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION 2022 The 72nd International Convention
May 12 - 15, 2022 at the historic Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin Overlooking Lake Michigan. Founder's Award Topic – 2022: “Northwoods Logging-Myths and Legends”
Due March 1, 2022. Please consider entering the Founders Award Contest. You will be rewarded with a great educational experience and learn more about how to research any historical topic. Your chances of winning are great. Fewer than 10 people enter this contest every year. This is the highest award given to a Quester for a research study paper.
Please save these important dates on your calendar and I look forward to Questing with you this year!
Your Humble President,
Esther Osbahr
The Founder's Award winners are kept secret until they are announced at the International Convention luncheon. Besides the framed certificate and engraved silver plate, the author’s name and the title of the winning paper is entered (in calligraphy) in a leather-bound book at Headquarters for all visitors to see.
Information page on writing or receiving copies of past papers:
https://www.questers1944.org/study-papers-and-founders-awards.html
If you, as a member, need the website password, contact the webmaster.
These photos are from my one and only chapter visit I have been able to make as state prez, September 2020 in Hot Springs Village visiting Vapor Valley. The program that day was “Show and Tell”.
June 1, 2020 - A Note from our New State President Esther Osbahr:
Mitchell, SD was my hometown for the first 18 years of my life. I have lived most of my life in South Dakota and Iowa. I was always interested in the pioneer days. Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie (the BOOKS, not the TV show) stories filled my daydreams. I did a project in about the fourth grade on “Fabric”. It turned out that FABRIC became my first collection (aka: Obsession). The collection has turned into about 150 vintage tablecloths from the 1920’s- 1950’s. Later for school, I wrote an historical paper on the Hutterite Colonies that are scattered across North and South Dakota and up into Canada. I was fascinated with their simple life and traditions. Another way that I became interested in antique preservation and restoration was through my dad. We would travel many weekends to Steam Thresher Shows. These shows were full of antique tractors and also many pioneer displays of sod houses, one room schoolhouses and the general store, making it look like a little prairie village. I loved spending time with my dad, but I also got his passion for re-creating the past. So, I think you could say I have been a QUESTER all my life. Many things that my mother did in our home also taught me the value of family heirlooms and treasuring the past. She always set the Sunday dinner table with our best dishes and silverware. She would have me create a fancy little salad and serve desserts in pretty dishes or plates. It was usually just the three of us, but mom still thought it was important to set a proper table on Sunday. If I had the room, I would have a hundred different patterns of china, silver, and crystal to fill a banquet hall. The first time I heard what the Quester mission was, I knew that it was something I wanted to join. The very first meeting was a lovely Christmas luncheon, with pretty dishes and ladies who love all the same things I do. What a joy it has been to me to have these friends now. The state and International conventions that I have attended have all been so delightful, sharing the joy of preservation of history and items. I am truly looking forward to becoming more acquainted with all the wonderful members of Arkansas Questers. The next two years will be full of fun and “FUNdraising”. Thank you for all you do to keep historical places and things for our future generations.
Always Questing,
Esther Osbahr
Arkansas Quester State President, 2020-2022
Trail of Tears #904
5 Monikie Cir
Bella Vista AR 72715
479-426-6646 cell and text
[email protected]
2020 Nov 2, I wish to share some fond memories in pictures with you.
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L to R: Sally Clapp, Katy Van Note of Trail of tears #904; Arkansas State President Camille Hatcher of Butterfield Trails and
Esther Osbahr Trail of Tears Pres, Kathleen Dickerson, Happy Rackensackers Pres. We are in Des Moines Iowa at the Quester International convention 2016 |
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Rear- Jan Vogel, Sally Clapp, Elaine Rooney,--, Katy Van Note, Camille Hatcher, Esther Osbahr, Jeralyn Cross, Front-Jeanne Stokebrand, Kathy Dickerson |
Sarah Wooten who is a member of Happy Rackensackers had twin boys! She is probably the youngest member we have in the state. The twins were born July 18, 2020. They're Hank and Gus! (Henry and Augustus.) They came super early at 31 weeks, but are hanging in there. They'll be in the NICU for awhile, but they are strong. And Maggie-Kate couldn't be more excited to be a big sister! Twin pregnancy is a super scary thing! This was definitely not an easy one and filled with scary stuff! Sarah had two in uterine fetal surgeries to save them. She says, “This is most definitely my last pregnancy ha!!!” She is the granddaughter of Kathleen Dickerson who passed away August 1. Kathy was so excited about the twins and that Sarah had become a Quester.
Sept 11, 2020 Update: Hank and Gus came home from the NICU last week!
After almost 2 months in the NICU, the Wooten's twin boys are home. Doesn't their big sister look happy?!!
After almost 2 months in the NICU, the Wooten's twin boys are home. Doesn't their big sister look happy?!!
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Future Obituaries will be found HERE
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Mary Copeland, age 86, of Van Buren, AR (previously Little Rock) transitioned from her earthly home to her eternal heavenly home on November 15, 2020. She was born in Warren, AR on March 28, 1934 to the late Archie L and Maude Matkin Brown.
Mary was very active throughout her life, loving to travel with her many friends, with multiple adventures shared with Ruby Gagliano and Cathy Jenkins. She leaves behind approximately 100 scrapbooks for her family to relive all of her wonderful trips and memories. During her full life, she traveled to every continent except Antartica, and every state except Hawaii. She was always positive, and was described as “Mary Sunshine” by many that met her. Even though her life presented many heartbreaking challenges, she always said “When life sends you lemons, you make lemonade” and that’s exactly what she did. She worked for the Arkansas Health Department for many years and actively volunteered for the Arkansas Arts Center, the Arkansas Repertoire Theater, as well as any place she could be of service. She attended Westover Hills Presbyterian Church for many years and was very active in the lives of her children as they grew up, being a Sunday school teacher and girl scout leader, as examples of her activities. As an outstanding seamstress, Mary sewed many of the clothes for herself and her children, as well as making all the curtains in her home. She was very artistic, enjoying floral arranging and refinishing antique furniture. Mary was a member of the Little Rock Civitan Chapter and a local garden club as well as five bridge clubs. She was passionate and very active in Questers International, an organization dedicated to “preserving the past for the future”, researching, learning, and sharing about antiques and historic places. She co-founded the Arkansas Quester Pinnacle Chapter in 1992. One of her favorite preservation projects was the Arkansas Carousel, the restoration of a historic carousel that is currently housed at the Little Rock Zoo. Mary was known as the ultimate hostess, always having luncheons and creating beautiful floral arrangements. She always said that when she joined her sister, Bernice, in heaven, Bernice would grow the flowers and she would arrange them. Mary was such an interesting person, never meeting a stranger, and always sharing wonderful stories from her many life adventures. Anyone who met her left uplifted and smiling, as she constantly shared one of her favorite mottos: “Attitude is more important than aptitude.”
