More Morganville, Kansas and Feves, France

A reminder of the special relationship that stretches across the Atlantic between Morganville, Kansas, and Feves, France.

December 29, 2013, marked the renewal of a relationship between Morganville, Kansas, (my hometown) and Feves, France. Morganville adopted Feves in 1948 to help rebuild the town after WWII by staging a highly successful pageant with attendant fund-raising schemes around the edges. The equivalent of today’s $10,000 was raised, which bought food for the French neighbors.

The nephew of 1948’s Feves’s school’s headmaster and family attended the reunion event. What a recollection! Exchanges of gifts and gratitude preceded a digital presentation from both countries. Comparisons of times 65 years ago updated the relationship and cemented ongoing mutual feelings of regard.

Pictures from the pageant proved equally interesting. I didn’t remember my involvement in the production until I saw a picture of myself at age 5, in a white dress, carrying a basket of flowers. I was part of the Scandinavian delegation as Captain Morgan passed through northwestern Europe.

A memento given to Morganville by Feves to say "thanks".

Renewed friendships, exchanges of memories—the pageant and more—and the warm feelings that come from having another reason to appreciate one’s roots gave reason for the smiles and hugs and reminisces that filled Morganville school’s former gymnasium.

Given that Morganville’s population—both then and now—hovers around 200, a pageant with 150 participants connecting them with Feves, France—similar population—then and now proved quite an event. In my mind, it was Morganville’s best hour.