Monthly Archives: September 2019

Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Homecoming Candidates 2019

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Fort Scott High School Homecoming Candidates are announced and pictured as follows:
Front row, from left: Myah Chaplin and Asher Cook;
Middle row: Addy Labbe, Elizabeth Ngatia, Kenady Poyner, Zoe` Self, Mya Stewart;
Back Row:  Brody Bowles, Connor Fess, Keenan Guilfoyle, C. J. Horton, Caleb Watkins.
The Fort Scott High School Pep Assembly will be at  11:18 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 28.
The coronation will be at 6:30 pm ahead of the football game against Pittsburg High School on  Friday night.  The dance will follow the game until 11:30 p.m.
Submitted by Bert Lewis
Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Join 4-H in the Southwind District!

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Submitted by: Carla Nemecek, Director
4-H
National 4-H week is just around the corner, October 6-12, 2019 and you will have an extra opportunity to learn about 4-H through various media – including radio, newspaper and social media. Once you have been exposed to 4-H in the Southwind District, your family will likely be wanting more information on how or where to join.  In Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson Counties, there are a total of 21 4-H clubs to choose from! Usually these clubs meet once a month to plan activities and practice parliamentary procedure….but mostly they come together to have FUN!
Kansas 4-H is open to youth between the ages of 7 and 19. The new 4-H year starts in October, so many prefer to join 4-H during this month. To be eligible to exhibit at the County Fair, members must be enrolled by January 1 to get the full 4-H experience. 4-H enrollment, however, is open year round, so youth can join any time and take part in any non-competitive 4-H activity.
So often, community leaders and other volunteers hear from families that they don’t have the “time” to commit to 4-H.  This can be a hard statement to swallow when 4-H can have such an impact on all kids of all ages from all backgrounds of life.  Families can put in as little or as much time as they have available, and there are no set requirements kids have to meet to be a part of 4-H.  Record books are not a requirement, but an option.  They are done differently today than most parents remember and can be a great resource tool for High School seniors who then go on to apply for college scholarships.
4-H teaches skills that last a lifetime, and leadership is at the forefront. Other life skills include – a positive self-concept, an inquiring mind, concern for the community, healthy interpersonal relationships, and sound decision making. 4-H is more than a single game or activity. Your kids will learn to speak in front of a group, handle responsibility, help their community, try new things, work with others and make good decisions.
In this busy world, schedules often send family members in a variety of directions. 4-H can bring families together. 4-H families learn together. They plan meetings, events, projects and activities together. Family members help out as club leaders, project leaders, meeting helpers, transportation aides and in a variety of other ways. Parental involvement can help ensure the best learning experience for your child. Club participation, projects and friendships with other members become memorable parts of the 4-H Program. Equally important are the skills that last a lifetime. Successful adults often credit their experiences in 4-H as turning points in their lives.  They credit planning, organization and public speaking skills as essential to their success.
 As part of the 4-H experience, youth are encouraged to learn about and contribute to the betterment of their communities. 4-H also utilizes a variety of community resources to enhance the educational experience of members. Those resources may include meeting places, guest speakers, volunteers and field trips.
In 4-H, youth “learn by doing.” Much of that learning happens through project experiences. From beef to bicycles…electricity to entomology…forestry to food science…photography to plant science…rabbits to rockets…Kansas 4-H offers 32 project areas designed to develop the wide range of interests that appeal to today’s young people. In addition to subject-matter skills, many young people develop interests that last a lifetime.
If 4-H is something you or members of your family have been interested in, but have had reservations, give us a call at the Extension Office and we would be happy to talk to you or answer any questions you might have.  Find any of the Southwind District Offices at www.southwind.ksu.edu

 

Carla Nemecek
Southwind Extension District
Director & Agent
[email protected]
620-365-2242
1 North Washington, Iola, KS 66749

 

Obituary

Obituary of Lyle Leo Comstock

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Lyle Leo Comstock

Lyle Leo Comstock, age 96, resident of Redfield, KS, died Saturday, September 21, 2019, at his home surrounded by family.

