Monthly Archives: December 2019

Opinion

Such a Strange Way to Save the World by Pastor Jimmy Tucker

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The Bottom Line

 

 

Our third granddaughter, Vivienne, will celebrate her first Christmas this year. When a newborn baby joins the family, it’s a wonderful celebration. When you think of Jesus’ immaculate conception and birth, it was a rather strange way for Him to arrive on earth. We can’t understand how a virgin could conceive and give birth to the Son of God. It was a miracle…and we just believe it.

Jesus came to earth as a baby, grew up to be a man, lived a holy life, and gave His life to save the world from the penalty of sin. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). The incarnation of Jesus is defined as “the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ.” This was God’s plan from the beginning.

God provided the solution to our problems through Jesus. The whole world had a sin problem and Jesus was the only One who was qualified to solve it. The only hope for mankind was to make peace with God, so Jesus provided the bridge as man’s Mediator to God. Jesus was equal with God on one hand and identified with mankind on the other.

God took Christ from the holy Trinity in Heaven and placed Him in the womb of a virgin. This is the miracle of what we now call Christmas. When we couldn’t get up to God‘s holiness on our own, He sent Jesus down to our level to bridge the gap. What an awesome, loving, and powerful plan! This Bridge has proven trustworthy and faithful to thousands of witnesses over all these years. Jesus came so that we might be forgiven and eternally reconciled with God the Father. Jesus became human so that we could become holy like Him. He did his part — are you doing yours? Do you believe in Jesus? Are you allowing Him to help you be holy?

Jesus has many wonderful names with significant meanings in the Bible. Before exchanging Christmas gifts, you might consider a new family tradition of reading some of the following scriptures regarding His Name: Exodus 3:14, Psalm 9:10, Psalm 59:16,17, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6,7, Isaiah 44:6, Mark 1:24, Luke 1:31,35, Luke 2:11, Luke 19:34,38, John 1:1,29,41, John 4:42, Acts 10:36, Romans 1:4, 1 Corinthians 2:8, Revelation 5:5, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16, Revelation 22:13,16.

Philippians 2:9 NKJV: “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.” His name shall be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.” After His death and resurrection, Jesus went back to heaven but sent the Holy Spirit to live in us. He’s here, so will you let Him save you from your sins? He will unite with your spirit and live inside you if you’ll invite Him in.

The Bottom Line: God’s plan to save the world might seem strange, but it was perfect. Don’t you just love it when His plan comes together!

Pastor Jimmy Tucker

(620) 223-1483

Diamond Community Church

2591 Jayhawk Road

10:45 a.m. Worship

Obituary

Obituary of John Renard

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John Arthur Renard, age 81, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Friday, December 20, 2019, at his home. He was born July 22, 1938, in Ellsworth, KS, the son of Carl E. and Myrtle E. Hundley Renard.

He married Judith Ann Hammons on May 17, 1964, in Mapleton, KS. Following high school, John served in the U. S. Navy.

He worked for Smoky Hill Electrical CO-OP in Ellsworth, KS. They moved to Newton, KS, for about a year before taking the job in Fort Scott in 1969. He worked for KG&E as a lineman and equipment operator until his retirement in 1992.

In 1979, John opened his shoe repair shop, Main Street Shoe Repair, inside Calico Cottage. The shop later moved to the most recent location at the back of Country Cupboard, 12 N. Main St. He enjoyed working in his shop, watching Kansas State football on television, checking boxes of Judy’s to-do lists, attending children’s and grandchildren’s events and attending family reunions.

John was a member of the First Christian Church and later attended the First United Methodist Church. He will be remembered as an awesome husband, dad, and grandfather.

Survivors include his wife Judy; three sons, Jim Renard and wife Melissa, Dallas, TX, Ron Renard wife Geila, Marshall, MO, and Dave Renard, Mapleton, KS; a daughter DeeAnne Miller and husband Kevin, Ft. Scott, KS; two sisters, Eunice Smith, Summerville, SC, and Mary Knottgen, Topeka, KS; four grandchildren, Kellen Renard, Kevin Miller, Jr., Sara “Todorovic.”  and Patrick Coman; three great -grandchildren, Vance Salazar, Lyric Coman and Violet Coman; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Leroy and Kenny Renard; five sisters, Velma Schwerdtfeger, Billie Harold, Rita George, Linda Boese, and infant sister Alma Renard.

There was cremation.

Rev. Reed Hartford will conduct memorial services at 11:00 AM Friday, December 27th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until service time at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Bourbon County Fair 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.

