Effective October 31st, 2022, Shane Walker resigned his position as City Commissioner on the Fort Scott City Commission.Persons interested in applying to fill the position vacated by Commissioner Shane Walker are asked to submit a letter of interest to:City Clerk, Lisa Lewis at 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas66701 or by email at [email protected].Letters of interest must be received by the City Clerkby12:00p.m.onFriday,November11th ,2022.
Only individuals who reside in the City limits of Fort Scott are eligible to apply.Once the appointment has been made, it will become effective at the next scheduled City Commission meeting and the term will expire in December of 2023. Any additional information or questions may be obtained by contacting Lisa Lewis, City Clerk at 620-223-0550
John and Pat Neff lived in Fort Scott decades ago, but were impacted by the Sisters of Mercy and decided to give back to the community.
“I was told that John grew up in the area and then they lived here early in their marriage…and adopted two children from Mercy Hospital,” Carla Farmer, Fort Scott Area Community Foundation (FSACF) member said. “Pat reached out in the 1990s and wanted to give back to the local Sisters of Mercy, who helped them adopt two children. That’s the basis of them wanting to give back to the community. This was a couple that was touched by our community decades ago. This was where they raised there children.”
“The Neff’s created an annuity that paid them until they passed away,” FSACF Chairman Craig Campbell said.
John Valentine Neff and Patricia Renfro Neff were married 69 years until his death, according to Pat’s Neff’s obituary. Pat died in July 2022.
Upon her death the annuity money went to the Mercy foundation, and now to the FSACF for distribution into the community for future health care funds.
“When Mercy Hospital closed their doors in Fort Scott (in December 2018), the foundation voted to stay intact in order to be able to accept the Neff’s gift following the death of Mrs. Neff,” Jared Leek, president of the Fort Scott Mercy Hospital Foundation Board said. “We voted for the board to go from a 12-16 member board to a board comprised of just three members; Jared Leek, President, Bryan Holt, Treasurer, and Darcy Smith, Secretary. The three board members setup an account with the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation for health care needs in Bourbon County.”
“As of September 30, 2022, the account with the FSACF was valued at $243,985.41,” Leek said. “At the Chamber After Hours (on Oct. 26, 2022) hosted by FSACF, the board presented a check in the amount of $299,446.17 which included the Neff gift and the remainder of our checking account.”
“On that date, the total in the FSACF account for health care needs would be valued at $543,431.58,” Leek said. “Obviously, accounts invested fluctuate with the market.”
Leek said the Mercy foundation board will be dissolving at the end of this year.
The Fort Scott Band earned a 1-rating this past weekend, marching in the Neewollah Parade in Independence, KS.
“Thirty-four students were in the parade,” Justin Robinson, FSHS Band Director said. “And two middle school students were carrying the banner.
” The scale is 1-5, with top indicating a superior rating, ” he said. They will receive a plaque for this rating.
FSHS Band participated in the Neewollah Grand Parade on Saturday, October 29th. “This is the first parade, we will plan on doing the Fort Scott Christmas Parade”(on Dec. 1), he said.
“There were a total of 32 bands that participated in the parade this year and a total of 123 entries in the parade, Robinson said.
The band works approximately fours hours a week on playing their musical instruments and marching.
“We meet 45 minutes a day,” he said. “We go to the auxiliary gym if it’s raining. But we go out and hit the streets of Fort Scott when we can.”
The band also plays all the high school home games.
This is Justin Robinson’s second year as the band director.
Justin Robison and wife Angela Robinson, who helps out with the drumline. Submitted photo.
The Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott Pioneers will hold their 34th annual Chili Feed on Thursday, November 10 at the United Methodist Church at 301 South National in Fort Scott. “The annual fundraiser will be drive through only.” according to Kiwanis Pioneer President Millie Karleskint.
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 $7.00 donation per meal) to be collected at the door. 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.
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, playground equipment, the Beacon, United Way, 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 Karleskint.
Deliveries will be available for orders of ten or more by calling 620-224-0563 during serving hours.