He was born August 7, 1923, in Ft. Scott, KS, the son of Mack and Lena Edna Smith Comstock. He graduated from Ft. Scott High School with the class of 1940. He attended Ft. Scott Community College for two years and then the University of Missouri for one

year. Leo joined the Navy in January of 1943. He retired after 20 years of service as a Chief Petty Officer. Leo married Natalie Beatrice Post on August 20, 1945, in Kansas City, KS.

After his Navy service, Leo co-owned and operated the Nu-Grill from 1963-1968 with his brother Mack. He also raised cattle and worked for the post office. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was a member of Ft. Scott Masonic Lodge and the V.F.W.

Survivors include his wife of 74 years, Natalie; three sons, Gary Comstock and wife Dianne, Topeks, KS, Steven Comstock and wife Vicki, Alma, KS, and Rick Comstock and wife Chris, Ft. Scott; two daughters, Connie Thomas and husband Phil, Yukon, OK; and Judy Ditch, Topeka, KS; 19 grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and nine step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two granddaughters, Kristen Kam Thomas, and Michelle Stephanie Ditch; three brothers, Smith, Cecil and Mack Comstock; four sisters, Eunice Shubert Clark, Fannie Taylor, Margaret Middleton, and Thorea Jane Ramsey; and his parents.

Rev. Chub Bolling will conduct graveside services at 1:00 Friday, September 27, in the Uniontown Cemetery.

Military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 V.F. W.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 8:00 Thursday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to Integrity 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, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Sept. 24

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: September 24th, 2019

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

Review of 5 year Solid Waste Plan Update

Review of School Zone on Indian Road

9:45-10:00-Will Wallis-Diaster Debris Removal

10:00-10:30-Jody Hoener

11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks

11:45-12:00-Bobby Reed-Plumbing at Jail

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

Art, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Friday Night Free Concert: Thompson Trio

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Each Friday evening the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce features a musician or musicians at Heritage Park, at 1st and Main Street at 7 p.m.
“The featured band this Friday will be the Thompson Trio,” Ralph Carlson, event coordinator said. ” The group has been one of our favorites.  They will do a mix of big band , old standards and popular music.  It amazes me that they can do the music of these big bands with only three instruments.
  In the event of rain we will move into the common grounds coffee shop. Come early and bring lawn chairs as seating is limited.
Art, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Fort Scott Community College

Tickets On Sale For Gordon Parks Celebration Oct. 3-5

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RESERVE YOUR TICKETS NOW for special events at the
16th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Film The Learning Tree
October 3rd-5th at the
Gordon Parks Museum
RESERVE YOUR TICKETS NOW
for special events at the
16th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration! Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Film The Learning Tree
Karole Graham, Stephen Perry and S. Pearl Sharp, cast members in The Learning Tree film by Gordon Parks, will receive “Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons Award” at the annual celebration this October 3-5, 2019 in Fort Scott, Kansas. The celebration is in honor of Fort Scott Native Gordon Parks, noted photographer, writer, musician, and filmmaker. This year’s celebration is a special one as we will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the
Gordon Parks-directed film The Learning Treethat was filmed in Fort Scott.
The celebration events will take place at the Gordon Parks Museum, located at the Danny and Willa Ellis Fine Arts Museum at Fort Scott Community College,
2018 S. Horton St., in Fort Scott.
There are 3 special events during the celebration that require ticket reservations:
“A Night of Jazz”
“Picnic at the Park”
“Celebration Tribute Dinner”
SEE THE FULL SCHEDULE AND REGISTRATION FORM BELOW
(Tickets also available from the Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall St.)
For a printable copy of the event schedule and the registration sheet, clickHERE
For a printable copy of the
“Night of Jazz” flyer, click HERE
For a printable copy of the
photo contest flyer, click HERE
Questions? Call us at
620-223-2700, ext. 5850 or email: [email protected]
Art, Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College

The 2019 Gordon Parks Celebration to feature Jazz Singer Queen Bey

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Celebration, scheduled for October 3 – 5, 2019, at Fort Scott Community College, will feature Jazz Singer Queen Bey, Kansas City’s Ambassador of Jazz in a music performance at 7:00 p.m. at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on Friday, October 4th.

