All posts by Loretta George

The Haunting of Belltown Comes to Fort Scott

Travis and Jennifer Sawyer and some of their friends came up with a Halloween event that will take place starting this evening at Riverfront Park on Fort Scott’s North National Avenue.

The two-evening event is called the Haunting of Belltown.

“Travis and I and our friends thought up this idea for the community,” Jennifer said. “We did a small hayride last year with our kids and they enjoyed it so we did a haunted hayride last year for the community and was a big hit. Unfortunately insurance for our dealership to host it was going to cost too much so we decided to do it in town.”

Left-right: John Willis, Jerica Roberts, Jennifer Sawyer, Travis Sawyer, Mary Binford, and Josh Binford (not pictured) are the creators of the Haunting of Belltown. Submitted photo.

A haunted walking trail, hayride and Halloween movies await those who come  to the Haunting of Belltown.

“The hayride I would say is for all ages and the haunted trail I would say 6th grade and up, but will be best based on parents preference,” Jennifer said.

The event is Oct. 14 and 15 from 7 to 11 p.m. , on the southside of the Marmaton River on North National Avenue.

“It will be the road where Stephen Toal did all the murals under the Hwy. 69 bypass,” Jennifer said. “There will be a hayride, haunted walking trail, Halloween movies will be playing, and we will be selling hot dogs, hot cocoa and other beverages.”

To enter is free but they  will be accepting donations.

More information can be found for Friday night:

Saturday night:

Sawyer Automotive is located at 1631 235th St. Fort Scott and can be reached at 620-215 5020.
The event is sponsored by:

-Sawyer Automotive sales & affiliates
-M & RC rentals
-Carhelp
-Washateria
-Durossettes tire shop
-Key Industries
-ONEstop
-Great Expectations
-Miller’s Feed
-Courtland Hotel
-Brigg’s Auto
-Pearson Towing
-Skitch’s Hauling and Excavation
-Marsha’s Deli
-Triple T construction
-Bourbon County Cars
-American Legion
-American Legion riders
-Uncle Hemp’s CBD health & wellness
-Labconco

Women’s Defense Class This Saturday For Those 12 Years and Up

Fort Scott Middle School.

The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office is sponsoring a women’s self defense class this Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Fort Scott Middle School from 10 a.m. to noon.

“This class is for women 12 years old and older, all the way up to 90,” said Kim Schwab, Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Administrative Assistant.
“The instructor is Jill Leiker, Executive Director of The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation,” she said. “She currently holds the rank of a 9th degree black belt, although the techniques taught in this class are not martial arts. They are simple techniques that any woman can learn and execute. She has instructed over 70,000 women in these techniques. She also was the recipient of the 2018 WIN for Kansas City’s Outstanding Woman Award for her positive impact on females, young and old.”
Participants should wear comfortable clothing and shoes, like sweatpants and athletic shoes, because they will be learning techniques of self-defense.
There is a suggested donation of $12 for the class to help  defray the cost of presenting the class, however if someone can’t afford to pay the fee, they can still take the class, she said.
The money goes to the Ali Kemp Educational Foundation and was created by a Leawood, KS. man whose daughter was raped and murdered.
History of the Class in Fort Scott

The class in Fort Scott came about when Schwab’s daughter was preparing to go to college.

“Four years ago I approached Sheriff Martin about the possibility of having a self-defense class for my college bound daughter to take. He directed me to The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation as an excellent way to accomplish this to help her and other women in our county  be proactive in taking responsibility for their own safety.”
No Class For A Few Years
COVID 19 prevented a class in 2020, she said.
Then this past April 2022, Roger Kemp, creator of the foundation, died suddenly.

“The foundation needed time to regroup after his passing and so we are now scheduled to do it this Saturday, October 15th,” she said.

Bronson Baptist Church Celebrates 140 Years

Bronson Baptist Church was chartered in 1882.

Bronson Baptist Church has been in the Bronson community for 140 years.

The small congregation in western Bourbon County will celebrate the anniversaryChur this Sunday, Oct. 16 with a special music concert by Lloyd Houk at 9:45 a.m., followed by morning worship at 10:45 a.m. There will be a carry-in lunch following services.

The  Bronson Baptist Church was chartered in 1882.  At first the people met in a wood frame building that housed the congregation, then a brick building at 403 Randolph, across the street was built in 1925.

