Millie Karleskint dipping up chili at a prior fundraiser. Submitted photo.
The 35th Pioneer Kiwanis Chili Feed fundraiser is Tuesday, November 7th, election day, and the venue is across the street from the Bourbon County Courthouse.
The site for the feed is United Methodist Church, 301 S National.
The all-female Kiwanis club in Fort Scott, The Pioneers, has a signature chili they will be serving, with crackers and a homemade cinnamon roll from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
A free-will donation (suggested minimum $8.00 donation per meal) is to be collected at the door.
All of the funds raised stay in Bourbon County stated Kiwanis Pioneer President Kelley Collins.
This meal is a drive-through only. Pick-ups will be available under the canopy on the National Avenue side of the church. Please do not block private driveways as you are waiting in line for service.
Deliveries will be available for orders of ten or more by calling 620-224-0563 during serving hours.
Elizabeth Schafer boxing cinnamon rolls. Submitted photo.
“Kiwanis International welcomed women into the organization in 1987, Collins said. “The following year approximately 60 women formed the Kiwanis Pioneer Club (in Fort Scott).
“The Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott Pioneers was chartered in May 1988,” said President Kelley Collins. “After brainstorming ideas for fundraisers, it was decided that we would hold an annual chili feed in November as our major fundraiser.”
Kiwanis Pioneer Club members, from left: Marlene Braker, Millie Karleskint, Holly Fritter (County Health Department), Dee Ann Davis, Vickie Chaplin, and Kelley Collins presenting a check for the 2023 Community Baby Shower event. Submitted photo.
Their mission:
To support the children of Fort Scott and Bourbon County through volunteerism and fundraising, she said.
“We provide college scholarships and support CASA( Court Appointed Special Advocates), the Backpack Food Program, Fort Scott High School Key Club, the Beacon, foster kids, Care to Share, and school reading and arts programs,” she said. “Club members also volunteer for Feeding Families in His Name, the American Red Cross Blood Drive, and maintain a flower planter in the historic Fort Scott downtown.”
Interested in increasing your knowledge of nutrition, health, wellness, and food safety? If so, the Master Food Volunteer training is perfect for you! The Master Food Volunteer Program, which is modeled after the successful Master Gardener Program, provides a wide range of benefits. This training is being provided by the Southwind Extension District in collaboration with the Wildcat Extension District and the Marais des Cygnes Extension District. The majority of the training is completed online at your own pace, with three in-person labs. You’ll learn more about basic nutrition, meal planning, cooking techniques, seasonings and flavors, food preservation, food safety, and more.
Master Food Volunteers are people with interests in food, cooking, and nutrition who have gone through this training to take their expertise to a higher level in order to be able to give back to the community by volunteering at educational programs. Examples of programs supported by trained Master Food Volunteers in recent years have included summer youth cooking classes in Fort Scott and Bronson, as well as a breadmaking workshop in Fort Scott. If you are interested in joining this group, apply by December 1st. The training will take place in January and February 2024. Visit bit.ly/southwindmfv to learn more and find the application. Please note there is a $120 fee to complete the training.
For more information, contact Southwind District Nutrition, Food and Health Agent Clara (Wicoff) Misenhelter at (620) 365-2242 or [email protected].
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Kids may have to bundle up for the scariest night of the year tonight because of cold weather, and Fort Scott Police Chief Jason Pickert gives parents some other tips to keep them safe.
“Fortunately, there are lots of easy things parents and kids can do to stay safe on the spookiest of holidays,” Pickert said.
Here is his list:
Carry glow sticks or flashlights, use reflective tape or stickers on costumes and bags, and wear light colors to help kids see and be seen by drivers.
Don’t let little ones walk by themselves. Make sure they are joined by an older sibling or an adult for trick-or-treating.
Remind kids to cross the street at corners or crosswalks.
When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. Choose face paint over masks when possible. Masks can limit children’s vision.
Drivers – Slow down and be alert! Kids are excited on Halloween and may dart into the street. Turn on headlights early in the day to spot kids from further away.
Safety Advocates Offer Tips to Protect Your Children this Halloween
Safe Kids Kansas, the Kansas Poison Center, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal remind families to make safety part of their fall festivity planning.
