Monthly Archives: September 2021

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Rural America Celebration this Weekend: Pioneer Harvest Fiesta

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From the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta website.

The 65th Annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta is a time of remembering all things rural: tractors, farming practices, arts and crafts, and food.

This year it is this weekend, starting with a parade Thursday, Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. on Main Street in downtown Fort Scott.

Friday, Oct. 1 starting at 9 a.m. people can walk the Bourbon County Fairground, across from Fort Scott Community College on South Horton Street in Fort Scott to view the activities offered.

A quilt show, corn husking, and shelling, oat thrashing, straw baling, rock crushing,  sawmill operation, arts and craft show and end the day with a free bean feed at 5 p.m. A large flea market and swap meet runs throughout the multi-day event.

“The flea market is one of the largest in the four states,” Larry Richard, vice president of the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Board, said. “And it’s an instructional arts and crafts exhibit.”

Saturday from 9 a.m to 8 p.m. also offers those activities and adds musicians to entertain throughout the day and also an antique and classic tractor pull at 1 p.m.

Sunday morning starts with a worship service at 9 a.m. and more demonstrations and activities, with a tractor pull at 1 p.m.

Others serving on the board are President Allen Warren, Secretary Betsey Reeder, and Treasurer Delphine Parks.

 

Pioneer Harvest Festival Music Schedule
    October 2 – 3,  provided by Ralph Carlson
Saturday, October 2
11 a.m.         The Millers
11:30 a.m.  Wallase & Wolfgran
Noon            Steve Fortenberry
1 p.m.            Stephan Moses
 2 p.m.           The Millers
 2:30  p.m.    Ralph, Don & Mim Carlson
 3 p.m.            Tammy Helm & Floyd Feezell
 3:15 p.m.      David Prickett
Sunday, October 3
  9 a.m.           Apostolic Christian Church Service
10:30 a.m.   Open Jam Session
11:30  a.m.   Ralph, Don & Mim Carlson
Noon               Lunch Break
12:30 p.m.    David Prickett
  1 p.m.            Stephan Moses
Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

SEK Community Foundation Grants Awarded

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The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas Announces $155,000 in General Funds Grantmaking

Every summer, the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) Grant Review Committee awards funding to programs focusing on Basic Human Needs, Youth Activities, and Arts & Culture. CFSEK is pleased to announce General Grant Funds totalling $155,000 have been awarded to 45 non-profit organizations in Southeast Kansas representing 20 communities in 6 counties. Since 2004, the funds directly managed by CFSEK have provided hundreds of thousands of dollars to many Southeast Kansas nonprofit projects.

The Community Foundation continues to celebrate its 20th anniversary by encouraging charitable giving benefiting the common good and the quality of life in our region. CFSEK focuses on ‘inspiring leadership with programming that is responsive to the interests and needs of those we serve now and in the future.’

The following grants were awarded during the 2021 General Grant Cycle:

Basic Human Needs – $56,652

Caney Valley Agape Network – Protective supplies for volunteers.

Catholic Charities, Inc. – Homeless and housing services.

Class LTD – Client emergency assistance funds.

Communities in Schools, Inc. – Basic needs support for students in schools in SEK.

Community Health Center of SEK – Baby basics for the Baby4Baby program.

First Baptist Church of Riverton Kansas – Share with love food bank.

First United Methodist Church Wesley House – Safety supplies for the homeless program.

Homer Cole Community Center – Security cameras.

Kansas Food Bank Warehouse, Inc. – Food 4 Kids weekend backpack program.

Labette County Emergency Assistance Center – Emergency funding for Labette County residents.

Mount Carmel Foundation – Save a life by providing critical inhalers.

Olive Street Presents, Ltd. – Bringing local stages to life.

Sacred Heart Parish – Thanksgiving meal turkey distribution.

SEK Animal Advocates Society – Services to support permanent homes for animals.

Spring River Mental Health & Wellness – Medication assistance and organization.

TFI Family Services, Inc. – Calming kits.

The Beacon – Basic nutritional needs through their food bank.

The Salvation Army – Emergency utility and rental assistance.

Youth Activities – $87,000

Boy Scout of America – Hooked on Scouting recruitment campaign.

Cherry Street Youth Center, Inc. – Art Enrichment.

Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc. – Go Blue SEK kickoff event.

City of Girard – Frisbee Golf Course.

City of Parsons – Parsons Area splash pad.

Coffeyville Regional Medical Center Foundation – Childbirth Education Curriculum and Equipment.

Curious Minds Discovery Zone, Inc. – ‘Rigamajig’

Family Resource Center – Software update.

First United Methodist Church Wesely House – Coats for Kids.

Girls Scouts of the Missouri Heartland – Disaster Preparedness weekend campout.

