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The Danger of Little Foxes by Patty LaRoche

Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

Air bags hurt.  A lot.  Trust me, I know.

Last week, I totaled an Excursion with six of my relatives in the vehicle.  I missed a turn after entering a cloud of gravel and dirt on a country road near my son’s ranch and ended up in a deep ditch.

We left the Red Bull practice event at Adam’s ranch around 8:30 P.M. Dave’s family had flown in from Las Vegas to watch the festivities, all of them serious dirt-bike racers.  To be able to watch the professionals perform their stunts was a dream-come-true for them.  We loaded up in the car, everyone seat-belted in, with my step-daughter, her husband, their daughter and her husband, and their two children (a one-year-old and three-year-old) buckled in and sharing their thrills from the evening.

Because of a drought in our area, the roads were dry and dusty.  Nothing I haven’t seen before.  The details aren’t important, except that when we jerked to a halt, On-Star was activated and asked if it needed to call 9-1-1.  “Yes” was said in unison.  (We later found out that OnStar notified the emergency room that the hysterical cries of the babies was all the answer it needed.)

Cars coming up behind us immediately came to our aid, helping excavate those who had difficulty exiting the vehicle, tending to those who were bleeding or burned by the air bags, offering any help needed.  The emergency vehicles were close behind, all providing necessary aid and transportation to the hospital.

Clearly, God had protected us from a much worse fate.  Within twenty feet of where we landed was a telephone pole.  Had we hit that, or had I jerked the Excursion to make the 90-degree turn, the outcome could have been much more deadly.

When we viewed the vehicle the day after the wreck, Dave, my son-in-law, noticed several triggered safety precautions.  The brake lights were still on (serving as a warning to drivers behind us that we wrecked, and the brakes were locked (to keep us from continuing forward, should we be on a cliff.) Seat belts were extended, preventing anyone from buying the vehicle in this unsafe condition.

Sometimes, pain teaches the strongest lesson.  When we loaded into the car, Tyler, the passenger in the rear seat, tried to lock down the headrest in front of him but couldn’t. That ended up being a projectile that hit the one-year-old above the eye and left a V-shaped hole in Tyler’s forehead that necessitated eight stitches.  It seemed like such a little thing at the time.  Another “little thing” I ignored was that a friend at the Red Bull site set a pin on my phone to navigate my way out of Missouri.  When my son-in-law said that he knew the way, I never pushed the “pin” button.  Had I done so, this accident would not have happened.

In the Bible, Solomon warned of the “little foxes” that spoil the vines, things we dismiss that lead to grave consequences.  Drops of water are very small, yet how often they become a raging torrent. The termite is a small insect, but it can destroy a three-story house if ignored. Starting with one cigarette can make you feel cool until you end up with lung cancer.  Sneak peeks at pornography are the leading cause of men and women entering sex-trafficking.

Louis of Granada, a Dominican priest of the 16th century, in The Sinner’s Guide advises us to resist small sins “for there is no enemy too weak to harm us if we make no resistance.” A careless sin life we label as small can morph into a lifestyle devoid of God.

Dear readers, it’s never worth the risk.

 

 

 

 

Boil Water Advisory Rescinded for City of Fulton, Bourbon County

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Fulton public water supply system located in Bourbon County. The advisory was issued because of system upgrades leading to multiple line breaks resulting in a loss of pressure in the system.  Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

Laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Fulton indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at: 620-857-4464 or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage: kdhe.ks.gov/waterdisruption.

 

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Help Identify Areas of Need for High Speed Internet

Governor Kelly Invites Public Input on Volume 2
of Broadband Plan

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced the release of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Initial Proposal Volume 2. As part of the planning process, the public is invited to submit their comments on the planning document. Together with the BEAD 5-Year Action Plan, Volumes 1 and 2 will help identify areas of need for high-speed internet buildout across the state and outline requirements for applicants to access grant funding.

“Our vision for Kansas is one where every resident, regardless of their location, has access to affordable, reliable internet,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The Volume 2 planning document sets a clear path to achieving that goal. I encourage all Kansans to be involved in the public comment process.”

Volume 2 outlines defined objectives for broadband infrastructure projects, transparent subgrantee selection processes, and the active participation of eligible entities, all aimed at providing affordable broadband service options to residents.