“My grandfather, Christian Frederick Ermel, was a brick layer that worked on it,” said Judy Wilson, whose family has attended the church for generations.

“My parents, Reta Mae and Buford Johnson, always attended the church,” Wilson said.

“I can remember some Sunday School teachers from way back, Cordie Volmer, and Ima Jean Sager,” she said. “The people I remember older than my parents generation is Glenn Entzminger, who was a leader of the church, always there for anything needed.”

Judy and husband Rex were married in the church.

And in recent years they had Reta Mae’s funeral there.

“Right now, not many attend the church, but if folks come they are going to hear the Word of God, for sure,” she said.

The church is an independent Baptist Church and the current pastor is Michael Miller.

“It was the preacher’s suggestion to have the 140th anniversary celebration,” Wilson said. “He thought it was worth celebrating.”

 

Want to Be A Book Writer? There’s a Seminar For That Oct. 15

For those of you who have ever wanted to write a book, there is encouragement coming this weekend.
This Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon, Hedgehog INK a bookstore  will  have a workshop for aspiring book writers.
It’s a two-part writing seminar with publishing and marketing tips for writers in the morning and then meeting  local authors in the afternoon.
Publishing and Marketing a Book
The morning seminar presenter, R.J. Thesman, will speak on best practices for publishing a book and the action steps for effective marketing of a book.

Thesman is a certified writing coach, editor, and author of 20 books and 800+articles in various publications, according to a Hedgehog.INK press release. Thesman’s work is included in 14 anthologies, and she is listed in the Who’s Who of Professional Women. A popular speaker and teacher for numerous writers conferences, Thesman loves to help her clients birth new words and publish their books.

The event is sponsored by the Bourbon County Arts Council,
the Wednesday Writers Group, and Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore
.


Location for the morning event is at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team office at 104 N. National, Fort Scott, KS
.

A 2018 photo of the office of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, 104 N. National, from its Facebook page.


 The office is located north of Luther’s restaurant, with public parking available on the
east side of National Avenue. Lunch is on your own, with several restaurants within walking distance.


 Registration is $40,  and junior high, high school and college students are free, but registration is required.


Registration forms are available at:
Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore
16 S Main, Fort Scott, KS
6206702752

[email protected]

Author Book Signing

Local authors will sign and make available their books for sale, which might be a great idea for your Christmas list, according to information from the press release.

In the afternoon there will be multiauthor
book signing at the Hedgehog.INK bookstore at 16 S. Main from 1:30 to 3 p.m. with f
eatured authors:
Brian Allen, Rhonda Hassig, Sally Jadlow, Joyce Love,
Rogene McPherson, R.J. Thesman, Jane Tucker and
Marti WellsSmith
.

Hedgehog.INK, located at 16 S. Main, in historic downtown Fort Scott.

Tips to Keep Unwanted Pests Out

Krista Harding
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786

Tips to Keep Unwanted Pests Out

 

As the weather cools, it is inevitable that certain outdoor pests are going to try to find their way inside homes. One of the best ways to limit unwanted intrusions of insects or rodents is to deny them entry. It is often easier to prevent entry into a home or building than trying to control them once they are inside.

 

Here are seven useful tips for pest proofing.

 

  1. At the base of all exterior doors, install door sweeps or thresholds. Gaps of 1/16 inch will permit entry of insects and spiders; ¼ inch wide gaps are large enough for entry of mice. The bottom corner of doors is often where rodents and insects enter.

 

Applying calk along the bottom outside edge and sides of door thresholds will exclude ant and small insect entry. Garage doors should also be checked for bottom seals. A rubber seal is best as vinyl seals poorly in cold weather.

 

  1. Utility openings should also be sealed. This includes areas where pipes and wires enter the foundation and siding, around outdoor faucets, receptacles, gas meters, clothes dryer vents and telephone/cable TV wires. Plug holes with caulk, cement, expandable foam, steel wool or other suitable sealant.

 

  1. Use a good quality silicone or acrylic latex caulk to caulk around windows, doors and fascia boards. Use a high quality caulking gun. A gun that has a back-off trigger to halt the flow of caulk is best.

