Capture the Beauty of the Fall Season

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

If you haven’t taken the time to just stop and admire the fall beauty that is surrounding us, you are really missing out! The trees have been most striking to me this year, but I have also noticed some shrubs and even native grass species really showing off their fall colors. The city of Fort Scott has some of the prettiest maple trees that I have seen in the area.

Even though I can appreciate the change of season and its beauty, at the same time I’ll admit that fall can be a bit depressing for me as well. All but a few annual and perennial flowers are on their “last leg” so to speak. I’m sure I’m not alone in my feelings because for any plant lover it’s kind of a sad time of year. Mainly because now that fall is here, the once beautiful flower pots filled with flowers are bare and lonely looking.

But we really shouldn’t be sad because Mother Nature has just given us a different role and other things to admire! Fall produces some warm, spicy colors and plants produce some interesting seed heads, pots, nuts and berries. Some of these items found in the fall can be put use and add to your home’s outdoor décor.

For example, consider using a combination of living and harvested plant materials to extend the growing season well beyond nature’s deadline. Flower pots can be left out and filled with nature’s own plant material to make for a dramatic focal point throughout the winter months.

Plant containers can serve as an arrangement medium for holding sticks, stalks, stones and/or late-season fruits. All kinds of fall findings can bring additional textures to an arrangement. Examples include fall foliages, starkly bare branches, cattails, ornamental grass plumes, smooth-shelled nuts, evergreen cuttings, and flower-like seed heads. Mini pumpkins won’t last too long after freezing, but colorful gourds can sometimes last for months in an outdoor display.

Gardeners often forget that the frost-proof plants used to brighten early spring can also help create a fall display – in some years living on well into December. Pansies and ornamental kale, can be a striking contrast for autumn’s changing leaf colors and can remain attractive after the trees are bare.

As Christmas approaches, you can change out the pots and use some red-twigged dogwood branches, pine tips for the berries and evergreen cuttings. And if your imagination runs even more, you can light things up with a small spotlight or string of mini lights.

Containers need to be sealed or otherwise waterproof so they can survive the worst of winter’s freeze-thaw cycles. Sometimes the winters can crack or chip an urn made of concrete if it’s unsealed and gets wet. Check your pots to make certain they are sealed or waterproofed.

So before you store your pots away for the winter, be a little creative and scavenger around for some of Mother Nature’s finest pieces of work and let your imagination go to work!

 

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Vote Tuesday, Nov. 6

Voters took advantage of advance voting Monday morning at the Bourbon County Clerk’s Office.

All of the polling places will be open on Election Day from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm.  The polling places in Bourbon County are as follows:

 

CITY OF FORT SCOTT

1st Ward                  Community Christian Church

2nd Ward                 Grace Baptist Church

3rd Ward                 Grace Baptist Church

4th Ward                  Community Christian Church

5th Ward                  Community Christian Church

6th Ward                  Community Christian Church

7th Ward                  Grace Baptist Church

TOWNSHIPS

DRYWOOD               Grace Baptist Church

FRANKLIN               Mapleton Community Bldg

FREEDOM                Fulton Community Bldg

EAST MARION          Uniontown City Hall

WEST MARION         Bronson Community Bldg

MARMATON             Redfield City Hall

MILLCREEK              Redfield City Hall

OSAGE                Fulton Community Bldg

PAWNEE                  Redfield City Hall

NORTH SCOTT        Community Christian Church

SOUTH SCOTT         Grace Baptist Church

TIMBERHILL             Mapleton Community Bldg

WALNUT                 Uniontown City Hall

 

The following question is on the ballot for the Nov. 6, 2018 general election.

Shall the following be adopted?

Shall sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink in Bourbon County be allowed in public places without a requirement that any portion of their gross receipts be from the sales of food.

Vote yes or no.

Here is the current map of Kansas that shows the counties stand on this issue.

 

Contests on the ballot are the 2nd District U.S. House of Representatives, the Kansas State offices of governor/lt. governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state treasurer, commissioner of insurance, 13th district state senator, 4th district house of representative, district 9 state board of education, district 1 Bourbon County Commissioner, Bourbon County Treasurer, Bourbon County Attorney, judges for the court of appeals, and district 6 court judge.

 

 

 

                

Beacon Sign-Ups This Week

The Beacon is doing signups this week at Community Christian Church for Beacon Cards, Adopt-a-Child, and Elk Christmas baskets.

