Visit the museum on Grasshopper Falls Day!

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

The grasshopper's annual claim to fame dominates the historical society museum window display this month. The wily playboy of the folklore insect world, berated by the industrious ants for his irresponsible capers and despised by farmers in the reality world for his voracious appetite and destructive invasions, enjoys celebrity status in the city's history.

The window display lauds the creature's "once-a-year day" (Grasshopper Falls Day) with a scattering of previous years' programs and brochures surrounded by signs of welcome, reminders of the city's effort to change the city's name, and a rare copy of the short-lived Sautrelle News. A weather-beaten, aged grasshopper replica claims center stage.

Cider and doughnuts will be available at the museum beginning at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

Annual meeting is October 18th

Deb Goodrich will be the guest speaker at the annual dinner and meeting of the Valley Falls Historical Society to be held at The Barn Bed & Breakfast Inn at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18.

Deb is a storyteller. Whether through writing or on camera, she educates and inspires. She is the cohost of the weekly television show, Around Kansas, the Wednesday

feature of AgaminKansas, on YouTube. She will be host to a new TV series, Out West, debuting in 2016. 

Deb is writing "Our Charley: From Reservation to Washington," (film script and book) on the life of Kansas's Vice President Charles Curtis, son of the Kaw Nation. She is an instructor for Osher, Lifelong Learning, and is much in demand as a speaker.

In spring 2012, the History Press released her book, "The Civil War in Kansas: Ten Years of Turmoil," (foreward by Gen. Richard Myers, 15th Chair of the Joint Chiefs).

Goodrich and co-author Michelle Martin wrote "Kansas Forts and Bases: Sentinels of the Prairie," released in February 2013 (foreward by retired col. Jerry Morelock, editor in chief of Armchair General Magazine).

Her third book with History Press was released in November 2014. Kansas Music Hall ofFame President Allen Blasco wrote the foreward to "Kansas Music: Stories of a Rich Tradition."

Author Esther Luttrell based the lead character in her newest book, "Murder in Magenta" on Goodrich.

Goodrich has appeared on C-SPAN and in numerous documentaries including two new releases: "Gunslingers" on American Heroes Channel and "The Road to Valhalla" from Lone Chimney Films (Winner of the 2015 Wrangler Award). 

Further information will be forthcoming.