Mem – Erie Historical Society -Discovering Memories through interactive programming.

Pittsburg Community Child Care Learning Center – Poured in place rubber playground surface.

PSU Foundation, Inc. – PSU Media Production Camp.

PSU Foundation, Inc. – Affordable service provision for children with reading difficulties.

Safehouse Crisis Center – Creating for Healing – a project for the children of Safehouse services.

Southeast Kansas Community Action Program – Early Learning Center flooring.

Special Olympics Kansas – SEK athlete recognition.

The Salvation Army – Stocking stuffers for Christmas.

USD 234 Winfield Scott Leadership Club – Healthy snacks.

USD 246 Northeast Elementary/JH – Back to School Bash.

USD 246 Northeast Elementary/JH – Magazines in the classroom.

USD 506 – Junior High Color Guard flags.

Victory Life Church – Back 2 School event

Women’s Resource Center Vie Medical Clinic – Come Play with Me safe play space for children.

Arts & Culture – $1,348

Olive Street Presents, Ltd. – Bringing local stages to life.

Affiliates – $10,000

Girard Area Community Foundation – GACF Youth Activities granting.

Fort Scott Area Community Foundation – FSACF Youth Activities granting.

The CFSEK Board of Trustees and staff congratulate all the 2021 grant recipients!

If you are interested in establishing a grantmaking fund with the CFSEK, please visit www.SoutheastKansas.org or call 620-231-8897.

Bourbon County

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Awarded $560,140 Patterson Family Foundation Grant

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The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) has been awarded a two-year grant from the Patterson Family Foundation. Grant funds will be used to expand upon current programing with the HBCAT’s Center for Economic Growth and fund creative placemaking projects for the Historic Downtown Fort Scott and the Eastside of Fort Scott.

The HBCAT is making very intentional and concerted efforts to engage community members and increase access to healthier environments in neighborhoods historically lacking community investment.

According to the US Census, in 2019 Bourbon County had a $47,452 median household income, much less than the state of Kansas average of $62,0281. Data USA allows individuals to view Bourbon County census tracks income by location, filtered to show the highest median household income.

In 2018 the “East Side” showed a stark contrast with the rest of Bourbon County. Data USA showed the highest median income of African American households in Census Tract 9560 with a value of $35,804, followed by Census Tract 9559 values of a mere $15,486.

With this funding, HBCAT looks forward to providing microenterprise grants to small, low-income, minority, women-owned or food-based businesses within Bourbon County.

In addition, funding will be available to local farmers and ranchers with the goal to extend growing seasons and increase the volume of locally produced foods in our schools, restaurants, and food retail establishments.

“On behalf of the Patterson Family Foundation, I am pleased to award funding to The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc. that will impact the health and wellbeing of Bourbon County residents. The Foundation looks forward to sharing learnings and best practices with other rural counties seeking similar solutions in their respective communities.” -Lindsey Patterson Smith, PFF President said. Over the next two years, HBCAT will hire personnel to focus on significant trust and vision work with lower-income and minority populations.

“The Patterson Family Foundation Grant is giving our community the needed resources to enhance and build upon our work; to improve upon the natural, built, economic, and social environments in which we live, work and play,” Jody Hoener, President and CEO HBCAT said. “Implementation funding will be used to support changes in the physical environment to improve health for large numbers of people in a sustainable manner. Find us on social media! On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter #healthybbc.”

The HBCAT is an equal opportunity organization.

Background of The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team:

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team is a Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to Healthy Kansas Community.

Its mission is to increase access to healthy food and physical activity, promote commercial tobacco cessation, enhance the quality of life, and encourage economic growth. The problems of health inequity and social injustice are complex in nature and inextricably linked to key economic indicators. A healthy workforce is a prerequisite for economic success in any industry and in all cities.

Contact information:
Jody Hoener, President and CEO
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc
620-215-5725
[email protected]

Mary Hunt, Interim Operations Director
Southeast KANSASWorks
Desk: 620-232-1222
Cell: 620-670-0006 Website: www.sekworks.org

Dacia Clark, Assistant Director, PSU SBDC
[email protected]
785-445-2537

Lindsay Madison, President and CEO
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
[email protected]
(620) 223-3566

Obituary

Obituary of Keaira Meadows

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Keaira Monae Meadows

Keaira Monae Meadows, age 23, passed away Friday, September 24, 2021, in Springfield, MO, where she resided the past year and a half.

She was a beautiful, loving, caring, always smiling young lady who left this world too soon.

She graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 2016. She was active in volleyball, basketball, softball, track, and was a member of the dance team. She was also a member of the FSCC dance team for 1 year. Keaira LOVED to dance!

