Category Archives: Fort Scott

Rotary Close to Bikes for Children Goal This Year

Rotary is close to meeting their goal of 87 bikes ~
no amount is too small to give!
You may drop off your donation to the E3 store at Wall & National Ave. or click here to pay via the Chamber PayPal and we will forward your donation.
Call Rhonda Dunn for questions or more info:
620-224-1186
Rotary asks for your
partnership in meeting
their goal on
purchasing Bikes
for Children this Christmas!
Rotary Christmas Bikes 2020
The Fort Scott Rotary Club is working with The Beacon
again this year to bring Christmas bicycles to Fort Scott children.
We really came together last year and met the needs and
think we can do it again this year. We need over
80 bicycles, scooters, or tricycles this year.
How can you help?
– Buy a bicycle, scooter, or tricycle and bring it to
Rotary c/o Rhonda Dunn 13 S. National between 9-6 Mon-Fri.
– Make a donation for bicycles and we will do the shopping for you. Mail it to: Fort Scott Rotary Club at 13 S. National Fort Scott.
– Click here to make a donation online via the Chamber’s PayPal and we will forward the money to Rotary.
– PM or call Rhonda @ 620.224.1186 with questions or for more info.
We will be collecting bicycles until December 16 and delivering them on December 17 to the Community Christian Church for distributions to the families on December 18.
Let’s make Christmas special for local families!
Thank you in advance for your consideration and possible contribution to this project!

Local Optometrist Dr. Holloway Retires

Dr. Randall Holloway taken from Facebook.
Randall R Holloway, 65, retired from his optometric practice after 38 years, on Sept. 12, 2020.
His office was located at 4 S. National, just in the back of the Boiler Room  Brewhaus.
Holloway’s first day on the job was July 22, 1982, he said.
Holloway sold his practice to Kannarr Eye Care and it’s now known by that name.
Paula Brewer and Lisa Peck, former employees of Holloway, now work for Kannarr Eye Care.
The phone number remains 223-0850.
Hours of the office are 8 a.m to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office is closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch.
“Their main office is in Pittsburg Kansas,” Holloway said.  “The  doctors coming to the Fort Scott location are Dr. Shane Kannarr, Dr. Chris Jacquinot, and Dr. Katie Painter.”
“Some employees come from the Pittsburg office,” Lisa Peck said.
Since retiring in a pandemic, Holloway said he is trying to stay healthy.
“Currently, my time is taken up by golf, exercise, and trying to stay healthy,” he said.  “Next year we will be getting the Covid-19 vaccination as soon as possible, which will allow us to travel to Shoreline, Washington to visit our grandchildren.”

Wreaths Across America Anonymous Donation

Wreaths Across America For Fort Scott National Cemetery Received an Extraordinarily Generous Anonymous Donation

The Wreaths Across America mission to Remember, Honor, Teach, is the foundation behind all the organizations efforts. Throughout the year, since 2007 volunteers tirelessly work to make certain that families, loved ones and heroes get honored and remembered for the holidays. For the past 2 years, due to the efforts of many selfless volunteers the Fort Scott National Cemetery has had the pleasure to honor every single one of our military veterans with a wreath at their final resting place of the Fort Scott National Cemetery. With the many challenges of 2020 this just seemed out of reach this year. In fact , we thought it unreachable as the order window closed and we sat at only 44% of our overall goal of covering the entirety of Fort Scott National Cemetery, including a small plot at the Barnesville Cemetery. However, with only days before the wreath trucks were set to run, an extraordinarily generous anonymous donor with a larger-than-life heart got word of our shortage and couldn’t bear the thought of every soldier not being honored, stepped up to cover the funds for the entire remaining portion of the Cemetery.

“Being contacted by a donor who agreed to sponsor payment for ALL of the local graves at Fort Scott National Cemetery who have not been sponsored for 2020 was about the most wonderful surprise I’ve ever received. Prior to this generous donation, our Cemetery had donations to cover about half of the graves for interred soldiers. How grateful we are, and what this means to the families of the fallen soldiers is hard to express.” Said Diann Tucker (Location Coordinator)

To ensure the most important part (the laying of a wreath on every hero’s grave) in our Fort Scott National Cemetery is accomplished for 2020, this year’s events in Fort Scott will look a little different and therefore compromises have been made. This year there will be no ceremony, however we will still be displaying the 7 ceremonial wreaths to represent the Coast Guard, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy, Merchant Marines and Prisoners of war and those Missing In Action. We will be laying wreaths prior to National Wreaths Day to allow us to have registered volunteers while respectfully maintaining social distancing. This way wreaths will be ready to view by their loved ones on National Wreath Day on the 19th of December. (If you would like to volunteer to help place wreaths please reach out to our Location Coordinator Diann Tucker at 620-223-6700, send a email to [email protected] or logon wreathsacrossamerica.org to fill an open volunteer slot.)