 

  1. Repair gaps and tears in window and door screens. Doing so will help reduce entry of flies, gnats, lady beetles and other overwintering pests in the fall. However, there are some insects such as hackberry psyllids that are small enough to fit through mesh window screens. The only way to prevent entry of these tiny insects is to keep windows closed.

 

  1. Attic, roof and crawl space vents should be covered with ¼ inch wire mesh to prevent entry of birds, bats, squirrels, rodents and other wildlife.

 

  1. An exterior (barrier) insecticide treatment can also be applied. Sealing is by far the most permanent way to exclude pests. However, it can be labor intensive and sometimes impractical.  For situations like that, an exterior insecticide treatment may be best. You will get the most for your efforts by applying a longer lasting liquid formulation containing synthetic pyrethroids. Read and follow label directions before using any pesticide.

 

Barrier insecticide treatments should be applied to the base of all exterior doors, garage and crawl space entrances, around foundation vents and utility openings and up underneath siding.

  1. Pests such as lady beetles are often best controlled with a little manual labor by using a vacuum cleaner or broom to sweep them up.

 

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District.  She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

 

New Life For The Former Scottish Rite Temple

Kathy Dancer stands in front of the Scottish Rite Temple. 110 S. Main, Fort Scott.

Kathy and Tracy Dancer are working to restore the former Scottish Rite Temple building in historic downtown Fort Scott.

“We bought it at the Bourbon County Tax sale in January 2022 for $20,000,” Kathy said. “That’s when we saw the opportunity to purchase it at the sale. We had been trying for years to contact the former owner, who purchased it from the Mason’s.”

The 12,000 square foot building that has been vacant for about 10 years is getting a electric update, Kathy said.

“Kudos to the Masons,” she said. “They took took good care of the building…the water and most of the electric were taken care of.”

The Dancers have plans for a cafe in the area that people might remember as where the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs prepared and served  their meals they sold the public as fundraisers.

Even before that recent use, there was a cafe there.

“The Cohen Cafe, before 1948, had a cafe in the space,” she said.

The Dancers plan to have the cafe open for breakfast and lunch service in that same space, possibly in spring 2023. “We are waiting for state approval for construction to begin.”

“We want to focus on locally produced in the region fruits, veggies and meat as much as possible,” she said.

Kathy Dancer stands in front of the current main entrance of the Scottish Rite Temple. After renovation of the building, there will be other entrances and restored large windows.

They are also planning on having a retail incubator.

“We also hope to put a micro-retail space for 6 to 8 businesses in one large section,” she said. “Handcrafted goods: jewelry, popcorn, custom home decor, furniture (for example). With a central check-out. People won’t have to man their space.”

“I need more approvals for this project,” she said. “It will focus on locally produced goods as much as possible.”

She said her husband is working through the process of getting a distillers license. “To have bourbon crafted and aged in Bourbon County,” she said.

“We are starting with the ground floor first, it will take time,” Kathy said. “I’m guestimating five years to complete.”

The beautiful theater in the building is a question mark.

“We don’t know what we are going to do with the theater,” she said.

 

 

 

521 S. Judson Now On National Register of Historic Places

Ronda and Rob Hassig with one of their adopted sons, Harvey Crowder in the room with the Mark Twain fireplace .

The Thomas and Anna Herbert House, now owned by Rob and Ronda Hassig, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The house is located at 512 South Judson St.
Fort Scott.

The heavy plaque noting the registration sits inside the Hassig home, waiting for a pole to be built to attach it to, since it is very heavy.

“Having the house on the National Register of Historic places means the Herbert House gets the recognition it so richly deserves,” Ronda Hassig said.  “Rob and I both feel strongly that this designation will also keep our beautiful home safe even after we are gone. We love the Herbert House and are hoping that the Heritage Trust Fund Grant from the state of Kansas will come through and we can do some much-needed repairs on the exterior of the house!”

“The reason the Herbert House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places is because of the Queen Anne architecture and style,” Ronda said. “When the historical architect first visited us to help with the National Register application, she literally walked through the front door and said ‘This is a slam dunk!’ The Queen Anne style was based on the premise of ‘decorative excess” and that is exactly what the Herberts did!”

About  Thomas Herbert

Thomas Herbert. Submitted photo.

“Thomas Herbert worked for the government and happened through Fort Scott on one of his business trips after the Civil War and fell in love with the town,” she said. “He  bought the lots on Judson in the early 1870s but didn’t build until 1887/88. He married his wife Anna in 1873 at the Episcopalian church.”

