Reviews
Date: January 28, 2009 Section: Local News
By DIANE GASPER-O'BRIEN, dobrien@dailynews.net
Salina woman brings history to schools
La CROSSE - Schools across the state are choosing a variety of ways this week to celebrate Kansas Day, which is Thursday.
Area elementary schools got a treat in addition to their usual Kansas Day activities.
The Hays Arts Council, which annually sponsors numerous programs for school-age children, this year brought in Ann Zimmerman, a singer and songwriter.
Zimmerman, an attorney who does musical performances in the Salina area as well as other states when she isn't busy at her law practice, was scheduled to give 12 performances in five different cities in three counties this week.
After "magically" turning the students into pioneers, Zimmerman took them back in time, when Kansas became a state in 1861.
Anyone listening had to be convinced that life back then was much tougher go than today as Zimmerman talked about traveling in covered wagons.
She definitely got their attention when she talked of a time when there were no radios and iPods or MP3 players.
"If you wanted to hear someone sing a song, you had to be standing right next to them," Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman's 45-minute presentation featured songs of life on the windy plains while she rotated playing the keyboard, the harp and the acoustic guitar to tell stories.
Bill Keeley, La Crosse USD 395 superintendent, said he is glad his students can benefit from the Hays Arts Council programs.
"Any time you can be exposed to fine arts is a plus, and we're very fortunate we are this close to Hays," Keeley said of the 30-mile distance. "It's good for our kids to experience that diversity."
In addition to La Crosse, Zimmerman also performed at two elementary schools in each of Ellis and Plainville, six in Hays and at Victoria Elementary.
Zimmerman had 30 Kansas Day programs scheduled for a two-week period, which will end Friday. And it was starting to take a toll on her voice this week.
"I may not sound so good today," she said Tuesday while setting up in the La Crosse Elementary School gym. "But there's only one time in my career that I lost my voice altogether. ... A couple more days."
