Monthly Archives: October 2019

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Obituary of Tobiah Nighswonger

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Tobiah G. “Toby” Nighswonger, 45, of Fort Scott, passed away Sunday evening, October 27, 2019 at the Medicalodge Nursing Home. He was born September 19, 1974 in Fort Scott, Kansas the son of Thomas Henry and Glenda Frances (Painter) Nighswonger.

Toby graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1993. He graduated from the Police Academy in 2002. He was a Police Officer here in Fort Scott for 13 years, during which time he was a School Resource Officer for U.S.D. 234 and an advocate for the S.A.F.E. program at F.S.H.S. He was well known for his sense of humor and his love of the outdoors. He will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his wife, Nicole Pellett of the home, four sons, Michael Nighswonger and Alli of Fort Scott, Thomas Nighswonger and Brian Nighswonger both of Fort Scott, and Jacob Pellett of the home; two sisters, Vicky Nihiser and Lewis of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and Debby Myers of Fort Scott; and four brothers, Pete Nighswonger and Kristin of Lenexa, Kansas, Joe Nighswonger and Marcy of Osawatomie, Kansas, Kenny Nighswonger of Frontenac, Kansas and Chris Nighswonger of Springfield, Missouri, and his parents, of Fort Scott.

He was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Tim Myers.

The family would also like to recognize Jannah Farrington, as well as Wade and Julie Pellett as special caregivers throughout his illness.

Following Cremation, Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 1, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening, October 31, 2019 at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The family suggests Memorial Contributions to the Avalon Hospice, contributions may be sent to, or left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guest book at konantz-cheney.com.

Entertainment, Fort Scott National Historic Site

Candlelight Tour Tickets On Sale This Friday    

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Submitted photo.

 

Be an Active Part of History this Holiday Season

 

Fort Scott Kan. – Friday, November 1, 2019, tickets for Fort Scott National Historic Site’s 38th Annual Candlelight Tour go on sale. Tickets are available by calling the Fort at 620-223-0310 (with a major credit card) or by stopping by the Visitor Center on Old Fort Blvd. They are $8.00 per person and non-refundable, children 5 and under are free. It is recommended that you get your tickets early for your choice of tour times as this event frequently sells out.

The 38th Annual Candlelight Tour is December 6 and 7, 2019. Tours on December 6 will begin at 6:30 pm and leave every 15 minutes until 9 pm. On Saturday, December 7, the tours will start at 5 pm with the final tour leaving at 8:45 pm. Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park, present/pick up your ticket, and get oriented. Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and the terrain, as they will be outside and on sidewalks.

1,000 candle lanterns illuminate the site and 100 reenactors (including you) bring the fort to life. “This year’s tour will include the audience in the tour stops. It will feature six stops around the site beginning with enlistment and ending with reassignment or release from service,” said Betty Boyko, Superintendent, Fort Scott National Historic Site. “We encourage everyone to dress up (in modern or period clothes) and step back in time.” Take the tour under the identity of one of our own Fort Scott soldiers. Enlist in the U.S. Army stationed at the Fort; learn about their life on the frontier; the ups and downs of payday; celebrate the holidays 1840’s style; find out how much the officer’s wives appreciate all of your hard work; and after an memorable career, receive your discharge or reassignment stamp.  Keep your enlistment card to remember your journey through time.

Fort Scott was an active military post from 1842-1853, which was a time of rapid growth and change in the country.  As Fort Scott was being built, the nation grew west, expanding all the way to the Pacific Ocean. With this growth, Fort Scott changed, the mission of its soldiers changed, their experience changed, the environment changed, and the nation changed. Soldiers at Fort Scott lived their lives to the fullest despite the constant change.

From November 1-March 31, Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, will be open for its winter hours of operation.  The site exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8:30 am-4:30 pm. The park grounds are open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. For more information about Fort Scott National Historic Site programs or become involved in the candlelight tour, or other activities, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

 

Business, Government, Kansas

Contact Utility Companies If Past-Due On Bills

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The Cold Weather Rule takes effect November 1

TOPEKA – The Cold Weather Rule, designed to help Kansans who are behind on their utility payments avoid disconnection during the winter months, will begin on November 1 and remain in effect through March 31.

