Kayak by Patty LaRoche

As I write this, I am looking out my condo window at the ocean. This morning, all is peaceful. The tide is low, many early morning types are strolling the beach, picking up sea shells or just loosening their joints. The sea looks harmless. Maybe I will go for a swim. After all, this is my last day here. Tomorrow, Dave and I begin our trek home to Kansas. From there we will drive to Florida where he has taken a job for the next 12 months.

But I won’t go for a swim. Not after last night’s phone call from my youngest son, Andy.

First, a little background. He and his brother Jeff take a trip every year, and since Andy is getting married in two weeks, this would be their final one together. They, along with their friend Chris, chose Belize.

According to Andy, mid-afternoon the three rented a kayak to use as a sort of landing pad when they snorkeled. Before long, they realized the current had carried them further from their starting point, so they attempted to head back. No matter how hard they rowed or swam, the shoreline became increasingly distant. For over an hour they tried… to no avail.

Realizing it soon would be dark, Jeff and Andy decided to swim to shore for help. Chris, although a national Rugby player, was not a good swimmer, so he would stay on the kayak and wait for help. After twenty minutes of struggling against the current, my sons realized the futility in their efforts and returned to the kayak. Occasionally they would see a boat in the distance and would yell for help, but no one heard their screams. They prayed. Their fun excursion was turning out to be anything but.

Don’t panic.” “Remain calm.” “We rented this kayak, so someone has to know we haven’t returned and send help.” All great advice, but as night fell, they decided to make one last effort to make it to shore. Jeff threw his arm over the front of the kayak, Chris rowed, and Andy pushed from the end of the kayak, figuring their swim fins would help. They would go as long and as hard as they could…which lasted about fifteen minutes. Suddenly, a wave lifted them up and threw them onto a reef. Their goggles and one of the oars went flying as the kayak tipped, dumping them all onto the hard surface. Jeff’s leg was bleeding badly, and while they were tending to that, they noticed a boat’s light in the distance.

This time, their screams were heard. They were rescued and taken to shore where they were told that no kayak should have been rented that day. The tide was far too dangerous, and just the week before, two men dared the same type of current and never made it back. My sons and their friend had trusted a young man (wanting to make a few dollars) instead of investing a little time into Googling the sea condition for that day.

As a result, what started out looking harmless proved that accomplished athletes have no power compared to the ocean’s undercurrent. I told Andy that I hoped they realized how God had protected them that night. He assured me they did.

Many people I know have found that something “harmless” has led to their downfall. A tiny white lie. A bit of gossip. An angry word. A sneak peek at a porn site. A choice not to forgive. And suddenly, they are in over their heads in sin. They have depended on their own abilities to control those harmless temptations instead of taking the time–and making the effort– to find where their trust should be placed. Psalm 9:10 speaks to that perfect constant: “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

Just ask Andy, Jeff and Chris.

Obituary of Ada Maxine Burnett

Ada Maxine Burnett

Ada Maxine Burnett, age 92, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Wednesday, December 26, 2018, at Guest Home Estates.

She was born January 25, 1926, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Ernest Goddard and Ruby Hazel Evans Goddard.

Maxine graduated from Richards,  Missouri high school where she excelled at basketball.

She married Frederick Burnett, Sr. on October 16, 1944, in Ft. Scott. He preceded her in death.

Maxine retired from Key Industries after many years of service. She also took up babysitting and managed Acre U Storage for numerous years reaching past retirement at the age of 80.

She enjoyed bird watching, collecting Redbirds, jigsaw puzzles, word searches, quilting, and flower gardening. She would sew for anyone from measurements including no-scent fabric in hunting clothing and period clothing for Good O’l Days.

She was a very giving person, willing to help anyone in need. Maxine was a charter member of Westpark Church of the Nazarene. More recently she attended Community Christian Church.

Survivors include two sons, Fred Burnett and wife Janice, Greenfield, MO, and Tom Burnett and wife Norma Jean, Clinton, MO; a daughter, Marilyn McCutcheon, Ft. Scott; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 27 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Ruby Katherine Wunderly; a great-great-grandson; 8 siblings; and her parents.

Pastor Paul Martin will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Saturday, December 29th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 AM until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to Mercy Hospice and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County Is Moving Forward To Retain and Expand

Jody Hoenor, Bourbon County Economic Director.

Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoener is working on a strategic plan.

“The overall economic development goal is to increase the tax base and lower taxes,” Hoener said. “I’ve been looking at ways to increase the population, looking at strategic activities and programs.”

“I’ve been putting together a strategic plan for the county,” she said. “It’s a process though. I’ve had talks with business and community members.”

“We will partner with the Chamber of Commerce to complete a business retention and expansion survey,” she said.

She hopes to be able to engage and fit small, medium and large businesses in the strategic plan.

Bourbon County Collaboration To Replace Ambulance Service

Bourbon County residents were stunned when Mercy Hospital Fort Scott announced that they would be closing Dec. 31.

Since then Hoenor, along with other county and city officials, have been collaborating on the retention of an ambulance service to fill the void following the closure of the hospital.

The Bourbon County Emergency Medical Services ambulances will be stationed where they currently are: one station at the Fort Scott Fire Department downtown and one station at the Mercy location south of town, Hoenor said.  Mercy donated four ambulance trucks.

“The idea is and the current understanding is that the current employees (will keep their job),” she said.

Mercy will be running the EMS until April 1, when the branding and signage will change, Hoener said.

“It’s been pretty fast, everybody understands the strong urgency to it,” she said.

Hoener’s office is located in the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Avenue and  she can be reached at 620-223-3800 or mobile 620-215-5725 or www.bourboncountyks.org

 

 

Obituary of Mark Lynn McDaniel

Mark Lynn McDaniel

Mark Lynn McDaniel, age 51, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, December 23, 2018, at his home.

He was born December 28, 1966, in Ft. Scott, the son of Donald Lee McDaniel and Barbara Sue Wolfe McDaniel. He graduated from the Ft. Scott High School and later completed welding and truck driving courses at Ft. Scott Community College. He operated his own mechanic shop. He was an avid stock car racer and fan. He used his mechanical abilities to further his own racing career and was always willing to help his friends as well. He married Tammy Peacock on July 28, 2000, at Ft. Scott.

Survivors include his wife, Tammy, and his children, Derek Miner, of El Dorado Springs, Missouri, Brittani Ledbetter and Cody McDaniel, both of Springfield, Missouri and Kimberly Skaggs and Taylor Shook, both of Ft. Scott and nine grandchildren. Also surviving is his father, Don McDaniel, of Ft. Scott; three brothers, Randall McDaniel, of Carthage, Missouri, Rick McDaniel, of Ft. Scott and Ron McDaniel, of Pittsburg, Kansas and three sisters, Patricia Flanigan, of Carthage, and Jeanise Malone and Tanya Lockwood, both of Ft. Scott.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara McDaniel.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, December 29th at the Evergreen Cemetery.

Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 12:45 P.M.

Memorials are suggested to the Mark McDaniel Memorial Fund and may be left in 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.

Bourbon County Commission Agenda Dec. 27

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Date: December 27th, 2018

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

9:00-9:45-Jim Harris

10:00-11:00-2018 Budget Amendment Meeting

11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks

Executive Session-Privileged in the attorney-client relationship-15 min.

Ambulance-EMS CLIA Application

12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch

1:30-1:45-Liquor License

2:00-2:30-Bill Martin-Executive Session- Regarding Confidential Data-30 min.