Forest of Friendship organizers outline 50th anniversary, history tied to Amelia Earhart

Susan Myers, a board member of the International Forest of Friendship, told the Atchison County commission about the group's origins and its plans for a 50th‑anniversary celebration. She described how the Ninety‑Nines, a women pilots’ organization founded in 1929 with Amelia Earhart as its first president, prompted the gift that became the Forest of Friendship in Atchison.

Myers described the Moon Tree story and the forest's role as a living memorial. "We are celebrating the 50th anniversary this year, and we are most proud to do so," she said. She explained how the forest was planned with the Kansas Forest Service and dedicated on Amelia Earhart's birthday in 1976.

Myers also outlined recent maintenance and capital work at the site, including a renovation of Kerrigan Pond funded in part by local match donations ("I think we ended up with about $8,000 there") and a major sidewalk replacement project of more than $300,000, supported by a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks grant. She praised Sands Construction's work solving issues with 1,600 embedded commemorative stones and described new benches, a planned mosaic, and a limestone children's table.

On fundraising and stewardship, Myers noted donor support — including a recent $30,000 check referenced to cover road materials — and long-term gifts from the Putnam family that funded restrooms and helped sustain operations. She encouraged simple visitor‑tracking ideas and said displays about the forest are on view at the cultural center through September. The board welcomed the presentation and had follow-up questions about visitation counts and outreach.

The presentation concluded with an invitation to commissioners and the public to participate in the anniversary weekend events, which will include honoree recognitions, a daytime 'picnic with the pilots' and an evening dinner.