The Kansas Corporation Commission, the agency that regulates public utilities in the state, encourages Kansans who are past-due on their utility bills and at risk for disconnection to prepare for the colder weather by contacting their utility company to make the necessary payment arrangements.

The Cold Weather Rule was first enacted by the Commission in 1983 to prevent utility companies from disconnecting a customer’s natural gas or electric service during periods of extreme cold. Utility companies are prohibited from disconnecting a customer’s service when temperatures are forecast to be at or below 35 degrees within the following 48 hour period.

The Cold Weather Rule also requires utility companies to offer a 12-month payment plan to allow consumers to maintain or re-establish service. Any residential customer with a past due balance will qualify for payment arrangements; however, it is the customer’s responsibility to contact their gas or electric company to make those arrangements.

Payment plan terms to maintain or restore service require that customers agree to pay 1/12th of the total amount owed, 1/12th of the current bill, the full amount of any disconnection or reconnection fee, plus any applicable deposit to the utility. The remaining balance must be paid in equal payments over the next 11 months, in addition to the current monthly bill.

The Cold Weather Rule applies only to residential customers of electric and natural gas utility companies under the KCC’s jurisdiction. More information about the Cold Weather Rule is available on the Commission’s website (http://www.kcc.ks.gov/consumer-information/cold-weather-rule). Kansans may also contact their local utility company or the KCC’s Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at (800) 662-0027.

Government, Kansas

Specialty Crop Reimbursement Available

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KDA Offers Reimbursement to Specialty Crop Growers

 

MANHATTAN, Kan. —  The Kansas Department of Agriculture has funds available for reimbursement to Kansas specialty crop growers who attend an educational conference with a primary focus on specialty crops. Qualifying conferences may include sessions about production practices, specialized equipment and technology, pest and disease management, specialty crop marketing practices, or business principles for specialty crop producers.

 

Applicants who apply for the reimbursement will be required to attend the conference and to complete surveys before, immediately after, and six months post-conference prior to payment being issued. Conferences not eligible will include those within the state of Kansas and the Great Plains Growers Conference. KDA will reimburse Kansas specialty crop growers up to $850 each in order to offset the cost of their conference registration, mileage/flights, hotel, meals, etc. The award is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline for application is December 15, 2019.

 

Examples of conferences that may be eligible for applicants to attend include, but are not limited to:

  • North American Strawberry Growers Association Conference; January 19-22, 2020; San Antonio, Texas
  • North American Raspberry & Blackberry Association Conference; March 3-6, 2020; St. Louis, Missouri
  • Great Lakes Expo Fruit, Vegetable, & Farm Market Conference; December 10-12, 2019; Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention; February 28-30, 2020; Hershey, Pennsylvania
  • Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference; January 9-12, 2020; Savannah, Georgia

This program is made possible by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG). The SCBG makes funds available to state departments of agriculture solely to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. According to USDA, specialty crops are defined as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.”

 

This grant fits KDA’s mission to provide an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy. For application details, go to the KDA website at www.agriculture.ks.gov/grants. Questions should be directed to Lexi Wright, From the Land of Kansas Program Coordinator, at 785-564-6755 or [email protected].
Fort Scott, Government

Bancroft Returns as Fort Scott Finance Director

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Susan Bancroft is the new Fort Scott Finance Director. Submitted photo.

Susan E. Bancroft, 44, started as the new City of Fort Scott Finance Director on October 9.

However, Bancroft is not new to the City of Fort Scott.

“I left the City of Fort Scott as Assistant City Manager/Finance Director to work for USD 234 as the Business Manager in 2012,” she said.  “I was employed by them for three years when I realized I wanted to chase my career.  I then went to work for NPC International as HCM Director in Pittsburg.  NPC employs roughly 40,000 employees and is the largest franchisee for Pizza Hut and Wendy’s in the nation.”

