· Western Kansas Photo Club · I’m a postcard collector and historian who loves reading, research, and writing. As a result, I’ve been curious about some early-day Kansas photographers who created some of the postcards in my collection. Now that I know these people better, I’m ready to share some of the conversations they might have had. The following is a story with real people and events. The meeting actually took place. Let me set the scene for you. Photographers from Kansas during late … [Read more...] about Creative Non-Fiction
Archives for August 2019
Richard Wickliffe
· Captain Richard Wickliffe Giving, Not Taking · People who know Richard Wickliffe remark about how he’s always calm. I’ve never seen him upset. So, when we sat down together for an interview, I had to see if he would share his secret. And while I was at it, maybe I’d also learn how a guy who retired from the Hutchinson Police Department (HPD) in 2001 at age 64, still looks young enough to be running marathons. Richard, a/k/a/ “Wick”, didn’t reveal his secret of eternal youth but he did … [Read more...] about Richard Wickliffe
Powerful Poetry
· Powerful Poetry: Annika Smith · After speaking with Annika Smith, senior at Buhler High School, it’s clear that teachers really do help change the world. Annika, a/k/a Anni, is an excellent example. I only met Annika in April during her book signing at Bookends book store in Hutchinson, KS. I didn’t know that she considered herself a shy learner. What I observed was a person who had successfully published a book of her poetry during her junior year in high school, scheduled her own … [Read more...] about Powerful Poetry
Is this man Elmer Swanson?
· Is this man Elmer Swanson? Photo Postcard from the Past · Is this man Elmer Swanson? Morgan Williams, collector and expert on exaggeration postcards, sent me another postcard challenge. As I examined the image of the front and markings on the back, I thought, Boy, there isn’t much information here! The photograph had the feeling of early 1900s but the clues were sparse: a man, sharply dressed, was holding a sword next to a step-ladder. He was staged as if preparing to climb the … [Read more...] about Is this man Elmer Swanson?
