|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Updates From Community Leaders on Oct. 16: Luncheon At The Empress
Deadline to Register to Vote Is October 15
Obituary of Allen Schellack
It is with great sadness that we announce that Ralph Allen Schellack Jr. passed on to his Heavenly reward on October 8, 2024, at the age of 69. Allen, as he was known, was born on December 12, 1954, in Joplin, Missouri, to Ralph Sr. and Clova (Foster) Schellack.
Allen met the love of his life and beloved wife, Karen Vanderpool, and they were married on October 18, 1980, in Kansas City, Kansas. They shared almost 44 years of a loving, Godly marriage together. Allen was known for his love of God, family, friends, and community. He was an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene and served God faithfully for many years. He served as lead pastor at several churches throughout Kansas in his many years of ministry. He was also a devoted member of Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene.
Allen worked as a police dispatcher for the Ft. Scott Police Department & Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office for 14 years until he retired from his position. After retirement, he never stopped serving his community when he founded and directed Ft. Scott Compassionate Ministries. He also served as the chaplain for the Ft. Scott Police and Fire Department. He faithfully served in Ft. Scott Compassionate Ministries, where he helped the less fortunate of Ft. Scott through a partnership with the Salvation Army.
Survivors include his wife Karen Schellack (Ft. Scott, KS); son and daughter-in-law Dustin & Sara Schellack (Little Rock, AR); son Joshua Schellack (Warner Robins, GA); 3 granddaughters Ember Schellack, Emma Schellack, and Marley Schellack; 1 sister and 2 brothers: Gill (John) Barnett, Emil (Anna) Schellack, and Doug (Shannon) Schellack. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Allen was preceded in death by his father and mother Ralph and Clova.
Rev. Virgil Peck III will conduct a celebration of life service at 10:00am on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Ft. Scott Nazarene, 1728 Horton St, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.
Memorials are suggested to Ft. Scott Compassionate Ministries and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
The Original Sunscreen by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
The Original Sunscreen
I have several vintage commercials from my teenage years still floating around in my head: “I’d walk a mile for a Camel.“ Wendy’s: “Where’s the beef?” Virginia Slims: “You’ve come a long way, Baby!” “How about a nice Hawaiian Punch?” And one of my favorites was the Coppertone suntan commercial with the dog tugging on the little girl’s swimsuit bottom. The selling point was to show what a great tan she had in comparison to her pale bare derriere. Times have certainly changed over the years; now there’s more focus on sunscreen rather than suntan lotion.
In the Old Testament, the Israelites wandered in the desert wilderness for 40 years. That’s a long time to be in the sun. “The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud…” (Exodus 13:21 NLT). The desert had no roads, tracks, or signs. And the Israelites had no maps, landmarks, or guides. But God’s cloud went before them to lead the way at just the right pace and stopped to rest at just the right place. God continues to know the future and will always guide us safely through its trackless ways.
For 40 years, the pillar of cloud was much more than a GPS for Jews. God loved them, had mercy on them, and provided His own unique brand of sunscreen. “He spread a cloud for a covering…” (Psalm 105:39 MEV). This cloud sheltered them from the blazing sun and extreme heat. The Bible contains the historical record of the first supernatural sunscreen. “God’s your Guardian, right at your side to protect you — shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke” (Psalm 121:5-6 MSG). Without God’s miraculous intervention, wandering around in the desert sun would have turned all of the nearly 3 million Israelites into fried strips of bacon.
Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth, “My dear fellow believers, you need to understand that all of our Jewish ancestors who walked through a wilderness long ago were under the glory cloud…” (1 Corinthians 10:1 TPT). The Israelites witnessed a variety of constant-standing miracles. After 40 years, their clothes didn’t wear out and neither did their sandals. Even when they complained about pitching their tents, whined and disobeyed for 40 years, the cloud didn’t depart but continued to guide and protect them. God was with the Israelites every day and every night, and He continues to be with all believers today. Paul said, “Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!” (2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP).
It was God, not Moses, who actually brought the Israelites out of Egypt. “When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory…” (Exodus 13:17 NLT). The day the mobile Tabernacle was pitched, the pillar of cloud covered it. But from evening until morning the cloud looked like a pillar of fire. This was the usual supernatural pattern for 40 years — a glory cloud by day and a fiery cloud by night. The glory/fiery cloud was the visible divine presence and protection of God. “Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on. So they camped or traveled at the Lord’s command, and they did whatever the Lord told them through Moses” (Numbers 9:22-23 NLT). God never calls believers to do something that He won’t help us accomplish.
The Key: God is awesome! Day or night, He supplies all of our needs.
Tips to Keep Unwanted Pests Out
As the weather cools, it is inevitable that certain outdoor pests are going to try to find their way inside homes. One of the best ways to limit unwanted intrusions of insects or rodents is to deny them entry. It is often easier to prevent entry into a home or building than trying to control them once they are inside.
Here are seven useful tips for pest proofing.
- At the base of all exterior doors, install door sweeps or thresholds. Gaps of 1/16 inch will permit entry of insects and spiders; ¼ inch wide gaps are large enough for entry of mice. The bottom corner of doors is often where rodents and insects enter.
Applying calk along the bottom outside edge and sides of door thresholds will exclude ant and small insect entry. Garage doors should also be checked for bottom seals. A rubber seal is best as vinyl seals poorly in cold weather.
- Utility openings should also be sealed. This includes areas where pipes and wires enter the foundation and siding, around outdoor faucets, receptacles, gas meters, clothes dryer vents and telephone/cable TV wires. Plug holes with caulk, cement, expandable foam, steel wool or other suitable sealant.
- Use a good quality silicone or acrylic latex caulk to caulk around windows, doors and fascia boards. Use a high quality caulking gun. A gun that has a back-off trigger to halt the flow of caulk is best.
- Repair gaps and tears in window and door screens. Doing so will help reduce entry of flies, gnats, lady beetles and other overwintering pests in the fall. However, there are some insects such as hackberry psyllids that are small enough to fit through mesh window screens. The only way to prevent entry of these tiny insects is to keep windows closed.
- Attic, roof and crawl space vents should be covered with ¼ inch wire mesh to prevent entry of birds, bats, squirrels, rodents and other wildlife.
- An exterior (barrier) insecticide treatment can also be applied. Sealing is by far the most permanent way to exclude pests. However, it can be labor intensive and sometimes impractical. For situations like that, an exterior insecticide treatment may be best. You will get the most for your efforts by applying a longer lasting liquid formulation containing synthetic pyrethroids. Read and follow label directions before using any pesticide.
Barrier insecticide treatments should be applied to the base of all exterior doors, garage and crawl space entrances, around foundation vents and utility openings and up underneath siding.
- Pests such as lady beetles are often best controlled with a little manual labor by using a vacuum cleaner or broom to sweep them up.
Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension horticulture agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
USD235 Unapproved Minutes of Sept. 9 and Agenda for Board Meeting on Oct. 14
UNIONTOWN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 235
Uniontown, Kansas 66779
9 September, 2024
Revenue Neutral Hearing
The Board of Education of Uniontown Unified School District 235, State of Kansas, met in Special Session (Revenue Neutral Hearing) on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 7:15 p.m.
Board members present: Mike Mason, Tyler Martin, Matt Kelly, Rhonda Hoener, Troy Couchman, Seth Martin, and Brian Stewart
Others present for all or portions of the meeting: Vance Eden, Pam Kimrey, Robert Onelio, Dustin Miller, Scott Sutton, Tim Endicott, Jackie Shadden UTA Representative, Shelly Kiblinger DCS Services.
The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. by President Mason. Mason then led the group in the flag salute.
- Martin, seconded by Kelly, made a motion to approve the agenda.
Motion passed 7-0.
President Mason opened the hearing.
Superintendent Eden reviewed the budget.
No patron addressed the board.
- Martin, seconded by Hoener, made a motion to close the hearing.
Motion passed 7-0
President Mason closed the hearing at 7:18 p.m.
- Martin, seconded by S. Martin, made a motion to approve the 2024-2025 Revenue Neutral rate.
Motion passed 7-0. (Roll call form attached to minutes)
- Martin, seconded by S. Martin, moved to adjourn.
Motion passed 7-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.
Uniontown USD 235 – Budget Hearing – September 9, 2024 page 2
UNIONTOWN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 235
Budget Hearing
The Board of Education of Uniontown Unified School District 235, State of Kansas, met in Special Session (Budget Hearing) on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 7:20 p.m.
Board members present: Mike Mason, Tyler Martin, Matt Kelly, Rhonda Hoener, Troy Couchman, Brian Stewart, and Seth Martin.
Others present for all or portions of the meeting: Vance Eden, Pam Kimrey, Robert Onelio, Dustin Miller, Scott Sutton, Tim Endicott, Jackie Shadden UTA Representative, Shelly Kiblinger DCS Services.
The meeting was called to order at 7:20 p.m. by President Mason.
Hoener, seconded by Kelly, made a motion to approve the agenda.
Motion passed 7-0.
The Budget Hearing was opened at 7:21 p.m.
Superintendent Eden reviewed and explained the budget.
No patron addressed the board.
- Martin, seconded by Hoener, made a motion to close the hearing.
Motion passed 7-0
President Mason closed the Budget Hearing at 7:27 p.m.
- Martin, seconded by S. Martin, made a motion to approve the 2024-2025 budget.
Motion passed 7-0.
Hoener, seconded by T. Martin, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion passed.7-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:28.
Uniontown USD 235 – Regular Meeting – September 9, 2024 page 3
REGULAR MEETING 9 SEPTEMBER 2024
The Board of Education of Uniontown Unified School District 235, State of Kansas, met in regular session on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. in the UHS Commons Area, Uniontown, Kansas.
Board members present: Mike Mason, Tyler Martin, Matt Kelly, Rhonda Hoener, Troy Couchman, Brian Stewart,
and Seth Martin.
Others present for all or portions of the meeting: Vance Eden, Pam Kimrey, Robert Onelio, Dustin Miller, Scott Sutton, Tim Endicott, Jackie Shadden UTA Representative, Shelly Kiblinger DCS Services.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Mason.
Superintendent Eden read the mission statement.
- Martin, seconded by Hoener, made a motion to approve the agenda.
Motion passed 7-0.
Kelly, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to approve the August 12, 2024 Regular meeting minutes.
Motion passed 7-0.
.
Hoener, seconded by S. Martin, made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Motion passed 7-0.
- Approve payment of bills in the amount of $478,657.50.
No patron addressed the board.
Shelly Kiblinger, DCS, gave a presentation regarding the Bond Survey Results
Superintendent Eden gave brief oral reports over sale of excess vehicles, Energy Performance Contract financing, Strategic Plan Update, Safety and Security Director/ job description.
Superintendent Eden and Principals Onelio and Miller gave brief oral administrative reports to the board.
- Martin, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to approve the the sale of a 2013 Toyota Camry and 2017 Chevy Equinox
Motion passed 7-0.
Hoener, seconded by T. Martin, made a motion to approve Financing (Flagstar) Resolution 2025.12
Motion passed 7-0
Uniontown USD 235 – Regular Meeting – September 9, 2024 page 4
Hoener, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to approve increasing substitute teacher pay to $120.00 per day and long-term substitute teacher pay to $170.00 per day.
Motion passed 6-1 S. Martin Abstaining
- Martin, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to increase activity drivers pay to $18.00 per hour with no change to sit time rate.
Motion passed 7-0
- Martin, seconded by Kelly, made a motion to go into executive session to discuss an individual employee’s performance pursuant to non-elected personnel exception under KOMA, and the open meeting will resume at 8:50 p.m.
Motion passed 7-0.
Into Executive Session at 8:30 p.m.
Eden was invited into session.
Out of Executive Session at 8:50 p.m.
- Martin, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to return to executive session for the above stated reason and the open meeting will resume at 9:00 p.m.
Motion passed 7-0
Return to Executive Session at 8:50 p.m.
Eden was invited into session.
Out of Executive Session at 9:00 p.m.
President Mason called the Regular Meeting to order at 9:01 p.m
- Martin, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to accept the resignation of Derek Jackson effective 9/4/2024
Motion passed 7-0
- Martin, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to approve Matthew Morgan as full time custodian for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year.
Motion passed 7-0
Kelly, seconded by S. Martin, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion passed 7-0
Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Uniontown USD 235 – Regular Meeting – September 9, 2024 page 5
Date minutes approved ______________________
______________________________
President, Board of Education
__________________________________
Attested: Clerk, Board of Education
The next regular board meeting is October 14, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 235
UNIONTOWN, KANSAS
BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
Monday, October 14, 2024 7:30 p.m.
AGENDA
- Call to Order
- District Mission Statement
- Approve the Agenda
- Review and approve the September 9, 2024 Regular meeting minutes,
Revenue Neutral Rate meeting minutes and Budget meeting minutes.
- Consent Agenda
- Approve and pay bills on the computer printout $ 463,728.73
III. Informational Items.
- Audience with patrons
- Amanda Stagg – Shooting Team
- Kyle & Sheena Parks – Impacts of Industrial Solar
- KASB Convention- Nov. 15-17 (kasb.org/convention)
- Bond Issue
- Wellness Policy
- Solar Contribution Agreement(s)
- EMC/SRO
- Strategic Plan
- Administrative Reports- Mr. Onelio, Mr. Miller, and Mr. Eden
- Action Items.
- Approve paying $1,076.35 insurance for Fitness Center. BHH Ins.
- Approve Wellness Policy
- Approve Contribution Agreement(s)
- Executive Session – Personnel
- Executive Session- Superintendent Evaluation
VII. Adjournment.
October 11, 2024
TO: USD 235 Board of Education Members
FROM: Pam Kimrey, Clerk of the Board
This letter is to serve as your official notice of the Regular Board Meeting to be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 14, 2024.
Next regular board meeting date is Monday, November 11, 2024 at 7:30.
Kansas Drought Update
|
|
|
|||
For Immediate Release:
October 11, 2024
Contact:
Kansas Water Office
Kristin Kaipust
(785) 296-3185, [email protected]
Governor Kelly Updates Declaration of Drought Emergency, Warnings, and Watches for Kansas Counties
TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly has signed a proclamation approving updated drought declarations for Kansas counties.
“Drought conditions have persisted across the state through the summer season, and Kansans are continuing to see the effects,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “With conditions expected to remain dry throughout the fall, Kansans should consider their water usage and take extra care to prevent wildfires.”
The drought declaration placed three counties into emergency status, 55 into warning status, and 47 into watch status. This action was recommended by Connie Owen, Director of the Kansas Water Office and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team. Although recent rainfall provided widespread drought relief, this relief was short-term, with many areas experiencing below-average rainfall for several months. Forecasts indicate that drought will persist and expand across most of the state through October and into the winter.
“Many of our state’s large river basins are currently being supported by federal reservoirs, utilizing storage in those reservoirs to maintain streamflow,” said Owen. “If conditions persist, as predicted, the demand and stress on water resources may increase quickly. The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to monitor the drought conditions across Kansas and make recommendations to Governor Kelly as conditions change.”
Through an interagency agreement between the Kansas Water Office, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, counties in the emergency stage are eligible for emergency water use from certain state fishing lakes and some federal reservoirs.
Individuals and communities must contact the Kansas Water Office for a water supply request before withdrawing water from lakes. These requests will, in turn, be referred to the appropriate office to obtain the necessary permits to withdraw the requested water.
This proclamation shall remain in effect for those counties identified until rescinded by a proclamation ending the declaration or revising the drought stage status of the affected counties.
Effective immediately, the proclamation:
- Declares a Drought Emergency, Warning, or Watch for the counties as identified below;
- Authorizes and directs all agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor to implement the appropriate watch, warning, or emergency-level drought response actions assigned in the Operations Plan of the Governor’s Drought Response Team.
The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to watch the situation closely and work to minimize the negative drought-induced effects on Kansans. Kansans are encouraged to report drought-related conditions and impacts in their region through the Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) system.
For more detailed information about current conditions, visit the Climate and Drought webpage on the Kansas Water Office website at kwo.ks.gov.
County Drought Stage Declarations:
Drought Emergency: Harvey, Reno, Sedgwick.
Drought Warning: Barton, Bourbon, Brown, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Clay, Cloud, Cowley, Crawford, Decatur, Elk, Ellis, Ellsworth, Graham, Hamilton, Harper, Jewell, Johnson, Kingman, Labette, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marshall, Miami, Mitchell, Montgomery, Morton, Nemaha, Neosho, Norton, Osborne, Ottawa, Phillips, Pottawatomie, Rawlins, Republic, Riley, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Scott, Shawnee, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Stafford, Stanton, Sumner, Thomas, Wabaunsee, Wallace, Washington, Wyandotte.
Drought Watch: Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Barber, Butler, Chase, Clark, Coffey, Comanche, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Edwards, Finney, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Gove, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Greenwood, Haskell, Hodgeman, Jackson, Jefferson, Kearny, Kiowa, Leavenworth, Logan, Lyon, Marion, McPherson, Meade, Morris, Ness, Osage, Pawnee, Pratt, Rice, Saline, Seward, Stevens, Trego, Wichita, Wilson, Woodson.
# #
Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Oct. 15
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Brandon Whisenhunt
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
October 15, 2024 9:00 a.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute
- Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 10/7/2024
- County Clerk
- KCAMP Meeting Delegate
- Kansas Gas Agreement
- New Year’s Holiday
- Election Information
- Insurance
- Commission Comments
- Adjourn Meeting
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
Agenda for the USD234 Board of Education on October 14
Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
October 14, 2024 – 5:30 P.M.
AGENDA SUMMARY WITH COMMENTARY
1.0 Call Meeting to Order David Stewart, President
2.0 Flag Salute
3.0 Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)
4.0 Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)
4.1 Board Minutes
- 09/09/24 Minutes
- 09/25/24 Minutes
4.2 Financials – Cash Flow Report
4.3 Check Register
4.4 Payroll – September 20 2024 – $1,673,203.67
4.5 Activity Funds Accounts
4.6 USD 234 Gifts
4.7 Declare Surplus Property – Vehicles to be sold at auction
5.0 Employee Recognitions
6.0 Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)
6.1 Superintendent’s Report
6.2 Assistant Superintendent’s Report
6.3 Special Education Director’s Report
7.0 Old Business
7.1 Audit Contract for the year ending June 30, 2025 (Action Item)
7.2 Frary Field Turf Replacement
7.3 Doral Renewables Contribution Agreement
8.0 New Business
8.2 Board Vacancy (Discussion)
8.3 Bus Accident & Prevention (Discussion)
9.0 Public Forum
10.0 Other Business –
10.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)
10.2 Exit Executive Session – _______ (Time)
10.3 Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)
11.0 KASB Board Training – Michelle Hubbard
12.0 Adjourn Meeting _____ (Time) David Stewart, PresidentAgenda
Bourbon County Courthouse and Transfer Station Closed October 14
The Bourbon County Courthouse and Transfer Station will be closed on Monday, October 14, 2024, in observance of Columbus Day.
240th Road Closed Oct. 15-16
240th Street from Jayhawk Road to Limestone Road will be closed to through traffic from 8:00am to 3:00pm on Tuesday, October 15th and Wednesday, October 16th for road repair.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Should you have any questions, please call the Bourbon County Public Works office at (620) 223-3800 ext 341.
From
Becky Robertson
Bourbon County Public Works
2024 Gordon Parks Celebration Poetry Contest Winners Named
2024 Gordon Parks Celebration Poetry Contest Winners Named
FORT SCOTT — Winners of the Gordon Parks Museum Poetry Contest sponsored by Helen Townsend and Trabar Associates, have been chosen. The theme was “What Fills Your Hungry Heart?”. Fifteen entries were received and the winner of First Place was Taylor Bailey, Fort Scott, KS, with the poem titled, “Turn Off the Camera”. Second Place was Logan Pinedo, Leavenworth, KS with the poem, “Homecooked”. Third Place was Karen Cayce, Wichita, KS with the poem, “Unforeseen”. Allie Allison, Pittsburg, KS, received Honorable Mention with the poem titled, “The Symphony of Love”.
First, Second, and Third place winners received cash prizes of $200, $75, and $50 respectively.
The contest was open to any emerging poet. The theme was inspired by a quote from Gordon Parks, “I’ve lived a lot, worked a lot, and smiled a lot. And I will cling to all of those blessings until my hungry heart is hopelessly exhausted.” Poets were invited to capture the essence of the theme.
Judges for the photo contest was Kansas Poet Laureate, Traci Brimhall, Poet and Author, Annette Hope-Billings and Poet, Cash Hollistah. The poetry exhibit will be on display on the Gordon Parks Museum facebook page facebook.com/fsccgpmuseum/ and the museum’s website gordonparkscenter.org.
Turn Off the Camera
You look into the all-knowing eyes of your camera
and plaintively read your well-rehearsed script.
Addressing strangers and ghosts that profess their love for you
and believe every fable that falls from your lips.
Every second of your life is laid bare online
you never learned to keep a little back for yourself.
Every want, every need that you’ve been told to have
are as easy to read as a book on the shelf.
Your words are happy and your smile is bright
but you hold yourself like you’re made from glass.
Your fans may be blind to how you really are
but I feel your distress in each breath.
You live in a mansion with all your bought friends.
You make other men jealous with your money and frills.
Your focus is shifting to the barely audible growls
of a painful hunger that food never fulfills.
You must learn when to put the camera away
find out who still speaks when the script is unwritten.
Discern between faceless strangers behind a screen
and true friends that stay when change comes unbidden.
Take stock of what’s real and burn away what isn’t.
Learning to live again, for yourself, it’s an art
but that’s what will fill your hungry heart.
Homecooked
What feeds my hungry heart
is feeding others
Giving my love to someone over and over
filling them up on this carefully crafted love
that rivals grandma’s home cooking
Something new yet familiar
a twist on an old recipe
Love seasoned to taste
What feeds my hungry heart
is opening them up
feeling that hot wave of air hit me
as I place my love casserole inside
Carefully timed to golden brown perfection
then seeing their face light up with the first mouthful
What feeds my hungry heart
is hope that I’ll get a taste
of that warm gooey center called love
served to me on ‘the good plate’
prepared special by experienced hands
stirring, mixing, and layering the ingredients
of a love just for me
Unforseen.
Sometimes it’s hard to believe there’s a God, to have faith in an unseen power. To know there’s a force you can call on for help in your darkest, most desperate hour. I know it’s not easy, I’ve been there myself, though our problems are not just the same. I know how it feels when no one is there when God is no more than a name. But I’ll tell you a secret, I pray anyway to something I can’t hear or see. I pray to the darkness, I pray to the night, or to what may be holy in me. And sometimes not always there comes a deep change. I feel peaceful, set free, and made whole. Is it God? Is it me? Has some power of the universe helped me to heal my own soul? I don’t have the answers. I can’t say for sure that what I believe in is true. But if God were a fact we wouldn’t need Faith. So I say believe and I do.