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION CITY HALL COMMISSION MEETING ROOM 123 SOUTH MAIN STREET November 1st, 2022 6:00 P.M. I.Roll Call: J. JonesT. Van HoeckeS. WalkerM. WellsK. Harrington II.Flag Salute: III.Invocation:Led by: T. VanHoecke IV.Consent Agenda: A.Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of October 18th, 2022 B.Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1323-A totaling $259,949.03 C.Request to Pay – L. G. Barcus & Sons – $143,460.92 – River Intake D.Request to Pay – Nuss & Farmer – $770.00 – Outside contract work V.Public Comment: (Sign up required.Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission discretion) A.Lake Advisory Board Representative Update VI.Old Business: A.Change Order #1 – L.G. Barcus and Sons, Inc. – $19,466.03 – Review of itemized bill requested by Commission and submitted by Donald Lindeman, Senior Project Manager of HDR. B.Consideration of agreement with BakerTilly for financial services VII.Appearances: VIII.Public Hearing: None
IX.New Business: A.ConsiderationforapprovalofParadePermitforFortScottChristmas Parade on December 1st, 2022, submitted by Lindsay Madison. B.Consideration for 60-day Time Extension for the City’s Urgent Need project C.Consideration of Addendum No. 1 – Fort Scott GO Car Wash MEP Plan Review – Earles Engineering XII.Reports and Comments: A.Interim City Manager Comments: B.Assistant City Manager Comments: C.Engineering Comments: D.Commissioners Comments: E.City Attorney Comments: XIII.ExecutiveSession–Ifrequested,(pleasefollowscriptinallmotionsfor Executive Sessions) J.Jones–ExecutiveSessionforthepersonnelmattersofnon-elected personnel. IX.Adjournment:
Twenty-six recipients of the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation were presented checks to further their projects during the annual award ceremony on Oct. 26 at Landmark Bank.
Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison welcomed those attending.
“We are so thankful for the foundation starting in 2007,” she said. “This year 26 recipients were granted $53,500 in awards.”
Before the ceremony, the Mercy Fort Scott Hospital Foundation Board, comprised of Bryan Holt, Marci Smith and Jared Leek presented a $250,000 check to the FSACF. The board closed out the foundation with this last distribution to be used for future health care needs in the community. Mercy Hospital Fort Scott closed its doors in December 2018.
Carla Farmer, FSACF Board Member, also presented $299, 446 to FSACF from the John and Pat Neff annuity that was originally for the Mercy Foundation, but was transferred to FSACF.
Patricia Neff. Submitted photo.
The Sisters of Mercy had assisted the Neffs in adopting two children and had wanted to give back, so they created an annuity that paid them until they died, then the funds went to the Mercy Foundation. Mrs. Neff died three months ago.
FSACF Chairman Craig Campbell sent more information, following the ceremony, on the First Christian Church of Ft. Scott Endowment Fund, which contributed over $12,000 toward this fall’s grantees.
When the First Christian Church closed, a foundation was formed to provide grants to support local needs for years to come.
The following are grants this year selected by the First Christian Church Endowment board:
Riverfront Authority Labyrinth
Methodist Church Feeding Families
Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries
USD 234 Preschool Center Community Involvement
USD 234 Healthy Snacks
The following are the recipients and what they received the grant for:
Photos were unavailable for the following :
Bourbon County CASA received a grant to provide training and support for the organizations volunteers.
Ronda Hassig, from the Lowell Milken Center, received a grant to invest in a high-powered telescope to bring the universe closer to the community.
From left: Becky Tourtillott,Bonnie Milburn,Craig Campbell, and Jean Tucker.
Feeding Families In His Name Ministry feeds free meals to 450 people each Wednesday from the Fort Scott First United Methodist Church. Bonnie Milburn is the coordinator, who received the check along with Jean Tucker.
Lacy Nicholson and Craig Campbell.
Fostering Connections helps with integrating children into adoptive families by providing resources for them. Lacy Nicholson accepted the check.
Fort Scott Teacher Linda Minor, left with FSACF Chairman Craig Campbell.
Linda Minor accepted a check for USD234 students, who will be receiving snacks for those who don’t have the resources to invest in healthy food.
Stephanie George and Craig Campbell.
Fort Scott Middle School Teacher Stephanie George received a grant to take students to the Nutcracker Ballet in Kansas City.
Lewis Dunkeson,Winter Moore and Craig Campbell.
Communities in School is a nation-wide program to provide support for struggling youth in Fort Scott Middle and High School. Accepting the check was Lewis Dunkeson and Winter Moore.
Seth Needham and Craig Campbell.
Cubmaster Seth Needham accepted the check for the local CubScout program to support recruiting efforts.
John Crain, left, and Craig Campbell.
The Fort Scott Kiwanis Club received a grant to continue planting trees in the community, represented by John Crain.
Becky Tourtillot, Craig Campbell and Gregg Motley.
