Howard Cripe, NØAZ, with LeEtta Felter in the Peg Barn Olathe City Councilwoman LeEtta Felter, who is challenging Mayor John Bacon for his job, was given a personal tour of Ensor Park and Museum the morning of Thursday, September 28, with SFTARC Secretary-Treasurer Marty Peters, KE0PEZ, Howard Cripe, NØAZ, Peg Nichols, KDØVQO, and myself doing the honors.
LeEtta, who represents Ward 3 on the City Council, spent about an hour and a half at the eight-acre site owned and operated by the city and used the opportunity to take several pictures, ask a few questions and otherwise become much better acquainted with the place. She also announced that the Felter Family Trust would be making a $500 donation to The Olathe Ensor Foundation.
"It's a treasure," LeEtta remarked in the parking lot before the tour commenced as she steadily looked in the direction of the Ensor home and the outbuildings to the east and south of it. Struck by the tranquility of her surroundings on a pleasant fall day, and apparently not really expecting anything in the way of affirmation, she then asked, "It's so peaceful isn't it?"
The councilwoman proceeded to add, "It's important to preserve our history."
The tour concluded, and back in the parking lot, a very-much-impressed LeEtta said, "We want to make sure to preserve and protect this. This is beautiful ... unbelievable ... unbelievable."
Park Services Manager Paul Krueger and John Gray, KDØVRS, also were on hand for the tour, which started with the two-story Italianate house where amateur radio pioneers Marshall and Loretta Ensor were raised and ended with the Peg Barn.
The current mayor got a first-hand look at Ensor Park and Museum in 2021.