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Category Archives: Fort Scott
Chamber Coffee hosted by Museum of Creativity on August 26
Chamber Coffee hosted by Museum of Creativity
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, August 26th at 8 a.m. hosted by Museum of Creativity located at 102 S. National Ave. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served and attendees may enter a drawing for door prizes.
Owners Lorina & Jonathan have recently been working on renovations as funds become available. They welcome everyone to come and see what they have changed and accomplished since they have become Chamber members.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
Parks Celebration to feature Contemporary Jazz and R&B Violinist
The 2021 Gordon Parks Celebration to feature Contemporary Jazz and R&B Violinist, Dominique Hammons.
Fort Scott-The Gordon Parks Celebration, scheduled for October 7 – 9, 2021, at Fort Scott Community College, will feature Contemporary Jazz and R&B violinist, Dominique Hammons in a music performance at 7:30 p.m. at the River Room in Fort Scott, KS on Friday, October 8th. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and a cash bar will be available.
This performance event was supported in part by Peerless Products, INC. in Fort Scott, KS.
“We are very excited that we were able to bring Dominique Hammons back to Fort Scott once again for another electrifying performance.” This provides another great opportunity for anyone that was not able to attend Dominique’s last performance here to a packed house at the Liberty Theater.” said Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum Director.
Dominique Hammons is a young, energetic, Contemporary/Jazz and R&B Violinist from Houston, TX and started playing classical violin at the age of eight.
Hammons attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston and was a member of the school orchestra program for four years. After high school, Dominique attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma, and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Performance with an emphasis in Jazz.
During the early part of middle and high school years, Hammons performed for four years with the Houston Youth Symphony Orchestra, receiving high accolades for excellence. Dominique also performed with other orchestra and chamber groups such as Virtuosi of Houston and TMEA All-State Orchestra. He was also chosen to study and perform with the Diaz Music Institute’s Youth Latin Jazz group, “Caliente”.
According from his biography, his ‘God given’ talent has been recognized with many awards and among them, the Houston Symphony’s “Young Artist Competition”, where he won the opportunity to play a solo on stage with the Houston Symphony. He also competed and won medals and recognitions while participating in NAACP “Actso” competitions.
Since graduation, Dominique has gravitated to teaching classical violin lessons to the youth who desire to follow in his footsteps; and continues to perform in the Houston and surrounding cities as a solo artist. His popularity has risen in high demand to perform at many venues and performs various genres of music such as classical, pop, gospel, jazz, hip hop and R&B. His unique blend of music and style has granted him to perform across the nation such as Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, and Washington State.*(2020)
Hammon’s Musical career has led him to perform at the following events:
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Selected to play the National Anthem during the pre-game show at the Houston Rockets game in November of 2018.
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He was selected to audition for the ‘2019 America’s Got Talent’ competition.
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Opening act for Johnathan Butler at the 2018 Martini Blue Jazz Festival. (Which Dominique received a standing ovation of a crowd of (3,000.)
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Headliner for City of College Park & 7Flavors of Smooth Jazz Festival, Atlanta, GA.
Tickets are $30 each or $35 at the door. Tickets will be available at the Gordon Parks Museum located on the campus at Fort Scott Community College or over the phone (620)-223-2700 ext. 5850.
For more information about the Celebration, see the website at gordonparkscenter.org or email [email protected] or by phone call 223-2700, ext. 5850.
Coon Rentals Purchases 17 S. Main
The building known for years as the Kress Building has been sold to Coon Rentals LLC.
History
The building at 17 S. Main most recently housed a grocery store that had been a recipient of SPARK money, which was federal money given to the state who gave the money to local governments to help businesses during the pandemic.
BAJA Investments had purchased the building, remodeled it, purchased supplies and equipment, and opened a grocery store called The Star Emporium Downtown General Store in January 2021 and closed in May 2021, citing not enough business.
BAJA Investments had received a $450,000 grant from SPARK to provide a downtown grocery store.
To learn more about the SPARK program: https://covid.ks.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/SPARK-Overview-06.16.20.pdf
“They (BAJA) did give it an effort,” he said. “And if the traffic would have been there…but it wasn’t. He had all the receipts, there was accountability for this.”
Coon Rentals LLC paid $158,000 for the building in an auction last week.
“When that business failed, the county had two options,” Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah said. “Let the business go into bankruptcy, which would have taken over a year. Or sell the property and it goes back on the county tax rolls.”
“We are in the process of closing on the property,” he said.
To see prior stories on the business:
Star Emporium Downtown General Store to Open Next Week
Star Emporium Closes in Downtown Fort Scott
New Owners
“Coon Rentals LLC will manage and maintain the building for its new tenants, soon to come,” Robert Coon said. Coon who with his wife, Kimberly, owns the business.
“There have been so many negative vibes regarding the grant the previous business there had, but I don’t think anyone thought of the greatness of it: federal money came to Kansas, to Bourbon County,” Coon said. “Then the grant was used partly to revitalize a building. In the process, lots of small local businesses received some of those funds to work on the building. That’s economic development at its finest.”
“I also think the current (Bourbon County) commissioners should be applauded for salvaging the situation with the building,” Coon said. “Commissioners had a decision to make regarding acquiring the building and redistribution to avoid lots of issues.”
“We have three businesses, A1 Towing, A1 Bill Bonds, and Coon Rentals LLC, ” Coon said. “None require a storefront.”
“We are going to lease that building to a business,” He said. “That agreement is in process. They will operate in the whole downstairs portion of the building.”
“We are going to remodel the upstairs and have more professional businesses there,” he said.
FS Tourism Board Meets Aug. 26
The Tourism Advisory Board will meet on Thursday, August 26th, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main. This meeting is open to the public.
The Tourism meeting will be available on the City’s YouTube channel.
