Quite a few volunteers showed up for a work day at Pioneer Trails Regional Museum this Saturday, and a lot was accomplished. There were people cleaning Union Prairie Church, sheetrocking walls, installing pavers, digging up sod, sweeping the cement areas, and moving scoria and petrified wood. A great big thanks to all who gave so generously of their time and energy.

It was a great day in May, a little cool, a little breezy, but not too bad, considering the cold, windy weather we’ve all grown used to around here. The chokecherries are leafing out, the golden currants are in bloom, and the bluebells have made their annual springtime debut. Maybe I can get some photographs tomorrow, as I plant some junipers and golden currants near the sod house.

The museum building used to be a lumberyard, and through the time, effort, and money of the community, it has become a fine regional center of history and culture. There are very interesting displays of art, local history, paleontology, natural history, farming, ranching, cowboys, Indians, and archaeology. Stop by and check it out if you’re in the area. It also has a great little gift shop, with a large selection of books, t-shirts, caps, educational toys, prints, note cards, coffee mugs, and music CD’s.

Sioux storyteller Mary Louise Defender Wilson gave a delightful presentation at Pioneer Trails Regional Museum yesterday afternoon. Using her native Dakota language, along with English, she told the story of a young Sioux woman who turned herself into stone. She emphasized the importance of learning your own language, and told about her late husband, who was a Navajo code talker during World War II.

Mary Louise Defender Wilson

Pioneer Trails Regional Museum in Bowman recently added some ceramic tiles by Sarah Snavely to their front entry. Volunteers Colleen Kelley and Angie Moser hung the colorful tiles on a pillar painted “Old Mexico” red. The tiles have a regional theme, with images of buffalo, horses, wheat, flowers, etc. Stop by and check it out if you’re in the area. Congratulations to those involved with the project. It really adds a beautiful touch to our community.