FSCC students Ally McKenzie and Kristen Davis receive a handout from Pizza Hut employee, Krista Johnson.
On Wednesday, August 22, Fort Scott Community College hosted a Business Expo showcasing local Fort Scott businesses, giving the students a look at what this town has to offer.
The businesses included this year were Pizza Hut, Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene, US Cellular, KKOW Radio, Mercy Hospital, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, The Shirt Shack, The Tannery, Safehouse, KOMB Radio, Family Video, Advanced America, Medicalodge, Paparazzi, Common Ground Coffee Shop, Hartman Chiropractic, the U.S. Army, Community Christian Church, Briggs Automall, and Trinity Lutheran Church.
The students were given a slip of paper to collect ten signatures from ten different booths to be entered into a drawing for a free laptop and a set of Bluetooth headphones, which were provided by the college.
The winner of the laptop was Samantha Stumfoll and the headphones were awarded to Audrey Whetzell.
During this expo, FortScott.Biz Intern Briana Blandamer interviewed 2008 Fort Scott High School graduate, Dr. Grant Hartman, owner of Hartman Spine & Joint.
Dr. Hartman has been running his clinic in Fort Scott for three years, offering general chiropractic services as well as tending to sports injuries and offering rehabilitation services. Some of the other services he offers include acupuncture and soft tissue therapy.
Dr. Hartman in front of his booth at FSCC Business Expo.
The Tannery also had a booth during the FSCC business expo, ran by Jenna Kakas. The Tannery has a student discount offering a Buy 2 Tans, Get the 3rd for $1.
Jenna said, “Come to see me at The Tannery, Monday through Friday 11 a.m. -6 p.m. to get your glow on!”
Jenna Kakas with The Tannery booth giving away Chapstick and entering students into a drawing for goodie baskets.FSCC President Alysia Johnston is pictured with Shirt Shack owner, Billy Webster.The TRIO program gave out the student-business signature papers, entered students into the drawing and also had signups to Escape the Fort! Trenton Allison helped run this booth.
Briana Blandamer is the FortScott.Biz intern whose focus is Fort Scott Community College. To give news ideas send to [email protected].
Fort Scott High School is proud to announce auditions for the regional premiere of the new musical “Bright Star.”
Auditions are from 6:30 to 9 p.m. either Monday, Aug. 27 or Wednesday, Aug. 29 at the high school auditorium. Students only need to attend one night, but need to plan to stay for the entire time period.
“Inspired by a real event and featuring the Grammy-nominated score by Steven Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past – and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. Propelled by an ensemble of onstage musicians and dancers, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion, beautiful melodies and powerfully moving performances. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tight in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful,” according to publisher Theatrical Rights Worldwide.
The show is open to current FSHS students and rehearsals are Monday-Thursday from 6:30-9 p.m. The performances are Nov. 6, 8, and 10.
Students who wish to audition for a lead solo role should prepare as follows: females will sing a portion of “If You Knew My Story” and males will sing “Bright Star” from the show. Links to karaoke tracks and piano accompaniment for the songs can be found at the “Fort Scott High School Thespians” Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FSHSThespians/?ref=bookmarks and the “Fort Scott Choirs” website at www.fortscottchoirs.com.
The show is directed by FSHS Drama Director Angie Bin and FSHS Choral Director Meredith Reid and choreographed by Delynn Abati, assistant to the FSHS Dance Team.
For more information, please contact Angie Bin at [email protected] or 620-719-9622.
Joy Miller K-State Research and Extension Southwind District, Family and Consumer Science News Column, 620-223-3720 or [email protected]
Medicare’s Preventive Services
With the year more than halfway over, now is a great time to check in and see if you are up to date on your preventive care appointments. These services can find health problems early, when treatment works best, and keep you from getting certain diseases.
Twenty four preventative services including exams, shots, lab tests, screenings, counseling, and education are available to help you take care of your own health.
You will need to talk with your doctor or health care provider to find out what tests or other services you may need and how often you need them.
A reminder that health care providers may suggest exams or tests that Medicare does not cover or you might have a deductible or copay. They may also recommend that you have tests more or less often than Medicare covers them.