She participated on a traveling softball team during the summer which she absolutely loved doing.

To her family, she was Keke, but to her friends, she was Kewe, like the fruit. She got this name from her friends who were playing a game where you had to think of a fruit that began with the first letter of your first name. Kiwi was mentioned and that name stuck forever.

She loved turtles, cheetah print and the color lime green. Her dogs were her pride and joy. Winston “Winnie” and Raji Bear were her babies that will never be separated.

She enjoyed her jobs at G & W Foods in Fort Scott, KS, and Food 4 Less in Joplin, MO, where she made many friends and enjoyed the customers. Keaira was currently employed at a Medical Dispensary in Springfield, MO.

She was born October 27, 1997, in Nevada, MO, to Kenny Meadows and Tonya Morton.

Keaira is survived by her mother, Tonya Morton and special friend David Brown and her father Kenny (Ariane) Meadows; five brothers, Phillip Smith, Kenny Jr. (Porcha), Kenan, Caleb, and Chance Meadows; maternal grandmother, Katheryn Kelley; paternal grandparents Russell Sr. and Juanita Green; nieces Jade Smith, and Nycari Meadows; nephews Anthony and Xavier Smith, and Kenny Meadows III; aunts and uncles Latisha (Michael) Cook, Benjamin (Kristi) Kelley, Anthony (Jennifer) Kelly, Ramone (Audrey) Green, and Russell Green Jr.; cousins Rayven Fisher, Jalen, Kaden, and Jeradan Kelley, Darian (Kelly), Danica, Daityn, and Delaine Kelly, Ramone Jr., Rashad, Riley, Renee, Amyah, Makayla, Maleah, MaKenna, Russell III, Ryder, Rasean, and Ramello Green.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, October 2nd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Cremation will follow.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Friday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

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

Government, Jobs, Kansas

Ks State Virtual Job Fair Sept. 29-30

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Governor Kelly Encourages Participation in Statewide Virtual Job Fair

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today encouraged Kansans looking for employment to participate in this week’s KANSASWORKS Statewide Virtual Job Fair.

The virtual job fair that begins at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 29, and ends at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 30, will give job seekers the opportunity to meet virtually with multiple businesses, with the ability to live chat and conduct interviews through computers, tablets and mobile devices. Job candidates also will be able to upload their resumes to their Virtual Job Fair account for employers statewide.

Click here to register for the Virtual Job Fair.

“KANSASWORKS has done an exceptional job of adapting to the circumstances and continuing to connect Kansas employers with qualified job seekers,” Governor Kelly said. “Our workforce plays a key role in attracting people and businesses to our state, and I applaud KANSASWORKS for emphasizing safety in helping Kansans seek employment and helping Kansas businesses fill open positions.”

In 2020, the Department of Commerce partnered with the Local Workforce Development Boards to offer virtual statewide job fairs as a way to continue to provide job opportunities and maintain a ready workforce for Kansas businesses. That led to 10 virtual job fairs, with the 10th in March 2021 attracting 159 employers and 538 registered job seekers. There currently are over 130 employers participating in the upcoming fair with hundreds of open positions.

“These statewide virtual job fairs offer a tremendous opportunity to help Kansans find meaningful employment opportunities in our state,” Lieutenant Governor David Toland said. “The previous 10 virtual job fairs all succeeded in connecting job seekers with employers, and the virtual job fair to come will do the same in achieving more real results.”

The Virtual Statewide Job Fair portal features a Job Seeker Training video, a list of participating employers, and channels for attendees to register and login.

Open positions are listed on the registration page. Registration is required for each individual virtual event, regardless of previous attendance. As employers may request to engage in a video interview during the virtual job fair, job seekers are encouraged to dress professionally.

Any individual with a disability may request accommodations by contacting their nearest workforce center at (877) 509-6757 prior to the event.

About KANSASWORKS

KANSASWORKS links businesses, job candidates and educational institutions to ensure that employers can find skilled workers. Services are provided to employers and job candidates through the state’s 27 workforce centers, online or virtual services KANSASWORKS is completely free for all Kansans to use. Learn more at KANSASWORKS.com.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and the world. Our strong partnerships allow us to create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses.

Government, Kansas

Kansas Racial Equity Collaboration Virtual Sessions in 2022

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Kansas Racial Equity Collaboration Announces Learning Sessions

Examining racial inequities to grow understanding and create change for Kansas children

TOPEKA – Creating understanding through collaboration is the goal for the Kansas Racial Equity Collaboration, a statewide effort to understand the history of racial inequities in child welfare and how to move from controlling to supporting Kansas Black and Brown families.

“Black and Brown children are in the foster care system at double the rate they are in the population,” said Shanelle Dupree, DCF regional director. “And even more, data suggests that once these children are in foster care, they have worse outcomes and experiences.”

