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Robert and Anna Steele Legacy

Forever United in Generosity: The Enduring Legacy of Robert and Anna Steele’s Philanthropic Spirit

Lifelong residents of Fort Scott and Bourbon County, Kansas, Robert Gordon and Anna Faye Steele were pillars of the community. Their unwavering dedication to their neighbors and volunteerism with a variety of local organizations made them cherished and respected leaders. Known for their warm hearts and steadfast commitment to giving back, the Steeles were always eager to find new ways to support local organizations and causes close to their hearts.

Friends who knew Robert and Anna will share how close of a couple they were and that they never saw one without the other. Following their deaths in 2017, the Anna Faye Steele and Robert Gordon Steele Memorial Funds were established through the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation (FSACF) in their honor. Recognizing the enduring influence that their assets could have on the causes they held dear, the Steeles entrusted their legacy to the caring hands of the Community Foundation. By doing so, they ensured that their spirit of giving would carry on together and continue to support the organizations that had captured their hearts during their lifetimes.

“Bob and Faye’s estate, which was a testament to their kindness, now uplifts local charities, churches, and educational institutions,” said David Shepherd, FSACF board member and community advocate. “In their vision for a lasting impact, they chose the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation to steward their assets. As we honor the Steeles, we take pride in commemorating their thoughtful contribution, which perpetually blesses our community.”

This year, the two Steele Memorial Funds distributed $286,739 to sixteen organizations. Since their establishment in 2017, the funds have provided over $1,196,900 in grants, uplifting the lives of countless individuals within Fort Scott and Bourbon County. The generosity of the Steeles has not only enhanced the local community but has also served as a testament to the power of philanthropy.

Year after year, a multitude of local organizations have been privileged to benefit from the Steele Funds. These organizations include The Beacon, Buck Run Community Center, Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center, Evergreen Cemetery Association, Fort Scott Community College (through scholarships), Fort Scott High School (through scholarships), Fort Scott Public Library, Mount Orum Baptist Church, Old Fort Genealogical Society, Redfield Ruritan Club, Uniontown High School (through scholarships), and Uniontown United Methodist Church.

“The Steeles’ gift has been a great benefit for the Old Fort Genealogical Society,” said Ken Lyon, long-time organization president and current vice president. “We couldn’t have accomplished much of what we have done over the past five years if it weren’t for funds from the Steele endowments.”

In addition to their consistent support for these cherished local institutions, the Steeles’ memorial funds have also extended their reach to broader causes. The funds support organizations of national importance, including the American Cancer Society, American Heart and Lung Association, American Lung Association, and Paralyzed Veterans of America. Through their thoughtful and far-reaching philanthropy, the Steeles have left an indelible mark on both a local and national level.

 

The legacy of Robert and Anna Steele will forever be intertwined with the growth and well-being of Fort Scott. Their compassionate foresight in establishing these memorial funds through the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation ensures that their impact will be everlasting. Donations to the FSACF are an investment to serve others in the future. The Steeles clearly understood that giving to FSACF to establish an endowment protects their initial gift forever. Grants are given only from the earnings of their donation. Thus, it is a gift that keeps on giving. They understood their legacy of philanthropy could help others for generations to come simply by investing in the Community Foundation. FSACF takes great pride in being the host agency for these memorial funds and cherishes the opportunity to carry forward the inspiring legacies of Robert and Anna Steele.

For those inspired by their story, FSACF encourages you to consider including the foundation in your will or trust, ensuring that your charitable wishes can continue to positively influence our community for years to come. To learn more about the process of naming FSACF in your will or trust, visit with your attorney or contact the Community Foundation. For general information about establishing a fund, please visit www.FSACF.com or call 620.231.8897.