If you have Medicare Part B, the following ten examinations and screenings are no cost to you.
A “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit. Thisis available only in the first 12 months you are on Part B. It includes a review of your medical history, certain screenings and shots, measurements of vital signs, a simple vision test, review of potential risk for depression, an offer to discuss advance directives and a written plan outlining which screenings, shots and other preventive services you need. This visit is covered one time.
Annual wellness visit. You’re eligible for this free exam if you’ve had Medicare Part B for longer than 12 months. The physician will review your medical history; update your list of providers and medications; measure your height, weight, blood pressure and other vital signs; and provide you with personalized health advice and treatment options.
Mammogram. An annual screening mammogram is free. If you require a diagnostic mammogram, you’ll pay a 20 percent copay and the Part B deductible will apply.
Colonoscopy. A screening colonoscopy once every 24 months is free if you’re at high risk for colorectal cancer. If you aren’t at high risk, Medicare covers this test once every 10 years.
Diabetes screening. You’re eligible for two free screenings each year if you have a history of high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, are obese or have a history of high blood sugar levels. The screenings will also be free if two or more of these issues apply to you: You are over 65, are overweight or have a family history of diabetes, or you had diabetes when you were pregnant.
Prostate cancer screening. An annual PSA test is free. A digital rectal exam will cost you 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount plus the doctor’s services related to the exam. The Part B deductible also applies.
Vaccines. Annual flu shots, vaccines to prevent pneumococcal infections such as pneumonia, and shots for hepatitis B (for those at high or medium risk) are covered free of charge.
Cardiovascular disease (behavioral therapy). As a Medicare recipient, you also get a free yearly visit with your primary care provider to help you lower your risk for cardiovascular disease.
Lung cancer screening. An annual test with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is free if you are between 55 and 77, don’t have any signs of lung cancer, are a smoker or have quit in the past 15 years, and you have a tobacco smoking history of at least 30 “pack years” (meaning you smoked an average of one pack a day for 30 years).
Depression screening. A yearly screening is free if conducted in a primary care center where follow-up and referrals are available. Copays may apply for follow-up care.
For a full list of Medicare’s Preventative Services, visit Medicare.gov/publications to view or print “Your Guide to Medicare’s Preventive Services”. You can also register at MyMedicare.gov to get direct access to your preventive health information. You can track your preventive services, get a 2-year calendar of the Medicare-covered tests and screenings you are eligible for, and print a report to take to your next doctor’s appointment.
For additional information, contact the Southwind Extension District, Fort Scott office 620-223-3720. Our website is http://www.southwind.ksu.edu or follow us on Facebook: Southwind Extension District.
Last week I wrote about working in the kitchen at a homeless shelter. Please allow me to introduce you to “Agnes,” the one responsible for me volunteering. Almost daily, as I walked in the direction of the Jacksonville, Florida, ballpark, I found her reclining on a park bench or pilfering through trash. She, a homeless lady, sported no bags or shopping cart (like most who live on the streets) and always had on the same dirty, torn, ill-fitting pants and top. The first time I passed her, she was asleep, her head supported on the curved metal armrest with not even a piece of clothing to soften her “pillow.” It appeared painful.
When she is awake, we speak. To my “How are you doing?” she responds, “I am fine, thank you.” A pleasant lady. In the beginning, I would move on. After all, three blocks away is a homeless shelter which feeds, clothes and sleeps “those” people.
A few weeks ago, Marti and Elaine, two Fort Scott friends, came to visit. After dining out, we left with two large portions of pasta which we decided to share with the homeless people in my area. My first stop was Agnes, the bench lady. I pulled over to the curb. This was our conversation:
“Good evening. Would you like some food?” I began.
“It will break my teeth.”
“Oh, no, it’s pasta. It’s soft.”
“I can’t because my teeth will break.”
“It’s like spaghetti, only in the shape of bow ties.” (No idea why I added this tidbit.)
“I don’t want it. It will break my teeth.”
“Are you sure? It’s really good, and it’s really soft.”
“I’m supposed to be at Burger King.” (This was not working out the way I intended.) Telling her good-bye, I ended with “God bless you.” She repeated the phrase.