USD 235 teacher Jeff Feagins received a grant to upgrade the computer lab in his classroom, with Gregg Motley accepting the check for Feagins.
Jennifer Terrell and Craig Campbell
Jennifer Terrell received a check for Kansas State’s Southwind Extension to engage youth in the art of cooking.
Larry Amer and Craig Campbell.
USD 234 teacher Larry Amer received a grant for the Empty Bowls program which combines art, function and self-sustaining fundraising for students.
Nick Johnson and Craig Campbell.
Fort Scott Preschool Principal Nick Johnson received a grant to provide engagement activities that hopes to involve teachers and families.
Vickie Wright, Kerry Pommier, Janderon Loyd and Craig Campbell.
Southeast Kansas Mental Health received a grant to bring expertise and resources to the USD 234 school district. Accepting the check was Vickie Wright, Kerry Pommier and Janderon Loyd.
Josh Jones, Bailey Lyons and Craig Campbell.
Josh Jones and Bailey Lyons accepted a check for the purpose of a future splash pad for children in Fort Scott.
Stacy Bishop, Holli Mason, Becca Clay and Craig Campbell.
Fort Scott Community College received a grant to support students who are first in their family to attend and graduate from college. Accepting the grant for FSCC was Stacy Bishop, Holli Mason and Becca Clay.
Allen Schellack and Craig Campbell.
Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries Executive Director Allen Schellack received a grant to help the immediate and acute needs of families in our community.
Joe O’Rourke and Craig Campbell.
Joe O’Rourke accepted a check for Tri-Valley Development Services for purchase of an electric sit-to-stand machine to aid residents and caregivers.
Autumn Durrosette, Robin Webb and Craig Campbell.
Autumn Durrosette and Robin Webb, USD 234 First Grade Teachers, received a grant to provide a life science natural habitat.
Tom Havron and Craig Campbell.
Tom Havron, representing Fort Scott Community College, received a grant to display school memorabilia in display cases and shelves.
Erin Fletcher and Craig Campbell.
Erin Fletcher, representing Special Olympics, received a grant for equipment and uniforms.
Nicolle Pellet and Michelle Brittain with Craig Campbell.
USD 234 received a grant to study Edgar Allen Poe in an electronic classroom experience. Representing the school district in receiving the grant was teachers Nicolle Pellet and Michelle Brittain.
Cristin Stark and Craig Campbell.
USD 234 Teacher Cristin Start will lead students on a historical walking tour of Fort Scott with a grant received.
Jerry Witt and Craig Campbell.
Jerry Witt, representing the Riverfront Authority, received a grant to fund a walking labyrinth dedicated to the memory of the late Allen Warren.
From left Becky Tourtillott, Debbie Potter, Craig Campbell and Greg Post.
The City of Mapleton received a grant for a community defibrillator, along with training to a number of residents on the equipment. Accepting the check was Debbie Potter and Greg Post.
Jackson Tough, Janice Fewins, Becky Tourtillott, Kirk Sharp and Craig Campbell.
The Gordon Parks Museum received a grant for interactive touch screen displays from the foundation. Receiving the grant are board members Jackson Tough, Janice Fewins, Becky Tourtillott and Kirk Sharp.
The Fort Scott City Commission will hold a work session on Tuesday, November 1st, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting room. No action will be taken.
Following the Work Session will be the regular City Commission Meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting room.
These meetings are open to the public. They will also available on YouTube live and as a recording following the conclusion of the meeting.
Jan Hedges, owner of Hedghog INK, opened the bookstore in October 2018, with her husband Dick, at 16 S. Main.
“Both Dick and I loved books,” Jan said. “Anytime we traveled we always went to a bookstore. I thought it would be neat to work in one. We had a lot of books at home we needed to do something with.”
“Dick was very supportive of Fort Scott and was sad to see the downtown with hardly any businesses,” she said. “We started talking and, well, instead of someone else doing something, maybe we needed to do something.”
“We started looking at storefronts downtown,” she said. “I talked with the city staff and found that Jared Leek was looking for someone to rent this building.”
“Dick and I had both retired three times, and then we opened this bookstore,” Jan said. “We took the leap.”
And so the business venture began in October 2018.
Jan and Dick Hedges, owners of Hedgehog.INK, stand in front of the store when it opened in October 2018.Dick Hedges, was a co-owner of Hedgehog.INK, and the unofficial greeter to the store until his death this year.
“Dick died March 11, 2022,” Jan said. “He was the official greeter.”
