The SEKnFind Newsletter October 2021

This newsletter about new books is distributed to people who are registered adult users at a southeast Kansas library participating in the SEKnFind catalog. We hope you find it useful, but if you don’t wish to receive this anymore, you can click on the “Manage Subscriptions or Unsubscribe” link at the bottom.
All the books included in this newsletter are new additions in one or more SEKnFind libraries–and since the catalog is shared, that means they are available to you whether they are in your local library or not!  Just place a hold on the item(s) you want.  If you don’t know how, your librarian can show you.

New Fiction

The Lincoln highway
by Amor Towles

In June of 1954, 18-year-old Emmett Watson, released after serving 15 months for involuntary manslaughter, discovers that two friends from the work farm have hidden themselves in the trunk of the warden’s car and have hatched a different plan for Emmett’s future.

Crossroads
by Jonathan Franzen

As Christmas 1971 approaches, the Hildebrand family of New Prospect, Illinois deals increasing points of crisis including a stale marriage, the draft and their son’s sexual orientation in the first novel in a new trilogy from the author of Purity

The gold in these hills : a novel
by Joanne Bischof

“Two second-chance love stories, hope across the centuries, and the legacy that binds them together”

Her perfect life
by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Lily Atwood, a beloved television reporter with fame, fortune, Emmy awards and a young daughter is spooked when the anonymous source who feeds her tips begins suddenly giving her inside information about her own life. 60,000 first printing.

Bewilderment : a novel
by Richard Powers

A widowed astrobiologist and single father to a troubled son contemplates an experimental neurofeedback treatment that trains the boy on the recorded patterns of his mother’s brain in the new novel from the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Overstory

The mad women’s ball
by Victoria Mas

Under the cover of the Madwomen’s Ball—when the great and good come to gawk at the patients of the Salpetriere Asylum in Paris—19-year-old Eugenie, who can see spirits, is determined to escape and seek those who will believe in her. 40,000 first printing.

The wolf and the woodsman
by Ava Reid

Inspired by Hungarian history and Jewish mythology, a debut novel follows Évike, a young pagan woman, as she, rescued by Gáspár, the one-eyed captain of the Woodsmen—and a disgraced prince, makes a tenuous pact to stop his brother from instigating a violent reign. 100,000 first printing.

No gods, no monsters : a novel
by Cadwell Turnbull

When creatures from myth and legend come out of the shadows, setting off a chain of seemingly unrelated events, people start disappearing, suicides and hate crimes increase and protests erupt globally—until the world finds out what has frightened the monsters out of the dark.

Ronin : a Visions novel
by Emma Mieko Candon

This thrilling original novel is inspired by the upcoming Star Wars Visions animated anthology series

Empire of the vampire
by Jay Kristoff

The last living member of the Silver Order, a holy brotherhood dedicated to defending humanity from vampires, stands alone to fight and tell his story in a world where the sun hasn’t risen in 27 years. 100,000 first printing.

Late city : a novel
by Robert Olen Butler

A 115-year-old man lies on his deathbed as the 2016 election results arrive, and revisits his life in a story of love, fatherhood, and the American century from a Pulitzer Prize winner.

And the river ran red : a novel of the massacre at Bear River
by Rod Miller

“January 29, 1863. United States Army troops attack a Shoshoni village on the banks of the Bear River in what is now southeastern Idaho. Four hours later, the army abandons the field, leaving behind the dead bodies of some three hundred men, women, and children. This all-but-forgotten massacre stands today as the worst killing of Indians by the military in the history of the American West. In the pages of And the River Ran Red, four-time Spur Award-winning author Rod Miller puts human faces and feelings on this incomparable tragedy. Follow Shoshoni leaders Bear Hunter and Sagwitch, military officers Colonel Patrick Edward Connor and Major Edward F. McGarry, Mormon leader Brigham Young, and frontiersman Porter Rockwell in a tapestry of intrigue and violence leading up to the massacre, and its aftermath. Chilling in its detail, scrupulous in its portrayal of history, And the River Ran Red sheds light on a dark day that deserves to come out of the shadows and find its place in the history of the West”

New Nonfiction

Dirty work : essential jobs and the hidden toll of inequality in America
by Eyal Press

A groundbreaking, urgent report from the front lines of “dirty work”—the work that society considers essential but morally compromised. 50,000 first printing. Index.

