Monthly Archives: September 2022

Church news, Food, Fort Scott

FLAG Church Hosts Food Distribution on Oct. 1

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Fort Cinema,224 W 18th St, Fort Scott is the  Family Life Assembly of God Church distribution site for free food.
Family Life Assembly of God, Fort Scott Campus, is hosting a  free food distribution for the community from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Fort Cinema parking lot, 224 W. 18th Street, on Saturday Oct. 1st.
Participants will have to be in a vehicle and come through the Fort Cinema parking lot, according to Pastor Grady Proffitt.
FLAG workers help distribute food in an earlier distribution. Submitted photos.
“We have resources to supply food and essential household items to 75 family units,” Proffitt said. “There will be a fruit and vegetable box, along with bread, and other foods and essential household items.”
Workers hand out food in a prior food distribution.
Convoy of Hope, Springfield, MO, is the sponsor source of this distribution.
Workers in a prior distribution. Submitted photos.
“Our mission is to help with essential needs of families in our community,” Proffitt said. “We are blessed to have many partnerships within our church, and we want to use those to the best of our abilities. Our church mission is to help people love God and love others. We choose to use what God gives us so others may be blessed.”
Fort Scott Family Life Assembly of God Church meets in Fort Cinema. Submitted photos.
The church has been established in Fort Scott for about one month, meeting in the Fort Cinema movie theater.
Fort Scott Family Life Assembly of God in worship. Submitted photos.
” We had 91 people attend our launch Sunday, and have been blessed since,” he said. “FLAG Church has been commissioned to plant a campus in Fort Scott. We aim to not steal or take away from other churches here in town, but add to the Church by reaching those who do not have a church home. We want to encourage others that already have a church home to keep going. There are many great churches in Fort Scott! We are excited to be a part of what God is already doing here in this community.”
The church mission is led by four core beliefs: Salvation, Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Divine Healing, and the Second Coming of Jesus, Pastor Proffitt said. To learn more about their beliefs: https://www.flagchurch.com/about.
“Within the pursuit of our mission, God has done many miraculous works throughout our gatherings,” Proffitt said. “Since the beginning of August, on Thursday nights, we have seen five physical healings on those in attendance. We seek to gather, connect, and pray for more of God’s miraculous signs and wonders just as He did in Acts 2. God is truly doing something amazing!”
The sermon is broadcast from the Pittsburg Family Life Assembly of God Church. Submitted photos.
  Sunday morning service is from 10:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m. and includes live worship, corporate prayer, kids services, and a Gospel centered message.
A gathering at Common Ground Coffee Co.. Submitted photos.
They also host a Campus Gathering at Common Ground Coffee Co. every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
 
Pastor Grady Proffitt and wife, Jacque Proffitt. Submitted photos.
FLAG Fort Scott is led by Pastor Grady and  and his wife, Jacque Proffitt.
“We moved to Fort Scott in June,” he said. “We have had seven years of ministry experience and are thankful we can be a part of this great community! FLAG Fort Scott is definitely a place you want to check out!”
 

To contact Proffitt:

Bourbon County

Agenda for the Bourbon County Coalition for Oct. 5

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Patty Simpson will be acting as chairman.

As of today, September 30,  the Bourbon County Coalition  has assisted 19 families with 56 children for an approximate expenditure of $4,885.00 for the first nine months of 2022, according to chairwoman Billie Jo Drake.

Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Agenda

 

October 5, 2022

 

 

  1. Welcome: 

 

 

  1. Member Introductions and Announcements:

 

 

  1. Program: Dacia Clark, Small Business Development Center.

 

 

  1. Open Forum:

 

 

  1. Adjournment:  Next General Membership meeting will be November 2, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.
Opinion

Hollow Heads by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche

Recently, hundreds of people arrived in Fort Scott to create an ESPN, “Red Bull Special” about motocross riding.  Ten of the world’s top riders came from as far as Belgium and Australia to compete in what they called “the most competitive event ever.” Hollywood producers, camera people, event coordinators and hill design specialists worked on my son’s and daughter-in-law’s ranch to turn a few acres into what I called a “crazy land.”

For days ahead, the riders checked out the 120+ possible jumps, knowing that they would be judged for their three-minute, death-defying tricks.  I had no idea what to expect, but over 1,000 race-lovers did, so weeks ahead of time, they purchased tickets to sit in the grandstands to cheer on these daredevils.

Because the event was held on Adam and Jenn’s land, I was allowed to watch the practices.  I held my breath as the riders zoomed to the top of one hill, only to take off and land 150-feet away on the down slope of another hill.  Sometimes they somersaulted their motorcycles in mid-air or did handstands on their bikes while holding on to the handlebars, looming forty feet over our heads.

