Fort Candlelight Tour: FSHS Drama Dept. Included

Only a few days until the 38th Annual Candlelight Tour

 

Fort Scott Kan. – A few tickets still remain to participate in Fort Scott National Historic Site’s 38th Annual Candlelight Tour. Later tour tickets are still 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.

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.

Tickets are $8.00 per person and non-refundable, children 5 and under are free. 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 the enlistment and ending with reassignment of 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 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.

“Our fourth scene was written and will be presented by the Fort Scott High School drama students,” Carl Brenner, Park Ranger noted in a separate press release.

 

-NPS-

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.

Obituary of Jack Avery Young

Jack Avery “Babe” Young, age 90, a resident of Leawood, Kansas, passed away Sunday, December 1, 2019, at the Glenwood Village in Overland Park, Kansas.

He was born January 17, 1929, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the son of Jack Young and Geneva Wollard Young. He graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1945.

From an early age, Babe showed an interest in music. He played the clarinet and saxophone in the school band and often performed in a jazz band for area dances.

He served with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. While in the Army, Babe was a member of the Signal Corps and also performed in army bands.

He married Marilyn Phillips in July of 1954, at Ft. Scott. Babe and Marilyn later relocated to the Kansas City area where he was employed for many years for Bendix Corp.

Following his retirement, his loved of performing was rekindled and he and some friends formed a jazz band which played for various occasions in the Kansas City area.

In addition to playing music, Babe enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as reading Old West magazines.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn; his son, John Young and wife, Jeri, of Garland, Texas and a granddaughter, Lauren Minyard and husband, Kyle, of Lebanon, Oklahoma. A great-grandchild is expected in March.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Donald Young and a sister, Wilma Neaderhiser.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Friday, December 6th at the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas. Military honors will be conducted at the cemetery.

Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 1:15 P.M. on Friday.

Memorials are suggested to the Disabled American Veterans 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.

Businesses, Colleges, Assisted Living Centers: Mobile Driver’s License Office Service

Division of Vehicles makes Mobile Driver’s License Office available across the state

 

Topeka – The Kansas Department of Revenue’s Division of Vehicles launched its state-wide mobile driver’s license office as another avenue of convenience and added service for large groups needing to obtain a driver’s license or identification card. When a visit is set up with the mobile unit coordinator, a link is made available to individuals to schedule their visit.

 

“The mobile unit is for locations like businesses, assisted living facilities, colleges, and universities,” David Harper, Director of the Division of Vehicles said. “This is another way we are cutting back on wait lines and the anticipated rush of people coming into the offices as we get closer to the Real ID implementation deadline.”

 

Real ID is a set of federal guidelines for traveling on commercial airlines or entering federal facilities where identification is currently necessary. If choosing to be Real ID compliant, the deadline is October 1, 2020.

 

The Division of Vehicles stepped up its efforts in offering mobile driver’s license office solutions this past spring with two pilot programs. One, to help Sedgewick County Correctional inmates, who were transitioning out of the correctional facility, get state identification cards. The other was for students completing driver’s education in the Blue Valley School District in Johnson County to get their learner’s permit.

 

“The feedback we received from those pilot programs helped us test the idea and now launch the mobile driver’s license office,” Harper said.

 

Employers or organizations wanting to host the mobile driver’s license office are encouraged to contact Ethan Davis, Mobile Driver’s License Office coordinator, at [email protected].

 

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Fort Scott Christmas Parade Today Dec. 3

Parkway Church of God’s float in a past Fort Scott Christmas parade.

The Fort Scott Downtown Christmas Parade is today, Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at 6:00 p.m.

The theme this year is  Christmas Through the Years.

The parade will celebrate the culmination of the 100th anniversary of Fort Scott Community College with the Class of 1941 graduate Esther Anne Sewell as Grand Marshal.

Prizes will be awarded for 1st($75), 2nd($50), and 3rd($25). There are not prizes for each category.

Parade order pick up is today, Dec. 3 at the Fort Scott  Chamber of Commerce office until 5 p.m.

The parade order number should be displayed on the right-hand (passenger) side of your entry for the judges viewing.

After 5 pm, numbers may be picked up at the Carriage House at 3rd and Main Streets.

The parade line-up will start at 3rd and Main Streets in front of the Carriage House, entries should be lined up no later than 5:50 pm.

The parade will go north on Main Street ending at Skubitz Plaza for the lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree.

After the parade, Santa will be at the backroom of Papa Don’s to meet with children about their Christmas list and Walgreens will be taking photos.

