Trek West Tribune
A publication of
the Nebraska Mormon Trails Association
June, 1996...Volume 1, Issue 3
... September, 1996
Mormon Trail Summit Gets Wagons Rollin'
The Mormon Trail summit held in Scottsbluff, NE. on August 30 and 31, resulted
in a new name and a
tentative schedule
for the
sesquicentennial wagon train. The official name for the wagon train is
Mormon Trail
Wagon Train-150 Years. It will be governed by a seven-member executive
committee
consisting of representatives from previous wagon trains, handcart
companies, the
NMTA, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These leaders will
be
working together to form one wagon train having several segments, one on the
north side
of the Platte River, and one or more on the south. The
tentative schedule
denotes the route the wagon train will take on the northern
Mormon Trail. The southern route will start at Council Bluffs, IA.,
travel south to
Pacific Junction, cross the Missouri River into Plattsmouth, NE. and follow
the original
trail through Cass County until it merges with the old Government Supply Road
from Old
Fort Kearney (Nebraska City, 1846) to New Fort Kearney (Kearney, 1848).
Another
section may start at Old Wyoming, six miles south of Nebraska City, and join
the
southern segment near Murdock, NE.
News from the Nebraska Department of
Tourism
Amy Holmquist states that it is time for event organizers and
communities to start planning their Mormon Trails events to celebrate the
150th
anniversary of the trail in 1997. Do not forget to get your Mormon Trail
events listed in
the statewide Catolog of Events published by the Division of Tourism each
fall. The
Mormon Trails logo will be placed next to these events so that travelers will
be able to
see at a glance which events are related to the 150th celebration. The
deadline is Ocober
1, 1996 in order to be listed in the catolog. Contact Shirley Wichman at
800-228-4307
for information.
NMTA Minutes & Minutiae
By Ronnie O'Brien, NMTA
Secretary.
The NMTA met in August via video conference with sites in
Scottsbluff, North Platte, Kearney, Lincoln, and Omaha. Approximately 30
were in
attendence. The treasurer's report and the minutes of the last meeting were
approved.
Committe reports include the following:
Marketing, Promotion & Brochure
Amy Holmquist asked that if corrections were needed in the state Mormon Trail
brochure, let her know by phoning 800-228-4307. More National Park Service
brochures will be available in small quantities. Scottsbluff reported
that their three-
county brochure is due to be printed in October. Brian Hill thanked Amy
for listing
the NMTA often in the Tourism Tidbits newsletter put out by the Nebraska
Department
of Tourism. In addition, he stressed that although NMTA funds are low, the
NMTA
newsletter was still needed. Amy Holmquist reminded members that the
Nebraska
Travel Conference will be October 7-8, at the Red Lion Inn in Omaha and
stated that this
would be a great place to build the NMTA membership. The NMTA membership
list
is available by sending a fax request to 402-471-3026.
Fundraising
The
question was posed regarding whether the NMTA wanted to develop commemorative
items. Ronnie O'Brien shared a proposal presented to her by Larry England
of the JL2
wagon train for selling their line of commemoratives. Those present at the
meeting
expressed interest in having the NMTA develop commemorative items. Della
Cooper
will head a committee to research possible commemorative items and how to
produce
them.
Trail Identification and Marking
Carl Jones reported that $1400.00
has been gathered to help mark the Oxbow Trail in Nebraska. Brian Hill is
acquiring
county surveyor maps so he can work with Gail Holmes and Stanley Kimball to
map the
Mormon Trail in Nebraska. Amy Holmquist reported that the triangular
signs for the
state and federal highways should be up by this winter. North Platte
reported that the
place where the odometer was first used has been located, and they are
interested in
putting a National Parks sign there. Arnold Bateman of Scottsbluff
agreed to
administer the National Parks grant which was received. The NMTA
would like the
Mormon Trail to be marked in each county. It is the role of each county
chapter to
designate a trail marking expert. Please discuss this at your local chapter
meetings.
Special Events
Brian Hill made application to the River City Roundup to
be held in Omaha on September 28, 1996, beginning at 9:45am. The Mormon
Trail
Center at Winter Quarters will open its new office in the latter part of
November. A
preview of a display focusing on the Iowa segment of the Mormon Trail will
open also
the weekend after Thanksgiving, and run until January 4, 1997.
