January 30, 2014 Volume 4 • Issue 12 75 cents Send community news to gladstonenews@npgco.com
Victorian love tokens on display School bond, starting Valentine’s Day levy on ballot Romance, flirtation and love: while the feelings may not change, the customs of communicating them often do. A new exhibit at the Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum, “Victorian Love Tokens,” explores some of the ways Victorians expressed themselves when courting or to show affection to friends and family. The display includes custom-made coins designed exclusively for the recipient, paper valentines and fashionable accessories such as fans or gloves used to signal romantic intentions. It will be open from Friday, Feb. 14, until May. In its simplest terms love tokens are recognized as a single coin that has been customized and individually altered before being given as a gift. Love tokens are smoothed on either one or both sides of the coin and engraved by hand with names, initials, pictures, scenes, favorite sayings, dates, or designs, according to a press release. It is this personalization that makes Victorian love tokens unique collectable items. Popular in America and Europe from 1860 to 1919, love tokens were often worn as jewelry with several coins collected and displayed on watch fobs, necklaces or bracelets. Single coins were worn as stick pins, collar buttons or sometimes broaches. Both men and women gave and received love tokens and wore them, but single young women were the most common recipients of love tokens. With initialed coins, it is sometimes difficult to determine whether the initials are that of the giver or receiver, as both were common practices. The work and skill level of the engraver varied greatly from simple letters to
ornately styled lettering. Most love tokens were made in a short amount of time and were first commissioned at fairs or carnivals. As the custom grew in popularity, professional jewelers and engravers were hired to create even more elaborate designs. Any type of coin could be used, but the most frequently used coins were silver dimes because of its soft and easily engraved surface. The exhibit can be seen at the Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum, 6607 NE Antioch Road. The exhibit will open with a special wine and cheese event for Valentine’s Day from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 14. The cost is $15 per person. To reserve tickets, contact Museum Manager Erica White at 423-4107.
Crowded schools, security and overdue facility repairs top list of needs
Contributed photo
Love tokens — coins that have been altered before being given as a gift — were popular in America and Europe from 1860 to 1919. Many of these customized coins were incorporated into jewelry.
Contributed photo
“Victorian Love Tokens,” a new exhibit at the Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum in Gladstone, explores some of the ways Victorians expressed themselves during courtship or when showing affection to family and friends. It will be open Friday, Feb. 14, until May.
After nearly a year of discussion, the North Kansas City Schools Board of Education has decided to ask voters to approve two ballot issues in April: a $20 million bond and a 26-cent operating levy. This is the first time in seven years the school board has asked voters for a tax increase. The $20 million bond would accomplish three objectives, outlined on the district website: • Create more classroom space to avoid school crowding. • Ensure safer places to learn and work. • Complete overdue repairs and maintenance at schools and facilities. If passed by voters, 14 computer labs in elementary and middle schools would be converted to regular classrooms. With the introduction of up-to-date mobile technology, computer labs are no longer needed. In addition, security upgrades would be implemented across the district to include controlled visitor check-in, security cameras, door lock upgrades, LED exterior perimeter lighting and playground fencing. A
Sound off What do you think of the bond and levy questions on the ballot for North Kansas City Schools patrons? Tell us in a letter to the editor. Signed letters of 300 words or fewer will be considered for publication. Send letters to Gladstone Dispatch, 104 N. Main St., Liberty, MO 64068, or gladstonenews@npgco.com. detailed, school-by-school list of security and maintenance projects can be viewed at www.nkcschools. org/sites/default/files/proposed-projects.pdf The bond also would fund deferred maintenance and facility repairs at each site to keep buildings safe and provide a welcoming environment for learning. The items vary from site to site, but generally include roof repairs, HVAC replacements, carpeting, painting, restroom upgrades, new lockers and other overdue maintenance items. The 26-cent operating levy increase would ballot/Page A3
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