Monthly Archives: May 2023

Bourbon County, Government

The Bourbon County Agenda for May 8

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

Accounts Payable 5-5-2023

Payroll 5-5-2023

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 1st Floor County Courthouse

210 S National Avenue

May 8, 2023, 5:30 PM

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute and Prayer
  • Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 5/1/2023
    2. Approval of Payroll Totaling $210,758.69
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $321,662.17
  1. Department Updates
    1. Eric Bailey, Public Works Director
  2. 5:45 Public Hearing for Adoption of 5-Year Solid Waste Plan
  3. Resignation of Mark McCoy-SEK Multi-County Health Department Board
  • Lora Holdridge, Register of Deeds-Fort Scott Lake
  • Susan Bancroft, CFO-Discussion of Budget Meeting Dates
  1. Teri Hulsey, EMS Director-Discussion of Ambulance Purchase
  2. Public Comments
  3. Commission Comments
  • Meeting Adjourn

 

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Bourbon County, Church news

Uniontown Ladies Spring Tea is May 20

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Uniontown Baptist Church is located on Hwy. 3 on the town’s west side.

Ladies in the Uniontown community are invited to the Ladies Community Spring Tea on Sunday May 21 at 2 p.m. at the Uniontown Missionary Baptist Church, at the intersection of Hwy. 3 and Fifth Street.

There will be food, games, prizes-all centered around a tea cup theme.

“Please come and join us,” said Carla Shinn, one of the mission board members. “Any lady in the community is invited.”

 

 

K-State Extension

Internet and Phone Safety

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Cassidy Lutz
K-State Research and Extension 
Family and Consumer Science Agent 
Southwind District 
211 W. Butler 
Yates Center, KS 66783
620-625-8620

 

According to a study by Rawhide Youth Services, teens spend 9 hours each day consuming some form of digital content. Furthermore, parents know their children are online, but are unaware of what they have access to and how much of their time is tied to it. On average, parents guessed 3 hours.

The rapid generation of new and trendy apps, games, and websites can make it hard to keep up with all the things kids have access to. Children often don’t understand the dangers of the online world and the consequences of certain actions. They need adult help to navigate it with them.

But where do I start? This might be what you’re asking yourself if you have never approached the subject before. Establish guidelines with your kids on what sites and apps they are allowed to use and talk through why certain ones are off limits. Setting guidelines that both parent and child feel comfortable with and understand is critical to establishing healthy boundaries. You can also create electronic-free times and spaces in your home. Examples could include at the dinner table to help encourage family conversations or in bedrooms after a certain bedtime to ensure quality sleep.

Although kids might not like it, parents should also monitor online activity by regularly checking devices like computers, tablets, and phones. To help your child understand this seemingly overstepping action, talk through why it is important to keep them safe as opposed to control them. The goal here is to create open, honest conversations with your kids to help them understand the potential risks of online activity.

Kids love when parents take an interest in the things that they do. Before your child is allowed to download a new app or game, download it together and go through it with your child to see how they intend to use it and what content they are exposed to. There might be some apps that sound kid-friendly but really aren’t.

If you want to learn more about how to protect your child from online dangers, join Cassidy Lutz for What the Tech?! Phone Safety for Parents. This program will be offered in Yates Center on May 22nd, Iola on May 24th, Fort Scott on May 31st, and Chanute on June 5th. There is no fee to attend. Call the office at 620-625-8620 or email [email protected] to register.

 

Bourbon County, Business, Food, Fort Scott

FS Farmers Market Season Starts May 6 on Skubitz Plaza Including Breakfast on the Bricks

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Fort Scott Farmers Market begins its 2023 season on May 6, this Saturday, from 8 a.m. to noon.

“It’s going to be a great day for a farmer’s market,” Teri Hamilton said. She is the new president of the market members group.

The market is in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site on Skubitz Plaza.

Spring veggies, fresh bread, meat, flowers, eggs, honey, live plants and handmade crafts will be for sale from local vendors.

The group is looking to add other events to the market.

“Our goal is to connect with acoustic type music to have live music at the event, and other fun activities,” Hamilton said.

This first market of the season, the local Bourbon County Democrats are serving breakfast/ brunch on Saturday from 8 a.m. – noon.

They will serve fresh coffee or bottled water, fresh fruit, and a choice of fresh-baked coffee cake–all for $5.

“We will deliver in town,” said Carol MacArthur, Bourbon County Democrats chairperson. “For delivery or more information, call 620- 215-1505.”

