Tabor College

‘Life of a Pioneer Woman’ at Learning in Retirement Nov. 2

October 26, 2009

Categories: General News

Dressed in authentic attire from the mid-1800s, Helene Longhofer will present “The Life of a Pioneer Woman” at the Tabor College Learning in Retirement Program, starting at 9:45 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2, in the Wohlgemuth Music Education Center.

Longhofer draws upon material found in the book, “Pioneer Women: Voices from the Kansas Frontier” by Joanna L. Stratton, as she presents her dramatic perspective of life mid-1800s.

“I enjoy sharing, especially with children, what life was like as an early pioneer,” Longhofer said. “I like to help people think about the hardships pioneers had to endure. Hopefully, this will make us all a little more appreciative of the many advantages that we have today.”

Longhofer was born in Salina and raised to have a deep appreciation for her pioneer Norwegian Lutheran heritage. Her great-grandfather was the founder of Bennington, Kan., where the old family homestead is now being carefully restored by a new owner.

Longhofer worked at the Wichita Clinic as a Clinical Research Coordinator for 15 years and has been an active community volunteer most of her life. She is the board chair of the Assistance League of Wichita and has served in many capacities for the charity.

She lives in a farm house that sat on the outskirts of Wichita when it was built in 1884. Today the farm land has been swallowed up by development and the old house is surrounded by the city.

The public is welcome to attend this session for $3. Registration and discount cards for lunch in the cafeteria will be available at the door during the half hour before the meeting. For more information, contact Connie Isaac, 620-947-5964 or Tabor College.