Cross-eyed Clarence by Carolyn Tucker

 

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

 

 

If I wake up during the night, I don’t usually look at the clock. But when I wake up later in the morning and feel that it might be time to “get up and at ‘em,” I’ll check the time. One morning I turned my head to see what time it was and I saw 6:35:35. I thought, “Oh my stars and garters, I’m cross-eyed like Clarence the lion on Daktari!“ I hadn’t thought of that TV show since the last time I saw it in 1969. I loved watching Daktari because of my two favorite characters Clarence (the cross-eyed lion) and his adorable cohort Judy (the mischievous chimp). I don’t know why I was seeing cross-eyed other than the fact that I’ve celebrated a lot of birthdays since 1969. Since I don’t sleep with my glasses on, maybe I should buy a digital clock with bigger numbers.

 

The older I get, the more I appreciate this scripture: “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely” (1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT). Sometimes believers have a tendency to get hung up on what we don’t know rather than what we do know. So why did the cookie crumble that way? Well, when push comes to shove, does it really matter?  The cookie still crumbled and I can’t do anything about it. It’s done, it crumbled, and I’m not God.

 

If we stay the course and practice living and loving like Jesus, scripture tells us we’ll understand all things by and by. If we focus on things we won’t ever understand in this life, that prevents us from focusing on the things we do understand. When the expert in religious law asked Jesus a question, it was supposed to be a trap; however, it turned out to be one of the most profound impromptu question-and-answer sessions in the Word of God. “’Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?’ Jesus replied, ’You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments’” (Matthew 22:37-40 NLT).

 

Jesus spoke many times in parables, but this legalistic man’s question was answered in straightforward transparency. Jesus’ answer was so easy, even a cave man can understand it. It’s doubtful there’s one person on planet earth that totally understands everything in the Book of Revelation. However, those two most-important commandments can be seen with perfect clarity through the eyes of a receptive heart. The Good Shepherd’s words recorded in the passage of Matthew can’t be misunderstood, but they can be ignored.

 

Certainly there are things that have happened in the lives of my loved ones that I don’t understand. However, I do understand that I have finite thinking and my ways are not always God’s ways. I’m not on His level, and that‘s why I use my faith to completely trust Him. Some day I’ll know why things happened as they did, so for now I focus my spiritual eyes on the two most-important commandments and my personal calling. And that, dear friends, is a full-time assignment with a retirement that‘s out of this world.

 

The Key: Keep focusing on Jesus and, in the end, you’ll eventually know everything you ever wanted to know.

Now is the Time to Plant Fall Gardens

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

Although many gardens are still producing, it is time to get our fall vegetables planted. Believe it or not, fall is a great gardening season!

When you think about it, fall weather is much like spring – warm daytime temperatures and cool nights. Rainfall is typically more abundant in the fall than summer so less irrigation is needed and fall gardens often have fewer insect pest and disease problems. Combine all of these and you have the ingredients for a great garden! And of most importance is the taste of the produce grown. Flavors of fall grown vegetables are often sweeter and milder in taste than those grown during hot summer weather.

Some of the best vegetables for a fall garden are lettuce, spinach, radishes, beets, cabbage, turnips and carrots because of their frost-tolerance. These vegetables can be planted directly into your garden wherever space can be found – next to plants still growing in the garden like tomatoes, cucumbers and pumpkins. Plant mid-August until the first week of September.

Left over seed from spring planting can be used as long as it was stored in a cool, dry location. To speed up germination and seedling emergence, soak the seeds overnight before planting. If you are purchasing new seed, look for the shortest season cultivars that you can find to insure harvest before a killing frost. The average fall freeze date for our area is around October 24 according to the Weather Data Library on the K-State campus.

Sometimes establishing a fall garden can be difficult during the summer when soil temperatures are extremely high. One way to avoid this is to establish plants in containers or pots for transplanting into the garden later in the season when the weather begins to cool. Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and collards can be grown in cooler protected areas for 2-4 weeks prior to setting in the garden. Be sure to acclimatize crops for several days before transplanting directly into the garden.

Garden soil should be prepared just like for spring. An application of fertilizer will probably be necessary for optimum plant growth. Use one pound of a complete analysis fertilizer, such as 12-12-12, applied per 100 square feet of garden area. Weeds and grasses will also grow well in a fall garden so mulching may be warranted.

If you do not have a traditional garden space, think about doing a container garden. Just about anything that will hold soil and have a drain hole in the bottom can be used.