The day before the race, Tyler, the biker who first had the dream to create this happening, walked into Adam and Jenn’s kitchen to talk with some of the soldiers who had come to watch.  I told him that I was terrified with what I saw and asked if he ever had broken any bones.  He listed them: both feet; both femurs; most ribs; a collarbone; wrists (multiple times); and both arms, one a compound fracture twelve weeks earlier.  He added that there had been several ACL tears and concussions.

On the day previous, Tyler had mastered a vault with such difficulty that all the other practicing racers stopped and applauded.  I asked him about it.  “For four days,” he said, “I have stayed awake at night, dreaming of how to tackle that jump.  I’d never mastered a hill with that degree of difficulty, but I had to do it.  I just got into my ‘hollow head’ and made it happen.”

“Your what?” I asked.  Tyler explained that when he is overcome with fear, he allows nothing else to enter his head besides conquering that terror.  I asked the soldiers if they knew about a “hollow head.”  They nodded. One answered, “When you’re in Iraq with rifles drawn, and you’re entering a home, unaware of what’s on the other side of the door, you have to be 100% focused if you plan to come out alive.” The bikers and the soldiers were kindred spirits, even though their motives were drastically different.

What makes some people determined that Fear will not win, and others let it defy who they are?  Why can’t we all allow “hollow head” to direct our focus in whatever we need to conquer?  If these riders and soldiers allow that mindset to help them do deathly, fearful things, shouldn’t we too be able to replace our anxious thoughts with a determination to master those silent enemies?

According to Proverbs 12:25, “Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.” By speaking only encouragement to our souls, could we dare tackle something about which we have been uneasy or alleviate something that keeps us stagnant?

I love how Jesus put it as recorded in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage.”  Jesus offers us his peace.  Today, let’s boldly look at whatever we fear, hollow our heads and give Jesus a chance.  All we have to do is ask.

Bourbon County, Government

All Outside Burning Order is Set Due to Drought Conditions in the County

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On September 27, 2022 the Bourbon County Commission ordered  all outside burning in the county prohibited, unless specifically approved by the fire chief, with the exception of covered barbeque grills.

High heat and little rain since June have prompted the ordinance, and is in effect until a sufficient rain occurs.

Under these extreme dry conditions, once started a fire would be difficult to control by fire departments. Water usage is of great concern and also the availability of enough water to put out the fire.

To view the entire order:

doc03175320220927113432

Obituary

Obituary of Dr. David Wolf

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Dr. David Merle Wolf, age 82, resident of rural Deerfield, MO, passed away at his home early Tuesday, September 27, 2022.  He was born December 16, 1939, in the old Mercy Hospital in Ft. Scott, KS.  He was the son of Merle and Anna Mayme (Potter) Wolf.  He married Barbara Vaughn on March 1, 1963, in Miami, OK.

 

David (or Doc), as he was known by many, attended grade school in several of the country schools in Bourbon County, Ft. Scott Junior High, and High School.  He graduated from Kansas City College and Bible School in Overland Park, KS in 1957.  Shortly after graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy where he spent the next five years stationed on the U.S.S. El Dorado.

 

Having accepted Christ as his Savior at the tender age of four, and a call to preach at twelve, upon his return from the Navy, he began to prepare by returning to Kansas City College and Bible School.  With time out to pastor several churches, working with as well as starting a mission in the slums of Kansas City, MO, he did not graduate until 1971 with a Bachelor of Missions degree.  Immediately following that, he and his wife moved to Salem, OH, where he attended Aldersgate School of Religion, obtaining a Master of Arts degree in May of 1972.  While attending school, he held numerous revivals in area churches.  In August of 1972, he received a Doctorate of Theology from the University of Florida.  He continued to evangelize while working on his Doctorate of Christian Education from Berean Christian College, graduating in July 1975.  During the following years, he continued working in the evangelistic field and teaching in several schools.

 

When communism fell and the country of Albania was opened to missionaries, he was there presenting the plan of Salvation to a people who did not even acknowledge the very existence of God.  He helped establish several churches there over the next fourteen years.

 

After many years of living in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, California, Arizona, and Ohio, they returned to the Ft. Scott area where they lived until his death.  During this time, he continued to evangelize, and in the later years, was quite successful in a 1:1 ministry.  As a sideline, he raised cattle and horses, and farmed.

 

Survivors include his wife, Barbara, of the home; two brothers, Nathan (Kathleen) Wolf, Etter, TX, and Garen (Sheila), Cincinnati, OH; several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Merle, and Anna Mayme Wolf; his father and mother-in-law, Russell, and Cletta Vaughn; his sister, Virginia Crooks; as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, October 3rd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 AM until service time Monday at the funeral home.

For many years, he said he did not want any flowers (except for a dandelion) at his funeral.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Albanian Ministries, 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.

Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, History

Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Kicks Off This Evening with a Parade

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The 66th Annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, a celebration of rural America’s technology of the past, starts tonight with a parade of antique, and classic farm implements and much more.

The  parade will be on Main Street through Fort Scott’s historic downtown on Thursday, September 29th at 6 PM.

Then Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on south Horton Street, will be a scene of educational and historic exhibits, entertainment, vendors, food and arts and crafts.

Quilts displayed during the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta 2015.

New this year is a large model train display with little people in villages, according to Craig Shikles, president of the PHF board. It will be there at 9 a.m. on Saturday throughout the day. Other officers of the board: Larry Richard, Delphine Parks and Betsy Readinger.

Over 320 local students will be coming to the fiesta on Friday, according to Del Parks. “They will be able to do some hands-on stuff, she said.

There will be drag saw demonstrations, Baker fan demonstrations, tractors, gas engines, straw baling, wheat thrashing, corn husking/shelling, rock crushing, and saw mill operations on display.

The full weekend admission is only $5 per person and includes a collector button and Friday Bean Feed at 5 PM. Hours the fiesta is open: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Children under age 12 are free, however free admission does not include button. Prior year Collector Buttons available, $1.

There will be many food vendors including a chicken and noodle dinner provided by the First Southern Baptist Church, chili dogs provided by the local Eastern Star organization and biscuits, gravy and coffee will be sold at the information tent for breakfast at the Eddy Street entrance to benefit the PHF organization.

On Saturday evening, there will be a bull riding and mutton busting event to enjoy, although it is not a part of the fiesta, it will be located on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.

Music to Enjoy

Ralph Carlson and Floyd Feezell have organized a great lineup of talent for the music entertainment at the fiesta.

On Saturday at 10 a.m. a band including Larry and Judy Snow, from Mound City, will be performing. The Snows play for dances and concerts in this area. At 11 a.m., the Hemphill Family Band will be performing. Jack, Sandy, Brad, and Kristen also perform in the area. They play different styles of music, but they do lots of country pieces.

At noon, there will be an open mike session. People who wish to perform may bring CDs with which to sing or bring their own instruments and/or voices to participate. The sound system will be controlled by David Oas.

At 1 p.m., a string group, The Prairie Sunflower Strings, will perform. The group consists of mountain dulcimers, autoharp, fiddle, guitar, and bass guitar. Members of the group who are local are Jean Strader, Marilyn Adcock, Joyce Love, Sandy Hemphill, and Jack Hemphill. Cherry Nelson, from Columbus, also performs in the group on the dulcimer. This group will also play at 3 p.m.

David Prickett, a local guitar player,will perform at 2 p.m. He plays and sings a wide variety of music. The music should conclude at approximately 4 p.m. on Saturday.

On Sunday morning, there will be a church service under the same tent. Rev. Joel Crippen, minister at the First Southern Baptist Church, will be leading the service.

Following the church service, there will be another open mike session. All are invited to attend and/or perform.

The community is encouraged to come out and listen the music while looking at all of tractors and enjoy shopping at the vendor booths both Saturday and Sunday.

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Starts Sept. 29

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
invites you to come out this weekend for
the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta!
Activities for everyone, all weekend long…
See flyer below for the show schedule.
The Fiesta kicks off with the parade,
Thursday, September 29th at 6pm, Downtown!
For a printable copy of the schedule, click here.
To visit the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta website, click here.
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Obituary

Obituary of Marjory Bailey

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Marjory Kathryn Bailey, age 95, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, September 27, 2022, in Ft. Scott.

She was born February 15, 1927, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Allen Rhodes and Stella Young Rhodes.  Marjory attended rural schools and went on to graduate from the Ft. Scott High School.

She married Wesley Bailey on April 6, 1946. Marjory worked alongside Wes at their dairy farm located in the Hiattville area for over forty years.  Marjory wasn’t afraid of working hard or getting dirty.  She spent countless hours in the milk barn or working in the family’s vegetable garden.

The Baileys were known for growing watermelons and hundreds of hills of potatoes.

Marjory enjoyed fishing as well as hunting and in her day was known to be quite a good shot.

She also enjoyed writing humorous stories, especially stories about life on a dairy farm.

Following Wes’s death on August 23, 2007, Marjory moved off of the farm and relocated to the Presbyterian Village in Ft. Scott.  While at the Village, Marjory enjoyed participating in the group activities and outings.  She had an artistic eye and enjoyed drawing and painting.  She often participated in the Art is Ageless exhibition.  Marjory will be remembered as a hardworking and devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

 

Survivors include her six children, Janice Bailey, of Ft. Scott, Dean Bailey (Gail) of Ft. Scott, Dail Bailey (Loretta) of Girard, Kansas, Judy Love (Harvey), of Oswego, Kansas, Gene Bailey (Rita) and David Bailey (Brenda) all of Ft. Scott; fourteen grandchildren, thirty-one great-grandchildren and ten great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Wayne, Emmerson and Hubert Rhodes; a sister, Juanita Decker and two half-brothers, Ted Waltmire and Chris Rhodes.