Mary was very active throughout her life, loving to travel with her many friends, with multiple adventures shared with Ruby Gagliano and Cathy Jenkins. She leaves behind approximately 100 scrapbooks for her family to relive all of her wonderful trips and memories. During her full life, she traveled to every continent except Antartica, and every state except Hawaii. She was always positive, and was described as “Mary Sunshine” by many that met her. Even though her life presented many heartbreaking challenges, she always said “When life sends you lemons, you make lemonade” and that’s exactly what she did. She worked for the Arkansas Health Department for many years and actively volunteered for the Arkansas Arts Center, the Arkansas Repertoire Theater, as well as any place she could be of service. She attended Westover Hills Presbyterian Church for many years and was very active in the lives of her children as they grew up, being a Sunday school teacher and girl scout leader, as examples of her activities. As an outstanding seamstress, Mary sewed many of the clothes for herself and her children, as well as making all the curtains in her home. She was very artistic, enjoying floral arranging and refinishing antique furniture. Mary was a member of the Little Rock Civitan Chapter and a local garden club as well as five bridge clubs. She was passionate and very active in Questers International, an organization dedicated to “preserving the past for the future”, researching, learning, and sharing about antiques and historic places. She co-founded the Arkansas Quester Pinnacle Chapter in 1992. One of her favorite preservation projects was the Arkansas Carousel, the restoration of a historic carousel that is currently housed at the Little Rock Zoo. Mary was known as the ultimate hostess, always having luncheons and creating beautiful floral arrangements. She always said that when she joined her sister, Bernice, in heaven, Bernice would grow the flowers and she would arrange them. Mary was such an interesting person, never meeting a stranger, and always sharing wonderful stories from her many life adventures. Anyone who met her left uplifted and smiling, as she constantly shared one of her favorite mottos: “Attitude is more important than aptitude.”
Linda Sue “Susie” Burgess, 86, of Little Rock, passed away at home surrounded by her family on December 2, 2020. She was born January 19, 1934, to Joseph “J.W.” and Enid Adams, and she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Louis N. Burgess. She is survived by her sons, Steve Burgess (Kimberlee) and Gregg Burgess (Peter Kaldes); grandchildren, Beth Crawford (Blake), Payton Smith (Josh), Adam Burgess (Sarah), and Shana Bell (Jimmy); great-grandchildren, Claire Crawford, Ruth Crawford, Guinevere Smith, and Christopher Burgess; sister, Carol Jean “Sweet Pea” Thurman; and sister-in-law, Joyce Jones. She was a member of Highland Valley United Methodist Church, an active member of the Ben Miller Sunday School Class, and a lifelong member of the United Methodist Women’s Club and Little Rock Council of Garden Clubs. She was also a member of various local Bridge clubs. Susie was an avid gardener, baker and card player, who could hold her own in any poker room. She loved fishing and occasionally hunting, and she was always looking forward to her next travel adventure. She and her husband, Louis, accumulated one of the largest collections of early American blue and white stoneware in the country, as well as many other antiques. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Highland Valley United Methodist Church, 15524 Chenal Pkwy, Little Rock, AR 72211, or Our House, Attn: Ben Goodwin, P.O. Box 34155, Little Rock, AR 72203, https://ourhouseshelter.salsalabs.org/givingtuesday2020/index.html A private service will be held at Forest Hills Memorial Park in Alexander. Arrangements by Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, AR 72205, (501)224-2200. Susie's online guestbook may be signed at www.smithfamilycares.com.
Steven Wesley Cooper
Of Calico Rock & Little Rock, Arkansas
Steven Wesley Cooper, son of the late Raymond W. Cooper and Houstine Bean Cooper, was born March 25, 1949 in Batesville, Arkansas. He departed this life August 9, 2020 in Calico Rock, Arkansas at the age of 71 years, 4 months and 15 days. He was united in marriage to Beth Peck May 28, 1969 in Fayetteville, AR
After high school in Altus, OK, he attended University of Arkansas Fayetteville and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering. He went on and finished his Masters in Business Administration at University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee. Steven spent his life as a loving son, brother, husband, uncle, provider and friend. Throughout the years he served on the Tennessee Board of Trade, Cottonseed Oil Producers Association and was a past president of the Helena, Arkansas Chamber of Commerce. He was employed as engineer at Proctor & Gamble Buckeye Cellulose in Memphis; Engineer/Manager of Bayer AG Helena Chemical Co., Helena, AR; Head Engineer of Helena Chemical, Memphis, TN; CEO of Jr Food Mart, Inc., Fordyce, AR; CEO of Osceola Products Company and Jack Tyler Engineering in Little Rock, Arkansas, retiring in December 2019. He was of the Presbyterian faith.
Steven is survived by his wife of 51 years: Beth Peck Cooper; his mother: Houstine Cooper of Northwest Arkansas; one brother: Charles Cooper of California; one sister: Terry Lee of Northwest Arkansas; numerous nieces, cousins and a host of other relatives and many good friends. He was preceded in death by his father Raymond W. Cooper; his paternal grandparents John W. & Mary Julia Broughton Cooper and his material grandparents Sherman Isie Bean & Ruby Holton Bean.
Delayed Celebration of Life Service for later Fall. All memorials to Spring Creek Cemetery, First National Bank of Izard County, Calico Rock, AR 72519
Arrangements by Eddie’s Family Funeral Home in Calico
https://www.eddiesfamilyfuneralhome.com/obituary/steven-cooper
Of Calico Rock & Little Rock, Arkansas
Steven Wesley Cooper, son of the late Raymond W. Cooper and Houstine Bean Cooper, was born March 25, 1949 in Batesville, Arkansas. He departed this life August 9, 2020 in Calico Rock, Arkansas at the age of 71 years, 4 months and 15 days. He was united in marriage to Beth Peck May 28, 1969 in Fayetteville, AR
After high school in Altus, OK, he attended University of Arkansas Fayetteville and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering. He went on and finished his Masters in Business Administration at University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee. Steven spent his life as a loving son, brother, husband, uncle, provider and friend. Throughout the years he served on the Tennessee Board of Trade, Cottonseed Oil Producers Association and was a past president of the Helena, Arkansas Chamber of Commerce. He was employed as engineer at Proctor & Gamble Buckeye Cellulose in Memphis; Engineer/Manager of Bayer AG Helena Chemical Co., Helena, AR; Head Engineer of Helena Chemical, Memphis, TN; CEO of Jr Food Mart, Inc., Fordyce, AR; CEO of Osceola Products Company and Jack Tyler Engineering in Little Rock, Arkansas, retiring in December 2019. He was of the Presbyterian faith.
