Library Christmas Party Dec. 17

Fort Scott Public Library will hold its 4th Annual Family Holiday Party on Monday, December 17, at 4 p.m.
 Activities for teens will be held upstairs, while games and crafts for children will be downstairs after group stories.
Children and teens of all ages are welcome, but first grade and below must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
The party will run from 4 – 5:30 p.m. and registration will open at 3:45.
Enjoy holiday stories, songs, activities, snacks, crafts, and prizes, free.
Volunteers are needed to help supervise the activities. Please contact youth librarian Valetta Cannon at [email protected], fill out a donation form at the library, or call 223-2882 if you would like to help. Happy holidays from Fort Scott Public Library!
Submitted by Valetta Cannon

Fort Scott Public Library
Youth Librarian & Assistant Director

Fort Scott City Commission Minutes of Nov. 20

CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of November 20, 2018 Regular Meeting #22

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held November 20th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners Adamson, Bartelsmeyer, Nichols, and Parker were present with Mayor Mitchell presiding.

INVOCATION: Pastor Jared Witt, First Presbyterian Church, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City and all Government and City officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Janet Braun, Travis Shelton, Rhonda Dunn, Darrell Parker, Larry Gazaway, Paul Ballou, Deb Needleman, Michael Mix, Billy Keith, Frank Durossette, Mary Durossette, Diana Mitchell, Rachel Pruitt, Carl Jowers, Myra Jowers, Bill Hall, Jared Witt, Stephanie Witt, Barbara Ritter, Bryan Ritter, Dave Bruner, Dusty Drake, Lindsey Watts, Chrystal Cowan, Frank Adamson, and Clayton Miller, and representing the press, Jason Silvers, Fort Scott Tribune.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Recognition of Veteran’s Day Weekend – Peerless Products, Boiler Room Brewhaus, VFW Post #1165, Live Local BB, American Legion Post #25, Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, Community Christian Church, Bill Hall, Carl and Myra Jowers, and Wayne, Dee, & Barrett Young. – Larry Gazaway and Mayor Mitchell recognized the above individuals and groups with a Certificate of Recognition for their assistance in the 1st Annual Veteran’s Day Weekend celebration event.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of November 6th, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1227-A totaling $277,010.59.

  1. Christmas Parade Permit Form- December 4th, 2018.

Bartelsmeyer moved the Consent Agenda. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.

APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: Diana Mitchell, Closure of Gunn Park – Christmas in the Park – December 1st, 2018 – 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Diana Mitchell appeared before the Commission to request that Gunn Park be closed to the public on Friday, November 30th, and Saturday December 1st, 2018 to allow the Christmas in the Park event. People will be bused in from various parking lots and taken through the park. Shelter #5 will have chili and Santa will be present also for the children. Their group will provide security on Friday night and Saturday for this event.

Parker moved to approve the Christmas in the Park event and close Gunn Park to the public on Friday, November 30th and Saturday, December 1st, 2018. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO CLOSE GUNN PARK TO THE PUBLIC ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH, AND SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1ST TO HOLD THE CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK EVENT.

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute

limit per citizen) – None

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS:

Mitchell moved to open the Public Hearing at 6:19 p.m. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

OPENED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:19 P.M.

6:15 p.m. Resolution directing the repair or removal of an unsafe and dangerous structure located at 14 S. Margrave Street – Rhonda Dunn, Finance/Codes Director, informed the Commission that this structure has been on the Codes list since 2009. There has been no response from the property owner. She shared photos with the Commission of this dilapidated structure. There have been no utilities to this structure since 2015 and it is unoccupied. She recommended a time frame of ten days to either repair or remove this structure.

Mitchell moved to approve Resolution 45-2018 directing the repair or removal of this structure by December 3rd, 2018. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 45-2018 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 14 S. MARGRAVE STREET. STRUCTURE MUST BE BROUGHT UP TO 2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE BY DECEMBER 3rd, 2018 OR DEMOLITION PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN.

Mitchell moved to close the Public Hearing at 6:21 p.m. Bartlesmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:21 P.M.

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Update on 523 S. Main Street – Rhonda Dunn, Finance/Codes Director, informed the Commission that she drove by this property today and no progress has been made since the last time this was on the Commission agenda. She will issue a citation to the McKenney family to appear in Municipal Court and keep issuing citations until progress begins. She does not want to condemn or tear this structure down.

