Fort Scott National Historic Site Candlelight Tour

A visitor catches the full moon over the fort on his cell phone during the candlelight tour Saturday evening.

Fort Scott National Historic Site celebrated its 175th anniversary by presenting the 36th annual Candlelight Tour Friday and Saturday evenings.

The theme for this year’s candlelight tour: “Happiness Amid Hardship.”

The tour featured five scenes from the 1840s at Fort Scott, the years that it was an active frontier military fort.

Traditionally, the site’s candlelight tour has been “ghosted,” meaning that the reenactors in the scene do not interact with or even recognize the people on the tour.

This year, the staff encouraged some audience participation in most of the scenes, which made the scenes fun and engaging.

The full moon as a backdrop to the tour added to the ambiance of the evening. Temperatures in the 50s added to the enjoyment as well.

Visitors get information from Park Guide Tiffany on the scene that is about to be portrayed on the Fort Scott National Historic Site Candlelight Tour Saturday evening.
Visitors are invited to join in dancing at the dragoon barracks in this scene.
Enlisted men are treated gruffly in this scene.
There is a discussion of reasons why soldiers are going to become Oregon pioneers in this scene at the sutler building.
Men enjoy visiting during this scene at the fort’s store.
Visitors participated in an evening social at the officers’ quarters, amidst gossiping and matchmaking activities in this scene.
There was singing of Christmas carols led by Ralph Carlson and also refreshments offered in the Grand Hall at the end of the tour.

Christmas In The Park

A sneak preview of Gunn Park before the first viewing Friday evening showed some of the hard work that had been put into Christmas in the Park, a community holiday event.

Diana Mitchell and Tom Robertson work on last minute details Friday evening before the first showing of Christmas in the Park in Gunn Park.
The big rock shelter house at Gunn Park is lit by Christmas lights Friday evening as part of Christmas in the Park.
The small rock pavilion on a hill in Gunn Park is decorated with lights for Christmas in the Park.
The nativity scene is lit in preparation for the Bethel Community Church Live Nativity.
Fort Scott Recreation Department decorated a shelter house in Gunn Park for Christmas in the Park.
The big rock shelter house was decorated for Christmas in the Park by Niece Products of Kansas.

Fort Scott Commission Agenda And Minutes

AGENDA  FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION FORT SCOTT CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM 123 SOUTH MAIN DECEMBER 5, 2017, 4 P.M.

  1. ROLL CALL:

ADAMS BARTELSMEYER NICHOLS PARKER MITCHELL

  1. FLAG SALUTE

III. INVOCATION: Pastor Paul Rooks, Grace Baptist Tabernacle

  1. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Introduction of new employee
  2. CONSENT AGENDA:
  3. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of November 21st, 2017.
  4. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1204-A totaling $319,308.23.

VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE:
  2. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)
  3. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS: 4:15 p.m. – Vacation of Street/Alley – 18 feet of the alley between Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, & 12, Block 14, South Side Park Addition lying between the South line of 19th Street to the North line of 20th Street between Crawford and Eddy Streets AND the 60’ street of Crawford Street lying between 19th and 20th Street adjacent on the West of Lots 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 & 12, Block 14, Southside Park Addition to the City of Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas and lying adjacent on the East of Lots 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, & 11, Block 13, Southside Park Addition to the City of Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas – Approval of Ordinance No. 3521

VIII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration of a Conditional Use Permit to operate a private

secondary school at 1950 Indian Road

  1. Consideration of change of zoning from C-2 (Restricted Commercial) to I-2 (Heavy Industrial) for the property known as

AGENDA FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION FORT SCOTT CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM 123 SOUTH MAIN DECEMBER 5, 2017 4:00 P.M. the vacant land south of 2500 Liberty Bell Road – Approval of Ordinance No. 3522

  1. Consideration of change of zoning from C-2 (Restricted Commercial) to I-2 (Heavy Industrial) for the property known as the land south of 2503 South Main – Approval of Ordinance No. 3523
  2. Consideration of change of zoning from R-2 (Residential Zoned) to C-2 (Commercial) for the property known as the northwest corner of 19th and Crawford – Approval of Ordinance No. 3524
  3. Consideration of Water Rate Increase – Ordinance No. 3525
  4. Consideration of Wastewater Rate Increase – Ordinance No. 3526
  5. Consideration of Stormwater Rate Increase – Ordinance No. 3527
  6. Rejection of Woodland Hills Golf Cart Shed Bids
  7. Consideration to set Budget Amendment date