Opinion

Don’t Be A Chreaster by Pastor James Collins

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“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

One of my all-time favorite Christmas presents was a Rubik’s Cube. My folks gave it to me for Christmas when I was in the first grade. Momma ordered the Rubik’s Cube. She didn’t order it online. There was no such thing as “online” when I was a kid. Momma ordered the Rubik’s Cube from the Sears and Roebuck catalog.

Today, with all the technology and video games available to them, a kid would not want something like a Rubik’s Cube. But when I was a little boy, everybody wanted one for Christmas. I was so excited on Christmas morning when I opened that gift. I spent most of the Christmas break learning to work the Rubik’s Cube.

When school started back, I took my Rubik’s Cube to show off to all my friends. At my school, we had a bully. His name was Big Jamie. Big Jamie should have been in the third grade, but he was held back. Being “held back” is a nice way of saying he failed. Big Jamie failed the first grade twice. So, he was two or three years older than the rest of us, and he used to push us around.

I was out on the playground with my Rubik’s Cube when Big Jamie snatched it out of my hand. Someone told me that a bully was just a lot of hot air and bluff. If you stand up to him, he will get scared of you and run. Then you won’t have anymore trouble out of him. That was the worst advice I ever had. I said, “Give me that back or you are going to get it.” Big Jamie hit me in the face. The blow knocked me down. Big Jamie stood over me with my Rubik’s Cube in his hand and laughed.

I heard a voice say, “Give it back to him and leave him alone.” I turned and saw my friend, Joe Ray, standing in front of Big Jamie with his fists raised. The next thing I knew, they were fighting. Joe Ray whipped Big Jamie and handed me my Rubik’s Cube. For the rest of my school years, if I stayed around Joe Ray, I never had to worry about that bully bothering me.

If you try to whip the devil on your own, he will beat you every time. Jesus defeated Satan at Calvary and gave power and authority to His church. You need other people in the church to help you fight your spiritual battles.

Some of you reading this today, will go to church this week for Christmas services. For many of you, this will be the first time since Easter that you have been to church. Some of you only go to church twice a year. If that is you, I use the term “chreasters” to describe you because you only show up for church on Christmas and Easter. When I call you a chreaster, it is not my intent to discourage you from going to church this week. I want you to go. But I also hope that you go next week, and the next week, and so on. I hope that you will find and become a part of a local Bible believing church.

The point is: You need a church family, so you don’t face the trials of life alone. Helping each other can strengthen us, but self-reliance makes for weakness. Christianity is not a choose-your-own-path religion. God says you need to go to church more than twice a year.

Don’t be a chreaster.

James Collins is the pastor of Fort Scott’s First Southern Baptist Church. You are invited to their community breakfast tomorrow at 9:45 am, followed by their Christmas Sunday service. You are invited back the following Sunday, and the next, and the next. For more information visit the website fortscottfsbc.com.

Business, Fort Scott

For Sale: Captured Images

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Captured Images Studio, 118 S. Main. File photo.

Gary Palmer, who has been in the photography business for several decades in Bourbon County, is selling his business and taking a new career path.

“Over the last 25 years I had the pleasure to serve the community of Fort Scott and the surrounding area with professional photography, portraiture, graphic design, printing and host of other services at Captured Images,” Palmer said in a press release.

Captured Images has defined Palmer for many years, he said.

Gary Palmer submitted photo

“However, it is time for another to take the reign of the studio,” he said. “It is my hope that someone will acquire Captured Images and continue its tradition of outstanding service to the community.”

“Rest assured, regardless of what the future holds for Captured Images, I and my wife Kylene are fully prepared to fulfill every and all obligation previously committed by the studio,” he said.

All school pictures and yearbooks that Captured Images completes will still be completed by the Palmers at the studio.

All weddings and ‘Watch-Me-Grow’ baby programs will still have Palmer taking the portraits until the completion of the programs. Whether it be a school dance, the school yearbook, sports photography, etc., for all commitments,  Captured Images will fulfill every obligation through the 2019-2020 school year, according to the press release.

The new decade has brought a new opportunity for Palmer.

He has formal education in business administration and marketing. He also has exercised leadership in many civic and private roles in various capacities during his time at Captured Images. He has completed leadership training at the Kansas Leadership Center and has been allowed to utilize his skills in marketing, human resource management, and leadership in another industry, according to the press release.

But now he will be working for Dirk’s Dozing and Excavation Company, Butler, MO.

“I will continue to live in Fort Scott,” Palmer said. ” I have always been a strong advocate for Fort Scott and the great people here.  I plan to continue to be involved in our great community in various capacities.  I will be commuting to my new job.”

