Category Archives: Entertainment

Bourbon County Arts Council Presents Barnaby Bright Saturday, May 17th

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Bourbon County Arts Council

Bourbon County

Arts Council

Presents

Barnaby Bright

Saturday, May 17th

Doors Open 5:00pm

Hearty Appetizer Buffet 5:30-7:30pm

Performance 8:00pm

Crooner’s/Liberty Theatre

113 S. Main Fort Scott, KS

Reservations Required

Tickets

$50 BCAC Member

$60 Non-Member

Contact

Terri Floyd 620-224-7221

Deb Anderson 620-224-8650

Click HERE to visit Bourbon County Arts Council’s Facebook Page.

Click HERE to visit Barnaby Bright’s Facebook Page.

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US

Free Fishing and State Park Entrance Days for 2025

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Announces Free Fishing and State Park Entrance Days for 2025

TOPEKA – Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) Secretary Christopher Kennedy has issued orders designating several Free Fishing and Free State Park Entrance days. The announcement was made at the April 24, 2025, Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission meeting.

The Free Fishing Days are June 7 and 8, 2025. On those days, anyone can fish by legal means without a Kansas fishing license. All length and creel limits still apply.

All Kansas State Parks will also offer free entrance on Saturday, May 3. Camping fees still apply.

“I encourage everyone to take advantage of these opportunities to enjoy Kansas’ incredible natural resources,” said Kennedy. “Whether you’re casting a line, hiking a trail, picnicking on a beach, or simply taking in the beauty of nature, these days are meant to inspire connection with your family, friends, and the great outdoors.”

Along with these statewide events, Secretary Kennedy has also designated several park-specific Free Entrance Days that align with local events and programs designed to engage families, outdoor enthusiasts, and newcomers to Kansas state parks. These dates are as follows:

  • May 11 – Wilson State Park
  • May 17 – Milford State Park
  • June 7 – Cheney State Park
  • June 7 – El Dorado State Park
  • June 7 – Prairie Dog State Park
  • June 7 – Elk City State Park
  • June 7 – Glen Elder State Park
  • June 14 – Cedar Bluff State Park
  • June 14 – Historic Lake Scott State Park
  • June 14 – Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park
  • July 4 – Cross Timbers State Park
  • August 16 – Hillsdale State Park
  • August 23 – Tuttle Creek State Park
  • September 7 – Lovewell State Park
  • September 21 – Webster State Park
  • September 27 – Clinton State Park
  • September 27 – Crawford State Park
  • September 27 – Fall River State Park
  • October 11 – Eisenhower State Park
  • October 11 – Meade State Park
  • October 25 – Kanopolis State Park
  • October 25 – Perry State Park
  • October 25 – Pomona State Park
  • October 25 – Sand Hills State Park

For more information about Kansas state parks, fishing opportunities, and upcoming events, visit ksoutdoors.com.

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The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of Kansas’s natural resources for the benefit of both current and future generations. KDWP manages 29 state parks, 177 lakes and wildlife areas, more than 300 public waterbodies, and 5 nature centers. Other services include management of threatened, endangered, and at-risk species, law enforcement, and wildlife habitat programs. For more information about KDWP, visit ksoutdoors.com.

 

Annual Dinner & Awards Celebration RSVP Deadline is Today

Chamber_Logo_-_Blk___Wht-removebg-preview.png

JOIN US FOR THE

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

Annual Dinner & Awards Celebration!

LAST CALL

Please RSVP by 5pm TODAY!

Thursday, April 24th

River Room Event Center

3 W. Oak Street

RSVP by 4.21.2025

5pm

Social & Silent Auction

5:30pm

Dinner, Awards, & Live Auction

6:30pm

CLICK TO RSVP
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Facebook      Instagram      Twitter
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 

Fort Scott Public Library Awarded $20,000 For Children’s Section

The Fort Scott Public Library is located at the corner of 2nd Street and National Avenue.

 

The Fort Scott Public Library was honored to be one of the 50 libraries in the United States to receive a prestigious $20,000 grant from the American Library Association and the Association of Small and Rural Libraries for their Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities Grant.

According to https://www.ala.org/tools/librariestransform/libraries-transforming-communities/access

“Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities offered more than $14 million in grants to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services, and programs to better serve people with disabilities.