Rationality : what it is, why it seems scarce, why it matters
by Steven Pinker

Can reading a book make you more rational? Can it help us understand why there is so much irrationality in the world? The author of Enlightenment Now answers all the questions

Baby, unplugged : one mother’s search for balance, reason, and sanity in the digital age
by Sophie Brickman

“Combining a journalist’s investigative eye with her unborn second child as an experimental guinea pig, Baby, Unplugged draws on Sophie Brickman’s own experiences as a journalist and parent to try to discover what aspects of technology are actually helpful, which are making us crazy, and most importantly, how we might learn to trust ourselves and our instincts again when it comes to raising children”

Fuzz : when nature breaks the law
by Mary Roach

A best-selling author offers an investigation into the unpredictable world where wildlife and humans meet. Illustrations.

The sleeping beauties : and other stories of mystery illness
by Suzanne O’Sullivan

“A riveting exploration of the phenomenon of psychosomatic disorders, mass hysteria, and other culture-bound syndromes occurring around the world. In Sweden, hundreds of refugee children fall asleep for months and years at a time. In upstate New York, teenage girls develop involuntary twitches and seizures that spread like a contagion. In the US Embassy in Cuba, employees experience headaches and memory loss after hearing strange noises in the night. There are more than 200 officially listed culture-bound syndromes–specific sets of symptoms that exist in a particular culture–affecting people around the world. In The Sleeping Beauties, Dr. Suzanne O’Sullivan–a prize winning British neurologist–investigates psychosomatic disorders and mass hysteria, traveling the world to visit communities suffering from these so-called “mystery” illnesses. From a derelict post-Soviet mining town in Kazakhstan, to the Mosquito Coast of Nicaragua, to the heart of the Maria Mountains in Colombia, O’Sullivan records the remarkable stories of culture-bound syndromes related by an array of people from all walks of life. She presents these curious and often distressing case studies of seeming mass hysteria with compassion and humanity, persuasively arguing that psychologicalsuffering demands much greater respect and discussion than it’s given at present. In attempting to understand the complexity of psychogenic illness, O’Sullivan has given us a book of both fascination and serious concern as these syndromes continue to proliferate around the globe”

Garden allies : the insects, birds, & other animals that keep your garden beautiful and thriving
by Frédérique Lavoipierre

An illustrated guide to the animals and insects that live in our yards and gardens and act as helpful friends by pollinating and keeping pests in check and includes information on welcoming and nurturing these creatures. Original. 10,000 first printing. Illustrations.

Modern freezer meals : simple recipes to cook now and freeze for later
by Ali Rosen

“Modern Freezer Meals provides one hundred fresh recipes for frozen food–from healthy, vibrant grain bowls to proteins cooked straight from the freezer with tons of flavor still intact. Frozen food guru Ali Rosen offers proper packing and labeling techniques to shatter some of the myths around freezer meals. The days of freezer burn or giant blocks of unwieldy meals are replaced by dozens of dishes that stand up to the cold”

Major labels : a history of popular music in seven genres
by Kelefa Sanneh

“The entire history of popular music over the past fifty years refracted through the big genres that have defined and dominated it-including rock, country, punk, R&B, dance and hip-hop-woven together into a cosmic reckoning with music’s evolution as a popular art form, as a huge cultural and economic force, and as an essential component to our identities, from Black Sabbath to Black Flag to Beyoncé, and beyond”

True raiders : the untold story of the 1909 expedition to find the legendary Ark of the Covenant
by Brad Ricca

Told for the first time, this legendary story, which was the inspiration for the film Raiders of the Lost Ark follows a British rogue nobleman, who, after being dared to do so, headed a secret 1909 expedition to find the fabled Ark of the Covenant. 75,000 first printing. Illustrations.

Where the deer and the antelope play : the pastoral observations of one ignorant American who loves to walk outside
by Nick Offerman

In July 2019, Nick took a hiking trip to Glacier National Park with his friends Jeff Tweedy and George Saunders. The trip, and the conversations between the three men, began a study and exploration of both the American West and its National Parks that addresses so many of the important issues that affect America today. This book both maps out the group’s travels and dives deeply into subjects such as: the history and geology of the National Parks of the West; farming, animal life, and conservation; the importance of outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing.

Even more reading suggestions

NextReads Sneak Peek<

680th Avenue to close east of U.S. 69

680th Avenue to close east of U.S. 69

 

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), 680th Avenue in Crawford County will close east of U.S. 69 the week of Nov. 1.

