Questers Conventions!
2024 Nebraska State Day
October 11-12, 2024 Gering, Nebraska |
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Hat's Off to History!
Hats always topped well-dressed ladies in the 1920s and 1930s. Many women had a hat for each of her outfits, color coded and beautifully expressing her personality. Not only did hats complete milady’s fashionable ensemble, but hats also provided many practical benefits as well. They shaded the face thereby preventing freckles and sunburns and future wrinkles. Hats were hand-made, and custom fitted by the milliner using materials that harmonized with the dress the lady planned to wear with the hat. So, why did women stop wearing hats? The answer is surprising! As automobiles became popular, hats were often in the way when a lady stepped into a car. Gradually the cars won the battle! Today hats are OFF in salute to our history.
Hats always topped well-dressed ladies in the 1920s and 1930s. Many women had a hat for each of her outfits, color coded and beautifully expressing her personality. Not only did hats complete milady’s fashionable ensemble, but hats also provided many practical benefits as well. They shaded the face thereby preventing freckles and sunburns and future wrinkles. Hats were hand-made, and custom fitted by the milliner using materials that harmonized with the dress the lady planned to wear with the hat. So, why did women stop wearing hats? The answer is surprising! As automobiles became popular, hats were often in the way when a lady stepped into a car. Gradually the cars won the battle! Today hats are OFF in salute to our history.
Robert Zemanek presented a very interesting and informative talk about genealogic research. He listed several websites that provide information to help find historical records about ancestors. There are many types of records available from census records to church records to military records, etc. It is amazing the records we all create living our lives. Homestead records provide names and dates of people who took advantage of President Lincoln's Homestead Act. People who wanted to become land owners could file a claim and earn the land in five years by living on the claim, building a shelter, breaking the sod, and planting crops. Really successful homesteaders also accumulated livestock and created a working farm or ranch. Since people, mostly from Europe, Scandinavia, England and Ireland immigrated to America, they fought the American Revolution, The French and Indian War, and the Civil War, there are many military records as well as pension records. It is truly amazing the amount of information that is available. Mr. Zemanek used slides to illustrate the different types of records and how to apply them to personal history. He spoke of Soloman Butcher, a failed homesteader, who traveled around Custer County, Nebraska taking photos of homesteading families to publish in a book. After many starts and stops, he was able to publish his "Pioneer History of Custer County."
Our hosts, Dome Rockers #1487, decorated the tables with their collections:
Jadeite Fire King Dinnerware -- Virginia Clark
Anchor Hocking
Jade Green Glass
First created in the 1930s, jadeite is used for all types of things, but most commonly dishware and kitchenware. It first became popular in the Victorian era, then fell out of style for a time until World War II when glass companies found it could be stylish, plus affordable, to make.
Anchor Hocking
Jade Green Glass
First created in the 1930s, jadeite is used for all types of things, but most commonly dishware and kitchenware. It first became popular in the Victorian era, then fell out of style for a time until World War II when glass companies found it could be stylish, plus affordable, to make.
Blue Willow China - Doris Rush
Quintessentially English, made by Churchill China 1795 in the heart of The English Potteries Blue Willow is one of Churchill’s most famous and timeless collections. These pieces are classic and encompass the traditional feel that has made Willow world famous. The iconic design was originally made in 1818, a crisp and clear pattern, beautiful blue color, and smooth texture.
By the 1800s English manufacturers mastered techniques to mass produce earthen ware almost as fine as chinaware. A major revolution, transfer print engraving developed in Worchester, England about 1760 where the engraver produced a design on a single copper plate from which multiple copies were printed on a special paper. Each sheet of paper was applied to a piece of dampened biscuit then firing would burn off the paper leaving an exact replica.
The blue Willow pattern tells an interesting story as illustrated in the Blue Willow legend. The beautiful daughter of a powerful man fell in love with her father’s secretary. Discovering their love, the father banished the secretary and constructed a great fence to keep his daughter contained. She could walk by the water and the willows. She despaired until she received a message from her lover. At a banquet, he rescued her, but her father noticed and chased them across a bridge. They got away, but years later, her father caught up with them. The secretary was killed, and the daughter died as well. In pity, the gods turned them both into doves so they could fly together forever.
