Monthly Archives: November 2017

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Mercy Hospital Auxiliary Hosts Book Sale

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FORT SCOTT, Kan. (Nov. 10, 2017) – Mercy Hospital Auxiliary will host a book sale on Thursday, Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 17 from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Mercy Hospital main lobby.

The book sale is the perfect opportunity to purchase gifts for holidays.

The two-day fundraising event will feature hundreds of books for all ages at exceptional savings. Soft back, hard back, and even coffee table books are available for purchase. Also for sale are stationary, music, home décor and items for the kitchen. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are accepted. Mercy co-workers have a payroll deduction option, too.

The Mercy Hospital Auxiliary is a volunteer organization that raises money to benefit the hospital and provides scholarships for the nursing students at Fort Scott Community College.

Over the 12 years decade, Mercy Auxiliary has donated over $850,000 to Mercy Hospital for state-of-the-art equipment, supplies and upgrading of services for the patients’ benefit through vending machine sales, proceeds of sales in the Mercy Market Place gift shop, and other specialty sales. Collectively, auxiliary members volunteer the equivalent of almost 6 full-time co-workers in hours of service each year to the hospital.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Coping with the Holidays

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Mercy Hospice and Konantz-Cheney partner to offer guidance

FORT SCOTT, Kan. (Nov. 8, 2017) – The holiday season can be especially difficult with the absence of a loved one. Mercy Hospice and Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home are co-sponsoring a “Coping with the Holidays” program on Wednesday, November 15 from 2-3:30 p.m. in the McAuley Conference Center at Mercy Hospital Fort Scott.

The educational program is open to the public and will offer guidance for those who have experienced a loss and offers tips on how to make it through the holidays without a loved one.  Caregivers and family members are welcome.

Facilitators for the program are Melissa George, Mercy Hospice chaplain; LaShawn Noel, Mercy Hospice social worker & volunteer coordinator; and Mike Cheney, Konantz-Cheney director.

Refreshments will be provided by Konantz-Cheney. Registration is not required.

For more information, contact Mercy Hospice at 620-223-8533.

Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2017 by Truven, an IBM Watson Health company, serves millions annually. Mercy includes 44 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, more than 700 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 40,000 co-workers and more than 2,000 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Mercy also has outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Holiday Open House

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The weather cooperated to make the annual Fort Scott Holiday Open House well attended Thursday evening. Shopping, eating,  and visiting with friends and acquaintances were highlights of the event.

A stuffed full-size Santa sits on a bench in front of The Iron Star store and gets a second look from Ernestine Eden.
Diners enjoy a dinner at Papa Don’s during the Holiday Open House Thursday.
Decorated Christmas trees were in abundance at the Liberty Theater.
Carla Farmer enjoys a conversation at the Main Street Gallery.
Shirley Palmer looks at merchandise at the Sunshine Boutique.
Merchants offered appetizers during the Holiday Open House.
Shoppers enjoy the sparkle of a Christmas tree at the Liberty Theater.
Colors from downtown Fort Scott lights add ambiance to shopping during the Holiday Open House.
Mary Eastwood takes a break to visit with Bob Eckles at her upholstery store, Here We Go Again
Young shoppers look over merchandise at the Country Cupboard Thursday evening.
Lora Holdridge shows off a Christmas treasure she found at the Holiday Open House.
Opinion

Patty LaRoche: A Protest or Ungratefulness?

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I see you…I see you, professional football player, as you kneel down during the playing of the National Anthem…I see you, with your arm raised in protest…I see you thinking you are doing something to unite people over social and racial injustice. I see you…

But, more than that, here is what I really see…

I see a man pushing the wheels of his wheelchair as he returns home from a foreign land unable to function as he once did, due to fighting to protect you as you kneel on the ground.

I see a young widow, dressed carefully in black, mourning the remains of her husband, hugging a coffin on the tarmac of an airport. I see that same woman clutching a perfectly folded flag to her bosom as taps is played at his graveside. I see her young son, tears streaming down his face, knowing his father would never come home again.

I see graveyards full of tombstones, here and overseas, with names of those fallen, with dates showing a much-too-early death. I see so many, from so many different wars and conflicts, crosses and stones. They are too numerous to count.

I see the sacrifices made, the hearts broken, the tears shed, the shattered lives all in the name of freedom… all in the name of that red, white and blue piece of cloth that you choose to protest.

Social and racial injustice? You who make millions of American dollars for playing a game in a country where you have more opportunity to make a better life for you and your family than anywhere in the world? Really? The hypocrisy of it astounds me.

First of all, if you really want to protest, give your money and time to make changes. Give to those less fortunate than you. Help those people get an education, buy them food and shelter. Show them opportunities to make better decisions. Teach them that they have a purpose in life. If you really want to protest injustices…

Protest the treatment of veterans, who have to wait extremely long periods of time for healthcare, who are living under interstate bridges in boxes, who are committing suicide. Today over twenty of them will take their lives out of hopelessness and despair.

Protest the people whose goal in life is to make sure an unborn baby doesn’t see the light of day. There will be around 3,500 of them today. There is no greater injustice than that.

Protest the loss of religious rights as some atheist complained so much that public prayer by a group of young players on an athletic field is not allowed.

When I see that flag, when I hear that song, when I sing those words, I give homage to those who died for this land, who continue to protect this land, who don’t know if and when they will ever see their loved ones again. Some say that they died for your freedom so that you can take a knee. I say they died for your freedom so you can stand proudly and be thankful that God has blessed you enough that you can live in a country of so much opportunity.

Go ahead…Go ahead and kneel…Go ahead and be ungrateful.

I am watching…as are millions and millions of others.

We don’t see a protest of unity… we see a protest of disgraceful ignorance.

Source: Anonymous

Fort Scott

Auditions Announced for “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”

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Submitted by Angela Bin

Fort Scott High School Thespians announces auditions for “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. Auditions are from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 13 or 14, in the high school auditorium.

Performances are at 2 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 9, and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 10. Rehearsals will mostly be from 5:30 until about 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday in the high school auditorium.

Roles include: Narrators, Grinch, Max the Dog, Cindy Lou Who, Lou Who, Betty Lou Who, Mayor of Whoville, Assistant to Mayor, Clerk, Shopper, Sue Who, Drew Who, Police Man and Whos. No preparation is necessary for auditions and actors only need to attend on one of the audition nights. Children will perform theatre warm-ups, read from the script, and sing and dance to a short song segment. The show is primarily a play, but does include two songs, including a solo from Cindy Lou Who.

Thespian Director Angie Bin will oversee the production with leadership from FSHS Thespians in all artistic director positions. The show serves as the major fundraiser for students attending the International Thespian Festival next summer in Lincoln, Neb. Those who are cast will have a $25 participation fee. Please contact Angie Bin at FSHS with questions.

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Roadwork Activity Ongoing

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KDOT U.S. 69 Hwy. expansion roadwork last week, as seen from Eagle Road.

Kansas Department of Transportation and Bourbon County Public Works have both been working on roadways south of Fort Scott.

People who use Calvary Road will soon have access again, according to Priscilla Peterson, Public Affairs Manager with the Kansas Department of Transportation District 4.

Cherry Grove Baptist Church sits at the intersection of Calvary Rd. and  U.S. 69 Hwy. where the access is closed currently.

“Right now they are doing a re-route behind the church,” Peterson said. “If the weather is good, the Calvary Road access should be opened by the end of the month.”

KDOT personnel makes an effort to contact people before limiting access to a road, Peterson said.

The Calvary Road closure is part of the improvements being made to U.S. 69 Hwy.

The six-mile highway expansion to a four-lane upgradeable expressway, with access points, was started in March 2017 and is scheduled for completion November 2018, according to Peterson.

Two-way U.S. 69 Hwy. traffic is being maintained while building the new lanes, she said.

Road surfaces on 230th Street between Kansas and Jayhawk were changed from an asphalt road to a gravel road this year.

County Roads Converted From Asphalt To Gravel

Two county roads south-east of Fort Scott have been ripped up this year to eventually be improved, according to a county official.

Eagle Road between 69 Hwy. and 250th Street and 230th Street between Kansas and Jayhawk Roads were converted from asphalt back to gravel.

“This is part of a process,” Jim Harris, Bourbon County Public Works director, said. “We did several miles last year.”

