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Monthly Archives: May 2022
Public Library Has Urgent Need for Volunteers/Donors For Summer
Submitted by Valetta Cannon, Fort Scott Public Library Youth Librarian & Assistant Director
Fort Scott Public Library is in urgent need of volunteers and donors to help make the family and teen kickoff parties possible.
The Family Kickoff Party – Splash Into Summer – will take place on June 1 at 10 am at Gunn Park Shelter House #3. The library needs about 15-20 more volunteers to help run stations (including a snack table, prize table, crafts, games, and toddler play area) and to supervise the party so that kids can stay safe around roads and the nearby lake. No party food has yet been pledged and much is needed. See this list for more information: Snack Foods Donation List and fill out this form to volunteer: Volunteer & Donor Form for Summer Reading 2022.
The library also needs 5 volunteers to help supervise the middle & high school kickoff party, which will take place at 4 pm on June 1 at Marmaton Riverfront Belltown Walking Trail. Food for the party is also still needed.
All volunteers who are capable of helping and are safe to work with children are encouraged to sign up, including teens, older children, and retired seniors. Miss Val will provide a letter of recognition for any volunteer work upon request, and will sign community service hours fulfillment forms for hours worked. Make a difference in your community by helping children learn through library programs! Email questions to Miss Val at [email protected]
Obituary of Ellise Davis
Ellise Davis, age 98, a resident of Chanute, Kansas, passed away Sunday, May 8, 2022, at the Wesley Woodlawn Hospital in Wichita, Kansas.
She was born Elane Catherina Thompson, on October 27, 1923, in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Cornelius Thompson and Juanita Hughes. At the age of three, she went to live with Rev. Allen Jones and his wife, Mary. Rev. Jones was a deacon at St. Paul’s A.M.E. Church in St. Louis. She spent many hours helping him around the church and earned the nickname “Little Church Mouse.” During this time, she also played on the church piano, a talent she enjoyed throughout her life.
Her name was later changed to Ellise, but her friends called her Tootsie. She received her early education in St. Louis schools and went on to graduate from the Stowe Teacher’s College also in St. Louis. She met Paul Davis, who was an usher at the church, and they were joined in marriage on April 18, 1942, in Union, MO. Ellise gave birth to nine children.
Ellise moved the family to Ft. Scott, Kansas and later was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1969. She continued her education as a non-traditional student and graduated from Ft. Scott Junior College.
She went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in social work from Pittsburg State University, graduating in 1972, at the age of 49. Ellise worked as a social worker for the Labette County SRS Office in Parsons, Kansas for twenty-three years, retiring in 1995 at the age of 72.
Ellise grew up through the Great Depression, and despite many hardships, managed to get an education and raise her large family as a single parent. She also learned to drive a stick-shift in her 40’s. She will be remembered as a member of the Greatest Generation.
Survivors include six children, Saundra Woolfolk of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Paulette Mosbey of Kansas City, Missouri, Joyce Johnson (Woody) of Wichita, Kansas, Ralph Davis (Tänya) of Chanute, Kansas, Kevin Davis of Manhattan, Kansas and Deborah Goins (Wayne), also of Manhattan, Kansas. Also surviving are eighteen grandchildren, Craig, Kirk, Mitchell, Michael, Mechelle, Gary Jr., Maurice, Juanette, Kimberly, Ray Jr., Chelsea, Monica, Tyrone, Kiesha, Shenee, Alyssa, Sea and Jasmine; forty-two great-grandchildren, twenty-three great-great-grandchildren and two great-great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, three children, Allen, Gary and Diane; four grandchildren, Dale, Keishia, Detrick, and Danicka; one great-granddaughter, Danielle; and a foster-sister, Fannie Mae.
Private burial will take place at the Evergreen Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Obituary of Virginia Warren
Virginia Lee Warren, age 79, of Independence, Missouri passed away May 8, 2022, at The Villages of Jackson Creek Memory Care.
She was born December 13, 1942, in Mapleton, KS to Dorothy (Schmitz) Chapman and James Chapman. She grew up in Fort Scott, KS, graduating from Fort Scott High School in 1960 and always considered Fort Scott her “home”.
Virginia spent much of her childhood battling polio she contracted at 18 months old, undergoing numerous surgeries and treatments at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She learned to walk using a built-up shoe and braces and never let it slow her down. She was named Queen of Dimes at Fort Scott High School working to raise money for the March of Dimes.
After graduation, she worked primarily as a keypunch operator and data entry clerk at Western Electric/AT&T until taking her retirement in 2000.
After retiring, she enjoyed volunteering at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, her weekly grocery/shopping trips with her sister and Friday morning breakfasts with any family member who could join in. She was notorious for not being able to pass up a deal at Cargo Largo and was quick to tell you about her latest find. She also took pride in her large video collection, especially her vast library of John Wayne movies (her absolute favorite) and could always let you know when the John Wayne marathons were playing on television. She was also excited to finally go see “The Faces” of Mount Rushmore, the mountains of Colorado, and the lights of Las Vegas.