“Mr. Herbert owned a store at Second and Wall Street that had paint, wallpaper, and home decor items from all over the world, kind of a mini-Home Depot,” she said. “He was from Canada and learned painting as an apprentice in Buffalo, NY.”

“He…decorated some of the most beautiful houses in Fort Scott so he was quite the artist,” Ronda said. “When the town renovated the Opera House, Mr. Herbert painted all of the Egyptian figures on the walls and ceiling of the theatre! He would definitely be considered one of the founding fathers of Fort Scott.”

 

Anna Herbert. Submitted photo.

Herbert was a Mason of the 33rd Degree, so he spent time at the Scottish Rites Temple, she said.

 

Description of the Herbert House

“We have lived in the house for almost four years and we still find little decorations inside and out that we haven’t noticed before,” she said. “The hand carved woodwork would have been done back East, and then would have been shipped by train. A builder would have built the house to suit the Herberts. We don’t know who the builder was but whoever it was they did a really nice job!”

The house is 6000 square feet including a full attic, dry basement and coal shoot, and 4000 square feet of living space  with 5 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, music room, living room, dining room, modern kitchen and library/den.

“My favorite room is probably the dining room because of the Czechoslovakian chandelier and the Mark Twain fireplace,” Ronda said. “Mark Twain liked to watch the snow fall and the fire blaze at the same time so there are two flues and a window above the fire box!”

“The library/den, half bath, and 5th bedroom were added to the house in 1930 by Dr. Wilkening who lived in the house longer than anyone else,” she said. “The music room was actually his office.”

 

A photo of Dr. William Wilkening’s medical class. Hassig is unsure which one is Dr. Wilkening. Submitted photo.

Renown photographer Gordon Parks was friends with one of the more recent owners of the house, Ken and Charlotte Lunt.

“Gordon Parks was very good friends with the Lunts and he visited the house often in his later years,” she said. “He held court in the front burgundy velvet antique chairs by the round window whenever he visited. We’ve hosted the Gordon Parks Celebration VIPS that last two years so that David Parks (Gordon’s son) can see the house again every year.”

“The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.”

According to https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/features.htm

 

Bourbon County Tax-Delinquent Sale Is Oct. 13, 68 Properties For Sale

The Bourbon County Courthouse.

Bourbon County is set for a tax sale on  October 13, 2022 at 10 a.m. in the lobby of the Bourbon County Courthouse at 210 S National Avenue, Fort Scott, Kansas.

“The purpose of the tax sales is to get the properties into the hands of taxpayers that will pay the (property) taxes,” Bourbon County Treasurer Patty Love, said.

Patty Love. Submitted photo.

“There are a total of 68 properties on the list at this time,”  she said.

There is a process to hold the tax sale.

“The Bourbon County Counselor, Justin Meeks, files the tax sale in court, Love said   “Justin works with the County Appraiser, Matt Quick, to provide the maps and pictures the day of the tax sale to show property for sale.  The treasurer collects the revenue from the tax sale and applies it to the property taxes.  The Register of Deeds Lora Holdridge’s office, will type the new deeds.”

Justin Meeks, Bourbon County Counselor. Submitted photo.
Matt Quick. Taken from LinkedIn. Quick is the county appraiser.
Lora Holdridge, register of deeds.

 

“At the prior tax sale held in January 2022, there were 50 properties that sold for a total of $129,408.40,” Love said.  “The 14 properties that didn’t sell were properties inside the city of Fort Scott that had a minimum bid which was a total of the Special Assessment levied against the property by the City for mowing and demolition.  Those properties that didn’t sell have now been transferred to the Fort Scott City  Land Bank.”

The following is a description of the Fort Scott Land Bank from a prior news release:

“The Fort Scott Land Bank focuses on the conversion of vacant, abandoned, tax-delinquent, or otherwise underused properties into productive use.

Vacant, abandoned, tax-delinquent, or otherwise underused properties are often grouped together as “problem properties” because they destabilize neighborhoods, create fire and safety hazards, drive down property values, and drain local tax dollars.

The Fort Scott Land Bank was created to strategically
acquire problem properties, eliminate the liabilities, and transfer the properties to new, responsible owners in a transparent manner that results in outcomes consistent with community-based plans.

