|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Holly’s began their a new business in 2020 when they started selling home raised chickens directly to friends.
“We value knowing where the meat we are eating comes from and how the animals have been taken care of from birth to finishing stages,” Katie said. “It is rewarding to us to feed our friends and family with meat that has been directly raised on our farm.”
“In the past two years we have grown more in the beef and pork side of selling farm raised meats,” Katie said. “Poultry processing fees continued to increase and we were looking to stay more local with our processing. We have processed chickens on our farm the past couple of years for customers, but offer a very limited supply, once a year, of chicken.”
In late 2020, the Holly’s started selling whole and half beef shares to some friends in the area.
In the Spring of 2021 they started offering individual beef cuts at The Fort Scott Farmer’s Market on Saturdays.
“It was a goal for 2022 to open a space where customers could shop our meats year round, not just during the Farmers Market Season,” she said. “We are grateful for all the help of family, friends, and our loyal customers who have supported our small farm business to help make this possible for us.”
“This past year we have raised pigs and offered a limited supply of pork weekly at the farmers market to customers in our mobile meat trailer,” she said. “Having the mobile meat trailer at the farmers market helped us keep the meats frozen and offered a space for customers to shop from the cuts of meat we offer.”
This month, the Holly’s added a farm store on their property to sell their beef and pork products.
“This October we started renovating a small farm shed into a store front to sell our beef and pork from… a small building located right on our family farm just west of Fort Scott at 2014 Locust Rd.,” she said. “Currently parking is limited at the farm store as we finish up a few ongoing projects on the farm.”
The building is a way to retain customers through the winter months and offer space for customers to shop their meats year round.
“Another service we offer is porch delivery weekly to the Fort Scott area, which is simple and hassle free,” she said. “Our order form link is listed on our Facebook page and orders can be placed online, invoices are sent to customers, reminder texts are sent for customers to simply leave a cooler by their door, then orders are delivered directly to customers. The porch delivery service has been a favorite by many of our customers. We plan to continue this service throughout the year.”
The Farm Store will be open on Saturday mornings 9 a.m. to noon.
If there are questions about the business, contact via email [email protected] or find Still Waters Farm on Facebook for more information.
“We are humbled by the support we have had from this community and excited for the plans we have for 2023,” she said.
The Family’s Background
The young couple grew up in agriculture and have a passion for helping the next generation understand where their food comes from and the hard work that goes into farming, according to Katie.
Ethan has a Bachelors Degree in Ag Business and works as a Fort Scott bank loan officer, and Katie has a Bachelors in Elementary Education, and cares for their children while managing the daily farm chores.
Their two young children help with the farm chores of feeding and caring for the animals they raise.
The family is involved in the local 4-H program, their local church, and a few other committees within the community.
Angela Simon opened Bids and Dibs on December 3, 2012 inside 19 S. National Ave.
Upgrading Technology in January 2023
The Fort Scott community is invited to be a part of the improving of a park and a downtown arch coming in the near future.
The Third Street Park and Downtown Arch Unveiling Party is Thursday, December 8 at 6 p.m.
The Third Street Park is located on the east side of Fort Scott.
The event will be held at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s office at 104 N. National and there will be a virtual option.
“If you are unable to attend, please consider voting online,”Rachel Carpenter, Director of The Center for Economic Growth, a part of The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT), said.
Twigs and Berries will be catering the event and there will be four $25 Walmart Giftcard giveaways.
For more information please contact Rachel Carpenter at [email protected]
This is a third public forum hosted by HBCAT to give community members and residents a voice in the decision making process for the plans for the Third Street Park and a downtown arch-way.
“We feel strongly about connecting our neighborhoods, creating a sense of place, and empowering each of our community members to contribute to positive change,” Carpenter said.
Several plans will be unveiled that incorporate input from previous meetings.
“After a year of formal public events and meetings, and hearing from individuals who are passionate about the project and location, we have options to vote on,” Carpenter said. “All of these plans have been derived from community input. The steering committee, made up of individuals in Fort Scott who live, or have lived, near the project, carefully considered all feedback and created a draft to present to the community.”
At the Dec. 8 meeting, more community input is sought.
” At this unveiling party we will have the community vote on key elements related to these projects,” she said. “We will ask the participants to vote on which downtown arch design they prefer and ask participants to submit and vote on a name for 3rd Street Park. The name of the park doesn’t have to change, and it shouldn’t if the name has an emotional tie to residents who grew up near there.”
” We want to give people who haven’t had a say so in the past a chance to be part of the decision-making process—a place to voice how they would like to see things in their neighborhood playgrounds and parks,” she said.