To be eligible, a library must have a legal area population of 25,000 or less and be located at least five miles from an urbanized area, in keeping with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) definitions of small and rural libraries.

ALA awarded four rounds of grants to be distributed over the next four years ranging from $10,000 to $20,000.

Participating libraries will first conduct community input-gathering sessions to assure that their work aligns with local needs. Libraries will be required to identify the primary audience they are hoping to reach (e.g., homebound seniors, children with autism, Deaf community members) and facilitate a community conversation with the impacted populations in order to guide the improvement of the library’s services. Grantees would then use the funds to create services or improve their facilities based on the needs identified by their audience.”

“This grant, in the amount we received, was a testament to our commitment to serving our community,” said Library Director Jennifer Gum-Fowler. “Another 250 libraries were granted $10,000 for the same grant.”

“We were informed in late March that we had won, but we were asked to wait until all the other libraries had been notified and accepted the grant. To make a bigger splash, we announced it at the Chamber Coffee last week. We will begin working on the grant in just a few weeks.”

Some new play areas for the children’s section.

“This grant is a game-changer for us. It will create a dedicated quiet space in the library for children with non-neurotypical disabilities, a much-needed addition to our services.”

“We will purchase a Shushbooth to do this in our limited space,” she said.

“A Shushbooth is a soundproof room with a small table, chairs, and an area for the kids to sit on the floor,” she said. “Depending on the child, it will give them a place where they can be both quiet and loud. It makes the library more accessible for the children. When not used for the kids, the rest of the community can use it for Zoom meetings and telehealth.”

“Some of the grant will also help us add therapeutic toys and items that the parents and children can check out and use. The rest of the grant will train staff to work better with these children and parents, ensuring a more inclusive and supportive environment. We will be hosting a community conversation soon about the grant, so stay tuned for that,” she said.

 

Changes on the horizon

 

“The library is undergoing a makeover to align with the grant we just received. The children’s area is being moved downstairs to make it more accessible for parents and children. We are also creating a Teen Zone and a Makerspace upstairs for the community. ”

 

“In addition, the library has received a Tech Grant from Southeast Kansas Library System, which we used to purchase a projector and screen for the events room. This makes the event room a conference room and a programming room for the community. We hope these changes will transform the library into a vibrant hub for the community to use and enjoy.”

Pictured is Jennifer Gun-Fowler, standing, and front row from left are Jennifer Carnes, Machenzie Kaemmer, and Samantha Miller. Not pictured is Pam Johnson.

 

The employees of the Fort Scott Public Library are

Jennifer Gum-Fowler- Library Director

Mackenzie Kaemmer- Youth Services Specialist

Samantha Miller- Youth Services Assistant

Pam Johnson – Inter Library Loan-Resource Clerk

Jennifer Carnes – Collections-Cataloging Clerk

 

 

The library is open Monday through Friday from  9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is closed Sunday.

 

Contact info: Jennifer Gum-Fowler- 620-223-2882, [email protected], 201 S Nation

The north side of the library is ground level. The City of Fort Scott was working on the stripes for the parking spaces on April 15.

Bourbon County Community Theatre Brings Melodrama Tradition Back to Fort Scott

A scene from the Bourbon County Community Theatre “Holy Mother of Bingo” in July 2024 from its’ Facebook page.

 

A long-standing theatre tradition in Fort Scott, the Melodrama, is returning to Good Ol’ Days this year.

 

BCCT is holding auditions for the world premiere of “Beauty and the Bull OR Chaos in Fort Scott’’ written by BCCT Vice President Mark Bergmann. Auditions are from 6:30-9 p.m. on Apr. 28 or 29 at 123 S. National (enter through the SE double doors). Auditioners need only attend one night. Those interested in a singing part should bring a prepared 8-16 bar cut of a song to audition with.

 

Rehearsals are in the evenings during May. Performances are at 8 p.m. on June 6 and at 10:30 a.m., and 12:30, 4:30, 6:30 and 8 p.m. on June 7 at 123 S. National. Tickets for the show are $5 at bcct.ludus.com or at the door, but seating is limited.

 

The show is directed by Bergmann with Regen Wells serving as Assistant Director. Please contact Bergmann at 620-238-0746 with any questions or call 620-724-6269 and leave a message.