These opportunities are a collection of parcels owned by the Fort Scott Land Bank.

Every transfer of property from the Fort Scott Land Bank will be accompanied by a development agreement, outlining the final use of the property as well as accompanying timelines. The purchase price
for Land Bank properties will be negotiated based on the cost to acquire the property as well as the details in the development agreement. The Fort Scott Land Bank Board of Trustees will approve the final agreement and purchase offer.”

 

“The money from the Land Bank is distributed to the various taxing entities at the time of the next distribution,” she said.  “County Distributions take place in January, March, June, September and October.”

Here is a list of the properties and their owners that will be sold at the tax sale:

TAX SALE OCT2022

 

More info can also be obtained on the Bourbon County Facebook page, or by contacting the Bourbon County Treasurers Office, 620.223.3800.

Growing Pains: Downtown Fort Scott Improvements

Lindsay Madison, standing right, leads discussion at the Fort Scott Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet event on Oct. 4

Downtown Fort Scott has experienced much improvements in the last few years.

Historic buildings have been and are being brought back to life, some for business storefronts and some for residences. There has hardly been a month where there wasn’t a dumpster in front of buildings downtown where construction going on.

All the new businesses and residences create problems that local city, businesses and organizations are working to solve.

At the quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet on Oct. 4, hosted by City State Bank, there was discussion of the downtown parking situation.

The need is real: more available and easily accessed parking for downtown businesses and residents.

The two recently renovated buildings, Union Lofts at 20 S. Main and Fort Scott Lofts at 8 E. First, need approximately 120 parking spaces for residents. In addition there are a growing number of other downtown apartments.

The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Downtown Division has been having conversations to come up with solutions, Lindsay Madison, executive director of the Chamber said.

“No solution will make everyone happy,” Bailey Lyons, chair of the the division told the attendees. We are looking at the most cost effective ways.”

There is a small unpaved parking lot in back of the Union Lofts, at First and National Avenue that has not been developed, “but funding is not available, is my understanding,” Madison said.

There are currently public parking lots behind Moe’s Breads on National Avenue, south of Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel, 201 S. Main and on Skubitz Plaza at the north end of downtown.

Some solutions for the parking situation on Main Street, from information provided by Madison are:

  • Enforcement of the 2-hour parking that is already in place. The ticket amount is being discussed by the city.
  • Reinstall parking meters. This is not a popular choice, based on feedback.
  • Have  no parking allowed between the hours of midnight to 6 a.m.
  • Give designated spots, with car stickers, in downtown area public parking lots for the downtown residents.
  • Build parking garages large enough to hold all the apartment resident’s cars, business employees cars and overflow parking.

“No solution will make everyone happy,” Bailey Lyons, chair of the the division told the attendees. We are looking at the most cost effective ways.”

For Lyons, the possible solutions are “Divert and assign spots for residents and business employees, and have better signage to identify public parking lots.”

Also on the Downtown Meet and Greet Agenda:

  • The Fort Scott National Historic Site annual candlelight tour is the first weekend in December, with tickets set to go on sale on November 1.
  • The annual  Downtown Halloween Parade is Oct. 29, with festivities starting at 10  a.m. and the parade at 11 a.m. Hot dogs will be provided after the parade for participants.
  • Downtown Holiday Open House is Nov. 10-12, with the kick-off event from 5-8 p.m. on Nov. 10.
  • Small Business Saturday Bonanza in November 26.
  • Cocoa and Caroling Night Shopping is Friday, December 9 from 5-8 p.m.

Madison listed several business resources available in Fort Scott:

  • The Dare to Dream Women’s Entrepreneurship Event, today from 5-7 p.m. at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Office, north of Luther’s BBQ on North National. There will be tips to affording health insurance.
  • Also at this location is the Small Business Development Center, with Dacia Clark as the contact.
  • Bourbon County Regional Economic Development offers business entrepreneurship mentoring with Mark McCoy, by appointment.
  • E-Community Loans are available at 4% for 10 years, minimum loan is $5,000 maximum is $45,000. Contact the Chamber.
  • Governor Laura Kelly announced that small businesses can now apply to receive COVID-19 Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief. In June, Governor Kelly signed bipartisan House Bill 2136, investing $50 million to help small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two downtown building construction updates

Lyons gave an update on the building on the west side of  downtown Main Street that she and her husband are renovating.