Ticket includes Heavy Hors d’oeuvres and a Cash Bar will be available.

Social Hour starts at 6:00 pm

This performance event was supported in part by the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

“We are very thrilled that we were able to bring Queen Bey back to Fort Scott once again through this grant,” said Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum Director.

Queen Bey’s wide repertoire of jazz and blues standards and innovative and often unknown songs are drawn from her first-hand experience working with the legends of jazz and blues.

Queen first began performing at the age of twelve years old and at the time met Billie Holiday. Jazz greats such as Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, and Ella Fitzgerald became her chaperones and her teachers

. Queen has performed with B.B. King, The Platters and jazz pianist Earl Garner.

In 1980, Ms. Bey received the Kansas Governor’s Arts Award and was one of the honorees at the 1991 induction of the Elder statesman of Kansas City’s Jazz, Inc.

She is officially recognized as Kansas City’s Ambassador of Jazz and 2016 was inducted to the American Jazz Walk of Fame.

Ms. Bey has acted on stage and television and in film, including Broadway musicals- Ain’t Misbavin, One Mo’ Time and Blues in the Night.

Tickets are $25 each. Please reserve you ticket by Wednesday, Oct 2, 2019.

Tickets available at the Gordon Parks Museum and Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

For more information about the Celebration, see the website at gordonparkscenter.org. or email [email protected] or by phone call 223-2700, ext. 5850.

Art, Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

The Story of Irena Sendler Explained to Children

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From left: Blair Felt, Cathy Werling, and Megan Felt sign  Mommy Who Was Irena Sendler? books Sept. 19.

Irena Sendler’s story is so inspiring and yet so very sad.

The Polish social worker smuggled Jewish children to safe places as the Jews were being annihilated by the Nazis in World War II.

The story was discovered by three Uniontown High School students 20 years ago and changed the lives of all involved.

Sept. 19 the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, one of the outshoots of that discovery of Sendler’s story, hosted a book signing.

The book is entitled Mommy Who Was Irena Sendler? by local children’s author Cathy Werling. It is a book that explains the story in a way children can understand.

The book depicts Megan Felt, who was one of the students who discovered Sendler, telling the heartbreaking story one woman’s courage, to her daughter Blair.

“I try to spark conversations,” Werling said. “My books are ones that parents read to their children and answer some of the questions.”

Mommy Who Was Irena Sendler? is the third children’s book in her series about humble heroes.

Werling believes that by sharing these stories, it helps children understand the power of one person to make a positive difference in the world around them.

 

A panel in the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes tells how Sendler smuggled out the children.
A panel in the Lowell Milken Center tells how the center came about.
To preserve Sendler’s legacy several books have been written, a Hallmark movie was made and her story is still being depicted in a short play performed around the world.
Kellye Barrows and Becky Tourtillot wait in line Sept. 19 to purchase the book Mommy Who Was Irena Sendler? Once purchased, books were then signed by the author, Cathy Werling and the characters depicted in the book, Megan Felt and her daughter, Blair.

The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes is located in downtown Fort Scott, Kansas at the corner of Wall and Main Street.

For more information:

620-223-1312, or view its Facebook page or the website

http://lowellmilkencenter.org

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Meeting Minutes of Sept. 3

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September 3, 2019                                                   Tuesday 9:00 am

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.

Tammy Helm with the Fort Scott Tribune and Nancy Van Etten were present for a portion of the meeting.

Jerad Heckman with Road & Bridge met with the Commissioners; Jeff discussed possibly making the 7 mile loop a shared road with bikes and adding signs.

Jerad said they are making chips at the Beth Quarry. He said they plan to start overlaying on 245th next week. They are mowing around the County.

Jerad said they are patching on 125th going south. Lynne asked that they do some patching west of Uniontown.

Lynne asked that it get cleaned up where the County did ditch work on 115th going north off of 54 Hwy. Lynne reported that Osage west of 125th needs gravel. Lynne reported that the blacktop is sinking at 125th & Range on 125th.