“We turn it back into gravel, then our goal is to overlay on top in the spring,” Harris said. “We do a manual contraction, but leaving it over the winter helps with compaction.”

Exactly what improvements these roads receive is up to the Bourbon County Commissioners.

In March the Bourbon County Commission holds a public meeting annually to discuss the priorities for road repair and maintenance.

“We’ll have a work session on roads, ” Harris said. “I make recommendations about repair or maintain, the commission decides.It’s a public meeting. In March the road priorities are determined by the commission. They decide what roads we are going to reclaim.”

The gravel road has left at least one Garland area resident re-routing his travel.

“It’s so bad I don’t go down that way,” Raymond Kalm said. “It’s too rough and too dusty.”

Uncategorized

Looking For Something To Do?

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Thursday evening is the annual Holiday Open House where Fort Scott Merchants stay open from 5-8 p.m. for residents to get a jump start on holiday shopping.

Veterans will be honored at several community schools.

Friday there are several Veteran’s Day activities:

Uniontown High School will honor locals vets with coffee and donuts at the school at 8 a.m. followed by a school assembly to say “thank you”.

Winfield Scott Elementary School students will be performing for vets at 9 a.m.

Fort Scott High School students will present a ceremony in the high school gym at 11:15 a.m.

St. Mary’s Catholic School students will gather at the school’s flagpole to sing, pray and honor vets at 1 p.m.

Fort Scott Community College will host a Veteran’s Day fundraiser at the Ellis Fine Arts Center at 3 p.m. The food fundraiser will be a free-will donation to benefit Wreaths Across America for soldiers graves at Fort Scott National Cemetery during the Christimas season. The event is in conjunction with the induction ceremony of Phi Theta Kappa.

On Thursday, November 16 Eugene Ware Elementary School students will present a patriotic performance at 6:30 p.m. at the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College. Veterans are invited to attend.

For other events, this weekend,  click on the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce link below.

2017 November 10-12

Bourbon County

Extension Master Gardeners Donate Time to Communities

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Submitted by Krista Harding

You may or may not be aware of a group of volunteers in your community providing horticulture information to the public. I am speaking of the Extension Master Gardeners. Extension Master Gardeners come from all walks of life, but they have two things in common and that is their love of gardening and the joy of sharing with their communities.

Currently there are 21 certified Extension Master Gardeners in the Southwind District. These individuals were trained by state specialists from Kansas State University and have been through forty to fifty hours of instruction in all aspects of horticulture. After training, the Master Gardeners volunteer an equivalent number of hours back to their communities as was received in their training.

In the Southwind Extension District, many of the gardeners received their training in 2008, 2010, 2013 or 2015 so they have several years of experience as Master Gardeners under their belt.

There are a number of Master Gardener volunteer service projects currently happening in Southwind Extension District communities. This year, 684 hours of volunteer service was completed. According to most recent data from the Independent Sector (a coalition of charities, foundations, corporations, and individuals that publishes research important to the nonprofit sector), the estimated value of volunteer time is $24.14 per hour. That calculates to $16,500 worth of service to our local communities!

Here are some of the projects that the Master Gardeners have worked on this year:

 Pepper and Tomato Variety Trials – A K-State research trial on peppers and tomatoes was conducted at the Elm Creek Community Garden in Iola and the community garden in Fort Scott with many different varieties. Various individuals in the community were able to sample and evaluate the produce at Farmers Markets.

 Flower Trial – An annual flower research trial was conducted at the courthouse in Iola. The trial showed that not all flowers can withstand the brutal climate in Kansas. All plants were labeled so people could see which varieties did well and which ones did not. It is hoped that the general public noted which plants performed well and which plants did not and will make future plant purchases accordingly.

 Programs and Presentations – the Master Gardeners gave many public presentations this year including how to grow herbs, container gardening, vegetable and berry production, attracting hummingbirds, and establishing native prairie plants. In addition, there were Master Gardeners writing blogs, newspaper columns and helping youth with various horticulture projects. This is a very brief listing and does not include every public presentation that was given nor the countless contacts made with the general public, friends and neighbors!

 Community Work – various volunteer projects were completed in Humboldt, Chanute, Moran, Iola, Uniontown and Fort Scott. Most of these projects centered around community beautification efforts.

