2006 Year in Review

Fur Trader to Speak at Historical Society Annual Meeting

Food, facts, and furs make for a fun combination at the Historical Society Annual Meeting.

Morrison Historical Society members and the general public are invited to the Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 15, at the Morrison Community Room, 307 S. Madison. The potluck dinner begins promptly at 1:00. It is customary to bring table service, a meat dish, and another dish to pass. Beverages will be provided by the Board.

The program follows at 2:00. Guests may attend without participating in the meal. Frank Vavra will portray a fur-trader from the era of 1820 to 1840. A retired teacher since 2002, Vavra gives entertaining presentations to numerous students, Girl Scouts, historical sites, nursing homes, service organizations, churches, libraries, and state park campers. He participated in the July 8-10 tipi village during the Sesquicentennial festivities at the Whiteside County fairgrounds.

Vavra dresses in attractive period clothing of buckskin and moccasins with beaded knife sheath, jewelry, and “possibles” bag.

His impressive artifacts show the contrast between American Indian items and those the Whites would have offered in trade. Essentially, the difference is NATURAL material vs. METAL. The beaded items, tools, knives, and fur pelts appeal to all ages.

Community members are encouraged to join the Historical Society January 15 for this informative presentation and a tasty potluck meal.

by Stephanie A. Vavra, Guest Columnist
January 11, 2006