“We also invite you to bring a lawn chair, if you wish to come, eat, and socialize!” she said.

Teri Hamilton, owner of Hamilton’s Artisan Bakery, is the president of the Fort Scott Farmers Market this year.

Teri Hamilton is the new president of the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market. Submitted photo.

“Melinda Goff has been the president for the last several years and we are transitioning leadership,” Hamilton said.

The cost of booths for vendors is $10 for the first day, which includes $5 registration and $5 booth fee.

“If you sign up for the whole season, its $108 to reserve a spot,” Hamilton said. ‘We welcome any new vendors. We can have 25 percent of the booths selling handmade crafts.”

Returning vendors will be given first priority for spots on the plaza.

Some of the returning vendors are the Hamiltons , Still Waters Farm-Katie and Ethan Holly, the Little Flower Farm-Kelly Richards, Chet and Linda Bower-fresh veggies, Ron and Beverly Brown-farm produce and preserves, Tim Allison-honey, Mrs. Tibbits and Mrs. Hawkins-sellilng crafts, Nickie Kraft-home sewn items, Roger Stumfoll-farm produce and eggs, and others.

There are four new vendors who will be selling baked goods, crafts, live plants and eggs.

A National Avenue stationary pavilion is on the horizon for the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market use in the near future, following a T-Mobile $50,000 grant in 2021.

https://fortscott.biz/news/market-street-pavilion-project-kicks-off

Government, Kansas

KDOT hosts May 10 webinar on grant applications for Safe Streets and Roads

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KDOT hosts May 10 webinar on applications

for Safe Streets and Roads for All grants
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Transportation is hosting a webinar at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 10, to discuss the Kansas Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Match Pilot Program.

Cities, counties, metropolitan planning organizations and federally recognized Tribal governments can apply for the grant, which provide an opportunity to leverage federal and state funding to create safety plans or safety projects on roads not operated or maintained by KDOT. For information and to ask questions, representatives from these groups are encouraged to register for the webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FV8PVVkiTeShXcnYFhtLtw

This will be the only webinar regarding the application process for the U.S. DOT SS4A discretionary grant and the Kansas SS4A Match Pilot Program funding. This program supports the Kansas Drive to Zero Coalition’s goal of reducing fatal and serious injury crashes on public roadways through safety action plan development, refinement and implementation.

Last year, the Kansas SS4A Match Pilot Program provided $1 million in funding for 12 SS4A recipients to develop Safety Action Plans. This year, the Kansas program is expanding cost share to include Planning and Demonstration Grants as well as Implementation Grants.

Links and other information needed for the application process will be available on KDOT’s website at – https://www.ksdot.gov/ss4a/programinformation.asp

Important dates:

  • May 10 – KDOT SS4A Webinar (will be recorded/posted on website)
  • May 29 – Notify KDOT of intent to apply through survey (posted on website by May 13)
  • June 16 – U.S. DOT deadline to submit technical questions
  • June 30 – KDOT issues letters of support to applicants
  • July 10 at 4 p.m. CST – U.S. DOT and KDOT applications due

###
Opinion

What About My Purse? by Patty LaRoche

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My friend Melanie had arranged for me to deliver a TEDx talk in Delaware on the rewards of rejection.  For months ahead of time, I was challenged with the very thing about which I would be speaking: rejection.  A ZOOM call last week confirmed that this assignment was far above my ability when I met the other 26 scheduled speakers.

I was to address the audience at 3:30 this past Saturday afternoon.  I was allowed no notes, no power point, and I had 15 minutes allotted for my memorized speech.  That was the most difficult part.  (If you don’t know by now, I have a hard time shortening my stories, much less memorizing a speech.)

That ZOOM call was the first time I had seen the faces of the other speakers and realized that they all were talking about nuclear fission (or is it fusion), metaphysical instability of the planetary system, and how nucleotides relate to photosynthesis.  Okay, I made those up, but they’re not far off.  The other speakers had more letters after their names than I have in mine.  (I mean, how many PhD’s do people need?)

A circle, 10-feet in diameter, would be on the stage floor.  I was not to leave that circle or I would fall into a hole.  Okay, I made that up too, but should I stray beyond the line, the camera could not film me.  Fine with me, I thought.

