Monthly Archives: May 2022

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Convenes June 1 for Special Meeting

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The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1st, 2022 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.  The City Commission will meet to review the submitted letters of interest to fill the open City Commission position.

 

Also being considered is a temporary CMB license for Memorial Hall for Good Ol’ Days for Saturday, June 4th, 2022.  Also, an ordinance changing the licensing for a beer garden license and alcoholic liquor license will be considered.

 

This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel.  This meeting is open to the public.

Business, Food, Fort Scott

New Supper Club: Twigs & Berries

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Suzanne Griffin. Submitted photo.

Suzanne Griffin had opened her home to feed over 30 high school students on Wednesday evenings before the COVID-19 Pandemic started, which she calls a supper club.

Submitted photos.

The stay-at-home mom of six children had been told she was a good cook and mentioned the idea of a supper club to friends.

In April 2022  Griffin began her business of making homemade, pre-assembled meals to sell.

The name of her business is Twigs & Berries, and the meals are made in her home at 1211 S. Judson. She makes family-style meals ready to pick up, take home, bake and enjoy.

“We are going into our third month and serve between 80-100 orders each Wednesday night,” she said.  “Customers place orders ahead of time online through a form, or message me and then pick up curbside.”

Each meal includes a main dish, two side dishes and a dessert.

“We also offer mason jar salads, frozen entrees, full side desserts and once a month a breakfast pickup,” she said.  “We have been so blessed to offer meals that are delicious, affordable and family-friendly.  It was an answer to prayer to provide for our family at the same time to be a blessing to others.”

Contact information for Twigs and Berries is 479-263-4059 or Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/groups/508029837448241

 

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

 

May 27, 2022

 

The legislature was called back on May 23.  In an unusual move, a motion was made to end the 2022 session, sine die.  Even though it was an abrupt end to session, we were able to complete some important work that day.

 

The legislature overrode two of the Governor’s vetoes.  One was legislation that would prevent the Governor or the Secretary of State from altering election procedure without the consent of the legislature since the legislature is responsible for authoring election laws.  The Senate override vote was 27 to 10.  I voted Yes.  The House also passed the override so the legislation will become law.  The other veto override was on legislation that would stop the Governor from closing churches during an emergency as she did in 2020 and it would stop a new contract from being let for the KanCare system until January 31, 2023.  The KanCare contract will be a multi-billion dollar contract and will define medical assistance programs in Kansas.  After the current Governor and Administration signed a multi-million dollar contract with a foreign owned company to replace the Unemployment system, it raises questions and a super majority of Representatives and Senators thought it best to delay this decision until 2023.  I voted Yes.  The legislation will become law.

 

The legislature passed tax Conference Committee Reports (CCR) 2136, stopping the accelerated/pre-payment of sales tax so businesses only pay sales tax on actual sales, allows Atchison County to vote on a county-wide sales tax, delays the delivery and postage sales tax for one year to 6/1/2023, and establishes a reimbursement program for store front businesses to receive up to 1/3 of their property tax due if they were shut down during COVID (remember some government officials deemed them “non-essential”).  It is capped at $5,000 per business location.  The Department of Revenue will be establishing the application and monitoring the program.  It passed the Senate unanimously and with one No vote in the House.  The Governor could veto the bill and there would be no chance to override since the 2022 session is over.

 

All bills that did not pass both chambers died May 23rd.  It was odd, because some bills had been negotiated in conference committee (representatives from the House and Senate) and were voted on in one chamber but not the other.  A couple of examples are CCR 331 and CCR 2597.  Both reports had been signed but for some reason, leadership in one or the other chamber did not recognize or make the motion to move the legislation forward.  Myself and others worked diligently on some of this legislation, so we most likely will see it next year.  The Senate passed CCR 2597, removing income tax on Social Security, decreasing income tax on retirement income, increasing the standard deduction based on inflation, removing state sales tax on commercial electric and other utilities, and other tax cuts.  The House didn’t to take action on it.

 

A Senate Resolution defending American Sovereignty and denouncing the U.S. Administration’s proposed amendments to the World Health Organization (WHO) that could be used to justify economic and financial actions against a target nation that does not heed lockdowns, mandates, vaccine passports, and digital health surveillance imposed by the WHO.  The Resolution passed on a voice vote.  I voted Yes.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

Obituary

Obituary of Stanley Grubin

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Stanley Marion Grubin died after a long battle with cancer in Pittsburg, Kansas on May 25, 2022, at the age of 92.

 

Stan is survived by his children Marty Grubin and wife Leslie (Dunwoody, GA), Lucy Gladbach and husband Jim (Deerfield, MO), Marcia Haskell (Aliso Viejo, CA) and Nancy Jensen (Pittsburg, KS); siblings, Wanda Turre (Cherry Hills, CO), Charlie Grubin (Anchorage, AL) and Diane Shranz (Denver, CO).  He has 13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his spouses Mary Grubin and Joyce Grubin; daughter Cindy Beshara, siblings Edward Mazur, Thomas Thompson, Walt Mazur, Eugene Grubin, Chester Grubin, Eugenia Grubin and Jeanette Grubin.