“So, this unveiling party will kick off a voting campaign on the name of the park,” Carpenter said. “There will be an option to the leave the name the same. Here is your chance to contribute to projects and try to capture the deep history and culture of Fort Scott. There will be opportunity to provide open feedback on the projects as well.”
“From the City of Fort Scott, City of Uniontown, and countywide trails master plan, PedNet Plan, to our annual community perception surveys, we make hearing directly from the community a priority in shaping and implementing our plans,” Carpenter said. “As a result, we have so much to show for it and continue to expand our projects and services.”
Funding for this event is being provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas as a part of Bourbon County’s Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant and also the Patterson Family Foundation. The event will be conducted in collaboration with the Wichita State Engagement Institute.
Carpenter can also be reached at 620.215.2562.
Bourbon County Christmas shoppers, here is a stop.
The 2nd Annual Jingle Bell Holiday Mart is Saturday, December 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on South Horton Street. The event is hosted by the Bourbon County Fair Association.
Discovery Music Studio students will be playing throughout the day for your listening enjoyment
The list of vendors includes:
Vendor | Person | Products |
Returning | ||
Happy Little Candle Factory | Lori Craig | Homemade Candles, Wax Melts, Chapstick |
Flying P Ranch | Abbie Powell | Jewelry and Western Accessories |
Micki Kraft | Home Sewn Items | |
Tessie’s Nails | Tessie Tucker | Color Street Nails |
Blue Dog Winery | Sarah Johnson | Bottles of Wine and Wine Related Merchandise |
Locust Hill Lamancha | Sue | Goat Milk Products |
New | ||
Plexus | Samantha Bauman | Health and Wellness Products |
Tupperware by Melinda | Melinda Miller | Tupperware, and wood craft items |
Scentsy | Lakin Brittain | Scentsy Products |
Donna Jo’s | Donna Jo Beerbower | Homemade Fudge and Baked Goods |
Be-You-Tiful Designs | Kristi Beene | Vinyl and Sublimation |
ButterBone Bakery, Paolo, KS | Randi White | Home Baked Dog Treats |
Buckin’ A Ranch | Karleigh Arndt | Clothing, décor, accessories |
2 Crafty Twisted Sisters | Shawna Holstine | Crafts, Tumblers, Christmas Décor |
Twigs and Berries | Suzanne Griffin | Cotton Candy and more |
Mmm Flavor Shop | Emelia Whiteaker
Addi Foster |
Hot Beverage Bar |
Discover Music Studio | Audry Eberhard | Music throughout the day |
There will be a tasting of Blue Dog Winery samples (with valid identification).
MMM Flavor-Emilea Whiteaker will be hosting a hot cocoa and tea bar with other products.
Locust Hill Lamanches, which sells goat products, will be hosting the goat cheese tasting table.
Also fudge, cotton candy and other food items will be available for sale.
Dog treats from Butter Bone Bakery will also be available for furry friends.
As of November 2022, there are 36 Bourbon County children who have been abused or neglected and need a volunteer to advocate for them in the court system.
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate.
” Bourbon County CASA has been providing CASA volunteers to the children of Bourbon County for over 32 years,” said Christa Horn, director. “CASA Volunteers undergo extensive background checks and over 30 hours of training to become certified. CASA’s are assigned by the court to advocate for and be the voice of children who are involved in the court system due to abuse and neglect, through no fault of their own.”
“Currently 36 children who have been victims of abuse or neglect are assigned CASA Volunteers,” Horn said. “Over 980 children here in Bourbon County have benefited from having a CASA volunteer by their side, fearlessly advocating for their needs. Sadly there are at least 36 more children who need a CASA volunteer.”
“Children can be referred by interested parties, attorneys and DCF/or it’s private contractor and then are assigned by the Court,” she said.
“CASA volunteers meet with their assigned child(ren) on a consistent basis getting to know the child and their circumstances perhaps better than any other professionals involved in the case,” Horn said. “They gather information from all individuals involved in a child’s life, from parents, foster parents, teachers, therapists, doctors, family members, case worker. CASA then submits written reports to the court at each court hearing detailing events and facts in a child’s life and case and makes recommendations on what is believed to be in the child’s best interest. CASA volunteers remain assigned to their child until the child is reintegrated back home or reaches permanency through adoption, permanent custodianship.”
The amount of time spent as a CASA volunteer varies.
“Hours vary case by case, but on average a volunteer will spend 6 to 8 hours a month devoted to their assigned case,” she said.
“Currently Bourbon County CASA has 23 certified volunteers,” she said. ” Volunteers are assigned only one child or sibling group at a time, allowing them the time to focus on only one case at a time.”
