Evans named Woman of Distinction

VSO bestows title, scholarship at luncheon

The ladies of the Valley Service Organization (VSO) gathered at the historic Hotel Wolf at noon on Thursday, May 24 to honor one of their own. Before doing so, Carol Beach announced Saratoga Middle High School senior Gage Bartlett was the winner of the VSO Scholarship for 2018.

In a prepared speech for the 2018 Woman of Distinction, VSO member Carol Sherrod informed the gathered members of the numerous contributions Elva Evans had made to the Valley over the years. These included heading the Bicentennial Committee in the 1970s which lead to the foundation of the Saratoga Museum.

"It took five years to get the museum going," said Sherrod, "but the hard work paid off and Elva became the museum's first director, a position she held for three years."

Along with being the first director for the Saratoga Museum, Evans also contributed to the Saratoga Sun for 20 years with her column, Reflections from Our Files. To write the column, Evans would do extensive research into the Sun archives going back to the Platte Valley Lyre.

"As part of the museum effort, promoters had to convince many residents that the area did indeed have a history worth recording," Sherrod said, "and as a result Elva collaborated with the Sun staff in producing several history specials."

According to Sherrod, Evans has also spent the last three years working on a book of Valley history.

Along with being a member of the VSO, Evans has also been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Order of the Eastern Star and a past guardian of Job's Daughters Bethel 30 of Saratoga.

When Sherod concluded her speech, Evans was presented with an award and flowers by one of her daughters, Julie Evans. Both J. Evans and another of E. Evans' daughters, Kathleen Martin, sat on either side of their mother for the luncheon.

Evans insisted after the speech that she did not deserve the honor, adding that she felt that all the members of the VSO were "Women of Distinction."

 

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