The road will be closed for six to eight weeks for the reconstruction of the intersection with U.S. 69.

Drivers should use alternate routes until the road is reopened.

680th Avenue will remain open west of U.S. 69.

Obituary of Vicke Thornhill

Vicki Sue Thornhill, age 66, a resident of rural Mapleton, Kansas, died unexpectedly Friday, October 22, 2021, at her home.

She was born February 19, 1955, in Garnett, Kansas, the daughter of Kenneth Adams and Violet McQuay Adams.

Vicki had worked at the high school and also served as a bus drive for the Ballard, Missouri, school district.  At the time of her death, she was serving in the same capacity for the Jayhawk Linn School District.

She liked horses and dogs and also enjoyed going to auctions.

Vicki loved her family and was always ready to go on an outing with them or to attend any of her grandchildren’s activities.  While in Missouri, Vicki was a member of the Heart of Life Church in Adrian.

Survivors include her three children, Kenny Allen (Destiny) of Ft. Scott, Kansas, Rocky Wheeler (J.R.), of Butler, Missouri and Richie Allen (Aimee) of Mapleton, Kansas; a daughter-in-law, Ann Allen of Waukee, Iowa; sixteen grandchildren, Kolby Allen (Megan), Kori Belcher (Darren), Damon Allen (Torie), Austin Collins, Jordyn Allen, Savana Allen, Kailee Allen, Morgan Wheeler, Jailynn Wheeler, Garrett Allen, Jackson Allen, Kendall Earnest, Spencer Allen, Zoie Wheeler, Nellie Earnest and Kenadee Allen; and three great-grandsons, Atlas, Oliver and Gage with one more great-grandchild on the way.  Also surviving is a step-son Jason Lewis and his family of the Florida Keys; a brother, Gary McQuay (Nyoka Simrell) and a sister, Sandra Dunfield (Lloyd) all of Nevada, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and two sons, Robert Garwood who died in infancy and Tony Allen.

Rev. Dusty Drake will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Friday, October 29th at the Community Christian Church.

Burial will follow in the Centerville Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to Care to Share 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.

Hedgehog INK Begins Writing Wednesdays

Hedgehog.INK, located at 16 S. Main, in historic downtown Fort Scott.

Writing Wednesdays start at Hedgehog.INK! on November 3, 10 and 17 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. to kick-off
National Novel Writing Month.

“There is no fee for the sessions and they are intended to provide encouragement and support in our writing endeavors,” Jan Hedges, owner, said. “Whether it be writing a novel, a poem, working on a memoir, cookbook, genealogy or keeping a journal, you are invited to attend. No matter your age or writing skill level, you are invited to attend. Please help us share the word with others. We will meet in the Great Room at Hedgehog.INK!”

Lots of Options For Kids On Halloween

Many activities are planned for Fort Scott’s entertainment this Halloween.

Starting Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., the Common Ground Coffee House Fort Scott High School Debate and Forensic Students will be reading spooky stories.

Friday, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Presbyterian Village Assisted Living staff will be hosting trick or treaters outside the facility.

Also Friday, from  4 to 7 p.m., Briggs Auto Lot will be hosting trick or treaters.

Saturday at Buck Run Community Center from 9 to 10 a.m., kids can make creepy, crawly crafts for $1 and then come back from 1 to 3 p.m. to carve a pumpkin for $3.

At the Butcher Block, one can purchase smoked turkey legs or hot dogs for dinner and enjoy caramel apples at 6 p.m.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Halloween Parade will be held Saturday, October 30 at 11 a.m. in downtown Fort Scott.

Starting at 10:30 a.m., there will be special activities including pictures with a spooktacular backdrop at the City Scales building on North Main Street,  and face painting by Fort Scott High School Thespians.

The parade of children will trick-or-treat merchants along Main Street, starting at La Hacienda Restaurant, south to 2nd Street, crossing the street then heading north back to Skubitz Plaza, according to a Chamber press release.

Here are the business names that will be set up in front of The Liberty Theatre/Crooners: Front Door Real Estate, Fort Scott Gun and Pawn, Dr. Burke’s Office, and Paws and Claws.

Any businesses or organizations in the community, not located along Main Street, are welcome to set up a table on the sidewalk also providing treats, coupons, or other handouts for kids, according to the release.