  1. Consideration of change of zoning from M-U (Mixed Use) to CBD (Central Business District) for the property at 19 S. Hill Street – Approval of Ordinance No. 3541 – Rhonda Dunn, Finance/Codes Director, informed the Commission that the Planning Commission met on October 29th, 2018 to hear this case. Mr. Durossette plans to put in a four-bay auto mechanic shop. It will be a 30’ X 60’ metal building with four doors and an office area and would face Wall Street. The zoning needs to be changed from Mixed Use to Central Business District to allow this business.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the zoning change from Mixed Use to Central Business District for the property at 19 S. Hill Street and approve Ordinance No. 3541. Mitchell seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 3541 CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATIONS OR DISTRICTS OF CERTAIN LANDS LOCATED IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS, UNDER THE AUTHORITY GRANTED BY K.S.A. 1973, SUPP. 12-708 – CHANGE OF ZONING FROM MIXED USE (M-U) TO CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (CBD) FOR THE PROPERTY AT 19 S. HILL STREET.

  1. Consideration of a Conditional Use Permit to operate an automotive mechanic shop at Lots 1, 3, 5, 7, & 9, Block 82, Fort Scott Addition, more commonly known as 19 S. Hill – Rhonda Dunn, Finance/Codes Director, informed the Commission that the Planning Commission also approved at their October 29th, 2018 meeting that a Conditional Use Permit be given to allow the operation of an automotive shop at 19 S. Hill. Under the Central Business District, it is not an allowable use.

Parker moved to approve the Conditional Use Permit for the property at 19 S. Hill Street to operate an automotive shop. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE PROPERTY AT 19 S. HILL STREET TO OPERATE AN AUTOMOTIVE SHOP.

  1. Consideration of adoption of 2018 Comprehensive Plan Ordinance No. 3542 – Rhonda Dunn, Finance/Codes Director, informed the Commission that the Planning Commission held a public hearing on October 29th, 2018 to recommend the approval of the 2018 Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Parker and Commissioner Nichols both assisted in reviewing this plan. The Planning Commission approved the recommendations made by the City Commission.

There were no comments from the audience.

Commissioners thanked the Planning Commission for all their hard work on this plan.

Nichols moved to approve Ordinance No. 3542 approving the 2018 Comprehensive Plan. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 3542 ADOPTING THE 2018 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS; INCORPORATING SUCH PLAN BY REFERENCE PURSUANT TO K.S.A. 12-741 ET SEQ,. K.S.A. 12-3009:3012 AND K.S.A. 12-3301:3302.

  1. Consideration of appointment of Edna Erie as resident commissioner to replace Vickie Morgan – Fort Scott Housing Authority Board – Diane Clay, City Clerk, informed the Commission that she was notified by Patty Simpson, Executive Director of the Fort Scott Housing Authority, that Vickie Morgan, the resident commissioner on the board of commissioners has resigned. The Housing Authority requested the approval of Edna Erie to fill her vacancy which would expire on May 3, 2020.

Parker moved to approve the appointment of Edna Erie as the Resident Commissioner on the Fort Scott Housing Authority. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF EDNA ERIE AS THE RESIDENT COMMISSIONER ON THE FORT SCOTT HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WITH THE TERM EXPIRING ON MAY 3, 2020.

  1. Consideration of purchase of two additional VFD’s in the high service pump station – Water Production – Michael Mix, Public Utility Director, informed the Commission that he wishes to install VFD’s for each of his three pumps. This will increase reliability and redundancy for this critical station. He received a quote from Brock Electric in the amount of $9,354.50. Approval was recommended.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the quote from Brock Electric in the amount of $9,354.50 for the installation of the VFD’s. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED QUOTE FROM BROCK ELECTRIC IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,354.50 FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THE VFD’S FOR THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT.

COMMISSION/STAFF:

  1. Director Updates:

Ambulance Update – Dave Bruner – Dave gave the Commission an update on the new Bourbon County Emergency Medical Service ambulance. There was a meeting held this morning with the Bourbon County Commissioners. The contract is done and the budget is completed. This will go before the Bourbon County Commission for approval on December 4th, 2018 and the City Commission on the same date. He thanked Rhonda Dunn, Robert Uhler, Kristi Keating, Jody Hoener, and Deb Needleman for their assistance with the contract and the budget.

Health Care Update – Rachel Pruitt – Rachel updated the Commission on progress on health care in our community. She reminded the Commission of the three primary principals the City is looking at: Primary Care; EMS/Ambulance, and ER. She said that the City is welcoming CHC/SEK into our community to cover the primary care services. In regards to ER, discussions continue with Via Christi. She said that they have not committed, but have not declined. She stated that it has been 50 days since the announcement for Mercy which allocates to 34 working days. There are 40 days left until the hospital closes. The City has left no stone unturned. The City needs to look at the future of the hospital facility itself also. During the first week of November, a very good meeting was held with Mercy officials from Springfield, St. Louis, and Joplin to discuss the fate of the hospital and the facility. The City received positive feedback from Mercy and was told they would work with the City and any other interested providers. There was also another recent meeting held with a firm that offers health care consultations. There are more meetings scheduled next week and the City is very focused on the next 40 days and continuing health care in this community.

B. City Commission:

Adamson Nothing to report.

Nichols Commented that Rachel’s comments are spot on. He has been included in several meetings and the City is working for this community. He feels good about it.

Parker – Thanked the whole team working on health care for our community. There has been lots of time, effort, and listening for the best needs of our community.

Bartelsmeyer Echoed Commissioner Parker’s comments.

Mitchell Thanked the whole team and said she appreciates all they have done.

C. City Attorney: Not present.

  1. City Manager:

  1. Health Care – Dave said that a citizen stopped him at the store and asked how he ran the City while trying to find health care for the community. He thanked the other directors who have stepped up and helped other departments. It is a team effort and he feels confident we will have health care here.

  1. Employee Christmas Dinner – Dave informed the Commission that the City Employee Christmas dinner will be held on Tuesday, December 11th, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. at Buck Run Community Center. He invited all to attend.

  1. City Crews – Dave thanked the City crews who worked to treat icy streets after the recent winter storm. He also thanked Bill Lemke and the Water Distribution crews who worked a large water main break in the Industrial Park and worked all night. The next day another break occurred and some of the same employees were called out to work that break also. He thanked them for their hard work.

  1. Wished all a Happy Thanksgiving!

ADJOURNMENT:

Parker moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:41 p.m. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 6:41 P.M.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on December 4th, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.

RECORDED BY:

____________________

DIANE K. CLAY

CITY CLERK

Fort Scott City Commission Agenda For Dec. 4

                                                                   AGENDA

FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

FORT SCOTT CITY HALL

COMMISSION ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN

DECEMBER 4, 2018

4:00 P.M.

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER NICHOLS PARKER MITCHELL

II. FLAG SALUTE

III. INVOCATION: Associate Pastor Brian Rhoades, Grace Baptist Tabernacle

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of November 20th, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1228-A totaling $420,838.57.

VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: None

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS: None

VIII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration of Resolution No. 46-2018 authorizing the financing for the City’s water intake project

  1. Consideration of Resolution No. 47-2018 authorizing the Redemption and Payment of the Taxable Industrial Revenue Bonds for Price Chopper and the sale of the property to Super Market Developers, Inc.

  1. Consideration to set Budget Amendment Hearing date for December 18th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

  1. Consideration of Kansas Gas Service Franchise Ordinance No. 3543

  1. Consideration of consolidation of natural gas billing to Constellation Energy Resources to include Memorial Hall and the Public Works building in addition to the Airport

  1. Consideration to waive the bid process for the repair/restoration of the rock retaining wall north of 206 N. National and approve the low quote from Midland Restoration Company

  1. Approval of Bourbon County Emergency Medical Service Agreement between the City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County

  1. Approval of Christmas bonus for City employees

  1. Approval of Salary Ordinance No. 3544

  1. Consideration to approve Work Order #7 – Revision of Airport Layout Plan – Olsson Associates

IX. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates: Rachel Pruitt – Airport Update

Ambulance Update:

Health Care Update:

  1. Commission:
  1. City Attorney:
  1. City Manager:

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE

SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO

(see below justification)

DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE

EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN

MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.

Justifications for Executive Sessions:

  • Personnel matters of non-elected personnel

  • Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

  • Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency

  • Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

  • Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

Obituary of Barbara George

Barbara Irene Davis George was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on November 29, 2018.

She was born on April 20, 1944 in Ft. Scott, Kansas. Barbara graduated high school from Uniontown, KS.

She married the love of her life, Leslie “David” George on June 3, 1962.

She loved caring for her family and friends. Her favorite thing was being a grandma.

Barbara and her family lived in Bartlesville for 28 years. She was a homemaker as her girls were growing up which allowed her to care for a few children in her home. Once they moved back to Fort Scott, she loved her job as a housekeeper for Mercy Hospital.