“On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a vehicle and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year, according to a press release from Safe Kids Kansas. “Drivers need to slow down and be extra alert, especially in neighborhoods, as there will be more children on the streets and sidewalks – and those kids may be focused on gathering candy and the excitement of the holiday rather than being careful while crossing streets.”
“Review safety rules with your kids before they leave the house,” according to the release. “Trick-or-treaters are often out when it’s dark and more difficult for drivers to see them. Children younger than age 12 should not be crossing streets alone on Halloween without an adult or responsible teenager.”
It’s a good idea for children to have a cell phone with them in case of an emergency, but remind them to pay attention to their surroundings, and not be distracted by texting or talking on the phone, said Cherie Sage with Safe Kids Kansas.
“Parents and kids should also be careful with candy,” according to the release. “It’s best to check sweets before children are allowed to eat them. Only eat treats in original and unopened wrappers. Also, be aware kids are in candy-seeking mode, so keep medicine locked up and away, and keep the Poison Help Line programmed into your phone: 800-222-1222.”
“According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly half of home structure fires happened because decorations were too close to a heat source,” according to the press release. “Most of these incidents were started by candles. Play it safe and use battery-powered candles or lights. Remember to make sure your family has working smoke alarms on every level of your home and inside and outside every sleeping room.”
Safety tips from these organizations:
Decorate Safely
Keep flammable materials such as hay bales, corn stalks and paper decorations away from heat and flame sources, like candles, light bulbs and heaters.
Use battery-operated candles in jack-o-lanterns and when decorating pathways and yards.
Set a reminder to blow out any candles and unplug lights at the end of the evening.
Talk to your teens who may be attending parties and haunted houses to look for the exits and have a way out in case of an emergency.
If using dry-ice, make sure you use gloves or tongs when handling it and do not put it in cups where it could be swallowed and cause severe burns.
Walk Safely
Stick to sidewalks or paths. Don’t walk through neighbors’ yards, as there may be a hazard you can’t see.
If there are no sidewalks along your street, walk on the road facing traffic as far to left as possible.
Always stop and look before you cross the street, and cross at corners using signals and crosswalks whenever possible. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
For more tips on how to keep kids safe on Halloween and throughout the year, visit safekids.org.
Santa sits on a bench in front of The Ironstar and gets a second look from Ernestine Eden in this 2017 photo of the annual Holiday Open House.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces the Annual Holiday Open House Shopping event, Downtown & Around in Fort Scott. The main event will take place Thursday, November 9th from 5-8pm with festive refreshments, drawings & deals for you to enjoy and get you in the Holiday spirit! Then, Open House will continue Friday & Saturday, November 10th &11th. On Thursday the trolley will be going store to store from 5-8pm so you can shop & ride!
There will be spirited holiday shopping at nearly 20 participating retailers including 110 South Main, Angie Dawn’s Boutique, Barbed Wire & Roses, Bartelsmyers Jewelry, Better in Bourbon, Be The Light Boutique, Bids & Dibs, Flint + Fray, Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, Iron Star, Laree + Co, Long Creek Outfitters, Papa Dons, Ruddicks Furniture, Sekan, Shirt Shack, Sunshine Boutique, The Artificers, and The Beauty Lounge. Don’t forget to enter your name at each store for a chance to win $50 in Chamber Bucks!
Visit fortscott.com or the Chamber Facebook page for more details. Get out for the Annual Holiday Open House Shopping Event Thursday, November 9th through Saturday the 11th in Fort Scott.
The holidays are right around the corner! Many families, mine included, have holiday traditions centered around foods that they only get to enjoy a few times each year. These traditions are important and should be cherished without guilt. However, if you are wondering how you can make your traditional holiday recipes healthier, there are several steps you can take.
First, recognize that many holiday favorites (like pumpkin pie) start with a healthy first ingredient. Think of this vegetable or fruit as the “star” ingredient. Next, find ways to “focus on the stars” so that you can reduce the large amounts of fats and sugar typically found in traditional holiday recipes. For example, try using fat-free evaporated milk when making your pumpkin pie filling instead of using regular evaporated milk. Other ways you can “focus on the stars” this holiday season include switching from a traditional green bean casserole to a green bean sauté, from traditional mashed potatoes to yogurt mashed potatoes, from a traditional pumpkin pie to a crustless pumpkin pie, or from a traditional apple pie to slow cooker baked apples. Again, remember that it is important to make changes based upon what is important to your family traditions and culture. You may have specific recipes that are important for your family to enjoy as they are without making any modifications.