She is survived by her three children and their spouses, David (Laura) Warren of Blue Springs, Jerry (Sue) Warren of Independence and Jonell (Carter) Craig of Blue Springs, 4 grandchildren, Trevor Warren, Alyssa Warren, Sawyer Warren, and Ashton Warren and 3 great-grandchildren. Surviving siblings are Frances Richey (Independence), James (Elizabeth) Chapman (Independence), Paula Graham (Kansas City), Emmett (Doylene) Chapman (Fort Scott) and Joe Chapman (Independence). She will also be missed by many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents James and Dorothy Chapman, brother, Paul Chapman, and brother-in-law Ricky Graham.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 11th from 5-7pm with service to follow at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, 1200 SW Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit, MO.
Graveside service and burial will take place Thursday, May 12th at 11am, Memory Gardens Cemetery, Fort Scott, KS.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made in Virginia’s name to The Alzheimer’s Society, The MS Society, or a charity of your choice, and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Tourism on the Rise in Fort Scott
Tourism is the act of spending time away from home in pursuit of recreation, relaxation, and pleasure, while using commercial services, according to Britannica Dictionary.
Local tourism is looking healthy as evidenced by the transient guest tax from 2015 through 2022, which just completed its first quarter, JacksonTough, Fort Scott’s Public Relations and Tourism Director said.
“Transient guest tax is probably the most common form of raising funds to promote tourism in a given community,” Tough said. “It’s simply a tax on hotel/motel rooms that visitors pay when they stay in Fort Scott.”
“Residents do not pay into the tourism tax unless they happen to stay in a hotel/motel in Fort Scott,” he said. “Advertising funds are primarily used for promotion of Fort Scott; from print ads, brochure distribution, website maintenance, materials to target motorcoach tours and conferences, social media ad placement, among others.”
The City of Fort Scott has had several tourism directors through the years whose job it is to promote events and attractions
Tough started last June as the newest public relations and tourism director.
Earlier this year, his office was moved from city hall to the Bourbon County Regional Economical Development Inc. office on the second floor of the Landmark Bank, 200 S. Main, he said. He is still an employee of the city but the move allows he and the REDI Executive Director Rob Harrington to work more closely.
Because tourism is also a form of economic development the city commission and the REDI board agreed that it would be smart for the two entities to work side by side, Tough said.
“Like Rob’s job is to help existing businesses increase and to facilitate new business, my job is to help grow existing tourism as well as promote for new events and tourism attractions to Fort Scott,” Tough said.
“I’m very excited about the direction we’re headed in, Harrington said. “Jackson and I work well together. He has his own economic development experience when he was in broadcast marketing and management and also through the chamber of commerce. He has put together a solid plan for marketing Fort Scott tourism into the future.”
“Even though tourism is on the rise there’s always room for improvement,” Tough said. “We are constantly researching opportunities. Whether it’s the possibility of more motor sports, expansion of rodeo events, adding disc golf or baseball tournaments.”
“There has been discussion of combining and incorporating Gordon Parks, Company D – 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment and other little known and under told stories of progressive African American leaders and events from the Fort Scott area,” Tough said. “It’s an inspirational story that should be told about our area.”
“Advertising funds are primarily used for promotion of Fort Scott; from print ads, brochure distribution, website maintenance, materials to target motorcoach tours and conferences, social media ad placement, among others.”
To view the prior story on the mud run:
Watch Fun in the Mud April 23-24 at Bo Co Fairgrounds
“We recently hosted two new events to Fort Scott,” Tough said. “The first annual Fort Scott Mud Run at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds drew approximately 500 visitors to town last month. The first annual National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) youth race at Gunn Park, also in April, brought approximately 400 visitors to Fort Scott.”
This month Bourbon County hosted with Crawford and Cherokee counties the 2022 Big Kansas Road Trip which features three Kansas counties each year.
The three counties cooperated to invite folks from across Kansas to explore the area.
“It’s been a fantastic event to be a part of!” Tough said.
These Are Events The Fort Scott Tourism Office Works With
- FSCC Rodeo each March,
- National Historic Site Spring Civil War Encampment in April,
- Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Swap Meet and Town-Wide Sale each May,
- Good Ol’ Days Celebration in June,
- Lavender Fest in June,
- Marmaton Massacre/Tri-Yak-A-Thon in September,
- Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, and the Gordon Parks Celebration in October,
- Veterans Day Events (Monuments & Memorials, Military Mixer, etc.) in November,
- National Historic Site Candlelight Tours in December.
“We also promote Dolly the Trolley, the U.S.National Cemetery #1, our Historic Downtown District, as well as other events/attractions” Tough said.
“Fort Scott Tourism is continuing to build a strong brand, expand our social media reach, and target consumers that fit our primary visitor demographics,” Tough said. “Brand awareness is critical to building a relationship with travelers. We will continue to utilize creative concepts that deliver…measurable results. A unique proposition targeted to prospective travelers can create consumer engagement.”