Steven is survived by his wife of 51 years: Beth Peck Cooper; his mother: Houstine Cooper of Northwest Arkansas; one brother: Charles Cooper of California; one sister: Terry Lee of Northwest Arkansas; numerous nieces, cousins and a host of other relatives and many good friends. He was preceded in death by his father Raymond W. Cooper; his paternal grandparents John W. & Mary Julia Broughton Cooper and his material grandparents Sherman Isie Bean & Ruby Holton Bean.
Delayed Celebration of Life Service for later Fall. All memorials to Spring Creek Cemetery, First National Bank of Izard County, Calico Rock, AR 72519
Arrangements by Eddie’s Family Funeral Home in Calico
https://www.eddiesfamilyfuneralhome.com/obituary/steven-cooper
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of our Questers State Parliamentarian Kathleen Dickerson. She passed this morning, August 1, 2020 at her home, as were her wishes.
There are no arrangements at this time.. Please keep her grandchildren in your prayers.
Kathy was always smiling and our lives are richer for knowing her. She was dedicated to our Questers
and she was very active in my chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. Her wit and wisdom will be missed.
Always Questing,
Esther Osbahr
Arkansas Quester State President, 2020-2022
Kathy will be sorely missed for her knowledge, wit, desire to keep her Happy Rackensackers Questers chapter going as well as
making the Rogers Museum update a reality. She had a big heart for her family and all those she knew. Betsy Mertz
See funeral home website and email condolences to the links posted in the article below.
Kathleen Lucille Dickerson, age 91, of Rogers died Saturday, August 1, 2020, at her residence. She was born December 27, 1928, in Erie, Kan., the daughter of Trixie Powell and George Hager. She was an only child, working for the phone company for many years, she put herself through Pittsburg State University. She met her husband Aaron while attending college.She was involved with many organizations; Rogers Noon Lions Club, Arkansas Questers and Rogers Questers Chapter Happy Rackensackers # 906, Business and Professional Women, Kappa Sorority, and Daughters of the American Revolution. She served as a board member of the Rogers Historical Museum.She was a member of the First United Methodist Church located in downtown Rogers. She was a career English teacher, serving for 40 years Rogers Public School District. She retired from Elmwood Middle School. She substituted for many years with the Rogers School District after retirement. Through her many years of teaching, she influenced many generations in Rogers. She also inspired many students to serve as teachers themselves.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Col. Aaron Dickerson, in 1989; one son, Mark Dickerson, in April 2020; her granddaughter, Julie Petree; and her parents.Kathleen is survived by three grandchildren, Chris Dickerson and his wife, Jennifer, of Bentonville; Sarah Wooten and her husband, Travis, of Rogers, Tony Petree and his wife, Rachel, of Rogers, and nine great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Kathleen's life will be announced at a later date by the family.
Memorials may be sent to The Rogers Historical Museum.
Messages to the family may be emailed to the Epting Funeral Home at the gmail.com address below.
Published August 4, 2020
OBITUARY SUBMITTED BY:
Epting Funeral Home
709 N. Walton, Bentonville, AR
Find it at: corner of Walton and College
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 479-273-3443
send condolences to: [email protected]
view funeral home website: https://eptingfuneralhome.webs.com/obituariescondolences.htm
She was preceded in death by her husband, Retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Col. Aaron Dickerson, in 1989; one son, Mark Dickerson, in April 2020; her granddaughter, Julie Petree; and her parents.Kathleen is survived by three grandchildren, Chris Dickerson and his wife, Jennifer, of Bentonville; Sarah Wooten and her husband, Travis, of Rogers, Tony Petree and his wife, Rachel, of Rogers, and nine great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Kathleen's life will be announced at a later date by the family.
Memorials may be sent to The Rogers Historical Museum.
Messages to the family may be emailed to the Epting Funeral Home at the gmail.com address below.
Published August 4, 2020
OBITUARY SUBMITTED BY:
Epting Funeral Home
709 N. Walton, Bentonville, AR
Find it at: corner of Walton and College
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 479-273-3443
send condolences to: [email protected]
view funeral home website: https://eptingfuneralhome.webs.com/obituariescondolences.htm
40 YEARS STRONG! Click on the link below to see a newspaper file from The Bella Vista "Vista" covering the recent Covid Safe Celebration of Butterfield Trail's #949 40th Anniversary! AR State President Esther Osbahr was in attendance to help celebrate. Congratulations to Chapter President Betsy Mertz and all the members of the Chapter! Quest ON!
| questers_butterfield_trails_esther.pdf |
May 22, 2020: Dot Sanders who served as Arkansas Questers State President 2017-2018
passed away May 21, 2020 due to complications from lung and brain cancer.
She was such a fun loving person and brought that fun to Questers.
Notes may be sent to her husband
Robert Schrienk, 110 Strait Ln, Knollwood,TX 75092
[email protected]
https://www.turrentinejacksonmorrow.com/obituaries/dorothy_sanders
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April 2, 2020: The two P&R grant requests were approved by the judges and State Executive Board
Arkopolis #867 grant for the full amount of $650.00 to help in the restoration of the storm damaged fountain.
Trail of Tears #904 grant for the full amount of $1,450.00 to restore headstones/monuments.
I loved the response from one of the Trail of Tears members:
"Hurrah! Now we just have to get the all clear and we can have a PARTY to CELEBRATE!
Carolan and her committee do a great job writing the grant applications that get us the funds to continue our quest to improve the cemetery. Thank you all!
Walk in faith, hope and love- this is going to be my motto for the days ahead!"
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March 30, 2020 Scrapbook for 2019-2020: It is not too late to send photos. Send names with photos.
If you have chapter or meeting photos of Questers, send them to [email protected]
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March 29, 2020 Report of Teller Committee:
Congratulations to Esther Osbahr, Trail of Tears # 904 for Arkansas State President.
Congratulations to Betsy Mertz, Butterfield Trails #949 for First Vice President.
Congratulations to Brenda Anderson, Trail of Tears #904 for Corresponding Secretary.
Heartfelt thanks for you three stepping up to these positions. Thank you so much for that action. You are greatly appreciated and will make excellent leaders.