Children are encouraged to bring a sack or bag to collect treats along the parade route.

Following the parade, a free hot dog lunch will be served to kids in costumes, according to the release.

The Chamber wishes to thank the sponsors which include, Briggs, Niece, Empress Center, KTCCU, Sharky’s, Valu-Merchandisers, Fort Scott Inn, Fort Scott Family Dental, Crain Insurance Agency, 3D Alternator, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, and Walgreens.

For more information contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 620-223-3566.

On Sunday, October 3, Sonic Drive-In Restuarant will have 50 cent corndogs for sale all day.

On Sunday evening, both Community Christan Church and the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene will be hosting trunk and treats for the community.

 

Obituary of Rebecca Franklin

Rebecca Mae Franklin, age 64, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, died Sunday, October 24, 2021, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. She was born June 5, 1957 in Grandview, Missouri the daughter of William and Anne Holt. She graduated from Grandview High School. Rebecca married Howard Franklin in March of 1982, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was self-employed, and worked many small jobs to help take care of her family. Rebecca enjoyed knitting and spending time with her family, mainly the grandkids.

Rebecca is survived by her husband, Howard of the home; a son William Franklin, and fiancé Carrie, of Fort Scott; grandchildren, Christiphor Franklin, Cory Franklin, Corbin Franklin, and Liam Franklin; step-grandchildren, Bryson Hall and Blakelynn Gray. She was preceded in death by her parents, and an infant daughter, Christi Michelle Franklin.

There was cremation. A celebration of like will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Rebecca Franklin Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

New Business: Rocking K Construction

Brandon Krebs, owner of Rocking K Construction. Submitted photos.

Brandon Krebs, started a new business, Rocking K Construction, in August 2021.

Krebs offers the community brush mowing, pasture reclaiming, hauling and excavation, demolition, snow removal, leveling for both residential and commercial, and firewood for the winter. He offers free quotes for proposed work.

“I enjoy being able to help people out and offer honest, fair prices to the community,” he said. “As a lifelong resident of Fort Scott, I feel I can help the community out and look forward to building loyal customers and lifelong relationships.”

He has a background in farm and construction.

“I started out on a family farm running tractors, grain trucks, combines, and other equipment from the age of 9 to 14 years old,” he said. “Then went on to work for local businesses doing the same work until 25. I then worked construction for three years, running big equipment such as dozers, track hoes, haul trucks, scrapers, etc. “
He drove a tow truck, and picked up repossessed cars for four years, and then worked at Twister Trailers for five years.
Rocking K Construction is owned by Brandon Krebs. Submitted photos.
In his spare time, Krebs enjoys outdoor activities.
“I like spending time with my kids, family, and friends going fishing, camping, boating, and riding motorcycles, he said. “I enjoy participating in benefit rides such as the Care to Share Ride and being a part of charity events raising money for those in need.”
Krebs can reach by phone at 620-215-3570

Letter to the Editor: Randy Nichols

 

In my position as a city commissioner, I have remained silent regarding issues involving the one-cent city sales tax.  Not speaking out is no longer an option.

We as commissioners all recognize the importance of infrastructure but the infrastructure is not our only responsibility to our citizens.

The people of Fort Scott have for two years been subjected to a “fake news,” misinformation campaign.  A city commissioner and people who guide him allege the one-cent city sales tax is illegal or not being used lawfully.  They are wrong!

This tax is being used just as it was intended.  To say otherwise is an insult to the intelligence of the voters who approved the tax in 1986.  To say otherwise fails to recognize that commissioners have in good faith been using this tax for the benefit of our community for thirty-five years.  To say otherwise disregards the fact that the state has never questioned the validity of this tax.

The one-cent city sales tax is the major funding source for our police and fire departments.  If these people divert or stop this tax they will effectively be DEFUNDING the police and fire departments.  To avoid defunding police and fire money would either have to be taken from assets like Buck Run, LaRoche field, Gunn Park, codes department and economic development or our property taxes would need to be raised more than 30 mils.

To defund public safety, to not support the assets that attract people to Fort Scott or to raise our property taxes by 30 mils would be a death blow to sustaining and growing our community.

Don’t believe the Fake News.

Don’t DEFUND the police and fire departments.

Don’t risk having your property taxes increased by more than 30 mils.

Be wise in your choice of candidates this election.  Your vote will make a difference.

 

Randy Nichols MD