OrGaNIZaTIONS

De Soto Historical Society https://www.facebook.com/desotokshistoricalsociety

Contact: Kathy Ross kathy@grandmasshop.com

De Soto Historical Building is open Thursdays from 10 am-4 pm

Meetings held monthly on the last Wednesday at 6:30 pm

De Soto Historical Building 33055 West 83rd Street

Meeting information/cancellations posted on our facebook page

March 29 Local Citizens Forum

April 26 Pizza Party Anniversary Celebration new cemetery Flyer /$25 yearly Membership dues

May 31 Local Citizens Forum / Calendar Picture Voting

June 28 “Children of the Promised Lands”

Humanities Kansas presentation by angela Bates

De Soto Rotary Club https://portal.clubrunner.ca/4383 https://www.facebook.com/De-Soto-KSRotary-Club-112342748793494/

Contact: Kim Ingalls desotorotaryclub@gmail.com

Meetings held monthly on the first and third Fridays at 7 am

De Soto Methodist Church 8760 Kill Creek Road (lower level) Meeting information/cancellations posted on our facebook page

National Society Daughters of the American Revolution http://www.johnandhattiepossum.net/

Contact: Sherry Bowlin sherrybowlindar@gmail.com the John & Hattie possum chapter meets monthly and provides many avenues to serve

De Soto Chapter of the Oldtime Fiddlers, Pickers & Singers https://www.facebook.com/groups/kofps

Contact: Doug Danner ddanner1@kc.rr.com

Meets the 3rd Friday of each month 5 pm-9 pm

De Soto Senior Center of City Hall

10 years

(913) 441-2713

Meetings are open to the public to perform or just listen. traditional country or bluegrass with some gospel mixed in. Musicians and singers of all genres are welcome. Meeting information/cancellations posted on our facebook page.

De Soto Garden Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/355458523327217

Contact: Teri Scott wissingerscott@yahoo.com the de soto Garden club invites you to attend

Meets at various De Soto homes and gardens area gardeners have come together to share ideas and help beautify de soto. the group is currently working with the city of de soto and the de soto arts council to design gardens to compliment the horse sculpture at Kill creek road and 83rd street. March 2023–Check our facebook page for details there are a variety of garden workshops planned for 2023.

The International Master Gardener Conference

June 18-22, 2023 Overland Park Convention Center

See pages 24 and 25 for more information.

National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (nSDAR) John & Hattie Possum Chapter Celebrates 10 Years of Service

the John & Hattie possum chapter of the daughters of the american revolution (dar) recently celebrated their 10th anniversary with a grand celebration at the Barn at Kill creek Farm. in attendance were members of several local chapters as well as current and former state and national DAR officers. The De Soto High School Voce Choir kicked off the ceremony with patriotic songs, and local members of the sons of the revolution (sar) performed the posting of the Colors flag ceremony.

A decade ago, the very first meeting of the to-be-named nsdar chapter was held on January 26, 2013. according to Pam Kelly, Organizing Chapter Regent, the first meeting was held at the local bank and required 12 members to form a nationally recognized chapter. Local organizing members included: dott stephens, carol coffman, Beverly Jones, Judy siscoe, sherry Bowlin, and Maye Gulley.

When organizing their papers to form the new chapter, these dar mentors were instrumental in supporting them: pam Kelley, cindy st. John, Mary Frisch, Marlys Hankins, carol cochran, and phylis Benedict.

De Soto Arts Council http://www.desotoartsks.org https://www.facebook.com/DeSotoArtsCouncil-KS

Contact: Leanna Donald desotoartsks@gmail.com

Open Studio Nights held monthly on the 1st Thursday at 7 pm Business Meetings held monthly on the 3rd Thursday at 7 pm

De Soto City Hall Arts Council Room, lower level, east side 32905 West 84th Street

De Soto Arts Council 2023 Board Positions: Leanna donald-president Maureen Fieleke-Vice president carrie Johnsson-secretary Evelyn sonnichsen-treasurer Linda Lane- community Liaison

Motto: God, Home and Country

Nationally incorporated in 1896 by an Act of Congress

of the American Revolution http://www.johnandhattiepossum.net/ according to Mary Frisch, dar state regent in 2013, “there was this amazing group of women in de soto committed and ready to get to work.” The ambitious group’s first order of business was deciding what name to submit for their local chapter. the founding members came up with a unique list of names, narrowing them down to three submissions: De Soto Sunflower, John Abbott (a local historical legend), and John & Hattie possum. Following a vote, the NSDAR chose John & Hattie Possum for the official name of the de soto chapter. today, the John & Hattie possum nsdar has thirty-one members. two of the youngest members and sisters, Kasey seaba and Kassidy alexander (seaba) joined when they turned 18. they followed the footsteps of their grandmother and founding members Maye Gulley and mother Jamey seaba. “We enjoy attending the monthly meetings and volunteering, especially with the Veteran projects. it’s a really great way to get involved in our community,” the sisters agreed, beaming with pride.

–Interview with the John & Hattie Possum Chapter of the NSDAR

John and Hattie possum were a shawnee couple who would become landowners in what is now de soto. their 720 acres were deeded to them by president Buchanan in 1854. the property was originally part of the Louisiana purchase, and the possums paid 30 cents an acre. to this day, many de soto residents have John possum’s name on their historical abstract. the John & Hattie possum nsdar is a diverse group of women committed to honoring the goals of the dar they are involved in many local projects, including maintaining Kill creek park, providing books for local children, assisting with the de soto Food pantry, and providing care packages to Haskell university and the Veteran’s Hospital in Leavenworth. in local schools, nsdar members are often spotted serving as enthusiastic volunteers. Members also host an annual essay contest and honor deserving students who demonstrate leadership and philanthropy with the esteemed nsdar Good citizens award.

We are looking forward to 2023 and all the opportunities that will come our way to grow the “arts” in de soto. the de soto arts council continues to incorporate more art into the community:

• A collaboration with De Soto High School students to create a mural on the caprine supply Building in downtown de soto.

• Acquisition of a new sculpture for the city of de soto.

Join us for our monthly meetings:

March 2 Swap Event

March 16 Business Meeting

April 6 Open Studio night

April 20 Business Meeting

Written by Kris Meyer, contributing writer

How to become involved in DAR:

Being a DAR member is both an honor and a commitment. Members must be at least 18 years of age and membership is based on a rigorous genealogy application. The application process requires members to trace their lineage back to anyone who fought in or supported the Revolutionary War effort by any verifiable means. “Your patriot is your connection,” stated Maye Gulley, one of the founding members of the John & Hattie Possum NSDAR Chapter.