10.Consideration of the Governing Body of the City of Fort Scott, Kansas amending the project plan and development agreement regarding the 2322 S. Main Redevelopment District within the City. Approval of Ordinance No. 3528, Project Plan and Development Agreement

11.Consideration of three year contract with KCAMP for Member

Contribution Credit and Rate Stabilization Program

12.Consideration of Proposed Salary Ordinance No. 3529

  1. COMMENTS:
  2. Director Updates:
  3. Commission:
  4. City Attorney:
  5. Director of Finance:
  6. City Manager:

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE

AGENDA FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION FORT SCOTT CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM 123 SOUTH MAIN DECEMBER 5, 2017 4:00 P.M. SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO (see below justification) DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE

EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN

MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.

Justifications for Executive Sessions:

  • Personnel matters of non-elected personnel
  • Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
  • Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency
  • Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
  • Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
  1. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

CITY OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of November 21, 2017 Regular Meeting #21

CITY OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of November 21, 2017 Regular Meeting #21

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held November 21st, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL: Commissioners Bartelsmeyer, Nichols and Parker were present with Mayor Mitchell presiding. Commissioner Adams was absent.

INVOCATION: Pastor Paul Martin, Children’s Minister, Community Christian Church, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the city and all government officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Travis Shelton, Rachel Pruitt, Deb Needleman, Cheryl Adamson, Chad Brown, Bill Lemke, Daryl Parker, Barbara Ritter, Bryan Ritter, Jody Hoener, Roy Hoener, Paul Martin, Clayton Miller, Michael Mix, Rhonda Dunn, Jessica Schenkel, Cory Schenkel, Justin Dye, Blake Sloup, Margo Stockert, and Jason Silvers, representing the Fort Scott Tribune.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of November 7th, 2017.
  2. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1203-A totaling $191,896.81.
  3. Christmas Parade Permit Form- December 5th, 2017.

Nichols moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.

APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: None
  2. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute

limit per citizen) – None

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of November 21, 2017 Regular Meeting #21

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Approval of updated Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention – Ordinance No. 3520 – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that the current ordinance regarding cross connection and backflow prevention was adopted in 1992. This ordinance prohibits the cross connection between the public water supply and any other water or substance of questionable or unknown quality or any substance which would degrade the public water supply and to provide for maintenance of a continuing effecting cross control program. Over the years, the City has updated their codes, but this ordinance has never been updated. He thanked Bill Lemke for his hard work with this ordinance.

Bartlesmeyer moved to approve Ordinance No. 3520 providing for Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 3520 REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 3048 AND REPLACING WITH ORDINANCE NO 3520 REGARDING CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL AND BACKFLOW PREVENTION AND PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES THEREOF.

  1. Adoption of PedNet Coalition – Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Plan – Jody Hoener, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, informed the Commission that a public unveiling of the plan was held last Tuesday. The purpose is to adopt a non-motorized transportation plan which will help address barriers towards a healthier community and provide more access to transportation options and healthy food choices. The plan is broken out into four sections: Trails; Bike Infrastructure; Crosswalks and Signage; and Sidewalks. The total budget for this plan is over $4,000,000. These projects will be focused on one at a time and take many years to complete. She asked the City Commission to formally adopt the Master Non-Motorized Transportation Plan for the City of Fort Scott.

City Manager said that this plan will eventually incorporate into the City’s Comprehensive Plan and can be referred to when projects are looked at.

Nichols moved to approve the adoption of the Master Non- Motorized Transportation Plan for the City. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED THE ADOPTION OF THE MASTER NON- MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION PLAN FOR THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT.

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of November 21, 2017 Regular Meeting #21

COMMISSION/STAFF:

  1. Director Updates: Rachel Pruitt – Rachel introduced two guests that were present at the meeting from Sol Purpose. Blake Sloup and Justin Dye were present and gave an update on their company. They recently finished up a solar renewable energy project at Sharky’s where they installed solar plates at the roof of their building and also installed energy efficiency upgrades. They have saved the company approximately $1,600 in energy costs already. They said they would be willing to visit with any commercial business or residential household that is interested in solar renewable energy.