Everyone gets geared up to plant vegetables in the spring, but the fall season offers many benefits to gardening. Few take advantage of the season, but consider giving it a try this year.

The Extension office has the “Vegetable Garden Planting Guide” publication available free of charge. This guide offers information such as days to first harvest, days to germination, planting depth, frost resistance, and more.

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Horticulture 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

Two Bourbon County Non-Profits Receive Grants from Area Foundation

Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas Awards $160,000 to SEK Nonprofits

 

The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) is excited to announce General Grant Funds totaling $160,000 have been awarded to 48 nonprofit organizations in Southeast Kansas. In 2023 alone, these grants will impact 12 Southeast Kansas counties and 23 different communities.

 

The areas of Basic Human Needs, Youth Activities, and Arts & Culture are the focus of the CFSEK General Funds competitive grant process. Proposals for projects in these focus areas were accepted during the month of June. Submissions were reviewed, and selections for funding were completed early last month.

 

“We are amazed by the work of our nonprofit community in Southeast Kansas, and we are proud to support their hard work,” said Devin Gorman, CFSEK Executive Director. “These organizations provide an incredible variety of programs, services, and resources that truly improve the quality of life in our communities.”

 

Since 2004, competitive granting from funds directly managed by CFSEK have provided over $1.5 million to organizations throughout Southeast Kansas. Competitive granting differs from other granting provided by CFSEK, such as donor-advised grants, designated grants, field of interest grants, and others. Since its inception in 2001, CFSEK has provided over $20 million in total grant funding throughout Southeast Kansas.

 

The following organizations and projects were awarded funds from the 2023 General Funds grant process:

 

Arts & Culture – $2,200

 

  • Gordon Parks Museum Foundation – Support for the 20th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration
  • Olive Street Presents, LTD – “Don’t Stop Believin'” Music Programming
  • Pittsburg ArtWalk Association – Audio Equipment

 

Basic Human Needs – $67,800

 

  • Caney Valley Agape Network, Inc. – Improvements for Sustainability and Service
  • Care Cupboard Hygiene Pantry – It’s All Essential
  • Catholic Charities Inc. – Youth Homelessness Diversion Project
  • Community Food Pantry Fund – Community Food Pantry Fund
  • Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas – Clothing Our Kids in Need
  • Crosstimbers Food Pantry Association – The Blessing Bee Lift Gate
  • DBLO Association – Continuing to Make Dreams Possible for Children in Need in SEK
  • Eden Early Learning Academy – Educational Development & Enrichment for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • The Erie United Methodist Church, Inc. – Erie Christmas Baskets/ Share the Love Valentines Bags
  • Families and Children Together Inc. – Working for Wellness
  • First Baptist Church Riverton – Share with Love Food pantry
  • First United Methodist Church Wesley House – Homeless Basic Supplies
  • Humanity House Foundation – Feeding Allen County II
  • KVC Kansas – Personal Care Items for Youth in Foster System
  • Labette County Emergency Assistance Center – Emergency Funds for Labette County Residents
  • The Lord’s Diner – The Lord’s Diner Project
  • Mosaic – Ensuring Housing Access, Safety and Security Through Emergency Funding for People with Disabilities
  • Sacred Heart Parish – Providing Fresh Produce for Our Families in Crawford County
  • Safe Haven Outreach Mission – A Good Night’s Sleep
  • Safehouse Crisis Center, Inc. – Welcome Home
  • The Salvation Army – Emergency Rent and Utility Assistance Program 2023-2024
  • SEK Women Helping Women – Stay Safe
  • SparkWheel – Essential Services for SEK Students
  • Wesley United Methodist Church – Grab & Go Food Ministry

 

Youth Activities – $75,000

 

  • Chanute Public Library – Literacy4Littles
  • Cherry Street Youth Center, Inc. – Reading Lab – Raz Kids
  • City of Galena – City Park Splash Pad
  • City of Mulberry – Basketball Court Upgrades
  • Columbus Area Community Foundation – Youth Activities Granting
  • Curious Minds Discovery Zone, Inc. – Outdoor Shelter & Safety
  • First Baptist Church Riverton – Together Strong
  • First United Methodist Church Wesley House – Cozy Kids, Coats for Kids Program
  • Fort Scott Area Community Foundation – Youth Activities Granting
  • The Foster Closet, Inc. – Family Enrichment Events
  • Fostering Connections – Back to School Free, Familly, Fun Event
  • Girard Area Community Foundation – Youth Activities Granting
  • Happy Kids Daycare & Preschool, Inc. – Frog Street Curriculum
  • Inspire Health Foundation, Inc. – Anatomy Models and Health Resources for Students
  • Integrated Behavioral Technologies – Teen Activity Room in SEK Autism Clinic
  • Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters – Mentors and Matches
  • Pittsburg Community Theatre – Jr. Starz
  • Mary’s Colgan Schools – Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Patrick Catholic School – Continuing Student Learning Through Technology
  • SoHome Kids Foundation – Safe Space
  • Southwind Extension Education Foundation – Food, Safety, and Personal Hygiene Enhancement
  • Special Olympics Kansas – Equipment for Special Olympics Kansas SEK
  • Spring River Mental Health and Wellness – Pathfinders Summer/Fall Activities
  • USD 250 – Holiday Vespers
  • Victory Life Church – Back2School Event
  • Wilco Interagency Corporation – Early Childhood Family Engagement Opportunities

 

The CFSEK Board of Trustees and staff congratulate all the 2023 grant recipients!

 

For additional information related to CFSEK’s competitive granting opportunities, visit www.SoutheastKansas.org or call 620-231-8897.

 

Federal Funding Announced to Protect Historic Rural Properties

Governor Kelly Announces $750,000 to Protect Historic Rural Properties

~~National Park Service Awards $750,000 Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant to the Kansas Historical Society~~ 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that $750,000 in federal funding will go toward preserving historic properties in the downtown commercial cores of Kansas’ rural communities with populations under 30,000. The Kansas Historical Society’s State Historic Preservation Office, which administers the Kansas Rural Main Street Grants, was among 13 subgrant programs in 12 states to receive the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants.

“Kansas is home to many historical and cultural sites that tell the story of our state’s and our nation’s past,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Thanks to the National Park Service and the Kansas Historical Society, we can protect our rural communities for future generations to learn from and enjoy.”

The National Park Service awarded nearly $9.7 million in 2023 to support the preservation of historic buildings in rural communities across America. The Paul Bruhn Historical Revitalization Grants are named for a former executive director of the Preservation Trust of Vermont.

Congress appropriates funding for various programs through the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), including the Paul Bruhn Revitalization Grant. The HPF, authorized through 2023, uses revenue from federal oil leases on the Outer Continental Shelf, assisting with a broad range of preservation projects without expending tax dollars.

The Kansas State Historical Society will be scheduling a grant workshop soon. To be placed on a notification list for further details on the available subgrants, contact Katrina Ringler, Cultural Resources Division Director, by phone at 785-272-8681, ext. 217, or by email at [email protected]. More details about the subgrant program are available here.

More information about the Paul Bruhn Revitalization Grant can be found at go.nps.gov/revitalization.

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Bo Co Commission Budget and Regular Meeting Agenda for August 21

Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

August 21, 2023 4:30 p.m.

 

A budget work session will be held at 4:30 p.m. before the regularly scheduled Commission meeting.

 

August 21, 2023 5:30 p.m.

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute followed by Prayer
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Minutes from 8/14/2023
  1. Public Comments
  2. Department Updates
    1. Public Works
  3. Resolution 14-23
  • Appointment of Drywood Township Treasurer
  • Bourbon County Conservation District
  1. Commission Comments
  2. Adjourn Meeting

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Trail Cameras Prohibited on Kansas Public Lands

Trail Cameras Prohibited on KDWP-managed Lands in Response to Growing Public Concerns

PRATT – Over the past several years, staff with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks have fielded an ever-increasing amount of public concerns regarding the use of trail or game cameras on public lands. Concerns cited by the public commonly included the ethics of “fair chase,” issues of theft and privacy concerns. After much deliberation – including seven public meetings held over the course of two years – Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commissioners voted this year to prohibit trail cameras on Department lands and waters, including Walk-in Hunting Access and iWIHA properties (private lands leased by KDWP for public hunting access).

“As the number of trail cameras on the landscape increased, so did the number of reports made by constituents citing camera theft and misuse,” said Ryan Stucky, KDWP Public Lands assistant director. “There were also concerns about trail camera users disturbing wildlife with frequent visits to check on those cameras.”

As a result, Department staff and Commissioners agreed the regulation change – which is now in effect – should state that no person shall place, maintain, or use a trail or game camera on Department lands, or use any images or video from a trail or game camera including location, time, or date, for any purpose on KDWP lands and waters.

KDWP defines trail or game cameras as any remote motion-activated or infrared camera in which the shutter is activated by sound triggers, proximity sensation, radio transmitters, or a self-timer built into the trail or game camera.

While using images of wildlife produced by or transmitted from a satellite to aid in taking or locating wildlife on Department lands and waters is prohibited, the use of mapping systems or programs remains a legal activity.

For the full regulation, visit ksoutdoors.com/Services/Law-Enforcement/Regulations and click “Department Lands and Water” then “115-08-25, Trail or game cameras and other devices.”

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What’s Happening in Fort Scott

What’s Happening in Fort Scott! August 18th Weekly Newsletter

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Daily Guided Tours: 10am & 1pm

Special activities all this weekend! See link below.

Visit your National Park!

Trolley Tours of Fort Scott

50-minute narrated historical tour

Every Friday & Saturday on the hour

Fridays 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

Saturdays 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

$6 adults, $4 12 & under, leaves from the Chamber

Click this link: The Artificers

August pottery class/workshop

schedule, a creative space for all ages!

BINGO hosted by the American Legion Post 25 every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month unless it falls on a holiday. Doors open at 6pm and Bingo starts at 7pm at Memorial Hall.

Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore August Special: 25% off gently used fiction books!

Register your garage sale listing for only $12! Garage sale flyers will be distributed throughout the entire city, so don’t wait! Click here to register!

8/18 ~ Deadline to take the Interest Survey if interested in BCBS Health Insurance for 2024 thru the Chamber Blue program, click here for info. and survey link. If already on the program, you don’t need to take the survey.

8/18 ~ Friday Night Concert in the Park featuring Bourbon County Revival at Heritage Park Pavilion, 1st & Main St., seating is limited so bring lawn chairs, starting at 7pm

8/19 ~ Farmers’ Market, 8am to 12pm, Skubitz Plaza, 1 Old Fort Blvd. in front of the Fort

8/19 ~ The Lavender Patch Farm & Store open 9am to 1pm, click here for info.

8/19-20 ~ Heartland Showcase Boer Goat Show, Bourbon County Fairgrounds starting 9amSaturday and 12pm Sunday.

8/19 ~ VFW 8 Ball Tournament, registration begins at 11am with calcutta starting at 12pm, $10 entry fee with 100% payout, click here for more info!

8/21 ~ Fort Scott welcomes muralist Cbabi Bayoc the week of the 21st, painting the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry Mural on the north end of Main Street, overlooking the Fort! Thank you to a grant from the Kansas Dept. of Commerce Office of Rural Prosperity and other donors to make this possible, you can still donate and learn more here! Follow the Murals of Fort Scott FB page!

8/22 ~ Business Exit Planning – Breakfast @ Carson Wealth, enjoy breakfast while talking about how to prepare to successfully exit your business, 8-9am, click here for more info!

8/24 ~ Chamber Coffee and Ribbon Cutting at Structure by Margo, 19 S. National Ave.

8/25 ~ Deadline for youth Fall sports signups through Fort Scott Rec. Dept./Buck Run Community Center. Click here for their FB page for more info.