Contact Bourbon County CASA, PO Box 146, Fort Scott. Phone: 620-223-2407 or 620-215-2769; Email: [email protected]; Program Director Christa Horn
Tomorrow is the deadline for an annual fundraiser for CASA.
You are cordially invited to a Christmas Celebration
to benefit Bourbon County CASA on Friday, December 9th, 2022
7-9 pm.
Heavy hors d’oeuvres and a full bar will be provided.
The holiday party fundraiser will be at the Cullor Lake Home
810 195th Street, Fort Scott.
Reservations are requested by Friday December 2nd. |
Giving Levels:
Sponsor: $25 per person, $50 per couple
Guardian: $50 per person, $100 per couple
Guardian Angel: $75 per person, $150 per couple
Friend: $125 per person, $250 per couple
Benefactor: $500 and over
Mail your RSVP and giving level payment to:
Bourbon County CASA, PO Box 146, Fort Scott, KS 66701
or call Christa Horn at 620.215.2769 with any questions.
|
The Fort Scott National Historic Site 41st Annual Candlelight Tour is completely sold out.
The tour is Dec. 2nd and 3rd.
“This year… we are commemorating several important milestones of our nation’s history,” Carl Brenner, FSNHS Program Manager for Interpretation and Resource Management, said. “Each milestone highlights a different portion of the Fort’s history as well.”
Tickets went on sale on November 1 and sold out on November 27.
Fort Scott High School drama students and other volunteers will portray different scenes, vignettes, during the evening in which ticket purchasers will stroll the promenade on the grounds of the fort.
The vignettes, in order, are:
Additional High School drama students helping in other areas are: Ayla Roberts, Tobi Larrabee, Mykeel Lewis, Tuesday Glessner, Alexis Tourtillot, Lily Brown, and Chris Newman.
Fort Scott National Historic Site is located at 1 Old Fort Blvd. Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. To find out more, or become involved, please call 620-223-0310 or email [email protected]. Other activities, events, and a more in-depth history may be found at www.nps.gov/fosc.
The pop-up business is being operated by Bourbon County Handcrafted doing business as 110 South Main Mercantile and Market, which is owned by the Dancers. Attendees will enter through the main entrance / lobby of the old Scottish Rite Temple.
Micro retail site is coming
“The idea for the 110 South Main Mercantile and Market pop-up was born from the micro retail/ retail incubator concept,” Kathy said. “Next year, we will be offering retail spaces for small businesses that are either just getting started or operating on a micro level and do not need their own dedicated space.”
Items for sale
Tracy Dancer is a software architect and also currently serves in the U.S. Army Reserves. Kathy is a former school administrator and currently works in educational consulting.
They purchased the historic building in January 2021.
They are currently renovating the cafe space in the building, with hopes of an opening in 2023.
To view a prior story on the Dancers and the building:
Jill Jaworski, selected as the new superintendent of Fort Scott National Historic Site, has moved to Fort Scott this month.
Her college education gave her a lead into the National Park Service.
“My original position (with NPS) was at Jewel Cave National Monument working as an Interpretive Park Ranger/Cave Guide for an internship for college,” she said. “That led to a seasonal position at the same park the following summer after I graduated college.”
Jaworski has over 20 years of experience in NPS assignments including interpretation, emergency services, and law enforcement, according to a NPS press release.
Prior to Fort Scott, Jarworski served as the acting superintendent at Appomattox Court House National Military Park and Booker T. Washington National Monument.
As Chief Park Ranger, she has extensive experience in managing special park uses, events, permitting, and emergency response. At Cape Lookout National Seashore, she has served as a park ranger at Cumberland Island National Seashore, Castillo De San Marcos National Monument/Fort Matanzas National Monument, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, White Sands National Monument, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Curecanti National Recreation Area, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and Mount Rainier National Park.
Jaworski’s background in complex park operations including cultural resource management and resource protection and her strong collaboration and team building skills will be an asset to Fort Scott, according to a press release from NPS.
In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, camping, traveling, walking her dog, researching genealogy, and playing pickleball and tennis.
Carl Brenner remains the Supervisory Park Ranger for Interpretation and Resources, after serving as interim superintendent.
A Christmas parade is happening in the downtown historic district this Thursday, December 1.
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce organizes the Christmas Parade each year with Briggs Auto of Fort Scott sponsoring the prizes for the parade, according to Lindsay Madison, CEO of the chamber.
Deadline to enter a group in the parade is Tuesday, November 29 at 1pm. It is FREE to enter the parade.