Rachel also introduced Brian and Barbara Ritter with the Boiler Room Brewhaus who had just received their State licensing to open up the brewery at 102 S. National. They plan to have an open house on January 6th, 2018 and invited all to attend.

  1. City Commission:

Adams – Not present.

Bartelsmeyer – Nothing to report.

Parker – Nothing to report.

Nichols – Nothing to report.

Mitchell – Shared a flyer with the Commission that she received at the Fort Scott Public Library Board meeting showing all the benefits they offer.

  1. City Attorney: Nothing to report.
  2. Director of Finance: Nothing to report.
  3. City Manager:
  4. Bridal Veil/2nd Street Park – City Manager said that there is a group that is looking at this park and will come to the City with a proposal in the near future. It was removed from the agenda due to this fact.
  5. Employee Christmas bonus – City Manager asked the Commission if they would consider giving the Christmas bonus to City employees again this year with the exception of the City Attorney and himself. He recommended $100.00 to full time employees, $50.00 to regular part time employees and $25.00 for part time employees.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the Christmas bonus. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of November 21, 2017 Regular Meeting #21

APPROVED THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BONUS OF $100.00 FOR ALL FULL TIME EMPLOYEES, $50.00 FOR REGULAR PART TIME EMPLOYEES AND $25.00 FOR PART TIME EMPLOYEES. THIS BONUS WILL EXCLUDE DAVE MARTIN, CITY MANAGER, AND BOB FARMER, CITY ATTORNEY.

  1. City Christmas Party – City Manager reminded the Commission the City Employee Christmas party is December 12th, 2017 at Buck Run Community Center at 6:00 p.m.
  2. Next City Commission meeting – City Manager reminded the Commission that the next Commission meeting will begin at 4:00 p.m. on December 5th, 2017 due to the Christmas parade.
  3. City Manager wished all a Happy Thanksgiving! He is excited about

all that is happening in our community.

ADJOURNMENT:

Nichols moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:35 p.m. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 6:35 P.M.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on December 5th, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.

RECORDED BY:

____________________ DIANE K. CLAY CITY CLERK

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Beacon Still Has Older Children In Need of Christmas Presents

Sue Emmons, executive director of The Beacon.

The Beacon is a helping agency that during the Christmas season is the go-through agency for Adopt-A-Child.

This program helps provide Christmas presents to families with children up to fifth-grade age.

Currently, all families have been adopted, but “I have a few families that have older children that need presents,” Sue Emmons, executive director of the Beacon said. “Several grandparents on fixed incomes are raising grandchildren.”

For the Christmas Adopt-A-Child, sponsors are asked to choose only one clothing item and/or one gift item for each child, with a $30 per child limit.

Stated needs are asked to be purchased before toys.

The gifts are asked to be gift wrapped and tagged with the child’s first name and family member and delivered to Community Christian Church, 1919 Horton, not later than December 18, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

“We also handle the Elks Christmas Food Basket,” Emmons said. “It’s a generous Christmas basket they deliver.”

For more information contact Emmons at 620-223-6869 during office hours 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

As a helping agency, the Beacon follows these guidelines:

Food Assistance Guidelines

 

 

Patty LaRoche: Thankful for the Good and the Bad

My dear friend Frank responded to my Thanksgiving article in which I listed several things for which I am thankful. “Don’t forget good weather…and bad weather.” Simple message with a poignant prompt. I need to be thankful for everything because God many times uses the bad more powerfully than He does the good.

Then, this morning, my husband’s daily Baseball Chapel devotional, submitted by Arnie Knecht, titled “Thanksliving,” reminded me that this holiday wasn’t about a day of thanks; it was about a life of thanks. In Knecht’s words, “Thanksgiving is good. Thanksliving is better.” It is a lifestyle involving how we respond, knowing God “has saved us from a hopeless end and given us an endless hope.”

No matter what He uses to get us there.