Sincerely,
Beth Peck Cooper, Teller
These new leaders will be sworn in at the June 2020 changeover meeting of the State Executive Board and start serving their term of office. They will be introduced to the membership at the postponed spring annual convention September 24-25, 2020.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
March 28, 2020, News about our webmaster: Roger Poole has been hospitalized recently a couple of times for Pulmonary Hypertension causing the right side of his heart to have congestive heart failure. He has been home for a couple of weeks now. The medications that he has been put on seem to be helping quite a bit. Thanks to all of you for the prayers and cards sent.
If there is anyone in the state who would like to be our new webmaster, talk to Esther Osbahr, the president-elect for 2020-2022.
Esther's email address is: [email protected]
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March 28, 2020 - Our spring Questers convention was postponed until September 24-25. It will still be held in Hot Springs, AR so as to not lose money on our April reservations contract.
If you want to leave your Questers registration for the convention with the registrar in Hot Springs, please do so. The same plans that were in place for April will happen in September. Hopefully the entertainment and speakers can still be the same. Yes, we will still wear our Easter Bonnets and have the Easter Egg Hunt. If you have not registered for the spring, but want to come in the fall, use the same spring form. Click below to find the form.
https://www.arkansasquesters.com/2020-sept-not-april-st-conv.html
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Jan 4, 2020 - Can the two years of my presidency be coming to a close already? The Spring Convention in Hot Springs will be the last one that I preside over. I hope the next president enjoys it as much as I have. There has been work, but it was fun. We need something in life to keep us active.
I feel there is a firm foundation of information on our website and in our board’s hands in digital form that anyone could take over and have all the ready resources they need. For the last decade, our state has been working toward this goal of a good website and forms at the ready. This is not to say that there will not be further changes in the future. But I am quite proud of what our state has accomplished.
I’m proud of our chapters who have chosen Preservation or Restoration projects. Small projects mean so much in preserving our heritage. A small thing accomplished here and there, now and then, soon builds up into something big.
Now let’s talk about a neat thing that happened recently!
We have a wish list section at the bottom of our home page on this website arkansasquesters.com. It was intended for Quester chapters to help each other by donating furnishings for buildings that have been chosen to be supported. A museum director (Angie Albright of the Clinton House Museum in Fayetteville, AR) became aware of this and used the "contact us" option to express the museum's needs. The director had already scoured the local second hand and antique markets.
I sent a message spreading the word to Quester chapter presidents near to the museum and within a week one of the wishes was granted by Betsy Meek. A vintage stereo console record player was spotted at an estate sale. Betsy Mertz and her husband Gary delivered it. Both ladies are members of Butterfield Trails in Bella Vista.
The museum would also like to have a late 1960s or early 1970s sofa and maybe matching or compatible chairs. I understand this museum to be the home where Bill and Hillary Clinton were wed and lived when first married. It is rather sparse of furniture. If you have anything you would like to donate, contact:
Angie Albright, Director
Clinton House Museum
930 W. Clinton Drive
Fayetteville, AR 72701
479-444-0066
www.ClintonHouseMuseum.org
passed away May 21, 2020 due to complications from lung and brain cancer.
She was such a fun loving person and brought that fun to Questers.
Notes may be sent to her husband
Robert Schrienk, 110 Strait Ln, Knollwood,TX 75092
[email protected]
https://www.turrentinejacksonmorrow.com/obituaries/dorothy_sanders
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
April 2, 2020: The two P&R grant requests were approved by the judges and State Executive Board
Arkopolis #867 grant for the full amount of $650.00 to help in the restoration of the storm damaged fountain.
Trail of Tears #904 grant for the full amount of $1,450.00 to restore headstones/monuments.
I loved the response from one of the Trail of Tears members:
"Hurrah! Now we just have to get the all clear and we can have a PARTY to CELEBRATE!
Carolan and her committee do a great job writing the grant applications that get us the funds to continue our quest to improve the cemetery. Thank you all!
Walk in faith, hope and love- this is going to be my motto for the days ahead!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
March 30, 2020 Scrapbook for 2019-2020: It is not too late to send photos. Send names with photos.
If you have chapter or meeting photos of Questers, send them to [email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
March 29, 2020 Report of Teller Committee:
Congratulations to Esther Osbahr, Trail of Tears # 904 for Arkansas State President.
Congratulations to Betsy Mertz, Butterfield Trails #949 for First Vice President.
Congratulations to Brenda Anderson, Trail of Tears #904 for Corresponding Secretary.
Heartfelt thanks for you three stepping up to these positions. Thank you so much for that action. You are greatly appreciated and will make excellent leaders.
Sincerely,
Beth Peck Cooper, Teller
These new leaders will be sworn in at the June 2020 changeover meeting of the State Executive Board and start serving their term of office. They will be introduced to the membership at the postponed spring annual convention September 24-25, 2020.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
March 28, 2020, News about our webmaster: Roger Poole has been hospitalized recently a couple of times for Pulmonary Hypertension causing the right side of his heart to have congestive heart failure. He has been home for a couple of weeks now. The medications that he has been put on seem to be helping quite a bit. Thanks to all of you for the prayers and cards sent.
If there is anyone in the state who would like to be our new webmaster, talk to Esther Osbahr, the president-elect for 2020-2022.
Esther's email address is: [email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
March 28, 2020 - Our spring Questers convention was postponed until September 24-25. It will still be held in Hot Springs, AR so as to not lose money on our April reservations contract.
If you want to leave your Questers registration for the convention with the registrar in Hot Springs, please do so. The same plans that were in place for April will happen in September. Hopefully the entertainment and speakers can still be the same. Yes, we will still wear our Easter Bonnets and have the Easter Egg Hunt. If you have not registered for the spring, but want to come in the fall, use the same spring form. Click below to find the form.
https://www.arkansasquesters.com/2020-sept-not-april-st-conv.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jan 4, 2020 - Can the two years of my presidency be coming to a close already? The Spring Convention in Hot Springs will be the last one that I preside over. I hope the next president enjoys it as much as I have. There has been work, but it was fun. We need something in life to keep us active.
I feel there is a firm foundation of information on our website and in our board’s hands in digital form that anyone could take over and have all the ready resources they need. For the last decade, our state has been working toward this goal of a good website and forms at the ready. This is not to say that there will not be further changes in the future. But I am quite proud of what our state has accomplished.
I’m proud of our chapters who have chosen Preservation or Restoration projects. Small projects mean so much in preserving our heritage. A small thing accomplished here and there, now and then, soon builds up into something big.
Now let’s talk about a neat thing that happened recently!
