Red House opens club with spring frolic

Saturday's spring frolic, held at the Red House Interpretive Center, focused on children learning about history through interactive means. Docent Laurie Hamblin, also a Southeast Missouri State University history instructor, was selected to create the Kid's Club program for grades 3 through 6. Six children were registered for Saturday's Lewis and Clark topic. One was 9-year-old Josh Green, who got a note at school announcing the club. He arrived at 9:30 a.m., anxiously waiting to learn more about Lewis and Clark. The tale of 9-year-old Merriwether Lewis, who went hunting to return and find his home on fire, was enough to whet the boy's appetite for extending the history lessons begun at Blanchard Elementary.

Rosemary Oxley played the mountain dulcimer on the front porch, allowing children to play the early folk instrument as she told them about it. "It's very likely the dulcimer was around when Lewis and Clark were here," she said.

Equipped with a five-foot storytelling stick, a special gift from his Cherokee brother, Mike Seabaugh drew children in with Native American stories. Carved in the top of the stick is Seabaugh's Cherokee name, Yonaegwa, meaning Great Bear. He explained that the carved seven circles of life were significant because the number seven is sacred to the culture.

Seabaugh told a story he believed was part of his mother's heritage, the Cherokees who escaped the Trail of Tears. His ancestry is known today as the Northern Cherokee Nation of the Old Louisiana Territory and strives to be federally recognized. Seabaugh said American Indian history was important to learn to keep the culture alive and to avoid repeating some of the history.

The future schedule includes June 24, July 29 and Sept. 30, with the topics of the Lorimier family, the fur trade, American Indians and the early history of Cape Girardeau. Hamblin said the group may tour the mural wall as topics lend themselves; quill making is a future project, probably for September. Kid's Club registration will be limited to the first 15 children, and they will receive a certificate, a book and a Red House pin.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133