My next stop was an elderly, frail lady walking down the street. “Would you like some food? It’s pasta and it’s really good.”
“I would like juice. Do you have juice?”
“No, no juice. Just food.”
“Thank you, but I’m not hungry. I just want juice.”
And I would give you that, if I were a drive-by cantina, I say to myself, wondering how many more of “those” will reject my offering.
Then it dawned on me. I was lumping all “those” homeless men and women into a single category: people who don’t turn down handouts. Jesus never would see them that way. He would view each of them as individuals with distinct likes and desires and issues. How dare I categorize “those people” because they live on the streets!
On a walk yesterday, my husband and I encountered several homeless people. Some were sleeping. Many were slumped on curbs. Most looked sad. I told Dave that I would love to bring them back to our condo and offer them a shower and a meal. He said they might kill me. (He always says that.) The sad thing is, he’s right. And that’s the problem. How do I know which are mentally challenged? Addicts? Sociopaths? Perhaps they are just individuals choosing to reject societal standards or are there through no fault of their own. (The movie The Pursuit of Happyness was proof of that.) Stereotyping them is much easier than figuring this out.
Continuing my food drive, within one block I found two wheelchair-bound men who were thrilled to accept the pasta. I expected to feel better about myself.
I didn’t. That was, however, my turning point…which is what led me to volunteering at the homeless shelter…which is where I met Misty…which is where I realized, I really am one of “those” people.
Arlene Allen, age 89, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, August 23, 2018, at the Guest Home Estates in Ft. Scott.
She was born December 15, 1928, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Terry Misener and Winifred Allison Misener.
Arlene graduated from the Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1946 and the Fort Scott Junior College with the Class of 1948. She married Jimmie Allen in 1956. They later divorced.
Arlene had worked for twenty-nine years in the Inland Marine Department of the Western Insurance Company. She was a life-long member of the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.
Survivors include her children, Debra Barrett and husband, Pat, of Wichita, Kansas and Jim Allen and wife, Rhonda, of Ft. Scott; five grandchildren, Jacob and Jaron Barrett and Hilary, Scott and Marliss Allen and six great-grandchildren, Tracen, Alice, Eva and Arya Barrett and Kamry and Alayna Hutchison. Also surviving is a niece, Donna Ruth Davis, of Medford, Oklahoma.
She was preceded in death by her parents a brother, Ernest Misener and a sister, Donna Jean Fooks.
Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, August 28th at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle. Burial will follow in the Woods Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. Monday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Grace Baptist Tabernacle or Mercy Hospice and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Increase in Questions about Bats and Rabies, State Agencies Offer Guidance
Safety tips provided for coming in contact with bats and other animals
TOPEKA – The Kansas Departments of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism (KDWPT) have had an increase in the number of calls recently from residents who have questions about bats in their homes. Experts from the State agencies encourage Kansans to be aware of the rabies risk associated with exposure to bats.
“Although only 3 percent of about 1,000 bats tested over the last five years were positive for rabies in Kansas, they remain an important cause of human rabies cases in the United States,” said Dr. Ingrid Garrison, State Public Health Veterinarian at KDHE. “Contact with bats is a concern because their teeth are so tiny that a bite may not be felt or even leave a noticeable mark. That is why it is important to speak with someone who can evaluate your situation for potential exposure to rabies,” said Dr. Garrison.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease in mammals, including people. Infection with the rabies virus can occur from a bite by a rabid animal or when saliva from a rabid animal comes into contact with the eyes, inside the mouth, or a fresh, open wound. In Kansas, skunks are the animal that most commonly tests positive for rabies.
“We see an increase in bat activity, usually in July and August, as baby bats learn to fly,” said Samantha Pounds, an ecologist with KDWPT. “Of the more than 1,000 species of bats around the world, 15 have been found in Kansas. Bats play a vital role in the Kansas ecosystem by consuming millions of insects each year, including agricultural pests and mosquitoes. They can eat one-half of their body weight in insects each night. However, some bats may also be infected with rabies. We want people to be aware of bats, but not afraid of them,” said Pounds.