In addition, the Beacon clients get to enter a raffle for the bicycles given away by the Rotary Club.

“We have a table for Head Start there, and a representative from MMA, an organization that helps once a month at the Beacon and other places, like the Wesley House in Pittsburg,” Carol MacArthur, president of the Beacon Board of Directors said. “The representative helps seniors with forms and signing up for Medicare, things like that.”

KDOT announces approved October bids For State Highways

 

 

The Kansas Department of Transportation announces approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects in Kansas. The letting took place Oct. 17 in Topeka. Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work.

Bourbon County was approved bids for highway maintenance from the Crawford/Bourbon county line north to the south U.S. 69/U.S. 54/K‑7, there will be an overlay of 16.3 miles. APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks. will be doing the work with a  $837,415.29 bid on the project.

 

District One — Northeast

 

Johnson ‑ 35‑46 KA‑4878‑01 ‑ Bridge #325 on I‑35 located 1.5 miles southwest of the Johnson county line, bridge deck, Comanche Construction Inc., Shawnee Mission, Ks., $179,909.55

 

Marshall ‑ 36‑58 KA‑5008‑01 – U.S. 36, beginning at the end of the 4-lane divided section east to the U.S. 36/K‑87 junction (excludes Marysville from 4th Street to 20th Street), milling and overlay, 18.4 miles, Hall Brothers Inc., Marysville, Ks., $2,345,467.50.

 

Riley ‑ 18‑81 KA‑4325‑01 ‑ K‑18, bridges #056 and #057 located 6.9 miles north of the K‑57/K‑18 junction, bridge repair, Louis-Company LLC, Lees Summit, Mo., $216,950.00.

 

District Two — North Central

 

Cloud ‑ 15 C‑4875‑01 – Bridge over West Creek, located on Republic Road located 1.0 mile west and 1.5 miles north of Hollis, bridge replacement, 0.2 mile, L & M Contractors Inc., Great Bend, Ks., $363,909.15.

 

Geary ‑ 70‑31 KA‑5143‑01 ‑ Pavement marking on I‑70, pavement marking, 26.5 miles, Innovative Marking Systems Inc., Bluffdale, Ut., $659,183.71.

 

Marion ‑ 168‑57 KA‑5064‑01 ‑ K‑168, from the U.S. 56/K‑168 junction north to the south city limits of Lehigh, milling and overlay, 0.5 mile, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $82,706.71.

 

Marion ‑ 56‑57 KA‑5070‑01 – U.S. 56, from 0.15 mile south of the U.S. 56/340th Street intersection north to 264 feet south of the Marion/Dickinson county line, concrete pavement, 3.1 miles, Emery Sapp & Sons Inc And Subsidiaries, Columbia, Mo., $3,883,355.95.

 

Marion ‑ 56‑57 KA‑5142‑01 ‑ Pavement marking on U.S. 56, pavement marking, 14.1 miles, Cillessen And Sons Inc., Kechi, Ks., $151,262.60.

 

McPherson ‑ 61‑59 KA‑5030‑01 ‑ K‑61, from the junction of the concrete pavement and asphalt pavement west of the south K‑153/K‑61 junction east to the K‑61/U.S. 81B junction, ultra thin bonded asphalt surfacing, 0.4 mile, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $86,834.53.

 

McPherson ‑ 81B1‑59 KA‑5031‑01 ‑ US‑81B, from the K‑61/U.S. 81B junction north to the U.S. 81B/I‑135 junction, ultra thin bonded asphalt surfacing, 2.6 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $613,831.55.

 

McPherson – 81B1‑59 KA‑5032‑01 – U.S. 81B, from the K‑61/U.S. 81B junction north to the south city limits of McPherson, milling and overlay, 1.4 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $143,992.96.

 

McPherson – 153S‑59 KA‑5062‑01 ‑ K‑153 Spur, from the K‑153S/K‑61 junction north to the north K‑153S/K‑153 junction, milling and overlay, 1.1 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $141,493.14.

 

McPherson ‑ 260‑59 KA‑5063‑01 ‑ K‑260, from the south I‑135/K‑260 junction west to the north to the north I‑135/K‑260 junction, milling and overlay, 3.6 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $347,245.60.

 

McPherson ‑ 153‑59 KA‑5065‑01 ‑ K‑153, from the K‑153/K‑61 north to the south city limits of McPherson, milling and overlay, 1.9 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $232,264.10.