Nick reported that 260th & Limestone to Locust needs rock.

Jeff said that Mr. Rourk reported a plugged concrete culvert on Fern Road.

Lynne discussed a grader that the County purchased 4 years ago to use for ditching; this grader had to instead be used for grading. The County is behind on ditching. Lynne said that Road & Bridge and the Road & Bridge Sales Tax fund has lost over $551,000 in funding since 2013.

Jerad reported that they will be installing culverts at Poplar and 235th. Nick asked Jerad to view a culvert & ditch going north on Condensory.

There was a brief discussion over the Landfill; the Landfill does not make any money. The Landfill will be discussed again next week.

Richard & Retha Clark met with the Commissioners; they reported that the gravel on Indian is rutting in areas. They also reported potholes from 215th to the Fort Scott Lake.

Nancy Van Etten, Richard & Retha Clark and Tom Graham discussed the Fort Scott Lake; last week Nancy gave the Commissioners older documents regarding consideration of a lot split made by Mel Cummings. There is a person that has been considering trying to split their lake lot into several lots to add condos. She said some of the City ordinances for the Lake have been repealed. Nancy said it appears that it is the City of Fort Scott’s responsibility to monitor if the lots are conforming to rules and ordinances. Lynne said there are no codes in the County (only septic tank regulations) and said the County can’t spot code. Nancy said there needs to be an understanding between the County and City regarding Fort Scott Lake. Justin Meeks said that a Home Owners Association is the best way to handle Fort Scott Lake issues. The Commissioners said if the County is zoned it would affect everyone in the County, not just the Fort Scott Lake. Tom Graham questioned if the sewer lines there could handle the additional sewage from the additional homes. Justin Meeks said the Commissioners are taking this area seriously. Nancy said they want to protect the Lake.

The Commissioners held the 2020 budget hearing; present for the hearing were Terry Sercer, Bill Martin, Ben Cole, Bobby Reed and Jody Hoener. Justin Meeks questioned if carryover money could be moved from a fund without publishing; Terry said if they had the budget authority they could, but the Commissioners would have to approve the transfers. The 2020 proposed budget has an estimated mill levy of 66.602, which is the actual tax rate from the 2019 budget. At 10:30, Jeff made a motion to approve the 2020 budget, Nick seconded and all approved and signed the budget.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Matt Quick). No action was taken.

Rachel Pruitt and Robert Uhler with the City of Fort Scott met with the Commissioners, Jody Hoener and Matt Quick regarding the proposed Property Tax Relief program. Lynne said that Appraiser Clint Anderson was not available for the meeting, but should have figures that they need regarding this program. Jeff Fischer said that they needed to identify properties that could benefit the program; he said he thought there could be a lot of people that could benefit from the program. Jeff said they needed to get an estimated cost impact of the program. Rachel said the IRB program has restrictions which creates the need for the Property Tax Relief Program. The Commissioners plan to discuss the program with Clint Anderson.

Justin Meeks presented the annual contract for Computer Information Concepts, with an annual rate of $54,635. Jeff made a motion to sign the contract, Nick seconded and all approved and Lynne signed the contract.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 5 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks and Kendell Mason). No action was taken.

Jeff made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 5 minute executive session personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

Jeff made a motion to give Lynne permission to sign a letter to the Fort Scott City Commissioners concerning an employee matter, Nick seconded and all approved, Lynne signed the letter and Kendell mailed it to each of the City Commissioners.

Lynne made a motion to allow Nick Ruhl to represent Bourbon County during the Fort Scott Community College centennial celebration, Jeff seconded and all approved.

At noon, Lynne made a motion to break for lunch and reconvene at 1:30, Jeff seconded and all approved.

Matt Crystal met with the Commissioners to discuss the County-wide NRP program; the Commissioners told him to meet with the Appraisers office.