Quintessentially English, made by Churchill China 1795 in the heart of The English Potteries Blue Willow is one of Churchill’s most famous and timeless collections. These pieces are classic and encompass the traditional feel that has made Willow world famous. The iconic design was originally made in 1818, a crisp and clear pattern, beautiful blue color, and smooth texture.
By the 1800s English manufacturers mastered techniques to mass produce earthen ware almost as fine as chinaware. A major revolution, transfer print engraving developed in Worchester, England about 1760 where the engraver produced a design on a single copper plate from which multiple copies were printed on a special paper. Each sheet of paper was applied to a piece of dampened biscuit then firing would burn off the paper leaving an exact replica.
The blue Willow pattern tells an interesting story as illustrated in the Blue Willow legend. The beautiful daughter of a powerful man fell in love with her father’s secretary. Discovering their love, the father banished the secretary and constructed a great fence to keep his daughter contained. She could walk by the water and the willows. She despaired until she received a message from her lover. At a banquet, he rescued her, but her father noticed and chased them across a bridge. They got away, but years later, her father caught up with them. The secretary was killed, and the daughter died as well. In pity, the gods turned them both into doves so they could fly together forever.
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Pink for Christmas!-- Cindy Duncan
From outfits to home decor, Barbiecore is about vibrant pink shades and an ultra-feminine aesthetic (think sparkles, hearts, flowers, and feathers) — but it is not all about wearing and decorating with pink. The fashion and home decor trend celebrates confidence, creativity, and uniqueness, and those who embrace the cheerful style are choosing to live a little bolder. Let your imagination go wild and create a real-life dreamhouse. Adopting a Barbiecore design does not mean only one thing — it's entirely up to your interpretation. |
Indurated Fibre Ware -- Pat Lind
In the 1880s these widely accepted lightweight and incredibly strong articles were manufactured and sold throughout the United States. Because they were molded in one piece without joints or seams, every article is impervious to liquids, either hot or cold, cannot shrink, warp, swell, water soak, or rust. Wood or bamboo fiber, treated with zinc chloride provided the “material of a million uses” to create these amazing items. Each item manufactured by United Indurated Fibre Co. of New Jersey was stamped on the bottom with the patent numbers.
In the 1880s these widely accepted lightweight and incredibly strong articles were manufactured and sold throughout the United States. Because they were molded in one piece without joints or seams, every article is impervious to liquids, either hot or cold, cannot shrink, warp, swell, water soak, or rust. Wood or bamboo fiber, treated with zinc chloride provided the “material of a million uses” to create these amazing items. Each item manufactured by United Indurated Fibre Co. of New Jersey was stamped on the bottom with the patent numbers.
Teddy Bears Old and New – Judi Widmaier
Teddy Bears became the rage around 1907 when Teddy Roosevelt was hunting and refused to kill a little bear. It was such a big news item that a man named Clifford Berryman did cartoons and the newspapers picked them up. Morris Mitchtom, a toy maker from Russia and his wife were charmed by the story and devised a soft toy which looked like the bear and called it “Teddy’s Bear.” Around 1889 in Germany, Margarete Steiff began making stuffed animals as a business. Pictured left is “Tubby” made by Rushton, USA, and pictured right is an original Steiff bear with jointed arms and legs. |
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Fundraiser Baskets Table - Tickets purchased for drawing to win. The money benefits the grants fund.
Laurel Zielenski is the 2025 State Day chairperson. She Invited all of us to attend. The theme of the day will be "It happened in Nebraska." Tammy Partsch is the author of a book by the same name. She has not only granted permission for Nebraska Questers use the her book as the basis of our State Day Celebration, she agreed to attend as a speaker. It is sure to be an exciting day.
Save the Date!
2025 Nebraska State Day
First Presbyterian Church in Bellevue, Nebraska
October 18, 2025
Save the Date!
2025 Nebraska State Day
First Presbyterian Church in Bellevue, Nebraska
October 18, 2025
Additional photos of the Reception and State Day courtesy of Virginia Clarke
