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Laura Ingalls Wilder Children's Literature Festival
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The Laura Ingalls Wilder Children's  Literature Festival

Mansfield, Missouri

In association with Laura Ingalls Wilder Home & Museum

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Festival Committee

Bios:

Rev. Nicholas Inman:  Rev. Nicholas Inman is the Director of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum and a charter member of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children's Literature Festival Committee (which he founded). He serves as a board member of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home Association. He is a published author and playwright and has dedicated much of his life to the preservation of American History through writing and speaking. He is the chairman of the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield, Missouri and the Senior Pastor of the Elkland Independent Methodist Church in Elkland, Missouri.  

Marie Bristol:  Marie Bristol is a retired business teacher of 31 years. She is active in her Ava community by serving in Kiwanis, Douglas/Ozark Counties Retired School Personnel, Ava Alumni Association, and DOCO Sheltered Workshop Board. As a docent at the Wilder Homes and Museum she loves sharing the history of Laura, Almanzo, and Rose.
 

 
Gayla Hancock:  Springfield, Missouri business owner with husband Kim.  Graduate of Southwest Baptist University with Elementary Education Degree.  Proud Mother and Grandmother.

 
 


Vicki Johnston:  Vicki has been with the Wilder Home and Museum since 2009.  She has been the Museum Supervisor since 2014. She handles the daily operations of the Wilder Home as well as Guest Services.  In 2016 she earned a Credly Badge from the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. She works behind the scenes during the Laura Ingalls Wilder Fiddle Off and is heavily involved in marketing for the Wilder Home and Museum taking care of social media post, television and radio promotions, as well as graphic design.
 


Teri Myers:   Teri Myers is a charter member of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival and lifelong resident of Seymour Missouri.  She worked for the state of Missouri 33+ years, retiring in 2017.  Teri is active in her community as a member of several boards and committees including Care to Learn, Webster County 911, Library Board and the Southern Webster County Fire Department.  She is currently employed with the City of Seymour as Library Director.  
 
Darlene Sorensen:  Darlene has volunteered several years giving tours during the Wilder Days at the Wilder home and loves greeting the visitors at the kitchen door and welcome them into Laura's kitchen!  She also has volunteered at the Laura Ingalls Literature Festival since it began.  She is the owner of 2BHealthy, transforming people's health and reversing age on the body, loves being a pastor's wife, ecstatic grandmother, member of Ava Lions Club, ACAL (Ava Citizens Action League), Ava Chamber of Commerce sub committee, the Douglas County Veterans Memorial Association, and founding member of Discover the Ozarks Festival . She loves serving the Lord in whatever capacity He allows be it business or volunteer.
 

Rae Lynne Swopes:  Rae Lynne encourages young people in her tutoring classes to read about U.S. History, famous inventors, authors, and things of interest.  She is also an active member of the Cabool Church of Christ and has a mission which includes visiting and the delivery of floral arrangements to the sick and shut-ins.  Rae Lynne taught pre-school through first grade for 34 years.  In 2002 she was elected as “Missouri Teacher of the Year” by the Republican Ladies Committee.  She enjoys time with her “grandangels”, family and friends. Her many interest include; reading, sewing, embroidery, gardening, and fishing.  She hopes to tour and visit several National Parks and famous historical sites in the future. Rae Lynne has worked at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum since May of 2018 as a docent and can be found most days in the front desk/reception area. 
 

Charlotte Karr:  Charlotte Karr is a retired third grade teacher from Springfield MO. She taught for 31 ½ years with 28 of those years being at Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary School in Springfield.  She loved teaching third graders about Laura Ingalls Wilder and took students on field trips to the Wilder Home each spring  for more than 20 years.  She currently enjoys volunteering at church and at her former school.  In addition to volunteering, she loves spending time with her family which includes two grandsons.  She and her husband love taking their grandsons on adventures and traveling now that they are both retired. 2023 is her first year on the Laura Ingalls Wilder Literature Festival Committee. 
 
Kim Ward:  Kim is a charter member of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children's Literature Festival Committee. She is also a children's author whose stories have been published in area newspapers. She serves as a docent at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum in Mansfield, MO. Kim was born and raised in Mansfield where she currently resides.
 

Laura Ingalls Wilder Children's Literature Festival
 

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(417) 924-3626    Instant Message  m.me/LIWCLF    Email liwclf@gmail.com   

Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum Website:  lauraingallswilderhome.com