It is best to exclude bats from your home in the early spring or fall when they are not roosting (giving birth and raising young). Young bats that are not able to fly can get trapped inside, which can lead to an upset mother bat or foul-smelling dead bat. Bats often enter homes through unsealed cracks, gaps or small holes, so filling in these entry points is one way to keep bats out of a home. Another method is to use an exclusion tube or small piece of mesh to create a one-way exit for bats living in an attic. Professional help to exclude or capture bats may be available in your area.
KDHE asks that you call your health care provider or local health department if you have had any contact with a bat if a bat is found in the room of a sleeping person, unattended child, or anyone who is unable to tell you about the encounter. If possible, the bat should be captured safely and not released. Tips for safely capturing a bat can be found on the Bat Conservation International website at www.batcon.org. If the bat is not available for rabies testing, the person who was exposed to the bat should seek medical care and receive rabies prevention shots.
KDHE and KDWPT offer the following tips about bats and other animals regarding rabies for your safety:
If you wake up in a room with a bat present, regardless if there is evidence of a bite or scratch, seek advice from your health care provider or local health department. If possible, trap the bat for testing. Do not release the bat.
If bitten by any animal, seek medical attention and report the bite to your local health department or animal control department immediately.
If your animal is bitten, contact your veterinarian for advice.
Do not handle or feed wild animals. Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home; it is both unsafe and illegal.
Do not try to nurse sick or injured wild animals back to health. Call animal control or an animal rescue agency for assistance.
Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
Have your veterinarian vaccinate all dogs, cats, ferrets, horses and valuable livestock (cattle and sheep) against rabies.
Friday Concerts in the Park goers gather around the pavilion at First and Main streets.
This Friday’s Chamber of Commerce sponsored concert will feature the Workman Bluegrass band.
“The band has performed many times for us at the pavilion and is a continuing favorite with their lively renditions of bluegrass, folk and traditional gospel music,” Ralph Carlson, the event organizer said. “The concert starts at 7 pm. come early and bring your lawn chairs as seating is limited. In the event of rain, the band has opted to go indoors at The Common Grounds Coffee shop 1/2 block south of the Heritage Park Pavilion.”
TOPEKA – A federal court in Texas ruled yesterday that money collected as part of Obamacare, known as the Health Insurance Provider fee, be returned to the states by the Federal government. Kansas and five other states were part of this legal action, in which $142-million was ordered to be returned to the state of Kansas.
“This is just another example of the monumental failure of Obamacare and the expensive toll it has taken on our state,” said Governor Jeff Colyer, “This fee has been illegally collected for far too long, and I am grateful to Attorney General Derek Schmidt for going to bat for Kansas and ensuring that a legal remedy was made for returning millions of dollars that should have never been taken from taxpayers in the first place.”
Attorney General Schmidt said in a statement earlier today that an appeal is likely, so the funds should not be counted just yet, but he feels confident in the strength of the case should it be appealed.
Fifteen 4-H members had the opportunity to represent the Southwind Extension District at the annual Kansas 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes at Kansas State University. Their skills and knowledge were challenged by participating in Livestock & Meats Judging, Livestock Quiz Bowl and Livestock Skillathon contests. Those attending were (from left to right) Front Row: Kolby Seested, Gavin Fry, Haydon Schaaf, Brody Nemecek, Jillian Keller, Clay Brillhart, Danielle Nading, Sadie Marchiano, Carla Nemecek, Coach & Southwind District Director. Back Row: Brooklyn Pruitt, Dylan Hazelbaker, Aidan Yoho, Kristy Beene, Gwen Fry, Carly Dreher and Zach Snyder.
SOUTHWIND 4-H MEMBERS WIN 3 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
4-H members from the Southwind Extension District excelled at the annual Kansas 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes event on August 18-19 in Kansas State University’s Weber Hall. Participants from the Southwind Extension District were Gavin Fry, Sadie Marchiano, Danielle Nading, Kolby Seested, Clay Brillhart, Jillian Keller, Brody Nemecek, Haydon Schaaf, Carly Dreher, Brooklyn Pruitt, Zach Snyder, Aidan Yoho, Kristyn Beene, Gwen Fry and Dylan Hazelbaker representing 4-H Clubs from Allen, Bourbon and Woodson Counties.