 

Low-Cost Tree and Shrub Seedlings Now Available

Krista Harding
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786

The Kansas Forest Service is offering low-cost conservation tree and shrub seedlings for purchase again this year. These seedlings are to be used in conservation plantings, such as home/livestock windbreaks, living snow fences, Christmas tree plantations, firewood lots, habitats for game birds and wildlife, barriers to reduce noise pollution, blocking ugly views, marking property lines and creating habitat for songbirds.

These plants are 1 or 2 years old, and their sizes vary from 5 to 18 inches, depending on species. Most of the trees are bare-root seedlings, however some are available as container-grown seedlings such as Ponderosa pine and Southwestern white pine. Some of the deciduous trees that are available include: bald cypress, black walnut, bur oak, cottonwood, hackberry, redbud, and sycamore. Shrubs available include American plum, chokecherry, lilac, and sand hill plum. This is not a complete listing of available trees and not all trees are recommended for this area.

The Kansas Forest Service also offers tree “bundles” for purchase. The Quail Bundle offers a variety of shrubs designed to attract quail, including American plum, fragrant sumac, golden current and chokecherry. It was created in cooperation with Quail Forever to provide excellent food and habitat for upland bird species in eastern Kansas.

New this year, a pollinator bundle is being offered. Designed to improve the habitat for a diverse array of pollinating insects, it primarily focuses on native bees, honey bees, butterflies and moths. This bundle is composed of seven species of shrubs and small trees – American plum, chokecherry, golden currant, false indigo, elderberry, buttonbush and eastern redbud.

Not certain what you would like to order? Then stop by the Extension office and pick up a brochure that has color pictures of various trees and shrubs at maturity. Orders for conservation trees are accepted now through the first full week of May, with shipments beginning in March. However, I recommend that you order early to ensure availability of trees. Order forms and price sheets are available at the Southwind District Extension Office in Erie, Iola Fort Scott, and Yates Center or can be mailed or e-mailed.

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

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

Obituary of Marilyn Joan Neil

Marilyn Joan Neil, age 80, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2019. She was born April 25, 1939, in Springfield, Illinois, the daughter of Henry Neil and Viola Smock Neil. Marilyn was a teacher. She obtained her master’s degree in education and had taught elementary school in Illinois for many years. Following her retirement, she moved to Ft. Scott in 2009. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ft. Scott. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society. She enjoyed cooking and often baked cakes for the Feeding Families in His Name at the Methodist Church. She enjoyed times spent at the Senior Citizen’s Center and celebrating birthday parties with her friends.

Survivors include her cousin, Larry Ramey and his wife, Patsy of Nevada, Missouri as well as her beloved dogs, Roxie and Annie and her many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Following cremation, a visitation will be held from 2 to 3 P.M. Friday, December 6th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Private burial will take place later at the Oakridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. Memorials are suggested to Paws & Claws Animal Shelter 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.

Giving Tuesday at Gordman’s To Benefit St. Jude’s Hospital

Gordmans Will Double Your Donation to St. Jude on GivingTuesday

This GivingTuesday, guests at Gordmans can give the gift of hope to children who need it most. On Tuesday, Dec. 3, Gordmans will match 100% of all donations made at checkout to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, doubling the impact of each donation.

GivingTuesday, a worldwide movement that promotes generosity and acts of kindness, has grown in popularity since it launched seven years ago. Last year in the U.S., GivingTuesday had its biggest year yet, raising nearly $400 million for charitable causes.

In addition to matching donations at checkout on GivingTuesday, Gordmans is bringing the St. Jude mission into its stores this holiday season with BEARS that CARE. Through New Year’s Eve, guests can help St. Jude families by making a donation at checkout or purchasing holiday teddy bears that celebrate a special little girl named Bella, who has childhood cancer and is getting expert care at St. Jude. Gordmans’ BEARS that CARE are under $10; Gordmans will donate $2 of each bear sale to St. Jude. Gordmans, which is part of the Stage community of stores, also will donate $1 on behalf of the first 35,000 guests who use #bearsthatcare on social media.

Every donation helps ensure families at St. Jude never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food, because all a family should ever worry about is helping their child live. With the help and generosity of our guests, the Stage community of stores raised almost $900,000 for St. Jude in 2018 and over $6 million in the past six years.

Visit gordmans.com/stjude to find a Gordmans store, purchase a bear or make an online donation through New Year’s Eve.