2004 Santa Fe Trail Rendezvous Registration Information

Data was received from the 2004 Santa Fe Trail Rendezvous registration roster, the 2003 National Santa Fe Trail membership roster, and the records of the various chapters for this study. Variables investigated included the number of registrants per state, SFT membership, and chapter membership.

The findings were as follows.

A total of 221 registered

By state
AZ 1            MO 3
CA 1            NM 12
CO 13          OH 2
FL 2            OK 12
IA 5            OR 13
IL 2            TX 5
KS 148        WA 2

82 registrants were National Santa Fe Trail members
60 registrants were chapter members
49 registrants were both National Santa Fe Trail and chapter members
14 registrants were chapter members but not National Santa Fe Trail members

Several factors influenced the above findings

24 registrants were associated with the Historic Trail Flyers, one of which was a National Santa Fe Trail member

25 registrants were Fort Larned National Historic Site volunteers. Three of this number were National Santa Fe Trail chapter members 18 registrants were speakers or companions

11 registrants were employees of the Santa Fe Trail Center or the Fort Larned National Historic Site

31 registrants were Wet/Dry Route members

Minutes of Summer Meeting
The Wet/Dry Routes Chapter met on July 9, 2004 at The Little Red House in Larned, Kansas. Business conducted included a discussion of additional interpretive markers to be erected at selected sites. Approved were such markers at Jones Point and Love's Defeat. Following a hamburger and watermelon feed, the chapter was treated to a classical guitar concert by Borislav Peranovic from Kinsley, Kansas. He is a recent Bosnia immigrant who produced the portraits of the early Larned citizens associated with The Little Red House. Many thanks go to Bob Rein for his chef skills and to Barbara German and Alice Clapsaddle for the preparation of the food.

Upcoming Fall Meeting
The Chapter will gather for its fall meeting, on October 17, 2004 at the Prairie Tavern in Burdett, Kansas. Arrangements have been made for members to be served from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. Following, the business meeting will be conducted and subsequently the program will be presented. The program will be on the "Fort Hays/Fort Dodge Road" which ran a few miles west of Burdett. By the way, the barbecue is great and the soup and homemade ice cream are delicious. The Prairie Tavern is located in the basement of the old Catholic church.

Rendezvous 2004
The Santa Fe Trail Rendezvous conducted in Larned September 16-19 registered 221 people. The Wet/Dry Route Chapter was well represented. Larry Mix presented programs related to the Chapter web site and Directory of Santa Fe Trail Sites Auto Tour. David Clapsaddle spoke on "Pawnee Rock as seen Through the Eyes of Matt Field" in addition to conducting two field trips on the Fort Hays/Fort Dodge Road. Additionally, the chapter prepared and served the evening meal on September 17. With out doubt it was the tastiest meal of the entire Rendezvous. Kudos once again to Rusti Gardner and her many helpers.

Kitchen crew: Rusti Gardner, Barbara German, Barbara Koester, Jack Gardner, Mildon Yeager, Mike Seymour.

Servers: Guy Snyder, Rosetta Graff, Church Frankenfeld, David & Alice Clapsaddle, Dale & Karen Otte, Thelmarie Wilhite, Merlene Baird, Lee & Dorothy Kroh

Ida is Recovering
We are pleased to report that Ida Yeager, charter member of Larned is making a strong recovery following a serious automobile accident on September 6. Her address is 416 Wichita, Larned, KS 67550

Chapter Losses
The chapter in recent months has lost two valuable members: Clete Walters of Great Bend and Dr. Richard Dryden of Dodge City, Kansas. Our thoughts are with the respective families.

Dick Dryden Memorial
An unsolicited contribution has been made to establish a memorial to the late Dr. Richard Dryden. At the fall meeting a proposal will be made to dedicate one of the several interpretive markers as a memorial to Dr. Dryden. Others wishing to contribute to the memorial fund may send checks to the chapter treasurer. Bob Sallee, Box 355, Larned, KS. 67550

Note: Rusti Gardner's recipe for casserole served at Rendezvous 2004 is being shared with the world, Thanks Rusti!
Chicken Enchiladas
2 T Butter
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 C chicken, white meat, cooked, chopped
1 can green enchilada sauce
1 can cream mushroom soup
4 oz cream cheese
1 C green chiles chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 doz. corn tortillas
1/2 lb. longhorn cheese, grated
cooking oil

In a heated sauce pan, saute butter, onions & garlic until soft. Stir in chicken, soup, chiles & cream cheese. Cook over low heat until warm. Heat just enough cooking oil in skillet to lightly coat each tortilla. Turn until soft & set aside. Layer 4 tortillas alternating with 1/3 each of soup mixture & cheese. Top with cheese each time. Bake 350, for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Serves 4-6

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