4-H members learned gained new knowledge and worked on livestock skills in order to be competitive in the Sweepstakes event which consisted of blending scores in four contests. Southwind Extension District completed the weekend by being named the 2018 Champion and 3rd Overall Kansas State 4-H Sweepstakes Teams. Top ten individual Sweepstakes winners for Southwind were Clay Brillhart 8th, Brody Nemecek 5th, Gavin Fry 4th and Haydon Schaaf was named High Individual Overall after excelling in all contests.
The Livestock Quiz Bowl started with a qualifying exam. The eight teams with the highest average scores advanced to the quiz bowl competition. Southwind #2 (Seested, Fry, Schaaf, Nemecek) was seated first after the test and was later named the Champion Quiz Bowl Team where they won the final match 265 points to 40 points. Southwind #1 (Nading, Keller, Brillhart, Marchiano) also scored well on the quiz and were seated as the #2 team.
The Livestock Judging contest consisted of nine judging classes and four sets of reasons with 227 contestants and 42 teams from across Kansas. Southwind #2 (Brillhart, Nemecek, Keller, Schaaf) was 1st in Sheep/Goats; 1st in Swine; 1st in Cattle and 1st in Reasons and named Champion Team Overall. Southwind #1 (Gavin Fry, Marchiano, Seested, Nading) was 4th in Sheep/Goats; 2nd in Swine; 2nd in Cattle; 2nd in Reasons and named Reserve High Team Overall. Individually, Clay Brillhart was High Individual in Swine, 4th in Sheep/Goats, 4th in Cattle, High Individual in Reasons and 2nd High Individual Overall; Kolby Seested was 5th in Swine, 10th in Sheep/Goats, 8th in Reasons, and 8th Individual Overall; Haydon Schaaf was 4th in Swine; Brody Nemecek was 3rd in Swine, 2nd in Sheep/Goats, 8th in Cattle, 5th in Reasons and 3rd High Individual; Danielle Nading was 2nd in Swine, 8th in Sheep/Goats, 3rd in Cattle, 3rd in Reasons, and 4th High Individual; Jillian Keller was 6th in Swine, 9th in Sheep/Goats, 6th in Cattle, 6th in Reasons, and 6th Individual Overall; Sadie Marchiano was 10th in Reasons. As the State Champion Livestock Judging Team, Southwind District will represent Kansas 4-H at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, CO next January.
The Meats Judging contest was based on the identification of thirty retail cuts, six placings classes and three sets of reasons. Haydon Schaaf was named 2nd in Retail ID, 3rd in Placings and 2nd High Individual Overall; Gavin Fry was 9th in Retail ID, 10th in Placings and 8th Individual Overall; Sadie Marchiano was 3rd in Reasons; Aidan Yoho was 11th in Reasons; Clay Brillhart was 10th In ID; Southwind #2 (Schaaf, Fry, Brillhart, Nemecek) was 2nd in Reasons, 2nd in Retail ID and Reserve Champion Team Overall. Southwind #1 (Keller, Marchiano, Nading, Seested) was 3rd in Reasons and 7th High Team Overall.
In the Livestock Skillathon, 4-H members rotated individually through stations that addressed six areas of animal science. Those included feedstuffs, breed identification, equipment identification, meat identification, and a written test. There was also a team component where members worked together on evaluating a performance Angus genetics scenario, understanding livestock biosecurity, and understanding issues in livestock reproduction. Individually, Brody Nemecek was 5th in the Practicum, 4th in the Exam, and 3rd Individual; Gavin Fry was 3rd in the Practicum, 1st in Exam, and 2nd High Individual Overall; Clay Brillhart was 10th Individual Overall, and Haydon Schaaf was 7th Individual Overall.
This group worked hard and studied a great deal of material to prepare for four state contests. Carla Nemecek, Southwind Extension District Director coaches all of these teams. To be named the Champion and Reserve Champion Livestock Judging Teams, Reserve Champion Meats Judging Team, Reserve Livestock Skillathon Team, Champion Livestock Quiz Bowl Team, and Overall Champion Sweepstakes Team at the state contests shows how hard these 4-H members pushed each other to “Make the Best Better.”
The Southwind District is proud of their accomplishments and looks forward to future growth and learning.