“Our farm, Freedom Farms, is growing and we are hopeful to use the sale of the studio and the coffee shop building to grow our farm operation,” he said.

Palmer will be the chief administrative and marketing officer for Dirk’s Dozing and Excavation Company.

Dirk’s currently services are heavy equipment site work and construction preparation.

“The Dirk’s business services much of the Kansas City Metro area with site preparation and construction,” Palmer said. They also specialize in pond building, municipality water and sanitary sewer systems, and site preparation for major construction projects.”

“I’m excited to be a part of a thriving industry,” Palmer said. “The Dirk’s business is growing exponentially and I’m honored to utilize my skill’s in business administration to create a team of highly skilled operators to perform tasks that will impact the growth of local communities.”

Marketing the Dirk’s business is also a primary role for Palmer.

Thanks To Customers

“I would like to take an opportunity to thank every one of my customers over the years,” Palmer said. ” Each of you has trusted Captured Images to record your engagements, weddings, the birth of a newborn baby, your family groups, senior portraits, special occasions, and memorable events. Each event you have allowed me to memorialize precious moments-in-time, forever, in print form. This is not a task I have taken lightly. Getting to know my customers through all of life’s amazing moments is an honor. Often I have laughed, cried, and shared in once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Moments that make customers, family. I am honored to have provided professional experience along with high-quality printed portraits to my clients for many years. I hope I have created a lasting impact on those we served. I’m excited about the next phase of my career. On behalf of my family, I am extremely grateful for your patronage over the years.”

Coffee Shop Building For Sale Also

Common Grounds Coffee Company, 116 S. Main.

The Palmer’s will also be selling the building where the current Common Grounds Coffee Shop is located in downtown Fort Scott, next to his studio.

“It has 7,000 square feet with a full basement,” he said. “When the coffee shop moves location, it will be available for tenants.”

 

“It is a turn-key operation and up to code,” he said. “There are rental properties on the second floor. This is an excellent opportunity for owner-operators or investors.”

The Common Grounds Coffee Shop is owned by the Fort Scott Nazarene Church and will move to 12 E. Wall as soon as the building renovation is complete, possibly in January, according to the building owner, Jennifer LaRoche.

 

Contact Palmer at 620.223.5375 for more information.

 

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott National Historic Site

Holiday Schedule for Fort Scott National Historic Site

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Fort Scott Kan. – The Fort Scott National Historic Site’s Visitor Center and fort buildings will be closed, and no programs will be offered, on Christmas day and New Year’s day (December 25, 2019 and January 1, 2020) to allow staff to celebrate the holidays with their families.

Winter hours are in effect from November 1-March 31 at Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service. 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. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

 

Opinion

Christmas by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche

A few years after we were married, Dave and I had a discussion about what makes each other happy. We began by sharing what we thought the other person wanted. My answer was easy. Since Dave eats tacos about 300 days a year, that was the way to his heart.

Not even close. “Patty, that doesn’t make me happy. What makes me happy is when you show me affection. Hold my hand. Hug me. Kiss me for no reason.”

What??? All these years, thinking I was earning wife-points with my Mexican cooking, my focus had been on making sure we never were without chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, spicy hamburger, grated cheese, tortillas and three kinds of taco sauce? And Dave would rather have had a hug? I asked Dave what he thought I needed from him, a no-brainer in his opinion. It was a squeeze of his hand while we were watching television or a morning kiss to start my day or a long embrace for no reason whatsoever.

WRONG! My husband knew nothing about my love language. And although those were wonderful demonstrations of Dave’s love for me, there were other things that would have, in my opinion, solidified his marriage vows: lend me a hand to rake leaves or weed-eat; offer to come alongside with meal preparation when guests were coming to visit; help write Christmas cards or thank-you notes; you know, basically, be my assistant when needed. (And yes, it does appear that one of us was requiring a lot more than the other.)

You see, we all are wired differently; Dave and I had assumed that what we desired was what our spouse desired. Do you see the problem here? All we needed to do was to ask instead of assume. That conversation, years ago, was central to my husband and me understanding each other better. But it did more than that. Over the years, it has pushed me to question what God’s love language might be. What does He want from me that I withhold because I don’t think it’s all that important? After all, He abounds in grace, so He will be happy with whatever I think is important, right?