Twelve of us were to share a Thanksgiving meal this year. We all are condominium owners in the same complex here in Mazatlan, Mexico, and over the years have become close friends. Deb and Jim offered their unit, and Deb led the charge in organizing things—including writing hysterical minutes when the women met to discuss the details. After all, it mattered whose oven had two shelves and whose had one, who owned a gravy boat and whose stuffing recipe was best. Jim purchased an additional table, and both were set a day ahead with linen cloths, fine china and crystal. Since Dave and I were the last two to arrive and were driving, we were given a list of grocery items the girls could not find in Mazatlan. Captain Deb was prepared for everything.

Except an emergency trip to the E.R. Thanksgiving morning. Deb had awakened her doctor-husband with severe abdominal pain. Because she was recovering from a recent car accident, Jim was concerned it was related. As they left for the hospital, we five wives met in Deb’s condo to create a Plan B for our late afternoon dinner.

Mary asked me to lead us in prayer for Deb and Jim. It was a precious moment of calming reassurance that we were sharing a special experience and gave us the teamwork attitude we needed. Sharon shifted recipe responsibilities as we assumed the duties originally assigned to Deb. Joyce offered her condo for the dinner, but Deb’s would still be the gathering place for much of the food preparation. Their units were ten floors apart but in the same wing, so the elevator became our best friend.

The men transported the second table, the extra chairs and all the place settings to Joyce’s condo, and we were in culinary business. What one couldn’t do, the other could. Sharon rolled out the pie crusts; Carolyn perfected the fluting before making a quick trip to the herb garden to pick fresh rosemary for the turkey. Three worked to skewer the turkey skin over the stuffing while another video’d the surgery. (Three chiefs, no Indians.) In between our assignment at Deb’s, we all returned to our own units to prepare our assigned dishes and then regrouped at Deb’s to make sure everything was covered. We spent the day laughing, cleaning up each other’s spills, comparing recipes and communing in sweet Thanksliving.

Deb’s trip to the hospital was not on our agenda, and when she returned home later that day, we all agreed that God had given us a treasured Thanksgiving memory. Had Deb not become ill, we all would have spent the day in our own condos preparing our dishes, our husbands would have watched football, and later we would have joined together for our meal.

Two days before Thanksgiving, Jim had asked my husband to say the prayer before our meal. Dave’s words were full of thanks, especially that Deb and Jim were home, and that God had done more than we ever expected.

He’s good at that, you know.

“Good weather…bad weather.” Thanksliving at its finest.

Christmas Decorations On Burke Street

Story idea submitted by Jana Walker, who provided the photos.

Bob Lemons leads neighborhood children in painting candy canes that he created to display in yards. From left:  Ella Walker, Olivia Walker, Grace Walker, Annabelle Gorman, Johnny Kerr, Owen Smith, Bob Lemons, Gianna Gorman, Audrey Walker.

Candy canes, bows, bells… these are all symbols that bring to mind the Christmas season.

The Burke Street neighborhood in Fort Scott created candy canes as yard decorations this month using these symbols of Christmas.

“We started talking about it at the annual 4th of July picnic,” Jana Walker, said. The Burke Street residents have an annual 4th of July parade, and with a picnic following.

It was at the picnic that the neighborhood decided to do Christmas decorations. Burke Street resident Sara Ellis recommended a candy cane lane, said Jana Walker.

“We are trying to build a community with each other,” Jana Walker said. “We wanted to include the children.”

Walker said she would like to encourage other neighborhoods do projects together because it helps people get to know each other.

“It’s fun getting to know the neighborhood,” Bob Lemons said of the project.

Lemons was the carpenter on the project and spearheaded the children painting the candy canes.

“Shane (Jana’s husband) knew that Bob had done carpentry work,” Jana said.

In October, the Walkers then went door-to-door in the neighborhood seeking input about the Christmas candy cane yard decorating project.

“They supplied the materials,” Lemons said. “I cut them out.”

“They needed a place to paint, so I offered my garage,” he said.

Just before Thanksgiving, when the neighborhood children were out of school, the painting portion of the candy cane project got started in the Lemons garage.

From left: Ella Walker, Olivia Walker, Grace Walker and Annabelle Gorman paint candy canes in Bob Lemons garage.
From left: Owen Smith, Gianna Gorman and Audrey Walker paint candy canes during Thanksgiving break.

