Sun, Nov 22 2009
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Little Balkans Days celebrates heritage of Southeast Kansas According to library records, steel magnate Andrew Carnegie already was well known for his philanthropy towards libraries across the country, and the Pittsburg community approached him for much needed support.
His donation of $40,000 angered the miners of the area and in order to appease them, the board agreed to leave the Carnegie name off of the front of the proposed building. It was one of the few Carnegie libraries built in Prairie Style architecture, another concession to the miners who did not want an elaborate, ornate facility. Today’s library patrons said it continues to play an important part in the community for its free access to printed resources, but also for its special programming throughout the year that is geared toward children, young adults and adults. Kathy Stuckey, president of the Friends group, said the annual sale is the primary funding source for the programs that to date have served 10,000 people — a feat the founding fathers of the library would consider admirable. “I look forward to this sale all year. I return books I bought here last year and buy more, so it is sort of like I’m paying a rental fee to get them,” noted Colleen Brooks, Pittsburg, of her purchases, which included a stack of novels and biographies bought for between 50 cents and $1 each. “Most of them look brand new. Where else can you get such a bargain?” Nearby in another of Pittsburg’s historic buildings, Memorial Auditorium, the 21st annual Little Balkans Days Quilt Show also saw a steady stream of festival-goers interested in seeing 153 entries. “This is one of the biggest quilt shows in the Four-State Area,” said the show’s chair, Elma Hurt, a member of the Little Balkans Quilt Guild. “It probably is partially because quilters love to show off their work —to many of us it is as exciting as Christmas — and it is for quilters to see others’ work and get inspired,” she said. “But one of our goals is to further the love and art of quilt making, and the important role it has in history.” ‘Dog Days’ At the newly-dedicated Pritchett Pavilion in downtown Immigrant Park, more Southeast Kansas heritage was brought to life by The Little Balkans Troupe, which presented “Dog Days in the Coal Camp,” an original compilation of narratives, songs and historical vignettes. One, narrated by local performer Bill Sollner, described how an army of women — wives, mothers and sisters — protested the unfair working conditions their husbands, sons and brothers had to endure in the deep shaft coal mines of Southeast Kansas. “The Governor of Kansas denounced the group, declaring the women ‘aliens’ and ‘foreign born’ and called in the National Guard and a machine gun regiment,” Sollner read. “It made headlines, and The New York Times dubbed the women the Amazon Army ...” J.T. Knoll, who coordinated the Little Balkans Days Folklife Festival, served as emcee of the performance, which was attended by a packed house. “This is what the heart and soul of Little Balkans Days is all about because by doing this we head back to the early days of immigration and honor not only the seekers who came here and formed this community but their descendants who have stayed here and made the area thrive,” Knoll said. Other activities throughout the weekend included a petting zoo, carnival rides, car and motorcycle show, chili cook-off and arts and crafts show. 
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