“Winston Churchill” is coming to Fort Scott. For those who enjoyed “Teddy Roosevelt” in 2016, the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site are bringing “Winston Churchill” to the Liberty Theatre on Saturday, March 31, 2018, for their Annual Friends Fest.
Randy Otto is Winston and he is the only Winston Churchill impersonator endorsed by the Churchill family. He is a nationally acclaimed “Winston” and the Friends group wanted to bring another impersonator to Fort Scott on the caliber with Teddy Roosevelt who performed at the 2016 Friends Fest.
Randy Otto’s recitation’s genesis was a simple encouragement from Otto’s University British History Professor in 1973. He encouraged Otto not only to study Churchill’s life academically but to emulate the great man on stage.
An alumnus of the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and numerous theatrical roles, Otto over the past 43 years has been a Churchill scholar, motivational speaker, and performance artist who has honed the concept into a one-man show designed to entertain and electrify.
The event on March 31 will feature Otto’s performance with an appetizer buffet prior to the performance. Tickets are $35 and are available this week at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, contact Martha Scott, Chairman, 2018 Friends Fest, at 620-224-9924.
Governor Jeff Colyer signs a proclamation designating March as Social Work Month. Those in attendance from left to right: Steven Greene II, DCF Legislative and Policy Director; Levi Jenkins, DCF Child Protection Specialist; Ann Goodall, DCF Child Protection Specialist; Governor Colyer, State of Kansas; Rachel Marsh, Saint Francis Community Services (SFCS) Executive Director of Government and Community Relations; DCF Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel; Patricia Long, DCF Director of Prevention and Protection Services.
Governor Jeff Colyer signs proclamation declaring March Social Work Month
TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) social workers are often one of the first lines of defense against abuse and neglect for children and vulnerable adults. They work in collaboration with law enforcement, the courts, contractors, families and others to ensure the safety and well-being of those who cannot protect themselves. Due to the high demands of the job, Kansas, like other states across the nations, is experiencing a shortage of social workers.
To call attention to this need, today, Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel and DCF staff joined Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D., as he designated March as Social Work Month at the State Capitol Building, Topeka.
“Social workers perform an essential duty for Kansas families, and I am happy to recognize their dedication in a field that is so challenging,” said Governor Jeff Colyer. “Recruiting and retaining social workers is difficult, so I fully support the efforts of DCF to incentivize social workers to consider State service.”
DCF, along with its contracted providers, employ more than 1,000 social workers statewide. DCF has taken the following steps to attract social workers.
Increased the starting salary for social workers to $40,000, and supervisors to $44,000
Increased DCF attendance at career fairs, including out-of-state
Started posting open positions on Handshake, Indeed and DCF’s Facebook page
Worked with the Kansas Department of Commerce to recruit
Partnered with a headhunter organization to fill positions
Started accepting social workers on a part-time basis and as temporary positions. (These part-time social worker positions have increased dramatically since 2010.)
Increased the number of social work practicum students we take per region.
Hosted on-site career fairs at our DCF service centers.
“We should recognize and support our social workers, because their work is tough and essential,” said Secretary Meier-Hummel, a social worker. “I have the upmost respect for those who come to work each day with the goal of changing and saving lives.”
DCF Social Worker Ann Goodall, Topeka, discusses the challenges and rewards of her job.
“People don’t really understand the day in, day out duties because our work is so confidential. We protect families from harm, but we also protect their privacy,” Goodall said. “I’ve been a social worker in child welfare for 20 years, it is my passion. Getting to be one-one-one with children, talking with them about their lives, it makes a difference, and it is what I love doing.”
To become a social worker, individuals must graduate from an accredited university with at least a bachelor’s degree in social welfare. They must also pass a licensure exam and maintain the license with 40 hours of continuing education, every two years.
DCF is always looking for people who have a heart for serving vulnerable adults and children in Kansas. To learn more about becoming a social worker, and to view available positions, visit www.jobs.ks.gov.
Michael Barnard, working for Walker Construction and Demolition, points to the brick sections on the building at Wall Street and National Avenue, that will be converted back to the original storefronts, he said.
Workers were doing demolition on the building located at 9 S. National Avenue Wednesday, known as the old Tribune building.
Michael Barnard and members of the Yoder family were”gutting” down to the floor and wall, Barnard said.
The crew was hired by Walker Construction and Demolition, Barnard said.
Jennifer LaRoche is the owner of the building, since early 2017.
In a later interview, LaRoche said the demolition is part of the “cleaning up” of the historic building at Wall Street and National Avenue, “so we can see what we got”.
“We still have lots of ideas,” for the building, she said.
A member of the Yoder family works on the demolition of the building at 9 S. National Avenue that most recently housed the Fort Scott Community College Cosmetology School. The school was a section of the Tribune building.
DeAnn Welch started the Adopt-A-Greyhound program eight years ago at Fort Scott Coummunity College because of a need she perceived.
In her job as FSCC Student Success Center Director and Tutoring and Testing Administrator see saw students coming to college from other distant states.
“They come here not knowing anyone,” Welch said. ” Some even come here on a one way bus ticket in hopes of playing football and getting away from a life that they could have ended up dead. It is a sad situation.”
She had an idea.
“I thought, why not place these kids with local families who can give them that home away from home,” she said.
“The families can have this student over for dinner, go to their games if they are athletes, and simply be a support system.”
The program has had many success stories, she said.
“Some families still keep in touch with their student and even travel to see their games when they advance to the next level. It truly has developed many lifelong friendships,” Welch said.
For more information, contact Welch at 620-223-2700, ext. 4300 or [email protected]