We have a wish list section at the bottom of our home page on this website arkansasquesters.com. It was intended for Quester chapters to help each other by donating furnishings for buildings that have been chosen to be supported. A museum director (Angie Albright of the Clinton House Museum in Fayetteville, AR) became aware of this and used the "contact us" option to express the museum's needs. The director had already scoured the local second hand and antique markets.
I sent a message spreading the word to Quester chapter presidents near to the museum and within a week one of the wishes was granted by Betsy Meek. A vintage stereo console record player was spotted at an estate sale. Betsy Mertz and her husband Gary delivered it. Both ladies are members of Butterfield Trails in Bella Vista.
The museum would also like to have a late 1960s or early 1970s sofa and maybe matching or compatible chairs. I understand this museum to be the home where Bill and Hillary Clinton were wed and lived when first married. It is rather sparse of furniture. If you have anything you would like to donate, contact:
Angie Albright, Director
Clinton House Museum
930 W. Clinton Drive
Fayetteville, AR 72701
479-444-0066
www.ClintonHouseMuseum.org
2020 INTERNATIONAL BYLAWS- PROPOSED/REVISED
Below are the proposed/revised 2020 International bylaws. All members are highly advised to review the three documents below. Please ask questions and make comments about the proposed Bylaws revisions at Convention during Open Forum.
Questers Proposed/Revised International 2020 Bylaws Cover Letter
Download File
Questers Article-by-Article Short 2020 Bylaws Guide
Download File
Questers Proposed/Revised International 2020 Bylaws (suggestions in red)
Download File
Below are the proposed/revised 2020 International bylaws. All members are highly advised to review the three documents below. Please ask questions and make comments about the proposed Bylaws revisions at Convention during Open Forum.
Questers Proposed/Revised International 2020 Bylaws Cover Letter
Download File
Questers Article-by-Article Short 2020 Bylaws Guide
Download File
Questers Proposed/Revised International 2020 Bylaws (suggestions in red)
Download File
August 20, 2019
I don't know about you, but I have been both enjoying and hating summer. I don't bathe in the sun's intense rays any more like I once did. I love the sun for providing warmth to my grass and flowers. They are so beautiful to look at through the air conditioned panes of glass.
We will soon be meeting again. Enjoy your meetings. We always learn new things. Invite a friend or acquaintance to join you.
Take your quest for restoration and preservation seriously. Take a minute to look over the proposed updated bylaws that international has been working on for a couple of years (4G). Discuss whether you want to vote yes to accept the changes or no to reject the new document. Your chapter president will vote for you. As your state president, I need to vote for the state and know what you think.
June 19, 2019 -
Our Quester year is closed. As you go about your summer activities, talk to people about Questers. See if you can get some new members for next year. The New Members drive was so successful this year. Our numbers rose overall from 206 last year at this time to 222 members this May.
WELL DONE!! We are going to have the contest again this year.
If you crack open enough oysters, you eventually find a pearl. This is the one I found. I have stolen most of the tips below from an old newsletter from information from Judy Gatt , NJ State President 2014-2016. There are such good ideas to be obtained from other state’s newsletters. Look at the international site. See what other states do for fundraising and membership. Get program ideas.
https://www.questers1944.org/
https://www.questers1944.org/links-to-state-provincial-websites.html
https://www.questers1944.org/state--province-newsletters.html
Tips for Growing Chapters:
1. Chapters should photograph their trips, speakers and programs being planned for their meetings and send it to the newspapers in your community. Make Questers visible where you live. Include an invitation to the public to attend the next meeting. List the program, place, time, etc. Be brave and list someone’s phone or email address. Newspapers love good action pictures to go with articles.
2. As members attend other events in their community, talk to people asking about their interests. If you meet people who seem to have a similar interest, invite them to one of your chapter meetings. They may not want to join, but they will have been exposed to the existence of the Quester organization. Some areas have more than one chapter, a new person may decide to join another chapter if not yours. If your chapter has reached a comfortable limit, perhaps it’s time to open a new chapter. Be brave, you can do it. You can remain a member of your original chapter, as an associate and be a founding member of a new group. You only pay dues once.
3. Visit and introduce your Quester organization to local historical societies. This can attract more visitors to Your site and their site. Explain how partnering with Questers could help them with grants. Ask if they have members who would give programs. We are always looking for new program topics to use with our own chapters.
4. When providing money for a project, no matter how small, invite a locally elected political person to come to the presentation of the check. It makes them look good and they will also get to know about Questers. Put the picture in the community newspaper!! Political figures are more likely to get coverage. Put Quester contact information in the article you write. You’re all doing great work out there. Shout it from the rooftops!
I was helping my daughter with a flea market that she sponsors annually. I hope I found 2 new members for my chapter by talking to people interested in "old things".
Our Quester year is closed. As you go about your summer activities, talk to people about Questers. See if you can get some new members for next year. The New Members drive was so successful this year. Our numbers rose overall from 206 last year at this time to 222 members this May.
WELL DONE!! We are going to have the contest again this year.
If you crack open enough oysters, you eventually find a pearl. This is the one I found. I have stolen most of the tips below from an old newsletter from information from Judy Gatt , NJ State President 2014-2016. There are such good ideas to be obtained from other state’s newsletters. Look at the international site. See what other states do for fundraising and membership. Get program ideas.
https://www.questers1944.org/
https://www.questers1944.org/links-to-state-provincial-websites.html
https://www.questers1944.org/state--province-newsletters.html
Tips for Growing Chapters:
1. Chapters should photograph their trips, speakers and programs being planned for their meetings and send it to the newspapers in your community. Make Questers visible where you live. Include an invitation to the public to attend the next meeting. List the program, place, time, etc. Be brave and list someone’s phone or email address. Newspapers love good action pictures to go with articles.
2. As members attend other events in their community, talk to people asking about their interests. If you meet people who seem to have a similar interest, invite them to one of your chapter meetings. They may not want to join, but they will have been exposed to the existence of the Quester organization. Some areas have more than one chapter, a new person may decide to join another chapter if not yours. If your chapter has reached a comfortable limit, perhaps it’s time to open a new chapter. Be brave, you can do it. You can remain a member of your original chapter, as an associate and be a founding member of a new group. You only pay dues once.
3. Visit and introduce your Quester organization to local historical societies. This can attract more visitors to Your site and their site. Explain how partnering with Questers could help them with grants. Ask if they have members who would give programs. We are always looking for new program topics to use with our own chapters.
4. When providing money for a project, no matter how small, invite a locally elected political person to come to the presentation of the check. It makes them look good and they will also get to know about Questers. Put the picture in the community newspaper!! Political figures are more likely to get coverage. Put Quester contact information in the article you write. You’re all doing great work out there. Shout it from the rooftops!