Additional components of Volume 2 include:

  • Plans for equipping the workforce with the necessary skills and resources to support broadband infrastructure development
  • Initiatives to promote the inclusion of Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) in broadband projects
  • Strategies for identifying and mitigating cost-related barriers to broadband deployment
  • Consideration of the environmental impact of broadband projects and efforts to minimize their carbon footprint
  • An outline of the regulatory approach to be taken by eligible entities in support of broadband infrastructure development

“As we continue to support and invest in broadband infrastructure, we’re not just connecting people; we’re creating opportunities,” said Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland. “High-speed broadband promotes access to telehealth, remote work, distance learning and entrepreneurship, which enrich our communities and create pathways to prosperity for Kansans.”

The BEAD program, established by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, has allocated more than $451 million to Kansas for the development of broadband networks.

The Kansas Office of Broadband Development remains committed to its mission of closing the digital divide and looks forward to continued collaboration with stakeholders to bring high-speed broadband connectivity to all communities across the state.

“This planning document is key to guiding a historic level of investment into broadband infrastructure,” Kansas Office of Broadband Director Jade Piros de Carvalho said. “Our office is committed to an open and fair granting process that ensures the best use of public funds.”

Public comments on Volume 2 can be submitted online here until November 12, 2023.

Learn more about the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Plan here.

Pete’s Corporation Hosts Fundraiser For Court Appointed Advocates For Children

 

CASA PROGRAMS IN 3 STATES BENEFIT FROM PLEDGE FUNDRAISER SPONSORED BY PETE’S CORPORATION OF ERIE DURING OCTOBER

Pete’s Corporation of Erie is hosting a pledge card fundraiser and other individual planned activities by each store on behalf of Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) during the month of October.  Pete’s operates 54 convenience stores and fuel stations in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma and is in the 11th year of their ongoing special effort to fund increased services by CASA to abused and neglected children in the court system through no fault of their own.  This year the fundraiser will benefit 6 individual CASA Programs in the region; CASA of the 31st Judicial District, CASA of the 4th, Bourbon County CASA and Tri-County CASA in Southeast Kansas; Child Advocates of Northeast Oklahoma and CASA of Jasper County in Missouri.

“Pinwheels for Prevention – Partners for Children” is an easy, stress-free and fun way to help children overcome abuse and neglect with CASA’s help.  Pete’s cashiers will ask you to donate and all you do is say YES!  You get to sign a Pinwheel Pledge Card and hang it in the store to commemorate your donation. It you donate $5 or more you get a raffle ticket good for a chance at winning a $25 prize in each store at the end of October. Then, the winners from each store will go on to a GRAND PRIZE DRAWING at the end of October for $250 at Pete’s Corporate Office in Parsons. Winners will be contacted by telephone, so be sure to include your number!

The funds raised are used to recruit, train, prepare, and support Volunteer Advocates who are specially trained by CASA and appointed by County Judges to help children who have been found to be in need of care by the court.  The CASA Advocates partner with the children, speak up for their best interest in court and help guide them successfully through their time in foster care. Once appointed, the CASA is always there for the child until they are released from custody.  CASA focuses on the needs of the children, spending less time in foster care, getting the right services to benefit them and making sure the Judge has all the information needed at Court time. Fundraising proceeds have also been used in emergencies and to pay for athletics, music lessons, summer camp, winter coats, Christmas gifts, adoption gifts, life books and special equipment and special clothing for children in the CASA programs. CASA programs are non-profit and must raise their own funds to operate.  CASA Advocates are volunteers.

Pete’s Corporation has made the Pinwheel Fundraiser a competition between stores, area managers and district managers, offering corporate incentives to all employees to do their best for CASA.  From there the managers and employees have gotten very creative and have taken the competition to heart!  All stores do something special or host an event to supplement the fundraiser and many do some truly zany but really fun things!  Several managers have taken cream pies to the face if the store reaches a set goal or offered to get dunked in a water tank for extra money; others have thrown a BBQ or pizza party when employees post so many pledge cards.  There were dueling bake sales between stores in the same town; car washes that got drowned by rain but continued anyway; body painting; dance-a-thons; characters greeting customers; lotto winnings donated by employees and customers and public competition to have the most pinwheels on the wall! At the end CASA awards trophies and publicly recognizes the top 6 Pete’s Corporation Stores in several categories and representatives from each CASA program are on hand to congratulate them. A media event is planned for December 14th  at the Convention Center in Parsons, KS.

