Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah Resigns

Lynne Oharah
Lynne Oharah resigned  from the Bourbon County Commission as the District 1 Commissioner on July 13, 2022.
“I served seven and one-half years as commissioner,” Oharah said. “I enjoyed being a commissioner and I feel we did a lot of good things. I want to thank all of my constituents for putting up with me…and I sincerely wish Bourbon County the best of luck in the future.”
The resignation came about because the commission could not find a person to fill the position of Bourbon County Medical Facility Director at the former Mercy Hospital building which the county now owns, Oharah said, so he applied. The facility now houses Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Clinic and Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department, I Am Rehab and a beauty salon.
Oharah started as the new director on July 13, 2022.
“The reason I resigned was that we could not find anyone to fill the Bourbon County Medical Facility Director position,” he said. “Some of my background was managing central offices, telephone switching offices in Western Kansas, for 10 years. Larger offices in places like Dodge, Garden City, Scott City and Liberal. The medical facility is the same concept, just more regulations, so it’s a good fit.”
The facility is 177,00 square feet and there are two other employees who work to keep the building maintained.
The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Clinic, 401 Woodland Hills, just off Hwy. 69 south of Fort Scott.
Ascension Via Christi operates the emergency department at the former Mercy Hospital building.
The Bourbon County Republican Committee will meet on  Thursday, August  4 from 6 to 8 p,m.  at the Empress center, 7 N. Main St. to decide on a new county commissioner.
“Voting is by committee members, one man and one woman from from the 18 different precincts,” Mark McCoy, chairman, said. “We will select one person that night and send to the governor’s office for approval. To be eligible the candidate must reside in the first commission district and be a member of the Republican Party.”
The first district is north and west of Fort Scott to the Allen and Linn County lines.
Bourbon County Commission Districts map taken from the county’s website.

A Simple Thank You Will Do by Patty LaRoche

Patty LaRoche

Years ago, a Lake Michigan steamboat sank after being rammed by another boat. Out of 393 passengers on board, 279 drowned.  A man named Edward Spencer plunged into the lake to save 17 drowning people, causing nerve damage to his legs.  He never walked again.  On his eightieth birthday, someone asked him to relate his most vivid memory of that dreadful day. He replied, “Not one of the seventeen returned to thank me.”

Jesus had a similar experience after healing 10 lepers. Only one, a despised Samaritan, thanked him.  Read Luke 17:11-19.  Jesus is grieved because of this. “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”

Modeling gratefulness for our children is imperative for parents. Titus 2:7 makes that clear: Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity.

Last month, my granddaughter Britney called to thank Dave and me for her birthday gift- card.  We have come to cherish those calls.  Not all of our relatives are as considerate, so if you know a gentle way to ask loved ones to PULEEEZE acknowledge receiving a gift, PULEEEZE tell me what it is.

A close friend tired of buying expensive outfits for her grandkids but never seeing them wear the clothes.  The final straw came when her daughter-in-law, the two-year-old’s mother, pulled the jeans and shirt out of the gift bag and dismissively set them aside without saying “thank you.” My friend picked up the outfit and threw it in the trash can.  “That will be the last thing I ever buy for my son’s kids,” she told me.  And she meant it.

 

I know someone who stopped sending her grandson money because he never acknowledged receiving it.  Some say that’s too harsh, as I found when I researched suggestions. “If you have a tracking code, check to see if your gift was delivered.  That should be enough.” “The fun is in the giving, not in hearing ‘thank-you.’” Another idea?  “Subtly mention how much you like the China pattern they chose and hope that reminds them that you sent them a dinner plate, and they will thank you.”

Or not.

Call me a curmudgeon, but I disagree.  One response made more sense: “… it’s just one more by-product of Entitlement. ‘Of COURSE’ you sent me a gift. Why wouldn’t you?”  Perhaps that’s true, but I think the real problem is parents who are not teaching their kids to be thankful.

Sometimes it’s cultural.  After moving to Mexico, I learned that newlyweds don’t send thank-you notes.  “Then how do I know that they received my gift?”  I asked.  No one had an answer.  American weddings are different.  A friend of ours once placed $500 in an envelope and left it at the wedding table with the other gifts.  Months went by before he called the couple to ask if they had received it.  They had not.  As it turned out, they had not received money from other guests as well.  (Looks like there was a thief at the gift table

Lisa Grotts, etiquette expert and founder of Golden Rules Gal, gives suggestions as to how children can acknowledge gifts.  “Gift-givers like to know that their gift was received and that the recipient enjoyed it. Children of all ages should be taught to write or draw a thank-you card when they receive a present.  Another modern option is to send a thank-you text or email, preferably with a cute picture of the kiddo holding the gift or a thank you sign.”

 

My frustration in not receiving a “thank you” is not that I feel unappreciated. I just want the youngsters in my family never to take anything for granted. Their parents.  Their friends.  Their freedom. Their church.  Their life. Their God. Should they fail to understand the unselfishness of the word “thanks,” it is a slippery slope to becoming selfishly ungrateful.

Much more preventable if parents do their jobs.  I think that Jesus would agree.

 

Bourbon County Eco Devo Looks at Housing Issues

Robert Harrington. Submitted photo.

Bourbon County REDI Conducts Housing Study

The third step in a three-part process to look at how Bourbon County can improve its local economy is about to get underway.

The entire process has been led by the team from Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Incorporated (“REDI”) and has already looked at the workforce and retail industry in the area. Now, the REDI team, with the help of Goldstone Consulting Group is conducting a housing study.

“Housing is a key factor in helping our community thrive,” said Robert Harrington, President of Bourbon County REDI. “Housing is a major driver of economic growth, generating higher property values, which in turn allows for more services and support for the community on many levels.”

The Community Housing Needs Assessment done by Goldstone Consulting Group will look at the various types of housing in the community. “Our team looks at the demand for housing across all spectrums in a community,” says Traci Anderson, Manager of Consulting Services for Goldstone. “Without good housing choices in a community, it can be a challenge to increase economic opportunity.”

Bourbon County residents have an opportunity to provide input in the housing needs assessment. An online survey is now available for residents to provide information regarding their current and future housing needs. “No personal information will be collected that can be used to identify residents,” said Harrington. “This information will benefit us in planning the future of Bourbon County.”

Residents can access the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BourbonCoHousing

Data from the survey, along with the sources, will be compiled to determine future trends and needs in the community. “When completed, the assessment will be shared with developers, builders, realtors, and the general public,” said Harrington. “The final report will be used to guide new and renovated housing developments in Bourbon County.”

Landmark Bank Fort Scott houses the office of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. and is located at 200 S. Main Street, Fort Scott.

K-State Extension Offers Bread Basics Class August 18

Bread Basics Class

Thursday, August 18th, 6pm

Fort Scott First Southern Baptist Church

1818 N. Main St.

Interested in breadmaking?

Join the Southwind Extension District’s Master Food Volunteer Terri Williams and Agent Clara Wicoff for “Bread Basics” on August 18th at 6 PM at the First Southern Baptist Church in Fort Scott. Terri will lead you in baking (as well as tasting!) Italian bread, no-knead bran rolls, and whole wheat pizza crust. Breadmaking techniques will also be discussed. This class is free, but an RSVP is required by calling us at 620-365-2242. If you have questions, please contact Clara Wicoff at that same phone number or via email at [email protected].

Thank you to our Chamber Champions for all of your support!

U234 In-Person Enrollment is August 1

 

USD 234 Board of Education Building, 424 S. Main

 

USD 234 will be hosting in-person enrollment on Monday, August 1, 2022.

 

All new students will need to enroll in person at their school.  Families having difficulty with online enrollment or internet access should also plan to attend.  Students who have enrolled online will not need to attend in-person enrollment.

 

Families with multiple students will be able to enroll at a single location, but may need to visit with other buildings about specific needs.  Food Service, Transportation, and Technology will also be available during these times.

Building staff will be on-site to assist families with the enrollment process during the following times on Monday, August 1st:

 

PreK-8th Grade – 7:00-11:00 a..m and 4:00-6:00 p.m.

 

FSHS 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-5:00 p.m.

 

If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact your building secretaries.

 

John Bartlesmeyer: 60 Years in the Craft

John Bartelsmeyer in front of his jewelry store on North Main in Fort Scott.

John Bartelsmeyer, Fort Scott’s jeweler, is training the next generation of jewelers.

Bartelsmeyer Jewelry specializes in retail jewelry sales, engagement rings, custom jewelry designs, and repair or restoration of all types of jewelry.

Krysta Hulbert has been working for him since 2010, and has been learning ring sizing, general jewelry repair, chain repair, welding with a torch and engraving.

Krysta and Wyatt Hulbert. Submitted photo.

Her husband, Wyatt, has been coming in on his days off his regular job to learn some of the trade as well.

“Wyatt is learning ring sizing and in the near future-diamond setting, stone setting and making pendants,” Bartelsmeyer said.

 

Jeweler John Bartelsmeyer works on a piece of jewelry.

Bartelsmeyer started learning from his dad, Bart, at Newberry Jewelry. His dad had apprenticed as a watchmaker.

“In 1963, my dad bought the shop from Newberry’s widow,” he said.
“I had already been working with him after school on Saturdays.”

“So, I have been doing it for 60 years,” he said.

Through the years, Bartelsmeyer not only learned from his dad, but took jewelry seminars and schools and most recently gleans from You Tube, on the internet.

He credits Elmer Smith, who was a Fort Scott Community College welding instructor, with helping him learn to be a metalsmith, and eventually Bartelsmeyer helped teach the class.

“I love to move metal,” he said. “He taught me techniques I use everyday.”

Bartelsmeyer restores heirloom jewelry and also crafts chains out of gold and silver.

“I love what I am doing, I think it’s because of the smile on the customer’s face,” he said. “I get to work on beautiful things for beautiful people.”

The Bartelsmeyer Jewelry store, looking to the street.

 

The store features new and also estate sale jewelry.
Bartelsmeyer Jewelry is at 22 N. Main, Fort Scott and can be reached at 620.223.2070, email: [email protected] or website: bartelsmeyerjewelry.com

John works Wednesday-Saturday.

Incentive Stipend for Adopt-A-Highway

Stipends now available to organizations participating in state’s Adopt-A-Highway

Organizations have been helping keep Kansas clean for more than 30 years through participation in the Adopt-A-Highway program. With increased amounts of trash along the highways and limited staff, the Kansas Department of Transportation has created an incentive stipend for groups that actively participate in the program.

“KDOT appreciates all the volunteers’ efforts to assist in removing trash along our highways,” said Director of Field Operations Clay Adams. “They are providing a valuable service to the state. These stipends will benefit groups as well as increase the number of groups taking part in the clean-up program.”

The stipend is $190 per highway section, which is generally two miles long. Adopt-A-Highway groups receiving $600 or more in payments in a calendar year will be issued a 1099 tax form. New and existing groups will be able to submit a request for payment after their group completes a highway cleanup. The group will submit forms identifying the location, date, number of volunteers and number of bags as well as before and after photos of the site.

All groups go through the standard process to adopt a section of highway. New groups will sign an agreement, receive safety training information and follow procedures when scheduling a cleanup. Existing groups will continue to follow existing procedures. State employees and their families are welcome to participate in a group, but are not eligible to receive stipends.

For more information or to sign up, contact the Adopt-A-Highway coordinator at the closest KDOT District Office –

District One (northeast Kansas) – 121 S.W. 21st Street, Topeka, (785) 296-3881

District Two (north central Kansas) – 1006 N. Third, Salina, (785) 823-3754

District Three (northwest Kansas) – 312 S. Second, Norton, (785) 601-6001

District Four (southeast Kansas) – 411 W. Fourteenth, Chanute, (620) 902-6400

District Five (south central Kansas) – 500 N. Hendricks, Hutchinson, (620) 860-7400

District Six (southwest Kansas) – 121 N. Campus Drive, Garden City, (620) 765-7074

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Merchant’s Building at the Fair Features Local Cottage Industry Businesses

The Merchants Building at the Bourbon County Fair, is air conditioned and features local organizations/businesses. Submitted photo.

 

The Merchant’s Building at the Bourbon County Fair is open this evening and is AIR CONDITIONED.

“Always, in years past, we have tried to get local cottage industry vendors,” Leanne Leatherman, coordinator of the vendors, said.

This year is no exception with the additions of some local organizations.

This year 9 Acre Farms will be dispensing literature on homesteading, Uppa Creek Ranch-honey, Circle P Ranch-jewelry, Buckin A Ranch-home decor, MM Creations-spices, and Carolyn Crystal-jewelry.

The Merchant Building is on the north side of the fairgrounds, near the restrooms. Submitted photo.

In addition, the Bourbon County Conservation Office  and the Museum of Creativity will have activities for the kids.

Joining these, will be Miller Farm and Seed, T-Mobile, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Fort Scott Community College, Bourbon County Democrats and Bourbon County Republicans, who will all have booths.

KOMB, the local radio station will be broadcasting live from the building, with interviews of local fair participants.

The  building is open from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 20 and Thursday, July 21.

In addition, the rest of the fair includes animals, produce, crafts, and other departments for both 4-H youth and community members.

For the latest info, see the Bourbon County Fair Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/bourboncountyfair

 

 

KDOT to replace crossroad pipes on K-31

 

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to close a section of K-31 in Bourbon County to replace two crossroad pipes. K-31 will be closed between the east K-7 junction and the community of Fulton on Thursday, July 21, and again on Monday, July 25. Traffic should use alternate routes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.

 

Persons with questions may call KDOT Area Superintendent Derrick Shannon (620) 901-6550 or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen at (620) 902-6433.

Bourbon County Local News