She is survived by her husband, David of Uniontown, KS; daughter Debra Thomas and husband Chad of Bartlesville, Ok; daughter Susan Dunkleberger and husband Scott of Edmond, OK; 3 granddaughters, Emily, Megan and Sydney and 3 grandsons, Davis, Tyler and Noah; sister Wanda Harlan of Bonesteel, SD, brother Ralph Davis and wife Peggy of Fort Scott, Kansas; sister Lula Mae Allison and husband Clarence of Belle Plaine, KS; many in-laws, nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.

She is preceded in death by her parents Wilbur and Mabel Davis of Fort Scott, Kansas; infant brother Ronnie; and brother Robert “Bob“ Davis of Enid, Oklahoma.

Rev. Ed Sneed will conduct funeral services 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 3, 2018, at the First Church of God in Fort Scott under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The visitation is 6:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday, December 2, 2018, at the funeral home.

Following cremation, burial will take place at the Fort Scott National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to First Church of God and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Photo With Santa This Weekend

Your American Legion Santa Claus will once again be at the Fort Scott Wal-Mart for “Photos With Santa” this weekend.
There is no cost for a “Photo With Santa,” however, a donation for American Legion children and youth programs are appreciated.
His hours are:
Friday. 4 – 8 pm.
Saturday. 10 am – 2 pm.
Sunday. 1 – 5 pm.
The American Legion Santa Claus is for children of all ages. Last weekend, he was photographed with a two week old baby and a Viet Nam Vet stopped by as well for a photo op.
Please let family and friends know about “Photos With Santa”
Carl Jowers. Commander
Fort Scott American Legion Post 25

Mercy Home Health and Hospice Transitions to Integrity

A photo of the Mercy Home Health and Hospice which is transitioning to Integrity Home Care and Hospice. Back Row: Kathy Stienbarger: RN, Rebecca Davied: Home Health and Hospice Director, LaShawn Noel: MSW, Dr Maxwell Self: Medical Director, Kyli Gates: RN Manager, Kerry Wunderly: RN, Joanna Gauthier: Accounts Coordinator. Middle Row: Albert Sacbibit: PT, Ashley Shelton: RN, Kelli Jones: RN, Chris Comstock: Admin Assistant, Trista Smith: Aide, David Goodyear: RN, Dreia Judson: Aide, Hugo Dahlstrom: OT. Front Row: Darcy Bukowski: RN, Tabitha Stults: Community Relations, Cindy Remlinger: Aide. Absent From Picture: Melissa George: Chaplin, Sandy Smith: Admin Assistant, Alice Helton: RN, Bob Meredith: PT, Brenda Baily: RN, Holly Schnichels: RN, Tori Stewart: COTA, Deanna Warner: RN, Shannon Nash: RN, Bill Rice: PT.

 

Mercy Home  Health and Hospice hosted the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee on Nov. 29.

Tabitha Stults, community relations with MHHH, spoke to the attendees at the coffee.

Stults said the Memorial Patio in Riverside Park, which was begun October 2017 was finished this month.

The area is in memory of those people served by hospice since 2012, when Mercy began its hospice service to the community.

Becky Davied, director of Mercy’s home health said that the home health department was started in 1974.

Mercy Home Health and Hospice will have a name change to Integrity Home Care + Hospice following the closure of Mercy Hospital on Dec. 31, 2018. Integrity is based in Springfield, MO.

Integrity’s Machelle Gillhous will assume the title of director of community engagement, following the merger.

“She won’t be in Fort Scott,” Stults said. “She is the director of community engagement for all of Integrity, she will be my direct supervisor.”

Between Jan.1 and March when Integrity takes over,  the staff will remain as Mercy employees as they go through the merger, Stults,  said.

“We will have the same staff and continue to provide the same services,” Davied said.

” We will continue to provide all of our traditional services that we do now,” Stults said.

Mercy Home Health and Hospice is located at 902 S. Horton in the Mercy Medical Plaza.   The phone number is 620-223-8090.

The services provided are:

For Home Health:

Skilled Nursing: Wound Care, IV Therapy, Disease Management, Palliative Care, Medication Management, Blood Draws, Infant and Pediatric Care, Patient and Family Education, 24 Hour on-call services.

Physical Therapy: Assessment, Evaluate, and Treatment

Occupational Therapy: Assessment, Evaluate, and treatment.

Home Health Aide Services: Bathing, hair care, skin care.

Social Work Services: short-term counseling and community resource education.

Chaplain Services: Spiritual support and resource education.