Wreath sponsorships are only $15, and can be sponsored directly at www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org/ksfsnf or email [email protected] for a link to our local PayPal account. You can also contact location coordinator Diann Tucker at Stewart Realty in Fort Scott, 620-223-6700 or 620-224-7054.

“Every $15 wreath sponsorship is a meaningful gift from a grateful American who knows what it means to serve and sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. “Whether the wreath is placed this December, or next, know that your gift will be honored. We are so grateful to the good people of this great nation for participating in our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach.”

To stay informed about changes to Wreath Day events in your community or to sponsor a wreath for a local hero, please contact location coordinator Diann Tucker at 620-223-6700.

 

FS City Commission Special Meeting Dec. 14

The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, December 14th, 2020 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. It is anticipated the City Commission will recess into Executive Session to review the submitted applications for City Manager.

This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel. This meeting is open to the public.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Caroling and Chocolate Friday in Downtown Fort Scott

THE CHAMBER INVITES YOU TO A CAROLING & COCOA LATE NIGHT SHOPPING EVENT DOWNTOWN FORT SCOTT THIS FRIDAY, 5-8 PM
~ ~ ~
The event will feature several groups of carolers
strolling sidewalks of Downtown from store to store with cocoa served by free will donation on the corner of Wall St. & National Ave.
~ ~ ~
This event offers locals & visitors another opportunity to shop small & support local
while enjoying some holiday cheer!
Find the hidden mistletoe to win Chamber Bucks!
SEE MORE DETAILS BELOW!
Click on these Links to share them to your page! Thank you!

Health Insurance Through the Chamber

Update on Chamber
Health Insurance by BCBS
View rates/plans & please respond
NOW if you are interested.
We have received our rates
based on employers who submitted their preliminary employee census information.
IF you did not show interest before, but are interested now, please let us now ASAP so we can try and reach the minimum number needed to finalize the plan.
Click here or click on the graphic below to view the plans & rates.
Your business/organization just needs at least one full-time and one part-time employee to qualify for the plan.
Email Lindsay Madison at [email protected] by this
Thursday, December 10th
if you are interested in the insurance.
(This is information for an Association Health Plan through the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, working with Chamber member and local business Don Doherty of
Northwestern Mutual Life, RPS Benefits, Inc.)

Bikes For Children At Christmas

Rotary asks for your
partnership in meeting
their goal on
purchasing Bikes
for Children this Christmas!
Rotary Christmas Bikes 2020
The Fort Scott Rotary Club is working with The Beacon
again this year to bring Christmas bicycles to Fort Scott children.
We really came together last year and met the needs and
think we can do it again this year. We need over
80 bicycles, scooters, or tricycles this year.
How can you help?
– Buy a bicycle, scooter, or tricycle and bring it to
Rotary c/o Rhonda Dunn 13 S. National between 9-6 Mon-Fri.
– Make a donation for bicycles and we will do the shopping for you. Mail it to: Fort Scott Rotary Club at 13 S. National Fort Scott.
– Click here to make a donation online via the Chamber’s PayPal and we will forward the money to Rotary.
– PM or call Rhonda @ 620.224.1186 with questions or for more info.
We will be collecting bicycles until December 16 and delivering them on December 17 to the Community Christian Church for distributions to the families on December 18.
Let’s make Christmas special for local families!
Thank you in advance for your consideration and possible contribution to this project!

Laree + Co. Boutique Opening this Saturday, Dec. 5

Pictured is Alivia Kraft, owner of Laree + Co,  located at 3 S. National Avenue. Submitted photo.

A new business is opening at the corner of National Avenue and Wall Street in Fort Scott. This building is part of a renewal of the historic buildings on and adjacent to this corner, by resident Jennifer LaRoche.

The LaRoche Building, August 2020. Laree + Co is now located in the corner spot, with entry doors on the National Avenue side.
Laree + Co, on December 3, 2020. Submitted photo.

The Common Ground Coffee Company and Kenny Felt Photography opened this year on the Wall Street side of the corner and E3 Meat Co. and Laree + Co. on the National Avenue side.

Beginning this Saturday, Dec.t 5, Laree+Co Boutique will have its’ grand opening at 3 S. National.

Trendy clothing and baby items will be featured items at the boutique.

Laree + Co. offers superior-quality tees, women’s apparel, holiday apparel, vinyl and fabric bows, shoes, headwraps, and more. Home décor and other furnishings will come in the future, according to the press release..

