At the Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society's annual meeting on Oct. 27, the historically minded will gather for food and philately.
No, that's not one of the seven deadly sins. Philately is the study of stamps, and Bruce Hackmann, the dinner's speaker, is passionate about it.
"I was a stamp collector when I was a young boy, and it's kind of evolved from there," Hackmann said. "My main interest is Missouri postal history."
He'll be speaking about the history and evolution of mail delivery in Callaway County from 1818 to more recent years.
"1818 was when the Cotes San Dessein post office was established down on the Missouri River in what was then Missouri Territory," Hackmann said. "That's the first office that's within the borders of Callaway County today."
He said much of his information comes from Bill Hamilton, a former postal service worker here in the county. Between the 1960s and '80s, he compiled vast amounts of information about Callaway's postal history. Hackmann has access to Hamilton's notes.
"It's been really eye-opening," Hackmann said.
Dinner will be catered by Sam Richards.
Tickets are $15 for society members and $17.50 for non-members and can be purchased by visiting the Historical Society at 513 Court St. or calling 573-642-0570. Order your tickets by Friday.
The evening will begin with a social hour at 5 p.m., followed by dinner starting at 6 p.m. and Hackmann's program at 7:30 p.m.