Pete’s Corporation of Erie and CASA invite everyone to join the fun and help unfortunate children at the same time. Children who did nothing wrong but wound up in foster care anyway. Donations to CASA are fully tax deductable and CASA is recognized as a 501(c)(3) charity by the IRS.

Chamber After-hours hosted by Union State Bank onOctober 12

Join us!

Chamber After-hours

hosted by Union State Bank

at Empress Event Center!

Thursday, October 12th, 2023

5:15 to 6:30pm

Empress Event Center

7 N. Main St, Downtown Fort Scott

Parking in both the front and back of building.

5:15 to 5:45pm ~ Social & Networking, Refreshments & Spirits

5:45 to 6:15pm ~ Program

6:15 to 6:30pm ~ Wrap-up/Questions/Social

Free to attend!

Registration requested for planning purposes, click here to register.

Click here for the Facebook event, please help spread the word!

The event will feature Guest Speaker/Consultant

Toby Joplin on a Simple Model

Business Strategy for Future Success!

About the Program:

How is 2024 going to be better for your business than 2023? If we keep on doing what we have always done, we will keep getting what we have previously got – only if we are lucky! Retailers like Sears & Roebuck, Blockbuster, Radio Shack and many others have proven that past success is no guarantee of future success, regardless of the size of your business. And if we want better results in the future, we need to change what we are currently doing. It would sure help if we knew what the future holds. The best way to predict the future is to create it. While some things like the economy and interest rates are outside of our control, we have much more influence and agency over our future results than we realize. Would you like to know how to improve the results from your business in 2024?

At the Chamber After-hours on October 12th, Dr. Toby Joplin, who teaches the capstone business strategy course at the University of Tulsa and is the founder of the Joplin Consulting Group will explain a simple plan to help your business achieve its goals in 2024. Dr Joplin has been helping companies be more successful for over 25 years. He has helped companies from Kansas City to Fort Worth. He has helped companies from as small as start-ups to as large as $15 Billion in annual revenues – and nonprofit organizations too. (Your company’s revenues probably fall somewhere between $0 and $15 Billion.) Dr Joplin can help you too. On October 12th, Dr J, as he is affectionately referred by his students, will explain a simple model that you can follow to make 2024 your best year ever.

We hope to see you there!

FUN Event ~ Tasty Refreshments

Great Message ~ Well worth your time!

Don’t forget to RSVP by clicking here,

or just call or email us at the Chamber!

620-223-3566

[email protected]

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Live Professional Wrestling returns to Ft. Scott at Memorial Hall!

Harley Race’s World League Wrestling comes to Ft. Scott on Saturday, October 21st!

 

Professional Wrestling has been a staple in the Midwest of America for decades. Make the rounds from city to city, town to town, generations of families have been going to live pro-wrestling events for decades all over America, including Ft. Scott, KS. On Saturday October 21st, the first wrestling event to take place in decades will be held at the historic Memorial Hall.

 

Harley Race’s World League Wrestling is coming to town, and when people hear the name Harley Race, they know there is a level quality that comes along with it. Created by the 8-Time NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion and WWE Hall of Famer, Harley Race started WLW in 1999 with the intentions of giving fans an alternative that is based around what fans want to see – true professional wrestling. Today, the promotion is as strong as ever and is looking forward to coming to Memorial Hall and Ft. Scott.

 

“Wrestling fans are in for a treat come October 21st” said WLW wrestler Leland Race, “it has been close to 40 years since professional wrestling has been at Memorial Hall and we are looking forward to showing up and showing out!”

 

Matches scheduled to take place include WLW Heavyweight Champion Superstar Steve defending his championship against Ben Trust, WLW Tag-Team Champions Leland Race and Camaro Jackson defending their championships against The Premiere (SK Bishop and Campbell Myers). Other wrestlers scheduled to appear include Moses “The Deliverer”, Rahim de la Suede, Kenny Alfonso, Aden Riley, and more!

 

This event will be taped for the World League Wrestling flagship television program – “SHOWDOWN” – that currently airs in 15 markets across America including St. Louis, MO, Columbia, MO, Dallas, TX, New York, NY, Indianapolis, IN, and many more.

 

Make sure that you make plans on attending the event on October 21st at the historic Memorial Hall in Ft. Scott, KS. Doors for this event will open at 6 PM and bell time is at 7 PM. Ticket prices start at $20. Prices for tickets will rise the day of the event, so get yours now and don’t miss out!. For more information, visit www.advancebourboncounty.com or call 573-392-4100.