The Business Has Grown
In the four years since opening, Jan has doubled the size of the store, finding space to rent behind 14 S. Main and a doorway entry to the space opened up.
“The added space we call the Great Room, we rent out, after hours to local groups,” she said. “PEO, the Garden Club, a magazine club have used the space.”
In this space also is a mezzanine type area.
“The reading loft is good for small groups,” she said. “High school, college kids study there, moms and their children sometimes go to read books.”
Coffee and tea are available for free, for those who want to sit a spell.
Employees
Currently there are four part-time employees at Hedgehog INK.
Sheryl Bloomfield has worked at the store since its opening and her specialty is decorating the windows at the front of the store.
Lynn Pallaske is in charge of their social media marketing.
Rylan Mason is a high school student and Casey Lewis was a customer who was “here all the time, so we asked her if she’d help us out.”
They all do the work of the store, processing donated books, shelving, working as cashier, etc.
People can call to see if the store has a certain book in stock.
“If we don’t have a book, we can try to order for people,” she said.
Book Offerings
Children’s books and history books are the store’s best sellers.
Lynn Pallaske, left and Jan Hedges stand in front of the mural that directs children to a reading room just for them.
There is a section for local authors in all genres.
Hedgehog INK has a local authors section.
The list of local authors: Cathy Werling, Evelyn Kalvelage, Carol Russell, Sally Freeman Jadlow, Joyce Love, Rick Mayhew, Bourbon County Historical Preservation Association Books, Ann Miesner, Martie Wells-Smith, Jane Tucker, Mary Barbara McKay, Gerri Hilger, Kay Large, J. Speer, Rogena McPherson, Nanette Holloway, R.J. Thesman, Sally Smith, Barbara Ramsey, Marvin Ramsey, George Proctor and Ann Joyner.
“We have Writers Wednesday, a group that meets from 1 to 3 p.m. every week and recently hosted a writers seminar,” Jan said.
Story time at the store is starting again after a hiatus because of the COVID 19 Pandemic.
“It’s the first Saturday of each month in the reading loft area,” she said.
Fort Scott has been so generous in donating books to the book store, that during November and December they are not accepting donations.
They have over 30,000 books.
Other Products Are For Sale
In addition, the store sells local products such as goat milk lotions and lavender products, handmade handbags, photo cards, arts and crafts materials, games and puzzles, journals, chocolates and more.
Hours are Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are open by appointment at other times.
The Fort Scott High School Theatre program performs Addams Family School Edition at 7 p.m. on Nov. 8 and 10 and at 2 and 7 p.m. on Nov. 12 at FSHS.
Theatrical Rights Worldwide says The Addams Family is “a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family… and it’s every father’s nightmare: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family–a man her parents have never met. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before–keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s ‘normal’ boyfriend and his parents.”
Students playing the Addams Family members include newcomer Junie Fisher, a freshman, as Wednesday; junior Casey Gomez as Gomez; sophomore Emma Guns as Morticia; senior Luke Majors as Fester; junior Regen Wells as Pugsley; junior Jaedyn Lewis as Grandma; and junior Jonah Wilterding as Lurch. The Beineke family includes senior Jackson Elton as Mal, senior Karen Primeaux as Alice, and Junior Jericho Jones playing the boyfriend – Lucas. A full ensemble of ghostly ancestors round out the 23-member cast. Another fifteen students serve as crew members for the production.
Cast member Casey Gomez knew he wanted the part of Gomez all along, after all, his name made it his destiny to play the role! He says, “Being in The Addams Family is great! I just love it because the songs are super fun and the jokes are hilarious.”
The Addams Family is directed by FSHS Theatre Director Angie Bin and Music Director Sarah Dunivan, Winfield Scott Elementary Music Instructor. Eugene Ware teacher Abby Stepps is the Choreographer and FSCC student Christina King serves as Technical Director.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and children. Tickets are reserved seating and available at fortscotthighschool.ludus.com. Tickets may be available to purchase at the door if any remain. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime.
The musical is written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa, and Orchestrations by Larry Hochman. It is produced with special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide, 1180 Avenue of the America. Suite 640, New York, NY 10036, www.theatricalrightsworldwide.com.
Community Christian Church Trunk and Treat in the southeast parking lot from 5-6:30 p.m. on October 31. The church will have candy, snacks, hot dogs, and bottled water passed out from trunks.
“This is open to everyone,” Delynn Abati, communications administrator for the church said. “We will have a contingency plan if it rains and will post that to social media early in the day.”
