The Crawford County Democratic Party picnic and meeting will be a bring-a-dish event with hamburgers and hot dogs on Saturday, June 15 from 1-3 pm in Lincoln Park Shelter House #3, 813 Memorial Drive in Pittsburg.

We’ll get together, discuss our strategies, meet candidates, recognize volunteers, plan upcoming events and enjoy a day in the park. We need you, your families and friends to join us for our collective success.

Please let Emily know if you have any items you'd like to see added to the agenda at emily@crawfordcountyksdems.org

We are hoping to see everyone there!

By Harriet Bachner and Jim Orwig

On May 25 we, as candidates, had the opportunity to attend the Kansas Democratic Convention in Wichita where the at-large delegates, alternates and electors, among others, were elected to attend the Democratic National Convention being held in Chicago in August.

The process involved each candidate delivering a two-minute presentation briefly describing why they want to attend the Democratic National Convention  Those to be elected included four party leaders and elected official delegates (PLEO) – two identifying as males and two identifying as females, seven at-large delegates – four identifying as male and three identifying as female), three at-large alternates – two identifying as male and one identifying as female, and six presidential electors – three identifying as male and three identifying as female.

DNC committee members were also nominated with a speech on behalf of the candidate nominated. Each candidate had three minutes to address the committee. Then two candidates were elected – one identifying as male and one identifying as female – who will represent the Kansas Democratic Party as members of the Democratic National Committee for the next four years.

The variety of presentations of more than 30 candidates was spirited and hopeful, with the most inspiring ones coming from young Democrats. A few of these young Democrats had just graduated from high school this May and were excited about voting for the first time in this election. We really appreciated their enthusiasm and the vitality that they bring to the Kansas Democratic delegation.

Some of the candidates from the Baby Boom generation reflected upon not being allowed to vote at age 18 and certainly were not able to participate in the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago, even though some served in the armed forces and fought in combat. These folks showed a depth of understanding regarding what is at stake for our democracy and especially for the youth in our country in this election.

The intersection of the energy and optimism of the young people and the wisdom and experiences of the older adults brings a dynamic force to the delegation from Kansas. At a time when there is cynicism and fear from both political parties about the future of this nation, we felt from the youth their anticipation of their whole life ahead of them and their desire to “right” the possible serious dangers that they face.

As older adults, sensing and believing that this election will have a tremendous impact on our nation and the rest of the world, we want so much to guide them to a better future. May each of us who are committed to bringing justice and peace to this world welcome the gifts of the next generation. Let it be so.

By Susy Hammons

We met on May 8th, at Dem HQ.  There was a lot of enthusiasm in the room.  Probably because Emily was there.  I arrived 10 minutes before 12 and the room was almost filled.  

Janice explained the items women at Safehouse need most:  cleaning supplies, dishwasher soap, laundry soap and they would love homemade cookies.  Bring donations to HQ.  Everything would be delivered for Mother's Day.  

Janice was wearing the amazing Donkey t-shirt her daughter had designed.  They are available at Sign Brothers for $25.  Janice told a wonderful story of her 11 year old grandson going to a party for this very popular friend that everyone likes because he is so kind.  Turns out he is autistic.  A very hopeful story.  Ruth commented on the positive change of having all kids in the classroom instead of being isolated.

Emily explained the reason behind the postcard campaign encouraging Republican women who voted in the primary and voted for preserving rights for abortion, but then didn't  vote in the general election.  The postcards won't be printed until after everyone has filed to run on June 3rd.  Then we can have Democratic candidates printed on the postcards.  We will have printed address labels.  We will come up with a simple handwritten message to personalize it.  Marcia's brother, Marlon, will format the postcard after we get all the info we need.  So, a great project for Liberal Ladies when all is ready.

Toni brought news from Columbus that they have a young man, 29, who is willing to be an active part of their Democratic organization.  He has great computer skills!  Toni was very interested in trainings for canvassing. 

Emily reported we are one out of five HQ across Kansas!!!  Thanks to Emily and Lynn for making this happen!

We plan to meet again on June 19th at 6:30 PM at Crawford County Democratic Headquarters. An email reminder will be sent to all on our book club list. If you have a friend interested, send their name and email to jfk1308@gmail.com. The book for June is "Ordinary Grace" , a novel by William Kent Krueger. Below is a synopsis from the internet. 

“That was it. That was all of it. A grace so ordinary there was no reason at all to remember it. Yet I have never across the forty years since it was spoken forgotten a single word.”

New Bremen, Minnesota, 1961. The Twins were playing their debut season, ice-cold root beers were selling out at the soda counter of Halderson’s Drugstore, and Hot Stuff comic books were a mainstay on every barbershop magazine rack. It was a time of innocence and hope for a country with a new, young president. But for thirteen-year-old Frank Drum it was a grim summer in which death visited frequently and assumed many forms. Accident. Nature. Suicide. Murder.

Frank begins the season preoccupied with the concerns of any teenage boy, but when tragedy unexpectedly strikes his family—which includes his Methodist minister father; his passionate, artistic mother; Juilliard-bound older sister; and wise-beyond-his-years kid brother—he finds himself thrust into an adult world full of secrets, lies, adultery, and betrayal, suddenly called upon to demonstrate a maturity and gumption beyond his years.

Told from Frank’s perspective forty years after that fateful summer, Ordinary Grace is a brilliantly moving account of a boy standing at the door of his young manhood, trying to understand a world that seems to be falling apart around him. It is an unforgettable novel about discovering the terrible price of wisdom and the enduring grace of God.

Article submissions are needed from Crawford County Democrats and friends about issues and topics we should all be thinking about. We want to publish your thoughts in this Revue, for distribution to county Democrats and others across the state.

Please email your thoughts or those of your caucuses and interest groups for publication in the county party’s newsletter to news@crawfordcountyksdems.org. Accompanying photographs or other ideas for illustrating your articles are also welcome. Feel free to ask questions by text or phone of newsletter crew Harriet at 620-704-8566 or Phil at 708-466-0659. Also please include your phone number with your message in case we have questions for you.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

As of April 30, 2024