 

McPherson ‑ 56‑59 KA‑5066‑01 ‑ U.S. 56, from the U.S. 56/RS 319 junction east to the McPherson/Marion county line, milling and overlay, 13.1 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $1,944,154.46.

 

Morris ‑ 56‑64 KA‑5101‑01 ‑ U.S. 56, from the east city limits of Council Grove east to 50 feet east of the Morris/Lyon county line, sealing, 6.5 miles, Circle C Paving and Construction LLC, Goddard, Ks., $211,267.91.

 

District Three — Northwest

 

Decatur ‑ 83‑20 KA‑4981‑01 ‑ U.S. 83, from approximately 148 feet north of the U.S. 36/U.S. 83 junction (north end of the Portland Cement Concrete Pavement at the U.S. 36/U.S. 83 junction) north 12.4 miles to the Kansas/Nebraska state line, recycle and overlay, 12.4 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $2,539,965.73.

 

Graham ‑ 24‑33 KA‑5018‑01 ‑ U.S. 24, from the Sheridan/Graham county line east to the east city limits of Hill City, sealing, 17.5 miles, Heft and Sons LLC, Greensburg, Ks., $618,791.40.

 

Graham ‑ 84‑33 KA‑5019‑01 ‑ K‑84, along the entire route, sealing, 0.9 mile, Heft and Sons LLC, Greensburg, Ks., $24,200.50.

 

Graham ‑ 85‑33 KA‑5020‑01 ‑ K‑85, along entire route, sealing, 0.8 mile, Heft and Sons LLC, Greensburg, Ks., $21,943.80.

 

Graham ‑ 18‑33 KA‑5024‑01 ‑ K‑18, from the U.S. 24/K‑18 junction southeast to the Rooks/Graham county line, milling and overlay, 6.0 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $739,627.68.

 

Rooks ‑ 183‑82 KA‑5021‑01 – U.S. 183, from 12th Street in Stockton north to the Rooks/Phillips county line, milling and overlay, 10.0 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $1,076,946.99.

 

Rooks ‑ 18‑82 KA‑5025‑01 ‑ K‑18, from the Rooks/Graham county line east to the U.S. 183/K‑18 junction, milling and overlay, 21.0 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $1,820,478.38.

 

Rooks ‑ 183‑82 KA‑5081‑01 ‑ U.S. 183, from the south city limits of Plainville north to County Road S, overlay, 5.7 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $619,727.13.

 

Rooks ‑ 18‑82 M‑0062‑01 ‑ K‑18, from the Rooks/Graham county line east to the U.S. 183/K‑18 junction, stockpile bituminous material, 21.0 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $5,200.00.

 

Thomas ‑ 70‑97 KA‑5120‑01 ‑ I‑70, from 0.473 mile west of K‑25 east to 0.377 mile east of Exit 62, milling and overlay, 9.8 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $5,431,048.91.

 

Thomas ‑ 70‑97 M‑0066‑01 ‑ I‑70, from 0.5 mile west of the I-70/K‑25 junction east to 0.4 mile east of Exit 62, stockpile bituminous material, 9.8 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $5,500.00.

 

Trego ‑ 70‑98 KA‑5121‑01 ‑ I‑70, from the Gove/Trego county line east to the west edge of the wearing surface at Exit 127, milling and overlay, 14.0 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $5,673,914.20.

 

District Four — Southeast

 

Bourbon ‑ 07‑6 KA‑5067‑01 ‑ K‑7, from the Crawford/Bourbon county line north to the south U.S. 69/U.S. 54/K‑7, overlay, 16.3 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $837,415.29.

 

Cherokee ‑ 11 C‑4882‑01 ‑ Bridge over Center Creek on SW 100th Street, located 0.4 mile north of Faulkner, bridge replacement, 0.1 mile, Mission Construction Co. Inc., St Paul, Ks., $298,044.00.

 

Crawford ‑ 07‑19 KA‑5068‑01 ‑ K‑7, from the north city limits of Girard north to the Crawford/Bourbon county line, overlay, 11.0 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $693,962.80.

 

Wilson ‑ 400‑103 KA‑5048‑01 ‑ U.S. 400, Wilson/Greenwood county line east to the K‑47 junction, pavement patching, 12.0 miles, R A Knapp Construction Inc., Lenexa, Ks., $1,044,373.58.