She said they are working with the state on the historic building which is a slow process, and have addressed structural issues.

“We are going to tackle the first floor first,” she said. “It is a possible build-to-suit for interested businesses.”

Kathy Dancer gave an update on the Scottish Temple that she and her husband have purchased.

She envisions a cafe and retail spaces in the building.

“I am guesstimating 18 months until we get the cafe going,” she said.

There will be a future story on this project on fortscott.biz.

About the host

City State Bank President John Hill told attendees that the bank was chartered in 1920, and in 2018 the downtown branch location was remodeled. They have two locations: 1012 Highway 69 or 202 Scott Avenue Fort Scott. and can be reached at 620-223-1600.

“We are a $55 million dollar institution, with 97% in Bourbon County,” he told the attendees.

 

No Outside Burning in the County Due to Extremely Dry Conditions

The Bourbon County Townships, taken from the Bourbon County, KS website.
The Bourbon County Townships, taken from the Bourbon County, KS website.

No hot dog roasts allowed until a significant amount of rain falls across Bourbon County, and no burning trash. However, outside cooking in covered barbeque grills is allowed.

“It’s unfortunate,” said Delwin Mumbower, Bourbon County Fire District #3 Chief said. “My grandkids would like to have a  weinee roast. But the conditions are not right.”

Mumbower asked for and received authorization by the Bourbon County Commission last week to ban all open burning in the county, until a significant amount of rain falls to make conditions less a threat to fires getting out of control.

The City of Fort Scott has already implemented fire restrictions in the city.

The rural fire districts must haul their own water to sites of fires.

“We have to haul water, there are very few fire hydrants in the rural areas,” he said. “There is a concern for the fire districts in the area that once a fire is started, in these extreme dry conditions, a fire is difficult to control.”

The biggest pumper truck they have holds 2,300 gallons, he said.

“Road ditch fires, unexplained fires, are rare except in exceptionally dry times,” Mumbower said. “The last two weeks there have been five unexplained fires.”

There is a concern, for the fire districts in the area, that once a fire is started in these extreme dry conditions, of their ability to control the fire.

There has been little rain since June and the last two months have had above normal temperatures, which has brought the conditions the county faces.

The willful violation of this burn ban, is a misdemeanor and punishable by law, according to the ban the commissioners put in place.

To view the burn ban:

doc03175320220927113432(2)

 

Lisa Lewis: New Fort Scott City Clerk

Lisa Lewis is the new Fort Scott City Clerk, as of Oct. 1, 2022.

Lisa A. Lewis, 56, is the new Fort Scott City and Municipal Court Clerk, as of Oct. 1, when Diane Clay retired.

Lewis and husband, Tony, are new to Fort Scott. The Lewis’s came in 2021, having lived in Chicago and raised their four children there.

From 2019 to 2021 they lived in Queen Creek, AZ but  decided they liked Midwest living better than the desert, so decided to move to Kansas, she said.

She started working at the city of Fort Scott as administrative support in January of 2022 working with Jackson Tough and Tourism as well as City Hall.

“My son in Spring Hill, KS was the one responsible for us all moving to Kansas,” she said. “We wanted to come back Midwest, where our heart is, but never back to Illinois. He played baseball for Wichita State University and then minor league for the Chicago White Sox. My husband also played minor league for the San Diego Padres and was sold on Fort Scott because of the LaRoche Stadium, where he currently works, so he is enjoying life here too and hoping to make more opportunities for the city with that aspect.”

“We wanted to move to a small town, from the big cities of previous years, and start to slow down,” she said. “I began working at City Hall but opportunities came fast and furious that changed all of that. Diane Clay took me under her wing and brought me along. She truly is amazing and someone I look up to. I hope to make her proud. I most certainly have a lot to learn in order to represent like she did, but I will get there. I believe I bring a lot of life experiences, I have dabbled in many of the pertinent professional areas over the years. I also have the passion and mindset to be an integral part of a team to help this charming little town be all it can be and more.”

