Taste the glossy red fruit tomorrow at the farmers market to see which is your favorite!
The annual Fort Scott Farmers Market Tomato Festival is Saturday, July 28 at Skubitz Plaza, starting at 8 a.m.
The public is welcome to bring in their tomatoes for the contest as well, Stacey Atkins, president of the FSFM said.
“People can sample tomatoes and vote for their favorite,” Atkins said. “It’s always fun to sample the produce.”
An anonymous complaint against USD 234 was filed on June 14, 2016, with the U.S. Department of Education, according to the government education website: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/investigations/open-investigations/tix.html?queries%5Bstate%5D=KS.
“There has been a Title IX complaint against the school district,” USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong, said. “There is an investigation currently and the school district is unable to comment more specifically at this time.”
The investigation pending is regarding Title IX Athletics, according to the website.
The Office of Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education works to ensure equal access to education and resolve complaints of discrimination, according to its’ website https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html
In June 2018, City Attorney Bob Farmer was asked by the Fort Scott City Commission to send USD 234 a letter to be sent with the school district’s paperwork on the case to the Office of Civil Rights, according to the city commission minutes of June 19, 2018.
In the letter Farmer sent, the city stated it had no plans to build a clubhouse or dressing room at Fisher Park because there is no funding at this time to do so, according to the minutes.
The city owns Fisher Park and allows the USD 234 to use the facilities there for the FSHS girls softball program, Hessong said.
“The OCR wanted a letter from the city stating that the city has no intention of building at Fisher Park,” City Manager Dave Martin said.
“We have been unable to find out who filed the complaint,” Martin said. “The state will not tell the person who turned them in.”
The Uniontown City Council has been active in recent years to improve the town’s infrastructure.
A project to widen and deepen the town’s ditches to keep water going where it should, a water line replacement project and this year a natural gas line replacement project has been initiated by the council. Uniontown’s population is 272.
The city of Uniontown was awarded $201,000 in 2017 with Community Development Block Grant funds to replace a natural gas transmission line, according to kansascommerce.gov/CivicAlerts.
The city will contribute $201,000 in matching funds for this project.
The Uniontown project started June 12.
“We are trying to get it done by September 1,” NPL(Northern Pipe Line) Foreman Pat Wier, said. “So far, we are up to date, but we have a lot of work to be done.”
The two-man crew is replacing PVC pipe with PE pipe. The crew is comprised of Wier and Edmundo Rodriguez, Lenexa.
“PE is a federal requirement,” Wier said. “PVC is not recognized anymore. We are laying new pipe in portions of the city where the PVC is.”
The crew worked late into the night on Thursday to get resident Bill Griffith hooked back on to gas after a day spent laying pipe on the town’s southeast side.
“Once started, we couldn’t quit,” Wier said. “There are a few late nights.”
The usual hours for the crew is 7 a.m to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Wier said.
Next for the crew is replacing 3,700 feet of two-inch steel pipe south of town.
“That is exposed,” Wier said. “We’ll be replacing and putting pipe underground for safety.”
Recently, a brush mower in this area ran over the steel riser and “caused a pretty good (gas)leak,” Wier said. “That’s why we are doing all this.”
During the FortScott.Biz interview a Kansas Corporation Commission Inspector, Jon Bolinder, turned up at the work site.
Bolinder is with the Office of Pipeline Safety for the KCC, he said.
Bolinder said all projects submit a construction notice to KCC. He was on his way to the Coffeyville area and made a stop in Uniontown to view the project.
“We come out and make sure they are following code when installing,” Bolinder said. He also said it helps him “in my head, when I am doing the paperwork on the project.”
The Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program allows the Kansas Department of Commerce to distribute federal funds to Kansas cities and counties looking to improve their community.
To receive CDBG funds, a project must meet at least one of the following federally mandated criteria, according to the website:
Guinea keets for sale. Guineas are ideal for reducing chiggers and disease-carrying ticks. Unlike chickens, guineas are less prone to scratching and eating plants so they are often used for bug control in areas with gardens and flower beds. Keets are 4 to 6 weeks old.
$5 each. Call or text 620-224-4149.
Two groups of local youth donned the 1840s summer military uniform of soldiers and told stories of life at The Fort Scott National Historic Site on Saturday.
July 21 was Family Day at FSNHS, a new event planned by area youth to gain experience with the National Park Service this summer.
