Life Enrichment Presentation to Feature Santa Fe Trail History

Butler Community College’s Life Enrichment will host Dave Kendall on Tuesday, April 6 at 9 a.m.

Kendall’s presentation will feature short videos addressing topics related to the historical significance of the Santa Fe Trail, a national historic trail, drawing upon materials generated in the production of a documentary about the trail. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the first successful trading expedition from Missouri to Santa Fe, which was a part of the newly independent republic of Mexico at that time. In contrast to the Oregon Trail, which carried pioneer settlers to the West Coast, the Santa Fe Trail served as an international trail of commerce, playing a key role in the westward expansion of the United States. The documentary will premiere this summer on public broadcasting stations.

Kendall directed his first documentary in 1982 and has since produced dozens of programs related to Kansas history and culture. After serving as host of the “Sunflower Journeys” series on public television for 27 years, he retired from his position as Executive Producer at KTWU to form Prairie Hollow Productions, an independent production company through which he continues to produce documentaries. A fifth generation Kansan, his great, great grandfather served as a teamster on the Santa Fe Trail before settling down to farm in Morris County, Kansas, shortly before Kansas entered the union.

Life Enrichment is meeting virtually on the first Tuesday morning of the month during the school year. Meetings take place online via Zoom or YouTube. The link to access the meetings is available on the Butler website at www.butlercc.edu/life-enrichment. Meetings are open to everyone and there is no charge to attend. Those who attend regularly are encouraged to register so they receive monthly newsletters announcing the programs. New members are always welcome.

For more information about Life Enrichment, contact Trisha Walls at 316-218-6355 or [email protected].