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History is an odd paradox. I recall in high school not feeling a strong draw toward history. By the time I was in college, I caught the bug and gravitated to it, at one point even pursuing a teaching degree thinking I would have career teaching and coaching high school sports. I eventually changed majors and went into criminology and psychology. But the history part stuck with me. At some point, I wanted to know the history of the Sheriff’s Office. And what a long, strange history trail it has been to travel. Endeavoring to compile a list of everyone who had been sheriff opened a Pandora’s box of stories and exploits that make up our journey from 1855 to today.While digging through newspaper articles and microfiche at the local library with my father, Ray, the Sheriff’s Office articles jumped off the page at me. Collecting these stories often brought more questions to life as I tried to bring the pieces together.A case in point is a bank robbery in Linwood, Kansas, in October 1924. I was at first struck by the notion that Linwood once had a bank. The current city landscape does not hint at its previous existence. Linwood State Bank robbery

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Originally called the Tonganoxie Sunflower Quilt Guild in the early 1980s, the Basehor Quilt Club was most recently reorganized in January 2019. With 23 members, the group has its purpose defined as to promote quilting to local members and serve as a source of information, fellowship and community outreach and instruction.Janelle Kirchner has served as the group’s president for the past four years and said that it now meets the second Monday of the month at the Basehor Community Library. New members are always welcome to come learn what the group is all about. Meetings consist of a short presentation on quilting techniques by one of the members, who then can show their current projects.“Most of us have a stash of fabrics and supplies that we offer up on our ‘share table’ for anyone who wants to add to their own stash. Some of our members have longarm machines, but most send their projects out to be professionally quilted,” Kirchner said.In addition to sharing their love of the art of quilting, the Basehor Quilt Club also participates in community service projects each year. Last year, they made Christmas stockings to be distributed to local Meals on Wheels clients through the Leavenworth Council on Aging. They are currently working on fidget lap quilts for people suffering with dementia as well as making walker bags for senior citizens. In the past, they have made baby blankets as well as twin-sized quilts for young adults who are aging out of the foster care system.Each June brings a field trip to local quilt shops as well as a special lunch with members. This year, the group traveled to Lawrence but in the past they have traveled to Leavenworth and Parkville to visit those local quilt shops. Last year, members ventured to Lone Jack for lunch and a visit to the Hunters Quilt Mart in Centerville, Missouri. Earlier this month, members got together to get a tour from Basehor Mayor Dick Drennon of the new City Hall building and to learn about the happenings and future plans of the city.“I have enjoyed being a member of this group and meeting so many talented quilters. It is so inspiring to see the diversity in the designs members share. All of our members are so willing to share their knowledge with others,” Kirchner said.The next meeting of the Basehor Quilt Club will take place Aug. 12.