To learn more, consider attending one of the “Healthy Cooking for the Holidays” programs I will be hosting in November. These programs are free, but please call 620-365-2242 to RSVP for the location you prefer out of the following options:
Uniontown – November 8th at 6 PM
Iola – November 13th at 5 PM
Yates Center – November 15th at 6 PM
Chanute – November 16th at 12 PM
This article was adapted from a fact sheet originally published by retired family and consumer sciences agent Barbara Ames. This fact sheet can be found online at bit.ly/focusonthestars. For more information, please contact me at [email protected] or 620-365-2242. To learn about additional programs we will be offering, visit bit.ly/southwindnews to sign up for the “Wellness For You and Community, Too!” e-newsletter published monthly by the Southwind District.
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces this year’s Halloween Parade will be held Saturday, October 28th at 11:00 a.m. in Downtown Fort Scott.
Prior to the parade, starting at 10:00 a.m., there will be special activities including pictures with a spooktacular backdrop at the City Scales building on North Main and face painting by Fort Scott High School Thespians.
The parade trick-or-treats merchants along Main Street, starting at La Hacienda, south to 2nd Street, crossing the street then heading north back to Skubitz Plaza. Any businesses or organizations in the community not located along Main Street are also welcome to set up a table on the sidewalk providing treats, coupons, or other handouts for kids. Children are encouraged to bring a sack or bag to collect treats along the parade route.
Following the parade, a free slice of Papa Don’s pizza and a drink will be served to kids in costumes.
The Chamber is currently seeking sponsors and donations for the pizza lunch following the parade.
Contact the Chamber if interested at 620-223-3566
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Dave Gillen, director of The Beacon Food Pantry of Bourbon County. Submitted photo.
The signup period has been extended to November 3 for the Beacon Food Pantry.
Hours will be on the following days Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday through November 3rd.
Normal business hours from 9:15 am to 12:45 pm
Sign-ups must be done by November 3rd No Exceptions
You will need to call in advance to the Beacon to set an appointment for one of these days. We will start taking calls for appointments beginning October 2nd our phone number is 620-223-6869.
You will need to bring with you to qualify for a food card:
Picture ID for all adults in the household
Social Security card for all in the household and Birthdates, all dependent children with different names must show full-time parental custody, and adoption papers, and must live with you to be on your card.
Proof of income, pension, retirement, social security disability, VA benefits, unemployment, child support/alimony and any other income
If you receive any services from DCF please bring the verification letter.
Please have your information with you when you come or you will be turned away and will have to reschedule an appointment
WE WILL ALSO BE DOING SIGN-UPS FOR THE ADOPT-A-CHILD AND THE ELKS FOOD BASKET AT THAT TIME.
PLEASE WEAR A MASK IF YOU HAVE A COUGH OR COLD OR HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID-19 FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF. WE ARE ASKING ONLY 1 PERSON PER FAMILY IN THE BUILDING AT THAT TIME.
IF YOU ARE ALSO GETTING FOOD THAT DAY YOU WILL NEED TO CALL IN ADVANCE AND YOUR ORDER WILL BE PUT ON THE BACK PORCH FOR PICKUP
Adopt a Child pick-up and food baskets will be at Community Christian Church on December the 15 from 10 am to 1 pm. Pick-up will be a drive-thru like last year.
Elk’s baskets will be delivered the Sunday before Christmas.
PLEASE CALL TO SET UP YOUR APPOINTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
The Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott Pioneers will hold their 35th annual Chili Feed on Tuesday, November 7th at the United Methodist Church at 301 South National in Fort Scott. A meal of the Pioneers’ signature chili with crackers and a homemade cinnamon roll will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. for a free will donation (suggested minimum $8.00 donation per meal) to be collected at the door.