CIVIL WAR CAMP DANCE FEATURED THIS WEEKEND

Dust off your dancing shoes and mark your calendar for the Civil War Camp Dance this Saturday, April 12.  The fun filled evening, hosted by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Inc., is being held at Memorial Hall 1 East 3rd Street in Fort Scott and will feature 19th century music, Victorian dance instruction and light refreshments.  Doors open at 6:00 pm with dancing to begin at 7:00 pm. Admission is $15 per person or $25 per couple. Period dress is encouraged but not required.

Dancing was a favorite form of entertainment during the Victorian era (1840s-1890s) and especially during the Civil War as it offered respite from the worries and horrors of a war that affected the entire nation. Come find some respite from your own busy schedule as you are transported to times past.  All ages are welcome and no prior dance experience is necessary to enjoy the evening.

This event is being offered in conjunction with Fort Scott National Historic Site’s (FSNHS) Civil War Encampment. For more information concerning FSNHS’s Civil War Encampment go www.nps.gov/fosc.

The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site is a non-profit organization established in partnership with the National Park Service to support and promote the preservation and interpretation of FSNHS.

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CHAMBER PREPARES FOR ANNUAL DINNER & AWARDS CELEBRATION TO BE HELD THURSDAY, APRIL 24th

 

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will hold the 2025 Annual Dinner & Awards Celebration Thursday, April 24th at The River Room, 3 W. Oak St. The evening will be a “70’s Disco” themed event with a message of “We Are Family, Come Together and Celebrate Community”.  All are welcome to attend as Chamber members, guests, and the community come together to recognize businesses, organizations, and individuals who contribute greatly in different ways to benefit Fort Scott and Bourbon County.

The Chamber is now accepting nominations for awards to be presented that evening.  Links to both online and printable nomination forms may be found on fortscott.com on the event link.  Hard copy forms may be picked up at the Chamber.  Nominations are due by Thursday, April 10th.

Awards to be presented include Large Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, New Business of the Year, Agri-Business of the Year, Businessperson of the Year, Community Spirit, and Young Professional of the Year.  Additional awards to be presented include the Keystone award, selected by the Chamber Board of Directors, the Mayor’s Citizenship Award selected by the Mayor and City of Fort Scott.

The Annual Dinner is one of the primary fundraisers for the Chamber to fulfill their mission to serve members and the community, and donations of silent or live auction items would be greatly appreciated.  Chamber members are also invited to decorate a table at the event in coordination with the theme which is great advertising and promotion for the business or organization.  One of the fun awards presented at the event is for the best decorated table.

The Annual Dinner event will start with the social hour and silent auction at 5:30pm, followed by dinner, awards, and a live auction at 6:30pm.  Reservations are $40 for individuals, and table pricing and sponsorships are available.  Those wanting to attend may contact the Chamber at 620-223-3566 or email [email protected]. by Friday, April 18th.

***

Fort Scott Swim Pass Scholarship Applications Are Available

The Bourbon County Coalition would like to announce that the 2025 Family Swim Pass Scholarship Applications are ready to pick up. They are located at the Beacon and Buck Run Community Center. They can be filled out and returned to either location. Any questions can be pointed to our email, bourboncountycoalition@gmail.com.

Submitted by Travis Wilcoxen

To apply:

Swim Pass Application(1)

Pike Creek Reservoir To Be Funded By Wind Power

In response to local concern that the Pike Creek Reservoir couldn’t be properly paid for by the proposed funding mechanism, state leaders have come up with a contingency plan that should alleviate all concerns.

Artist conception of what the Pike Creek Reservoir will look like with the integrated wind turbines.

As an additional source of income to fund the project, large wind turbines will be built in the lake which will produce power that can be sold to the local power companies in order to fund development at the lake.  If there are extra funds, the state has some exciting ideas for additional amenities for the area.

“We’d really like to build an alligator petting zoo to help promote tourism,” said an official who asked not to be named because he only exists one day each year. “Neighboring states are seeing a massive increase in tourism with these petting zoos, and there is no reason Bourbon County couldn’t do the same.” The official also noted that most of the places that have built these tourist attractions have also seen a massive increase in the sustainability of their local emergency rooms. “In some places, they have gone from a five-bed facility to 50 beds to meet the increased demand. The growth in scale has made a lot of them able to operate profitably in areas where they have been losing money for years.”