 

District Five — South Central

 

Cowley ‑ 166‑18 KA‑3106‑01 ‑ U.S. 166, Bridge #037 (over Arkansas River) on U.S. 166, located 4.9 miles east of the Cowley/Sumner county line, bridge replacement, A M Cohron & Son Inc., Atlantic, Ia., $6,368,389.77.

 

Harper ‑ 39 C‑4886‑01 ‑ Bridge over Spring Creek on Southwest 10th Road, located 1.0 mile south and 0.8 mile west of Anthony, bridge replacement, 0.2 mile, L & M Contractors Inc., Great Bend, Ks., $508,956.00.

 

Harper ‑ 179‑39 KA‑5049‑01 ‑ K‑179, from the Oklahoma/Kansas state line north to the south city limits of Anthony, milling and overlay, 11.1 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $988,669.50.

 

Harper ‑ 14‑39 KA‑5071‑01 ‑ K‑14, from the U.S. 160/K‑14 junction beginning at the west city limits of Harper north to the Kingman/Harper county line, milling     and overlay, 7.5 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $772,619.30.

 

Kingman ‑ 14‑48 KA‑5072‑01 ‑ K‑14, from the Kingman/Harper county line north to the K‑42/K‑14 junction, milling and overlay, 5.1 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $481,389.04.

 

Reno ‑ 61‑78 KA‑5033‑01 ‑ K‑61, beginning approximately 502 feet south of bridge #148 east to the west U.S. 50/K‑61 junction, milling and overlay, 9.2 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $1,734,694.28.

 

Sedgwick ‑ 235‑87 KA‑4954‑01 ‑ I-235, Overhead Sign Truss (Serial # 087S0254) on southbound I‑235 located between East Mac Arthur Road and South Broadway Avenue in Wichita, signing, Collins & Hermann Inc., Saint Louis, Mo., $117,328.18.

 

Sedgwick ‑ 15‑87 KA‑5144‑01 ‑ K-15, pavement marking on K‑15, pavement marking, 5.5 miles, Roadsafe Traffic Systems Inc., El Dorado, Ks., $256,734.83

 

Sumner ‑ 81‑96 KA‑4530‑02 ‑ U.S. 81, west bank of the Ninnescah River, adjacent to U.S. 81 located 1.4 miles north of the U.S. 81/K‑55 junction, special maintenance. Dondlinger & Sons Construction Co. Inc., Wichita, Ks., $879,046.25.

 

Sumner ‑ 81‑96 KA‑5069‑01 ‑ U.S. 81, from the Oklahoma/ Kansas state line north to mile marker 25 located approximately 2.5 miles north of RS-645, milling and overlay, 25.0 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $2,719,559.00.

 

District Six — Southwest

 

Finney ‑ 50‑28 KA‑5050‑01 ‑ U.S. 50, from the Finney/Kearny county line east approximately 4.9 miles, milling and overlay, 4.9 miles, Shilling Construction Co. Inc., Manhattan, Ks., $718,941.25.

 

Ford ‑ 283‑29 KA‑5051‑01 ‑ U.S. 283, from the U.S. 283/U.S. 50 junction north to the Hodgeman/Ford county line, milling and overlay, 9.4 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $1,509,191.09.

 

Ford ‑ 50‑29 KA‑5053‑01 ‑ U.S. 50, beginning at the end of the concrete just east of the west U.S. 56/U.S. 50/U.S. 283 junction east approximately 12.7 miles to existing header just east of Spearville, milling and overlay, 12.7 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $2,599,043.00.

 

Haskell ‑ 190‑41 KA‑5135‑01 ‑ K‑190, from the east city limits of Satanta east to the Haskell/Seward county line, heater scarification (no overlay), 3.8 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Ks., $287,446.94.

 

Seward ‑ 190‑88 KA‑5134‑01 ‑ K‑190, from the Haskell/Seward county line east to the U.S. 83/K‑190 junction, heater scarification (no overlay), 7.0 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Ks., $532,243.38.