“I come from big towns, and I know how to live ‘big town’, however, I have quickly come to love the charm and pace of small town living; but it is a definite learning curve,” she said. “I hope the residents will afford me that necessary grace period to learn all about Fort Scott and its needs, because my intentions are nothing but good. I am enjoying getting to know everyone. People are friendly here even though I am an outsider. Residents and my co-workers have been extremely gracious, welcoming and patient to date. I am used to being surrounded by shopping and services galore. Now I realize that if Wal-Mart doesn’t have it, we may not really need it anymore…that’s a good thing.”

With her husband of 33 years, Tony,  they raised four children.

“My daughter (32) is married with one child and one on the way,” she said. “She lives in Shawnee, KS and  her husband works for Johnson County Corrections. Our son (30) lives in Chicago, IL and is a general manager for Menards. He plans to move to Kansas in the near future. Our son (26) is married with one child on the way and lives in Spring Hill,  where he is a deputy sheriff for Johnson Co. Sheriff’s Office. Our daughter (16) is a junior at Fort Scott High School and found her passion in the theater there.”

Her work experience includes: Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Graphic Designer (20 years), Illinois DCFS Case Aide /Court Liaison (9 years), worked in healthcare as a CNA, Phlebotomist and Lab Clinical/Clerical Assistant (7 years).

Contact info for the city clerk:

The office is located at 123 S. Main St.

Fort Scott, KS 66701 and the phone number is

(620) 223-0550. FAX:  (620)-223-8100

or email  [email protected]

 

The clerk’s office hours are Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM.

Fort Scott City Hall.

 

 

FLAG Church Hosts Food Distribution on Oct. 1

Fort Cinema,224 W 18th St, Fort Scott is the  Family Life Assembly of God Church distribution site for free food.
Family Life Assembly of God, Fort Scott Campus, is hosting a  free food distribution for the community from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Fort Cinema parking lot, 224 W. 18th Street, on Saturday Oct. 1st.
Participants will have to be in a vehicle and come through the Fort Cinema parking lot, according to Pastor Grady Proffitt.
FLAG workers help distribute food in an earlier distribution. Submitted photos.
“We have resources to supply food and essential household items to 75 family units,” Proffitt said. “There will be a fruit and vegetable box, along with bread, and other foods and essential household items.”
Workers hand out food in a prior food distribution.
Convoy of Hope, Springfield, MO, is the sponsor source of this distribution.
Workers in a prior distribution. Submitted photos.
“Our mission is to help with essential needs of families in our community,” Proffitt said. “We are blessed to have many partnerships within our church, and we want to use those to the best of our abilities. Our church mission is to help people love God and love others. We choose to use what God gives us so others may be blessed.”
Fort Scott Family Life Assembly of God Church meets in Fort Cinema. Submitted photos.
The church has been established in Fort Scott for about one month, meeting in the Fort Cinema movie theater.
Fort Scott Family Life Assembly of God in worship. Submitted photos.
” We had 91 people attend our launch Sunday, and have been blessed since,” he said. “FLAG Church has been commissioned to plant a campus in Fort Scott. We aim to not steal or take away from other churches here in town, but add to the Church by reaching those who do not have a church home. We want to encourage others that already have a church home to keep going. There are many great churches in Fort Scott! We are excited to be a part of what God is already doing here in this community.”
The church mission is led by four core beliefs: Salvation, Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Divine Healing, and the Second Coming of Jesus, Pastor Proffitt said. To learn more about their beliefs: https://www.flagchurch.com/about.
“Within the pursuit of our mission, God has done many miraculous works throughout our gatherings,” Proffitt said. “Since the beginning of August, on Thursday nights, we have seen five physical healings on those in attendance. We seek to gather, connect, and pray for more of God’s miraculous signs and wonders just as He did in Acts 2. God is truly doing something amazing!”
The sermon is broadcast from the Pittsburg Family Life Assembly of God Church. Submitted photos.
  Sunday morning service is from 10:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m. and includes live worship, corporate prayer, kids services, and a Gospel centered message.
A gathering at Common Ground Coffee Co.. Submitted photos.
They also host a Campus Gathering at Common Ground Coffee Co. every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
 
Pastor Grady Proffitt and wife, Jacque Proffitt. Submitted photos.
FLAG Fort Scott is led by Pastor Grady and  and his wife, Jacque Proffitt.
“We moved to Fort Scott in June,” he said. “We have had seven years of ministry experience and are thankful we can be a part of this great community! FLAG Fort Scott is definitely a place you want to check out!”
 

To contact Proffitt: