The Fort Scott Farmers’ Market began a new season of providing fresh produce and other goods to the community with their opening weekend Saturday morning, with vendors selling a number of baked, fresh and homemade items as well as plants.

From May to the final weekend of October, vendors will sell their items at the Skubitz Plaza next to the Fort Scott National Historic Site. Visitors can come make purchases Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon, or Tuesdays, 4-6 p.m.

Regular sale items include baked breads and other goods, homemade salsa and jams, hot tamales, fresh vegetables and fruits and homemade items. The Bourbon County Garden Club sold plants for the opening weekend but will not be available each week, though other vendors also had plants on hand.

Those interested in participating as a vendor can sign up for a booth with Chet and Linda Bower.

Through the end of May, the Pioneer Kiwanis will continue collecting new or gently used pairs of shoes from members of the community, with the goal of collecting 2,500 pairs to send to third world countries.

The Kiwanis club began the Donate Your Soles collection in April and continues to strive to reach their goal before the end of the month. The shoes they collect will be sent overseas to developing nations in an effort to help residents there start and maintain a business to support themselves and their families.

The shoe drive also serves as a fundraiser as the Kiwanis will receive funding based on the number of pairs collected. That money will be used towards the Kiwanis’ Youth Program in Bourbon County.

Bids and Dibs on National Avenue in downtown Fort Scott is serving as a location to drop off donated shoes. With the approach of summer as well as the common garage sale season, the Kiwanis encourage residents to consider donating shoes they do not sell.

Numerous members of the community joined together Thursday morning to participate in the 65^th annual National Day of Prayer, organized by the Pioneer Kiwanis and hosted at Fort Scott Community College.

Reverend Marty DeWitt of Uniontown First Missionary Baptist Church referred to prayer as a vital and important part of what this country has accomplished and said that prayer is still needed for the country.

This year’s theme was “Wake Up America” and those in attendance sat at tables that held signs encouraging specific topics to pray for, including families, churches, leaders, Fort Scott, Kansas, America and upcoming elections.

Keynote speaker Gregg Motley of Landmark National Bank said “unthinkable” things are happening in the United States, such as the national debt, small towns shrinking, churches losing vitality and laws being enforced that contradict biblical morals.

But despite such tough circumstances for the churches, Motley said he believes those situations can revitalize the church.

“We’ve had tough circumstances in this country before,” Motley said, mentioning the Great Depression that then lead to one of America’s greatest generations that rebuilt the nation. “God has a purpose for tough times…Don’t fear tough times, pray and ask God to prepare your heart.”

In order for America to wake up to spiritual things, Motley said individual people need to wake up first, sharing his testimony of his “wake up call,” when he asked God to literally wake him up each morning as a young adult so he could spend time in prayer.

The Day of Prayer continues in Fort Scott with a gathering at the American flag outside the Bourbon County Courthouse at noon.

Submitted by Heather Cutshall, May 2

Fort Scott Community College Rodeo Team and Alumni will show off their skills during “The Clash” event on Saturday, May 7, at Arnold Arena.

“The Clash” is a fundraising event that gives FSCC rodeo students the opportunity to compete alongside professionally-ranked alumni.

“We look forward to seeing the students and alumni get together and compete against each other,” said Chad Cross, FSCC Rodeo Coach. “It’s a fun and friendly competition.”

The event will include a team competition, silent auction, live auction and BBQ meal. The evening will begin with a BBQ dinner at 5 p.m. in Arnold Arena. After the meal, “The Clash” event will begin at 7:30 p.m. Matches will include bareback riding, calf roping, breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, goat tying, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding.

FSCC alumni who will compete include Stuart Gullager, Ray Holmes, Glen Smith, Brandi Buzzard, Nathan Hughes, Lindsey Hughes, Carl Taylor and Cody Hamm.

“I’m excited to compete in the bull riding match,” said Luke Hamilton, FSCC Rodeo Student. “It’s been a great year all-around for the team, and this event is a great way to end the year.”

The BBQ dinner admission is by donation, and ticket prices for The Clash are $8 for adults, $5 for students, $3 for children ages 6-12 years and free for children five and under. Proceeds from the event will benefit upgrades to the outside rodeo arena and rodeo student scholarships. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call (620) 223-2700, ext. 7020.

Submitted by Amber Toth, May 2

The Fort Scott High School Forensics Team gave it their best at their recent state forensics competition, but came just 15 points short of a trophy, finishing fourth out of 51 schools.

“I am so incredibly proud of them,” coach Amber Toth said. “I can hardly believe the season we have had.”

The FSHS team had half their events  make it to the semi-final round. Darby Toth ended up 12th in informative speaking and 11th in original oration. Joe Adams and Garrett Tatro also made it to the semi-finals in extemporaneous speaking, with Adams finishing in 8th place and Tatro in 10th. Seth Cross advanced to the finals in both poetry and impromptu speaking, taking third in impromptu and 5th in poetry. Rebekah Sweyko placed fourth in informative speaking as a first-year student while Thomas Nighswonger ended up in fourth place in humorous interpretation.

“We compete in the largest state tournament for any classification,” Toth said. “These kids fought hard and continue to make Fort Scott proud.”