Obituary of Arwin Shawn Vincent

Arwin Shawn “Junior” Vincent, age 1 year, 10 months and 26 days, was born December 7, 2016, in Cedar Park, Texas and went to be with Jesus, the angels, and into the sweet and loving arms of his great-grandparents, Duane Eldon and Virginia Mae Calhoun on Friday, November 2, 2018, in rural Ft. Scott, Kansas.
He is survived by his father, William Shawn Vincent, of Uniontown, Kansas and his mother, Celena Jo Vincent of rural Ft. Scott.  Also surviving are his brothers and sisters, Joshua Vincent, Allison “A.J.” Vincent, Angelina Tamez, Xavier Tamez and Alayna Tamez; his paternal grandparents, William Vincent of Elbow Lake, Minnesota and Jacque Scott, of Iola, Kansas and maternal grandparents, Shahn and Cindy Divorne, of Addy, Washington.
Our beautiful baby boy “Junior” was the sweetest, loving son who had a kind heart and a mischievous smile.  He was loved by all who knew him.  He was our ray of sunshine and the world seems a little less bright in his absence.
Rev. Jeff Cokely will conduct funeral services at 1:30 P.M. Thursday, November 8th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Wednesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Letter to the Editor: Carolyn Tucker

To Drink or Not to Drink

by Carolyn A. Tucker

Drinking alcohol is like playing Russian roulette. Sometimes you get by and sometimes you die. Everybody has their opinion about consuming alcoholic beverages, so we should see what God says about it.

“Wine has robbed my people of their understanding” (Hosea 4:11 NLT). That’s plain and simple, no commentary needed.

God was speaking in the Old Testament and said, “I chose some of your sons to be prophets and others to be Nazirites. Can you deny this, my people of Israel?” asks the Lord. “But you caused the Nazirites to sin by making them drink wine, and you commanded the prophets, ’Shut up!’” (Amos 2:11,12 NLT).

In the Bible, the Nazirites were set apart for God’s use and were not to drink wine. Today, Christians should desire to be sanctified (set apart) and dedicated to doing God’s work.

In another scripture, God says, “Suppose a prophet full of lies would say to you, ‘I’ll preach to you the joys of wine and alcohol!’ That’s just the kind of prophet you would like!” (Micah 2:11 NLT). That’s plain and simple, no commentary needed.

Now we should see what life says about drinking alcohol. My mother had twelve brothers and two of them had miserable lives as alcoholics. The obituary for H.R.J. stated “he departed this life following a long illness.” After brother E.A.J.’s death, his wife wrote in a letter to a family member, “I sympathize with drinkers. If Elmer had only realized how hard he made it on his girls he would have quit. I’m sure.” The autopsy report revealed that he died of pneumonia and cirrhosis of the liver.

Drinking alcohol is like playing Russian roulette. Sometimes you get by and sometimes you die. It isn’t worth the risk. Perhaps you say, “I can handle it.” But what about your children and grandchildren that you influence…can they handle it?

City Offices Closed Nov. 12

The City of Fort Scott offices will be closed on Monday, November 12th, 2018 in observance of Veterans Day. The regular offices will reopen on Tuesday, November 13th, 2018.

The City’s tree and brush dump site located on North Hill will also be closed on Saturday, November 10th, 2018 for the Veteran’s Day holiday. It will be open again on Tuesday, November 13th, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Kansas Businesses Enroll in Westar’s New Green Energy Program

Kansas wind resources provide affordable, green energy.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Nov. 5, 2018 – Westar’s new Renewables Direct program subscriptions reached about 90 percent with Kansas businesses and government agencies signing on for 200 megawatts of affordable Kansas wind.

Fourteen Kansas organizations enrolled in Renewables Direct and will receive all or a portion of their electricity from the Soldier Creek Wind Energy Center to be built in Nemaha County and will begin operations by the end of 2020.

“We commend these Kansas organizations for their commitment to sustainable energy solutions,” said Chuck Caisley, chief customer officer of Evergy, which operates as Westar Energy and KCP&L. “We haven’t even broken ground on the wind farm and enough customers have stepped forward to purchase most of the energy it will produce. Kansas is a national leader in wind with affordable resources that bring economic benefit both to the communities where it is produced and to the customers who value it as an affordable tool to meet sustainability goals.”

In July, Westar announced the new program, which is designed to provide large customers a path toward their sustainability goals with Kansas’ abundant, affordable renewable energy. Participating customers are able to claim a portion of the energy generated by the wind farm as their own, retain all of the renewable attributes and lock in a portion of their electricity prices for up to 20 years. The program is structured to add projects in the future to keep up with the growing appetite for renewable sources of our customers.

