Othello celebrates town advocate Gladys Para
MM3 Photography/courtesy photo Gladys Para is an Othello icon and was recently honored for everything that she has done for the city.
MM3 Photography/courtesy photo On Gladys Para Day there was a special ceremony held for Gladys at Reichert's Showhouse.
MM3 Photography/courtesy photo Gladys Para visits with people at Reichert's Showhouse on "Gladys Para Day."
MM3 Photography/courtesy photo The stories are broad and vast surrounding Gladys Para. One thing is for sure, however: through her efforts she changed the City of Othello for the better.
OTHELLO — Gladys Para in known in Othello for many things – teacher, historian, mother and establishing the Old Hotel Art Gallery as a cultural center for Othello.
This year, Othello proclaimed July 13 as Gladys Para Day. Throughout the day, the Old Hotel Art Gallery held a scavenger hunt for the children with cake as the prize. At 2 p.m., a reception was held at Reichert’s Showhouse, including a presentation.
“The presentation talked about the things Gladys had done in her life,” said Jessica Lustig, treasurer for the Old Hotel. “There was a slideshow of pictures of Gladys through her life. Her oldest son got up and spoke about what it was like growing up. One of her best friends got up and spoke. She told a story that Jake had talked about and filled in the blanks.”
Over 60 people attended the reception. After the reception, chocolate cake was served at the Old Hotel Art Gallery. Attendees were also able to view the museum-style display of Gladys, including some of her items.
“It was people gathering to celebrate Gladys and what she has done,” Lustig said. “There is a really nice display of things important to Gladys. The caboose is something that Gladys worked on for years. She spent 10 years planning, acquiring and curating the interpretive center inside the caboose. It was cool to have all her family and friends come in and see what she had done.”
Para is not only responsible for the caboose at the Old Hotel, she is responsible for the Old Hotel becoming an art gallery. She and a group of ladies secured the Old Hotel.
“Their vision was an art center, a place where local artists could show, share and sell their wares,” wrote the family in a biography of Para. “The Old Hotel was established then and continues today as a cultural center for Othello.”
Para also helped establish the Othello Community Museum. She was responsible for interviewing area pioneers and printing their stories in the Othello Outlook.
“One of the things I didn’t know, she and a group of women lobbied to get the migrant daycare started,” said Lustig.
In her earlier years, Para taught school and CCD at the Catholic church. She and her husband, John, raised eight children.
Rachal Pinkerton may be reached via email at rpinkerton@suntribunenews.com