One of the other speakers–there for a repeat performance–warned us not to use words like “energy.” And whyyyyyyy? I wanted to ask.  Apparently she was referring to the word as it relates to thermodynamics or entropy and not as simpletons like me would use it (“I have no energy today.”)  We also shouldn’t say anything not backed up by irrefutable facts unless we state that it is our opinion. (Do I begin my talk with “Everything you are about to hear is my opinion?”)

At the end of the ZOOM call, we were asked if we had questions.  “Yes,” I wanted to say, “What do I do with my purse when I am speaking?”  However, since the other questions were at a much higher academic level, I refrained.

We were told that the audience could go to the fourth floor if they weren’t interested in the topic being presented.  Immediately, I pictured all the scientists and researchers in the room exiting as I am introduced.  Here I would be talking about the rewards of being rejected, and I will have to demonstrate the beauty of no one listening to me.

The thought crossed my mind that this might be great fodder for my book about rejection; however, since the publisher already has the final copy, it’s too late for that.  But then, as usual, God dealt with my concerns/fears/panic.  In the past few days, I have spoken to four parents whose families are in trouble.  Trouble that totally eclipses my petty concerns about me.

Yesterday parent number five told me about how bad her day had gone but ended with this: “I was getting worked up over things that were out of my control.  God has my days planned.  It’s times like this that give me an opportunity to let Him be in charge, yet I fail to see His blessings.  What’s wrong with me?”

Ouch!

Colossians 3:15 needs to be my life verse: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. God had used Melanie to give me an opportunity of a lifetime, and I was fretting it away.  Next week, I will share the miracles He provided to calm my fears, thanks to some prayer warrior friends and relatives.

 

 

 

Art, Business, Fort Scott

The Artificers Calendar for May

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Logo

The Artificers In May

Happy May! Check out the calendar below for all the

classes and events happening in May
Register for Classes Here!

Artist Opening Reception

Master Artist

Lorrie Fowler, Fluid Artist

Guest Artist

Issac Fowler, Oil & Acrylic Painter
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FLUID ART CLASS!
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Area News, Business

Evergy Announces First Quarter 2023 Results

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Evergy Announces First Quarter 2023 Results, Declares Quarterly Dividend and Reaffirms 2023 Guidance

 

  • First Quarter 2023 GAAP EPS of $0.62, compared to $0.53 in 2022
  • First Quarter 2023 Adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP) of $0.59, compared to $0.56 in 2022
  • Declares quarterly dividend of $0.6125 per share
  • 2023 GAAP EPS guidance of $3.55 to $3.75; Reaffirms 2023 Adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP) guidance of $3.55 to $3.75

 

Kansas City, Mo., May 5, 2023 – Evergy, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVRG) today announced first quarter 2023 GAAP earnings of $143 million, or $0.62 per share, compared to GAAP earnings of $123 million, or $0.53 per share, for first quarter 2022.

 

Evergy’s first quarter 2023 adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP) were $136 million and $0.59, respectively, compared to $130 million and $0.56 in 2022. Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP) are reconciled to GAAP earnings in the financial table included in this release.

 

First quarter adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) per share were driven by higher weather-normalized demand, lower operations and maintenance expense, and higher transmission margin, partially offset by unfavorable weather, higher depreciation and amortization expense, and higher interest expense.

 

“A solid start to the year keeps us on pace to achieve our 2023 targets,” said David Campbell, Evergy president and chief executive officer. “We formed Evergy with a focus on reducing costs, investing in beneficial infrastructure, and making rates more affordable and competitive. Over the past five years, we have made significant progress in advancing each of those goals.  As part of our rate filing last month, we seek to share those cost savings and recover investments made to improve the electric grid and build a smarter, more reliable energy future for our Kansas customers.”

 

Earnings Guidance

 

The Company reaffirmed its 2023 GAAP EPS guidance range of $3.55 to $3.75, along with its 2023 adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP) guidance range of $3.55 to $3.75. Additionally, the Company reaffirmed its long-term adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP) annual growth target of 6% to 8% through 2025 from the $3.30 midpoint of the original 2021 adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP) guidance range.  Adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) guidance is reconciled to GAAP EPS guidance in the financial table included in this release.

 

Dividend Declaration

 

The Board of Directors declared a dividend on the Company’s common stock of $0.6125 per share payable on June 20, 2023. The dividends are payable to shareholders of record as of May 19, 2023.

 

 

Earnings Conference Call

 

Evergy management will host a conference call Friday, May 5, with the investment community at 9:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. CT).  To view the webcast and presentation slides, please go to investors.evergy.com. To access via phone, investors and analysts will need to register using this link where they will be provided a phone number and access code.

