Honor the past
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
I am responding to the ongoing discussion on the removal of the Quonset buildings on the fairgrounds. I grew up in Lyon and Chase counties and was involved in the local 4-H clubs. I question why is it necessary to remove them? There is plenty of room on those grounds for this new building without removing the existing buildings.
Over the last several years, my family and I have returned to the area on multiple occasions to participate in agricultural related activities, mostly on the fairgrounds. I think you should be more concentrated on improving your grounds by doing the simple and inexpensive things such as mowing and painting. That would improve the looks tremendously.
We need to get back to our roots and remember our heritage. My parents, like every other parents of their generation, wanted to give us kids more things than they had growing up. That was great when you are a kid and getting things but as I grow older, I realize that was so wrong. My generation has no idea of the important things in life — history of how we came to have things.
Most people have no idea how the fairgrounds came to be as we weren’t taught how important it was to know our history. Today, everyone is in such a big hurry to have bigger and better things than anyone else. In 1946, the two gentlemen, E.T. and Kenneth Anderson donated the land and the labor and materials to build those buildings for the youth to educate themselves with the simple but important things in life through 4-H projects. Let’s educate the youth of today. Use those buildings by painting them with historic events.
At the time this was donated to the community, we were going through some economic difficulties. The donation of the land and buildings in 1946 would have been a huge financial donation to the community. We need to remember the families of the gentlemen that graciously gave that wonderful gift to us. Instead of tearing them down, we need to be using them to promote the history of how the fairgrounds came to be.
Sure they need a little updating but what doesn’t after 60 years? I understand that a family member has volunteered to take that responsibility on. Why not let him?
Amy Potter
bobhornet (anonymous) says...
You people are morons! The Andersons have held their gift over the heads of the people of Lyon County for years. We missed the first opportunity to help the fair when the Andersons and their cabal of supporters halted the sale and relocation of the fairgrounds--a terrific deal that would have greatly benefited the fair and the community. Now the Andersons balk at demolishing the Quonset huts.
Clint Bowyer has offered us a terrific new facility. The Andersons offer a paint can and brush to "preserve our heritage." NONSENSE!
I almost hope Bowyer withdraws his gift. Maybe the pathetic opponents of progress would learn a lesson then. Scratch that, they will never learn--and will always hold Emporia behind.
November 16, 2010 at 3:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
How childish of these people. With great fanfare and hoopla they give a gift that has so many strings attached and so much petty posturing to go with it, the gift is becoming an albatross around the county's neck. I would go one further.bobhornet. I would almost like to see the county close the fair down and let this "wonderful string laden" gift go to the Salvation Army. Then they could decide what to do with the old sheds.
November 16, 2010 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
It has been sixty five years since "the gift", how much longer are we suppossed to grovel.
November 16, 2010 at 3:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I remember my mother using an old wringer washer and a clothes line dryer. I also remember the old block of ice and the fan that passed for an air conditioner. All part of my historical heritage....but not something I would still want to be using today. If it would make you feel better, save one of them for a museum......relegate the rest to the dust bin of history like that old hand crank Ford my dad used to own.
November 16, 2010 at 3:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TexasGirl (anonymous) says...
Well said, bb.
November 16, 2010 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
Amy says, "We need to get back to our roots and remember our heritage."
By heritage, do you mean slavery and women not voting? The old ways are always best, right Amy! No reason to change anything according to Amy. What a buffoon.
What do a few rusty old sheds have to do with heritage? Tear the things down and shut these people up already.
'enry
November 16, 2010 at 4:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Nice post, 'enry!
My heritage includes a time in the late 50's early 60's when high school girls could not get scholarships to college because they were expected to marry and have children and take care of their husbands.
Wanna go back to that, Amy? How about to the time not long ago when women weren't even considered for employment in positions ordinarily occupied by men?
Get with the present, Amy.
November 16, 2010 at 5:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lcountyvictim (anonymous) says...
I surmise that the Andersons had the best technology of that time era. They probably drove newer vehicles, had new farm equipment, etc. Their focus was to improve the opportunities for the young children involed with agriculture. I highly doubt they would condemn the decision to upgrade. And I bet the people who want to slap some paint on the buildings have newer homes, autos, equipment than the age of those old buildings. Sell them already to one of those proponents, so they may erect it on their own property and paint a mural on it. Auction them off. Just don't turn down the opportunity to move the community in the direction the Anderson's originally wanted to provide. I believe It was the idea of progress behind the original donation, as is with Bowyer donation.
November 16, 2010 at 5:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
well, i never thought i would be in agreement with henry but i am. only not that harsh, henry .
amy has her opinion .
bb is exactly right tho the huts do need to come down. the board has made that decision. so quit already....
November 16, 2010 at 5:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gardenman (anonymous) says...
Hey all you folks wanting to preserve the past and keep the quonset huts where they are. Obviously the big issue here in doing so is funding. You want to preserve and keep them? Get ourt your wallets and checkbooks.
November 16, 2010 at 5:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
empgazfan (anonymous) says...
I do not honor the past. The past is for remembering; honor is for the present.
November 18, 2010 at 6 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
yep !
November 18, 2010 at 7:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
YEP!
November 18, 2010 at 7:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
YEP !
November 18, 2010 at 10:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )