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’swork is included in 14 anthologies, and she is listed in the Who’s Who of Professional Women.Apopularspeakerandteacherfornumerouswriters 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,andHedgehog.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 620–670–2752 [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 multi–author book signing at the Hedgehog.INK bookstore at 16 S. Main from 1:30 to 3 p.m. with featured authors: Brian Allen, Rhonda Hassig, Sally Jadlow, Joyce Love, Rogene McPherson, R.J. Thesman, Jane Tucker and MartiWells–Smith.
Hedgehog.INK, located at 16 S. Main, in historic downtown Fort Scott.
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.
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.
Local Domino’s® Stores to Partner with Fire Departments to Promote Fire Safety
Residents may receive free pizza for properly functioning smoke alarms
JOPLIN, Mo., Oct. 4, 2022 – Domino’s stores in Independence, Fort Scott, and Pittsburg are joining forces with Independence Fire/EMS, Fort Scott Fire Department, Pittsburg Fire Department, and Frontenac Fire Department to promote fire safety. On the days and times below at the mentioned stores, anyone who orders a Domino’s pizza may be randomly selected and surprised at the door when their pizza arrives accompanied by a fire engine. If the smoke alarms in the home are working, the pizza is free. If the smoke alarms are not working, the firefighters will install fully functioning alarms or replace the batteries.
Oct. 11 from 5-7 p.m.
o Domino’s in Independence, located at 100 N. 25th
Oct. 12 from 5-7 p.m.
o Domino’s in Fort Scott, located at 2 Jersey St.
Oct. 19 and 20 from 7-9 p.m.
o Domino’s in Pittsburg, located at 716 S. Broadway
“Fire safety is extremely important,” said Emily Elwell, owner of Domino’s in Fort Scott, Independence and Pittsburg. “We’re very excited to partner with NFPA and our local fire departments for a program that not only promotes the safety of our friends and neighbors, but rewards those who make fire safety a priority.”
Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 9-15. This year’s theme is “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape™.”
“In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds,” said Dave Bruner, fire chief with Fort Scott Fire Department. “Escape planning and practice can help you make the most of the time you have, giving everyone enough time to get out. These steps can make all the difference and we hope to raise awareness about them through our partnership with Domino’s.”
Customers can call their participating Domino’s location at the numbers below to place their order and be eligible for the fire engine delivery:
Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information, visit www.nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.
About Fire Prevention Week
NFPA has been the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week since 1922. According to the National Archives and Records Administration’s Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. The President of the United States has signed a proclamation proclaiming a national observance during that week every year since 1925. Visit www.firepreventionweek.org for more safety information.
About Domino’s Pizza®
Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza is the largest pizza company in the world, with a significant business in both delivery and carryout pizza. It ranks among the world’s top public restaurant brands with a global enterprise of more than 19,200 stores in over 90 markets. Domino’s had global retail sales of nearly $17.8 billion in 2021, with over $8.6 billion in the U.S. and over $9.1 billion internationally. In the second quarter of 2022, Domino’s had global retail sales of over $4.0 billion, with over $2.0 billion in the U.S. and nearly $2.0 billion internationally. Its system is comprised of independent franchise owners who accounted for 98% of Domino’s stores as of the end of the second quarter of 2022. Emphasis on technology innovation helped Domino’s achieve more than half of all global retail sales in 2021 from digital channels. In the U.S., Domino’s generated more than 75% of U.S. retail sales in 2021 via digital channels and has developed several innovative ordering platforms, including those for Google Home, Facebook Messenger, Apple Watch, Amazon Echo, Twitter and more. In 2019, Domino’s announced a partnership with Nuro to further its exploration and testing of autonomous pizza delivery. In mid-2020, Domino’s launched a new way to order contactless carryout nationwide – via Domino’s Carside Delivery®, which customers can choose when placing a prepaid online order.