 

Stan was born on November 6, 1929, in Colorado Springs, CO to Eugene and Wanda Grubin. His parents emigrated from Poland and raised 11 children on a farm in Colorado during the Great Depression. At the age of 13, he left home riding freight trains across the western United States looking for work. He worked various jobs including hunting bears that were decimating sheep ranches, driving ambulances, and acting as a bouncer at a local ballroom.  He joined the Army in 1952 and served as a sharpshooter in the Korean War.  Stan served his country with distinction receiving commendations for his expertise in winter warfare.

After the Korean War, Stan returned to Colorado and married Mary Jean Saam.  They welcomed 5 children over the next eight years.  Stan graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in Electrical Engineering while working for Western Electric as a telephone cable installer.  In 1960, Stan was promoted to Department Chief, Industrial Relations in New York City.  While living in Randolph Township, New Jersey, Stan was elected Mayor and was active in the Urban League in Newark, New Jersey.  Over his 37-year career at Western Electric, he managed thousands of workers at several large manufacturing plants in Oklahoma City and Dallas, Texas.

Stan retired to Laguna Niguel, CA in 1982 and in 1997 moved to Fairhope, Alabama.  As one who never shied away from the spotlight, Stan volunteered to be the Grand Marshall of the Fairhope Christmas Parade, made his presence known on the golf course and nurtured new friendships at St. Thomas Hospital where he purportedly worked out, but was mostly seen drinking coffee and holding court.  He spent time with dear friends, Jason, and Michele Braly, and attended Saint Lawrence Catholic Church.

 

For those who knew Stan, he had a larger-than-life presence and never met a stranger.  His children remember him as a loving father with a great sense of humor who encouraged them to pursue their dreams.

 

A memorial service will be held at a future date in Fairhope, AL.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to either Presbyterian Village Good Samaritan Fund or Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church 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.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

SUMMER READING 2022: OCEANS OF POSSIBILITIES

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Submitted by Valetta Cannon
Youth Librarian & Assistant Director
Fort Scott Public Library

SUMMER READING 2022: OCEANS OF POSSIBILITIES
Read, craft, play, and earn prizes at the library’s summer reading program this summer, from June 1 – August 10. The program is FREE, open to the public, and separated into age groups for regular weekly events to ensure that kids enjoy age-appropriate stories & activities.
READING PROGRAM
This year, we’re doing something new! Kids & teens won’t have to meet a goal each week in order to earn a prize and be limited to one small prize each week. Instead, they will enter their minutes, pages, books, or chapters read & earn a prize each time they meet a set goal. There will be a limit to how many reading prizes they can earn. Kids 5th grade & under can also choose to read for goals OR to compete head-to-head for better prizes. 6th-12th graders will earn Library Loot for reading, volunteering, and winning select games. Library Loot can be spent right away or saved up for higher-quality prizes such as board games, movie tickets, and craft kits.
REGULAR MEETINGS

During non-performance weeks, choose between in-person story & teen meetings or online ones.

In-Person Birth-5th Grade Meetings:
Tues. at 10 am at the library
(Birth-K do Stories then Crafts & Snacks; 1st-5th do Crafts & Snacks, then Stories)
Virtual Birth-5th Stories & Craft Demos are pre-recorded and air Thurs. at 10.
6th-12th will have mostly hybrid meetings, meaning we will meet simultaneously live online & in person, Wed. at 4 pm. Some special game nights & parties will only be in person.
PARTIES
Pirates: June 13 @ 4
Mermaids: June 27 @ 4
Sharks: July 11 @ 4
All parties require pre-registration and will be held in the library’s event room.
Entertainment, Fort Scott

Jr/Sr High School Library Summer Reading Program Party June 1

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Get Soaked! at the Middle & High School Summer Reading Kickoff Party

This year, the Fort Scott Public Library’s 6th-12th grade summer reading program will begin on June 1 at 4 p.m. with a kickoff party at the Marmaton Riverfront Belltown Walking Trail main pavilion. The party will run from 4 – 5 p.m.

Partygoers will play water games, eat delicious treats provided by donors, drink cold water provided by G & W Cash Saver (with ice donated by 5 Corners Mini Mart), and earn library loot, which may be used to “buy” prizes throughout the summer. Throughout the summer, teens will meet at 4 pm on Wednesdays to play games, do art projects, participate in volunteer efforts, and celebrate through special parties from June 1 to August 10.

Sunscreen, old clothes, and towels are recommended, as attendees will likely get wet. Bathroom facilities are also scarce near the party site, so please plan accordingly.

The library will be collecting summer care items for families in need, with a donation box available at the party. Please bring unused swim diapers, sunscreen, feminine sanitary products, etc. to donate. Clothing and food donations will not be accepted. Donated items will be available for anyone to take as needed in the library’s downstairs computer room throughout the summer (while supplies last). The library will also have a donation box for young adult books available at the party. Donated books will be offered as prizes at future summer reading program events.