Wagon Trains
Brian Hill is the chairperson for a leadership committee which met August 30-
31 at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center in Scottsbluff for the purpose of
reaching an
agreement among all the wagon trains to follow one schedule. An 800 number
will be
established to accomodate phone calls from individuals interested in
traveling with the
wagon trains. Gail Holmes stressed that the Grand Encampment Committee
wants the
wagon trains to begin their journey from there because another large event
is planned.
Education Committee
Val Rasmussen has agreed to gather local histories.
If you have journals or papers relating to the Mormon Trail in Nebraska
please send
copies to Val Rasmussen at 3411 Cooper Avenue, Lincoln, NE., 68506, phone
402-435-
6328. Shauna Valentine reported that a Nebraska Social Studies
newsletter which
will include Mormon Trail history will be going out to teachers across the
state of
Nebraska. Ms. Valentine is still looking for individuals who would be
willing to give
Mormon Trial presentations in classrooms. If you are interested in doing
this in your
area, contact Shauna Valentine at 2660 Park Avenue, Lincoln, NE., 68502,
phone 402-
476-7450. A general script will be available for presenters.
Kanesville Tabernacle
Update
By Gail Holmes The Kanesville Tabernacle and visitor center in
Council Bluffs, IA. are awaiting paving of the parking lot and sidewalks,
after which the
facilities will be open from 9am-9pm through October 1, 1996, and from
10am-7pm from
October 1, 1996 through April 1, 1997. Special programs will be accomodated.
The
Kanesville Tabernacle will have a practice open to the public at the
tabernacle every
Thursday, and a special Thanksgiving and Christmas program are planned. The
Children
of Promise also plan a performance at Christmastime. For more information
call the
tabernacle office at 712-322-0500 or Gail Homes at 402-558-4081.
Upcoming NMTA Meeting Announced
The next NMTA meeting will be Monday, September 23, 1:00 to 3:00 pm MDT & 2:00
to 4:00pm CDT at the following sites: Scottsbluff: Panhandle Ed. Ctr,
4502 Ave I,
High Plains Rm; North Platte: McKinley Ed Ctr, 301 W. F St., Rm 1; Kearney:
Kearney
Public Library, 2020 1st Ave, Media Ctr Rm, 2nd Fl; Lincoln: Exec. Bldg, 521
S. 14 St,
1st Fl; & Omaha: State Office Bldg, 1313 Farnam on the Mall, 3rd Fl.
Here
is a sample of activities that communities might include in their
celebration of the
sesquicentennial of the Mormon Trail: Identify local historical
attractions, re-enact
trail happenings, or celebrate with other special events, such as wagon
train welcomes,
meals, or festivals.
NMTA OFFICERS:
Brian J. Hill
,
President
1411 5th Avenue Kearney, NE. 68847 308-237-5603
Nancy Johnson
,
Vice-President 1111 17th Avenue Central City, NE. 68826 308-946-2867
Ronnie O'Brien
,
Secretary 3333 Ramada Road Grand Island, NE. 68801
308-384-5150
Georgina A. Draur
,
Editor of TWT
Send the
information you want published in the next Trek West Tribune to RonnieO'Brien,
Secretary of the NMTA, 3333 Ramada Road, Grand Island, NE., 68801, orFAX to
308-
384-6551, by August 15, 1996. The Trek West Tribune is Publishedquarterly.
TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE NEBRASKA MORMON TRAILS
ASSOCIATION, COMPLETE THIS FORM, AND RETURN TO:
Brian J. Hill
President NMTA
1411 5th Avenue
Kearney, NE. 68847
(Check
one or more spaces below)
O Enclosed is $10 for individual or family NMTA
membership
O Enclosed is $20 for organizational NMTA membership.
O
I am willing to help develop a county chapter of the NMTA.
O I am willing to
serve on a NMTA standing committee.
Name:
__________________________
Organization:
_____________________
Address:
________________________
Phone:(______)
___________________
County: _________________________
If you have any questions about membership, trail celebrations, or other
matters related to the NMTA please contact Karen Hill at:
Phone: (308) 865-8727
Fax: (308) 865-8669
E-mail:
hill@platte.unk.edu
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