What is happening Thursday evening:
> Parade starts 6 pm at Wall and National, goes south to Third Street, east to Main, North on Main to Skubitz Plaza.
> Parkway Church of God Kettle Corn will be setup at 1st & Main before and after parade, box $2, Bag $5.
> Complimentary hot cocoa by Fort Scott Recreation in front of Hedgehog.INK! Book Store
> Lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree immediately following the parade, north end of Main.
> Christmas Crafts by Fort Scott High School Thespians & Visits with Santa and photos by Walgreens at Papa Don’s Restaurant after the parade.
> Make-your-own Ornament Kits free at 110 S Main while supplies last, appropriate for ages 10 and under.
> Bourbon County Revival live music at Hare & Crow Barber Shop with refreshments following parade.
> Sharky’s North Pole Pop-up Bar open 5pm to 10/11pm with festive atmosphere and drinks!
Link to enter parade: https://fortscott.com/events/details/christmas-parade-it-s-a-gingerbread-christmas-in-the-fort-25850
A splash pad is coming to town, thanks to some leaders who took the initiative.
“This idea has been in strategic plans and will add to the revitalization of downtown Fort Scott,” said Bailey Lyons, who along with Josh Jones and Kelly Barr have spearheaded the drive for funds.
Last week at the Fort Scott City Commission meeting, Lyons announced that with the help of two big donors, they are within reach of the project.
“We plan to break ground in the Spring and open by Summer 2023,” Lyons said. “We thought it would be a wonderful addition to our community. It will be a wonderful outdoor recreational amenity that offers a fun play option for all. It will be a gathering place accessible to people of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds. We saw other communities like ours installing splash pads with great success, and wanted to bring one to Fort Scott.”
For those who might not know, a splash pad is a recreational outdoor play area with sprinklers, fountains, nozzles and other devices that spray water. Also known as a spray pool, there is little to no standing water in the space.
It will be placed at the west end of Skubitz Plaza, off of North National Avenue.
The site was picked because of accessibility, parking, and infrastructure and also is at the north end of the historic downtown area with dining, shopping and other attractions.
Fort Scott Parks and Recreation Department will provide maintenance, with the city also providing water and electricity.
So far, about $180,000 has been raised for the space, with $20,000 more to fund raise.
Two of the biggest donors have been a Timken Foundation Grant of $75,000 and a Walmart Foundation Grant of $40,000.
Chicken Mary’s, a well known restaurant north of Pittsburg, is the latest to help with fundraising.
On Wednesday, Dec. 7, one can pick up a chicken dinner or supper in Fort Scott that must be pre-ordered by Dec. 4. The meal is $10 per plate and tickets must be ordered by calling 620.224.7795.
The splash pad will not raise taxes, Lyons said.
On November 1, Luther’s BBQ Restaurant at 3 W. Oak, closed.
The building’s second story business, the River Room Event Center, has a new phone number and will honor any reservations that were made, according to Al Niece, owner of the building.
The River Room new phone number is 620.820.0536 and their email is [email protected]
“There were some reservations in place for some events (at the River Room), I am honoring them all,” Niece said. “The River Room is one of the largest event centers in the area.”
Niece feels confident that the lower floor restaurant space will be leased soon, he said.
“We are weighing options for a business there,” Niece said. “We are talking with several groups.”
To view the prior story on the opening of Luther’s:
KDOR Executed Tax Warrants and Seized Assets
On November 1, 2022, agents from the Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR) accompanied by the Fort Scott Police Dept. and the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Dept. executed tax warrants and seized the assets of Luther’s BBQ LLC for nonpayment of Liquor Enforcement Taxes and Sales Taxes: totaling $38,783.96, according to a press release from the KDOR.
The warrants were filed in Bourbon County.
The types of assets seized include all known bank accounts, on-site cash, business inventory, as well as personal property belonging to the owner. The business was sealed closed with a public notice posted on the outside.
“Luther’s BBQ LLC has paid all outstanding judgements and assets have been released to the business,” according to an email from KDOR on November 9.
KDOR’s policy and practice is to work with taxpayers in delinquent status to voluntarily enter into repayment agreements, according to the press release. It is only after these efforts and multiple failed collection attempts that the Department is forced to execute a tax warrant, utilizing such actions as bank levies, till taps, and ultimately asset seizure to ensure compliance with the law.
KDOR’s responsibility to recover delinquent taxes not only ensures fairness for individuals and business owners who do pay their taxes, but also ensures that money is lawfully collected to fund state and local programs on which Kansans depend, according to the press release. These programs include education, highways, public safety, and human services.
Customers, employees or others that may have items at the business may contact the agent assigned to
this case at 785-250-5084.