Submitted

RUSSELL — End of winter? Not so. Ladies came to Russell to declare the “End of Winter” with a Scrapbooking Retreat from Friday, March 1, straight through Sunday, March 3. These talented ladies proved they could craft and create without stopping. Three ladies went without sleep at all, and all ladies scrapped into the night without sleeping.

Those attending the Retreat were from a wide area, including Hill City, Plainville, Damar, St. John, Ellsworth, Great Bend, Hutchinson, Hays, Hoisington, Salina, Nebraska, and Missouri. A total of 33 ladies attended this End of Winter Scrapbooking Retreat. Several brought family members to town for their own adventures.

Fossil Creek helped everyone out following the winter storm. They scooped and shoveled and helped dig out cars from being stuck. The 5 1/2 new inches of snow and high winds moved in on an existing 6 inches of snow made for treacherous and below freezing cold circumstances.

Russell Economic Development and Convention and Visitors Bureau were instrumental in helping host this event. Accommodations and advertising were part of the fun at the Retreat. Joni Driscoll, at Getting Noticed in Russell, made T-shirts. The shirts declare: “This Chick Didn’t Sleep at the Scrapbooking Retreat, Russell, KS.”

Local restaurants were happy to deliver meals and Teri Helwer delivered homemade bierocks. The bierocks were so delicious, the group tried to order more for the next day. Among the towns represented, bierocks were also referred to as Runzas and Cabbage Burgers. Our German heritage and traditions are of interest to visiting people.

Such complimentary expressions were received regarding the hospitality of Russell. Registrants chose this event over similar events in other towns and states. They look forward to coming back to Russell. Many are already signed up for the next Scrapbooking Retreat coming in September 2019, Let’s Flamingle!