Bourbon County Economic Development Jody Hoener met with the Commissioners; she discussed a possible local indoor sporting arena. The arena could possibly be economic development for Bourbon County.   If the arena was built it would be privately owned arena. Jody said the next step for the arena would be a feasibility study of the proposed arena; the study would show the market demand as well as the economic impact; Markin Consulting LLC, has agreed to do a feasibility study. Jody said this project could strengthen the local tax base. Jody said that two property owners have agreed to help fund the study, but asked if the Commissioners would vote to support up to $23,000 for the financing of the feasibility study. Jody said the arena could be a Starbond project. The groups surveyed for the study will be equestrian and livestock groups, consumer and trade show promoters, agriculture groups and organizations, rodeo, concert circus, motorsports, and other sports and spectator and entertainment promoters, local businesses and service organizations, educational schools and organizations and others identified by the client and Markin consulting. Jeff questioned if there were any grant funds available for the study. Jody said she thought the County could get a huge return for their investment. Jody said this is an investment into the future of Bourbon County. Jeff made a motion that Bourbon County Economic Development underwrites a feasibility study up to $23,000 for a Bourbon County event center, Nick seconded and all approved.

Jody Hoener discussed a tobacco free workplace policy for Bourbon County; she said the departments helped develop the policy and that it was a Workwell Kansas approved policy. She said if the Commissioners adopt and implement it then it would be part of the employee handbook. Jeff made a motion to adopt Resolution 21-19, a Tobacco Free Workplace Policy, Nick seconded and all approved.

Jeff made a motion to give Lynne permission to sign the Pathways grant application to receive $12,500 for worksite wellness, Nick seconded and all approved.

Jerad Heckman met with the Commissioners; he said that the 2nd Freightliner needs approximately $10,000-$12,000 in repairs. He said Jim Harris asked that the Commissioners re-visit the truck quotes. The Commissioners told Jerad to review the quotes they have to make sure they are still applicable, with financing for five years, with an extended warranty.

Kate Emmett-Sweetser met with the Commissioners to discuss Zebulon Pike, (Pikes Peak is named after Zebulon Pike). He was an Army officer on a military expedition who kept a journal of his trips, maintained a hand drawn map and he crossed into Bourbon County, Kansas on September 3, 1806. He spent the night in Bourbon County on September 3 and spent September 4th in Bourbon County before leaving to go to Nebraska. He was best known for this trip because of Pikes Peak. Kate felt that it was important for Bourbon County to recognize Zebulon Pike’s trip through Bourbon County. Jeff made a motion for Lynne to sign a proclamation declaring September 4th as “Zebulon Pike Day”, Nick seconded and all approved and Lynne signed the Proclamation. Kate Emmett-Sweetser also discussed the history of the Jefferson Highway. She discussed Laura Ingalls Wilder; in 1894, Laura spent the night between Mound City and Prescott and then came to Fort Scott and picked up mail here.

At 3:58, Lynne made a motion to adjourn, Nick seconded and all approved.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman

(ss) Jeff Fischer, Commissioner

(ss) Nick Ruhl, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk

09/10/2019, Approved Date

Art, Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College

Deadline For Gordon Parks Photography Contest Sept. 25

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The 2019 Gordon Parks Celebration to feature Photo Contest

Fort Scott-The Gordon Parks Celebration, scheduled for Oct 3- 5, 2019, at Fort Scott Community College, will feature a photo contest sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography and inspired by a quote by the Gordon Parks-directed film The Learning Tree.

The theme of the contest, “My Learning Tree, Life Lessons Learned” is for any amateur photographer. Photographers are invited to capture the essence of this metaphor from Mr. Park’s film.

Non-professional photographers of any age and skill level are invited to take pictures for the project and may enter up to two photos. There will be a first place ($100), second place ($75) and third place ($50) prize and up to five honorable mentions. All photos submitted will be on exhibit during the 16th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration on Oct. 3 – 5, 2019. All photos will also be posted on the Museum Facebook page.

Photographs must be submitted via e-mail to [email protected]. All photos must be JPEG in format and limit file size to less than 2 MB. All entries will be confirmed via email. Photographers should submit (in their email) a title, along with their name, address, email, and phone number. If under 10 years old please include parent’s information. Photos should be received via email by Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at the latest.

For more information email [email protected] or by phone call 223-2700, ext. 5850.