As an Extension agent, I called upon the Master Gardeners many times this year to assist me with programs. They were always eager to help and share their expertise. The Master Gardeners are very knowledgeable individuals that love their communities and want to give back to them. If you would like to know who the Master Gardeners are in your community, please give me a call and I would be happy to visit with you.

A Master Gardener training class will be offered in the fall of 2018. If you are interested in taking the class, please contact me and your name will be put on a mailing list.

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District.  She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244- 3826.

Obituary

Obituary: Josephine Brillhart

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Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Josephine Brillhart, age 91, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, November 6, 2017, at the Medicalodge of Fort Scott.

She was born November 25, 1925, in Humboldt, Kan., the daughter of William Johnson and Lucy Mary McClanahan Johnson. She married Raymond D. Brillhart on April 29, 1943, at Fort Scott. Josephine had been employed by Peerless Products for more than 20 years. She enjoyed quilting, dancing and playing cards as well as traveling and shopping. She was a member of the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.

Survivors include her three children, Jo Ann Hudson and husband, Blake, of Fort Scott, Rev. Terry Brillhart and wife, Fran, of Riverview, Fla., and Randy Brillhart and wife, Ann, of Wichita; eight grandchildren, a step-granddaughter, 18 great-grandchildren and a great-great- granddaughter. Also surviving is a sister, Violet Hale and husband, Bob, of Fort Scott. Her husband, Raymond, preceded her in death on December 6, 1998. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Jeffrey Erie; five sisters, Betty Jameson, Dolly Wheeler, Beulah Morgan, Florence Smith and Blanch Past and a brother, Charles Jackett.

Rev. Terry Brillhart will conduct funeral service at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, November 10, at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 11:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary

Obituary: Auston Charles Lewis

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Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Auston Charles Lewis, age 86, of Greenfield, Mo., passed away Monday, November 6, 2017, at Mercy Hospital Springfield, Mo.

He was born on August 1, 1931, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Henry and Ethel Atkins Lewis. Auston married Fannie Wood in 1949, they later divorced. He then married Lila Hayes, on June 11, 1955, she preceded him in death on November 23, 2009. He then married Linda Thompson on January 12, 2015. Auston was self-employed doing roofing and carpenter work.

Auston is survived by his wife, Linda Lewis, a son, Perry Lewis, of Greenfield, Mo., two daughters, Teresa Cozart and husband, Bryan, of Little Rock, Ark., and Jennifer Thompson and husband Chris of Apple Valley, Calif.; eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He is also preceded in death by his parents, a son, Tim Lewis, and a daughter in-law, Kathy Lewis.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 11, 2017, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Marmaton Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Fort Scott

Body-Worn Cameras For Police Department

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Fort Scott Police Officer Derick Burke wears one of the newly acquired body-worn cameras the department recently received.

A few weeks ago the Fort Scott Police Department began wearing body-worn cameras.

“We upgraded to a system that has both body cameras and car cameras,” FSPD Chief Travis Shelton said. “We always had car cameras.”

“We budgeted for them, approximately $65,000, and received them about three weeks ago,” he said.

Each of the five FSPD officers will additionally have a spare camera for charging purposes, Shelton said.

The cameras were purchased to give several benefits to the police department, Shelton said.

“We can better document calls for service, there is officer accountability, better evidence collection, we can document crime scenes,” he said.

Shelton said body-worn cameras also:

  • enhance officer and public safety,
  • enhance officer ability to document and review statements and actions for internal reporting requirements for courtroom preparation,
  • preserve video and audio information for current and future investigations,
  • are an impartial measurement for self-critic and field evaluation during duties conducted by an officer,
  • enhance public trust by presenting factual representations in the form of video/audio recordings.

In an emergency situation, when the patrolman turns on the car’s emergency lights, the body-worn camera automatically comes on, Officer Derick Burke said.

“It’s linked to the car camera,” Burke said.

No-shave November

The public may notice that some FSPD officers have beards, Shelton said.

In an effort to boost department morale, officers can grow beards this month, Shelton said.

“It’s ‘no-shave’ November at the Fort Scott Police Department,” he said.

Fort Scott Police Officer Derick Burke is one of five officers with the new body cameras.