 

Members of the media are invited to listen to the conference call and then contact Gina Penzig with

any follow-up questions.

 

This earnings announcement, a package of detailed first quarter financial information, the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2023, and other filings the Company has made with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available on the Company’s website at http://investors.evergy.com.

 

Adjusted Earnings (non-GAAP) and Adjusted Earnings Per Share (non-GAAP)

 

Management believes that adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) are representative measures of Evergy’s recurring earnings, assist in the comparability of results and are consistent with how management reviews performance. Evergy’s adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) for the three months ended March 31, 2022 have been recast, as applicable, to conform to the current year presentation.

 

Evergy’s adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were $136.1 million or $0.59 per share. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, Evergy’s adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) were $129.9 million or $0.56 per share.

 

In addition to net income attributable to Evergy, Inc. and diluted EPS, Evergy’s management uses adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) to evaluate earnings and EPS without i.) the costs resulting from non-regulated energy marketing margins from the February 2021 winter weather event; ii.) gains or losses related to equity investments subject to a restriction on sale; iii.) the revenues collected from customers for the return on investment of the retired Sibley Station in 2022 for future refunds to customers; iv.) the mark-to-market impacts of economic hedges related to Evergy Kansas Central’s non-regulated 8% ownership share of Jeffrey Energy Center (JEC); and v.) the transmission revenues collected from customers in 2022 through Evergy Kansas Central’s FERC transmission formula rate (TFR) to be refunded to customers in accordance with a December 2022 FERC order.

 

Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) are intended to aid an investor’s overall understanding of results. Management believes that adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) provides a meaningful basis for evaluating Evergy’s operations across periods because it excludes certain items that management does not believe are indicative of Evergy’s ongoing performance or that can create period to period earnings volatility.

 

Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) are used internally to measure performance against budget and in reports for management and the Evergy board of directors. Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) are financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to other companies’ presentations or more useful than the GAAP information provided elsewhere in this report.

 

Evergy, Inc

Consolidated Earnings and Diluted Earnings Per Share

(Unaudited)

 

Earnings (Loss)

  

Earnings (Loss) per Diluted Share

  

Earnings (Loss)

  

Earnings (Loss) per Diluted Share
Three Months Ended March 31

2023

  

2022
 

(millions, except per share amounts)
Net income attributable to Evergy, Inc.

$     142.6

  

$       0.62

  

$     122.5

  

$       0.53
Non-GAAP reconciling items:              
Sibley Station return on investment, pre-tax(a)

           —

  

           —

  

         (3.1)

  

       (0.01)
Mark-to-market impact of JEC economic hedges, pre-tax(b)

         (8.4)

  

       (0.04)

  

           —

  

           —
Non-regulated energy marketing costs related to February 2021    winter weather event, pre-tax(c)

          0.1

  

           —

  

          0.3

  

           —
Restricted equity investment losses, pre-tax(d)

           —

  

           —

  

        14.2

  

        0.06
TFR refund, pre-tax(e)

           —

  

           —

  

         (1.9)

  

       (0.01)
Income tax (benefit) expense (f)

          1.8

  

        0.01

  

         (2.1)

  

       (0.01)
Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP)

$     136.1

  

$       0.59

  

$     129.9

  

$       0.56
  1. Reflects revenues collected from customers for the return on investment of the retired Sibley Station in 2022 that are included in operating revenues on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
  1. Reflects mark-to-market gains or losses related to forward contracts for natural gas and electricity entered into as economic hedges against fuel price volatility related to Evergy Kansas Central’s non-regulated 8% ownership share of JEC that are included in operating revenues on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
  1. Reflects non-regulated energy marketing incentive compensation costs related to the February 2021 winter weather event that are included in operating and maintenance expense on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
  1. Reflects losses related to equity investments which were subject to a restriction on sale that are included in investment earnings on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
  1. Reflects transmission revenues collected from customers in 2022 through Evergy Kansas Central’s FERC TFR to be refunded to customers in accordance with a December 2022 FERC order that are included in operating revenues on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
  1. Reflects an income tax effect calculated at a statutory rate of approximately 22%.

 

GAAP to Non-GAAP Earnings Guidance

 

 

Original 2021
Earnings per
Diluted Share

Guidance

2023
Earnings per
Diluted Share

Guidance
Net income attributable to Evergy, Inc.