Bancroft’s husband died this summer, which changed her life priorities.

” Unfortunately, life threw me a curveball when I lost my husband in June of 2019 in a car accident east of town,” she said. ” My life’s priorities changed and I started looking for something closer to home.  I am thankful that the City of Fort Scott welcomed me back to work in the position of finance director.  I have a lot of catching up to do but am very excited to be back.”

 

Bancroft replaces Rhonda Dunn, who resigned for a job in private industry.

 

Bancroft earned her bachelor of science degree from Missouri Southern State University in business administration.

 

Her family includes daughter, Bailie Hughes and son-in-law Victor Hughes; son- Gunnar Brown: step-daughter – Kynleah Bancroft and daughter – Allie Brown.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Elections, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Candidate Forum for 2019 Election Oct. 29

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Join us for the
General Election Candidate Forum
This Tuesday, October 29th
Have last-minute questions
for the candidates?
Click here to email questions.
Or, drop off in person to the
Chamber, 231 E. Wall St.
Candidates invited to this forum include:
* Fort Scott City Commission
There are 6 candidates for 3 positions,
constituents may vote for 3 or less.
Candidates include:
Harold (Pete) Allen
Kevin (Skitch) Allen
Cindy Bartelsmeyer
Josh Jones
Deb McCoy
Lindsey Watts
* USD-234 Board of Education
Candidates include:
Position 1: James Wood
Position 2 (Vote for 1):
Danny Brown
Michelle Hudiburg
Position 3:
Kellye Barrows
At Large (Vote for 1):
Lynette Jackson
Bill Michaud
* Fort Scott Community College
Board of Trustees
There are 5 candidates for 3 positions,
constituents may vote for 3 or less.
Candidates include:
David Elliott
Kirk Hart
Michael Hoyt
Curtis Lear
Robert Nelson
This Candidate Forum is co-hosted by:
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
&
Young Professionals League
of Bourbon County
Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, K-State Extension

Grant Writing Workshop Deadline Nov. 1

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Deadline November 1st to register!
Join us for a
Grant Writing Workshop
co-hosted by
Southwind Extension District & the
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce!
Friday, November 8, 2019
9:30am to 3pm
Only $10 including lunch
Click here to email Carla Nemecek to
reserve a spot & pay by check
(payable to Southwind Extension District).
Click here to register online by credit card.
Grants are a vital piece in your community’s
funding puzzle, and YOU can do it!
What you will learn:
-Sources of data for community needs.
-Where to find grants
-Elements of a significant grant proposal
-Practicing the grant elements
Presented by:
Nancy Daniels
Community Vitality Specialist
K-State Research & Extension
Location:
River Room Event Center
3 West Oak Street
Fort Scott, KS
To register or for more information:
Name: Carla Nemecek
Phone: 620.365.2242
There is a registration fee of $10 (includes lunch).
Make checks payable to
Southwind Extension District.
Registration Deadline: November 1, 2019
Click here for the Facebook event.
Opinion

What Are You Waiting For? By Pastor Jimmy Tucker

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The Bottom Line

Jimmy Tucker

 

Several weeks ago, my wife invited her family to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. She’s happy and excited to find out that all sixteen of the Haywards will be attending — not one will be missing! Some, realizing the importance of the occasion, even went to the effort of making special work arrangements in order to come.

Jesus sent out invitations to the greatest celebration that will ever be given — “the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9). This is an occasion you and your loved ones will not want to miss! These invitations didn’t go to just a few prominent people. They were sent, and are still being sent, to the entire world. “Whosoever will” may accept and come to the feast. There are only two responses: whosoever will and whosoever won’t. Unfortunately, there are many who are not interested, don’t believe it, or are too busy with their lives to accept His invitation.