Teens may register for summer reading at the party, or receive an extra library loot dollar for each 6th-12th grader who pre-registers by May 30 at this link: Online SR Registration Form. They may also register via a paper form available at the library, Buck Run Community Center, Hedgehog.INK!, Rusty Spur Energy and Nutrition, Kansas Teachers Community Credit Union, and Billiard Hammer Hartman Insurance Agency. Patrons may turn in completed registration forms at any library desk, by mail, or by placing them in the after-hours book return, located on the north side of the library.

This party is made possible by the Riverfront Park Authority, which has approved the reservation for hosting the event. All library programs are free and open to the public.

 

 

Opinion

Less of Me by Carolyn Tucker

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There are times when silence is golden and times when it’s actually annoying. When I’m making personal preparations to go somewhere (because I don’t want to look like I just crawled out from under a rock), I listen to a Christian speaker or music. It gives me something to think about as I overhaul my face and hair. It takes me longer to paint the barn and tidy up the haystack than it did when I was 22. Anyway, the other day, I was listening to an a cappella bluegrass arrangement by Bob Lovett and Red Letter Edition that really grabbed my attention.

 

The song, “Less of Me,” written and recorded by Glen Campbell in 1967, is a great two-minute sermon of downright truth. Partial lyrics are: “Let me be a little kinder, let me be a little blinder to the faults of those about me. Let me praise a little more. Let me be when I am weary, just a little bit more cheery. Think a little more of others and a little less of me. Let me be a little braver when temptation bids me waver. Let me strive a little harder to be all that I should be. Let me be a little meeker with the brother who is weaker. Let me think more of my neighbor and a little less of me.” I’m no psychologist, but I’m thinking if everyone would live by this philosophy we could solve half of the world’s problems.

 

The prevalent “What about me?” syndrome should be treated like a gunnysack full of rattlesnakes. Run from it as fast as your legs can carry you! John the Baptist was speaking of Jesus when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30 NKJV).  Magnifying ourselves is a miserable way to live because it’s flat-out selfishness and that will never bring satisfaction or happiness.

 

Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me. For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29 MEV). Believers want to be like Jesus, but I’m not sure droves of us are interested in seeking a lifestyle of meekness. The word itself is generally misunderstood. Meekness is not weakness, it’s a strength. Jesus is the greatest person who ever lived on earth and He exemplified meekness. A weak person can’t do anything, but a meek person can do something (like spew insults), but chooses to refrain from doing so. Meekness is power under self-control.

 

If Christ followers are going to be a people after God’s own heart, we must be meeker with those who are weaker. Thinking less of ourselves and putting into practice patient endurance of offenses and self-restraint isn’t an easy pill to swallow. Displaying a gentle, humble, and merciful attitude toward others doesn‘t always come naturally. To be meek and lowly in heart is a decision to depend on Jesus to help us live it out. It’s also a decision to be submissive and obedient to God, which includes loving others as Jesus has loved us. (Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.)

 

Few people would stand in line to buy a book entitled, “How to be Meek.” Yet Jesus tells us to learn from Him regarding this underrated attribute. Actually, we already own the Best Book on meekness. “Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs” (Proverbs 19:11 NLT). It’s not a good idea to speed-read the verses where Jesus tells us how to live our lives.    

 

The Key: Think less of yourself, run from snakes, and do more for others for Jesus‘ sake.

Area News

KDHE Urges Kansans to Practice Water Safety over Memorial Day Weekend

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) would like to encourage the public to exercise caution while enjoying streams, rivers and lakes over the Memorial Day weekend and through the summer. Prolonged rains in most parts of the state have contributed to an increased risk of unintentional injury and bacteria in open bodies of water.

Harmful bacteria, parasites and algae are common in surface water, and those who visit lakes in Kansas should be careful not to ingest the water. People should avoid recreational activities in streams and lakes after rainfall and runoff events while the water is cloudy or opaque to minimize the risk of exposure to germs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the germs found in the water and sand often come from human or animal feces. Water from the heavy rain picks up anything it comes in contact with, including feces from where animals live and can drain into swim areas. Water contaminated with these germs can make you sick if you swallow it or can cause an infection if you get into the water with an open wound.

Individuals should take precautions such as not swallowing the water, keeping sand away from their mouths and children’s mouths, taking frequent bathroom breaks and washing their hands before preparing or eating food.

Exposure to contaminated surface water can lead to Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection. Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, others such as Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC), can cause life-threatening illnesses. Last year there were 5 STEC cases among children associated with recreational activities at Eureka Lake. As a reminder, children are more likely to swallow water while swimming than adults. The symptoms of a STEC infection vary for each person. Symptoms often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. Individuals may experience a fever, usually not very high (less than 101˚F/38.5˚C). Most people get better within five to seven days. For more information about STEC, including a complete list of symptoms, visit the CDC website. If individuals believe you are experiencing symptoms of STEC after swimming in a Kansas lake, please contact your health care provider.

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