“We picked cooking, gardening and dummy guns for topics,” for Family Day, Reaghn Dowell, YCC member said.
To lead the activities, the youth wore the summer uniforms that soldiers wore in the 1840s.
“The uniforms are canvass,” Sara Stepanic, said. “They are pretty heavy and not cool.” Stepanic is a student trainee ranger this summer at FSNHS.
In the morning, three different stations were available for public engagement: a cooking demonstration, where visitors were instructed in food preparation and cooking methods; a historic garden display, where one could work in the garden and help with the harvest; and firearms drills in the use of 1840s firearms using wooden “dummy guns”.
Afternoon activities included arts and crafts for the family at one station and historic, interactive games and activities for adults and kids at a second station.
Family Day activities were presented by two groups of youth who are working at FSNHS, the Youth Conservation Corps and the Youth Engagement Team. Both groups consist of high school age students who are gaining experience with the National Park Service this summer.
The Youth Conservation Corps is comprised of Kaden Primm, Anthea Montojo, Reaghn Dowell, and Jessden Kiwan, all from Fort Scott. Sara Stepanic, Wisconsin, a college-age student trainee park ranger was the leader of the YCC group at FSNHS.
The Youth Engagement team members are Jacey Bowen, Uniontown and Emily Davenport, Fort Scott.
The Muller Family from Denver, Colorado worked on the National Park Service Junior Park Ranger Program while at the Fort on Saturday. Following the program outline, they were led in a National Park Service Junior Ranger oath by Ranger Robert Thomas in the visitors center.
The children get a book, badge, sticker and five trading cards when they sign up for the program.
Area youth performed a ‘fractured fairy tale’ of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, entitled Snew White on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon at Fort Scott High School.
The play was a culmination of a Tiger Drama Performance Camp over the last two weeks, with FSHS Thespians assisting Drama Teacher Angela Bin in the production.
Twenty-four youth from six local schools pulled together an entertaining performance. In addition, during the camp, the students explored other types of arts and crafts, and created scenery props for the play.
The directors of Snew White were Brooklyn Lyons and Karina Kantilal. Set designer, Levi Bin; scenic artist, Mary Gladbach; choreographer, Mackenzie Peoples; sound designer, Addy Labbe; sound tech, Dominic Cannon; lighting designer, Alyx Brooks; lighting assistant Lexi Bailey; costume designer, Emmalee Bin; acting coaches, Sage Hill, Gabriel Graham, Kathelra Murray, Mesa Jones, and Jakob Slinkard.
The cast was Brayden Wilkerson, Kaiden Clary, Michaela Morrell, Kyla Korinek, Ana Rupprecht, Joanna Wuthrich, Khris Patel, Reagen Wells, Kodi Casper, Kinsley Davis, Lexi Hill, Avery Marsh, Katy Primm, Jada Malveaux, Keri Crisler, Remy Witt, Kaitlyn Leavell, Abby Wuthrich, Bryn Crisler, Caroline Barnes, Xavier Jeffrey, Cora Studyvin and Ben Davenport.
The Marmaton River is the source of drinking water for almost all of Bourbon County, except for the most extreme western portion, which has a private reservoir.
Scott Flater is the superintendent of the City of Fort Scott Water Production Department, who is tasked with providing clean, safe water from the Marmaton River to all of Fort Scott and Consolidated Rural Water District # 2 residents.
“We make water for the city,” Flater said. “But our number one customer is Rural Water #2.”
Over two million gallons of water a day is processed and sent out to the city and the county, he said.
“Everything comes through this building,” Flater said. “We have a river intake on 5th and Short Streets.”
The rural water district then sells and distributes the water from Fort Scott to the small towns in Bourbon County.
The city’s water production employees are in the middle of a cleanout process. It’s called burn out/flushing, and it’s an annual event.
“The water is safe during the rest of the year or during this burnout (cleaning out), it’s safe,” Flater said. “We are sending it out to our family and our community. It’s the highest quality.”
The cleaning out of the system is a maintenance practice for the distribution system, Flater said.
They started July 16, and if all goes as planned the water cleaning process should be completed by the end of next week, Flater said.
“The burnout won’t reach outside of Fort Scott until today (July 20),” Flater said.
Flater commended a small town in Bourbon County for being far-thinking in their water supply.