I was helping my daughter with a flea market that she sponsors annually. I hope I found 2 new members for my chapter by talking to people interested in "old things".
April 8 - See you all at Spring State Convention April 12 - 13 Holiday Inn, Van Buren, AR, (Exit 5) I-40
Chapters: bring your baskets or other bid offerings, your tickets sold and a silent offering item.
Let's fill our P&R coffers so we can have grant money to hand out next spring.
Chapters: bring your baskets or other bid offerings, your tickets sold and a silent offering item.
Let's fill our P&R coffers so we can have grant money to hand out next spring.
Mar.7, 2019 - I got a short email from Dot Sanders our past state president that I will share with you.
I have wonderful doctors here in Dallas at UT Southwestern. Had surgery on my right lung to have a tube and catheter put in place so it will drain. He drained 1100 cc out yesterday and a home health nurse will be out tomorrow to show Bob and I how it is done at home. This afternoon will be at UT southwestern for PET scan and next week several ct scans.
Please continue to pray for this lady to heal.
I have wonderful doctors here in Dallas at UT Southwestern. Had surgery on my right lung to have a tube and catheter put in place so it will drain. He drained 1100 cc out yesterday and a home health nurse will be out tomorrow to show Bob and I how it is done at home. This afternoon will be at UT southwestern for PET scan and next week several ct scans.
Please continue to pray for this lady to heal.
February 28, 2019 - Please remember the chapter treasurers need to have dues collected and all the international packet of papers filled out and back to the state treasurer by April 1. This was a special request by International that we try to get this done early.
Send to: Robbie Glaser, 4 Cheddar Cir Bella Vista AR 72715
Contact if needed: 479-802-9012 [email protected]
Send to: Robbie Glaser, 4 Cheddar Cir Bella Vista AR 72715
Contact if needed: 479-802-9012 [email protected]
February 27, 2019 - I think it is marvelous that Questers in NW Arkansas have an Annual Area Meeting joining all four chapters in that part of our state for a day. I was privileged to visit that gathering on February 25 along with another of my chapter mates, Aurian Zoldessy who is State Corresponding Secretary.
The gathering was held at St. Theodore’s Church community hall. The church had the tables decorated so prettily with white glittered bottles. There were sticks with tiny cardinal birds perched on stems. They used lace-patterned thick vinyl over the white table cloths for practicality. I felt instantly at home.
The purpose of the meeting was for host Butterfield Trails and co-hosts Blowing Springs, Trail of Tears and Happy Rackensackers to raise funds to move an old donated log cabin to a spot on Benton Co. Historical Museum grounds. There were about 25 people present. Baskets filled with lunches donated by the group lined up on the tables. Convention tickets were sold as well as opportunities tickets for a piece of stained glass lovingly crafted and donated by Cheryl Meyer. $820 was raised by auction and contributions. Good work ladies.
(CLICK HERE) to see photos of the meeting taken by Ruth Lowery.
The gathering was held at St. Theodore’s Church community hall. The church had the tables decorated so prettily with white glittered bottles. There were sticks with tiny cardinal birds perched on stems. They used lace-patterned thick vinyl over the white table cloths for practicality. I felt instantly at home.
The purpose of the meeting was for host Butterfield Trails and co-hosts Blowing Springs, Trail of Tears and Happy Rackensackers to raise funds to move an old donated log cabin to a spot on Benton Co. Historical Museum grounds. There were about 25 people present. Baskets filled with lunches donated by the group lined up on the tables. Convention tickets were sold as well as opportunities tickets for a piece of stained glass lovingly crafted and donated by Cheryl Meyer. $820 was raised by auction and contributions. Good work ladies.
(CLICK HERE) to see photos of the meeting taken by Ruth Lowery.
February 26, 2019 - Since the Arkansas Trav'ler came out, I have had questions and concerns mentioned to me about Roger, since I said I was dealing with his care. I'm gonna get personal with you and tell you the scoop. Roger's father died from metastasized prostate cancer. Thus he(Roger) and his three older siblings have kept really close watch on their PSA test scores. Roger's older brothers have all been through this. With PSA numbers on the rise, Roger scheduled a biopsy last summer that showed small but very aggressive teensy spots of prostate cancer. Most prostate cancer is very slow growing. But apparently that is not the genetics in Roger's family. He had 43 weekday treatments through the months of October, November and December. So he is dealing with the aftermath of radiation right now. The treatments ended on December 15. On December 13, he had a heart implant device called Watchman installed. Now for that explanation: Most of you know what Afib is when the left atrial (upper) chamber of the heart does not beat in time with the other three chambers of the heart. Did you know that you have an appendage on that chamber of the heart? I didn't. The blood flows into this pocket appendage and if you have afib, it can pool in there clotting. When it does come out eventually as a clot, it can cause real problems like stroke. Many patients are put on blood thinners to prevent blood clots, but I read about this procedure in a magazine while in the waiting room of Roger's urologist who was seeing Roger for blood in his urine. The blood thinners were doing too good of a job. We talked to his cardiologist who agreed that Roger would be a candidate for a Watchman. We waited until after the cancer treatments (all but one) because they were considered more urgent. So Roger went in Dec. 13 (when the Watchman rep would be in town) for that procedure. If you are interested in medical things go to this page it has short video explanations with words to read. https://myheart.net/articles/watchman-device-explained-and-faqs-answered-by-a-cardiologist/ The skin inside his heart has already grown into and over the mesh on the device, closing off the appendage chamber from blood flowing in. When we mentioned to the cardiologist that Roger's blood pressure had dropped since the procedure, he told us they were doing studies on how the appendage might play a part in blood pressure. They cut his blood pressure dosage in half.
If anyone is interested in hearing more about a remedy I devised to help manage the impact of type 2 diabetes on Roger’s shin skins, email or call me. See member roster on menu pull down (4A.1) for address and phone#.
Many of you have also asked about Dot Sanders. She and Bob have moved to the Dallas/NE Texas area to be near her family. She was having a hard time around Thanksgiving with chemo and radiation. As chance would have it, she and Roger had the same Oncologist at CARTI. The last time I spoke with Dot in late January, she sounded so much better. I heard from another Quester that she appears to be on the mend.
If anyone is interested in hearing more about a remedy I devised to help manage the impact of type 2 diabetes on Roger’s shin skins, email or call me. See member roster on menu pull down (4A.1) for address and phone#.