There was cremation.

A celebration of Marjory’s life will be held at 1:30 P.M. Saturday, October 15th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to Paws & Claws Animal Shelter 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.

Church news, Entertainment, Fort Scott, History

Older Adults: Adventures In Learning Starts Oct. 14

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Christopher Eshelman is pictured with his wife, Robin. Submitted photo.

Fort Scott’s First United Methodist has made plans to provide educational and social opportunities that bring older adults together for personal growth.

Shepherd’s Center is a program to counteract the negative effects of loneliness and isolation by connecting older adults to empowering programs that foster friendships, according to a press release from the church.

The program in Fort Scott will begin on Friday, October 14th, with a session from 11:30 to 3:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church at Third and National Avenue.

This kickoff event is free to attend.

Pre-registration is required in order to receive a free lunch from Marsha’s Deli. One can preregister by calling or visiting the church, during office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon or visit www.firstumcfsks.org/shepherdscenteroffortscott to register online. The church phone number is 620.223.1950.

Shepherd’s Centers of America is a network of interfaith community-based organizations designed by, with and for older adults, according to https://www.shepherdcenters.org/shepherds/#history

The  Adventures in Learning program is the signature program of Shepherd’s Centers that supports personal growth and discovery with courses, cultural enrichment workshops, hobby, and recreational opportunities, according to the press release.

Subjects often cover a wide range of topics: computer and technology, finance, literature, music and art appreciation, world religion, “how-to,” politics, current events, historical events and figures, foreign languages, hobbies, and so much more. Most class instructors are retired older adults, with a number of special interests presented by community experts.

“We got enrolled in the Healthy Congregations program through our church conference and we were going through our assets and needs assessment processes here and we kept seeing loneliness, isolation as concerns… and unused space in our building as an asset,” Pastor Christopher Eshelman said. “It clicked. We made some contacts and found the Wichita, Topeka, and National organizations very helpful in getting us started here in Fort Scott.”

The inaugural Fort Scott event features keynote speaker Patty LaRoche with a presentation entitled “Aged to Perfection.”

Patty LaRoche. Submitted photo.

Afternoon sessions to choose from:

Cathy Werling  will present on the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes and how it has inspired her.

Cathy Werling. Submitted photo.

 

Larry Shead will present on using technology to connect with family and friends.

Larry Shead. Submitted photo.

 

Ronda Hassig will be discussing her book “The Greatest Test of Courage.” Copies will be available for purchase.

Ronda Hassig. Submitted photo.
Brief introductions on each of the speaker’s talks are on the registration page: https://www.firstumcfsks.org/shepherdscenteroffortscott

In between these sessions, there will be snacks and plenty of time to connect with other attendees.

The event will close  with Eshelman facilitating a discussion of future plans for our Shepherd’s Center / Adventures in Learning program.

“Your ideas for topics and presenters will be welcome as we shape this program to meet local needs and interests,” he said.

The next session will be March 10, 2023 and with a plan to offer three or four total events in 2023, then continuing to expand in years to come.

This program launch is being made possible by First UMC’s participation in the Great Plains UMC Conference’s Healthy Congregations program which provides grants to help churches identify needs and work to improve spiritual, physical, social, and emotional health in their congregations and communities.

​”I served on staff at both East and West Heights United Methodist Churches in Wichita and both hosted similar Shepherd’s Center programs,” Eshelman said. “I wasn’t directly involved, but the energy in the building on the days of their sessions and the way the programs so clearly helped older adults both in the church and from the community as a whole, stay active and connected to one another really stuck with me. So many memories of smiling faces and great conversations.”

“We are delighted to offer this resource to the Fort Scott community and excited to see the program grow,” he said.

 

Shepherd’s Centers are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year after being founded in Kansas City in 1972.

 

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee Hosted by Pioneer Harvest Fiesta

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The Pioneer Harvest Fiesta will take place this weekend, kicking off with the parade through Downtown this Thursday evening at 6 p.m. Then, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 30th through October 2nd, the event will feature one of the largest steam and gas engine and tractor shows in the four-state region as well as corn husking, straw baling, rock crushing, and sawmill demonstrations. The Fiesta will also include a flea market, quilt show, arts and crafts, food vendors, and live entertainment.
Click here to view the schedule of events for the entire weekend of festivities.
Click here to visit the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta website.
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS BELOW!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701