Flater said Uniontown, in the western part of the county, has been “pro-active to rebuild their water infrastructure” in the last few years. “They’ve done a great job.”
The Beacon, a local helping agency, is seeking a new director.
Sue Emmons, who has been the director for approximately 18 months resigned a few weeks ago, for personal reasons, Carol MacArthur, Beacon Board member said.
The resignation is effective July 31.
The board is currently searching for a new director with a deadline for applications set for July 23.
“We are looking for someone who cares and who wants to work with people who are struggling,” MacArthur said.
For more information, or to apply contact MacArthur at [email protected] or 620-215-1505.
The position is for 20 hours per week, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and pays approximately $11.50 per hour.
The Beacon ministry provides food and clothing to those struggling and in need, as well as occasional assistance with other basic needs; i.e., rent, utilities, and prescriptions, MacArthur said. It also refers individuals to other agencies who may help them with specific needs.
The job is perfect for a retiree, MacArthur said.
“A teacher would be a good fit,” she said. “We need someone who is organized, a good listener and a communicator. It’s managing the building and two other people who are paid, and representing The Beacon.”
In two to three months, Dr. Tim Crawford, a local dentist, hopes to be in the renovated building he has been working on this past year.
“We have no firm timeline,” Crawford said. “The end of summer or beginning of fall. We are super excited to see this come to fruition.”
The historic three-story building at the corner of Wall and Main streets, Fort Scott, known as the Marble Building; has at points in time been a theater, bank, retail store, tanning bed business and will be the dentist’s office when completed.
“You can still see the dome for the chandelier in the attic space,” referring to its’ grand past, Crawford said.
The lobby is being restored, including the stained glass windows, the rest will be new construction.
The top floor is six apartments that have recently been renovated, Crawford said.
“The middle level needs some remodeling,” Crawford said. MCM Restoration occupies most of the second floor.
The main floor of the building he purchased, where his office will be, is also the office of Crain Insurance on the Wall Street side.
The move from 1115 S. Main to the new location for the dentist office will increase the size of the office almost four times.
“We are looking at over 5,000 square feet, and right now (at the current location) we have 1,300 to 1,400 square feet,” Crawford said.
Currently, Crawford has two receptionists, one hygienist, and two dental assistants, he said.
“We’ll probably have to add one more employee,” following the move to the new office, Crawford said.
JT Contracting, RL Construction and Peerless Products, all local businesses have been involved in the reno process, Crawford said.
Nate’s Place eatery, 750 S. National, is located in the southern mansion of the Lyon’s Twin Mansions.
The food and ambiance of the place set it apart from other restaurants in Fort Scott and now it is getting locally grown products from area farms to use in its’ recipes.
Delivery is twice a week of seasonal veggies from the Ponderosa Farm owners, Chet and Linda Bower.
Vegetables that include tomato, zucchini, squash, green peppers, cucumber, and onions have been used as part of the eatery’s menu since spring.
Later in the season, they will receive sweet potatoes, as well.
“Our oven-gilled veggies are all fresh, locally sourced produce,” Shawn O’Brien, manager at Nate’s Place said.
“Our sandwiches are amazing with fresh tomato on it,” O’Brien said.
On July 6 they started using fresh farm eggs from Natalie Snyder’s Happy Hen Farm.
“An over-easy (fresh) egg is much more stable on the plate,” O’Brien said.
Shawn O’Brien, general manager of Nate’s Place Restaurant, shows a plate full of locally produced grilled veggies that are available at the restaurant.
” In Bourbon County, the opportunities in 4-H are truly infinite,” Jennifer Terrell, K-State District 4-H Youth Development Agent, said. “Youth ages 7-18 are eligible to participate as full-fledged 4-H members. For those youth ages 5 and 6, there is a Cloverbud Program. Beyond being a member of the monthly community club, youth are encouraged to attend projects meetings, 4-H Camp, 4-H Days, the County Fair, and other State 4-H Events.”
” At the Bourbon County Fair, 4-H members pre-enter to exhibit in the 4-H Division and other youth may participate in Open Class,” Terrell said. “Families considering being involved in 4-H are encouraged to visit the county fair to view all of the hard work.”
The following is a press release from Terrell and the poster of the events of the fair:
“It is county fair time across the State of Kansas! While you may attend the fair as a form of entertainment, 4-H’ers and their families know this is time to display the hard work put into their year-long project learning in the 4-H Program.
While visiting the county fair, it is hard to miss the different colored ribbons or stickers placed on the exhibits.
Have you ever wondered why there are different colors and how that came about? Well, I am going to share with you the judging process.
In 4-H most judging involves the Danish System of judging. In this system, the judges do not judge one person’s work by comparing it to another’s. The evaluation is made against a standard.
A judge looks to see whether requirements are met. Exhibits are placed into four ribbon groups.
The best ribbon placing is purple which means the project is outstanding on all standards.
Blue means it exceeds the minimum standard and may have minor flaws where improvements can be made.
The ribbon placing that meets all minimum standards and may show visible signs of needed improvements is red.
And projects failing to meet minimum standards receive a white.
One advantage of this system is that everyone whose work fulfills minimum qualifications can receive a ribbon. If all entries are judged to be excellent, all receive blue ribbons.
The purpose of using the Danish System is to give every 4-H member the recognition deserved for the work that was done. It also helps young people recognize the need to improve their skills and to “make the best better.”
So, how did that ribbon placing come about you might be asking?
You should know that having one’s accomplishments evaluated can be motivating and educational for 4-H’ers.
When judges critique their work or performance, it serves as a guide to further improvement. The judging process is probably more valuable than the award or recognition. To plan, practice, and present a finished product is to “learn by doing.” To graciously accept constructive criticism of one’s work is a real life experience. 4-H’ers learn quickly that judging results reflect a personal opinion, and that evaluation will vary among judges.
There are three different types of evaluation in 4-H.
The first is conference or interview. This is where the judge will interview the participant as he/she evaluates the product against a set of standards. The purpose of this is to determine what the 4-H’er learned in completing the project. Comments are provided verbally mostly, but can also be found written on a score sheet.
Another way 4-H’ers are evaluated with their projects is performance judging. The judge evaluates how a 4-H’er accomplishes a task or a goal in progress. The judge looks for skills being used, as well as evaluating the end result. This type of event enables the 4-H’er and the judge to see how the performance directly effects the end product. Comments are often provided verbally and also in writing on a score sheet.
And the final type of evaluation is project judging. The judge evaluates the finished products against a set of standards without the member present. The focus is the quality of the project itself and not the learning process. Comments are provided to the participant in writing, usually on a score sheet.
As you have read, there is a lot to know and understand with the judging process of projects in 4-H. It is not something taken lightly.
I encourage you to visit your local county fair this year to view all of the exhibits and pay close attention to those 4-H exhibits. And maybe for fun evaluate the exhibits and see what placings you would give.
For more information on 4-H Youth Development, give me a call at 620-244-3826 or email at [email protected].”
Changes are coming for a local coffee shop.
Local farm produce is being purchased for menu items, some new equipment has been purchased to better serve the public and a change of location is on the horizon for Common Grounds Coffee Company, 116 S. Main.
Two ministries of the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene are collaborating to bring area food that is produced locally to the public.
One part of the collaboration is Common Grounds, which is a ministry of the Nazarene church.
Stuffed green peppers, roasted zucchini, squash, and corn, along with tomato soup are on the menu of Common Grounds, using local produce.
These produce used for the menus are straight from a garden produced by AgPathway, which is another ministry of the local Nazarene Church. This ministry involves mentoring interested people in vegetable gardening.
In addition to AgPathway deliveries of local vegetables, Vicki Waldron, manager of Common Grounds, purchases food from the Fort Scott Farmers Market.
“This spring I started buying local produce from the local farmers market: potatoes for potato salad and onions,” Waldron said.
Motivating this change was the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team through a Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant.
The HBCAT grant helped Common Grounds to purchase a refrigerated appliance that helps keep food cold and easily accessible.
“All we had before was a refrigerator,” Waldron said. “We kept opening it and couldn’t keep it cool enough.”
Additionally, the grant helped purchase a blender.
“A more environmentally friendly, quieter blender,” Waldron said.
Another big change for Common Grounds: a move to a different location in the near future.
“We are looking at, tentatively, to be in the new place by the first of the year,” Waldron said.
The new space will be on Wall Street and National Avenue, the former Fort Scott Tribune office.
Jennifer LaRoche is the owner of the building and is also on the Common Grounds board at the Nazarene Church.