Architectural drawing of proposed alligator petting zoo. (Alligators not to scale.)

Asked about what might might be the link between alligator petting zoos and an increase in the ER visits the official said he wasn’t sure. “I think it might have something to do with people spending more time in the area, so instead of going back home to deal with an emergency, they choose to do it near the place where their family can enjoy petting their reptile friends.”

The official said that the idea for the petting zoo came to him when reading about the snake pit in Gunn Park that was announced exactly one year ago on April 1st. “It just made me realize how important it is to people to be up close and personal with reptiles.”

He also said other potential ideas include a cannon that will launch tourists across the lake into a net on the other side, a “build-a-sub” attraction where you can try your hand at making a functioning sub to test on the deepest part of the lake, and adventure hang-gliding where you can try your skills at flying through the blades of the wind turbines.

 

Fort Scott High School Hosts Annual Talent Show Awards

Zoe Scott won first place in the Fort Scott High School Talent Show. Submitted photo.

The annual FSHS Talent Show and Minute to Win It was held on March 28th. The event, sponsored by FSHS Thespian Troupe #7635 and emceed by Molly Hoyt and Emma Bin, awarded cash prizes to the top three competitors.

 

Junior Zoe Scott won the $100 grand prize. She sang “At Last” by Etta James. Sophomore Allie Wards took second and $75 with her violin solo of “Adoration” by Felix Borowski. Third place and $50 went to junior Junie Fisher and freshman Gianna Gorman for their duet of “What is This Feeling” from Wicked.

Allie Ward won second place. Submitted photo.

A new Minute to Win It competition was held between clubs and organizations. The Minute to Win It winners were Blaiton Terry and Gracin Pitts for FFA. They win $200 sponsored by Thespians and National Speech and Debate Association toward their club or favorite charity.

Gracin Pitts and Blaiton Terry

The next Thespian event is the annual Rummage Sale to be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Apr. 18 and from 8 a.m. to noon on Apr. 19 at FSHS. Enter the school through the NW doors. Prices for the sale are a free will donation. Thespians is now accepting donations at the high school or contact Angie Bin at [email protected] or 620-719-9622 for pick up.

Gianna Gorman and Junie Fisher. Submitted photo.

 

Southeast Kansas Library Newsletter March 2025

View Online
The SEKnFind Newsletter
March 2025

We hope you enjoy this newsletter sent as a courtesy to adult patrons of a southeast Kansas library using the SEKnFind catalog.
This selection of titles are NEW at a SEKnFind library and available for a hold.
Need assistance? Your local librarian can show you how!
Happy Reading!

New Fiction

The antidote
by Karen Russell

“A gripping Dust Bowl epic about five characters whose fates become entangled after a storm ravages their small Nebraska town.”

Saltwater : a novel
by Katy Hays

Thirty years after Sarah Lingate’s mysterious death on Capri, her daughter Helen returns with the family for their annual retreat, only to uncover a buried necklace, renewed suspicions, and dangerous secrets, as betrayal and paranoia threaten to rupture the family and claim more lives.

Close your eyes and count to 10
by Lisa Unger

A single mother joins a deadly island game set up by a charismatic daredevil and extreme adventurer, but a monstrous storm and an unseen menace transform the social media stunt into a ruthless fight for survival. 100,000 first printing.

All the other mothers hate me : a novel
by Sarah Harman

When single mom Florence Grimes’ son is accused of causing the mysterious disappearance of a bully classmate, she must manage her disdain of the other moms, her own self-doubts and unexpected truths to prove his innocence.

Count my lies : a novel
by Sophie Stava

When Sloane lies about being a nurse to meet an attractive single father, she becomes his children’s nanny, entering a seemingly perfect world that hides dangerous secrets and forces her to confront the consequences of her deceptions.

Book boyfriend
by Emily Wibberley

Romantasy fan Jennifer escapes to a convention celebrating her favorite series, only to encounter her work nemesis Scott, whose surprising charm and“book boyfriend” transformation spark an unexpected, real-life enemies-to-lovers romance. Original.