I don’t think so. God wants my attitude to reflect the joy He has offered to me. He wants me to be selfless and not selfish. He wants me to be grateful and not grumble. When I rake or am working in the kitchen, God wants me to be thankful to Him that I have arms and legs and a yard and an oven and a clear-thinking mind (well, relatively speaking). He wants me to appreciate the heat pad that I will use on every part of my body the day after raking or weed-eating. He wants me to enjoy autumn and friends and a Christmas season that reflects the Gift He has given in His son. He wants me to be grateful for a husband who has stood beside me for 46 years. He wants me to recognize what a good, good Father He is.

During this Christmas season, I pray we all choose to understand God’s “love language” in a way that reflects what He has done in our lives instead of offering only what is convenient for us.

Merry Christmas, and may your 2020 be filled with opportunities to be the love language that God is to you.

Business, Fort Scott

LaRoche Buildings: A New Beginning

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Editors note: Due to technical difficulties the feature did not include part of the written story. Here is the complete story.

The LaRoche buildings located at 10 and 12 E. Wall. Jennifer LaRoche is the owner and contractor for the renovation of the two historic buildings in downtown Fort Scott. The two copper signs on the Wall Street side, one of the Tribune Monitor Newspaper and one of the Kansas Gas and Electric will be restored and lighted when all is complete, LaRoche said.

Business owner Jennifer LaRoche opened her buildings that are in the process of renovation, to the public for what was called a “Sneak Peek” on Dec. 18.

The buildings are located at 10 and 12 E. Wall St.

This was in celebration of  Fort Scott’s downtown district’s historic designation 10th anniversary. Kate Sweetser, one of the original workers on the designation spoke to the attendees of the history of the designation.
12 E. Wall: Coffee Shop

The building which most recently housed the Fort Scott Tribune newspaper office,  has been empty for a few years.

In January, the easternmost, one-story building at 12 E. Wall is slated to become the new location of Common Ground Coffee Company. The dimensions of the building are approximately 30 foot by 100 feet, LaRoche said

The coffee shop has two restrooms and a conference room along with an open space for drinking coffee and having a meal.

In addition, there is an outdoor seating area with a stage that is in the back of the adjacent building that will be a part of the coffee shop. The outdoor seating will be accessed through an opening in the coffee shop.

Vicki Waldron will remain the manager of Common Ground.

Kate Sweetser, center left, looks at the transom windows in the building at 12 E. Wall, as building owner, Jennifer LaRoche tells of the renovation of the original windows. Some glass was replaced by Gammon Glass, Nevada, MO. she said.

 

Kate Sweetser visits with Kirk Sharp during the LaRoche Buildings Sneak Peak on Dec. 18.
Though nearing completion, the LaRoche building at 10 E. Wall, still has much to do, Jennifer LaRoche said during the “Sneak Peek” on Dec. 18. The public was invited to the event.
The ceiling at 10 E. Wall is 80 percent original, LaRoche said. It was formerly covered by a drop-down ceiling prior to the renovation. LaRoche purchased the needed replacements from W.F. Norman Corp., Nevada, MO who still produces the same tile.
Pictured is the future stage and outdoor seating space at the rear of 12 E. Wall, which will be accessed through the coffee shop at 10 E. Wall.
Pictured is the significantly larger kitchen that will be available to the Common Ground Coffee Shop staff when completed.

 

10 E. Wall

At 10 E. Wall which is next on the list for completion, there will be an office on the first floor for LaRoche, upstairs there will be two apartments and E 3 Ranch Offices. On the National Avenue side of the building will be three storefronts, she said.

“I don’t know what is going in there yet,” LaRoche said.

Casper Enterprise, Stoughton Inc., Allen Electric, Extrusions Inc. and Mid-Continental Restoration Co. have all done work for LaRoche on the project.

 

LaRoche: Not Done Renovating

LaRoche said she will take a break following the completion of the renovation project.

But she is not done renovating.

“I really love uncovering all the things people have covered up,” LaRoche said. “I love making it look like it did in the pictures 100 years ago.

Government, Kansas

Statewide Transportation Improvement Program Requests Public Comment

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KDOT requesting comments on STIP amendment

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requests comments on an amendment to the FFY 2020-2023 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document.

The STIP is a project specific publication that lists all KDOT administered projects, regardless of funding source, and includes projects for counties and cities as well as projects on the State Highway System. The list of projects being amended to the STIP can be viewed at http://www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burProgProjMgmt/stip/stip.asp

The approval of the STIP amendment requires a public comment period, which concludes Jan. 1, 2020. To make comments on the amendment, contact KDOT’s Division of Program and Project Management at (785) 296-2252.

This information is available in alternative accessible formats. To obtain an alternative format, contact the KDOT Office of Public Affairs, (785) 296-3585 (Voice/Hearing Impaired-711).