 

Support this local business by stopping in this Saturday at Laree + Co.’s grand opening, for light refreshments, drinks, and door prizes.

The store’s hours will be Monday-Friday from 9 am – 6 pm.

 Business In Honor of Lillian

Owner Alivia Kraft originally started the business in honor of her daughter, Lillian, who was diagnosed with Trisomy 18. Though Lillian wasn’t expected to live past birth, she celebrated her fourth birthday in August.

To learn more about Trisomy 18, click here:

https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6321/trisomy-18

Lillian’s determination for life inspired Alivia to do something she had always dreamed of, opening a boutique, according to a press release from the business.

Laree+Co’s mission in part is to spread awareness of medically-complex children and their illnesses through naming products after fellow “warriors” and angels, according to the press release.

The family has decided that 10 percent of the business profits will be donated to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, St. Louis, MO, the hospital that has saved Lillian’s life on numerous occasions.

 

 

 

 

 

FS City Board Vacancies

City Board Vacancies

Please see below the above openings for City of Fort Scott Boards:

  • Five openings (Three County residents – Two City resident) on the Fort Scott Planning Commission.

  • One opening on the Board of Zoning Appeals (City resident)

  • Four openings on the Airport Advisory Board

  • Two openings on the Design Review Board (City residents)

The function of the Planning Commission is to review and adopt (as well as update) the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Fort Scott, to establish zoning districts and allowable uses, to review zoning regulations within the City and to review requests for special permits or conditional uses within certain zoning districts in the City. Also reviews site plans for planned areas and is responsible for zoning within the 3-mile limit of the City of Fort Scott. Their recommendations are given to the City Commission for final approval. They meet on an “as needed” basis.

The function of the Board of Zoning Appeals is to review requests for variances in zoning ordinance such as building setback requirements, building sizes, etc. They meet on an “as needed” basis.

The function of the Airport Advisory Board is to advise the City Manager and City Commissioners on matters pertaining to the continued growth and improvement of the airport. Their recommendations are given to the City Commission for final approval.

The function of the Design Review Board is to review requests for Certificate of Appropriateness in the historic district of our downtown. They meet on an “as needed” basis.

If you have a desire to serve on any of these Boards and meet the above requirements, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Diane Clay, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. She will then submit your letter of interest for consideration by the City Commission. All of the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. If you would like more information on any of these boards, please contact Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or [email protected]. Please submit your letter of interest by December 11th, 2020.

Josh Jones Chosen For FS City Commission

Josh Jones. Submitted photo.

Josh Jones, 39, was sworn in this week to serve on the Fort Scott City Commission, replacing Jolynne Mitchel, who resigned.

Josh Jones is sworn in as a new Fort Scott Commissioner on Dec. 1. The commission meeting was held in Buck Run Community Center. Photo was taken from the City of Fort Scott’s Facebook page.

 

Jones was born and raised in Fort Scott and has several businesses in the community.

“I have rental houses and I run Bourbon County Cars,” he said. “I also work part-time as a bus driver for USD 234 and FSCC

 

Jones believes it’s a cumulation of life lessons learned that give him the experience and qualities to serve on the commission.

 

“I have made many mistakes in life but find a way to learn and grow with each mistake,” Jones said. ” My favorite quote is ‘Show me a man who never made a mistake and I will show you one who never tried anything.’”

 

“We have to understand we will make mistakes but how you learn and grow from those mistakes is what we need to focus on,” he said.

 

“I have always told my children if you want to come to me to complain about something, then you better follow it up with a solution to try,” he said.  “I feel like Fort Scott is in a period where we need some new ideas to continue to move forward and I felt like I wanted to help any way I could and felt like being a commissioner was a good way to bring solutions or ideas to concerns I had.”

 

“My duty as a commissioner is to serve the citizens of Fort Scott the best way I think is possible,” Jones said.  “Every decision we make comes back to one thing. Citizens.”

 

Jones said he has ideas about the future of Fort Scott.

 

“However I am one of five commissioners and I feel like it’s not about my ideas but rather about the ideas of the five of us as a whole,” he said. “I look forward to getting into the mentality that the five of us are a team and the new things on the horizons will be a collaborative effort from all of us.”

FS Commission Work Session Is Dec. 8

The Fort Scott City Commission will meet on Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 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 Charter Ordinance No. 31 and the upcoming sales tax ballot vote. 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.

FS Design Review Board Meets Dec. 8

The Design Review Board will meet on Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Meeting room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to discuss a Certificate of Appropriateness for signage at 17 S. Main Street, and any others matters to be brought before the Board. This meeting is open to the public.

This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.