Customers signing up for the initial program introduction include: Ardent Mills, Newton and Wichita; Benedictine College, Atchison; Bunge Milling, Atchison and Emporia; Cargill, Cummings, Emporia, Hutchinson, Topeka and Wichita; Cox Communications, multiple Kansas locations; Evcon, Wichita; Kansas State University, Manhattan; Landoll Corp., Marysville; Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita; Sisters of Charity, Leavenworth; Textron Aviation, Independence and Wichita; University of Kansas, Lawrence; Veteran’s Affairs Medical Centers in Leavenworth, Topeka and Wichita; and Washburn University, Topeka.

The 300 MW Soldier Creek Wind Energy Center, which will be developed northeast of Manhattan, is expected to bring about 250 construction jobs and 15 to 20 permanent green energy jobs to Nemaha County. During the first 30 years of the project, landowners will receive more than $50 million in land-rights payments. The wind farm will be owned and operated by an affiliate of NextEra Energy Resources, Inc. Construction of the wind farm is scheduled to begin early 2019.

Chamber After Hours Event Nov. 13: Nate’s Place and Highway 3 are Hosts

Chamber to host After-hours Event at Nate’s Place, co-hosted by Highway 3

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to save the date for an After-hours event Tuesday, November 13th at Nate’s Place of the Lyons Twin Mansions, 750 S. National (at the corner of 8th and National) from 5:15 pm to 7 pm.

Chamber members Nate’s Place and Highway 3 are co-sponsors of the event which will be a fun evening of networking, drawings, and fun.

Nate’s Place will be unveiling their recent kitchen remodel and furnishing upgrades made possible in part by a Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthy Pathways grant.

Highway 3, owned by sisters Erin Vann and Trisha Newton, will be promoting their customized products available on www.shophighway3.com.

There will be a two-dollar admission for a Chamber half-and-half drawing.

For more information contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at www.fortscott.com or 620-223-3566.

Holiday Open House Nov. 8

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Announces the Holiday Open Houses will be held this Thursday, November 8th from 5 pm to 8 pm. Retailers in the downtown historic district and other locations throughout town will be open late for you to shop for gifts and holiday decor. Many of the locations will be offering drawings, festive treats and beverages for you to enjoy.
This will be a fun night of shopping local that you will not want to miss, as over 20 merchants offer ideas for Christmas decorating, gift-giving and stocking stuffers with unique finds. The Chamber of Commerce’s “Dolley The Trolley” will be giving rides to and from the different shopping locations so you can hop and shop!
Contact the Chamber for more information at (620)223-3566 or visit www.fortscott.com

Clothing and Food Resources For Those In Need

Feeding Families In His Name, a  free community dinner at First United Methodist Church,  is each Wednesday evening. Pictured is FUMC, located at Third and National Street. Courtesy photo.

The Bourbon County United Methodist Parish churches have been gathering coats and blankets to give away to those who need them.

West Liberty UMC led the drive and used Feeding Families In His Name as the distribution site for two weeks, according to Jean Tucker, coordinator for FFIHN. Linda Deere was the contact person for the drive.

“The Beacon brought us their donated coats and blankets, also,” Tucker said.

The Beacon, located at 525 E. 6th, Fort Scott.

” We helped them (Feeding Families In His Name) with a lot of coats,” Carol MacArthur, president of the Beacon Board, said.

The remaining coats, all adult sizes, have been donated to Gallilee Thrift Store, 605 S. National Avenue, for them to distribute for free to those who need coats.

The Beacon, a local helping agency, recently stopped taking donations of clothing and household goods, as of Oct. 31.

The Galilee Thrift Store, on National Avenue, south of Pete’s Conoco Convenience Store.

“Jane Lifer (owner of Galilee Thrift Store) said she would give them out and not sell them,” Tucker said. “Most are adult sizes 14,16,18.”
Children’s clothes were left in front of the Galilee Thrift Store to give away on Friday.

Additionally, Mother to Mother Ministry, 728 S. Heylman, has clothing to give away.

Food To Those In Need

Each Wednesday evening at the First United Methodist Church, located at Third and National Avenue,  a free community meal is served from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Entry to the church basement kitchen is on the Third Street side of the building.

This FFIHN ministry has been doing this since 2011 and feeds between 125-130 people a week.

“We allow seconds and to-go meals,” Tucker said. “Anybody and everybody is welcome.”

The Beacon provides food in the form of groceries to their clients and will continue to do so.

In addition, The Beacon helps in other ways.

 “We do feed families, and we do help them with funding for prescriptions, rent, and utilities,” MacArthur said.