 

For Hospice:

Skilled Nursing: 24/7 on-call skilled nursing services, comfort care, pain management, patient and family education, durable medical equipment coordination, medication management   Services are available where ever the patient lives: a home or apartment, nursing home, assisted living facility, Independent care facility or hospital

Social Work Services: short-term counseling and community resource education.

Volunteer Services: Volunteers to read and visit with patients or allow caregivers a break.

Chaplain Services: Spiritual support and resource education

Bereavement Services:  Family and caregiver support for 1 year following the loss of a loved one.

Home Health Aid Services: Bathing, hair care, skin care, light housekeeping, patient and family support.

 

Update On Health Care In Fort Scott By Krista Postai

Mercy Hospital Fort Scott announced Oct. 1 that it would close on Dec. 31, 2018.

The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Pittsburg, will then assume operations for the main clinic and convenient care at the former Mercy Hospital site.

Krista Postai, CEO of  Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas answered the following questions from fortscott.biz

 

What is in concrete at this point?

“Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas will assume operations of the Mercy clinics in Pleasanton and Arma on January 1.

We will also transition the Mound City Clinic, now under the management of Olathe Health System, on January 1.

CHC/SEK will assume operations for Mercy’s Convenient Care and their main clinic in the hospital on February 1.

Hours of operation for all these sites will remain the same.”

 

Who will be the administration team that will be on site on Jan. 1 at Mercy Fort Scott?

“Administrative offices for CHC/SEK are based in Pittsburg where we originally started.

All of our clinics – and we currently have 11 through southeast Kansas serving 50,000 patients – have a local practice manager on site that oversees daily operations. We have hired one for the Bourbon County Clinics and one for the Linn County clinics.

So “administration” for us is defined as these six people – CEO Krista Postai, Senior Vice President Jason Wesco, CFO Douglas Stuckey, Chief Clinical Officer Linda Bean, VP/Human Resources Megan Fry and General Counsel Daniel Creitz – and they work out of a System Office at 3015 N. Michigan.

We also have management staff including a Director of School Health, Director of Operations, Pharmacy Director, Dental Director, Director of Behavioral Health, IT Director, Billing Director, etc. who provide support for all of our clinics and staff…they are located at various sites throughout the area and travel from clinic to clinic to oversee programs.”

“Amy Budy will be our Practice Manager.”

 

 

Which doctors have signed on to stay at this point?

“I’ve attached the picture we took yesterday of the staff at the main clinic in Ft. Scott who we will employ beginning Feb. 1.

This includes the physicians we have hired – Dr. Burke, Dr. Seals, Dr. Self and Dr. Gugnani. We have also hired Dr. Allen from Mound City who will cover both Mound City and Pleasanton clinics. We do not anticipate hiring any additional physicians.”

Dr. Burke, Dr. Seals, APRN Amanda Stice, Dr. Self, APRN Kristine O’Dell, APRN Pam Moyers, Dr. Gugnani and APRN Mary Beth Newkirk. Kristine O’Dell is working in Convenient Care; the others at the main clinic in Fort Scott. Not pictured are APRN Bobbi Jo Thornton, and APRN Emily Bolinger who will be working at Convenient Care.

What services will you provide?

“We will continue to provide the services that have been offered by the clinics in the past.

Convenient Care will change its name to Walk-In Care – the hours and services will be the same.

At the main clinic, the same services will also be offered – primary medical care including obstetrics, lab, x-ray, immunizations, etc.

For most people, the only change they will notice will be the name on the building.

We also plan to continue to offer mammograms and provide space for specialists including the Cancer Center of Kansas.

We will also assume operations of the retail pharmacy next to the hospital clinic.

Once we make the transition, we’ll start looking at the addition of other services including behavioral health, addiction treatment and, eventually, dental care as we offer at many of our other clinics.

In the meantime, anyone needing these services will be referred to the closest clinic and, if needed, transportation provided.”

 

You said services fees will be income-based?

“All of our services are provided regardless of an individual’s ability to pay. We accept Medicare, Medicaid and all private insurances.

For those with incomes at 200% or below the federal poverty level, services are discounted. For example, a family of four with an annual income of $25,100 or below would pay $15 for a medical visit including lab and x-ray.

Special financial assistance paperwork must be completed annually and documentation of income provided and those with/or without insurance may apply.

For those with insurance, the discount is applied to the amount they owe after insurance pays.  Also, for those on Medicare, the deductible is waived per federal requirements. For the financial assistance forms, go to our web page…www.chcsek.org

 

 

Will and Christina by Patty LaRoche

Maybe you could strain your stuffing.”