For more information about Fort Scott tourism click www.VisitFortScott.com to discover more events, attractions, excellent eateries, cozy accommodations and more.
Bo Co Democrats Meets May 15
Bourbon County Democrats meet on Sunday, May 15th at 2:00 p.m. at Fort Scott Community College Ellis Building, H-121.
GOTV 22 information, orientation, and volunteer training.
Guest Speakers: Shelley Dunham and Dan Knupp
Carol MacArthur
Chair, Bourbon Co. Democrats
620 215 1505
Please like us on Facebook
Fort Scott Design Review Board Meets May 10
The Design Review Board will meet on Tuesday, May 10th, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Meeting room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
Ft. Scott Aglow Lighthouse Welcomes Reazin as Guest Speaker
Bob Reazin will share about his recent trip to LaPlace, LA with the Eight Days of Hope rebuilding project after Hurricane Ida left thousands in need of help.
Guests are welcome to visit our Lighthouse monthly gathering at 6:30 p.m., Thursday May 12th in the conference room of Fort Scott Inn, 101 State Street.
This is an interdenominational ministry opportunity for women, men and youth to grow in unity as the body of Christ. The goal of Aglow International is: Every nation touched, every heart changed.
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports May 6-8
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports May 9
Pray, Smile, and Crochet by Carolyn Tucker
I don’t know how to crochet and I don’t think I want to try to learn at this point. However, I truly appreciate the beauty and talent represented in crocheted items. Both my mom and mother-in-law crocheted afghans for us in the early 1980s and I still cherish them. I can only make potholders with those stretchy-nylon weaving loops and they‘re too little to keep me warm.
In Old Testament times, it was a disgrace for a wife to be childless. Hannah had been incapable of conceiving a child for several years. Her husband Elkana tried to comfort her with these words, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” (1 Samuel 1:8 ESV). She was too sweet and gracious to answer aloud, but she probably thought, “Nope.”
Because she was barren, Hannah was in the temple of the Lord at Shiloh weeping bitterly, deeply distressed, and praying for a baby boy. Her prayer was so fervent that Eli the priest wrongly assumed that she was drunk. She woefully explained that she was troubled in spirit and simply pouring out her soul to the Lord. Eli then responded, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to Him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad” (1 Samuel 1:17,18 ESV).
Hannah received peace and believed that her prayer would be answered. We might say she left the temple with a photo of her baby in the picture frame of her heart. She entered the temple in an inconceivable physical condition, but she left conceiving (in her mind) a baby of her own. In reality, Hannah entered and exited the temple in the same physical condition, but her heart had made a radical turnaround. She traded her sad face for a happy face, and exchanged anxiety for peace. Hannah quit acting like she’d lost her last best friend and started crocheting a blue baby afghan. In due time, she conceived and delivered a baby boy with joy.
Hannah is a sterling example of an individual shaking off the mulligrubs. Her emotional pain drove her to seek help from Jehovah-Jireh (the God who provides). Mothers must remember it’s not our responsibility to worry and fret, or try to play God by taking into our own hands situations that should be left to Him alone. But it is our responsibility to cast our care upon Jesus, trust Him, and pray without worry. Hannah received into her heart what Eli said, and believers need to receive what God says through His Word. There are thousands of promises in the Bible, and if we’ll truly believe them, we can live joyfully as a child of the King.
Hannah illustrates the nature of faith as taught in the New Testament. She was utterly convinced that God answered her prayer as she left the temple. Jesus said, “I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours” (Mark 11:24 NLT). Hannah was no longer sad, even though there was no hard evidence that her petition was granted. “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see” (Hebrews 11:1 NLT).
The Key: Mothers who pray in faith are teaching their children to trust God.
Today’s Christian Heights Country Store Provides Needs of the School
Today is the annual big fundraiser for Christian Heights School, 1101 S. Barbee that helps provide necessities for the small Christian school.
“We’ve done Country Store for 56 years,” Principal Larry Davolt said. “It helps us with special projects for the school. In the past a new roof, a new floor, computers, you name it. It goes beyond our little budget for operations.”
This year is it today, May 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is comprised of a flea market/ rummage sale, bakery, plant sale and a silent auction of donated items. And food: homemade ice cream, taco salads, hamburgers, malts, shakes, sodas, home made desserts and then the Chicken Annie’s Fried Chicken dinner at 4 p.m.
The dinner time lasts from 4 -6 p.m. and one can also order BBQ beef, salad, rolls and homemade pies for $6 for adults and $3 for children.
At 6 p.m. is a auction for merchandise supplied by area merchants and individuals.
The event is sponsored by the Fort Scott Christian Heights Parent-Teacher Fellowship.
About the school
Christian Heights is a pre-school through 12th grade Christian school.
“We’ve been here since 1947,” DaVolt said. “My motto is ‘We provide quality education in a Christian environment.'”
The school has 75 students and a staff of 10. DaVolt also teaches science classes in addition to being principal.
The pre-school is three days a week and all other school grades are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.