Fort Scott, KS – Tuesday, September 27, 2022– Country Place Senior Living and Country Place Memory Care are set to rebrand to Credo Senior Living and Credo Memory Care on October 1, 2022. The company, which will maintain the same corporate and local teams, has worked hard over the past two years to make significant changes to the management team, support services, and deliverable services to local residences. One of the major changes was adding a Director of Nurse Managers to increase the attention and support to local Lead Residence Nurses. The adoption of a new resident care software program, Point Click Care, has enabled all locations to address all resident care in a more efficient and timely manner. A new partnership with PayChex, a nationally recognized Human Resources partner, has allowed the company to better serve their employees and continue the standard of service that residents have come to expect over the past 20 years. Moving forward, a new emphasis is being placed on activities and food service. Activity programs will be expanded, and work has begun with national food vendors to create fresh new menu items. The company is thankful to its many Kansas communities for supporting Country Place Senior Living and Country Place Memory Care for the past 20 years and look forward to the next 20 as Credo Senior Living and Credo Memory Care. While Credo Senior Living and Credo Memory Care will continue to improve care and services for existing residences, expansion is also on the horizon. The first project, which is scheduled to begin at the end of September, is to add Memory Care services to the Basehor, Kansas location. Two newly constructed 16-suite buildings with luxuries sometimes not available in other Memory Care facilities will include a private bath in each suite, an oversized patio and walking paths for residents. Several other Credo Senior Living locations may also add Memory Care services in the near future. Credo Senior Living has seven Senior Living campuses across the state. All residences including those in Basehor, Belleville, Chanute, Fort Scott, Hoisington, Independence, and Seneca provide Independent Living and three levels of Assisted Living care. Credo Memory Care is also available in Chanute, Fort Scott, Hoisington and, as mentioned, coming very soon to Basehor. To learn more,please call Assistant Director, Betty Allen at 620-223-1822 or Marie Jensen, Marketing Coordinator at 913-638-0377, visit us atwww.countryplaceliving.comor on Facebook,https://www.facebook.com/countryplacefortscott ###
Registration Closing Wednesday for 2022 Kansas Renewable Energy Conference
TOPEKA — Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today said there still is time to register for the upcoming 2022 Kansas Renewable Energy Conference. Those interested, however, will need to act quickly. Registrations for the Oct. 3-4 event in Manhattan will close at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 28th.
“Renewable energy is a rapidly developing and growing segment of the state economy,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Wind energy alone, our state’s leading source for electricity generation, has attracted more than $15 billion of investment to Kansas. This conference will provide a great opportunity to further our role as a leader in the renewable energy industry.”
The Kansas Department of Commerce holds the Renewable Energy Conference every year to showcase the latest trends and developments in the renewable energy industry. After a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, the conference will return in-person at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan.
The conference will have three general sessions and four breakout sessions on topics of wind energy and transmission, solar energy and storage, hydrogen development, electric vehicles, and renewable natural gas, as well as a panel featuring public and private sector perspectives from within the industry.
This year’s conference will be highlighted by U.S. Department of Energy representative Crystal Perkins, who will discuss the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The Act includes funding and incentives for clean power generation and storage, domestic manufacturing of clean energy and transportation technologies. IRA also will make purchasing energy-efficient appliances more affordable for Kansas families and support climate-smart agricultural practices.
In addition, the conference will feature a session with Southwest Power Pool representative Mike Ross that will discuss the state of the power grid and how transmission facilitates renewable energy growth.
The conference will also feature business and community leaders discussing renewable energy developments in wind, solar, storage and hydrogen, and highlighting the economic impacts associated with these areas. Program sessions will look at innovations in transportation and the role of transmission in facilitating renewable energy growth and economic expansion.
Conference attendees will have the chance to test drive two electric vehicles provided by Evergy and learn how businesses can receive funding to install charging infrastructure. The two EVs that will be at the conference will be Ford’s F-150 Lightning and Volkswagen’s compact SUV, the VW ID.4.
If you are interested in attending the conference, online registration is open until September 28 for $125 or a discounted student rate of $60. You may register online here. Please note, if you require an invoice for registration, select that option at the bottom of the first page.
The Hilton Garden Inn Manhattan has a reduced-rate, room block reserved for conference attendees. Contact the hotel online or by calling (785) 532-9116. The group code is KSDPTC.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021 and 2022, and was awarded the 2021 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
Governor Laura Kelly Announces New Small Business Research & Development Grant Program
TOPEKA – Today Governor Laura Kelly announced a new program that will help Kansas small businesses innovate, bring new products and services to market, and compete at a global level. The Small Business Research & Development Acceleration Grants, which were approved by the 2022 Legislature and signed into law by Governor Kelly, are being made available through the Kansas Department of Commerce.