Jesus gave a parable recorded in the book of Luke 14:16-23 NKJV: “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ But they all with one accord began to make excuses.” When God’s invitation arrives, we should accept it immediately because He deserves our highest priority. Procrastination is one of the devil’s best tools. If we make excuses and put off responding until it‘s too late, we’ll miss our opportunity to receive an inheritance in the Kingdom of God. There’s no such thing as a self-sufficient person because everyone has an appointment with death. Everyone has sinned and needs to be forgiven — that‘s why Christ Jesus died a sacrificial death so that sin could be forgiven.

Any reason you have for not responding to Jesus’ invitation will be nothing more than a pathetic excuse when you’re facing Him at the judgment. Anyone who winds up in hell is there because of his own foolish and selfish choices in life. Don’t ignore Jesus’ call to eternal life. You may try to dismiss Him, but you’ll find that He’s everywhere. He’s in the sunrise and the sunset. He’s in the first breath of a newborn baby and the last breath of the saint. If you want to enjoy the awesome supper in heaven, RSVP to the invitation now and accept God’s only Son as your Lord and Savior.

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Past tense — He’s already done it! The ball is in your court; what will you do with it? “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20 NKJV).

The Bottom Line: Make sure you’ve sent an appropriate RSVP to Jesus’ invitation ASAP.

Pastor Jimmy Tucker

(620) 223-1483

Diamond Community Church

4 miles east of Hwy 69 on Jayhawk

10:45 a.m. Worship

Opinion

No Ice by Pastor James Collins

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Pastor James Collins

 

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

When Amanda and I first got married, we bought an old used refrigerator. It was the kind with a freezer which we had to defrost regularly. It lasted only about a year. It would have lasted longer, but one time when I was defrosting it, I used a sharp knife to chip away at the ice…

We needed a new one anyway.

Amanda hated that refrigerator, and the one we bought to replace it, because of no ice-maker. We had to use plastic ice-trays. It was a hassle to get ice from the trays, fill them back up with water, and put them back in the freezer. It wasn’t so much a hassle for me because I never refilled the trays. I had a habit of getting ice and putting the empty tray back in the freezer which infuriated Amanda.

Last year, we remodeled our kitchen. We went to the appliance store where I embarrassed the life from my wife in my effort to bargain with the salesman. Finally, after I noticed a small scratch on the back, I got the store to discount the price on a brand-new side-by-side refrigerator-freezer with a built-in ice-maker.

To save money, I opted to install the refrigerator myself. I spent the better part of a Saturday running the new water line. After everything was hooked up, I pushed the refrigerator into place and announced to Amanda that her fantastic husband had given her the ice-maker of her dreams.

The next morning, there was no ice.

“No problem,” I said, “I know what’s wrong. I will have it fixed in no time.” After “no time” hours, I confidently pushed the refrigerator back into place and informed Amanda that her wonderful husband had done it again.

The next morning, there was no ice.

“It must take time for the first batch to make, that’s all,” I assured her and started working on it again.

The next morning, there was no ice.

I went back to the appliance store and the salesman said, “Mr. Collins, you need a new what-you-may-call-it, but they are on backorder.” Six weeks later, the what-you-may-call-it showed up in the mail. I pulled the refrigerator from the wall, reached up to turn the water off, and made an incredible discovery. I had never turned the water on in the first place.

No water, no ice. No wonder, no ice.

If you think I looked foolish there, it is nothing compared to what God sees when He looks at people and our efforts to make life work without His power.

The point is: A Christian who forgets the Holy Spirit is like an ice-maker with no water.

How can we forget the infinite, personal Holy Spirit lives within us to guide us and give us power? The answer is regretfully clear. The power is off. When we are preoccupied with the pleasures of the world, we miss the power that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ. His Spirit enables us to fulfill His purposes, but we must stay plugged in through prayer, reading God’s Word, and having complete reliance on His power – not our own.

Is the power flowing in your life?

James Collins is a pastor at First Southern Baptist Church. He can be reached through the website www.thepointis.net or by email at [email protected].