8/25 ~ Patio Concert hosted by the Bourbon County Arts Council, “Flagship Romance” on the Liberty Theatre Patio, Members-$15/Non-Members-$20, contact Terri Floyd 620.224.7221 or Deb Anderson 620.224.8650 for more information.

8/25 ~ Friday Night Concert in the Park featuring Jam Session, Heritage Park Pavilion, limited seating bring lawn chairs, 7-8pm, click here for more info!

8/25 ~ FSHS Football V/JV Pre-Season Jamboree @ Louisburg, 7pm

8/26 ~ Todd Royce Comedy at Memorial Hall, 7-10pm, click here for more info.

8/26 ~ Larry Ballou Jr. Alongside Care to Share, Biscuits and Gravy at the Farmers’ Market from 8am-12pm/free will donation, cornhole tournament with registration starting at 12:30pm/$20 per team, Fat Kids BBQ will be serving $15 meal deal from 12-5pm, click here for more info!

8/31 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, 104 N. National, 8am

9/1-4 ~ Uniontown Old Settlers Picnic, parade/craft and food vendors/drawings and games/Dale Jackson Memorial Care Show, click here for more info!

9/2 ~ Super Smash Bros, Ultimate Esports Tournament by FSCC, click here for more info!

9/2 ~ Butch Hall Memorial Fishing Tournament, 6am-4pm.

SAVE THE DATE!

9/5 ~ GriefShare Support Group hosted by Community Christian Church, a weekly grief support group that will meet for 13 weeks on Tuesday evenings from 6-8pm, anyone is allowed to sign up, click here for more info!

9/8 ~ The Tucker Family Band Concert – 70s Elvis: Hawaiian Style, River Room 3 W. Oak Street, Free Admission, doors open at 6pm with concert starting at 7pm.

9/8-9 ~ Town-Wide Garage Sale, starting Thursday September 8th at 10am copies of the official garage sale maps may be found around town, click here for more details.

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SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.

Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!

Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

25% off gently used Fiction Books at Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore!

Breakfast and Business Exit Planning!

Fort Scott Area Community Foundation

grant applications are now being accepted thru 8/31 from eligible 501c3 organiations & other entities!

Click here for the application link.

Town-Wide Garage Sale!

Click here to register your sale!

Upcoming Movie Schedule @ Fort Cinema

THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Obituary of Amy Inez Watkins

Amy Inez Watkins, age 42, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, following a brief illness.

She was born September 15, 1980, in Pittsburg, Kansas, the daughter of Jack Pryor, Sr. and Marveline Hukill Pryor.

Amy grew up in Mindenmines, Missouri and graduated from the Liberal, Missouri High School.

Amy married Scott Watkins on June 12, 2021, at Ft. Scott, Kansas.  In earlier years, she had been employed by Wal-Mart first in Lamar, Missouri and later in Ft. Scott.  She recently accepted a position as a service advisor at Briggs Automotive in Ft. Scott.

Amy will be remembered for her caring personality and devotion to children.  She loved listening to live music and traveling.  She and her family had recently returned from a summer vacation in Florida where many wonderful memories were made.  She was a member of the Community Christian Church.

 

Survivors include her husband, Scott, of the home; seven children, Zoe DiToro (John), Keirsten, Mellicia and Trinnade Kuffler and Xavier, Xander and Xation Watkins and two grandchildren, John John and Lux.  Also surviving are her mother, Marveline Sprinkle (Bruce), brothers and sisters Charles and Sherry Osborne, Jody Pryor, Travis Pryor, Jack and Rhonda Pryor, Tina Burdick, Ben Burdick, Daniel Sprinkle and Christopher Sprinkle and father and mother-in-law, David Watkins, Sr. and Teresa as well as sister and brothers-in-law, Alicia Watkins (John), David Watkins (Alisha), Billy Watkins and Tracy Watkins.  Also surviving is her former husband, Eldon Kuffler.

Amy was preceded in death by her father, Jack Pryor, Sr. and a brother, Donald Sprinkle.

 

Rev. Dusty Drake will conduct funeral services at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, August 22nd at the Community Christian Church.  Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Monday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the Amy Watkins Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.