The stuffing recipe was new, a five-star dish, loaded with sausage, bacon and mushrooms. The photo-shopped picture—with precisely placed red peppers and browned bread chunks– was my Thanksgiving experiment for this year, the year when I needed to impress.

I knew what had gone wrong. I had become distracted when the recipe called for 4 cups of water, and since I was halving-again the ingredients, six were necessary. But had I already poured in four…or six? How was I to know? The bread had soaked up all of the water, so there was no way to dump it out and remeasure. I stood by my Dutch oven, staring, waiting for the brain cells to engage. Four cups or six cups, that was the question. Unfortunately, that was also the answer. I added two more cups, rationalizing that moist stuffing is better than dry. It isn’t.

That wasn’t the only mistake. Dave and I were half-way to our son’s family’s house for dinner when I realized I had left my salad’s apple/parsley garnish at home. My lovely apple-lemon-cranberry jello dish would be naked, and since my stuffing had required additional baking time, there was no time to turn around and retrieve it, especially since I needed to run by the grocery store to pick up one of those cheater brown gravy mixes because I had only enough turkey drippings to make gravy for two small children. I would supplement and hope no one noticed. In the end, my lack of jello garnish didn’t matter anyway because I got distracted (are you seeing a pattern here?) and forgot to add my lovely apple-lemon-cranberry dish to the buffet spread until after everyone had eaten.

I had wanted my contribution to be perfect. Our son’s lifelong friend, Will, and his wife, Christina, were visiting from New York. Will owns the #1 restaurant in the WORLD, and Christina owns 15 pastry shops scattered across the country. If you watch the television show Master Chef, you will recognize her as one of the judges. But here I was, straining my gourmet turkey stuffing (aka, mush) while Christina noticed my faux gravy mixes and offered to whisk away. It was she who sweetly suggested the stuffing could serve as a fancy gravy for the potatoes that I surprisingly had not ruined, probably thanks to two sticks of butter, one of cream cheese and overkill on half-and-half, facts I would not share, considering Will and Christina eat only healthy food.

In the end, the young couple raved about the meal, finding nothing but positives in my negatives. Here they were, two perfectionists in the food industry, and they were determined to make me feel unembarrassed. Christina even commented on how many mistakes are made in preparing pastries and that it’s how you correct the problems that makes the difference. I have no doubt their upbeat attitude contributes to their restaurant success.

Ephesians 4:29 addresses the way we talk to others: “No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.” Let’s face it. We are either an encourager or a discourager. I have been both. As a wife, a parent, a teacher, a committee member. And I can honestly tell you, looking for ways to build someone up is far more effective than tearing them down. Christina modeled that for me on Thanksgiving Day. She saw nothing but good in my efforts.

I expect that any day I should get her invitation to appear on Master Chef.

Yes indeed, any day.

Obituary for Harold Eugene Roosa, Jr.

Harold Eugene Roosa, Jr.

Harold Eugene Roosa, Jr., age 86, a resident of Paola, Kansas, passed away Thursday, November 22, 2018, at the North Point Skilled Nursing Center in Paola.

He was born August 14, 1932, in Dublin, Indiana, the son of Harold E. Roosa and Edna J. Mochel Roosa.

Harold served with the United States Army from 1952 to 1955 where he was stationed in Germany.

Following his military service, he married Juanita May Piper on June 24, 1961, at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Harold had worked for many years as a truck driver for various trucking companies throughout the Mid-West.

He had made his home in Hemet, California for several years prior to moving to Paola after the death of his wife.

Harold enjoyed flying and golfing as well as playing billiards. He and his wife, also enjoyed traveling and had taken a number of trips including, Alaska, Panama, Europe and the Holy Land.

 He was a member of the Grace Missionary Baptist Church in Hemet, California.

Survivors include his daughter, Hayley Evans and husband, Norman, of Paola, Kansas and his, son, Hans Roosa of Hemet, California and his granddaughter, Lisa Evans-Malone and husband, John, also of Paola. Also surviving is a sister, Charlotte Hofmann and husband, Bob, of Richmond, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita, a son, Harold E. “Hal” Roosa, III, a brother, Arnie Roosa and a sister, Hazel Pugh.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services at 12:30 P.M. Wednesday, December 5th at the U. S. National Cemetery.

Military honors will be provided at the cemetery.

Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 12:15 P.M. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.