Many of you have also asked about Dot Sanders. She and Bob have moved to the Dallas/NE Texas area to be near her family. She was having a hard time around Thanksgiving with chemo and radiation. As chance would have it, she and Roger had the same Oncologist at CARTI. The last time I spoke with Dot in late January, she sounded so much better. I heard from another Quester that she appears to be on the mend.
January 2019 - What a nice NEW YEAR we have had thus far. The weather has been unseasonably warm and the roads clear in most of the state.
I would like to remind each of our chapters of our membership drive competition. Since May, we have had five new members. Keep inviting your friends to join in meetings. Hopefully they will join.
I would like to remind each of our chapters of our membership drive competition. Since May, we have had five new members. Keep inviting your friends to join in meetings. Hopefully they will join.
I have heard from one of our chapters in Arkansas that they have the goal to go paperless this year. Their yearbook is posted on our website and all members are trying to depend on digital rather than paper.
It is very hard for some people to give up paper. I applaud their effort.
It was not hard for me to go digital. I tend to lose papers. If they are not in my fireproof lock box or in the storage arm of my recliner they are subject to going "poof" at any time. I come back to my computer or phone for information. I love having our Arkansas Questers website with all the information that I can search for and find. Eventually we will have a generation who will relate to digital more than paper.
It is funny to me now to look back at 2004 when I first was involved with Questers on a statewide basis as the Trav’ler editor. Only about half our members had emails and half of those didn't want you to know what it was because something sinister might happen. Now there is only a handful without email. But we still have almost half who would like to read their Trav'ler on paper. That is weird to me. I'm the one who takes pictures of magazines in doctor's offices so I can read them on my phone!
Whatever your preferences are in life, I know you all prefer a life with family and joy at this Christmas and Hanukah time of the year. I am wishing you all the very best Holiday Season of your life this year.
I love you one and all.
Thelma Poole, Arkansas Questers President
It is very hard for some people to give up paper. I applaud their effort.
It was not hard for me to go digital. I tend to lose papers. If they are not in my fireproof lock box or in the storage arm of my recliner they are subject to going "poof" at any time. I come back to my computer or phone for information. I love having our Arkansas Questers website with all the information that I can search for and find. Eventually we will have a generation who will relate to digital more than paper.
It is funny to me now to look back at 2004 when I first was involved with Questers on a statewide basis as the Trav’ler editor. Only about half our members had emails and half of those didn't want you to know what it was because something sinister might happen. Now there is only a handful without email. But we still have almost half who would like to read their Trav'ler on paper. That is weird to me. I'm the one who takes pictures of magazines in doctor's offices so I can read them on my phone!
Whatever your preferences are in life, I know you all prefer a life with family and joy at this Christmas and Hanukah time of the year. I am wishing you all the very best Holiday Season of your life this year.
I love you one and all.
Thelma Poole, Arkansas Questers President
December, 2018 - Questers would get more public attention if they had fundraisers which included the public like some other civic organizations. Ask the State Questers Executive Board for approval for your event before you proceed. All profits to go to Questers P&R fund to be donated to the site for which you are raising money. All hours spent on this activity count as volunteer hours for the facility. Here are some IDEAS:
Have a stand up and eat catered Hors D'oeuvres event (and wine or lemonade, etc). Have it at the historic site for which you are raising money. Pick your best speaker to talk about the facility at the event. Or have host(esse)s from Quester members on hand to circulate and talk about the site.
Stage an afternoon tea with petit fours and small sandwiches and fruit. This would require all the card tables, folding chairs and tablecloths you can round up. Decide if you want disposable plates, cups and utensils. People don't usually get to go inside historic structures not yet open to the public. They are curious and want to come see. Make sure it is in moderate temperature time of year since there may not be heat or cooling in the facility.
Have a big Rummage Sale at the Site for which it will benefit.
You could hold a "Taste of [Name of your town]" where you charge food facilities in the area a vendor fee to let the public taste their food they serve in their restaurants. Charge the public $10 to $20 to come and taste everything. It could be a big event each year. It already is in some parts of Arkansas.
Have a Souper Bowl contest and silent auction of donated items. Hold it a week before the Super Bowl in a large Church or civic center. Set up tables all around the large open space and seating in the middle. Invite other churches and organizations to bring/donate their favorite chili or soup for paying attendees to sample. People vote on their favorite concoctions by putting $1 bills in a fundraising pot on the table of their favorites. Have a trophy to award to the winning soup team each year. Charge $8 or $10 door admission. Have a silent auction of donated items from local businesses and artisans. Offer a (4E.19) Receipt of Tax Deductible Donation Form to the donors.
One could hold fish dinners, spaghetti suppers, pancake breakfasts, BBQ and Chili cook offs, Pie and Cake fundraisers. You could offer smoked or fried turkeys (by advance sales) for Thanksgiving some year if you have someone to do the cooking for you.
One civic club sells pecans $10/lb bag each year before Thanksgiving/Christmas baking season. They usually sell by facebook and one Saturday they will set up tables on the lawn of a bank, furniture store or other enterprise that is well trafficked with an easy in/out parking lot.
You could have a Cake bake-off or Best Brownie or Cookie Contest that involved the public and even offer a small (maybe cash) prize to the winner(s). Invite vendors to pay a booth fee to sell their wares. Make it a festival. Have it on a Saturday late morning to early afternoon in the spring or fall. If there are any food trucks in your area, invite them to pay a vendor fee and come. Vendor fees range from $25 to $100 depending on the size of the event usually. They need public to be present at a meal time to be interested.
Arrange with a local eatery for an event night with local "celebrity" waiters. The waiters tips go to support the cause.
There could be local entertainment or a kids talent show. Public schools often times let you use their auditorium for such an event. Offer a small cash prize from the ticket take if you feel it would encourage applicants. Advertise for applicants at schools and churches through the choral and band departments. If kids are performing, parents and friends will pay to see the performance.
Have a fun run/walk/with pets/bicycles. People sign up in advance and pay a fee of $25 to $50 which includes a free t-shirt. Research prices of t-shirts before you set the entry price. Have pink tape to tie to poles or trees to indicate a path of the run. Check with the police or city hall in your area to make sure you follow all the local codes. Some cities might close streets in an area at low traffic hours for a short time.
Have a clown/Halloween/Turkey/costume/Mardi Gras/pick a holiday parade. Charge a small entry fee to participate $5 to $15. Offer nothing but the fun of parading and raising funds for a local historic site. Once again, check with authorities before doing this.
Remember, Spring and Fall people want to get out and celebrate the end of summer or winter. Have it at a public or private place with plenty of parking: Church, Civic Center, Restaurant, Public Park.