“Our hope is that by examining the history of racial inequities, asking tough questions and listening to uncomfortable answers, we as a state, may be able to more fully support Kansas families and children,” continued Abby Fry, CarePortal Regional Manager.

The Collaboration is a partnership between the Kansas Department for Children and Families, the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, and CarePortal, created by The Global Orphan Project. Group conversations, both virtually and in person, led by nationally respected speakers will be the cornerstone of the Collaboration.

“We invite educators, medical community leaders, legislators, judges, attorneys and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) to take part in the sessions,” said Dr. Michelle Mohr Carney, Dean and Professor in the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. “By the end, participants will have a toolkit that will provide them ways they can address racial disparities and advance racial equity in the child welfare system.”

The conversation will continue through a dedicated list serv. This information source will share on topics of racial equity for children and families, spotlighting progress, and continuing to highlight data and research to explain the need for action.  Sign up for updates here.

Register for the virtual sessions here, Kansas Racial Equity – CarePortal.

Four virtual sessions are scheduled followed by an in-person symposium, scheduled for April 15, 2022 at the University of Kansas.

Sept. 29, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Topics: Understanding the historical context of structural racism and current day implications. How we got here and a better path forward

Speaker: Haywood Burns Institute

Oct. 27, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Topic: Addressing racial inequities in child welfare. View from early childhood education

Speaker: Iheoma U. Iruka, Ph. D.

Jan. 26, 2022, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Topic Debunking myths around racial inequities in child welfare

Speaker: Panel Discussion

Feb. 23, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Topic: Forward movement: Shifting from control to support for black and brown families

Speaker: Panel Discussion

Hear more about the Racial Equity Collaborative from the people who will help lead the effort.

Government, Kansas

K-39 closed between U.S. 59 and K-3 next Tuesday

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Tuesday, Oct. 5, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to close K-39 from U.S. 59 east to K-3. Crews will replace the fill between pipes running underneath a bridge on K-39 and repair the driving surface. The closure will be in effect from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

 

Traffic should use alternate routes. Check KDOT’s updated traveler information website, www.Kandrive.org, for more road conditions and construction details. Persons with questions may call KDOT Area Superintendent Derrick Shannon at (620) 901-6550 or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen at (620) 902-6433.

 

 

 

 

Obituary

Obituary of Warren Schooley

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Warren Lee Schooley, age 91, a resident of rural Walnut, Kansas, passed away Saturday, September 25, 2021, at the Guest Home Estates Care Home in Ft. Scott, Kansas. He was born December 29, 1929, on a farm near Walnut, Kansas, the son of Maurice Schooley and Elsie Fern Schooley.

At the age of 5 Warren and his folks moved to Elsie’s family farm to care for her father. As Warren grew he learned to work the farm with his folks and eventually purchased an additional farm for his new wife. He married Irene Grannemann on April 27, 1952. Daughters, Janice Marie and Beverly Kay, were added to the family.

The Schooley family farm has been loved and enjoyed by 6 generations.

Warren was devoted to his family and loved to visit with neighbors. Irene said he never knew a stranger and would strike up a conversation with anyone. His sense of humor and crazy sayings made him the ‘fun’ Grandpa and Uncle.

Warren enjoyed camping trips with family and friends and especially boating and water skiing on Sunday afternoons in the summertime.

He also had a dream to become a pilot and realized that dream in 1970. He purchased a two-seater tail dragger airplane and loved to take family and friends for short trips around the farm and nearby towns.

Warren and Irene became avid square dancers in the 1980’s and 90’s joining the local Ft. Scott club. They made several trips to Tulsa for large square dance competitions.

Survivors include Janice (Jan) Reimer and husband, Cal, of Walnut, Kansas and Beverly (Bev) Nelson and husband, Rod, of Ft. Scott, Kansas; six grandchildren, Seth Reimer (Jennifer) of Sumter, South Carolina; Kelly Reimer (Natasha) of Louisville, Kentucky; Cassi Kuhn (Scott) of Topeka, Kansas; Stacy Jackson (Chris), of Arma, Kansas; Kristen Pope (Dustin) of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; and Blake Nelson (Cori) of Arma, Kansas. Fifteen great-grandchildren, J.T., Kinslee, Anton, Alisa who shares her birthday, December 29, with Great Grandpa, Rosemary, Hunter, Makenzie, Brooklyn, Mason, Kaden, triplets Maddox, Zander, and Bryson, Kennedy, and Jamison.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Irene.

Pastor Matthew Hunt will conduct funeral services at 11:00 A.M. Friday, October 1st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 P.M. Thursday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Guest Home Estates Activity 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