This is the Kiwanis Pioneers’ major fundraiser for the year. In keeping with the Kiwanis motto of “Improving the world one child and one community at a time”, the Pioneers support more than 40 community projects including College scholarships, CASA, the Backpack food program, FSHS Key Club, Head Start, the Beacon, Foster Kids, Feeding Families in his Name, Care to Share, and school reading and arts programs. “All of the funds raised stay in Bourbon County” stated Kiwanis Pioneer President Kelley Collins.
“The annual fundraiser will be drive through only.” according to Collins. Pick-ups will be available under the canopy on the National Avenue side of the church. Please take care not to block private driveways as you are waiting in line for service.
Deliveries will be available for orders of ten or more by calling 620-224-0563 during serving hours.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces this year’s Halloween Parade will be held Saturday, October 28th at 11:00 a.m. in Downtown Fort Scott.
Prior to the parade, starting at 10:00 a.m., there will be special activities including pictures with a spooktacular backdrop at the City Scales building on North Main and face painting by Fort Scott High School Thespians.
The parade trick-or-treats merchants along Main Street, starting at La Hacienda, south to 2nd Street, crossing the street then heading north back to Skubitz Plaza. Any businesses or organizations in the community not located along Main Street are also welcome to set up a table on the sidewalk providing treats, coupons, or other handouts for kids. Children are encouraged to bring a sack or bag to collect treats along the parade route.
Following the parade, a free slice of Papa Don’s pizza and a drink will be served to kids in costumes.
The Chamber is currently seeking sponsors and donations for the pizza lunch following the parade.
Contact the Chamber if interested at 620-223-3566
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Dave Gillen is the director of the Beacon. Submitted photo.
The Beacon Food Pantry annual sign-up period continues until Oct. 27 during the hours of 9:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
“Sign-ups must be done by October 27th,” said David Gillen, “There will be no exceptions.”
“You will need to call in advance to the Beacon to set an appointment for one of these days, our phone number is 620-223-6869,” he said.
“You will need to bring with you, to qualify for a food card:
“a picture ID for all adults in the household,
“a Social Security card for all in household and birthdates, all dependent children with different names must show full-time parental custody, adoption papers, and must live with you to be on your card.
“Proof of income, pension, retirement, social security disability, VA benefits, unemployment, child support/alimony, and any other income.
“If you receive any services from DCF please bring the verification letter.
“Please have your information with you when you come or you will be turned away and will have to reschedule an appointment.”
During this sign-up, clients may also sign up for the Adopt-A-Child (children’s Christmas present help) and the Elk Club Food Basket (food for the holidays), he said.
Clients are asked to please wear a mask if they have a cough or cold or have been exposed to COVID-19, for the safety of volunteers and staff, and only one person per family in the building at that time.
For those getting food that day, call in advance and your order will be on the back porch for pick-up.
Adopt-a-Child pick-up and Elk food baskets will be at Community Christian Church on December 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pick-up will be a drive-through, like last year, according to Gillen.
Elk’s baskets will be delivered the Sunday before Christmas.
Clients are asked to please call to set up an appointment as soon as possible, Gillen said.
About the Beacon
The Beacon Food Pantry is a helping organization serving Bourbon County residents since 1985.
The food pantry clients who qualify, according to income, will receive food assistance twice a month and hygiene products, baby formula, laundry, and dish soap per availability.
“We receive bakery and produce from Wal-Mart on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays and clients can shop in the main front lobby but are limited to one bag per family,” Beacon Director David Gillen said.
” The pantry also has a limited number of taxi passes and gas vouchers for doctors appointments,” he said.
Financial assistance, if qualified, is available on rent, utility bills, and prescriptions.
The Beacon is open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is closed on Thursdays.
To qualify for a food card, a picture identification must be provided for all adults in the household, a Social Security Card for all in the household, and proof of residence in the county, and proof of income.
“If you receive any services from DCF must provide a copy from them,” according to Gillen.
“To order food or ask for financial assistance you must call ahead,” he noted. All food orders will be put on the back porch due to safety issues.”
To apply for financial assistance the following is needed:
Picture ID for all adults in the house
Social Security card for all in-house
Proof of Income
Reason for the need
Fill out the income expenditures form
Copy of current bill
Proof of Bourbon Co. residency, such as current utility bill, or
And also a bank statement with the current name and address.
The building is located at 525 E. 6th Street in Fort Scott.