$3.14 – $3.34

$3.55 – $3.75
Non-GAAP reconciling items:

Advisor expense, pre-tax(a)

0.05

–
Executive transition cost, pre-tax(b)

0.03

–
Income tax benefit(c)

(0.02)

–
Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP)

$3.20 – $3.40

$3.55 – $3.75
  1. Reflects our advisor expense incurred associated with strategic planning.
  2. Reflects costs associated with certain executive transition costs at the Evergy Companies.
  3. Reflects an income tax effect calculated at a statutory rate of approximately 26% with the exception of certain non-deductible items.

 

About Evergy

 

Evergy, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVRG), serves 1.7 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. Evergy’s mission is to empower a better future. Our focus remains on producing, transmitting and delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for the benefit of our stakeholders. Today, about half of Evergy’s power comes from carbon-free sources, creating more reliable energy with less impact to the environment. We value innovation and adaptability to give our customers better ways to manage their energy use, to create a safe, diverse and inclusive workplace for our employees, and to add value for our investors. Headquartered in Kansas City, our employees are active members of the communities we serve.

 

For more information about Evergy, visit us at http://investors.evergy.com.

Bourbon County, Schools

Uniontown FFA Meat Evaluation Team is the State Runner-Up

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Submitted photo.

The Uniontown FFA Meat Evaluation Team was recently named as the State Runner-Up team at the Kansas FFA State Meat Evaluation contest held in Manhattan, Kansas on April 30th. With their 2nd place finish at the state competition, Uniontown FFA will represent Kansas FFA at the 2024 National Western Stock Show Meat Judging contest held in Denver, Colorado in January.

The team was led by Byron Fry, who ranked as the 2nd High Individual overall and Addisyn Hall who finished in 5th place individually. Brycen Stewart ended up in 14th and Corrynn Atkins ranked 21st. All four of Uniontown’s team members are Juniors at Uniontown High School and will have the opportunity to return to the state contest next year.

This Runner-up finish for Uniontown FFA continues an impressive run of state contest rankings for the chapter. Over the past seven years Uniontown has been named the Champion Team Overall two times (2018 and 2021) and the Runner-up team three times (2017, 2019, 2023) in the Meat Evaluation contest. Additionally the chapter was the State Champion team at the Livestock Judging event in 2016 and 2019, the State Ritual contest in 2021 and the Leadership Information contest in 2019.

The team is coached by Uniontown High School Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor Scott Sutton who has been at Uniontown since the 2016-2017 school year.

Bourbon County

Bo Co Coalition Minutes of May 3

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Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Minutes

 

May 3, 2023

 

 

  1. Welcome:  Twenty-four members representing twenty-one agencies attended.  Billie Jo announced that a vacancy continues on the Board of Directors.  She also noted that the Board had approved swim pass applications and would be notifying those recipients as soon as the new pool manager and pass regulations were in place.

 