The buffalo hunter hunter
by Stephen Graham Jones

In 1912, a Lutheran pastor documents the chilling confessions of Good Stab, a Blackfeet vampire seeking justice for a historical massacre, intertwining themes of revenge, survival and haunting truths on the Blackfeet reservation.

Galaphile
by Terry Brooks

Galaphile, an orphan turned master mage, builds the legendary Druid citadel Paranor while experience love, loss and battling an ancient evil who threatens the Four Lands, in the new series by the author of The Last Druid.

When the Moon hits your eye
by John Scalzi

When the Moon inexplicably turns to cheese, humanity grapples with the absurd transformation through the perspectives of astronauts, billionaires, professors, and everyday people, confronting faith, science and survival over a single surreal lunar cycle.

The Trouble Up North
by Travis Mulhauser

The fractured Sawbrook family, once master smugglers on Michigan’s lakes, is forced to confront their painful past and dwindling legacy when youngest daughter Jewell’s misguided crime threatens them all, pushing them to navigate their deepest rifts and one final dangerous mission together.

The Titanic Survivors Book Club : a novel
by Timothy Schaffert

Paris bookshop owner Yorick, joining a secret society of other Titanic ticket holders who didn’t board the ship, forms a book club where they can grapple with their good fortune and anxieties through heated discussions of literature, but when one of them unexpectedly dies, he wonders what fate has in store.

Dead broke, Colorado
by William W. Johnstone

When the silver boomtown of Dead Broke collapses into chaos, Mayor Nugget enlists gunslinger Mick MacMicking to restore order, facing off against gambler Connor Boyle and his hired guns in a desperate fight to save the town from complete destruction. Original.

New Audiobooks

The Secrets of Flowers
by Sally Page

As Hollywood prepares for its most glamorous evening, five actresses compete to see who will claim the top prize. Peeling back the layers of women who are in the business of being perceived, these five women work to push their careers forward and maintain the public’s goodwill, and all five are forced to confront truths about themselves that they would rather ignore.

Broken Country
by Clare Leslie Hall

Beth and her husband Frank are happily married, but their relationship relies on the past staying buried. When Beth’s brother-in-law shoots a dog going after their sheep, it alters the course of their lives because the dog belonged to Gabriel Wolfe, the man Beth loved as a teenager. Gabriel has returned to the village with his young son Leo, a boy who reminds Beth very much of her own son, who died in a tragic accident. As Beth is pulled back into Gabriel’s life, tensions around the village rise and dangerous secrets and jealousies from the past resurface, this time with deadly consequences. Beth is forced to make a choice between the woman she once was and the woman she has become.

Hang on St. Christopher
by Adrian McKinty

Rain slicked streets, riots, murder, chaos. It’s July 1992 and the Troubles in Northern Ireland are still grinding on. Based on true events, Detective Inspector Sean Duffy must unentangle parallel operations by the CIA, MI5, and Special Branch. Duffy attempts to bring a killer to justice while trying to keep himself and his team alive as everything unravels around them.

New Nonfiction

Expect great things! : how the Katharine Gibbs School revolutionized the American workplace for women
by Vanda Krefft

A social history of the Katharine Gibbs School, revealing how it trained women for secretarial roles while empowering them to challenge sexism and achieve groundbreaking success across various fields from the 1910s to the 1960s. 12,000 first printing. Illustrations.

The next conversation : argue less, talk more
by Jefferson Fisher

“From communication expert Jefferson Fisher, the definitive book on making your next conversation the one that changes everything. No matter who you’re talking to, The Next Conversation gives you immediately actionable strategies and phrases that will forever change how you communicate. Jefferson Fisher, trial lawyer and one of the leading voices on real-world communication, offers a tried-and-true framework that will show you how to transform your life and your relationships by improving your next conversation”

The lost and the found : a true story of homelessness, found family, and second chances
by Kevin Fagan

An empathetic exploration of homelessness in San Francisco through the stories of Rita and Tyson, two individuals battling addiction and striving to escape their circumstances, as well as a commentary on the broader societal issues of housing inequality and addiction, shaped by the author’s personal experiences and journalistic background.

Phenomena : An Infographic Guide to Almost Everything
by Camille Juzeau

This fabulous infographics book is packed with fascinating facts about nature, science, culture, and more. Vibrant visuals break down 124 need-to-know topics, one per page, from the structure of the atom to the makeup of the stars, animal tracks to the inner working of the brain, and echolocation to feats of human engineering. Anyone curious about life on Earth (and beyond) will relish this delightful dip into a vast ocean of knowledge.