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Chamber After-Hours and Ribbon Cutting Mill Creek Veterinary Clinic October 19

Join us for a Chamber After-Hours and Ribbon Cutting

Mill Creek

Veterinary Clinic

Thursday, October 19th

5:30pm-7:00pm

6 East 13th Street

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members to a Chamber After-hours & Ribbon Cutting Event to celebrate the opening of Mill Creek Veterinary Clinic! The event will take place on Thursday, October 19th from 5:30pm-7:00pm with the remarks and ribbon cutting starting at 5:45pm. After the Ribbon cutting and remarks, everyone is invited to come and go to see the business, enter the drawings, and enjoy refreshments.

 

Opened on January 16, 2023 and located on the corner of 13th and National; Mill Creek Veterinary Clinic is a new addition to Fort Scott, however, Dr. Amanda Brown and her husband are natives to Fort Scott. Dr. Amanda and staff at MCVC to be kind and efficient while providing clients and their pets an affordable modern approach to preventive care as well as managing acute and chronic illnesses. Mill Creek is a small animal focused clinic, but has the ability to provide large animal services on farm. MCVC has the capability to perform a full diagnostic work up due to in house Idexx laboratory equipment, in house digital x-ray, and Butterfly ultrasound.

 

Contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce for more information at 620-223-3566 or [email protected].

 

Click here for their Facebook page!

 

We hope to see you there!

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members
shown below!
FORT SCOTT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
620-223-3566
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

2023 Gordon Parks Celebration Poetry Contest Winners Named

Winners of the Gordon Parks Celebration “Family, Home
and Roots” poetry contest, sponsored by Helen Townsend and Trabar Associates, have been chosen.

Fifteen entries were received and the winner of First Place was Zian Butler Perez, Manassas, VA with the poem titled “An Ode to White Rice, Ketchup, and Heuvo Frito.” Second Place was Delvyn Thomas,
Wichita, KS with the poem “Tea Time.” by Kelly Hams Pearson, Parkville, MO. Third Place was Andrew Hall, Shawnee, KS with the poem, “I am You, Kansas.”

There were three Honorable Mentions named: “Circle.” by Kristin Chambers, Waverly, KS, “We are Family Playground.” by Daliludeen Ahmedou, (Nevada, MO) “Breaking” by Lynne Schmidt, Norway, ME and Hanamo, Flo Au, (Hong Kong)

First, Second, and Third place winners received cash prizes of $200, $75, and $50 respectively.
The contest was open to any non-professional photographer and was inspired by Gordon Parks and his love for his family and upbringing.

Photographers were invited to capture the essence of the theme.
Judges for the photo contest was Kansas Poet Laureate, Traci Brimhall, Poet and Author, Annette Hope-Billings and Poet, Cash Hollistah.

The poetry exhibit will be on display on the Gordon Parks Museum’s Facebook page
facebook.com/fsccgpmuseum/ and the museum’s website
gordonparkscenter.org.

 

2023 Gordon Parks Celebration Photo Contest Winners Named

Winners of the Gordon Parks Celebration “Family, Home and Roots” photo contest, sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography, have been chosen.

Seventy-Five entries were received and the winner of First Place was Karen Cayce, Wichita, KS with the photo titled “Family
Legacy.” Second Place was Delvyn Thomas, Wichita, KS with the photo “Class Family.” Third Place was McKinely Sutton, Uniontown, KS with the photo, “Children.”

There were five Honorable Mentions named: “House.” by (Yasser Alaa Mobarak,( Alexandria, Egypt.); “We are Family Playground.” by Daliludeen Ahmedou, (Nevada, MO) “Follow the Leader” by McKinley Sutton, (Uniontown, KS) “Me and Pa.” by Makiah Woods, (Bronson, KS), “Girl and Sheep”, by Johanna Walker, (Franklin, KS)

First, Second, and Third place winners received cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50 respectively.

The contest was open to any non-professional photographer and was inspired by Gordon Parks and his love for his family and upbringing.

Photographers were invited to capture the essence of the theme.
Judges for the photo contest were professional photographer, Veretta Cobler and established make-up artist and hair stylist, Donna Fumoso based in New York City.

The photo exhibit will be on display on the Gordon Parks Museum
Facebook page facebook.com/fsccgpmuseum/ and the museum’s website
gordonparkscenter.org.