  1. Member Introductions and Announcements:
  • Billie Jo shared the following information from Vicky Wright, SEK Mental Health: May is Mental Health Month.  They will be hosting their first annual “Spring into Summer Self-Care Fair,” on May 23, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00p.m., at the Fort Scott Middle School.  Seventeen vendors are currently sign up to participate, but they continue to take registrations.  This is a free event with the possibility of door prizes!  Contact Vicki for further information:  [email protected] or 620-212-9391.
  • Kathy Romero and Travis Wilcoxen with Angels Care Home Health were first time members.
  • Nick Johnson, USD 234 PreSchool Center: Round-Up will be held on Friday, May 5.
  • Michelle Stevenson Fort Scott Early Childhood Program: Fourteen children are ready to exit her program, she now needs referrals!
  • Maggie Young, CHC Tobacco Succession: The program will be starting next month for Bourbon County.
  • Shana Willey, CHC Community Health Worker: Can help families and community members with applications and resources.
  • Tammy Alcantar, Crawford County Health Department: Teen Pregnancy and Baby and Me Tobacco Free programs continue to be available in Fort Scott.  Tammy also reminded members that the Bourbon County Community Baby Shower would be held on June 22, 10 a.m. until noon, at the County Health Department.  Holly could still use donations of gifts for the mothers and babies.
  • Patty Simpson, Fort Scott Housing Authority: All 190 units are currently full. There are already 25 on the waiting list but she is still taking applications.
  • LeaKay Karleskint, K-State Research: She has several classes in progress with another to begin on May 18.  LeaKay continues to look for partners who can supply space for her classes.
  • Lisa Robertson, CHC COPE and Lindsey McNeil, KU: The “Diabetes Education Event” will be May 10, 5:00 p.m. at 104 N. National;  a “ Self Care Mental Health Awareness” will be May 18 at HBCAT office.  Contact Lisa for more information.
  • Rachel Carpenter, HBCAT: Contact Rachel for grant opportunities.
  • Cassidy Lutz, K-State Research: Will present “What the Tech?! Phone Safety for Parents” on May 31 at 104 N. National, at 5:30 p.m.
  • Megan Smith and Amy Hagan, Family Resource Specialists with CHC: They strive to connect families with resources; Megan through the office setting and Amy in the homes.
  • Christine Abbott, SEKWorks: Reminded members about Workshop Wednesdays which are 15 minute video/chats found on the website; Christine can send the QR code for those that are interested.
  • Sydney Herring, Response Advocate with the Family Resource Center: Sydney works under a grant that keeps children in their homes as long as it is safe.
  • Elizabeth Schafer, CASA and Kiwanis: These organizations need more volunteers.
  • Sandy, RSVP:  Sandy matches non-profits and volunteers.  She noted that the Uniontown Teammate program is completing a successful two years.  The next Red Cross Blood drive will be June 15/16 at Buck Run Community Center.  Contact Sandy to volunteer for a two-hour shift.
  • Allen Schellack, Compassionate Ministries/Salvation Army/Ministerial Alliance: Allen will be working again with Evergy to distribute fans; last year the program provided seventy fans for needy persons.  Allen also informed the members that the Ministerial Alliance helps transients going through town by provided a night in a hotel and bus ticket as needed.  Bus station now is in Fort Scott at Pete’s.

 

  1. Program: Bourbon County transportation program presented by COPE, LHEAT, and SEK-CAP. The June program will be an explanation of KanCare/Medicaid by Dawn Cubbison.  April Jackson, Thrive Allen County, will present our August program.

 

Scott, Director of Transportation for SEK CAP, explained how the General Public Transportation works in other counties and what would be needed for the program to be implemented in Fort Scott and/or Bourbon County.  This program would be 70% grant funded with 30% matching funds from county and city governments, local programs or grants, or private support or donations.   Passengers would not be charged fares, but donations would be accepted, typically $1.00 per ride.  Bourbon County demographics certainly confirm the need for such a service.  Rachel Carpenter, HBCAT, will be working with SEK CAP toward the goal of implementation.

 

  1. Open Forum:  Need monthly programs beginning in September.  David Gillen, Beacon, was not able to attend the meeting but wanted members to know that he is looking for an Assistant Director.  The job would require sixteen hours each week with an additional two hours on the third Thursday of each month; salary is $1,000 per month.

 

  1. Adjournment:  Next General Membership meeting will be June 7, at 1:00 p.m.
Business, Food, Fort Scott

Papa Don’s Celebrates Anniversary

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Papa Don’s Restaurant day staff: Sheila Rygmyr, Emily Martin, Jessica Joyce, Shayla Cowlshaw, Amy Walker.
Mother-daughter team of Sheila Rygmyr and Brita Bolton are the owners of Papa Don’s Pizza Restaurant in historic downtown Fort Scott.
From left, the evening crew of Papa Don’s Pizza, Cash Rygmyr-Rose, Melody Cooper, Abby Sczpanski, Brita Bolton and Daswon Wilson. Submitted.
They originally opened the business at 22 N. Main in March 1991 and after a break of several years reopened at 10 N. Main on May 2, 2011.
May be an image of text
They strive to provide their community with all manner of food service.
“We actually do it all,” Brita said. “Not only dine-in and carry-out but also delivery, catering, online ordering and curbside. From pizza, pasta, salad bar, ice cream and deli sandwiches. Plus gluten-free and low carb is available.”
Hours of operation are Monday to Saturdays 10:30 a.m, to 8 p.m. and  the first Sunday of every month 11a.m. to 3 p.m.
To contact the business: email at [email protected] or by phone 620.223.4171 or find them on Facebook Papa Don’s Pizza.
They currently have 15 employees that includes the owners.
The best part of being a small business owner in Fort Scott is “the local support from the community and surrounding schools that we cater lunches for every week,” Brita said.

 

Papa Don’s back patio is a pretty place to eat a meal on these warm spring days.