“These grants enable small businesses to enter new markets and stay ahead in our rapidly changing economy,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “My focus since Day One has been to strengthen the Kansas economy. By spurring innovation, we’re helping Kansas companies reach new levels of growth and prosperity.”
The Small Business Research & Development Acceleration Grants are designed to assist Kansas small businesses in advancing a product or service to commercialization; modifying a product or service to enter a new market; or gaining a new client by leveraging higher education facilities, equipment, and expertise.
Prospective grant recipients will work with a Kansas public higher education institution to conduct research and development and receive a 50/50 matching grant up to $25,000.
“Coupling the research and development power of the Kansas higher education system with individual companies will prove transformational in our state’s already strong business climate,” said Lt. Governor David Toland. “This is a classic example of how good public policy can positively influence economic development.”
The grant program is open to Kansas registered businesses headquartered in Kansas with 50 or fewer full-time employees with at least 60 percent of its workforce, including contracted staff, in Kansas. For every dollar received from the Small Business Research & Development Acceleration Grant, the company must contribute a dollar of its own resources. Up to 50 percent of the match may be an in-kind contribution if it is provided by a public higher education institution and approved by the Kansas Department of Commerce. Approved projects must be completed within one year.
The fall 2022 application window is open now through October 17 and grants will be announced in November. For more information and to complete an application, please go to: https://www.kansascommerce.gov/rdaccelerationgrants/ or click here.
Sisters Emelia Whiteaker and Addi Foster have started a specialty food store from an office at the South Main strip mall, and are calling it Mmm Flavor Shop.
Addi Foster. Submitted photo.Emelia Whiteaker is the owner of Momentum Indoor Training. 2018 photo.
“After a major health diagnosis in the family, I started doing my continuing education credits as a Certified Athletic Trainer on nutrition,” Whiteaker said. “Unfortunately, a lot of the herbs, spices and grains were not available in the quality needed to get the nutritional value.”
Whiteaker reached out to friends who are Registered Dieticians and Certified Nutritionists to see where they get their spices and dried herbs.
“This led me to a small family-owned wholesaler in Arizona,” she said. “Our wholesaler freeze dries as much of their herbs that they can, and they order straight from the farms insuring a higher nutritional content. Everything just kept going from there.”
Chai Latte Oatmeal – made with no additives or preservatives just oats, fresh ground spices and dry milk powder. They also have flavors that are dairy free. Submitted photo.
“In April, we launched our products at the Home Show in Fort Scott,” Whiteaker said. “Throughout the rest of the spring and summer we have been doing vendor shows and markets.”
The business office is in the area on the backside of Tractor Supply Store, that Whiteaker has her athletic training business in.
“We have a converted office space inside Momentum Indoor Training that we use as our prep room, she said. “Our ultimate goal is to have Mmm Flavor Shop support an exercise pool for those individuals who have chronic health diagnoses that benefit from aquatic exercise which is not covered by most insurance.”
They just finished work on their website.
“We launched our website this month www.mmmflavorfs.com or we will take text orders through direct message on Facebook or text messages at (620) 224-8442,” she said. “If we don’t have it in stock we can usually order it and get it within a week.”
Coriander. Submitted photo.
The products of the business include spices, dried herbs, house made spice blends, non-wheat flours, ancient grains, rices, dried beans and lentils, instant oatmeal, ready-to-make-packets, dried fruits, and nuts.
“We mix most of our spice blends, insuring there are no additives or preservatives.” Whiteaker said.
” We also have superfood powders such as spirulina, spinach, acai berry, and more,” she said. “In October we will be adding herbal teas, Turkish teas, and homemade candies.”
Spirulina is a superfood that is full of anitoxidants and anti-inflammatories, it can be added to smoothies, tea, and dishes to increase nutritional content. Submitted photo.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working to ensure America has a skilled workforce. The Fort Scott High School Chapter of SkillsUSA is hosting a job fair on Wednesday, April 25, 2023 from 8 a.m. to noon in the high school auxiliary gym.
The purpose is to acquaint students with career opportunities available in the region. Michelle Laubenstein is the advisor for the group and can be reached at [email protected] or call 620.223.0600.
The FSHS SkillsUSA club is one of 23 Fort Scott High School student organizations, here is a list of the rest.