But, if you decide to do this, make sure you have support from family and friends who will help you advertise, set up, work the event and clean up afterwards.
Have a stand up and eat catered Hors D'oeuvres event (and wine or lemonade, etc). Have it at the historic site for which you are raising money. Pick your best speaker to talk about the facility at the event. Or have host(esse)s from Quester members on hand to circulate and talk about the site.
Stage an afternoon tea with petit fours and small sandwiches and fruit. This would require all the card tables, folding chairs and tablecloths you can round up. Decide if you want disposable plates, cups and utensils. People don't usually get to go inside historic structures not yet open to the public. They are curious and want to come see. Make sure it is in moderate temperature time of year since there may not be heat or cooling in the facility.
Have a big Rummage Sale at the Site for which it will benefit.
You could hold a "Taste of [Name of your town]" where you charge food facilities in the area a vendor fee to let the public taste their food they serve in their restaurants. Charge the public $10 to $20 to come and taste everything. It could be a big event each year. It already is in some parts of Arkansas.
Have a Souper Bowl contest and silent auction of donated items. Hold it a week before the Super Bowl in a large Church or civic center. Set up tables all around the large open space and seating in the middle. Invite other churches and organizations to bring/donate their favorite chili or soup for paying attendees to sample. People vote on their favorite concoctions by putting $1 bills in a fundraising pot on the table of their favorites. Have a trophy to award to the winning soup team each year. Charge $8 or $10 door admission. Have a silent auction of donated items from local businesses and artisans. Offer a (4E.19) Receipt of Tax Deductible Donation Form to the donors.
One could hold fish dinners, spaghetti suppers, pancake breakfasts, BBQ and Chili cook offs, Pie and Cake fundraisers. You could offer smoked or fried turkeys (by advance sales) for Thanksgiving some year if you have someone to do the cooking for you.
One civic club sells pecans $10/lb bag each year before Thanksgiving/Christmas baking season. They usually sell by facebook and one Saturday they will set up tables on the lawn of a bank, furniture store or other enterprise that is well trafficked with an easy in/out parking lot.
You could have a Cake bake-off or Best Brownie or Cookie Contest that involved the public and even offer a small (maybe cash) prize to the winner(s). Invite vendors to pay a booth fee to sell their wares. Make it a festival. Have it on a Saturday late morning to early afternoon in the spring or fall. If there are any food trucks in your area, invite them to pay a vendor fee and come. Vendor fees range from $25 to $100 depending on the size of the event usually. They need public to be present at a meal time to be interested.
Arrange with a local eatery for an event night with local "celebrity" waiters. The waiters tips go to support the cause.
There could be local entertainment or a kids talent show. Public schools often times let you use their auditorium for such an event. Offer a small cash prize from the ticket take if you feel it would encourage applicants. Advertise for applicants at schools and churches through the choral and band departments. If kids are performing, parents and friends will pay to see the performance.
Have a fun run/walk/with pets/bicycles. People sign up in advance and pay a fee of $25 to $50 which includes a free t-shirt. Research prices of t-shirts before you set the entry price. Have pink tape to tie to poles or trees to indicate a path of the run. Check with the police or city hall in your area to make sure you follow all the local codes. Some cities might close streets in an area at low traffic hours for a short time.
Have a clown/Halloween/Turkey/costume/Mardi Gras/pick a holiday parade. Charge a small entry fee to participate $5 to $15. Offer nothing but the fun of parading and raising funds for a local historic site. Once again, check with authorities before doing this.
- Is there a small hometown paper that everyone takes in which you could publicize the event? Have a planning meeting at the site and ask the newspaper if they would attend your planning meeting and take pictures.
- Set up a facebook page for information about the fundraiser with ticket prices.
- Have tickets for sale "at the door" if you can as well as "in advance" from Quester members.
- Put a sign in front of the facility advertising the event with ticket prices and time. The sign needs to be in place for at least a week or two in advance of the event. If your budget affords, put signs all over town. Make sure the print is big enough to read from an automobile passing by. A few readable words is worth much more than many tiny ones.
Remember, Spring and Fall people want to get out and celebrate the end of summer or winter. Have it at a public or private place with plenty of parking: Church, Civic Center, Restaurant, Public Park.
But, if you decide to do this, make sure you have support from family and friends who will help you advertise, set up, work the event and clean up afterwards.
P&R WISH LIST
One suggestion came from our Fall meeting: Post a Wish List. Chapters have needs for their P&R projects. Maybe a historic home or museum needs furniture or rug or lamp. Make that need known. You can use the "contact us" form on the home page at 1(H). Include your phone #. The wish will be posted on the (1)TOOLS page under (1B.1) P & R Wish List. Another Quester with that item in their collection may be inclined to donate it. A Receipt of Tax Deductible Donation can be given the donor. The opposite can be true. If you have an antique that you are willing to donate if someone's project can use it, post that here as well.
Thelma Poole, October 3, 2018
New Member Paper Work
If you get a new member, have them fill out the form from the link below. As soon as is possible send it to the state treasurer along with their dues.
Click here>> NEW MEMBER FORM
When we all renew our dues next spring, also have each and every member fill one out in their own handwriting. They need to check things at the bottom of the form for permission to publish their photo and whether they need a paper copy of the Trav'ler and Quester Quarterly.
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Announcing a CONTEST among our 13 chapters to see which chapter can obtain the most new members before Questers State Annual Spring Convention. There will be two chapters recognized number of new members and for the greatest percentage of increase of members.
Think of all your friends and neighbors. Maybe there is someone who you would like to get to know better.
- Invite them to Questers.
- Questers are good people.
- Questers are very social.
- The programs are interesting.
- New members will learn to love Preservation & Restoration.
I want to apologize to chapters who have full membership right now. I congratulate you on you previous efforts to keep you chapter full. Share your secrets with the other chapters who need more members.
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Corporate Sponsors for Community Grants
Check out (1B) for Corporate Giving from Wells Fargo. We should think about our Corporate giants more and their willingness to give to 501(c)3 groups.
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Scrapbook for 2018-19
The annual SCRAPBOOK is to be digital this year. Usually they are paper and given to the current president each year. I want to be able to share "my" scrapbook with all Arkansas Questers. I want it to have emphasis on Chapters Preservation & Restoration projects and accomplishments and highlight new members.
Please email photos to our State Historian, Bonnie Tatom [email protected]. Send in your submissions as the year goes along. Write a short email describing your picture that you attach. Bonnie will put this into a file we will call a "Scrapbook". It will be posted to this website after Spring Convention which is mid April 2019.
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