FS Commission Meets Aug. 24 for Budget Work Session
The Fort Scott City Commission will meet on Tuesday, August 24th, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas to hold a work session to discuss the 2022 budget. This meeting is open to the public, but no action will be taken.
The work session will also be available on the City’s YouTube channel.
Fort Scott Town-Wide Garage Sale Sept. 10-11
Mark your calendars for the Fall Town-wide Garage Sale on Friday and Saturday, September 10th and 11th. Now is the time to get your garage sale on the map.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce encourages residents in Fort Scott to do your Fall cleaning and make room for something new. Garage sales may be registered through the Chamber by 1 pm, Tuesday, September 7th for only $10. The registration fee lists your sale on the official garage sale map, two colorful balloons and enables the Chamber to advertise the sale throughout the region on the radio, newspaper, social media and the Chamber website.
Businesses are encouraged to advertise on the official garage sale map, which will be distributed to shoppers the week of the Town-wide Garage Sale. The maps will be distributed from local stores and the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. The cost to place a business ad or coupon is $25 for small ad and $35 for larger ad. The garage sale maps will be available and printed on Thursday, September 9th by 1 pm at 5-Corners Mini-Mart, Bids & Dibs, Casey’s, Don’s Smoke Shop, all Pete’s locations, and The Fort Scott Chamber.
Garage sales may be registered in person at the Chamber office, 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, located at 231 E. Wall Street or by phone using debit or credit card by calling (620) 223-3566.
Friday Night Free Concert: Scarborough, Lundeen, Tucker, Carlson
The first half of this week’s Friday Night Concert will be presented by local area musicians Doug Scarborough and Michael Lundeen.
Scarborough sings and plays guitar and Lundeen plays keyboard. The duo will feature country, folk, and gospel music. A self-taught guitarist at age 14, Scarborough will perform two of his original songs, “Dust on the Bible” and “You’re the One.” Lundeen began studying piano at the age of six and has a vast repertoire of hymns, gospel, 1930s music, and songs from his youth.
The second half of the show will feature Carolyn Tucker on vocals and keyboard, and Ralph Carlson on guitar. Both of these musician friends began playing at the age of nine; between the two of them they have 132 years of musicianship. Their set will include Latin guitar classics, gospel instrumental and vocal favorites, and some 1940s tunes.
“Come out and join us for a special opportunity to see friends and support the gift of music in our area. We are happy to offer a show with such a wide variety of songs in the downtown park pavilion,“ concert series organizer Ralph Carlson said.
The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. The shows, sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, are free and open to the public. Dave Oas of Parsons serves as sound technician each week. Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.
What’s Happening in Fort Scott: August 20 Newsletter
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FS City Commission: Major Budget Changes
Fort Scott Mayor Josh Jones gave a summary of last night’s budget work session.
“The city presented a proposed budget that includes
1. 3% Raise to employees,
2. 2% reduction in mill levy,
3. $500k improvements to Lake Fort Scott (which will come from the sale of some lake property the city has),
4. $800k added next year for streets (this is from sales tax that was voted on in 2021 but won’t see full funding till 2022),
5. Looked at giving employees potential memberships or reduce rate memberships to city-owned amenities,
6. Looked at giving a bonus to all Public Safety employees,
7. Built-in raises for some areas that had $9 starting wages to $13 to be more competitive in getting more employees and help retention of employees.
“Hopefully this budget will be approved at one of our September meetings,” Jones said.
Lyons Featured in Top Agent Magazine
Local realtor, Bailey Lyons, was recently featured in the August 2021 edition of Top Agent Magazine.
Lyons has been a realtor for three years in Bourbon County and launched her own real estate business at the beginning of 2021.
Her business has grown over the years from repeat business and word-of-mouth introductions of friends, family, and neighbors, she said.
The real estate market is strong right now, Lyons said. “You can strip that down to basic economics. Supply is low, driven by the historically low number of active listings, contrasted by incredibly high demand, thanks in part to low interest rates.”
Lyons Realty Group’s new office is at 8 E. Wall St., in the recently restored Tribune Building. The office is part of the LaRoche family’s investment in the block of storefronts at Wall and National Avenue.
She can be reached via phone at (620)266-9448, or email at [email protected].
Katie Hueston is the business’s office administrator and Chelsea Harrison is a recently added real estate agent.
To view the magazine article: BAILEY LYONS
“Top Agent Magazine is the premier real estate magazine featuring the foremost real estate agents, mortgage professionals, and affiliates in the USA, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, according to a Top Agent Magazine press release. Top Agent Magazine features the top producing and most accomplished professionals in the real estate industry, offering an in-depth look at their careers and providing a blueprint for their success.
“To be considered for a feature in Top Agent Magazine all professionals must go through a nomination and interview process, according to the press release.
“ALL Candidates are then evaluated based upon production, professionalism, as well as industry and community involvement.
“It is considered a privilege to be nominated as it speaks to a certain success level all real estate agents strive for. Top Agent has set itself apart as a trusted source of real estate information and inspiration.
“Bailey Lyons is a stellar example of the kind of prominent leaders of real estate we are proud to feature in Top Agent Magazine, according to the press release.
“Information on nominations receiving this recognition can be found online at http://www.topagentmagazine.com/nominate-a-real-estate-agent-to-be-featured/
“It is an honor to be recognized with so many outstanding agents who are at the top of their game,” Lyons said in the press release. “I appreciate Top Agent Magazine selecting me for a feature. More importantly, though, I appreciate my wonderful clients, family, friends, and the Lyons Realty Group team for all of their support and encouragement. I love what I do every day, and I hope it always shows in my efforts.”
For more information email her at [email protected], or visit lyonsrealtygrp.com.
Grants Accepted For Local Organizations Until Aug. 31
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