The cure for women : Dr. Mary Putnam Jacobi and the challenge to Victorian medicine that changed women’s lives forever
by Lydia Reeder

“How Victorian male doctors used false science to argue that women were unfit for anything but motherhood-and the brilliant doctor who defied them After Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman to graduate from medical school, more women demanded a chance to study medicine. Barred entrance to universities like Harvard, women built their own first-rate medical schools and hospitals. Their success spurred a chilling backlash from elite, white male physicians who were obsessed with eugenics and the propagation of the white race. Distorting Darwin’s evolution theory, these haughty physicians proclaimed in bestselling books that women should never be allowed to attend college or enter a profession because their menstrual cycles made them perpetually sick. Motherhood was their constitution and duty. Into the midst of this turmoil marched tiny, dynamic Mary Putnam Jacobi, daughter of New York publisher George Palmer Putnam and the first woman to be accepted into the world-renowned Sorbonne medical school in Paris. As one of the best-educated doctors in the world, she returned to New York for the fight of her life. Aided by other prominent women physicians and suffragists, Jacobi conducted the first-ever data-backed, scientific research on women’s reproductive biology. The results of her studies shook the foundations of medical science and higher education. Full of larger than life characters and cinematically written, The Cure for Women documents the birth of a sexist science still haunting us today as the fight for control of women’s bodies and lives continues”

Survival gardening : grow your own emergency food supply from seed to root cellar
by Sam Coffman

“Learn how to grow your own food supply with advice from a survival skills expert. This essential guide includes how to choose and grow the most nutrient-dense crops without store-bought amendments or fertilizers, how to plan for a nonstop supply, how tostore food, and how to create your own seed bank”

There’s always room at the table : farmhouse recipes from my family to yours
by Kaleb Wyse

“When Kaleb Wyse started documenting his daily life on his farm in Iowa, he didn’t think many people would take notice or even care. After all, his way of life is simple, guided by the seasons–he spends his days gardening, preserving, baking, and cooking, a rhythm not all that different from that of his parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents who worked the land before him. But it turns out that people from all over the country (and even the world) connected with Kaleb’s simple, back-to-basics way of living, and fell in love with his hearty, homestyle cooking. From casseroles to biscuits, his recipes hit the sweet spot of nostalgia for some–and are a breath of fresh air for others”

Making practical backyard projects in wood : beautiful things to make in a weekend, including ready-to-use plans & patterns.
by Inc. Fox Chapel Publishing Company

Offers detailed plans for creating 20 functional backyard items, from birdhouses and herb boxes to Adirondack chairs and tool sheds, featuring expert tips and designs to enhance outdoor living spaces for DIY enthusiasts of all skill levels. Original.

Jane Austen’s bookshelf : a rare book collector’s quest to find the women writers who shaped a legend
by Rebecca Romney

“Jane Austen’s Bookshelf investigates the disappearance of Austen’s heroes-women writers who were erased from the Western canon-to reveal who they were, what they meant to Austen, and how they were forgotten. Each chapter profiles a different writer including Frances Burney, Ann Radcliffe, Charlotte Lennox, Charlotte Smith, Hannah More, Elizabeth Inchbald, Hester Lynch Thrale Piozzi, and Maria Edgeworth-and recounts Romney’s experience reading them, finding rare copies of their works, and drawing on connections between their words and Austen’s. Romney collects the once-famed works of these forgotten writers, physically recreating Austen’s bookshelf and making a convincing case for why these books should be placed back on the to-be-read pile of all book lovers today. Jane Austen’s Bookshelf will encourage you to look beyond assigned reading lists, question who decides what belongs there, and build your very own collection of favorite novels”

The woman who knew everyone : the power of Perle Mesta, Washington’s most famous hostess
by Meryl Gordon

An extensively researched account of the life of a wealthy and influential Washington socialite of the mid-20th century, who inspired a Broadway musical with her extravagant parties, her close relationships with U.S. presidents, and her pioneering support for the Equal Rights Amendment.

Even more reading suggestions

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218 E. Madison Ave.
Iola, Kansas 66749
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