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Festival Committee & Annual Awards
From left to right ...
Standing: Rev. Nicholas W. Inman (Director, Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum),
Kim Ward, Gayla Hancock & Michelle Underwood
Sitting: Vicki Johnston (Laura Ingalls Wilder Home
and Museum Supervisor), Teri Myers
(Seymour Librarian), Annie Busch (retired Executive Director
of the Springfield-Greene County Library) and
Marie Bristol
Not in picture: Julie Thomas
Bios:
Rev. Nicholas Inman:
Rev. Nicholas Inman is the Director of the Laura Ingalls
Wilder Home and Museum and a charter member of the Laura
Ingalls Wilder Children's Literature Festival Committee (which
he founded). He serves as a board member of the Laura Ingalls
Wilder Home Association. He is a published author and
playwright and has dedicated much of his life to the
preservation of American History through writing and speaking.
He is the chairman of the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in
Marshfield, Missouri and the Senior Pastor of the Elkland
Independent Methodist Church in Elkland, Missouri.
Annie Busch:
Annie Busch was a professional librarian for 31 years, most
recently serving as the Executive Director of the
Springfield-Greene County Library. She has served on the
Springfield Chamber, Springfield Public Schools and
Springfield Rotary Club boards. Currently working with
organizations to help solve homeless issues for families and
children.
Marie Bristol:
Marie Bristol is
a retired business teacher of 31 years. She is active in her
Ava community by serving in Kiwanis, Douglas/Ozark Counties
Retired School Personnel, Ava Alumni Association, and DOCO
Sheltered Workshop Board. As a docent at the Wilder Homes and
Museum she loves sharing the history of Laura, Almanzo, and
Rose.
Gayla Hancock:
Springfield, Missouri business owner with husband Kim.
Graduate of Southwest Baptist University with Elementary
Education Degree. Proud Mother and Grandmother.
Vicki Johnston:
Vicki has been with the Wilder Home and
Museum since 2009. She has been the Museum Supervisor since
2014. She handles the daily operations of the Wilder Home as
well as Guest Services. In 2016 she earned a Credly Badge
from the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and
Artistic Works. She works behind the scenes during the Laura
Ingalls Wilder Fiddle Off and is heavily involved in marketing
for the Wilder Home and Museum taking care of social media
post, television and radio promotions, as well as graphic
design.
Teri
Myers:
Teri Myers
is a charter member of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s
Literature Festival and lifelong resident of Seymour
Missouri. She worked for the state of Missouri 33+ years,
retiring in 2017. Teri is
active in her community as a member of several boards and
committees including Care to Learn, Webster County 911,
Library Board and the Southern Webster County Fire Department.
She is currently employed with the City of Seymour as Library
Director.
Julie
Thomas: Julie Thomas is a retired English
and drama teacher who lives in rural Seymour. She is a member
of the local Arts Council, which has renovated Seymour’s
historic Owen Theatre as a performing arts center. She is
also active in Care to Learn and the Missouri Retired Teachers
Association. 2020 is her first year on the Wilder Literature
Festival committee.
Michelle Underwood: Michelle
Underwood is a charter member of the Laura Ingalls Wilder
Children's Literature Festival. She is a local author of two
published books; one Christian and one children's. She serves
as a docent at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum in
Mansfield, MO. Michelle grew up in Mansfield and now resides
in Seymour, Missouri.
Kim Ward:
Kim is a charter member of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children's
Literature Festival Committee. She is also a children's author
whose stories have been published in area newspapers. She
serves as a docent at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum
in Mansfield, MO. Kim was born and raised in Mansfield where
she currently resides.
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