“He volunteered to cut them out and directed the children in painting them white,” Jana Walker noted. “He then finished painting the red stripes.”

Then bows and bells were attached along with the hardware to allow them to stay in the ground.

One of the candy canes that were a community project on Burke Street.

On Monday, Betty and Bob Lemons, went down the neighborhood street, putting the candy canes on display in the yards, after getting permission from each family.

Candy canes are posted in yards of residents on Burke Street. The decorations are a community project of the people who live on the street.

About 12-14  children off-and-on helped with the project, Lemons said.

“We’ve just lived here three years, it’s a great way to get to know the neighbors,” Lemons said.

 

 

Volunteer Bell Ringers Needed

Allen Schellack, Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries Outreach Center, shows the bell and bucket needed to volunteer for the Salvation Army fundraising campaign.

It’s that time of year again!

The Salvation Army needs volunteers to ring bells in their annual fundraising campaign.

Allen Schellack, Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries(FSCM), is seeking bell ringers in partnership with the Salvation Army.

The hours and days are flexible, he said.

Individuals, families, churches, and community service organizations are encouraged to call 620-223-2212 to set up a time to serve.

All donations stay in Bourbon County, he said.

This year $4,134.47 is assistance was provided to local families.

FSCM is the designated Salvation Army Disaster Relief and Services Extension Unit for Bourbon County. Through the partnership the following services are provided:

  • disaster relief,
  • rental and utility assistance,
  • prescriptions (no narcotics),
  • temporary lodging,
  • gasoline for work or doctor,
  • vision help(eyeglasses),
  • Salvation Army Kids Camp,
  • and other unspecified needs are on a case by case basis.

In addition, FSCM is a volunteer organization that provided these services in 2016-17:

  • fire disaster packs,
  • homeless/transition assist packs,
  • Christmas presents for teens,
  • school supplies for middle and high school students.
Fort Scott Compassionate Care Ministries is located on the second floor at 26 N. Main. Pass through the Senior Citizens Center to get there.

Presbyterian Village Christmas Tree Contest

Anicia Robinson, activities director at Presbyterian Village shows one her favorite trees in the contest Thursday morning while waiting for the judges to arrive.

New to the Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County’s Homes for the Holidays Tour, December 2 and 3, is Presbyterian Village, an assisted living facility at 2401 S. Horton.

“At this location, we are showcasing the Christmas tree decorating contest in Fort Scott where over 15 trees were entered and are all uniquely decorated using creativity and class,” Ginger Nance, executive director of Presbyterian Village, said.

Christmas trees are displayed throughout the facility.

Dr. Grant Hartman, daughter, Zoey, and wife, Dr. Heather Davis, decorate a tree Thursday morning for the Presbyterian Village Christmas Tree Contest. They own Hartman Spine and Joint.

Businesses, organizations, and individuals could enter the tree decorating contest.

Since Presbyterian Village is in the Homes for the Holidays tour the Christmas trees will be on display the same hours on Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.

For more information contact the village at 620-644-4362.

 

 

HPA Quilt Show

Quilts are a new addition to the Homes for the Holidays Tour this weekend. They will be featured at the Beaux Arts Center at First Street and National Avenue.
Grace Kramer looks at the quilts on display at the Beaux Art Center Thursday during the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee.

Quilts are an American form of art, Rhonda Dunn told attendees at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee Thursday morning.

Dunn said in her family a previous generation of sisters exchanged cloth handkerchiefs as presents. A few of the “hanky’s” are in quilts on display at the first-ever quilt show during the Homes for the Holiday Tour.

The quilts are part of an exhibit at the Beaux Arts Center, owned by Denise and Bobby Duncan, who live on the third floor of the center.

The center is just north of the Fort Scott Post Office on National Avenue.

People who purchase $15 Homes for the Holidays Tour tickets can view the quilts from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets will allow entry to three featured homes, the quilt show and Presbyterian Village’s Christmas Tree Contest, 2401 S. Horton.

Deb Martin stands near a “hanky” quilt she made with her Grandmother Carrie Carpenter in the late 1980s.
Rhonda Dunn speaks during the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee amid the quilts that will be on display in the Homes for the Holidays Tour.