Northern Colorado Chapter

Past Events

Donation to AHSGR International Heritage Center

A familiar family farm play set of wooden, lovingly hand carved toys was recently donated to AHSGR International Heritage Center by past northern Colorado Chapter member, Gail Meisner and her sister Shirley Lorenz. Some of our members might recognize Gail, who most recently helped lead the tours for the 2023 AHSGR International Convention in Greeley, CO. Shirley is an accomplished western artist for whom the play set was originally created. This colorful play set was also used in the AHSGR NOCO chapter contributions to the Global Village Museum exhibit in Fort Collins, “European Tales and Treasures” in 2016. Gail and Shirley are cousins to John Stencel (our chapter’s most recent Belsnickel and much more with his work for the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Colorado State University’s Center for German Russian Studies) and Randy Meisner, cofounder of the Music Hall of Fame band, The Eagles. Gail also helped the AHSGR Heritage Center recognize Randy with a display honoring his musical achievements after his passing in 2023.

Fred Meisner, Jr. and Esther Miller Meisner farmed first in Brush, CO, then operated a dairy in Kersey, CO until they moved to a farm in Wellington, CO. Fred’s family was from Grimm, Russia and Esther’s was from Frank, Russia. Shirley was born in Brush, CO and Gail was born in Kersey. Both women were avid horseback riders, with Shirley predominantly in barrel-racing and Gail becoming a pioneer in women horse trainers, an equine educator at Colorado State University and serving on numerous board of directors’ roles, all of which is another story to share in the future!

Both the playsets and the hand carved animals Shirley once played with are now on exhibit in Lincoln, NE for all to see a glimpse of farm life many of our members grew up with while living in northern Colorado. The animals even have names now, thanks to the staff at the Heritage Center.

Submitted by Cheryl Glanz, AHSGR NOCO Publicity Chair