Two years removed from their previous venture to Ensor Park and Museum in Olathe, members of the Kansas City Blind Amateur Radio Club (KCBARC) were back at the eight-acre historic site the afternoon of Saturday, September 25 to have another "look," if you will, at the many interesting artifacts from a bygone era that await inspection by sighted visitors and blind visitors alike.
The group included Craig Martin, KY0O, the president of the club, and the club's vice president, Jose Lopez, N0SMC, both of whom got in on the trip to Ensor that took place in September of 2019. They were joined at the National Register of Historic Places property by the newest member of the club, Kelly Stanfield, W0YQG, who also belongs to Missouri's Dam Amateur Radio Klub, or DARK, and just happens to be the niece of our own Joe Krout, KR0UT.
When Kelly arrived at Ensor accompanied by her good friends Neil Dunham, KA8MMI, and his wife Charissa, KB4BML, she became the third generation of the Krout family to visit this special place, following in the footsteps of her uncle, of course, and her grandfather, Harry Krout, W0YQG-SK, as well. Harry and Joe restored Marshall Ensor's 1,000-watt transmitter of 1937 several years ago, and Kelly is pictured here holding a framed copy of the 2013 Kansas City Star story about that monumental feat as she stands in the doorway of the Radio Room inside the Ensor home. “It was great to finally get here as the third generation," Kelly told me after completing her tour of the house and the Peg Barn. "It was neat to see some of the things from past times. I'm still amazed." The former Kansan went on to add that Neil and Charissa "were great in making this happen for me.”
Jose was equally impressed with Ensor Park and Museum, where Marshall's many achievements and those of his sister Loretta and their parents Jacob and Ida are preserved for all to enjoy and celebrate. "It was incredible," he remarked. "Great way to get my vivid imagination going and I could very easily do a 12-hour tour. So much to see and do."
Chuck Chamberlin, KD0VXN, and his daughter Charlotte, WA0JRJ, were with Jose as he toured the two-story house and the quaint barn to the east of it.
Craig was accompanied to Ensor by his wife Janet, KD0EJA, and was in a reflective mood when I contacted him later in the day to ask him about the experience. "My wife and I enjoyed the tour," he said in an email, adding, "I think we learn how fortunate we are when observing how the Ensors lived, and how much these gifted people accomplished. It makes me very appreciative of our many blessings from above."
On hand to help facilitate the tour by the KCBARC members were Chet Hallberg, K0TCB, and Rod Rodriguez, K6WBJ.
Our club was represented at Ensor by three tour guides, Marty Peters, KE0PEZ, Howard Cripe, N0AZ, and myself.